Humanoid Talisman Puppets, Artificial Cyclones and Meridians

Over the past year, especially these last few months, the Xiao Family had had a great need for Magic Cores.

As one of the essential materials for refining many medicinal pills, Magic Cores—whether Third-Rank, Fourth-Rank, or Fifth-Rank—had been consumed in considerable quantities.

Therefore, even Old Yao was not sure whether the Xiao Family still had a reserve of more than a hundred Third-Rank Monster Cores.

After all, for low-level Magical Beasts below the Fifth Tier, Magic Cores were not guaranteed drops. Low-level Magical Beasts only had a chance of developing one within their bodies.

More than a hundred Third-Rank Monster Cores—if their luck was poor, they would need to hunt hundreds or even thousands of Third-Rank Magical Beasts!

"We should have Third-Rank Monster Cores, but there were never many Fourth-Rank Monster Cores to begin with, and they've already been used up. We can only ask the Mite'er Family to gather them from the surrounding Several Great Empires."

Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile, then took out a jade box from his Storage Ring. When he opened it, it was filled with Third-Rank Monster Cores.

The family's Magic Core consumption mainly came from Old Yao's pill refinement, so Xiao Zhan and the others had directly handed all Magic Cores above the Third Rank to Xiao Yan.

It was only because the Xiao Family's overall strength had increased greatly over the past year, and because they had reached a partnership with the Mite'er Family, that this was possible. If it had been a year ago, whether the entire Xiao Family could have produced even one Third-Rank Monster Core would have been a question.

Third-Rank Magical Beasts corresponded to the Da Dou Shi realm.

Back then, Xiao Zhan, the strongest member of the Xiao Family, was only comparable to a mere Mid-Third-Rank Monster despite his Five-Star Great Dou Shi strength.

"Let's use Third-Rank ones to test it first. Once we gather Fourth-Rank Monster Cores later, we can replace them."

Old Yao was not disappointed.

Reforging the Talisman Puppet was merely a test of whether his inspiration was viable. As for the final Formation's power...

Frankly speaking, whether it could contend with a Dou Wang or challenge a Dou Emperor held little meaning before him, a powerful Two-seal Heavenly Talisman.

"I'll trouble you, Teacher. I'll ask Elder Teng Shan to step in and purchase the Magic Cores collected by the various major factions."

Xiao Yan spoke in a deep voice.

One Fourth-Rank Monster Core in exchange for a Dou Ling Puppet—this deal was simply too worthwhile.

One hundred and eight Fourth-Rank Monster Cores was neither too many nor too few, but he believed that with the Mite'er Family's current commercial network, they would certainly be able to gather them.

In fact, if they extended the time frame to several months, Hai Bodong could gather one hundred and eight Fifth-Rank Monster Cores from the Black Corner Region through specialty goods such as Spiritual Medicine Pills.

However, there was no need for that.

The material of a Low-Grade Talisman Puppet had already determined its upper limit. Even a clever housewife could not cook without rice. Even If Old Yao raised its combat strength from Peak Great Dou Shi to Peak Dou Ling, that was already the limit.

Unless its materials could be further evolved and enhanced.

"Bone Spirit Fire Talisman, emerge!"

As the Fire Talisman appeared, eerie white flames rose gently from it, while Xiao Yan watched curiously from the side.

"Chi chi chi..."

The Bone Spirit Cold Flame drilled into the Talisman Puppet. Under Old Yao's meticulous control, the extreme heat melted the metal within its body into a viscous liquid;

Then, after forming densely packed artificial meridians, cyclones, and hollow Runes, the temperature shifted, and the low temperature instantly solidified the liquid metal!

"Teacher's foundation is truly astonishing."

Xiao Yan carefully observed every movement Old Yao made, unable to help marveling In His Heart.

Such exquisite control over flames and soul perception was something that even Heavenly Symbol Masters and Immortal Talisman Masters of the Profound Sky Continent could not achieve.

Only Old Yao, combining his own advantages with the cultivation systems of two continents, could accomplish it so effortlessly.

Heavenly Realm Soul, Heavenly Flames, Two-seal Heavenly Talisman...

It was only the combination of all these factors that made optimizing and improving the Talisman Puppet seem so easy.

"Go!"

In just half an hour, following Old Yao's soft shout, a Third-Rank Fire Attribute Monster Core was placed into the artificial cyclone within the Talisman Puppet's body. As for the original energy core, it had been optimized.

"Buzz!"

The Next Instant, fiery red light suddenly lit up within the Talisman Puppet's dull, lifeless eye sockets. The surrounding air rippled as the Runes on its surface continuously drew Heaven and Earth Energy into its body.

"It worked!"

Xiao Yan's Eyes lit up.

Using a Magic Core as a catalyst to mobilize Heaven and Earth Energy in battle—this method was simply too ingenious.

One had to know that on the Dou Qi Continent, only after breaking through to the Dou Wang realm could one mobilize Heaven and Earth Energy on a small scale!

In other words, although this Puppet was only Third-Rank, in terms of energy circulation and sustained combat, it already possessed some of the subtleties of a Dou King Expert.

Peak Great Dou Shi strength, the recovery speed of a Dou King Expert, no fear of pain, no fatigue...

Hiss, what kind of monster had Teacher created?

Ordinary One-Star or Two-Star Dou Lings would probably be dragged to death if they could not destroy the Puppet in a short time, right?

"It's done!"

"Let's test its strength."

A smile appeared on Old Yao's face as he formed a simple control seal.

"Boom!"

Heaven and Earth Energy was converted through the Magic Core and output as fiery red fire-attribute Dou Qi. It instantly spread throughout the Puppet's entire body, then transformed into a Battle Qi Armor that completely covered it.

"Battle Qi Armor? A Puppet can use Battle Qi Armor?"

Xiao Yan froze, his head buzzing as though his brain had nearly shrunk.

In his memories, whether Dou Qi Puppets or Origin Energy Talisman Puppets, they could only rely on their Physical Bodies for ordinary attacks. Energy merely served to drive the Physical Body.

Even King Bei, who possessed Dou Saint strength, and the Devouring Heavenly Corpse refined by the Lord of Devouring, which possessed Samsara Stage strength, only had powerful Physical Bodies!

The latter was slightly special and could Devour attacks, but that was still a passive ability. Yet the Puppet before him, despite possessing only Third-Rank strength, could actively summon Battle Qi Armor...

"I created meridians and a cyclone for it, then used a Magic Core as its Dou Crystal. To use your old words, this Puppet has now been 'humanized.'"

A faint smile filled Old Yao's Eyes as the hand seal in his hands changed.

"Tap tap tap!"

"Thud!"

The Puppet walked out of the Cave and punched the mountain wall.

"Ka Cha, Ka Cha..."

Starting from the point where its Black Iron fist met the mountain wall, finger-thick cracks rapidly spread like a spiderweb.

"Boom!"

It was not over yet. The Puppet stepped back, then struck out with an open palm through the air. Fiery red Dou Qi actually Condensed into a beam of light that shot toward a large tree in the Distant Place.

With a single strike, it snapped the tree, thick enough for one person to wrap their arms around, in half!

"The Puppet I improved is not merely a sandbag that can take hits. Aside from their powerful Physical Bodies, they can also convert Heaven and Earth Energy into Dou Qi and launch it from their bodies."

After summoning the Puppet back and inspecting it, Old Yao spoke proudly.

Puppets on the Dou Qi Continent mostly relied on their Physical Bodies for dominance. In battle, they could act as shields to protect their controllers. But if they encountered a swift opponent who constantly restrained them from afar with Dou Qi, they could only take a beating.

Unless it was an Eighth-grade Puppet, capable of shattering space with one punch through utterly overwhelming power.

Otherwise, when facing enemies of the same realm who cultivated wind-attribute Dou Qi, Puppets practically had no ability to retaliate.

"Teacher truly is a peerless genius!"

Xiao Yan praised him without restraint.

"Alright, I'll continue refining Puppets. I have a feeling that after refining these Puppets, I should be able to condense a third Fire Talisman."

Old Yao smiled and once more diligently threw himself into the great task of refining Puppets.

Through refining Puppets, he had gained some insights into the Talisman Master System.

All great paths ultimately led to the same destination.

As his soul control and condensation improved, he could use the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, this external "Mud Pill Palace," to carry more Fire Talismans.

"Ah?"

"Congratulations, Teacher!"

Xiao Yan's face was filled with wild joy.

A Two-seal Heavenly Talisman could contend with a Four-star Dou Zong. Once Teacher condensed a third Fire Talisman, would he not possess the combat strength of a Six-star Dou Zong?