Success?
Chen Ye’s heart was filled with joy; the Qi Concealment Technique was already close to breaking its limit. It seemed that dedicating a day to concealing Qi at the Mao Family had accumulated enough proficiency, leading to a natural and smooth breakthrough.
He immediately calmed his mind to carefully comprehend the profound changes brought about by this limit break.
Previously, the Qi Concealment Technique collected one’s spiritual power fluctuations, as if hiding a stone in the grass—concealed yet existent.
However, after breaking the limit, this technique underwent a qualitative transformation—not "hiding," but "merging."
With a mere thought, his aura could easily assimilate with the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, as if he was no longer an independent entity, but a wisp of air, a speck of dust, or a flickering candle flame in this Alchemy Room.
Even more profound was his ability to not only render his aura into nothingness but also to simulate different spiritual power fluctuations at will.
He could make himself appear like a newcomer to the immortal path as a First-Layer Qi Cultivation disciple, or a mortal without any cultivation, or even, if he wished, simulate the ferocious aura of a Demon Beast or the cold and sinister Evil Qi of a Demon Cultivator.
From "concealing oneself" to "disguising as anything," this is the refinement brought by the limit break!
"Excellent! What an extraordinary Qi Concealment Technique!"
Chen Ye applauded and praised.
The powerful effect brought about by a technique or skill breaking its limit has never disappointed him.
Now, unless a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator scrutinizes with Divine Sense, Chen Ye’s Qi Concealment Technique is flawless!
"Qi concealment is strong enough... next, it depends on strength. Otherwise, no matter how strong the concealment, it is meaningless."
Chen Ye pondered to himself.
At present, he lacked neither resources nor cultivation techniques but only time for leveling up.
Whether it’s alchemy, cultivation, or puppet crafting, all require a significant investment of time.
"Among these... only puppet crafting can yield results in the short term. With the cooperation of the Second Tier General Puppet Core, capable battle puppets can be rapidly produced."
Firm in his decision, Chen Ye wasted no time. He retrieved a jade scroll from his Storage Bag that recorded the Puppet Refining Technique, immersing his Divine Sense to study it carefully.
The Puppet Refining Technique documented various puppet crafting methods, the most basic being Zombie Puppets made from corpses, and Soldier Puppets with Gold and Iron Spiritual Materials as their framework.
Zombie Puppets are easy to craft and powerful, but ultimately they are shrouded in Corpse Qi, easily exposed, and the materials bring about adverse karmic consequences.
Whereas Soldier Puppets, though crafting them is intricate and materials are costly, have greater potential, allowing materials to be replaced and tiers to be upgraded over time, thus aligned with the righteous path.
"Given the choice, one should naturally opt for the righteous path."
Chen Ye made his decision.
Abandoning the previously crafted Chen Yi, this Zombie Puppet was merely a practice piece and lacked potential.
...
The next day.
After a simple disguise, Chen Ye employed the Qi Concealment Technique to obscure his aura, but not his cultivation level.
A Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer cultivation in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake Market does not stand out, and a Late-stage Qi Cultivation level reduces unnecessary trouble.
He arrived at the west side of the market, where shops lined the street, mostly large stores dealing in magical artifacts and materials.
After a brief comparison, Chen Ye entered an establishment under the Spirit Treasure Sect.
Items from the Spirit Treasure Sect are expensive, but their quality is assured and variety plentiful.
Since puppets would be crafted for protection, Chen Ye didn’t want to skimp on expense, avoiding future issues.
"What would you like to buy, fellow Daoist?" asked a shopkeeper with a long beard, glancing up at Chen Ye and noticing his Late-stage Qi Cultivation, his tone became noticeably more courteous.
"Shopkeeper, I wish to craft a puppet. Do you have any suitable skeletal materials?" Chen Ye got straight to the point.
Due to the proximity of the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect near the Moon Rhinoceros Lake Market, where low-tier puppet crafting techniques often circulate, there are quite a few loose cultivators skilled in the craft, thus Chen Ye wasn’t discreet.
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper perked up: "Oh? Fellow Daoist also studies puppetry? You’ve come to the right place. The puppet skeleton is vital for its foundation, what grade are you looking for?"
He stroked his beard, introducing the offerings as if counting his treasures:
"If you’re a beginner looking for something cheap to practice with, Centennial Ironwood is your choice. This wood is stronger than ordinary metal and has certain spirituality. You can get a set of skeletons for just twenty spirit stones. The downside... it’s quite rigid and can’t withstand heavy hits."
"If you want to seriously craft something practical, then use Profound Iron."
The shopkeeper gestured towards a pile of metallic materials emitting a black luster behind the counter,
"Profound Iron is a First-Tier Middle-Grade spiritual material, far sturdier than ironwood, capable of withstanding Qi Cultivation Middle Stage attacks. A human-sized Profound Iron skeleton costs sixty spirit stones. Even in the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect, Inner Sect Disciples struggling financially forge their puppets with Profound Iron."
Chen Ye observed, knowing Profound Iron is a common material for crafting magical artifacts.
Sturdy in texture, capable of communicating with the spirit.
Previously, Chen Ye had slain a disciple from the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect. Though the puppet’s tier was First-Tier Upper Grade, the material used was, indeed, Profound Iron.
Puppet crafting often requires materials that far exceed the same tier when crafting magical artifacts, cultivators typically use mostly low-tier materials to forge the main body, integrating higher-tier materials for crucial components.
Currently, as Chen Ye was financially well-off, a First-Tier Middle-Grade Profound Iron didn’t appeal to him.
He cupped his hands and said: "Is there anything else available in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion?"
Hearing his words, the shopkeeper’s expression showed slight astonishment. He lowered his voice: "Of course, if you’re affluent, we also have premium offerings—Cold Pattern Steel."
"These Tier One Upper Grade materials are rare even in Spirit Treasure Pavilion’s various locations."