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Chapter 1018: Chapter 978: Family
"Before leaving, Jiu specifically instructed me that if you succeed in making the Mining Puppets, not only would he recognize your achievements to the family upon his return, but he has also prepared a hundred bottles of Top-Tier Treasure Pills for each of you."
Da Qing added, "Moreover, he has some cultivation insights and realizations to share with you, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can also come and ask me."
Upon hearing the initial words, a hint of disappointment flashed in the eyes of the five, as a hundred bottles of Precious Pills might seem like a lot, but divided among the five of them, each would only have twenty, and most importantly, they did not receive the thing they wanted the most.
But what Da Qing said next instantly lifted their spirits to the skies; the cultivation insights and realizations of the family’s highest realm elder, even if only related to Divine Transformation and Nascent Soul Realm, were like a guiding light to them, suggesting that their own realms could reach new heights!
Especially considering they could also seek guidance on their cultivation difficulties, they were ecstatic, feeling that all their recent hard work and sacrifices were worthwhile!
"Of course, since there are not many Puppet Masters on the island right now, and their cultivations are relatively low, it will trouble you to teach them how to make the Mining Puppets, but remember, you must not divulge this," Da Qing instructed after they had calmed down.
As for mass production of Puppets? That was currently impossible.
First, even though the war in the Wanxia Sea Domain has subsided, cultivators are still guarding the frontlines, and many forces are watching the Li family’s every move, thus it’s not wise to attract too much attention.
Second, the island doesn’t have sufficient Spirit Materials; without the materials, how can one mass-produce Puppets?
"Please rest assured, Spirit Ancestor, we will keep our lips sealed!" the five promised.
Not to mention whether they would do something foolish, they were also bound by oaths that prevented them from revealing secrets.
Then Da Qing distributed the various rewards given by Li Zhirui to the five and told them if there were issues with insufficient Spirit Materials or teaching the clansmen, they could seek solutions from the Elders.
To the Elders, he also gave instructions, asking them to collect Spirit Materials in small quantities and to mix them with other Spiritual Objects to avoid suspicion from other powers, and then he sent them away.
In reality, the best approach would be to direct someone back to Mount Wanxian to transport various Spiritual Objects from the family, thereby keeping the secret better and having a legitimate reason.
The Li family intended to establish a foothold in this sea region and build a branch here, so transporting some Spiritual Objects from the main family was a perfectly normal move.
Of course, the Li family did just that, but the two locations were far apart and the round trip required time, hence they haven’t returned yet.
—
Meanwhile, Li Zhirui, who was cultivating peacefully on Three Metals Island, was unaware that the Mining Puppets he envisioned had already been created and was fully immersed in his cultivation.
"Fellow Daoist Zou, why has this fellow cultivator come from another sea domain just to practice cultivation without ever leaving his Cave Mansion? Isn’t he just cultivating in a different place?" a Lianxu Cultivator asked, not understanding the reason.
"Have you not noticed that the two Sixth-order Spiritual Beasts are gone?"
Zou Mingpeng spoke with an even tone, "His trip here was solely for those two Spiritual Beasts; he had no intention of joining the war."
"However, this fellow cultivator is truly diligent!"
Another Lianxu Cultivator remarked, "I see him absorbing Sun and Moon Essence every day. Such a slow method of cultivation, yet he continues to persist."
"It’s just a pity that despite his diligence and perseverance, his cultivation is only at the Early Stage of Void Refinement, still inferior to you and me." The previous Lianxu Cultivator seemed to hold some disdain for Li Zhirui, his tone laced with slight mockery.
"What you say is very true!"
Zou Mingpeng did not join in their mockery and belittlement of Li Zhirui; instead, he harbored respect for him in his heart.
And he knew why they felt such way; it was nothing but jealousy towards everything about Li Zhirui.
They envied Li Zhirui’s youth, his potential future, and envied everything he had!
Unlike themselves, whose Dao Hearts were shattered and paths closed, they were now nothing more than carcasses with flesh bodies, lingering like the living dead.
The reason for their downfall was also due to this war; they had nearly died on the battlefield and failed to have their Mental States elevated and breakthrough, instead, they were left with inner scars.
If they had mustered their strength and pushed forward, it wasn’t impossible to rid themselves of these shadows and perhaps even turn misfortune into a blessing to advance further. But they lacked the capability and instead were plagued with nightmares every night, resulting in the complete collapse of their Mental State.
Zou Mingpeng’s situation was relatively better; although he still had not cleared the shadows in his heart, he had not fallen to their lows.
Thus, Zou Mingpeng could understand their jealousy, and he might even share similar thoughts deep within.
Li Zhirui had no knowledge of their thoughts, but even if he did, he wouldn’t care, since even if all the cultivators on Three Metals Island allied against him, they would be no match for him.
As for Xiaoqing and Cang, who had come to the frontline, even with the identity jades of Cave Abyss Sect, they were not well received.
Nevertheless, the two were prepared for this and avoided appearing before the cultivators when unnecessary, even during major battles, they would be at the outer edges.
"I didn’t expect these Shrimp Devils to be so strong." After a battle, Xiaoqing and Cang discussed privately.
Cang nodded in agreement, saying, "No wonder the cultivators were at a disadvantage previously."
