Chapter 631

Chapter 631: Ten Puppets

"Do you really think that with just these three Great Ascension stage puppets and this grand formation, you can suppress me?"

"I admit I underestimated you before. Now, you have the qualifications and strength to stand on equal ground with me."

"It was wrong of me to appear so brazenly above your sect," Nine Sword Respected Elder said.

In the past, at his peak state, he would have confronted the Hidden Spirit Sect head-on. However, during his ventures in the secret realm, he encountered the beast race’s Invincible Beast King. After several fierce battles, his foundation was somewhat damaged, and he could only exert eighty percent of his overall strength.

Xu Fan looked at Nine Sword Respected Elder in surprise.

Where is the pride of being an invincible respected elder? You’re apologizing like this—how am I supposed to act going forward?

At first, Xu Fan felt a flicker of murderous intent, but then he considered an important factor.

That was, when he eventually summoned the Avatar Jade Talisman, the avatars possessed intelligence. To truly let them assist him in slaying a human race’s invincible respected elder? Xu Fan felt they would refuse.

Xu Fan silently watched Nine Sword Respected Elder.

"You disturbed the meditation of my sect’s disciples; you must apologize to my entire sect," Xu Fan said after some thought.

"Fine." Nine Sword Respected Elder nodded; there was nothing to say when bested.

"I, Nine Sword Respected Elder, appeared above the Hidden Spirit Sect and called out loudly to my disciple, disturbing the meditation of all the disciples. I apologize for this."

The voice of Nine Sword Respected Elder spread through the ears of all disciples in the Hidden Spirit Sect.

Jian Wujie found it somewhat unbelievable when he heard this voice.

His proud master actually apologized.

"Alright, can you let me go now?"

"Otherwise, I might get injured while breaking through this formation, which wouldn’t be good for either of us," Nine Sword Respected Elder said to Xu Fan.

At that moment, the three Great Ascension stage puppets gathered behind Xu Fan.

"This matter is settled," Xu Fan nodded.

"Nine Sword Respected Elder, how do you feel about these three Great Ascension stage puppets behind me?" Xu Fan asked.

"Very strong. At my peak, they could barely match me," Nine Sword Respected Elder evaluated, then looked at Xu Fan with a puzzled expression.

His look seemed to ask why Xu Fan hadn’t released him yet.

"These three Great Ascension stage puppets were just recently refined, so I would like to formally invite the respected elder to help me test the limit fighting strength of these three Great Ascension stage puppets."

"I hope the respected elder will generously offer guidance, and once I determine their limit fighting strength, I will naturally let the respected elder go."

After Xu Fan spoke, the virtual image vanished within the grand formation.

Then, the sounds of blade light and sword shadows screeched again within the grand formation.

This battle lasted for three days and three nights.

Nine Sword Respected Elder was besieged for three continuous days and nights.

During this time, there was even a moment when the Heavy Water Source Blade decapitated Nine Sword Respected Elder!

Fortunately, he managed to reattach it in time.

"Grand Elder, are you done yet?" Nine Sword Respected Elder’s voice held a hint of despair; he felt he had been tricked.

At that moment, the formation trapping Nine Sword Respected Elder disappeared, and the three Great Ascension stage puppets returned to Hidden Spirit Island.

"Thanks for helping me test the puppets and their limits, respected elder. Here’s a little something for your trouble. Hope you don’t mind it," Xu Fan’s voice, sounding quite casual, reached Nine Sword Respected Elder.

Jian Wujie appeared before Nine Sword Respected Elder, holding a jade bottle.

"Master, Grand Elder sent this healing spirit pill for you. He said it would help with your injuries," Jian Wujie said cautiously, eyeing the slightly disheveled Nine Sword Respected Elder.

"What kind of pill could he possibly send?" Nine Sword Respected Elder grumbled, though he had no choice but to accept it.

He took the jade bottle, opened it, and was taken aback. "A Four-Transformation Soul Returning Pill!"

Nine Sword Respected Elder was genuinely surprised. Even for someone like him, such a high-quality pill was a rare find.

With just this one pill, he could fully recover from his secret realm injuries in a few years.

"Grand Elder said this is his way of thanking you for testing the puppets’ strength," Jian Wujie added.

Getting a reward after being put through the wringer left Nine Sword Respected Elder feeling a bit sour.

"So, are you coming with me or staying at Hidden Spirit Sect?" Nine Sword Respected Elder asked Jian Wujie.

"Grand Elder asked me the same. I’ve decided to go with you, Master," Jian Wujie replied.

Hearing this, Nine Sword Respected Elder’s expression softened.

"Good. I didn’t take you as my disciple for nothing," he said, a faint smile appearing.

"Master, I have a request."

"My mother lives in Hidden Spirit Sect. Could I come back to visit her every few years?" Jian Wujie asked.

Nine Sword Respected Elder nodded. "That’s fine."

Jian Wujie then bid farewell to everyone in the sect before leaving with Nine Sword Respected Elder.

Xu Fan and Second Clone watched as they walked away.

"Seems like we really need those ten Great Ascension stage puppets. Without the formation, I wouldn’t have been able to handle Nine Sword Respected Elder," Second Clone remarked.

"Nine Sword Respected Elder was already injured when he arrived. I’d say he only showed about eighty percent of his full strength," Xu Fan commented.

"I think he’ll be back to save face. We’ll need to stay on guard," First Clone said.

"By then, it won’t matter. Even with the spirit pills I gave him, it’ll take at least five years for him to recover to his peak."

"If he dares to come back in five years—" Xu Fan’s lips curled into a faint smile.

The fight had been satisfying, especially the moment he severed Nine Sword Respected Elder’s head. It had cleared the lingering anger in Xu Fan’s heart.

Having vented his frustrations, Xu Fan felt much better.

"In five years, I can refine at least five more Great Ascension stage puppets."

"If Nine Sword Respected Elder dares to return, he won’t stand a chance," Second Clone said with a chuckle.

"First Clone, I checked out the battle strategy you came up with. It’s not that great. Can ten puppets really take down a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon’s avatar?"

"Of course! The more puppets in the battle formation, the stronger they become."

"Without the formation, even five Great Ascension stage puppets could hold their own against Nine Sword Respected Elder," Xu Fan said.

"Then let’s get to refining. We need those ten Great Ascension stage puppets as soon as possible," First Clone said.

"Not so fast. You go ahead and refine. Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign has been in the inner area of the Extreme Void Domain for a while now. I think he’s got something good for me, so I’ll wait for him," Xu Fan replied.

Ever since Second Clone accompanied Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign into the inner area of the Extreme Void Domain, Xu Fan had tasked him with mining using the corresponding puppets. He figured they’d be back soon.

"Alright, I’ll have Second Clone handle the puppets. You take care of the top-tier artifacts," First Clone said.

"Got it," Xu Fan nodded.

Three days later, a small Star Ship landed slowly at the drop-off point on the plains behind the main peak.

Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign rushed over to Xu Fan, visibly excited.

"Grand Elder, I finally found something good in the inner area!" Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign exclaimed.

In his hand was a piece of spirit ore glowing with a bluish light.