Chapter 589

Chapter 589: The Need for Society’s Discipline

At Xu Fan’s command, all the first-generation disciples and the accompanying Tian Puppet Masters flew toward the towering light pillar.

That was the entrance to the secret realm.

Xu Fan strolled slowly along the lakeside, followed by Xu Gang and Tian Puppet Master Following Shadows.

“Following Shadows, why don’t you check out the Small World of the Secret Realm? You might stumble upon something extraordinary,” Xu Fan asked with a smile.

“I’d rather stay by the Grand Elder’s side,” Following Shadows replied lightly.

“Haha, I’m the last person in the entire sect who needs protection,” Xu Fan laughed.

“Other than hunting the beast race and improving my cultivation, nothing else matters to me,” Following Shadows said.

“Why are you so closed off at such a young age? The cultivation world is full of fascinating things. If you keep isolating yourself and obsessing over revenge, you’ll end up in trouble sooner or later,” Xu Fan advised.

“In the cultivation world, there’s the trial of inner demons. If you become too extreme, you could easily fall into a pit you can’t climb out of.”

“It’s better to keep an open mind,” Xu Gang chimed in.

Once, when Following Shadows was stationed at the Steel Wall under Xu Gang’s command, he served as Xu Gang’s guard for a while, so they had a decent relationship.

“Thank you for your concern, Grand Elder and Peak Master,” Following Shadows nodded.

“It seems you still need some time to step out of your shell. Take it slow.”

Xu Fan was quite open-minded. In his view, as long as someone acknowledged that their environment wasn’t too extreme, all their mental knots would gradually loosen with time.

As Xu Fan strolled, feeling idle, he began to offer some guidance to Following Shadows.

One hundred thousand kilometers away from Xu Fan, two streaks of light raced madly toward his direction.

This scene was captured by a celestial machine weapon satellite in the sky.

“Warning, two suspected Great Ascension Beast Sovereigns are approaching the master’s location,” Grape alerted.

“Beast Sovereigns, huh? Looks like I’ve got some gas money for my Great Ascension stage puppets,” Xu Fan said with a relaxed smile.

“Master, should we take one down first?” Grape suggested.

“Let’s assess the situation first. Yuexian’s Beast Cage doesn’t have a proper Great Ascension Beast Sovereign yet.”

“Let’s see if these two fit the bill,” Xu Fan said.

A Core Formation stage Swordsman Puppet appeared beside Xu Fan.

“Are you planning to fight a Great Ascension with a Core Formation puppet?” Xu Fan asked Following Shadows with a grin.

“The spirit stones and points I’ve saved are enough to buy a second Core Formation stage Swordsman Puppet. This time, I want to give it a shot,” Following Shadows said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He had been completing tasks for the Hidden Spirit Sect and hadn’t had the chance to face a Beast Sovereign, so he wanted to seize this opportunity.

“So you’ve got some cash to burn and want to take a risk? Go ahead,” Xu Fan said, waving his hand with a smile.

“Thank you for your support, Grand Elder.”

Following Shadows bowed and headed toward the spiritual boat, where his puppet control cabin was located.

In no time, the Core Formation stage Swordsman Puppet beside Xu Fan seemed to come alive, saluting Xu Fan and Xu Gang before transforming into a streak of sword light that shot into the distance.

Xu Gang watched the Swordsman Puppet’s rapid flight, leaving a trail of light behind, his eyes filled with admiration.

“What are you so impressed about?” Xu Fan asked, slightly puzzled.

“I’m really jealous of his talent. He’s reached Core Formation stage fighting strength in such a short time, and now he’s almost on par with the Beast Sovereigns,” Xu Gang said, his voice tinged with envy.

“Who said he’s on par with the Beast Sovereigns?” Xu Fan shot back, glancing at Xu Gang.

“If he’s not, then why did you send him?” Xu Gang asked, confused.

“It’s for training, obviously. Following Shadows is still young and naive about the dangers of the cultivation world. I’m giving him a lesson to show him his limits,” Xu Fan explained.

“All we’re losing is a Core Formation stage puppet,” Xu Fan added, shrugging it off.

Selling a Core Formation stage puppet would bring in a decent amount of spirit stones for the sect. Plus, the Hidden Spirit Sect’s top Tian Puppet Master would learn valuable lessons from this. It’s a win-win situation.

“Master, you really think of everything,” Xu Gang said, impressed.

“This is nothing. Once I finish refining that special celestial tool, you’ll get your chance to go on a trial like this too,” Xu Fan said with a sly grin.

In his mind, Xu Fan imagined a future where the sect’s guardian celestial tools could perfectly simulate disciples, allowing them to train in the most dangerous places without risk.

“Then I’d like to test my Transformation God cultivation against the Core Formation stage beast race,” Xu Gang said after a moment of thought.

“Forget Core Formation stage. With that celestial tool, you could even take on a Beast Sovereign, and I wouldn’t bat an eye,” Xu Gang said, grinning.

Meanwhile, far away, the Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign was desperately trying to outrun the relentless pursuit of the Wind Thunder Beast Sovereign.

“Wind Thunder, I didn’t steal any sacred treasure from our clan. Why are you chasing me like this?” Swift Thunder called out, a hint of panic in his voice as he glanced back.

“Swift Thunder, you still don’t understand the gravity of what you’ve done,” Wind Thunder replied coldly.

“Your status and what you stole are insignificant. But you crossed the line by conspiring with the Qing Bird clan’s Beast Sovereign and stealing from our own clan.”

“If you come back with me now and endure the punishment of ten thousand thunders at heart, I’ll plead your case to the Grand Elder.”

“Do you really think siding with the Qing Bird clan will let you run off with that little traitor?” Wind Thunder said, his voice filled with disappointment.

“I’ve loved Qing’er since we were children. The clan approved of us back then. Why are they turning their backs on us now?”

“That’s why I hate them!”

The bitterness in Swift Thunder’s voice was palpable, and it reached Wind Thunder’s ears.

Just then, both Beast Sovereigns sensed an unusual presence approaching from a distance.

A brilliant sword light shot toward Swift Thunder.

“Where did this little insect come from? I don’t have time for this!” Swift Thunder growled.

A flash of lightning appeared out of nowhere, slicing through the sword light and obliterating Following Shadows’s puppet.

“Boom~”

The puppet exploded, lighting up the sky like a firework.

Neither Swift Thunder nor Wind Thunder spared a glance for the fading explosion.

“That was quite the attack,” Xu Fan remarked, watching the light curtain.

“Just that casual strike from the Beast Sovereign had at least 1.3 times the fighting strength of the Spirit Cut Elder without a celestial tool.”

“Master, should we use the railgun to stop them?” Xu Gang asked nervously. He felt like his master was playing with fire. If those two Beast Sovereigns got too close, he’d be the one left mourning.

“No need. I’m in a good mood today. Let me show you the power of our sect’s first-generation Great Ascension stage puppet. This might be its last battle,” Xu Fan said.

A dark-colored Great Ascension stage puppet appeared beside Xu Fan, gripping a massive rod.

Though it stood less than a yard tall, its presence was overwhelming.

“Master, didn’t you say this Great Ascension stage puppet consumes too much energy? Isn’t it a waste to use it now?” Xu Gang asked, concerned.

“As the saying goes, ‘A poor family has a rich way.’ When you’re out to have fun, don’t worry about the cost,” Xu Fan replied with a smirk.

The dark-colored Great Ascension stage puppet dissolved into a shadow and vanished from Xu Fan’s side.