Chapter 218
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 218: The Helpless Elder
Xu Fan didn’t have to wait long before the pangolin returned with the Dark Snake Spirit Companion.
Looking at the restrained Dark Snake Spirit Companion, Xu Fan smiled and said, “The most dangerous place is the safest place—this move was flawless.”
“Too bad luck wasn’t on your side.”
Xu Fan watched the Dark Snake Spirit Companion struggling in his grasp, pondering what to do with it.
“Pangolin, what’s the most valuable use of a Spirit Companion in your beast race?” Xu Fan asked.
“Master, the two main uses are creating a doppelgänger puppet or lighting the Soul Point Lamp,” the pangolin replied respectfully, shuddering slightly at the mention of the Soul Point Lamp.
“Tell me more about the Soul Point Lamp,” Xu Fan said, his interest piqued.
The Dark Snake Spirit Companion glared furiously at the pangolin, its eyes filled with rage as if it wanted to devour it.
“Our beast race has a secret technique that extracts the purest Soul Power from a Spirit Companion, allowing the absorber to strengthen their own Soul Power.”
“However, when a Spirit Companion is used to light the Soul Point Lamp, it suffers unimaginable agony. The spirit fire burns the Spirit Companion as fuel until it’s completely consumed.”
“In the Demon Spirit Realm, lighting a Soul Point Lamp is considered the most brutal method,” the pangolin explained, fear evident in its voice.
“Brutal? I don’t see it that way.”
“Now, tell me the secret technique for your beast race’s Soul Point Lamp,” Xu Fan said with a grin.
Just then, a streak of sword light flashed by, and Ning Dao appeared on Xu Fan’s spiritual boat.
“Impressive! You’ve already captured a Core Formation stage beast in such a short time,” Ning Dao said with a smile, glancing at the pangolin.
He had just received word that three Core Formation stage beasts had invaded Lin Sen Fairy City, and now his good friend had already dealt with one.
“I didn’t want to trouble you, Brother Ning.”
If it weren’t for testing the Demon Suppressing Star, Xu Fan wouldn’t have bothered getting involved.
After all, meddling comes at a cost.
“Haha, don’t bother with the beast race’s Soul Point technique,” Ning Dao said, handing Xu Fan a jade slip containing the Elder Council’s specialized Soul Point technique.
“The Soul Power converted from the beast race’s technique isn’t suitable for humans. Even if absorbed, it’s a waste,” Ning Dao added, glancing at the Dark Snake Spirit Companion in Xu Fan’s hand.
Xu Fan examined the technique in the jade slip and said, “Thanks, Brother Ning.”
“No need to stand on ceremony between us,” Ning Dao replied.
“By the way, my doppelgänger has already started crafting your Spiritual Sword. In a few months, your Dual Swords Flow will be renowned across the land,” Xu Fan joked.
“Haha, it’s too early to say that,” Ning Dao said, a little embarrassed.
“The Elder Council headquarters has summoned me for a meeting. I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, Ning Dao bid farewell to Xu Fan and flew off toward Lin Sen Fairy City.
Xu Fan watched the fading sword light and mused, “Maybe I should set up a teleportation formation near Lin Sen Fairy City.”
“Master, I have some knowledge of Space Runes and can help you carve a teleportation formation,” the pangolin quickly offered, eager to prove its worth.
“Not your turn.”
Xu Fan glanced at the pangolin and continued, “From now on, you’ll be the guardian spirit servant of my Hidden Spirit Sect.”
He pointed to the Satellite Island used during the Sect Competition and added, “When you’re not busy, train there. If you’re bored, patrol the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake and check for any beast intrusions.”
“Understood. I’ll protect this territory for you, Master,” the pangolin promised, feeling a flicker of joy. It seemed its life as a servant spirit wouldn’t be too harsh.
“Do well, and if you contribute to the Hidden Spirit Sect, I’ll help you when it’s time for you to ascend.”
Xu Fan casually made a big promise—it didn’t cost him anything, after all.
“Thank you, Master,” the pangolin replied excitedly.
“Alright, one last challenge. Pass it, and you’ll officially become a servant spirit of the Hidden Spirit Sect.”
The Void Refinement Stage Puppet behind Xu Fan appeared instantly in front of the pangolin and tapped its forehead.
The pangolin was then pulled into an illusion, beginning its transformation.
“Even if I hold the life of a beast in my hands, I must stay cautious.”
“How about the role of a servant spirit guarding the Hidden Spirit Sect for generations?”
In the illusion, the pangolin started its new life.
Two Transformation Stage heavy armor puppets descended from the sky, carrying the unconscious pangolin toward Satellite Island.
Xu Fan returned to the Hidden Spirit Sect.
On the main peak, he worked on modifying the protective mountain formation.
“Add an accessory slot to the Nine Dragons Array and create a space for Spirit Companions and Soul Point Lamps.”
After obtaining the Soul Point secret technique, Xu Fan’s first thought was to integrate it into the protective mountain formation.
Five hours later, he finished the modifications.
“Finally done,” Xu Fan said, clapping his hands.
The Nine Dragons Array was pulled into the core of the protective mountain formation.
“Roar!!”
Nine dragon roars echoed, stirring excitement throughout the sect.
“What’s happening?”
“Is the beast race invading?”
“Should we run?”
The disciples looked up to see nine massive dragons, each thousands of meters long, soaring across the sky.
Xu Fan observed the dragons and remarked, “The display is impressive, but their fighting strength is a bit lacking.”
Each dragon, formed from the Nine Dragons Array, had the power of a perfected Void Refinement stage. Together, they barely matched the strength of a mid-Core Formation beast.
Just then, Su Rantian, dressed in red, appeared beside Xu Fan.
“This artifact is barely worthy of your title as a master craftsman,” she said lightly, her demeanor no longer the delicate one she showed around Li Xingci.
“The Nine Dragons Array uses rare materials, but the crafting technique could use some refinement.”
“I’ll upgrade it when I have time,” Xu Fan replied with a smile.
“Are you going to the Elder Council meeting too?” Xu Fan asked.
“I don’t need to attend such things. A friend of mine needs help, so I’m planning to go check on her,” Su Rantian replied.
“You came to ask about Xingci, didn’t you? He wants to go traveling, and I can’t really stop him.”
“Given Xingci’s cultivation speed, he’ll definitely return in ten years to enter seclusion, but you’ll have to manage the timing yourself,” Xu Fan said, already knowing what Su Rantian wanted to ask.
“Ten years… I understand.”
As soon as Su Rantian finished speaking, she transformed into a wisp of Flame Fire and disappeared.
“Such a lovesick soul,” Xu Fan sighed.
Su Rantian’s affection for Li Xingci was genuine, and Xu Fan had noticed it long ago.
He then sent a message to Li Xingci.
“Did you leave without saying goodbye to Elder Su?”
It didn’t take long for Xu Fan to receive a reply from Li Xingci.
“I had no choice but to leave. If I didn’t go now, I might have lost my innocence.”
“Right now, I do feel some affection for Elder Su, but it’s not enough to become dual cultivation partners. I just need some time alone.”
After reading Li Xingci’s message, Xu Fan’s thoughts swirled, but all he could say was, “Wow.”
At that moment, the nine dragons in the sky calmed down and began drifting above Hidden Spirit Island.
Xu Fan took out three Spirit Companions at the Core Formation stage and placed them directly into a core position at the top of the protective mountain formation.
Soon after, a light green rain began to fall from the sky.
This rain was formed from the Soul Power released by the Spirit Companions, mixed with spiritual liquid.
In the garden in front of the main peak, the Cloud Flower Deer and her little husband happily ran around in the gentle rain.
Even the Tianji Turtle, who usually slept at the bottom of the spiritual liquid lake, slowly crawled out to enjoy the rain.
Many disciples practicing in the mountains couldn’t hold back and ended up breaking through in their cultivation.
Only the Mo Yu Qilin in the distance remained calm, giving the sky a disdainful glance before going back to sleep.
Such things were nothing new to it, having seen plenty in its master’s space.
Xu Fan nodded in satisfaction, feeling the changes brought by the rain.
“Grape, how long can the Soul Power from these Spirit Companions last?” Xu Fan asked.
“The three Spirit Companions combined can sustain it for two years,” Grape replied.
“Two years is good. I’ll need to collect more Spirit Companions from the beast race in the future,” Xu Fan said, already planning where to get them.
Under these conditions, the disciples of the Hidden Spirit Sect would have their comprehension improved by at least 20%, and with the nurturing from the decomposed Soul Power of the Spirit Companions, many disciples would enhance their potential limits.
“This Soul Point secret technique is definitely worth it,” Xu Fan chuckled.
Meanwhile, in the Demon Spirit Realm, Grape’s clone, which was building a base underground, received a task to collect Spirit Companions above the Nascent Soul stage from the demon race.
Soon after, the Thick-Shell Honey Badger clan also got the news.
“Master needs Spirit Companions above the Nascent Soul stage. Perfect timing, I’ve been itching to take on the Night Hound beast race nearby. Let’s see if I can stir up a fight,” said the first Thick-Shell Puppet.
The Night Hound clan is a bit weaker than the Thick-Shell Honey Badger clan, but they’ve got some big backers, so they often come around to the Thick-Shell Honey Badger clan to cause trouble.
Even without Xu Fan’s task, the first Thick-Shell Puppet’s next move was to wipe out the Night Hound clan.
………………….
In the Extreme Void Domain, aboard the Qianling Star Ship.
The puppet carrying Grape’s clone was running its usual data tests, while a disciple assigned to keep it company looked bored. After a nudge from Grape’s clone, the disciple started chatting with the puppet.
“Xiao Mu, do you think we’ll run into any Extreme Void beasts? That’d be awesome if we did.”
“A Star Armored Beast would be perfect. If I can snag a few more scales, I could get the sect’s artifact master to make me a black scale shield,” said a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator in Qianling Sect robes.
“The elder who handed you over said you’ve got intelligence. Why don’t you talk?” the Nascent Soul Stage cultivator asked, eyeing the puppet.
The puppet, busy crunching data from the Extreme Void Domain, felt like rolling its eyes. Talking to you would just waste computing power, and that’s not worth it.
Just as the Nascent Soul Stage cultivator was about to say more, a flash of light lit up the distance, and the entire Qianling Star Ship shuddered violently, as if it had been hit by a cannon.
Alarms blared across the ship, and all the disciples outside scrambled to get inside.
The Nascent Soul Stage cultivator tried to take the puppet with him, but the puppet refused.
“No need to bring me back. I need to gather battle data.”
The puppet’s eyes gleamed as it stared toward the source of the flash.
Up in the control room at the top of the Qianling Star Ship, a respected elder sat, looking flustered.
“Elder, we should retreat. Our Star Ship’s overall strength is better than the Demon Sect’s, but we still don’t have a skilled pilot. We can’t win like this,” said a Core Formation Stage cultivator.
The elder at the control panel stayed silent but glanced at the stargazing technique projection and fired three shots.
The Demon Sect’s Star Ship dodged them easily, and the Qianling Star Ship took another hit.
“I told you all to train properly at the Heavenly Refining Sect, but no one listened.”
“Now look at us. Mining’s fine, but the moment we face an enemy ship, we’re lost,” the elder said, exasperated.
He’d spent some time learning to pilot a Star Ship at the Heavenly Refining Sect, and while the basics were simple, combat training was a nightmare.
You had to factor in endless variables: space, time, the enemy’s trajectory, their dodging habits, the specs of your main cannon, the enemy’s cannon, the vacuum data of the area…
All this data made the elder realize that sometimes, high cultivation alone wasn’t enough to solve the problem.
The two Star Ships were trading shots from tens of thousands of miles apart, and unless the elder was willing to risk his life and jump into the fight, the outcome would come down to who had the better aim. In moments like this, even the tiniest mistake in the data could spell disaster.
Right now, his skill level was barely enough to hit a stationary target.
“Xiao Xiu, take over piloting the Star Ship. I’m going to see if I can get closer.”
“If I don’t do something, I won’t be able to keep my heart in check.”
With that, he stood up, ready to charge at the Demon Sect’s Star Ship.
But before he could move, several Core Formation Stage elders from the Qianling Sect rushed to hold him back.
“You can’t leave us! If it’s revenge you want, let’s settle it back on land, okay?”
“If you go, this Star Ship won’t survive.”
“Grand Elder, can we go back and think this through?” Several Integration Elders from Qianling Sect urged. The last time, the Grand Elder had been so furious that he went out in his true form to confront them, and their Star Ship had nearly been pierced through.
“No, I can’t swallow this insult,” the respected elder said, his face dark with anger.
“In the past ten years, we’ve encountered the Demon Sect’s Star Ships six out of ten times. Each time, our spiritual boat was damaged, and we lost half our gains to the Heavenly Refining Sect.”
“If this continues, I might really ascend out of sheer rage,” the respected elder said, his beard bristling, with veins bulging on his forehead showing his frustration.
“Grand Elder, that’s not acceptable either. Our lives are in your hands; we must be cautious.”
The many elders of Qianling Sect continued to plead with him.
At this moment, in the Extreme Void Domain, aboard the Demon Sect’s Star Ship, miles away from the Qianling Star Ship, an old man in a black robe watched the stargazing technique projection with a grin.
“That old man must be furious right now.”
“On the mainland, in terms of fighting strength, I can’t compare to you.
“But in the Extreme Void Domain, you can’t match my skills in steering a Star Ship.”
“This time, I have prepared a big gift for you. I hope you enjoy it.”
“Enjoy the feeling of your sect’s disciples dying for you,” the black-robed elder grinned wickedly.
“Load my treasure; this time, I’ll make that old man a sinner in his sect.”
“Understood,” a demonic cultivator behind the black-robed elder replied.
