Sword Puppet!

[Needle Control Incantation First Layer: Spirit Refining.]

[The spiritual materials required for the method of tempering and nourishing spiritual sense with spiritual power are: Hundred Spirits Grass, Heavenly Dew, Black Light Powder...]

[Method of cultivation: Release one's spiritual sense and continuously commune with heaven and earth. Once the spiritual sense is exhausted, consume spiritual materials to nourish it. Repeat this cycle, and the spiritual sense will steadily grow stronger...]

Just as Su Qing had expected, the first layer of every Spirit Splitting Method was almost entirely meant to enhance spiritual sense intensity.

After all, to divide one's mind for multiple uses, one first needed sufficiently powerful spiritual sense. Otherwise, even attempting to use one mind for two tasks could, if mishandled, end in a split mind.

His spiritual sense far surpassed that of ordinary people. At least for now, it was more than enough for crafting a Meditating Doll.

He was in no hurry to cultivate this first layer. He merely committed it to memory, intending to practice it when he had spare time in the future. After all, who would ever complain that their spiritual sense was too strong?

Past the first layer, the second was the spiritual sense micro-manipulation technique he urgently needed.

[Second Layer: Spirit Splitting]

[Spiritual sense may be split apart and used to manipulate objects; this is known as Spirit Splitting.]

[The number of split consciousnesses and degree of control are key measures of a cultivator's attainment in Spirit Splitting Methods. Those who master Spirit Splitting can refine spirit into threads, thread needles and guide silk, wielding them as if an extension of their arms.]

[Required spiritual materials: Hundred Spirits Flower, White Fox Brain, Lotus Person Limb.]

[Method of cultivation: Split spiritual sense into two, using each to control heavy objects and perform simple operations. Then proceed step by step, gradually increasing the difficulty, continuously splitting off more spiritual sense for increasingly fine and precise manipulation.]

Inside the Spirit House, Su Qing slowly closed the Needle Control Technique.

So-called Spirit Splitting Methods were, in truth, much the same as combat techniques and Daoist arts when cultivated. Of the myriad combat techniques and thousand Daoist arts, if one wished to master them, there was only one way: practice made perfect.

There were countless Spirit Splitting Methods, but improving in any of them required diligent study and bitter practice.

What determined whether a Spirit Splitting Method was good or bad was not how it was cultivated, but the accompanying spiritual materials recorded within that could help accelerate cultivation.

During the continual process of exhausting one's spiritual sense through practice—

What spiritual materials could alleviate the pain of splitting spiritual sense and prevent accidents such as a cultivator's mind splitting apart.

What spiritual materials could swiftly replenish spiritual sense.

What spiritual materials were most effective at enhancing spiritual sense intensity and sensitivity.

That was why, despite having similar cultivation methods, the Needle Control Technique was a Profound Grade Secret Technique while the Eight Spirit Method was merely Yellow Grade Common Goods.

"Before I understood, I didn't know any better. Now that I do, I finally understand why I kept failing to craft Meditating Dolls.

"Cultivation is inherently delicate work. With my crude Spirit Splitting ability, I have no idea how many thousands of miles away I am from making a Meditating Doll adjust its cultivation rhythm and synchronize with my true body!"

The ignorant feared nothing. Before, Su Qing had dared to start crafting a Meditating Doll straight away. Now that he knew just how far he was from meeting the requirements, he had no desire to craft one at all.

He pushed open the Spirit House door and strode toward the Hundred Treasures Pavilion shop.

Shopkeeper Liu was evidently a qualified businessman, one who believed thieves never left empty-handed.

Though this trip had been for hunting Tier 2 Demonic Cores, he did not mind raking in some Spirit Crystals from rogue cultivators while he was at it.

Thus, after remaining at the Forward Camp for over twenty days, the camp had gained a Hundred Treasures Pavilion branch under Qing He's management.

Though its goods were not as comprehensive as those in the Central District, its prices were steep. With barely any competitors, it truly earned no small sum.

Su Qing guessed that if not for Tier 2 Demonic Cores, which people would not easily sell, Qing He and the others would not need to hunt Black Mountain Tigers at all. By relying on this little shop, they could earn enough Spirit Crystals for Tier 2 Demonic Cores.

The moment he entered the shop, he saw Ma Tuan sitting idly in a recliner, yawning.

With Qing He managing the shop and no one around daring to provoke the Hundred Treasures Pavilion group, he had been bored stiff these past days. Every day, he could only collect the hundred-plus Spirit Crystals paid by the shopkeeper and loaf around in the store.

Seeing Su Qing arrive, he merely raised his eyes slightly, not even offering a greeting.

Su Qing did not mind. Looking behind the counter, he saw Qing He holding a Daoist art manual, so absorbed in reading that she had not even been willing to put it down when he entered.

He could not help sighing inwardly that Shopkeeper Liu had miscalculated this time. These two could take the field and cut down enemies, but asking them to do business? Even Tong Xin was better suited for it.

Just as he thought of Tong Xin, someone popped out from behind the counter. At a glance, wasn't it Tong Xin himself?

"Ah! Isn't this Fellow Daoist Su? It's been many days since I last saw you. What have you been busy with lately? What brings you to our little shop today—what do you need? Just say the word. Whether we have it or not, I'll gather it all for you!"

Tong Xin's face overflowed with smiles, and his few words made one feel exceedingly comfortable.

"I knew it. Shopkeeper Liu is such a wily old fox—if he set up this little shop, he'd definitely send someone professional over. Tong Xin, you've been promoted, haven't you? Should I be calling you Shopkeeper Tong now?"

Seeing a familiar face, Su Qing was delighted as well and heaped praise upon Tong Xin.

Tong Xin quickly swept a glance over Ma Tuan and Qing He. Only after seeing that neither had time to pay attention to the two of them did he smile and say, "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. The shopkeeper thinks highly of me, so I'm temporarily managing this little shop. It can't be called a promotion. These Hunting Grounds are no good place—calling it banishment to the frontier would not be excessive. Only someone with a worthless life like mine would dare gamble on it. The other clerks were unwilling to come."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they got down to business. Once Su Qing listed the materials needed to cultivate the Needle Control Incantation, Tong Xin went to prepare them from the back counter. Qing He, however, lifted her fair, delicate chin.

"Fellow Daoist, you intend to cultivate a Spirit Splitting Method? The process of cultivating this art is exceedingly dangerous. You should act within your limits."

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist. This humble Daoist values his life greatly and certainly will not rush for quick results." Su Qing cupped his hands in thanks.

Qing He nodded slightly, then asked, "I wonder whether Fellow Daoist has been busy lately. Qing He has a piece of business she would like to discuss with you."

Su Qing was taken aback. He truly could not think of any business Qing He would have to discuss with him.

As for whether he was busy, he truly was.

He needed to begin practicing the Needle Control Incantation. Once he made some progress, he would have to devote himself to crafting Meditating Dolls. Beyond that, he could not slack off on his daily baths, boxing practice, and cultivation of the Immovable Heavenly King Technique.

But busy or not, he still had to earn Spirit Crystals!

His expenses were growing ever greater, yet he had not even completed a single Meditating Doll. If he did not earn some Spirit Crystals soon, he would not be able to keep living like this.

"Whether I'm busy depends on who is asking. If Fellow Daoist is making the request, then naturally I'm not busy." Su Qing said with a smile at the corner of his lips.

"Then Qing He should thank Fellow Daoist in advance for specially making time for me?"

The smile on Qing He's lips was even broader than Su Qing's. Suddenly, she drew a spirit sword as tall as a man from her waist.

Its gleaming blade reflected Su Qing's slightly frightened face.

"What are you doing, Fellow Daoist? We haven't even discussed the business yet—why are you pulling out a weapon? This humble Daoist is fainthearted. If you frighten me unconscious in your Hundred Treasures Pavilion for nothing, it'll damage your pavilion's reputation!"

Su Qing waved his hands repeatedly and retreated several steps.

Seeing his appearance, Qing He could not help laughing.

She had long seen that Su Qing was timid and afraid of trouble, so she had deliberately meant to scare him. When she saw him gradually growing displeased, she finally cupped her hands solemnly to him.

"Do not panic, Fellow Daoist. The business Qing He wishes to discuss with you concerns this Fire Spirit Sword!"

Su Qing was not panicking in the slightest. Of course he knew Qing He would not dare do anything to him inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. He had merely put on an act to indulge the Female Cultivator's little joke. Now that she had enjoyed herself, it would be easier for her to accept being fleeced by him later.

But when he heard that the business concerned this Fire Spirit Sword, he felt he had been made a fool of for nothing.

"Fellow Daoist, you have the wrong person. This Fire Spirit Sword is a Tier-1 High-Grade Magic Artifact. Even if it needs modification or repairs, you should seek out He Lian Xian. This humble Daoist has no skill in artifact refining."

Casting an envious glance at the high-grade dharma sword, which was worth at least five or six Spirit Stones, Su Qing regretfully declined the business.

Though the Hundred Arts of Cultivation all led to the same destination by different paths, there was also the saying that different trades were separated by mountains. As a puppet master, he would not steal an artifact refiner's business!

Yet Qing He was unwilling to give up. She stepped out from behind the counter and came before Su Qing. Her simple white Dharma Robe outlined her graceful curves, while her voice was as soft as a spring tinkling over stones.

"Qing He did not explain clearly. I am not asking Fellow Daoist to refine an artifact. Rather, I wish for Fellow Daoist to inscribe this Fire Spirit Sword with a Tier 2 Intelligence Rune—or rather, I want Fellow Daoist to transform this Fire Spirit Sword into a Puppet!"