“Nothing, Han Li just feels that the sentient puppet truly lives up to its reputation. If I weren’t also versed in some puppet techniques and certain divine sense secrets, I might have mistaken Fellow Daoist’s sentient puppet for a real person. The aura and spiritual pressure it emits are remarkably similar to that of us cultivators,” Han Li laughed, speaking in an admiring tone.
“Haha, Fellow Daoist Han has seen through it! Tsk tsk, among all the guests below the Saint Clan who have visited my cave abode, you are absolutely the first to independently discover that this maid is a puppet. This puppet was personally crafted by me back in the day and has fooled countless friends,” Jia Tianmu responded, not the least bit disheartened but instead bursting into hearty laughter.
It seemed that Han Li’s ability to instantly discern the true nature of his humanoid puppet gave Jia Tianmu a strong sense of kinship.
“I was merely fortunate. However, this sentient puppet seems to be of a rather low grade, overly focused on human-like details,” Han Li remarked with a faint smile as he observed the puppet, which was nearly indistinguishable from a real person.
“Fellow Daoist Han has a keen eye! This puppet was the first sentient-grade puppet I ever crafted, possessing only the strength of an upper clan’s third tier, entirely focused on achieving spiritual sentience. Unfortunately, despite my efforts to nurture it, its spiritual awareness has shown no improvement,” Jia Tianmu sighed, casting a glance at the maid puppet with a trace of regret.
At that moment, the maid puppet unexpectedly flashed Jia Tianmu a charming smile, as if she were a real person, before immediately reverting to an expressionless state.
Han Li was momentarily speechless at the sight.
“By the way, Fellow Daoist Han, why not take a look at the sentient puppet in the box? See if it meets your expectations,” Jia Tianmu suggested, shifting his gaze back to Han Li with a smile.
“Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Han Li nodded, flicking his sleeve toward the table. A streak of azure light swept across, and with a crisp *click*, the long wooden box opened, revealing its contents.
“What is this?” Han Li focused his gaze, a hint of surprise crossing his face.
Inside the box lay a foot-long white snake, its body crystalline and translucent, enveloped in a hazy white spiritual glow.
“This is a new type of sentient puppet I crafted not long ago, roughly matching your current cultivation level—around the seventh tier of the upper clan. Though its grade isn’t particularly high, it can transform between two forms. If not for the fact that you saved my life, Fellow Daoist Han, I truly wouldn’t have been willing to part with this puppet,” Jia Tianmu said with evident reluctance.
“Two forms?” Han Li was visibly taken aback.
“Indeed! Though it hasn’t undergone blood-binding, I can still demonstrate its capabilities for you,” Jia Tianmu replied, forming a hand seal with one hand and lightly pointing toward the box.
A white streak shot from his fingertip, vanishing into the white snake’s body in a flash.
With a pulse of spiritual light, the previously motionless snake suddenly writhed, then erupted in a brilliant white radiance, transforming into a streak of light that shot out of the box.
A several-zhang-long white python now soared and coiled through the hall’s upper space.
From a distance, the python’s crimson eyes and shimmering scales, coupled with its sinuous movements, exuded a palpable ferocity—indistinguishable from a genuine giant serpent.
Suddenly, Jia Tianmu uttered a low chant and flicked another incantation seal.
The python froze mid-air, its body abruptly coiling into a tight ball. Amid another burst of white light, it transformed into a stunning white-robed woman with delicate features and an air of martial grace, though her expression bore a trace of vacant confusion as she hovered motionlessly.
“What do you think? This sentient puppet is equally suited for combat or serving as a maid in your abode. Its only drawback is its consumption of spirit stones—several times that of other sentient puppets. Moreover, since its body is largely forged from Frostlight Crystal Iron, it can only be powered by exceedingly rare ice-attribute spirit stones. If you truly wish to keep it, the cost in spirit stones will be considerable,” Jia Tianmu explained.
“Though ice-attribute spirit stones are rare, I’m confident I can gather enough. As long as the puppet performs well, I’ll gladly take it,” Han Li replied after a long, contemplative look at the floating woman, finally breaking into a smile.
“As long as you’re satisfied, Fellow Daoist Han. Once you blood-bind this puppet, no one else will be able to control it,” Jia Tianmu said with a chuckle, forming another seal and pointing at the puppet.
The white-robed woman blurred, transforming back into a streak of white light that shot toward Han Li. After circling once, it reverted to the white snake and gently settled back into the box.
Simultaneously, Han Li flicked his sleeve, summoning a swirl of azure mist to reseal the box.
“Fellow Daoist Jia, from what you’ve said, all these sentient puppets are your handiwork—your mastery of puppet crafting is truly remarkable. Coincidentally, I happen to possess a batch of novel puppets obtained from another source, quite fascinating indeed. Would you care to examine them?” Han Li suddenly asked with a smile after storing the box away.
“Oh? Novel puppets? Please, show them to me at once!” Jia Tianmu’s face lit up with excitement.
Han Li chuckled, flipping his hand to produce a jade box adorned with glowing talismans and several restriction seals.
Peeling away the talismans, he lightly tapped the lid, sending it flying open. Dozens of inch-tall figurines emerged—precisely the spirit attendant puppets Han Li had acquired from the Blood Robe Demon King in the Earth Abyss.
As soon as the figurines reached the center of the hall, they erupted into a cloud of multicolored mist. When the mist dispersed, twelve stunning women in vibrant robes stood poised, their figures graceful and alluring.
Simultaneously, twenty-four handsome young men materialized along the hall’s sides, seated cross-legged with various musical instruments in hand.
Without Han Li uttering a single incantation, enchanting melodies filled the hall, and the women began to dance in sync with the music, their slender waists swaying like willow branches, their robes fluttering in mesmerizing patterns, filling the air with an exotic fragrance.
For a moment, the hall was alive with captivating beauty and charm.
Jia Tianmu’s eyes widened the instant the puppets appeared, and he stared unblinkingly, utterly transfixed.
When the music finally ceased and the dancers stilled, he exhaled deeply, murmuring, “Truly fascinating. These puppets seem to harbor traces of divine sense—though not yours, Fellow Daoist Han?”
“You’ve discerned correctly. These are called Spirit Attendants—a hybrid of spirit and puppet. Unlike sentient puppets, they are born from merging the spiritual essence of a certain spirit insect with a puppet body. In a way, they share similarities with your sentient puppets, operating on instinct rather than true intelligence, with no room for further spiritual growth,” Han Li explained with a smile.
“Merging spiritual essence with a puppet body… I’ve entertained such ideas before but failed in every attempt with various spirit beasts. What kind of spiritual essence was fused into these attendants?” Jia Tianmu asked eagerly, his face alight with excitement.
“I came across these attendants by chance and don’t actually know what spiritual essence was used. But with them in hand, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to extract and identify their true nature,” Han Li replied meaningfully, stroking his chin.
“That’s true! Wait—are you saying you’re willing to give these puppets to me?” Jia Tianmu’s initial realization gave way to astonishment.
“While these attendants are intriguing, they hold little practical value for me. Given your extraordinary skill in puppetry, they might help you reach even greater heights,” Han Li said calmly.
“These attendants would indeed be immensely useful to me, but how can I accept something so valuable without compensation? At least allow me to purchase them at a high price,” Jia Tianmu insisted, shaking his head.
“No need for spirit stones. If you truly feel uneasy about accepting them freely, I have a few questions I’d like to ask. Answering them would more than suffice,” Han Li said, his eyes glinting as he finally revealed his intent.
“Questions? Ask away, Fellow Daoist Han. However, if any touch upon my clan’s secrets, I may not be at liberty to answer,” Jia Tianmu replied cautiously after a brief pause.
“Naturally. My questions won’t involve any confidential matters,” Han Li assured him with a light chuckle.
“Then please proceed,” Jia Tianmu nodded, his expression easing.
“During my time in the city, I’ve heard rumors of a super teleportation formation in Tianyun capable of cross-continental travel. Is this true? And if so, which clan controls it?” Han Li asked solemnly.
“A cross-continental teleportation formation? Indeed, such a formation exists. But it isn’t controlled by any single clan—it’s jointly overseen by several of our thirteen clans,” Jia Tianmu replied, seemingly surprised by the question but answering with ease.
“Which clans oversee it?” Han Li pressed.
“Given the formation’s need for meticulous maintenance and frequent repairs, it’s managed by the Crystal Clan, the Stone Cocoon Clan, the Multi-Armed Clan, and our own Ancient Clan. Fellow Daoist Han, are you interested in the formation’s construction, or do you wish to use it?” Jia Tianmu asked casually, his expression thoughtful.
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