Chapter 644

Chapter 644: Ten Years

A massive Outer Sect island was moved right next to the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake.

A large gate opened on the island, marking the entrance to the Outer Sect trial.

"Anyone who wants to join the Outer Sect must enter through this gate. If you can make it inside, you’ll become a member of the Hidden Spirit Sect’s Outer Sect," said a handsome man in a white robe.

The man had all the traits of a top talent from a major sect—his gaze was sharp, and his movements carried the grace of someone from a prestigious sect.

By now, the shore was packed with tens of thousands of qualified wandering cultivators.

All of them had earned their spots through registration.

The handsome man, floating in midair, watched the cultivators entering the gate below. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.

He thought the sect didn’t need more outer disciples at the moment.

"Bai Ge, aren’t you curious why the sect is recruiting outer disciples now?" asked a man in black.

Bai Xuan nodded. "I am, but the sect must have its reasons. We just need to follow orders."

"Bai Ge, now that the Outer Sect allows long-distance training trips, are you thinking of going anywhere?" Qin Lu asked with a grin.

"Not right now. I just mastered a sword formation and I’m still practicing," Bai Xuan replied, shaking his head.

Just then, Bai Xuan sensed something unusual.

He glanced over and saw a few cultivators with strange auras walking through the gate.

As Bai Xuan was about to stop them to investigate, a voice stopped him.

"Don’t interfere. This is part of the sect’s plan."

Grape’s voice echoed in Bai Xuan’s ear.

"What’s wrong, Bai Ge?" Qin Lu asked.

"Nothing. I just feel like the recruits this time are… different," Bai Xuan said.

Meanwhile, the wandering cultivators who entered the Outer Sect island’s gate found themselves in a strange, dreamlike world.

A mysterious aura surrounded them, and one by one, they fell into a trance.

In this illusion, they faced various moral challenges.

Some of the cultivators even began to undergo a form of brainwashing.

Xu Fan, however, was too busy to pay attention to such minor details. He was fully focused on crafting the celestial tool Spiritual Sword.

"How many Great Ascension stage puppets are you planning to make this time, main body?" the Second Clone asked.

"At least twenty, but there’s no rush. We’ll take it slow," Xu Fan replied.

"First Clone, once you finish this celestial tool, start working on the one for the Grand Elder of Qianling Sect. We promised, and it’d look bad if we don’t deliver," Xu Fan added.

"Fine, fine. Crafting is crafting. It’s all part of the job," First Clone said casually.

"Have you ever thought about moving the sect somewhere else?"

"Like another continent or the Extreme Void Domain? It might reduce the number of problems we face," the Second Clone suggested.

"Do you think I haven’t thought about that?" Xu Fan shot a glance at the Second Clone, still focused on refining the celestial tool.

"However, my vision is even broader. Once we refine the entire Hidden Spirit Island to a certain level, we’ll relocate it to the inner area of the Extreme Void Domain."

"At that point, we can use formations to mitigate disasters and enhance Hidden Spirit Island with the valuable resources within, ultimately refining it to an artifact-level celestial tool."

"Then, I’ll lead our sect to ascend to the Immortal Realm," Xu Fan declared.

"That’s a solid plan, but do we have enough time?" First Clone asked with a grin.

"With 6,000 years, it should suffice," Xu Fan calculated.

"As the fusion of the two realms progresses, the cultivation world will descend into chaos. That’s when the main players from the beast race and the human race will clash."

"You know me; I prefer to stay low and avoid trouble. But lately, I’ve been treated like a tool, pushed around endlessly."

"Even if we can’t compete, we still have our pride. If we can’t fight, can’t we just escape?" Xu Fan suggested.

"If they keep pushing me, I’ll take the sect deep into the Extreme Void Domain. I doubt anyone could disturb us there."

"There’s a saying from my past life: life is like ~, and since we can’t resist, we might as well enjoy it," Second Clone chimed in.

"In that case, you can take over as Grand Elder while I find a secluded spot to go into seclusion."

"If you want me to replace you, I’ll declare a closed seclusion and won’t emerge until I reach the Great Ascension stage," Second Clone chuckled.

"Then it won’t be up to you," Xu Fan laughed.

As the three continued their conversation while crafting artifacts, ten years flew by.

During that decade, the beast race attacked the Hidden Spirit Sect twice with their giant beast race warships.

The Invincible Beast King also kept a watchful eye on the sect, eager for an opportunity.

But all their efforts were thwarted by the Great Ascension stage puppets.

With the increase in Great Ascension stage puppets and the completion of the Great Ascension stage sword formation puppet, the Invincible Beast King had no choice but to retreat.

By then, the Hidden Spirit Sect boasted 15 Great Ascension stage puppets, the strongest being the sword formation puppet equipped with three celestial tool Spiritual Swords and hundreds of Spiritual Swords.

Above the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake, Xu Fan returned to his usual laid-back lifestyle.

"Master, reports indicate that the Invincible Beast King of the beast race has withdrawn."

Xu Fan, basking in the sun, nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Now, I can finally enjoy life," Xu Fan said with a smile.

Once the sword formation puppet was operational, Xu Fan knew that as long as he didn’t stir up trouble, he’d be safe in the cultivation world.

"Fifteen Great Ascension stage puppets, plus those beast kings."

"This lineup could easily rank in the top five across the entire cultivation world," Xu Fan remarked.

"Judging by the numbers, the Grand Elder’s fighting strength is truly impressive."

Spirit Cut, who had just emerged from seclusion, joined Xu Fan in soaking up the sun.

"As long as we avoid provoking the top beast clans, we should stay out of trouble," Spirit Cut noted.

"True, I don’t want to provoke them either, but I’m always on the defensive."

"Luckily, they’re kept in check by the Elder Council. If they fully targeted the Hidden Spirit Sect, we wouldn’t stand a chance," Xu Fan said, gazing at the sky with a hint of resignation.

Xu Fan knew that dealing with the top-tier Invincible Beast King would have to wait until he reached the Great Ascension stage.

For now, the puppets he could refine had reached their limit.

Just then, a small Star Ship landed smoothly on the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake.

The Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign descended from the Star Ship and stood respectfully beside Xu Fan.

"Grand Elder, I’ve only managed to gather some ordinary spirit ore," the Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign said regretfully.

"We can’t expect good luck every time," Xu Fan replied casually.

The Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign hesitated, as if wanting to say more.

"Is there something else?" Xu Fan asked.

"Grand Elder, Qing’er is pregnant again, and I was hoping to request a spirit pill to help nurture the fetus," the Swift Thunder Beast Sovereign said, slightly embarrassed.

"Of course, I’ll craft a batch for you when I have some free time."

For some reason, Xu Fan suddenly thought of his wife.

"It feels like it’s been a long time since I last saw her," Xu Fan said, looking up at the sky.