Runes

Su Qing did not try to prove to Tang Wanqing whether he could succeed.

Given that his body was somewhat frailer than that of an ordinary early Qi Refining cultivator, if he truly sparred with Tang Wanqing, it would be like a little horse pulling a big cart—he really might not be able to manage it.

Fortunately, he had no such thoughts for the time being.

After receiving Tang Wanqing's permission and being allowed to enter the Spirit House to study it for a while,

he returned to his own room, thoroughly satisfied.

As You Wish was a technique of Spatial Runes. Those capable of inscribing such runes were mostly Artifact Refiners.

As for Spatial Runes, he was still completely clueless. He would not be making this money.

"However, while refining the Spirit Lotus Leg, I felt that my understanding of Biomimetic Runes had improved compared to the past."

As Su Qing muttered to himself, he summoned the system and opened the Puppeteer sub-panel.

[Biomimetic Runes: Tier 2, Proficiency: 1/5000]

[Medical Rune: Tier 2, Proficiency: 2826/5000]

[Material Rune: Tier 1, Proficiency: 2448/3000]

[Water Rune: Tier 1, Proficiency: 2253/3000]

[Metal Rune: Tier 1, Proficiency: 2847/3000]

[Fire Rune: Tier 1, Proficiency: 2196/3000]

[Intelligence Rune: Tier 1, Proficiency: 1868/3000]

······

"Biomimetic Runes have risen to Tier 2? No wonder my mana could barely hold out after I finished inscribing the runes on the Spirit Lotus Leg."

After checking his System Panel, Su Qing cried out in delight.

Runes were mandatory skills for Artifact Refiners, Puppeteers, and Talisman Masters.

Because the three professions had different needs, the runes each emphasized were also somewhat different.

For instance, to become a Tier 1 Artifact Refiner, one had to master the Tier 1 Material Rune along with any three other Tier 1 Runes before one could possibly refine even the lowest-grade Magic Artifact.

To become a Talisman Seller, the most basic Exorcism Rune and Five Elements Rune were essential.

For Puppeteers, however, whether one had mastered difficult runes such as Biomimetic Runes, Immortal Dao Runes, and Intelligence Runes was the key factor in judging a Puppeteer's current ability and future potential.

Su Qing's talent in Biomimetic Runes had already been Not Bad. After grinding the proficiency of the Wood Spirit Servant and Spider Doctor to the max, his attainments in such runes advanced by leaps and bounds with each passing day.

"Mastering one Tier 2 Rune makes one a Mid-grade Tier 1 Puppet Master. Mastering two makes one a High-grade Tier 1 Puppet Master. That status is already comparable to a Late Qi Refining Stage cultivator!"

Su Qing nodded slightly, exceptionally pleased with his current progress along the path of puppet mastery.

Looking outside, he saw Tang Wanqing carrying a silver curved bow on her back. Led by the villagers, she was preparing to hunt the demonic beast that had harmed Ge Ling.

In the eyes of a cultivator as powerful as Tang Wanqing, a Tier 1 demonic beast was simply a walking treasure trove. Its flesh and blood were worth a great deal, while its Beast Bone and Beast Core were spiritual materials that Artifact Refiners and Puppeteers bought at high prices.

Compared to risking her life hunting in Hundred Beasts Mountain a hundred li away,

it was hardly strange that Tang Wanqing wanted to earn this extra money upon encountering a wild demonic beast that had come down the mountain and wandered near the Spirit Field District.

Su Qing had no intention of getting involved.

As a complete weakling, before refining enough Combat Puppets, he avoided any battle whenever possible.

More importantly, he was not short of this little bit of money!

Tang Wanqing could recognize the immense value of the Spirit Lotus Leg, and naturally, so could he.

He had even already planned to have Tang Wanqing step forward and help him conduct this sort of business.

This was also why he had knowingly pretended not to notice Tang Wanqing's deliberate seduction earlier.

A fully ripe peach would surely taste wonderful, but if he could only look and not eat, he might as well spend money at Red Sleeve Pavilion. The professionals there were far more skilled at serving people than the female cultivators under Tang Wanqing by a full notch.

Su Qing had been there once and still savored the memory.

Only after watching Tang Wanqing and the others depart did

Su Qing open the three newly unlocked Puppets in the system.

[Azure Steel Leg: Tier 1 High-grade Modified Puppet.]

[Function One: Biomimetic. Can replace part of the original legs' functions. Does not participate in Blood and Qi Energy or Mana Circulation, making further cultivation difficult.]

[Function Two: Slash. Its power is equivalent to the full-force strike of a Tier 1 Body Refiner. Can be activated once per day.]

[Function Three: Silk Spit. A silk-spitting mechanism is hidden within the knee, allowing it to be used for blink movement, binding, and various other operations.]

[Required Materials: Azure Steel, Spirit-Calling Wood, Spider Silk.]

[Refining Requirements: Material Rune (Tier 2), Biomimetic Runes (Tier 2).]

·····

[Iron Wolf Head: Tier 1 High-grade Modified Puppet.]

[Function One: Biomimetic.]

[Function Two: Wolf Head. Can transform into a wolf head form, greatly enhancing all head-based attacks such as biting and ramming.]

[Function Three: Flying Head Hammer. The head can be thrown out to attack opponents independently. There is no daily limit on uses. The maximum duration of each flight depends on the Blood and Qi Energy stored within it. If the Blood and Qi Energy is exhausted before it returns, the cultivator will die from decapitation.]

[Required Materials: Iron Wolf Skull, Spirit-Calling Wood, Black Dog Ash.]

[Refining Requirements: Demonic Beast Rune (Tier 2), Intelligence Rune (Tier 2).]

·····

[Dual Dexterous Hands: Tier 2 Low-grade Modified Puppet.]

[Function One: Biomimetic. Perfectly replaces all functions of a cultivator's original Hands. Limited to Qi Refining Cultivators or Tier 1 Body Cultivators.]

[Function Two: Weapon Master. Can rapidly adapt to the use of all mundane weapons and slightly enhance the ability to control Magic Artifacts.]

[Function Three: Giant Strength.]

[Function Four: Micro-manipulation.]

[Function Five: Hundred Transformations.]

[Required Materials: Lotus Root Man (alive), Black Bone Gold, Rain Green Stone···]

[Refining Requirements: Biomimetic Runes (Tier 3), Intelligence Rune (Tier 2), Medical Rune (Tier 2).]

·····

After reading the introductions to the three Puppets, Su Qing pondered silently.

In his view, the only one among these three Puppets suitable for him to develop was the Azure Steel Leg.

Although he had not yet raised his Material Rune to Tier 2, meaning that attempting refinement now would almost certainly end in failure,

as long as someone was willing to pay the price and prepare multiple batches of materials for him as Hundred Treasures Pavilion had before, allowing him to grind proficiency regardless of cost, there would always be a chance of success.

After all, because the Azure Steel Leg gave up the function of continued cultivation, it had no requirement for the freshness of a cultivator's wound. There was no need for him to come to the door to install it, while clients needing installation could afford to wait.

"With this, the Spirit Lotus Leg can satisfy those with fresh injuries who still hold hopes for their future cultivation, while the Azure Steel Leg can satisfy those with old injuries who need greater immediate combat strength. From now on, in White Cloud Market Town, I can take on every leg-severing business there is!"

Compared to the Azure Steel Leg, the Iron Wolf Head was another matter.

It was utter trash.

Even in the bizarre and fantastical Cultivation World, cultivators willing to accept a head replacement were hard to find.

Without a customer base, there was truly no need to develop it.

As for the Tier 2 Puppet, Dual Dexterous Hands, he could not even grind its proficiency yet. There was no point in looking at it further. It would not be too late to examine it once he reached the level of a Tier 2 Puppet Master.