Chapter 209
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Chapter 209: The Talented Battle Strength Competition
Looking at the two masters of Versailles, Xu Fan decided he needed to toughen up a bit more in the future.
Just a trip with the Star Ship could easily bring in 10,000 small targets, right?
At this moment, Xu Fan suddenly had an idea.
“Elders, I have a request. When your sect’s Star Ship heads to the Extreme Void Domain next time, could I send one of my puppets along?” Xu Fan said, presenting a specially crafted puppet that housed Grape’s second avatar.
“Just have someone place it on the deck.”
“I mean no harm; I simply wish to see the sights of the Extreme Void Domain and broaden my horizons,” Xu Fan explained, hoping to ease any suspicions.
"That’s a minor issue. Elder Xu wants to use the Shadow Technique to capture the scenery, or perhaps see what our sect’s Star Ship gathers," the blue-robed Core Formation stage cultivator said with a smile.
"Elder Xu, there’s no need for such measures; merely watching through the Shadow Technique isn’t very engaging."
“If Elder Xu has the time, he could go see it himself; that’s also an option,” added the accompanying Core Formation stage cultivator.
“Haha, I appreciate your kindness, Elder, but I’ve been swamped lately and can’t get away. That’s why I’d like to send a puppet instead,” Xu Fan replied.
To Xu Fan, the Extreme Void Domain seemed like the most perilous place. If anything went wrong, wouldn’t his future as a Great Immortal Emperor be at risk?
“Alright, our sect’s Star Ship is currently under maintenance. The next departure is in a month. I’ll arrange for disciples to take Elder Xu’s puppet aboard then.”
“If Elder Xu finds the time, you’re welcome to board our sect’s Star Ship and explore the Extreme Void Domain yourself,” the blue-robed Core Formation stage cultivator offered.
“Thank you for your generosity, Elder,” Xu Fan expressed his gratitude.
“By the way, we’re here for another reason.”
“The Heavenly Refining Sect, along with several top sects from the central continent, is organizing a Talented Battle Strength Competition. All sect disciples from the central continent are eligible to participate.”
“It aims to identify the top ten talents across various cultivation stages, from Foundation Establishment Stage to Void Refinement stage.”
“The rewards are substantial; the first place in each stage will receive at least one precious artifact,” the blue-robed Core Formation stage cultivator explained.
“Precious artifact rewards? That’s quite impressive,” Xu Fan remarked with some surprise.
“This competition is led by the Heavenly Refining Sect; otherwise, no sect would offer a precious artifact as a reward,” the blue-robed Core Formation stage cultivator chuckled.
“When will it be held?” Xu Fan considered having his disciples participate; winning first place would mean a precious artifact.
“It’s set for three months from now in the Heavenly Refining Fairy City. For registration, just contact the city’s guard official.”
“I hope to see your sect’s disciples there,” the blue-robed cultivator said with a smile.
“You will, Elder,” Xu Fan grinned.
At this point, the accompanying Core Formation stage cultivator presented a space ring containing a deposit of two thousand small targets.
Just as Xu Fan thought the meeting was over, the blue-robed cultivator brought out an Inheritance Jade Plate.
“I found this Inheritance Jade Plate in a relic. The secret techniques within are somewhat incomplete. Could Elder Xu have your sect’s Creation Spirit Master help complete it?”
“Of course, I won’t have the Creation Spirit Master work for free; here’s a token of my appreciation,” the blue-robed cultivator said, handing Xu Fan a space ring.
Damn, everyone’s so shrewd, Xu Fan thought to himself.
He’s placed a large order, shown proper respect, and even offered a token of gratitude.
Which official can withstand such a test?
So Xu Fan smiled and took the jade plate and space ring.
“I’ll pass this on to that senior.”
“Thank you, Elder Xu.”
Outside the Hidden Spirit Sect, Xu Fan watched the two elders from Qianling Sect depart on their spiritual boat and said slowly, “Sugar-coated bullets are the hardest to resist.”
“Who would turn down spirit stones delivered to their doorstep?”
“Grape.”
“I’m here~~”
“How about I make you a little brother?”
Grape’s spirit is fused with Xu Fan’s soul and memories. To refine a treasure like Grape from scratch would cost at least 3,000 small targets.
“From a practical standpoint, Grape doesn’t really need a little brother.”
“Grape suggests that the master start preparing the materials for the Star Ship transformation now.”
A light curtain appeared in front of Xu Fan, showing the Star Ship that Xu Yuexian had brought back, which had been sealed in a broken small world for over 20 years.
Then the scene shifted, and a rugged Star Ship appeared before Xu Fan.
“Once the clones finish gathering the data and return, we can start refining the basic framework of the Star Ship.”
Looking at the Star Ship in the light curtain, Xu Fan said, “Isn’t it a bit early to start refining? We originally planned to begin this when I reached the Transformation Stage.”
“According to Grape’s calculations, by the time the master reaches the Nascent Soul Stage, he’ll be fully capable of refining an entire Star Ship.”
“Once the master reaches the Transformation Stage, it’s expected that there will be Great Ascension stage disciples under him, and that’s when it’ll be the perfect time to use it.”
Xu Fan thought for a moment and said, “You’ve convinced me.”
“As a reward, I’ll refine a little brother to keep you company,” Xu Fan said with a smile.
“……”
Xu Fan then sent Pang Fu a long list.
Far away in Spirit Heart Fairy City, Pang Fu received the message and said happily, “Those old silver coins will have to dance to my tune again.”
The feeling of being a big shot hadn’t worn off from last time, and now here was another chance to play the role.
After sending the message to Pang Fu, Xu Fan went to Ning Dao’s courtyard.
“Brother Ning, you’re the guardian of Lin Sen Fairy City?” Xu Fan asked.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
Ning Dao waved his hand, signaling Xu Fan not to block his sunlight.
“Isn’t the Heavenly Refining Sect’s Talented Strongest Battle Competition sign-up happening here?” Xu Fan asked.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“I have to say, the fighting strength of your sect’s disciples is impressive. If you want to sign up, I can register you at headquarters right now.”
“Each sect can send up to five participants,” Ning Dao said.
"Actually, I just found out about this from headquarters," Ning Dao explained.
"Then, could you help me register for the Hidden Spirit Sect?" Xu Fan asked.
"Sure thing."
Ning Dao quickly pulled out his communication artifact and got to work.
"All set. We’ll meet at the Illusion Heart Tower in Heavenly Refining Fairy City in three months," Ning Dao said, handing Xu Fan five jade slips.
"These are your proof of registration; don’t lose them," Ning Dao reminded him.
"Got it."
Xu Fan took the jade slips and left.
"You little rascal, can’t even spare some time to chat with me," Ning Dao chuckled, watching Xu Fan’s beams of light disappear.
Xu Fan arrived in the underground space and found his first clone still hard at work.
"Master, once I finish refining this Giant Shield, I need a break," the first clone complained.
"Sure, no big issues right now," Xu Fan nodded and headed deeper into the underground space.
Near the beast race teleportation formation, Xu Fan spotted the tool puppet controlled by the Grape clone, delivering spirit stone ore.
"We’ve finished mining the mid-grade spirit stone vein. We kept ten percent at the base, and the rest is here," the tool puppet reported.
Xu Fan glanced at the spirit stone ore and nodded. "Understood."
Lately, it seemed like Xu Fan had fallen out of favor with the goddess of luck—shipments from the demon race had been scarce for a while.
As the Grape clone returned, Xu Fan took the chance to ask about the demon race’s situation.
"How’s the battle puppet production line coming along?" Xu Fan asked.
"The Golden Core Stage puppet production line is up and running, using purple demon iron as the main material."
"The Nascent Soul Stage puppet production line is missing a few key materials. The Thick-Shell Honey Badger clan is on it, so production should start soon," the Grape clone explained.
A light curtain appeared in front of Xu Fan, showing the puppets made from purple demon iron.
"These Moon Spirit Rhinoceros clan puppets are pretty convincing. When you have time, try making some from other races too."
"That way, we can easily shift blame onto others during business dealings."
Xu Fan suddenly remembered the term "Beast Artifact Palace" from his fight with the dark snake.
"Once you’re back in the demon race, gather intel on the Beast Artifact Palace. See if they have any puppets."
"If they do, bring them back for reverse engineering. We’ll refine puppets in their style," Xu Fan said with a sly grin, imagining the chaos it might cause in the demon race.
"Understood," the tool puppet nodded.
On the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake, Xu Fan floated on his spiritual boat, with Xu Gang in a wheelchair and his son Xu Lingtai behind him.
"Master, will my leg ever heal?" Xu Gang asked nervously.
Xu Fan, who was fishing, nodded. "Yes, it’s been long enough. It should be fine now."
With a wave of his hand, Xu Fan released the seal on Xu Gang’s leg.
Just then, Xu Yuexian, Li Xingci, Wang Xiangchi, and Li Xuandao appeared on Xu Fan’s spiritual boat.
"In three months, the grand Talented Battle Strength Competition will take place."
"Rumor has it the winner gets a precious artifact. Anyone interested?" Xu Fan asked, looking at his five disciples.
"Not me. I avoid direct combat," Xu Yuexian said.
"I’d like to check it out," Xu Gang said.
"Not interested," Li Xingci replied.
"I won’t leave the sect until I master swordsmanship," Wang Xiangchi said lightly.
"I’ll pass. I want to focus on cultivation in the sect," Li Xuandao said. He had already reached the Golden Core Stage and aimed to ascend to the Thousand Worlds within 1,500 years.
To him, competitions, treasure hunts, and magical artifacts were trivial compared to cultivation.
"Got it."
Xu Fan flicked two jade slips to Xu Gang and Xu Lingtai.
"Lingtai, go with your father on this trip. It’ll be a good experience for you."
"I’ll also pick three more sect disciples to join you later," Xu Fan said, glancing at his four unmotivated disciples.
"Understood."
Xu Fan waved his hand, sending everyone off the spiritual boat, and settled back to fish in peace.
