The cold air inside was biting, with a thin layer of white frost condensing on the floor and walls.
The refinement of Snow Core Control·Xie had reached the most critical step.
This time, Ning Zhuo’s refinement of the Mechanical Puppet was different from before. Not only did he summon Gongsun Yan to assist, but he also boldly changed the order of refinement.
Previously, it often started from the inside out, from the cornerstone core to auxiliary applications.
But this time, he first refined more than half of the finished outer form of Snow Core Control·Xie, and only now did he design the most central core component.
This was all because the new core of Snow Core Control·Xie was made from Nascent Soul Level Eternal Silence Mystic Ice. This was a significant challenge for Ning Zhuo.
After all, he was only at the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage.
Gongsun Yan urged the Heavenly Talent Heart Fire again. The flames moved with a mind of their own, spiritually wrapping around a piece of Eternal Silence Mystic Ice, slowly licking it.
Ning Zhuo then activated his Divine Sense, mobilizing tools to begin carving.
His carving skills and artifact refining abilities had improved significantly, and with the strong assistance of the Heart Fire, the core’s form was gradually emerging.
"It’s done!" After more than half a stick of incense, Ning Zhuo exhaled a breath of turbid air, physically and mentally exhausted.
"We really did it!!" Gongsun Yan’s face was full of surprise and joy, drenched in sweat, filled with a sense of achievement.
The two put down their tasks again and took a short break.
Handling Nascent Soul Level treasures was still overly demanding for Ning Zhuo. The amount of Eternal Silence Mystic Ice needed for the core was actually not much.
But dealing with it was time-consuming and labor-intensive for Ning Zhuo.
Although this step was successful, it also allowed Ning Zhuo to probe the current limits of his artifact refining capabilities.
Nascent Soul Level treasures were difficult for him to handle.
It’s not that it’s impossible to force it, like this time, he had already preemptively avoided many refinement difficulties by adjusting the design.
But in practice, he was still very strained.
"It seems that only certain mechanical components can use Nascent Soul Level materials."
"And such designs cannot be too complex."
Ning Zhuo took out a Five Elements Golden Core Wheel and placed it in the spherical core component, finally incorporating Ning Xie’s Spiritual Nature, forming a complete core.
With a command from Ning Zhuo, the Spiritual Nature immediately responded, using the Five Elements Golden Core Wheel to erupt with a wave of Golden Core Power. The power was instantaneously converted into Ice Attribute as it passed through the spherical shell.
The Ice Attribute power quickly covered and spread along the unfinished body.
Ning Zhuo controlled the spread of power, then together with Gongsun Yan, they promptly used molten Ten Thousand Years Ice Heart Iron to construct the final skeletal part.
Afterward, they filled it with Mystic Ice Marrow to serve as the "marrow veins" for the power flow.
Because they had experience from previous refinements, this time they completed it quickly; the entire process was smooth as Flowing Clouds, and their control over timing and heat was impeccable.
After completing this step, Gongsun Yan was responsible for inspection, repair, and improvement work.
Ning Zhuo’s fingers danced, constantly commanding Ning Xie’s Spiritual Nature to urge the Ice Attribute power, condensing threads of power within the Mechanical Puppet’s body.
These threads of power crisscrossed, weaving into a complex network of tendons that covered the skeleton. These Ice Attribute Demon Tendons not only conducted power but also possessed strong resilience and elasticity, providing extra power and buffering for the mechanical body.
Under Ning Zhuo’s careful weaving, the Mechanical Puppet’s body gradually took form, with smooth curves combining strength and beauty. The Mystic Ice material made it crystal-clear, emitting a deep, restrained azure glow.
The essence of "Eternal Silence Profound Ice Body Casting Demon Technique" and "Demon-infused Bloodline Technique" was well manifested and integrated into this mechanical body!
Ning Zhuo suddenly had an insight: "Under normal circumstances, a cultivator cannot simultaneously practice the ’Eternal Silence Profound Ice Body Casting Demon Technique’ and ’Demon-infused Bloodline Technique.’ But on a Mechanical Artifact, the principles of these two cultivation techniques can be cleverly merged and presented!"
"Mechanical Techniques draw from the strengths of hundreds of schools, painting on a blank canvas, free from the various shackles that the human body is born with."
The production was not yet complete.
Ning Zhuo retained the original design of the [Hexagonal Mysterious Ice Armor] on the blueprints. Next, he refined a layer of hexagonal armor plates on the ice-sculpted body.
[Hexagonal Mysterious Ice Armor] formed a second layer of protection.
The [Ice Mirror Helmet], with reconnaissance capabilities, was redesigned with sharper lines.
The beast head of the [Roaring Ice Chi] on the shoulder armor was retained, but the [Aurora Glaze] embedded in its eyes was specially treated, setting up more Arrays to enhance control and increase the limit of erupting power. Thus, the cold light is now inherent and no longer conspicuous. Once it erupts, its power will undeniably amaze.
On the six Cold Steel Mechanism Balls, the Arrays were also updated to keep pace with the advancements of the Mechanical Puppet.
Finally...
"It’s done, it’s done!" Gongsun Yan stepped back a few steps, staring wide-eyed at the Snow Core Control·Xie in front of him. Although exhausted, a strong sense of excitement filled him, almost making him tremble.
The completely new Snow Core Control·Xie stood quietly.
Her height had increased slightly, around six and a half feet. Visually, she hadn’t changed much from before. She still wore an ice helmet, clad in Hexagonal Mysterious Ice Armor, with an Ice Chi Beast Head at her shoulder. The six Cold Steel Mechanism Balls circled her like loyal guards, silently.
But Ning Zhuo could easily see that this Snow Core Control·Xie had undergone tremendous internal enhancements!