Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 1005 - 431: Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator; Surge in Power_3

Xu Ping’s eyes blazed with anticipation, yet a touch of solemnity was present. "This undertaking may require a considerable duration."

The Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet represented the zenith of human artistry in puppetry. Its intricate construction posed a significantly greater challenge compared to its Lower Grade counterparts.

"Let us commence with the assembly of this Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet first."

Despite a slight reduction in its inherent quality, this Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet could still be rendered functional with certain adjustments.

With that pronouncement, Xu Ping immediately set to work.

....

Two months elapsed.

As the final segment of armor seamlessly settled over the chest's core.

The formidable Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet suddenly manifested twin scarlet lights within its eyes, while enigmatic runes ceaselessly pulsed around its form.

A palpable, frigid, and potent pressure began to emanate, subtly yet sufficiently to quicken the heart.

"It is finally complete."

Xu Ping gazed upon the newly refurbished Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet, expelling a prolonged breath, a visage of satisfaction gracing his features.

Re-engineered by his own hands, though this puppet's spiritual essence had been marginally diminished, its core combat prowess remained undiminished. With a touch of refinement, it could be wielded with the same ease as an extension of one's own limbs.

However, before he could even fully appraise this new asset or steal a moment of rest, his brow furrowed as he detected two familiar yet formidable auras approaching from beyond the island.

"Have Hongyi and Nine Nether Elder arrived?"

Xu Ping registered a flicker of surprise, gestured to store the immaculately assembled puppet, adjusted his robes, and swiftly moved to extend a welcome.

A quarter of an hour later.

Within the Blood Bone Hall, the gentle aroma of tea permeated the air.

Forsaking ostentatious pleasantries, Hongyi set down his teacup, his gaze fixed solemnly upon Xu Ping, and delivered news of profound consequence:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, my unannounced arrival is due to an urgent matter I must convey."

"Based on my extensive inquiries, the highest echelons of the Star Palace appear to be orchestrating a significant operation in secrecy of late."

"The magnitude of resource and personnel mobilization, coupled with its extreme confidentiality, far exceeds that of typical endeavors. All indicators suggest their objective may be the outer sea and the Demon Race."

"Plotting against the outer sea and the Demon Race?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping was instantly taken aback, his surprise evident.

While the Star Palace commanded considerable might, bolstered by its dual saints, the True Dragon Hall was no less formidable. The Fifth-rank Dragon King possessed unfathomable strength, commanding the vast legions of the outer sea's Demon Race.

Within the outer sea, a domain where the very laws of existence favored the Demon Race, even a combined effort from the Star Palace saints would hardly guarantee a favorable outcome.

"From whence do they draw such confidence? Or perhaps... the Star Palace harbors an undisclosed contingency?"

Xu Ping's mind raced through numerous hypotheses, each reinforcing the gravity of the unfolding situation.

"Fellow Daoist Hong, can this intelligence be substantiated?" Xu Ping inquired, his expression grave.

"Approximately eighty to ninety percent certainty."

Hongyi nodded gravely. "The might of the True Dragon Hall is not inferior to that of the Star Palace; yet, for the Star Palace to act now, they must possess a crucial advantage."

Xu Ping fell silent, his thoughts aligning with Hongyi’s assessment.

An entity of the Star Palace's stature would not undertake such actions lightly.

Xu Ping contemplated for a moment then ventured, "May I inquire about your intentions... Will you align with the prevailing current, or..."

His sentence remained unfinished, yet the implication was clear.

Would they lend their support to the Star Palace, or oppose it?

Regarding the enigmatic and inscrutable Nine Nether Elder, even Xu Ping harbored a profound sense of unease.

Should they choose the Star Palace's side, the consequences for the outer sea and for Xu Ping himself would be dire, exacerbating an already perilous situation.

Before Hongyi could respond, the typically stoic Nine Nether Elder emitted a dry, chilling chuckle, his eyes slowly opening.

"Naturally, we shall oppose them. The ambitions of the Star Palace saints are far from negligible."

"While their precise strategy remains unknown to me, I can foresee that should they succeed in subjugating the outer sea's Demon Race and absorbing its fortune, their cultivation will undoubtedly surge, potentially enabling both saints to ascend."

"At such a juncture, the entirety of the Wind Origin Realm would fall under their iron grip, and even the neighboring Nanchuan Realm would find itself in dire straits, its fate precarious."

He paused, his gaze, seemingly tangible, settling upon Xu Ping.

"When the appointed time arrives... Under the absolute dominion of the Dual Saints, do you genuinely believe they would permit the emergence of new Divinity Transformation Cultivators to challenge their authority and vie for the realm’s resources and fortune?"

Xu Ping remained silent, yet his heart grew vigilant.

What the Nine Nether Elder articulated was far from mere alarmist talk.

Could anyone truly tolerate another sleeping soundly right beside their own bed?

Should the Star Palace Saints succeed in unifying Wind Origin, they would undoubtedly not tolerate any potential threats arising.

After a prolonged period of silence, Xu Ping gazed up at the Nine Nether Elder, speaking with caution, "Your words are truly eye-opening, Senior."

"However, I am uncertain... Do you possess any concrete plans for us to implement in response?"

The Nine Nether Elder's voice maintained its calm demeanor: "The Star Palace's schemes are shrouded in secrecy, and their current intentions remain unclear. Therefore, we can only observe quietly for any shifts. However..."

He abruptly altered the course of the conversation, delivering a stunning revelation: "When the crucial moment arrives, we will require you to stand against one of the Saints."

"Me? Stand against a Saint?"

Even for someone as composed as Xu Ping, he was utterly astonished at this juncture, his face etched with disbelief.

He even began to question if he had misheard the pronouncement.

Although he had recently achieved a breakthrough to the Late-Stage Nascent Soul, with his strength surging and instilling confidence to conquer the entire Nascent Soul Realm, still... that was a Divinity Transformation Cultivator.

To task him with confronting a Divinity Transformation Celestial Venerable?

"Senior, you must be jesting, surely?" Xu Ping’s expression turned somewhat displeased.

"I do not engage in such jests,"

The Nine Nether Elder's countenance remained entirely unaltered, his wizened face placid like ancient waters, yet his tone conveyed an irrefutable certainty.

Xu Ping immediately adopted an expression of helplessness and absurdity, shaking his head repeatedly: "Senior, might you have mistakenly perceived my capabilities?"

"I, Xu Ping, possess certain skills for self-preservation, but to face a Divinity Transformation Celestial Venerable, and potentially two such beings... Forgive my frankness, this is akin to an ant attempting to halt a speeding chariot."

"In this endeavor, I must respectfully decline to comply!"

He refused with absolute decisiveness, not a trace of hesitation present.