Zi Yan's Grievances

Having successfully crafted Five-Star Dou Venerate Ice Puppet, Lin Ming was filled with pride, but he did not stop there.

Turning his gaze to the remains of Tian Shuang Zi in his Storage Ring, Lin Ming, wanting to make the most of them, decided to strike while the iron was hot and refine Tian Shuang Zi's body, One-Star Dou Venerate Zun, into Heavenly Demon Puppet.

With the experience gained from crafting the Ice Puppet, dealing with Tian Shuang Zi became much easier.

Take out Tian Shuang Zi's remains and repeat the process. First, use your Soul Power to Purified his sealed Remnant Soul, erase all remaining consciousness, and leave only the purest Soul Origin.

Next, the auxiliary metal ores were processed.

Although the materials were plentiful, Lin Ming considered that Tian Shuang Zi's foundation was far inferior to Bing He's before his death, so he did not use the top-grade auxiliary materials, but instead selected the second-best, but still extremely precious, metal ores.

The Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame rose, melting the batch of ore into a mass of liquid metal shimmering with a silvery-gray luster.

The fusion process went smoothly as the liquid metal evenly permeated and strengthened Tian Shuang Zi's body, giving it a silvery metallic texture.

However, problems arose when it came to the most crucial step—implanting the Magic Core and the soul.

Lin Ming no longer had any Eighth Order Monster Core. He did have a few Peak Seventh Order Magic Core, the highest grade, which he had found in Bing He and Tian Shuang Zi's Storage Ring.

Although the energy of Peak Seventh Order Demonic Core Energy is also immense, it is a level below that of Eighth Order Monster Core in terms of both total energy and quality.

However, Lin Ming had no choice but to select the Peak Seventh Order Ice Attribute Magic Core with the most abundant energy.

"Due to limited materials, this is all we can do," Lin Ming sighed softly, without too much regret.

After all, a Puppet crafted from the body of One-Star Dou Venerate, even with Eighth Order Monster Core, would have a limited upper limit, which is unlikely to reach the level of Five-Star Dou Venerate. Using Peak Seventh Order Magic Core to match it is a good way to make the best use of the material.

With a flick of his finger, Lin Ming implanted the selected Peak Seventh Order Ice Attribute Magic Core into Tian Shuang Zi's chest, simultaneously merging that wisp of pure Soul Origin into it.

"Melt!"

The hand seals shifted, and Dou Qi surged.

The familiar energy fluctuations reappeared, but their intensity was noticeably weaker than when the Ice Puppet was forged. Tian Shuang Zi's body trembled in the light, its silver luster intertwined with the icy blue light, and its aura began to rise.

However, when this aura reached a certain critical point, it seemed to lose momentum and could not truly break through that barrier. Finally, when the light completely subsided, a Puppet with a deep silver body and only a faint gold edge around its eye sockets stood quietly in front of Lin Ming.

Lin Ming carefully sensed it for a moment, then nodded slightly, with a hint of regret. "As expected, limited by the Magic Core, it couldn't fully transform into Heavenly Demon Puppet. This current form can be considered the peak of the 'Earth Demon Puppet,' or rather... Quasi-Heavenly Demon Puppet?"

Casually surveying the Silver Puppet, its aura was stable and sharp. Although not as terrifying as the Ice Puppet, it far surpassed ordinary Half-Step Dou Venerate, enough to contend with some newly entered One-Star Dou Venerate Dou Venerate with unstable foundations, and even gain the upper hand due to its fearless and relentless nature.

The pale gold ring around its eyes indicated that it had reached the threshold of becoming Heavenly Demon Puppet, but its Energy Core was insufficient to support its complete transformation.

"However, the Heavenly Demon Puppet's potential lies in absorbing lightning to evolve. As long as enough lightning power is found in the future, it won't be difficult for it to evolve into the golden Heavenly Demon Puppet realm. By the way, it seems there's a Void Lightning Pool on this East Dragon Island. I'll ask around to see where it is." With this in mind, Lin Ming quickly adjusted his mindset and imprinted his soul mark on the Silver Puppet. "You shall be named 'Frost Puppet'."

With a thought, the tall Ice Puppet, whose body looked as if it were wearing ice-gold armor, and the slightly thinner Frost Puppet, with its silver body and golden eyes, stepped forward at the same time, standing solemnly on the left and right behind Lin Ming like the most loyal guards.

Sensing these two powerful auras, Lin Ming's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

In just over twenty days, the strength of Lin Ming's team underwent a dramatic transformation.

Elder Yao has been resurrected, his strength reaching the Peak Nine-Revolution Dou Venerate; Xiao Yi Xian's Woeful Poison Body has been brought under control, and her strength has also reached the level of Five-Star Dou Venerate; Puppet One has also evolved into a Heavenly Demon Puppet after absorbing the Three-Color Half-Pill Lightning, and its strength is no problem to rival a Three-Star Dou Venerate. Now, they have also gained an Ice Puppet that can rival Five-Star Dou Venerate and a Frost Puppet that can barely contend with Dou Venerate Frost Puppet.

With this lineup and strength, they could be considered a top-tier power even in the Middle Continent. In just over twenty days, they jumped from a second-rate power to a top-tier power, a truly remarkable achievement.

With a sigh, as Lin Ming prepared to pack up and return to the VIP Pavilion—

"Waaaaah--!"

A cry, tinged with sobs yet possessing an astonishing penetrating power, rolled in from the distant horizon like a child who had suffered a great injustice.

Lin Ming looked up and saw a streak of purple-gold light hurtling through the air at incredible speed, its target none other than the high platform he was standing on. Within the light, that familiar, petite figure—who else could it be but Zi Yan?

But at this moment, Zi Yan was completely devoid of her former mischievousness. Her little face was covered with tears, and she cried loudly as she flew. Her appearance was truly heartbreaking and brought tears to the eyes of anyone who heard or saw her.

Before she had even fully landed, Zi Yan had already spotted Lin Ming, and her sobs rose even higher. "Waaaaah! Lin Ming, I'm so miserable! These old men are forcing me to eat that horribly bitter stuff. Do you know how I've been these past twenty-odd days since we separated? They say they're letting me receive the inheritance, but really it's just making me listen to those nagging old men babbling on and on in the Ancestral Shrine while I have to eat that bitter and astringent stuff. I haven't eaten this stuff since I was with you, and now they're making me eat it again. Waaaaah!"

The voices came like a barrage of bullets, filled with deep grievance and accusation. Zi Yan rushed to Lin Ming like a small cannonball, ignoring the Xiao Yi Xian and the two cold Puppet standing beside him. She hugged Lin Ming's waist, buried her tear-streaked face in Lin Ming's clothes, and cried her heart out.

Lin Ming was taken aback by Zi Yan's sudden "attack," but then, feeling the genuine grievance and dependence in the little one's arms, his heart softened. He immediately reached out, both amused and exasperated, and gently stroked Zi Yan's soft, long purple hair, softly comforting her, "It's alright, it's alright, don't cry."

Xiao Yi Xian watched from the side, a hint of a smile flashing across her cool eyes. She was quite close to Zi Yan and knew that although the girl was powerful, she was still like a child at heart, and her tearful complaint was a genuine expression of her feelings.

After crying for a while, Zi Yan's sobs gradually subsided into soft sobs, but she still held onto Lin Ming's hand tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, she would be dragged back to eat those "bitterly bitter things".

Seeing this, Lin Ming understood that his little darling was craving the Sugar Pill he had made. So he smiled slightly and, as if by magic, took out an exquisite Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring, uncorked it, and a fragrance mixed with the aroma of herbs and sweetness immediately filled the air.

"Here, this is for you." Lin Ming handed the Jade Bottle to Zi Yan.

Upon smelling that familiar and alluring aroma, Zi Yan abruptly raised her head, her large eyes, still glistening with tears, instantly brightening like sparkling amethyst. She snatched the Jade Bottle, eagerly pouring out a few round, translucent Sugar Pill that emitted a faint Medicinal Fragrance and sweetness, and popped them into her mouth without even glancing at them.

"Mmm... delicious!" The Sugar Pill melted in her mouth, and the sweet taste instantly dispelled the bitterness that seemed to linger. Zi Yan squinted her eyes in satisfaction. The tear stains on her face hadn't dried yet, but she already showed a smile of enjoyment. The speed at which she changed her expression made Lin Ming and Xiao Yi Xian unable to help but laugh.

After eating several more, until her cheeks were bulging, Zi Yan finally let out a long sigh of satisfaction. Her previous sobs and grievances completely vanished, leaving only the happiness of eating delicious food.

Seeing her like this, Lin Ming finally had a chance to examine her closely. Sure enough, just as he had sensed, Zi Yan's aura was much stronger than it had been twenty days ago, and her figure standing in mid-air was clearly a sign that she had reached the Dou Zong realm!

"Zi Yan, you've reached the Seventh Order and entered the Dou Zong." Lin Ming's tone was affirmative, and he was also happy for her.

The bloodline of the Primordial Void Dragon is indeed terrifying. In just over twenty days of inheritance, she was able to cross the threshold from the Sixth Order to the Seventh Order, a chasm that is Natural Chasm for countless Magical Beasts.

Mentioning this, Zi Yan chewed on Sugar Pill, then couldn't help but pout, her voice still trembling with sobs as she mumbled, "Um... those old men were really mean. They made me suffer terribly, and they still wouldn't let me out. They said they wouldn't let me out until I broke through to the Seventh Order. Lin Ming, do you know how much I've suffered these past twenty-odd days? Waaah... Luckily I'm smart and ate quickly, otherwise I still wouldn't be out now!"

Listening to her childish accusations, Lin Ming felt both amused and helpless.

Lin Ming naturally understood that Elder Zhu Li and the others were doing this for Zi Yan's own good. How could the Dragon Emperor's inheritance be a child's play? Those so-called "bitterly bitter things" must be rare and precious Heaven and Earth Spiritual Medicine treasured on Dragon Island, which are of great benefit to the bloodline of the Primordial Void Dragon. The energy contained within them is extremely vast. If it weren't for Zi Yan's special physique, an ordinary person probably wouldn't be able to withstand even a single sip.

As for the taste... the taste of unprocessed top-grade spiritual herbs is indeed mostly indescribable, which explains why Zi Yan, who is used to Lin Ming's carefully prepared "delicious version" of pills, would be so resistant.

It's like comparing the most basic, unpalatable herbal soup to a meticulously prepared, delicious dish; the former might have a more direct effect, but the latter is undoubtedly more popular.

"Elder Zhu Li and the others are doing this for your own good. Those medicinal herbs are crucial to your growth." Lin Ming gently patted her head and comforted her. "However, I'll try to find a way to make those medicinal herbs taste better for you later, okay?"

"Really?" Zi Yan's eyes lit up again, looking at Lin Ming with anticipation.

"I'll do my best," Lin Ming said with a smile.

Although it was known to be difficult, the medicinal herbs that Dragon Island used for Zi Yan were of extremely high grade and had a violent effect. To improve the taste without affecting the efficacy of the medicine would require extremely high alchemy skills and an understanding of the medicinal properties.

But Lin Ming is no ordinary Alchemist now. An Alchemist who can refine Three-Color Half-Pill Lightning Lin Ming can be called Alchemy Grandmaster even in the Pill Tower, where the number of Alchemist gathers the most. So simply refining the medicinal materials to make them less bitter and unpalatable is not a problem for Lin Ming.