Chapter 971: Chapter 420: Soul-Breaking Needle Upgrade; Fourth Rank Middle Grade Body Refining Peak_2

This allocation by Xu Ping is quite fair.

"Alright, as Fellow Daoist Xu says," Hongyi agreed readily.

Xu Ping smiled slightly, "Thank you for accommodating, Fellow Daoist."

This puppet is extremely valuable to others, but to him, this puppet master, its value is immeasurable, far beyond ordinary treasures.

With the spoils divided, the three temporarily rested on this deserted island, tended to their injuries, and absorbed their gains.

A month later, the three regained their peak condition and began hunting late-stage Nascent Soul level demon beasts in the deep sea as planned.

With the combined strength of three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, although the process was occasionally challenging, it was relatively smooth.

Three years later, having successfully hunted two late-stage demon beasts, the three parted ways in the sky above a sea region, each transforming into Escape Light and departing.

...

Two months later.

Blood Bone Island, underground cave residence.

Upon returning, the first thing Xu Ping did was eagerly retrieve the sealed fourth-rank top-grade metal puppet.

This puppet stood over ten feet tall, with smooth lines and a powerful presence. Despite its dim aura, its terrifying potential was still perceptible.

"A fourth-rank top-grade puppet, already possesses sentience, nearly spiritual..."

Xu Ping scrutinized it intently, "To fully control it, I must first erase the imprint of the original owner’s Divine Sense and also eliminate its inherent spiritual growth."

Only then can I imprint it as wholly under my command, as if an extension of my will.

Only then can the Moon Shadow Stone on its exterior be removed intact.

Of course, doing this will harm its spirituality, causing a decline in its power, though this is unavoidable.

Even with Xu Ping’s Divine Sense, comparable to the late-stage Nascent Soul, this process is extremely difficult and time-consuming.

The puppet’s core spirituality was remarkably tenacious, resisting his Divine Sense invasion like a persistent maggot.

It took a full year and three months before Xu Ping completely erased its spirituality and Divine Sense imprint.

"Phew!"

Xu Ping exhaled deeply, looking slightly fatigued, but a hint of delight flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, the last trace of resisting spirituality deep within the core of that metal puppet had been thoroughly obliterated, its energy fluctuation fallen from the stable fourth-rank top-grade to the threshold level.

However, Xu Ping didn’t mind.

Just as he lacked the inheritance method for crafting fourth-rank top-grade puppets, gradually dismantling and comprehending this one could reveal that method, couldn’t it?

By then, a puppet array of ten fourth-rank top-grade puppets would not even faze a Divinity Transformation cultivator.

This is the true pinnacle of the mortal realm.

But now, his limitation lies in his physical body and blood essence intensity.

Currently, he can only manage to command four tier-four middle-grade puppets, far from controlling fourth-rank top-grade puppets.

According to Xu Ping’s estimation, to control such a puppet array,

his physical body and blood essence intensity must reach the peak of fourth-rank top-grade.

"Peak of fourth-rank top-grade!"

Xu Ping couldn’t help but sigh.

Such a formidable physique—does anyone in the mortal realm even achieve this?

So conventional methods certainly won’t work.

The only hope is cultivating to the Nirvana Golden Body.

"Now, with the Nirvana blood and Nine Yang Divine Marrow acquired, the main materials left are the eternal spiritual marrow jade and Nine Heaven Tempest Essence..."

"But these two items are exceedingly rare, not even a shred of information in the outer seas. I can only hope Hongyi obtains some news from the Star Palace."

Before Hongyi left, Xu Ping also entrusted Hongyi with this task.

Otherwise, relying on himself alone, who knows how long it would take to achieve the Nirvana Golden Body?

"This matter can’t be rushed; for now, let’s remove the Moon Shadow Stone and upgrade the Soul-Breaking Needle."

Xu Ping suppressed his swirling thoughts and began extracting the Moon Shadow Stone from the puppet’s body.

This undoubtedly proved another laborious task.

Luckily, as an experienced tier-four middle-grade puppet master, Xu Ping spent half a year and eventually removed all the Moon Shadow Stone from the puppet’s body.

At this moment, the once-mighty fourth-rank top-grade puppet had become pitted and scarred, showing marks of disassembly, appearing quite miserable.

But Xu Ping’s eyes were filled with intense joy.

"Finally... all obtained!"

Xu Ping gazed at the large floating piece of Moon Shadow Stone before him, his mouth unconsciously curling upwards.

Such a substantial amount of Moon Shadow Stone should significantly enhance the Soul-Breaking Needle.

However, Xu Ping didn’t immediately start crafting; instead, he first meditated for half a month, adjusting his mana, Divine Sense, and state of mind to the most perfect peak condition.

On this day,

in the center of the underground cave dwelling, Xu Ping’s expression was solemn as he opened his mouth, emitting two Soul-Breaking Needles, exuding a chilling aura that stirred the Divine Soul.

Buzz!

Another wave of Nascent Soul True Flame erupted from Xu Ping’s mouth, instantly enveloping the Soul-Breaking Needle along with all the Moon Shadow Stone.

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle..."

Under the high temperature, the Moon Shadow Stone slowly melted, turning into liquid essence flowing with starlight.

Xu Ping focused intently, his Divine Sense splitting into numerous strands, precisely controlling each drop of Moon Shadow Stone essence, merging it piece by piece into the Soul-Breaking Needle’s body like the finest embroiderer threading a needle.

Within the cave dwelling, time slipped into insignificance once more.

Only the ever-leaping green infant flame and the Soul-Breaking Needle’s increasingly profound, increasingly restrained, yet haunting aura silently conveyed its transformation and ascension.

Two years later.

On this day, the green infant flame that had burned for a full two years suddenly extinguished.