Chapter 200

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Chapter 200: Feng Chang Ning’s Choice

Above the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake, at the Hidden Spirit Sect,

Ji Muhua stood on a spiritual boat, speaking reluctantly to Xu Gang, who hovered in midair, "Friend Xu, this is where we part ways."

"Having a friend like you is truly an honor, Xu."

"If you find the time in the future, I’d love to have you visit us at Qiandao Sect," Ji Muhua added.

"Once things at the Hidden Spirit Sect settle down, I’ll make sure to visit your sect," Xu Gang responded.

"Great, I’ll be waiting for you at Qiandao Sect."

The spiritual boat then transformed into a beam of light and disappeared into the horizon.

Xu Gang gazed for a long time in the direction where Ji Muhua had vanished.

It wasn’t just the sadness of parting with a good friend; he was also considering whether to run away from home, knowing that upon his return, he’d have to face the challenge puppet for promotion.

And inevitably, that would mean a broken leg—his master never joked about such things.

"Dad, Master just sent a message telling me to call you back."

Suddenly, Xu Lingtai appeared beside Xu Gang.

Xu Gang looked at Xu Lingtai with a touch of despair and asked, "What else did Master say?"

"Master said to give you this," Xu Lingtai said, pulling out a wheelchair, which also served as a flying treasure.

Seeing the flying treasure wheelchair, Xu Gang remarked, "Master really thinks of everything."

With that, Xu Gang decisively flew towards the trial tower with Xu Lingtai.

Meanwhile, in the underground space, while refining the Giant Shield, Xu Fan commented on the reports from Grape, "Anyone daring to break my disciple’s leg, even if they’re his father, won’t get away with it."

Hearing this, the first clone said, "Main body, you’re being too serious; you’re not actually planning to break Xu Gang’s leg, are you?"

"Of course not, I’m just saying," Xu Fan laughed.

An hour later, Xu Gang limped out, drawing shocked looks from many disciples.

"Wow, what kind of puppet could break the peak master’s leg?"

"Nascent Soul Stage puppets, absolutely terrifying."

"How scary! I hope I don’t end up with a broken leg from a puppet."

At that moment, Xu Lingtai, who had been waiting outside for Xu Gang, quickly brought out the flying treasure wheelchair for him to sit on.

"Master is truly impressive; he predicted that Dad’s leg would break," Xu Lingtai said.

Hearing his son’s words, Xu Gang opened his mouth but then closed it again.

"Dad, with your strength, how could you be injured by a challenge puppet? Are our sect’s Nascent Soul Stage puppets really that powerful?" Xu Lingtai asked.

"You’ll understand when you reach the Nascent Soul Stage," Xu Gang replied grumpily.

He never expected his leg to break in such a way.

"Oh."

While Xu Fan was refining the Giant Shield, several hundred thousand miles away from Hidden Spirit Island, a giant snake coiled at the lakebed.

It was the last Core Formation stage beast race that the Elder Council of Lin Sen Fairy City had been searching for.

"Hidden Spirit Island, who would have thought that such a small sect without even a Transformation Stage cultivator could craft treasures that monitor the entire area of Lin Sen Fairy City?"

"The human race’s master craftsman is only at the Golden Core Stage. It seems necessary to bring this kid back to the Demon Spirit Realm," said the snake demon.

Recently, three Core Formation stage beast race members attacked the Elder Council to investigate why their beast race’s teleportation formation in the sky was destroyed.

However, unexpectedly, not a single one of the three giant beasts in the Core Formation stage managed to escape; they were all killed. Fortunately, before their demise, they passed the information to the secretive dark snake demon clan.

"Now we just need to wait for the Core Formation stage red-clad female cultivator to leave the small sect, and that will be the day the small sect perishes."

In the eyes of the dark snake, a small sect without even a Transformation Stage cultivator could be extinguished with just a thought.

"Now, send the news back to the demon race and have them cooperate in diverting that Core Formation stage female cultivator."

The dark snake took out a small array disk from its empty bones and transmitted an information-laden demon jade back to the demon race.

On the central continent, in the Water Marsh Fairy City.

Feng Chang Ning was cultivating in a cave dwelling against a mountain until she slowly opened her eyes when the Communication Artifact rang.

"Come in."

The mountain gate outside the cave opened, and Shi Zhan walked in.

"Why is this Outer Sect Elder visiting me during your free time?" Feng Chang Ning said with a smile, feeling her gloomy mood lift a bit upon seeing her old friend.

"I happened to see an investigation mission in Water Marsh Fairy City in the Outer Sect, so I took it as an excuse to come check on you," Shi Zhan replied with a smile.

"We’ve been friends for so many years; what’s so special to see?"

As Feng Chang Ning spoke, she took out a tea set and began to brew tea for her guest.

Seeing Feng Chang Ning’s actions, a hint of heartache flashed in Shi Zhan’s eyes.

"Chang Ning, the cultivation world is currently facing a great catastrophe with the war of the two realms."

"In such circumstances, it is very difficult for a wandering cultivator to make a mark in the cultivation world; a cultivator aiming to become an emperor in a mortal nation is nearly impossible."

"Your talent surpasses mine, and your future potential is greater than mine. If it comes down to it, you could always join a sect," Shi Zhan advised, knowing it might be in vain, but he felt the need to say it.

"Master, you understand me; Chang Ning is not someone who willingly accepts mediocrity."

"Even in the cultivation world, it’s the same. I will either become the top-tier figure in the cultivation world or die along this path."

"There is no other choice," Feng Chang Ning said with unwavering determination.

"Do you have a goal now?" Shi Zhan asked.

Upon hearing his question, Feng Chang Ning sighed and replied, "Not yet. The Elder Council on the central continent has absolute control over the area."

"Even if one were to establish a sect here, it would be heavily restricted by them."

"So I have decided to explore the regions beyond the central continent," Feng Chang Ning said.

"The continents outside the central continent," Shi Zhan frowned.

"Chang Ning, as far as I know, at present, the fusion of the two realms only occurs on the central continent. The beast race does not yet have the strength to reach the regions beyond the central continent."

"However, if the area of fusion expands, and the beast race gains the ability to appear outside the central continent, without the protection of the Elder Council, it would be a disaster."

"Please think very carefully about this."

"If you’re really planning to go, it would be best to talk to Elder Xu first."

After hearing Shi Zhan’s advice, Feng Chang Ning thought for a moment.

"I understand."

Upon Feng Chang Ning’s response, Shi Zhan pulled out several precious artifacts from his space ring.

"I exchanged some points for these treasures that suit you well. Keep them for protection."

"Alright, I have a mission to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."

After sipping the tea that Feng Chang Ning had personally prepared, Shi Zhan headed towards the door.

"Wait," Feng Chang Ning called out.

"What is it?" Shi Zhan turned back to look at her.

"Master, you are a good person."

"Ha ha, I knew I was a good person the moment I decided to help you."

"Also, the tea is good, but your tea-making skills could use some work. Maybe hire a few serving maids when you have the chance."

With that, Shi Zhan walked out without looking back.

Watching Shi Zhan’s somewhat lonely figure, Feng Chang Ning felt a twinge of guilt.

"Master, you will meet a woman who loves you in the future."

"I am not a suitable match," Feng Chang Ning replied.

In her past conquests, she had once considered marrying Shi Zhan to repay his kindness, but it was merely a fleeting thought.

…………………

In the underground space of Hidden Spirit Island, Sha Diao watched excitedly as Xu Fan crafted the Giant Shield.

"Grand Elder, you can actually control and fuse five different Five Elements Spirit Fires. That’s amazing!" Sha Diao exclaimed in awe.

"If you want to learn, I can teach you," Xu Fan said casually while working on the artifact.

Using fused spirit fire was a workaround since high-level spirit fire was currently uncontrollable, and regular spirit fire was too slow for crafting artifacts.

"Then I gratefully accept your offer," Sha Diao laughed, though he was more intrigued by the massive, strange puppet equipment in the underground space that could craft treasures autonomously.

"What’s this?"

A jade slip floated in front of Sha Diao.

"This is the technique for fusing spirit fire. You can pass it on to the disciples at Artifact Crafting Peak," Xu Fan explained.

"Great,"

At that moment, Sha Diao took out a piece of refined alloy from his space ring and said, "Grand Elder, this is my latest achievement."

"This alloy is made from spirit iron, purple copper, and some special fire spiritual energy."

"It costs twenty percent more than spirit iron, but it can be used to craft third-tier precious artifacts, especially enhancing the power of fire attributes by thirty percent."

As he spoke, Sha Diao also produced several fire attribute precious artifacts, mostly Spiritual Swords.

Hearing Sha Diao’s words, Xu Fan nearly lost control of the spirit fire in his hand.

"Grape, call the second clone back to take over," Xu Fan said urgently.

"Understood."

Soon, the second clone returned, looking displeased, and took over Xu Fan’s task.

Xu Fan led Sha Diao to a refining furnace.

"Brother Sha, no words needed; that’s impressive!"

Xu Fan marveled as he examined the alloy, cutting a small piece to toss into the furnace filled with spirit fire.

"Grape, analyze the composition of this alloy," Xu Fan instructed.

"Okay."

"Brother Sha, how did you come up with this alloy formula?" Xu Fan asked.

"After being inspired by you, I started experimenting."

"Then I just followed my intuition and tinkered until it worked," Sha Diao replied casually, with a hint of nonchalance.

"Tinkered until it worked…"

A Five Elements Spirit Fire appeared in Xu Fan’s hand as he began refining the alloy.

As the alloy quickly melted and refined, Xu Fan shaped it into a well-known pistol from his past life. He then used a bit more alloy to craft one hundred bullets and a magazine.

Once everything was complete, a rune formation emerged from Xu Fan’s brow, forming a large net that enveloped the pistol, completing the rune formation.

At that moment, a modified version of the pistol appeared before Sha Diao.

Sha Diao was amazed by Xu Fan’s seamless crafting; he had never seen anyone create a precious artifact so effortlessly, as if it were second nature.

"Beautiful, truly beautiful!" Sha Diao gazed in awe at the finished pistol floating in the air.