bookbashuk Chapter 212 Insect Control Techniques, Matters Concerning Spirit Puppets
Chapter 212 Insect Control Techniques, Matters Concerning Spirit Puppets
The Water Curtain Sky Splendor is not unique to the Water Moon Secret Realm; it appears from time to time throughout the vast cultivation world of the Zhao Kingdom.
Ordinary cultivators only regard it as a spiritual object to assist in the formation of the core, but the legacy of the Water Moon Sect is not unique to the three sects. The formula for the Water Moon Bright Spirit Pill is actually still kept in the major sects.
But since it's a major sect, it must have many similar pill formulas, or even better ones, but these lower-level cultivators just don't know it.
"If you have the opportunity in the future, you might be able to obtain a Water Curtain Heavenly Flower, which will increase your success rate when you form your core."
After Master Xuanhao finished speaking, he continued with a smile:
"The terror of the inner demon tribulation is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. The illusions it creates often strike directly into the depths of a cultivator's mind. What you fear and what you crave will appear one by one."
"Within the sect, once cultivators have the means to protect themselves, they will go to the mortal world to see the various aspects of life, experience the world, and seek the perfection of their Dao heart."
That's what they say, but as family cultivators, they are in a slightly better position.
As a member of a family, one will inevitably handle some family affairs to some extent. The more people one comes into contact with, the more insights one will naturally gain.
"I will remember this."
A Golden Core cultivator personally shared his experience of overcoming the tribulation of inner demons, which was very helpful to Zhang Lingyu and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators present. Putting aside everything else, they at least dared not underestimate this tribulation.
Pills like the Water Moon Brightening Divine Pill only increase the success rate, but they cannot guarantee that a cultivator will be able to overcome the obstacle. Therefore, one still has to rely on oneself.
After discussing the pill formula, Zhang Lingyu and the others took the opportunity to ask Xuanhao Zhenren some questions about cultivation. Since he began cultivating, he had received a lot of inheritance, but most of the time he had to rely on his own enlightenment.
When he was practicing Qi Refining, Zhang Xingyao and others would come to guide him. Now that he was in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, he rarely had the opportunity to receive direct guidance from high-level cultivators, except for exchanging ideas with each other.
Master Xuanhao was generous and answered all the questions one by one.
When Zhang Lingyu asked the question, the master pointed out without hesitation that when he commanded the Soul-Devouring Bees in the battle, he only attacked blindly and without any strategy.
The control of spirit insects generally relies on the connection of the soul. A simple command will be given and they will do it. They seem to come with great force, but there are many flaws.
Their past success was simply due to not encountering high-level cultivators.
Master Xuanhao gave a classic example.
Insect repair.
Like puppeteers, this type of cultivator is often categorized by other cultivators as unorthodox and disdainful of cultivation. However, this is a pedantic view. If such cultivators were to achieve success, they would be considered among the best in their class.
Most major sects will train such disciples to some extent, in preparation for unforeseen circumstances.
A qualified insect repairman must be proficient in identifying insects, raising insects, controlling insects, and seizing insects.
They possess dozens or even hundreds of different types of spirit insects, each with its own function and purpose.
If Zhang Lingyu were to encounter a spirit insect cultivator of the same cultivation level as himself, although the other party might not be able to defeat him, those spirit insects would be extremely troublesome and could easily lead to a stalemate.
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Furthermore, once the Soul-Devouring Bee is spotted, even if it has a soul imprint, it can forcibly seize it and use it for its own purposes.
"Thank you, Master. I have learned a great deal."
Zhang Lingyu broke out in a cold sweat. He seemed to have never thought about this issue before. When encountering enemies, he did indeed act as he said, releasing them without considering the consequences.
He only needed to give the Soul-Devouring Bee Queen a simple command, and then he didn't have to worry about the rest.
"My Li family has some knowledge of insect cultivation, otherwise we wouldn't have bothered to cultivate spirit insects. I heard that you and my family have already exchanged spirit insects. Now I'm giving you a method for controlling insects as a way of repaying you for helping Yan Hui heal in the secret realm."
Master Xuanhao tossed out a jade slip and continued, "The Soul-Devouring Bees are quite powerful. You should diligently practice this technique; it will be a powerful trump card in the future."
"Lingyu thanks the True Person for bestowing the Dharma." Zhang Lingyu bowed respectfully before putting the jade slip into his storage bag.
After saying all this, Master Xuanhao's expression suddenly became serious, and everyone's hearts skipped a beat, knowing that something big was about to happen.
"You should know about the Spirit Puppet Sect, right?"
Zhang Lingyu was slightly taken aback. He was very familiar with the name Lingku Sect. He had made an agreement with Lin Qing, the puppeteer from Tianliu City, that he would travel with them to explore the secret realm together when it opened next time.
The Spirit Puppet Sect was destroyed during the last millennium beast tide. On the eve of its destruction, the sect's Golden Core cultivators used the power of the sect's treasure, the Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box, to send the sect into spatial turbulence.
He planned to let a destined person receive the sect's inheritance and rebuild the Spirit Puppet Sect when he came into the world in the future.
The last time it appeared, it was Lin Qing and a few other lucky ones. Unfortunately, their cultivation was only at the Qi Refining stage, and the spirit of the magic weapon didn't want it, so it gave them some benefits and sent them away.
However, he also declared that he would reappear in thirty years to select a true successor.
The ruins of that sect are located in Tianshui County.
If you calculate the time frame, it's only been six or seven years.
Although only Lin Qing and a few others knew about it at the time, the commotion when the secret realm opened was extraordinary, and the local forces in Tianshui County immediately rushed over to check.
Although Lin Qing and his wife were lucky enough not to be caught, there were always unlucky ones out there.
Once those powerful families captured someone, dealing with a mere Qi Refining cultivator was a piece of cake. After some questioning, the person naturally revealed everything.
So the word spread quickly, and soon almost everyone knew about its powerful influence.
After everyone nodded to indicate that they understood, Master Xuanhao continued, "Although the Spirit Puppet Sect has not had any Nascent Soul cultivators in the last few hundred years, the number of Golden Core cultivators is unmatched by any other Golden Core sect."
"As I just said, although puppetry is an unorthodox method, once it gets going, it's not something ordinary cultivators can defeat."
That's absolutely right. Zhang Lingyu was able to fight against multiple opponents in the early stages because of the puppets left behind by Tianji Sanren.
Like spirit insects, puppets are not only used for combat. They can also independently complete tasks such as scouting enemy positions and transporting supplies. Unlike spirit insects, which require a large amount of spiritual materials to feed, puppets only require magic power or spirit stones.
However, it's one thing for daily life, but when it comes to duels, the amount of spirit stones required is truly staggering.
Furthermore, there are the spiritual materials needed to create puppets. Appropriate materials must be selected based on the application in different environments, as well as materials for post-production maintenance. In short, it boils down to two words.
It costs money.
"I've heard that too. Any Foundation Establishment cultivator can enter. It's said that the lucky few last time only explored the outer gate, and didn't even get into the inner gate or the core area."
As the head of the Li family, Li Yanyun was naturally aware of these things, and continued:
"Several hundred years ago, the Spirit Puppet Sect was the largest sect after the Six Sects. Its puppetry skills were extremely advanced. It is said that at its peak, the sect had five puppets that were comparable to the late Golden Core stage."
"Besides the six sects, there are also many business dealings with other sects in various countries."
The fact that the Spirit Puppet Sect was able to support five Golden Core cultivators at the same time was largely due to the puppet trade.
These puppets also played a significant role in the beast tide. Although they were not fatal to the demon kings, their relentless pursuit was truly top-notch.
Therefore, during the millennium beast tide, the demon race specifically concentrated its forces to attack the Spirit Puppet Sect.
They even went so far as to send out a demon emperor.
"The Spirit Puppet Sect was suddenly destroyed, but most of the sect's spiritual treasures were not transferred out, making them a highly coveted prize for cultivators."
When the Spirit Puppet Sect was destroyed, the Demon Emperor originally intended to lead his demon clan to plunder it. If the sect leader hadn't decisively sent the sect into the spatial turbulence, what we see today would probably just be an empty shell.
Even a powerful demon emperor wouldn't dare enter casually, as it could truly lead to his demise.
So they had no choice but to grit their teeth and retreat.
Master Xuanhao praised:
"Although those Golden Core puppets were destroyed in the beast tide, the puppet inheritance was still well preserved. Whoever obtains the inheritance will have a path to wealth."
"Even Nascent Soul cultivators would covet this place, but unfortunately, we cannot enter."
What Jin Dan coveted were the inheritances and pills in the Spirit Puppet Sect's treasury that could help him improve his cultivation, as well as the magical treasures left behind.
When the Spirit Puppet Sect was destroyed, it had five Golden Core cultivators. Three Golden Core cultivators perished in the Falling Cloud Mountains, and the other two perished within the sect, including the sect leader who was at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
As for the Nascent Soul cultivators, they wanted the sect's most prized treasure—the Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box.
Although the Spirit Puppet Sect is a Golden Core sect, its ancestors were once glorious. Its founder, Spirit Puppet True Monarch, was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box was his natal magic weapon.
This magical artifact developed a certain level of intelligence even before the Spirit Puppet True Monarch perished. After being nurtured by several generations of sect leaders, its intelligence is now no different from that of a normal cultivator.
It is said that this magical artifact can transform into all things, displaying different abilities according to the different needs of the cultivator. Moreover, as long as one possesses this magical artifact, the cultivator does not need to lift a finger; the other puppets will obey the command of this magical artifact.
In addition, it can also serve as the core of formations and main halls, allowing them to operate without the need for cultivators to manually control them.
"I see. So, what you just said, Ancestor, about not allowing cultivators above the Golden Core stage to enter, is that a rule set by this magic treasure?"
"Exactly."
Master Xuanhao smiled wryly:
"Everything in the Spirit Puppet Sect revolves around the Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box. It can control and monitor every blade of grass and every tree in the sect. For example, if it doesn't want you to enter a cave, you can't enter."
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is the sect leader of the Spirit Puppet Sect."
His words were full of helplessness. The Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box controls everything. Although it cannot forcefully prevent a Golden Core cultivator from entering, it can destroy treasure troves, inheritances, and so on, leaving you with nothing.
If you want something, you have to follow the rules.
The same applies when a Nascent Soul cultivator arrives.
"Then I'm curious, why is the Spirit Puppet Transformation Box making such a commotion? Isn't it to select a suitable cultivator for the inheritance? What's the use of finding a Foundation Establishment cultivator? If we want to rebuild the sect, we need Golden Core cultivators at least." Li Yan and the others were full of curiosity after hearing this.
If a suitable person is selected from among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, but then perishes before they become powerful, wouldn't all of this be a waste of effort?
It would be better to find a powerful cultivator; that would save time and effort.
"The personalities of artifact spirits are all kinds of strange and varied, and I don't know them either, but I do know that when the Spirit Puppet Sect ruins open, there will definitely be a bloody storm."
Master Xuanhao said solemnly, "Such well-preserved sect ruins will attract countless cultivators to plunder them in the future."
Not to mention how many spiritual resources and items are available for Foundation Establishment cultivators, which Golden Core cultivator wouldn't be envious of the Golden Core spiritual items, fifth- and sixth-grade pills, and magic treasures stored in the core area?
Not to mention matters concerning the advancement to Nascent Soul stage and the inheritance of puppetry.
However, due to the rules, they could only watch from the outside, but they could send their most outstanding disciples in to rob.
At that point, it wasn't just a matter of a few dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators vying for power; it was a real free-for-all.
"It is said that Foundation Establishment cultivators are allowed to enter, but those who are truly qualified to compete for the top spots are those in the late Foundation Establishment stage, the peak stage, and the sect's prodigies."
When Master Xuanhao brought up this matter, he sighed and said, "Although we are a Golden Core Immortal Clan, and there are a few of you at the peak of the late stage in our clan, once you enter, you really are nothing special."
That's absolutely true. The Golden Core Immortal Clan may sound impressive, but compared to the Six Sects, they're nothing.
Moreover, it won't just be cultivators from Zhao Kingdom; sects from other countries will also try every means to enter and compete for it.
Besides having to deal with cultivators who compete with them for opportunities, the Spirit Puppet Sect also faces many dangers.
The danger lies within the Spirit Puppet Transformation Box itself.
This magical artifact controls everything within the sect; it can easily manipulate any grand formation, restriction, or puppet. Since the goal is to select a suitable successor, pressure must be applied.
One can imagine that when a cultivator enters a treasure vault, he will inevitably trigger some kind of restriction and be trapped inside, or a puppet will rush out from the shadows to attack him.
Or perhaps the Spirit Puppet Box is in a good mood and takes a liking to a certain cultivator, allowing him to have a smooth journey and obtain great opportunities; that's not impossible.
All of these are uncontrollable factors.
This shows just how difficult it was to seize the Spirit Puppet Sect's legacy.
"At that time, although I don't think you can snatch back any magic treasures or golden core items from the core area, there are plenty of good things in the inner sect area, so you should be able to get some useful items back."
Master Xuanhao sighed, "Of course, I respect your decision whether you choose to continue or withdraw."
Even so, the real person still held onto a sliver of hope.
Zhao State is, after all, the home ground of the Six Sects. The Jade Light Pavilion is quite powerful, and he is an elder of the sect. When he acts together with the sect cultivators, they can look out for each other.
This statement also applies to Zhang Lingyu.
He performed well in the Water Moon Secret Realm. He is currently only in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and he will definitely be able to advance to the next level in the next seven or eight years.
By then, it won't be a problem for me to fight against an ordinary Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator.
As the saying goes, having more friends means having more options. Today, Master Xuanhao not only bestowed gifts but also didn't shy away from bringing up this matter, making his meaning quite clear.
Perhaps if the Li family cultivators encounter any trouble inside, we can lend a hand and help them out.
It would be best to act together, just like this time.
Of course, it wasn't his place to say that; Li Yanyun and the others would explain it to Zhang Lingyu.
"This matter is of great importance. I called you here today so that you can prepare yourselves well and diligently cultivate yourselves in the remaining time, so that you can seize more opportunities for yourselves in the future."
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