But just as Han Li was examining these peculiar beings, a blood-robed figure suddenly addressed him, “What? Is Fellow Daoist Han interested in these spirit servants of mine?”
“Spirit servants? This junior is ignorant and has truly never heard of them before,” Han Li replied honestly, slightly taken aback.
“Heh, it’s no surprise you haven’t heard of them. These spirit servants are a type of semi-puppet uniquely crafted by me,” the blood-robed figure said with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Semi-puppets? This junior would certainly like to learn more,” Han Li responded with a flash of surprise, his tone respectful.
“Fellow Daoist Han seems quite intrigued by these spirit servants. It appears you also have some knowledge of puppetry. I could offer you some guidance, but for now, let’s proceed to the Yin Fire Hall first!” Another blood-robed figure interjected, his eyes gleaming with an odd light.
Naturally, Han Li had no objections and nodded in agreement.
Thus, the group entered the palace, and the doors slowly closed behind them on their own.
Meanwhile, the giant tortoise-like beast that had been waiting outside leisurely submerged back into the depths of the molten lava.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Han Li and the two blood-robed figures arrived in a hall spanning over a hundred zhang in area.
Everything in this hall—tables, chairs, and all other furnishings—was crafted from a peculiar black-red jade that emitted a scorching heat upon touch. Yet, once this heat seeped into the body, it transformed into a chilling sensation.
The alternating warmth and cold created a rather marvelous effect.
Han Li marveled inwardly at the strange properties of the jade chair beneath him.
At this point, he was seated on one side of the hall, while the two blood-robed figures naturally occupied the central position, sitting side by side.
Before each of them on the black-red table lay an assortment of exotic fruits and fine wines, with a figure shrouded in pink mist standing attentively behind them.
Each time they finished a drink, the figure would respectfully step forward and deftly refill their cups.
These pink-mist figures were different from the earlier gray-mist ones—not only were they all slender in build, but their mist also exuded a refreshing fragrance that soothed the senses.
At such close proximity, Han Li naturally scrutinized these spirit servants multiple times, his face occasionally flickering with thoughtful expressions.
“Fellow Daoist Han, have you discerned the secrets of these spirit servants?” one of the blood-robed figures asked with a faint smile after downing a cup of spirit wine.
“This junior is slow-witted. I can only tell that these spirit servants seem neither fully spiritual nor fully material. Their true mysteries remain beyond my grasp,” Han Li replied with a smile.
“Ah, ‘neither fully spiritual nor fully material’—what a fitting description! Indeed, these spirit servants can be considered semi-spiritual entities. Their actions appear no different from those of ordinary people, yet they possess souls and spiritual essence. Their current behavior is merely their subconscious natural reactions, which I then control using puppetry techniques. As for their origins, they are two types of spirit entities I discovered in the Blood Flame Mountain—ones incapable of developing sentience—later fused into puppet bodies,” the other blood-robed figure explained with a laugh, finally shedding some light on the spirit servants’ background.
“Fusing spirit entities into puppet bodies!” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, immediately recalling his own experience of hiding his second Nascent Soul within a puppet body.
“Precisely. These spirit entities have yet to form souls or spiritual essence, making them extremely docile while retaining a degree of sentience. They can flawlessly execute simple commands. Moreover, they can fully merge with puppet bodies, making them perfect materials for crafting spirit servants. It’s for this reason that I’ve chosen to reside long-term in Blood Flame Mountain,” the blood-robed figure added.
“Such mastery of puppetry is truly the work of a senior like you. Others might discover these entities but would never think to apply them in puppetry.”
Though the blood-robed figure made it sound simple, Han Li—being well-versed in puppetry himself—knew full well the complexity and difficulty of merging a spiritual entity into a puppet.
Thus, his words of admiration were entirely sincere.
“If you’re interested, young friend, I could teach you the secret technique of ‘Spirit Fusion into Objects,'” one of the blood-robed figures said casually after exchanging a glance with his companion.
“This junior has yet to render any service to you, seniors. How could I dare accept such a generous gift?” Han Li replied, visibly hesitant.
“Haha, it’s merely a trivial skill. No need for excessive courtesy, young friend. Over the next month, I’ll have many tasks requiring your full assistance!” the blood-robed figure said with a smile, his tone growing even more amiable.
After a moment of rapid deliberation, Han Li could only rise and express his gratitude.
“Senior Dihuo, this junior has arrived as requested. Could you now share some details about how I might assist in the puppet refinement?” Han Li asked after sitting back down.
“No need to rush. Since you’ve just arrived at Blood Flame Palace, enjoy the wine and rest well tonight. We can discuss matters tomorrow,” the blood-robed figure waved his hand, unwilling to broach the topic now.
With a wry smile, Han Li could only comply and drink another cup of spirit wine.
Suddenly, a series of soft claps echoed through the hall as one of the blood-robed figures lightly patted his hand.
At the same time, footsteps sounded outside the hall, accompanied by an intoxicating fragrance. Twelve stunningly beautiful women entered, each clad in vibrant five-colored dresses, their figures graceful and alluring.
“What are these…?”
Han Li’s gaze swept over the faint pink mist emanating from their bodies, and a look of realization flashed across his face.
These women were identical to the pink-mist spirit servants standing behind them—except the mist around them was so faint that their true appearances were fully visible.
Their bodies, crafted from some unknown material, were indistinguishable from ordinary Winged Spirit Tribe women in both complexion and demeanor. They even had faint cyan wings on their backs.
Han Li’s eyes flickered with spiritual light as he scrutinized them, finding no illusions or disguises—their appearances were genuine.
Such lifelike puppets left Han Li somewhat astonished.
Back in the human world, his late-Nascent Soul stage puppet could deceive others partly because its outer layer was made from a rare, skin-like material called “Chiling Soft Jade.” Additionally, late-Nascent Soul puppets were inherently difficult for ordinary cultivators to see through with their spiritual senses. Thus, in battle, opponents were often misled, unable to distinguish it from a real person.
Yet, these spirit servants’ bodies clearly weren’t made of Chiling Soft Jade. Even when Han Li tentatively probed them with his spiritual sense, it was bizarrely repelled.
Han Li studied the women thoughtfully.
If there was one subtle difference between these spirit servants and real people, it was that their gazes seemed slightly dull, as if lacking a spark of true vitality.
At the same time, a group of young men enveloped in faint gray mist emerged from the sides of the hall.
Each was handsome and carried an unusual musical instrument, seating themselves cross-legged on the floor.
Moments later, enchanting melodies filled the hall, uplifting the spirit, while the beautiful women began swaying and dancing gracefully to the rhythm.
Their slender waists swayed like willow branches, their colorful garments swirling as an exotic fragrance permeated the air.
Han Li remained seated, seemingly captivated by the alluring, otherworldly dance, his eyes half-lidded as he watched in silence.
The two blood-robed figures at the head of the hall cast sidelong glances at Han Li.
Seeing him seemingly engrossed, they exchanged meaningful looks.
After the time it took to finish a meal, the music ceased, and the twelve women stopped dancing, standing motionless with their hands clasped.
“Young friend Han, what do you think of these dancing spirit servants of mine? Though they aren’t combat-oriented, each has mastered a hundred rare ceremonial dances. I spent considerable effort crafting them in a moment of delight,” one blood-robed figure asked with a smile.
“Truly a marvel of craftsmanship—indistinguishable from real people,” Han Li exhaled softly in admiration.
“Since you like them, I’ll gift you these twelve dancing spirit servants, along with the twenty-four musician spirit servants,” the blood-robed figure said lightly.
Before Han Li could react, the other blood-robed figure raised a hand and flicked his fingers toward the dancers and musicians.
With several soft *pops*, strands of blood-red threads shot from their palms, piercing all the spirit servants.
As the threads retracted, the servants collapsed like lifeless dolls.
Then, the blood-robed figure made a grasping motion toward the ground.
Amidst a shimmering light, the spirit servants shrank to palm-sized wooden figurines and flew toward Han Li, landing neatly in a row on the table before him.
“I’ve retracted the imprints within them. With the secret technique I’ll provide, you can refine and control them at will,” the blood-robed figure chuckled.
“Senior, one should not accept rewards without merit. Such a generous gift—how could this junior dare to take it?” Han Li looked down at the figurines, his expression turning peculiar as he declined repeatedly.
“Heh, they’re merely playthings. Or do you find my gift too meager to accept?” one blood-robed figure’s face darkened, his voice turning cold.
Han Li’s expression shifted slightly before he forced a smile and clasped his hands. “Since you insist, this junior humbly accepts.”
With a sweep of his sleeve, a flash of azure light whisked all the figurines away.
“Good! This is my puppetry secret technique—methods for spirit fusion and refinement. Study it tonight; it’ll prove useful for assisting me tomorrow,” the blood-robed figure nodded in satisfaction as the other tossed a black bamboo tube toward Han Li.
“Many thanks, Senior!”
Seeing their insistence, Han Li no longer refused. He caught the tube and expressed his gratitude.
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