Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, with silver lightning snakes slithering through the sky. They then fell in a deluge, causing the entire world to tremble. The dim valley was illuminated as if it were day, with the continuous stream of silver lightning, and the thunderous roar echoed unceasingly throughout the valley.
Under the pouring silver lightning, a resplendent silver figure floated in the sky, drawing all the surrounding lightning to its body!
*Boom! Boom! Boom…*
Each bolt of silver lightning that fell from the sky caused the silver figure to plummet, and the dull sound produced by their collision was rather chilling. If a normal person had stood in its place, they would have been charred to a cinder.
On the stone platform, Xiao Yan’s eyes were fixed on the Earth Demon Puppet suspended in the lightning. Due to their connection, he could sense that the puppet’s strength was gradually increasing under the onslaught of the lightning.
The Earth Demon Puppet couldn’t use Dou Qi, but it possessed an extremely terrifying physical body. Under the impact of the lightning, not only was it not destroyed, but it even managed to absorb the lightning energy, thereby strengthening its already pain-resistant body.
“The Pill Lightning generated by a high-rank grade-seven medicinal pill is indeed very strong. Even the Earth Demon Puppet can barely withstand it. Fortunately, it can absorb the lightning energy, allowing it to gradually adapt. Otherwise, so much lightning would be too much, even for its insensate body,” Xiao Yan said to himself, shaking his head as he glanced at the thick, unscattered clouds above.
“But it should be ending soon. The frequency of the Pill Lightning has clearly decreased from its peak.”
“What an odd puppet. Its combat power must rival that of a seven-star Battle Sect. Moreover, it can absorb lightning energy to enhance itself. With more experience of Pill Lightning, even a Dou Zun might find it difficult to deal with.”
On the stone platform, Tang Zhen’s surprise grew as the Earth Demon Puppet, undamaged, absorbed the lightning. Such a puppet was rare, even for someone with his experience.
“I didn’t expect that this young man, Yaoyao, could handle this Pill Lightning with just a puppet. He is truly surprising every moment,” Tang Zhen sighed inwardly, feeling the end of the formidable Pill Lightning approaching.
Of course, many present shared his thoughts. The Pill Lightning from a high-rank grade-seven pill was well-known for its power. Each time such pills emerged, it required several Battle Sect to protect them. Yet, the Earth Demon Puppet easily handled the Pill Lightning, making it unbelievable. If this were known, even some Alchemy Masters would be tempted. After all, with this peculiar puppet, one wouldn’t need to worry about Pill Lightning during refining.
As people mulled over these thoughts, another thunderous roar shook the sky. A massive bolt of silver lightning, like a silver dragon, tore through the air, striking the Earth Demon Puppet.
*Boom!*
The force of the lightning sent the Earth Demon Puppet crashing down, landing in the square, creating a deep pit with a network of cracks spider-webbing out around it.
The sudden change made the Burning Flame Valley disciples scatter, staring in awe at the crater.
The dark clouds, after releasing the strongest bolt of lightning, gradually ceased their churning, dispersing to let sunlight pierce through and illuminate the previously storm-stricken Burning Flame Valley.
Seeing the Pill Lightning dissipate, everyone sighed in relief, turning their gaze to the large pit, curious if the Earth Demon Puppet had failed in the final attack.
“Little friend Rock, are you alright?” asked Tang Zhen, startled by the final lightning burst, looking from the pit to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s face was pale as parchment. “Don’t worry, Sect Leader Tang,” he said, voice weak.
With a hand seal, a low hum came from the pit, and the silver figure soared up, landing steadily on the stone platform.
Xiao Yan’s gaze quickly fixed on the Earth Demon Puppet. After the trial of the Pill Lightning, its silver sheen was now exceptionally pure, drawing the eye like a piece of polished silver.
Squeezing the Puppet, it felt cold and hard, like metal, incredibly tough. But Xiao Yan was slightly disappointed to see no sign of gold on it.
Demon Puppets are divided into three ranks: Human, Earth, and Heaven, distinguishable by their colors. Human is bronze, Earth is silver, and Heaven is gold. The Puppet was still entirely silver, indicating it was still Earth rank. Only when it turned gold would it be a genuine Heaven Demon Puppet.
Though it hadn’t turned gold, Xiao Yan felt the Earth Demon Puppet’s strength had increased. Now, it could probably fight an old monster like Fei Tian, though perhaps not defeat him, and certainly pose more of a threat than before.
“Looks like advancing to the Heavenly rank is quite difficult,” Xiao Yan sighed, about to store the Puppet, but he paused, staring at its empty eyes where a faint, dark gold glimmer was visible.
“Gold?”
Despite the faintness, the gold was noticeable against the hollow backdrop, not escaping Xiao Yan’s notice.
Excited, Xiao Yan realized the key was absorbing Pill Lightning, using its power to strengthen the Puppet, leading to eventual transformation.
“I’ll need to think of ways for the Puppet to absorb more Pill Lightning. Advancing to the Heavenly rank will be a great help, a true golden enforcer, never betraying,” Xiao Yan thought to himself, stifling his excitement.
Resolving to do so, Xiao Yan stored the Puppet. His gaze then turned to the cauldron where a round pill, half green and half red, was spinning, emitting a rich fragrance that invigorated the soul.
“This must be the Fire Bodhi Pill,” Xiao Yan smiled, flicking the lid off, and a flash of green and red light zipped out, heading for the sky, apparently trying to escape.
“Valley Lord Tang, you take care of it,” Xiao Yan chuckled, knowing pills at this level had enough intelligence to know evasion.
Tang Zhen laughed, nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the space in the pill’s escape direction solidified, bouncing it back.
Tang Zhen quickly caught the Fire Bodhi Pill, depositing it in a fine jade bottle, then heaved a sigh of relief, turning to Xiao Yan, bowing deeply, “Little friend Rock, thank you! This favor, I shall remember.”
“No need, just fulfilling a task,” Xiao Yan shook his head, feeling intense fatigue flood his soul, and darkness enveloped his vision, toppling him from his seat.
“High-rank grade-seven pills truly aren’t easy to refine,” he whispered, before losing consciousness.
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