Chapter 656

Chapter 656: The Method to Advance to Ninth-tier Tian Puppet Master

“The past is too painful to recall; Grand Elder, please do not reopen my wounds,” the National Master said, shaking his head.

He then began discussing artifact crafting with Xu Fan.

At first, the National Master’s expression remained calm, but as the discussion went on, his astonishment grew.

“Grand Elder, have you reached that realm?” The National Master’s voice trembled slightly.

“I see it, but I haven’t grasped it yet,” Xu Fan replied cryptically, his words adding to his mysterious aura.

The National Master’s reaction was dramatic; he almost wanted to kneel and bow to Xu Fan as his master!

“Grand Elder, I was wrong in the past.”

“I sincerely apologize to you,” the National Master said formally, bowing deeply.

Gone was his earlier demeanor of trying to protect his wealth; the National Master had transformed into an ardent admirer.

Four celestial tools appeared beside the National Master, intended as gifts to Xu Fan as an apology.

“There’s no need for that; our grievances have been settled, and there’s no need for gifts,” Xu Fan said.

“No, I have offended the Grand Elder. Since you can still spare my life, what harm is there in offering these material items?” the National Master insisted with a resolute expression.

“Take them back; these celestial tools would be better off given to the puppets under the Nine Phoenix Dynasty, to enhance our fighting strength.”

Xu Fan’s need for celestial tools was not as strong as before. Even with celestial tools, none of his disciples could use them at present.

“That makes sense; having these puppets will help maintain the stability of the Nine Phoenix Dynasty,” the National Master said with a smile.

The two continued discussing artifact crafting.

Half a year later, the National Master, now completely devoted to Xu Fan, reluctantly took his leave aboard the Star Ship.

Xu Fan watched the departing Star Ship and couldn’t help but sigh softly.

“It wasn’t easy; I finally drained this National Master dry in half a year.”

“Master, has the grudge with the National Master really been resolved like this?” Li Xingci asked Xu Fan beside him.

“The National Master has offered many valuable items to settle our issues, and in the future, the Nine Phoenix Dynasty will still need him, so let’s consider it settled.”

“Our only loss here is that we will have fewer snacks for the grapes in the future,” Xu Fan said with a laugh.

In the past, whenever the National Master sent puppets to attack, the grapes would be the most excited.

To grapes, those Great Ascension stage puppets were no threat; they were simply crunchy little snacks, easily devoured.

“It seems we need to withdraw some of those infiltrators from the Nine Phoenix Dynasty,” Li Xingci said.

“Let them stay in the Nine Phoenix Dynasty; it doesn’t matter to bring them back,” Xu Fan replied.

Li Xingci nodded.

“Is the family harmonious lately?” Xu Fan asked lightheartedly, having nothing else to do.

“Tian’er has been obsessed with cultivation and has been in seclusion for quite a long time,” Li Xingci said.

"Among my disciples, if I were to let you all go, you would definitely be the one who thrives the most," Xu Fan said with a smile.

"Master is teasing me again." For some reason, Li Xing Chi thought of Wang Yulun.

A jade plate appeared in Xu Fan’s hand.

"This is the latest version of the Cycle of Rebirth Technique. Keep it safe and practice it slowly when you return," Xu Fan said.

Li Xingci took the jade butterfly and scanned it with his consciousness, suddenly noticing that the entire Cycle of Rebirth had undergone significant changes.

Moreover, he felt that the Cycle of Rebirth Technique had reached its peak.

"Master, your ability to deduce techniques has improved again," Li Xingci said.

"Of course, your master is now at the Core Formation stage," Xu Fan replied with a laugh.

Several more jade plates appeared in Xu Fan’s hand.

"Since you’re here, could you deliver these to the others?"

After saying this, Xu Fan flew toward his courtyard.

Discussing the path with the National Master for six months had drained a lot of Xu Fan’s energy.

In the cultivation room, Xu Fan slowly opened his eyes and then activated the usually unnoticed system.

"Little system, your time is almost up; you won’t be able to limit me much longer," Xu Fan said with a smile.

When he was on the verge of advancing to Golden Immortal in the nightmare illusion, he suddenly sensed the principles of the wide road within the system.

It was just a fleeting thought, but Xu Fan definitely felt it.

He believed that with enough time, he would surely uncover the secrets of this system.

Xu Fan opened the system’s only log.

Suddenly, he noticed several unusual entries.

After reading them, Xu Fan’s expression turned serious.

"There shouldn’t be such a being watching over me, should there?" Xu Fan said with surprise.

"I have to admit, this system still has its uses," Xu Fan said gratefully.

One entry in the system’s log read: "Attention from a Great Immortal Emperor level existence towards the host has been blocked."

This was why Xu Fan felt grateful.

At that moment, Xu Fan sensed something and looked up at the sky, murmuring, "Past, future, River of Time."

"I feel a bit confused."

Just as Xu Fan was pondering the reasons behind this, he suddenly received a message from Following Shadows requesting a meeting.

"Let him come over," Xu Fan said.

At this time, Following Shadows had advanced to the Transformation Stage thanks to the accumulation of numerous resources.

"Grand Elder, I have touched upon the realm of the ninth-tier Tian Puppet Master," Following Shadows said with a bow.

Xu Fan looked at Following Shadows with some surprise.

"Are you sure you’ve truly comprehended it?"

In Xu Fan’s view, becoming a ninth-tier Tian Puppet Master was even harder than becoming a Great Ascension Master. Even with Following Shadows’ talent, it would take at least 3000 years.

"I have comprehended it, Grand Elder, so I humbly request that you set up the Soul Transfer Formation to place my soul into the Core of the Great Ascension stage puppet," Following Shadows said with determination.

"This method was your realization?"

"When I strive for the ninth-tier Tian Puppet Master, I always feel an unseen and untouchable barrier, but it’s definitely there."

"After years of contemplation, I believe that as long as my soul and the puppet are in harmony, I can advance to the ninth-tier Tian Puppet Master," Following Shadows explained.

The method Following Shadows spoke of was something Xu Fan had considered when he first created the Tian Puppet Master profession.

Back then, his idea was to find a group of beast race members with the aptitude for Tian Puppet Masters and bring them back to cultivate.

Once they reached a certain level, he would allow their souls to merge with the puppets.

However, after refining the Great Ascension stage puppets, Xu Fan dismissed that idea.

The reason was that the fighting strength of the Great Ascension stage was already sufficient.

"Then what would be the point of taking this path?"

"This is an unorthodox method. If your soul truly merges with the puppet core, you will gradually lose your intelligence and eventually become a beast-like puppet."

"Why not follow the righteous path? Where do you think you can hide in the darkness?" Xu Fan said with a laugh.

"Besides, the sect is currently developing steadily. Even if you become a ninth-tier Tian Puppet Master, it would only be an embellishment."

"Go back; this path is not feasible," Xu Fan advised.

Are you kidding? If you become a puppet, what will happen to Linger?