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Chapter 487: Second Primordial Spirit (Congratulatory chapter for Alliance Master Xiao Qiushui's 4th alliance! )

Chapter 487: Second Primordial Spirit (Congratulatory chapter for Alliance Master Xiao Qiushui's 4th alliance! )

"Fellow Daoist, do you truly wish to make an enemy of my Gu Immortal Sect?"

Pan Yin's expression also turned cold.

"It's not that this True Monarch seeks enmity with the Gu Immortal Sect, but rather that you all have gone too far with your deception! You pledged compensation and then reneged."

Fang Xi swept with his Divine Consciousness, confirming that the Gu Immortal Sect possessed only this single Nascent Soul cultivator. He immediately let out a cold snort and tossed forth a storage bag.

A flash of light!

Figure after figure materialized.

First, six or seven Core Formation-level puppets appeared, ranging from bestial forms to humanoid figures, their surfaces etched with numerous spiritual patterns, shimmering with light.

Then, Fang Xi slapped his storage bag, and another puppet, emanating a terrifying aura, flew forth. This puppet, with an eagle's head and a human body, dual wings on its back, and a bird's claw as its right arm, was clearly a low-grade fourth-tier puppet!

"Puppetry!"

Pan Yin exclaimed, "You are actually a puppet master? !"

Puppetry is an exceedingly niche path within the cultivation world, yet many cultivators often dare not provoke high-tier puppet masters precisely because they can never know how many formidable puppets such a master controls. Indeed, a single individual might even rival an entire sect!

For instance, this 'Heavenly Puppet True Monarch' actually possesses a fourth-tier puppet, and when combined with several high-tier puppets comparable to Core Formation cultivators, their high-level combat prowess is hardly inferior to that of the Gu Immortal Sect!

Furthermore, Gu cultivators are loath to confront puppet masters, for puppets are inanimate objects against which many Gu worms prove utterly useless!

"I hear the Gu Immortal Sect's Gu arts are peerless in the Western Desert. This time, I shall properly witness them for myself."

Fang Xi chuckled, and the Divine Consciousness thoughts implanted within his puppets swiftly began to operate.

The eagle-headed, human-bodied puppet flapped its wings, and one rune after another materialized upon them, linking together to form successive restrictions.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Wild winds howled all around, stirring up a tempest within a radius of over ten li.

Terrifying Nascent Soul-level magical power rippled, causing all the Core Formation cultivators below to blanch!

Roar, roar!

A Core Formation puppet lunged forward.

This puppet, a bird-shaped automaton, flew with incredible speed, like a streak of golden-yellow light. It circled Pan Yin in a swift arc, then opened its maw to spew forth a golden flying barb!

Other Core Formation puppets either blasted multi-colored light pillars from their mouths or hurled sparkling iron spears. . . In an instant, a kaleidoscope of lights almost entirely enveloped Pan Yin.

Pan Yin let out a cold snort and shook the Myriad Poisons Divine Fiend Banner in her hand.

A five-colored aura unfolded. Upon entering it, those myriad-hued attacks seemed to instantly dissolve!

Not only that, but within the aura, phantoms of the five venomous creatures—centipedes, toads, and spiders—emerged, hissing. Abruptly, they coalesced, transforming into a colossal emerald green celestial scorpion. This scorpion, a hundred *zhang* in height, gnashed its fangs and brandished its claws, its whip-like tail thrashing wildly, its stinger an unnervingly crimson hue, clearly imbued with some exotic venom!

Fang Xi's expression remained placid. After all, even if the Core Formation puppets were numerous, they would merely serve as a distraction in a Nascent Soul battle.

He formed hand-seals, beginning to control the eagle-headed, human-bodied puppet.

The silver-armored puppet flapped its wings, summoning an endless torrent of howling gales that transformed into swirling tornados, whistling towards the emerald green celestial scorpion.

Concurrently, a brilliant spiritual light erupted from its left arm, and a silver spear materialized. The spear was intricately engraved with densely packed runes, radiating an astonishing spiritual brilliance.

Whoosh!

The eagle-headed, human-bodied puppet hurled it forcefully, and the silver spear, as if borne on wind and thunder, arrived before the emerald green celestial scorpion in the blink of an eye.

A layer of five-colored aura appeared, colliding with the silver wind and thunder, rapidly consuming both.

"Go!"

Pan Yin, encased within the emerald green celestial scorpion, witnessed this scene. A cold gleam flickered in her eyes, and her hand seals abruptly shifted.

Poof!

The emerald green celestial scorpion's tail coiled high, then snapped out abruptly!

Whoosh!

That crimson tail stinger instantly shot forth, hurtling toward Fang Xi's true body.

This needle bore wafts of a pungent, foul stench, and was immensely large, almost like an arrow.

Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged. The eagle-headed, human-bodied puppet's wings flashed, interposing itself before him.

That slender crimson needle directly pierced through the silver spiritual energy barrier emanating from the puppet, striking the silver armor on its chest. Though its speed was greatly diminished, it still penetrated more than halfway!

The puppet's left hand seized the crimson needle's tail, slowly extracting it.

Upon the puppet's chest, a dark aperture appeared, within which intricate spiritual patterns were still visible.

Pan Yin witnessed this, and a peculiar glint flashed within her eyes.

Behind Fang Xi, a golden flash streaked past.

Within the golden light, a diminutive golden figure materialized. This small being bore an uncanny resemblance to Pan Yin herself, and clutched a yellow jade pendant. It was, in fact, Pan Yin's Second Primordial Spirit!

The Nascent Soul wasted no words, directly tossing the jade pendant it held.

Etched upon the jade pendant was a two-headed aberrant beast, whose phantom immediately materialized, spewing forth venomous fire and searing flames from its twin mouths.

Fang Xi's defensive light shield, enduring this venomous fire, immediately showed signs of instability.

The diminutive golden figure, teleporting once more, appeared behind Fang Xi, its small hand clenching into a fist before delivering a soft, yet impactful, blow.

Crack!

A swath of spiritual light behind Fang Xi instantly shattered.

Just as this diminutive figure was about to press its attack, a shadow descended from above.

It was the Iron-Winged Eagle's wood puppet!

This puppet, shifting into a humanoid form, manifested as a grim-faced man with an aquiline nose. Its hands transformed into dark bird claws, striking out. Abruptly, six crisscrossing black blades appeared within the void!

Upon seeing this, the diminutive golden figure could only let out a shriek and retreat helplessly.

With another flicker of teleportation, it reappeared beside Pan Yin, who swept it away into her sleeve.

"Second Primordial Spirit? !"

Fang Xi gazed at Pan Yin, his voice tinged with solemnity: "Fellow Daoist actually refined a Heavenly-grade Golden Silkworm Gu into a Second Primordial Spirit! I hear that Gu worms of this caliber, when refined into a Second Primordial Spirit, possess many wondrous applications."

"Fellow Daoist is also remarkably well-hidden, actually possessing a fourth-tier puppet."

Pan Yin's expression was equally solemn: "You also know a great deal about us Gu cultivators. . ."

She pondered for a moment, then abruptly put away the Myriad Poisons Divine Fiend Banner, a charming smile gracing her features: "There's no profound animosity between us, so why engage in a battle to the death? This 'Five Fires Gu,' my Gu Immortal Sect shall gift to Fellow Daoist. . ."

Among Nascent Soul cultivators, a battle to the death is rarely pursued unless there exists truly ocean-deep enmity.

Pan Yin's previous engagement with Fang Xi was merely a contest of magical power and divine abilities, with more of an unspoken intent to cease before grave harm.

Now, Pan Yin found that Fang Xi possessed two fourth-tier puppets, making him genuinely difficult to overcome, thus she naturally opted for reconciliation.

Compared to offending a Nascent Soul old monster, the Five Fires Gu, while precious, was ultimately negligible.

"Since that is the case, my thanks, Fellow Daoist."

Fang Xi, seizing the opportune moment, graciously accepted. While he could have summoned Feng Shisan or Elder Qing to directly eliminate this Gu Immortal Sect Grand Elder, such an act would have been far too ostentatious.

Moreover, there was little to gain.

"The Five Fires Gu resides within our sect's Hundred Refinement Cave. I invite Fellow Daoist to accompany me. . ."

Pan Yin gave a slight nod, then drifted gracefully back towards the Gu Immortal Sect.

Fang Xi retrieved his puppets, then, mounted on a streak of verdant light, followed closely behind her.

In truth, the earlier sight of his defensive spiritual light wavering had been a deliberate act on his part.

Otherwise, with the tenaciousness of his now-advanced 'Green Wood Divine Light,' even if he allowed this woman to assault him for several hours, it might not be able to disrupt it in the slightest. . .

Pan Yin, naturally unaware of the underlying truth, was inwardly astonished to see Fang Xi dare to willingly enter her sect's gates: "This person dares to voluntarily step into my sect's protective grand array; he must have some profound backing!"

The two Nascent Soul cultivators landed within the Gu Immortal Sect, whereupon they saw several streaks of light approaching to greet them, each carrying a Core Formation cultivator.

These Core Formation cultivators bore tattoos of the Five Poisons on their bodies, wore indigo short jackets and green trousers, and had black headscarves wound about their heads, their attire appearing somewhat peculiar.

An elder, with a crimson toad tattooed upon his face, spoke up: "Grand Elder, this. . ."

"This is 'Heavenly Puppet True Monarch. ' We came to know each other through a friendly spar, and he is now considered a friend of this sovereign. . ."

Pan Yin said, a smile gracing her lips.

Fang Xi offered no denial, and the Core Formation cultivators, daring not speak further, immediately bowed deeply, addressing him as 'Uncle-Master. '

Within the cultivation world, a disparity of a single major realm is akin to being separated by a chasm.

Moreover, every cultivator capable of reaching the Core Formation stage is a shrewd individual. Even if they had witnessed their own Grand Elder fiercely battling the other party moments prior, at this moment, they all feigned blindness.

"Fellow Daoist, please!"

Pan Yin led Fang Xi to the mouth of a dark cave.

A chill wind wafted from within this cavern. Above its entrance, the three grand characters "Hundred Refinement Cave" were inscribed in crimson script.

Fang Xi stepped inside, discovering that the cavern led directly into the mountain's core. The entire mountain's interior appeared to have been hollowed out, presenting a complex, honeycomb-like structure.

Almost every branch of the path led to a secret chamber for refining Gu. From time to time, disciples of the Gu Immortal Sect would retrieve Gu worms from within, or introduce large quantities of venomous materials.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you make of this place?"

Pan Yin walked ahead, asking with a charming smile.

"Utilizing the very terrain to form an array. . . This Hundred Refinement Cave is, in itself, a colossal formation, albeit one skewed towards the refinement of Gu."

Fang Xi replied nonchalantly.

"As expected, this person is proficient in formations. . . " Pan Yin's heart stirred, and she grew even more grateful that she had not entertained the thought of using the grand array to detain this Heavenly Puppet True Monarch.

The two delved deeper, soon arriving at the mountain's core.

"This place is a forbidden area of our sect; even certain Core Formation elders are not permitted entry."

Pan Yin led Fang Xi to the entrance of a cave. A dark green token materialized in her hand, which she brandished towards the restriction: "Open!"

The weighty restriction opened, revealing a plain stone door.

"The Five Fires Gu is within. Although this Gu is merely 'Earth'-grade, should it be nurtured with various rare and precious spiritual flames, there is substantial hope for it to reach 'Heaven'-grade."

Pan Yin formed hand-seals, directing a surge of magical power to land upon the stone door.

The stone door's surface flashed with black light, then rumbled open. R[A&NO​Bes

Evidently, beyond the superficial layer of restriction, the stone door bore the marks of another, concealed restriction.

Should one attempt a forceful breach, a backlash would surely ensue.

Screech!

The stone door swung open, and a frosty chill permeated outwards.

Fang Xi cast his gaze, and beheld a cavern of ice.

Within the cavern, a stone table stood, upon which a palm-sized white toad lay, its aura incredibly faint.

"I shall unseal this Gu. When that is done, Fellow Daoist may directly refine it with your magical power."

Pan Yin softly explained a few crucial points for refining the Five Fires Gu, then, with a sweep of her sleeve,

the surrounding ice rapidly melted away.

Drip! Drop!

Amidst the sound of dripping water, the white toad lying on the stone table suddenly opened its eyes, revealing a pair of crimson orbs. Its croak echoed like a resonant bell: "Gugua!"