Inside the stone cavern, Han Li sat cross-legged. Before him lay several skeletons of low-tier demonic beasts in various shapes, a few pieces of ore containing faint spiritual power, and the "Basic Puppet Art" Jade Slip he had obtained from the Scripture Pavilion. Killing those two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Shadow Killer Sect half a month ago had proven his strength, but it had also made him recognize more clearly that personal valor alone would eventually fall short in the cultivation world, where danger lurked on every side. With so many formidable contenders eyeing the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land, a few additional sources of support could greatly improve his chances of survival. Puppet Art was one of the means he had chosen to break through this predicament.
He immersed his spiritual sense in the Jade Slip, carefully studying the methods of puppet refinement. The art seemed simple, but it actually involved several specialized disciplines, including materials, runes, and spirit-control formulas. It demanded extremely precise spiritual sense and control of spiritual power. Even with the instructions, ordinary cultivators would struggle to gain a foothold without extensive knowledge and exceptional talent. But Han Li had lived two lives, and his spiritual sense already surpassed that of others at his level. Coupled with the fine control of spiritual power honed by the Profound Fiend Asura Art, he found himself achieving twice the results with half the effort.
"The heart of a puppet lies in its 'Soul-Control Talisman' and 'spiritual power circuit.' Only by using specific materials to carry them and refining them with blood essence and spiritual sense can you command it as naturally as your own arm." Han Li murmured to himself. Spiritual power gathered at his fingertips as he carefully began inscribing a complete spine taken from an Ironback Demon Wolf. His spiritual power flowed like silk threads, precisely tracing intricate runic lines. Every stroke consumed his mental energy and allowed no room for error. Once the inscription was complete, he still had to fuse a trace of his blood essence and an imprint of his spiritual sense into it to serve as the control hub.
Failure, then another attempt; another failure, an adjustment to his spiritual power output, then more inscription...
He repeated this process for seven full days, wasting several sets of materials. Sweat beaded on Han Li's forehead, but his eyes grew ever brighter and more focused. Finally, the instant he completed the last inscription and successfully fused his blood essence and spiritual sense into it, two faint red lights abruptly flared in the eye sockets of the crude wolf-shaped skeleton. Built around the demonic wolf's spine, with ore for joints and beast sinews linking it together, the skeleton let out a barely audible rasp and shakily rose to its feet!
It worked! Although this Ironbone Wolf Puppet moved slowly and could only carry out simple commands such as "pounce" and "bite," its strength roughly matched that of a third- or fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Its range of movement was also limited by the reach of Han Li's spiritual sense, but this was undoubtedly a successful beginning!
[Ding! Host has successfully refined the low-tier puppet "Ironbone Wolf Puppet" and gained basic proficiency in Puppet Art. Reward: slight enhancement to spiritual sense and improved precision in spiritual power control.]
The system notification sounded at just the right moment. Han Li let out a long breath, a trace of weary satisfaction appearing on his face. He did not stop. Striking while the iron was hot, he used the remaining materials to attempt a Pangolin Puppet adept at burrowing and a Wooden Kite Puppet capable of hovering briefly for reconnaissance. Although his success rate was low, and he ultimately produced only one of each, with even more limited functions, the experience he gained was invaluable.
"The way of puppets is vast and profound. I've only crossed the threshold. If I can find more advanced refinement methods and precious materials, creating Foundation Establishment puppets-or even higher-tier ones-won't be impossible." Han Li looked at the three stiffly moving puppets before him, anticipation flashing in his eyes. They would become another hidden trump card alongside his own cultivation, magical artifacts, and talismans.
Just as he was immersed in the mysteries of Puppet Art, a peculiar fluctuation came from the warning restrictions outside the cave. It was not an enemy attack, but the distinctive rhythm of a sect communication artifact.
Han Li's thoughts stirred. With a wave of his hand, he put away the three puppets and erased all traces before opening the restrictions. A streak of light flew inside, transforming into an exquisite jade talisman that hovered before him. When he activated it with spiritual power, the sect leader's steady, slightly grave voice emerged:
"Han Li, the date for the opening of the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land has been set. Six months from now, we will assemble at the entrance to Devilfall Valley in the center of the Heavenly South Continent. According to our investigations, conditions have changed for this opening of the forbidden land, and there may be unusual developments. The finest talents from the major sects and clans of Heavenly South, and even among Rogue Cultivators, will all pour in. Competition will far exceed that of previous years. There are even rumors of signs that an extraordinary treasure is about to emerge in the forbidden land's core region, drawing attention from many quarters. Deadly intent lurks beneath the surface."
"You are a core disciple representing our Seven Mysteries Sect on this expedition into the forbidden land, and you must understand the weight of your responsibility. Opportunity and danger go hand in hand. I hope you will prepare early and proceed cautiously in all things. In one month, the sect will open the Illusory Wave Hall. The five of you may enter to train, learn to coordinate, and hone your combat tactics. Conduct yourself wisely."
Once the message ended, the jade talisman dissolved into motes of light.
"Six months... the Illusory Wave Hall..." Han Li's gaze flickered. Time was tighter than he had expected. The sect leader had specifically mentioned "changed conditions," "an extraordinary treasure emerging," and "hidden deadly intent." Those warnings were certainly not arrows loosed without a target. It seemed this expedition into the forbidden land might prove far more dangerous than the records described.
After pondering for a moment, he rose and left the stone cavern. Improving his strength required a balance between exertion and rest. He had spent a long time in seclusion; it was time to venture out, gather some news, and prepare for the training in the Illusory Wave Hall. More importantly, he needed to find a way to obtain further details about the forbidden land's interior, especially those "unusual developments" and that "extraordinary treasure."
Changing his appearance and concealing his aura once more, Han Li quietly made his way to another sizable gathering place for Rogue Cultivators within the Seven Mysteries Sect's sphere of influence—the Golden Sand Market. It was more prosperous than the Flowing Cloud Market, its cultivators generally had higher cultivation, and information circulated more freely.
He did not inquire directly about the forbidden land. Instead, like an ordinary Rogue Cultivator, he browsed several reasonably reputable shops, purchasing supplementary materials for refining puppets and talismans while keeping his ears pricked for idle conversations in taverns and teahouses.
"Have you heard? The Black Fiend Cult has been unusually active lately. It looks like they're preparing for the forbidden land too!"
"Not just the Black Fiend Cult! I hear the core disciples of major sects like the Heavenly Tower Fort, the Spirit Controlling Sect, and the Blade-Transforming Dock have already been rubbing their fists and flexing their muscles!"
"Heh, we'll have quite a show this time. They say the spatial fluctuations in the forbidden land's core region are abnormal. An ancient ruin or some incredible treasure might be about to appear. Otherwise, why would so many old monsters have taken notice?"
"Treasure? You still need to live long enough to claim it! How many people come out alive each time the forbidden land opens? This time will probably be even bloodier..."
"A few ruthless characters have emerged among the Rogue Cultivators too. That fellow called Feng Yue killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator while he was still at Qi Refining. He's vicious!"
"And there's that gifted young woman from Spirit Beast Mountain, Han Yunzhi. They say she has a spirit-communing physique and can command a hundred beasts..."
All kinds of news, with truth and falsehood difficult to distinguish, reached his ears. Han Li's expression remained calm, but he swiftly analyzed and sorted through it all. The situation was indeed complicated. His competitors included not only the prodigies of major sects, but also fierce Rogue Cultivators and mysterious forces. The Black Fiend Cult's movements warranted particular vigilance.
At the Wind-Informant Pavilion, which specialized in selling intelligence, Han Li spent a substantial sum of spirit stones on a newly compiled Jade Slip containing brief information on the various forces and renowned talents likely to participate in this expedition into the forbidden land. He also purchased an incomplete map marking dangerous areas and locations in the forbidden land's outer region where spatial rifts might have appeared in recent years.
Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of a figure in a corner of the pavilion from the edge of his vision. Wearing a bamboo hat and concealing their aura, the figure was speaking quietly with the shopkeeper. Although that person was doing their utmost to hide it, Han Li's powerful spiritual sense still caught a trace of an extremely familiar, chilling fiendish aura that made his heart shudder. It shared the same origin as that of the Shadow Killer Sect's assassins, but was far purer and deeper!
Late Foundation Establishment? Or higher? Han Li's heart tightened. Without betraying anything, he shifted his gaze away and quickly departed. The Shadow Killer Sect's tendrils reached farther than he had imagined.
On the way back to the stone cavern, Han Li's mood grew heavier. His enemies were powerful and elusive, the situation in the forbidden land was a tangled web, and he had little time left.
"The Illusory Wave Hall..." he murmured. The sect surely had a deeper purpose in opening it for the five of them to train. Perhaps it would be his final opportunity to improve their coordination in actual combat and test his own strength.
Within one month, he had to raise his Puppet Art to the next level, master his newly acquired magical artifacts and talismans, and bring himself to peak condition.
The Blood-Colored Forbidden Land was no longer a distant legend, but an imminent trial of life and death. Han Li drew a deep breath, a gleam of resolve flashing in his eyes. No matter how perilous the road ahead, he had to brave it and fight for his chance! For vengeance, and for that elusive path to immortality!
Inside the cave, a flame no larger than a bean illuminated his resolute profile. A new round of secluded cultivation began. This time, his sights were set squarely on the Illusory Wave Hall-and the bloody storm that would sweep across Heavenly South afterward.
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