Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 828: All good stuff!
Previously on Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?...
Chen Huaian had become even more powerful once more.
Spotting the Moon Shadow Sect's ancestor anew, the initial thought that struck Spirit Void Old Ghost was precisely this realization.
Even though his cultivation level maintained a minor advantage over Chen Huaian, the profound harmony with the Dao emanating from Chen Huaian revealed a crucial truth to him.
In an actual confrontation, despite Chen Huaian merely reaching the Great Ascension Second Tribulation phase, Spirit Void Old Ghost suspected he might not prevail against him.
Such a sensation struck Spirit Void Old Ghost as completely ridiculous.
This stemmed not just from the ominous foreboding, but also from his astonishment at Chen Huaian's rapid surge in power.
Any veteran at the Great Ascension Stage would confirm the immense challenge of progressing even slightly in this domain. However, for Chen Huaian, that difficulty appeared nonexistent.
Within under half a month, his abilities had escalated dramatically, transforming him into an entirely renewed individual...
What sort of astounding aptitude and fortune could this be?!Spirit Void Old Ghost invariably relied on his intuitions; they had preserved his existence on numerous occasions.
This included the time he evaded pursuit from the monk Burning Heaven—exactly due to detecting no fatal peril in venturing into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, he boldly charged right in.
The monk Burning Heaven dreaded Tu Shan Yue and truly refrained from pressing the pursuit.
Confronting Chen Huaian now, that perilous tension coiled tight anew.
Hence, during this encounter with Chen Huaian, his demeanor included an additional thirty percent deference.
"So it's Master Spirit Void." Chen Huaian cast a glance at the conspicuously odd item clutched by Spirit Void Old Ghost, saluted with clasped hands, and remarked, "My vision is lacking; might I inquire what that item is in your grasp, Master?"
"These contain the demonic souls of the Five Great Demon Saints, fully subdued and forged by this old man into these puppet woods." Delving into his handiwork, a uncommon trace of pride surfaced on Spirit Void Old Ghost's features: "Merely grasping this puppet wood lets you fully dominate the demon saint's mind inside, directing them east on command without venturing west! Hehehe!"
As though realizing his boasting edged too far.
Upon finishing, Spirit Void Old Ghost wiped the grin from his countenance and offered a subtle compliment to Chen Huaian.
"Naturally, this old man realizes these five demon saint puppet woods might seem trivial and of little value to Chen Sword Master.
Indeed, without your elimination of the Five Great Demon Saints' corporeal forms in the past, this old man couldn't have achieved it with such ease...
Yet after careful consideration, with the Moon Shadow Sect established as the premier sect across the Cangyun Realm, the sole potential menace to it remains the Five Great Demon Saints from the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Thus, this old man went ahead and refined every one of the five demon saints, deeming it the sole offering fitting for someone like you."
Upon hearing these words, Chen Huaian kept a stoic facade outwardly, though delight surged within him. Calmly, he replied, "Would you mind summoning the demon puppet to inspect it?"
"Certainly." Eager to demonstrate his present's worth, Spirit Void Old Ghost promptly channeled True Essence into a single wooden puppet.
A fierce whirlwind of demonic wind erupted, hurling wood shavings and rock bits from the wooden puppet, which merged in the sky to form a towering ten-foot silhouette—the form of Roc Sage, devoid entirely of any life force from living flesh.
Its body consisted of assembled dark profound iron rocks, interspersed with desiccated branches in the joints, resembling decayed timber exhumed from a burial site; its wings comprised enormous slabs of black jade chalcedony, etched with fissures, but flashing an icy, keen gleam as demonic winds swept by, every beat slicing the atmosphere with piercing rips.
Its skull was carved from sleek ebony timber, eye hollows scooped into deep voids.
Within lay no orbs, merely twin swirling clusters of ashen fog; its bill forged of bronze, rims bearing faint darkened remnants—remains of blood from some forgotten era.
The most chilling aspect was the emanation from its whole form—the overwhelming might of a Great Ascension Stage demonic beast persisted fully, akin to an unseen colossal peak bearing down on all hearts. However, this force lacked any spark of life's warmth, bearing solely the frigid hush of demise, as though a vengeful specter had risen from the netherworld, infusing the ambient air with a marrow-freezing cold.
It floated wordlessly above, wings hanging low, showing no resistance or cries.
Solely the ashen fog in its sockets pulsed sporadically, hinting at its former reign as a regional overlord, now demoted to a mere marionette subject to whims.
The nearby disciples, beholding Roc Sage's ominous visage, felt considerable alarm.
Despite Spirit Void Old Ghost's assurance of Roc Sage's subjugation, recollections of their pursuit by the Five Great Demon Saints lingered sharply.
"Turn in a circle." Spirit Void Old Ghost ordered.
A subtle glow ignited within Roc Sage's misty gray sockets as it gradually rotated on the spot.
"Spin quicker!"
Roc Sage whirled at high speed.
"Execute a flip!"
Roc Sage flipped through the air, crashing down with impact that shook the mountain entrance.
"Declare that Chen Sword Master stands as the supreme sword master of our era!" Spirit Void Old Ghost instructed once more.
Roc Sage parted its beak sluggishly, voicing a raspy, labored tone: "Chen Sword Master... is... the number one... sword master... of this generation."
Were Roc Sage not under control, considering the deep animosity with Chen Huaian, such a statement would never escape it.
"Does infusing True Essence suffice for commanding it?" Interest sparked in Chen Huaian toward this wooden puppet.
"True Essence infusion works, yet the most secure approach is blood recognition binding. Thus, control occurs without True Essence expenditure.
This piece lacks an owner presently, and as this old man intends it as your gift, I haven't bound it with blood.
Chen Sword Master might distribute these wooden puppets among juniors. Though the demon saints inside don't match their utmost power, they suffice amply against typical Great Ascension Stage experts."
At these words, excitement gleamed in Chen Huaian's gaze.
This served as an ultimate guardian.
His immediate notion was assigning a pair of these wooden puppets to Li Qingran.
The circumstances on Earth Star grew intricate lately, and occasions arose where he couldn't monitor Li Qingran's status there.
During such lapses, worry gnawed at him unavoidably.
Yet possessing Spirit Void Old Ghost's wooden puppets ensured Li Qingran's security in the Canglan Realm posed no grave issue.
Moreover, he could deploy these wooden puppets personally, transporting them to Earth Star as an additional Great Ascension Stage ally.
Excellent treasure...
As Chen Huaian regarded Spirit Void Old Ghost anew, the previous feigned politeness faded from his eyes, replaced by the view of a exemplary subordinate.
"The saying goes that book learning lacks depth; Chen Sword Master, perhaps test it hands-on?" Spirit Void Old Ghost passed Roc Sage's wooden puppet over to Chen Huaian.
Chen Huaian accepted the wooden puppet and manipulated Roc Sage briefly, growing more pleased by the moment.
He discerned the artifact's intricacies; beyond the rather macabre crafting process, this wooden puppet harbored no concealed flaws.
Post blood recognition binding, no danger existed of rebellion against the owner. It proved an essential safeguard for journeys and residence alike!
"Does this have any usage costs?" he inquired further.
"Virtually none." Spirit Void Old Ghost caressed his beard: "This old man's demon puppet refinement art has attained mastery. When unsummoned, these puppets steadily draw in sun and moon essences to restore their energy.
Should they endure heavy harm, they may revert to the wooden puppet for self-repair.
However, outright destruction spells total annihilation, damaging the wooden puppet as well."
"Oh, Pokémon." Chen Huaian whispered under his breath.
Spirit Void Old Ghost: "What?"
"Haha, nothing at all." Chen Huaian dismissed with a wave, "My thanks for these wooden puppets, Master."
He showed no reluctance; with Spirit Void Old Ghost presenting them, acceptance followed promptly. Once taken, his gaze lingered on the blood bead in Spirit Void Old Ghost's palm, as if words hovered on his tongue yet held back.
"This can be swallowed outright. Forged from the flesh and demonic souls of 17 Demon Emperors, it holds immense energy. Though untested by this old man, I believe solely Great Ascension Stage cultivators could endure it, requiring substantial time for assimilation... Proper refinement guarantees cultivation advancements."
Spirit Void Old Ghost declared with assurance.
Chen Huaian mused inwardly, yet another prime treasure.
He shifted his attention to Spirit Beast Sect Master Renshou.
Renshou examined the blood bead intently, then affirmed Chen Huaian with a nod.
A single wooden puppet alongside one blood bead amply served as required components.
Obtaining the confirmation sought, Chen Huaian shot Su Qinian a signal; "Why linger? Escort this honored visitor to the rear mountain!
Quickly usher Senior Spirit Void within?"