"Boom!"
The silver-glowing puppet's fist smashed into the protective shield with a dull, heavy thud.
Its formidable strength was so great that it actually caused the cyan light shield to tremble violently.
'As expected of an attack matching a seventh-layer Golden Core cultivator. Unfortunately, the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella's defense is on par with a High-Grade Magic Treasure. It isn't something a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator can easily break open with just a few strikes,' Xu Chuan thought.
Naturally, Xu Chuan would not just let the silver-glowing puppet attack freely.
After all, the puppet's attacks did not consume any mana.
Xu Chuan raised his right hand, and the Heaven-Overturning Seal flew out from his Storage Pouch. It expanded against the wind to a size of ten to twelve meters, smashing toward the puppet like a small mountain.
Seeing this, the puppet raised its left arm slightly. The patterns on its body suddenly lit up, instantly unleashing nine peak Tier 1 fire-element arcane arts, Crimson Flame Bullets!
Nine fist-sized Crimson Flame Bullets howled through the air, carrying scorching heat as they crashed directly into the Heaven-Overturning Seal.
Although the Heaven-Overturning Seal was hindered, it continued its descent toward the puppet.
The puppet sidestepped to avoid the Heaven-Overturning Seal and swept its right leg toward Xu Chuan. Amidst the flashing silver light, it kicked up a fierce gust of wind.
Xu Chuan tapped his toes against the ground, retreating with the umbrella in hand as his plain white robes fluttered noisily.
At the same time, his right hand formed a hand seal, causing the Heaven-Overturning Seal to circle back and hover directly above the puppet.
"Suppress!"
Xu Chuan shouted sternly.
A terrifying, mountain-like pressure suddenly poured down. It carried a sealing force that made the puppet's massive body sink heavily, its legs bending slightly.
In this split-second opening, Xu Chuan's figure flashed explosively. He closed in like a blur, arriving before the puppet in the blink of an eye.
By now, the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella had already been retracted, reverting to its short staff form in his grasp.
Sinking his wrist, he actually wielded this High-Grade Magic Treasure like an ordinary wooden staff. Channeling vigorous mana, he viciously slammed it down on the silver-glowing puppet's head!
"Thud!" A muffled sound rang out.
The end of the staff accurately struck the puppet's head. The silver light around the puppet's body flickered violently, and its entire head was knocked slightly askew, forcing its massive frame to stumble two steps backward.
'The puppet body sure is sturdy. If this were an immortal cultivator's physical body, they would have been smashed into a mist of blood long ago.'
Having landed a successful strike, Xu Chuan did not dare to linger. His figure immediately shot backward in a rapid retreat, opening up a distance of nearly a hundred meters.
Although the silver-glowing puppet had been knocked off balance, it showed no sign of sluggishness. As the silver light flickered around its body, it gradually adapted to the mountain-like pressure and sealing force of the Heaven-Overturning Seal above it.
While its speed was still twenty to thirty percent slower than before, and every step produced a heavy, muffled thud, it managed to steady its stance and charge fiercely at Xu Chuan.
'Fortunately, this puppet only possesses combat instincts. If it had intelligence, it would have first broken the restraint of the Heaven-Overturning Seal above its head. If it regained its original speed, I would be put in a passive position.'
Xu Chuan thought to himself as he observed the scene, simultaneously opening the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella once more.
The dark cyan canopy burst with brilliant cyan light. The thirty-six Ink Jade Beads lit up in unison, condensing into a thick barrier of light once again.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The puppet smashed three consecutive punches into the light barrier. The force of its fists was incredibly ferocious, causing the shield to tremble violently.
Borrowing the momentum, Xu Chuan flew backward. His figure sailed over thirty meters like a kite with a broken string, but the puppet relentlessly pursued him, pressing forward step by step without giving him a moment to breathe.
"Go!"
Xu Chuan shouted in a low voice, forming a hand seal with his right hand. The nine ribs of the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella emitted a sharp ringing hum.
They transformed into nine streaks of silver light, shooting out to simultaneously slash at the puppet's vital points.
However, when the sword tips struck the puppet's pale silver body, a series of crisp clinking sounds rang out. They only left shallow scratches, failing to even breach its defense.
This kind of superficial, scraping attack posed no threat to the puppet whatsoever.
Xu Chuan furrowed his brows, thinking to himself, 'To think this puppet's defense is this resilient!'
'Even a Golden Core Completion Stage Cultivator would find this incredibly troublesome and would have to find a way to chip away at its physical defense bit by bit.'
'They would have to locate the puppet core and destroy it in a single strike.'
'If they couldn't break through, even a Golden Core Completion cultivator would have their mana drained and eventually be pummeled to death.'
'If the Inner Sect Disciple assessment is already this difficult, wouldn't a True Disciple have to face a puppet with strength comparable to a True Lord at the Late-Stage Golden Core?'
'The Dao of Puppetry is truly terrifying!'
Just imagining such a puppet made Xu Chuan's scalp tingle.
But by the same token, crafting one was undoubtedly immensely difficult as well.
'How should I break through this beast's defense?'
Xu Chuan pondered carefully while dodging the silver-glowing puppet's attacks.
Occasionally, he met a few punches head-on to create some distance.
'Its body is forged from some kind of peak Tier 3 or even Tier 4 Spirit Wood... That's it! Since it's Spirit Wood, the Withered Silence Seal I created will definitely counter it perfectly.'
Unlike the Flourishing Glory Seal, which elevated power to its absolute limit to unleash supreme might, this seal dissolved all things, capable of rotting even physical bodies.
Its effectiveness against Spirit Wood would absolutely be over ten times greater.
'All Spirit Wood cannot escape the Heavenly Dao's laws of Wither and Flourish, Life and Death!' Xu Chuan's eyes lit up.
Immediately, the Storage Ring on his hand glowed. Six Formation Flags flew out as his hands formed signs, pouring his mana into them.
"Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array, rise!"
Thick mist rolled in, concealing Xu Chuan's figure.
Under his control, countless streams of mist condensed into the shape of the Heaven-Overturning Seal, smashing toward the silver-glowing puppet.
The silver-glowing puppet's iron fists turned into countless afterimages, filling the sky.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal would occasionally ring out.
Following that, one illusion of Xu Chuan after another attracted the puppet's attention. Like a tireless machine, it shattered every single "Xu Chuan" into dissipating smoke.
Meanwhile, the real Xu Chuan waited for the perfect opportunity.
A mist-formed Xu Chuan swung the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella at the puppet, while a Heaven-Overturning Seal descended from above.
Illusions mixed with reality.
The previous attacks had all been formed by mist, but at this moment, both were real.
The silver-glowing puppet raised its arms, using its left arm to block the Heaven-Overturning Seal above and its right arm to parry the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella swinging from the side.
Clang! Clang!
The instant the sounds rang out, Xu Chuan appeared behind it. Forming the Withered Silence Seal, he struck its back before rapidly retreating and vanishing into the mist once more.
Almost exactly as he retreated, the silver-glowing puppet used both arms to violently throw off the Heaven-Overturning Seal and the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella. Borrowing that force, it swept its arm behind it.
The sharp gust of wind brushed past Xu Chuan's face, still stinging his skin.
If that strike had landed, his Spirit Power shield would have been instantly shattered.
The cycle repeated.
An hour later.
The silver-glowing puppet's arms, chest, back, and head gradually turned a grayish-black.
It was the color of decaying Spirit Wood.
'It's about time.'
Xu Chuan launched a frontal assault, continuously controlling the Heaven-Overturning Seal to smash down.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Crack! Crack!
A moment later.
The powerful silver-glowing puppet, comparable to a seventh-layer Golden Core cultivator, finally saw its body rot and shatter. All that remained was a multifaceted crystal bead the size of a pigeon's egg.
'If I learn how to craft this puppet, this core should still be of use.'
Xu Chuan promptly stored it away.
[Challenge passed. You will be teleported out of this place in three breaths.]
Three breaths passed.
Xu Chuan's figure vanished from the space, returning to the side of the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Awakening Tree. By now, the powerful Restriction surrounding it had completely collapsed.
He immediately surged his mana, enveloping the Spirit-Awakening Tree.
Rumble—
The ground continuously split apart.
Under Xu Chuan's tyrannical mana, the entire Spirit-Awakening Tree was uprooted.
Right at this moment.
"True Lord Withered Glory."
A familiar voice echoed from a short distance away. Xu Chuan sharply turned his head and saw Xi Tianqing of the Heavenly Azure Sect.
He was looking up at the Spirit-Awakening Tree with a trace of confusion in his eyes.
"Congratulations, True Lord Withered Glory, for obtaining this Spirit Wood. This tree truly looks extraordinary. May I ask what kind of Spirit Wood it is?" Xi Tianqing asked respectfully.
With a wave of his sleeve, Xu Chuan stowed the tree into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
He then turned back to Xi Tianqing. "So it's Prodigy Xi. How did you end up wandering all the way out here?"
"Before a True Lord, I wouldn't dare call myself a prodigy," Xi Tianqing said humbly.
Even throughout the Heavenly Azure Sect's entire history, a peerless genius like Xu Chuan had never appeared.
"This junior was just wandering around and ended up here."
'Didn't they say it was extremely difficult to reach the depths?'
'Of all people, I had to be spotted by someone troublesome. Fortunately, it's just a Foundation Establishment cultivator.'
"I see... Watch your back!" Xu Chuan suddenly shouted.
Caught completely off guard in a place where divine sense was heavily restricted, Xi Tianqing genuinely believed an enemy was attacking. He immediately spun around to look.
The next moment.
A piercing pain stabbed through his mind. Letting out a miserable scream, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Blame it on seeing something you shouldn't have."
Even if Xi Tianqing didn't recognize it, if he went back to his sect and asked around, someone would definitely know. Just by describing its size and growth, they could likely estimate the age of this Spirit-Awakening Tree.
A Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Awakening Tree was valuable enough for a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Heavenly Azure Sect to make a move to snatch it. They might even wipe out the Xu Family in the process.
After all, the Xi Family's Nascent Soul Ancestor was getting on in years.
If they could use this to cultivate a new Nascent Soul Stage immortal cultivator, the Xi Family would prosper for another thousand years, and their crisis with the Greedy Wolf Sect would be effortlessly resolved.
Compared to that, a newly risen Golden Core Aristocratic Family wouldn't even be worth mentioning.
However, Xu Chuan did not kill Xi Tianqing on the spot. Instead, he used a Divine Sense Secret Method to severely injure his Spiritual Soul, forcing him into a deep coma.
Xu Chuan cast a Secret Method from afar, sealing his Dantian, mana, and even his Spiritual Soul, ensuring he would remain locked in an endless slumber.
'It's a pity that living creatures cannot currently enter the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven. Otherwise, tossing him inside would make transporting him much easier.'
Xu Chuan set up the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array once more.
He entered the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven and planted the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Awakening Tree.
"Little Huai, take good care of this tree. Water it with spirit spring water every day."
"Yes, Master."
Afterward, Xu Chuan exited the space. Looking down at Xi Tianqing on the ground, he stroked his chin, pondering the best way to deal with him.
'If I kill him now...'
'I'm afraid within a few hours, Late-Stage Golden Core cultivators from the Heavenly Azure Sect would descend upon the Mo Family, and no one would escape strict interrogation.'
'Therefore, it's best to kill him right when the Secret Realm closes, and I'll need an alibi.'
'Simply trapping him in the Secret Realm is too risky. If Xi Tianqing survives, I'll be the one in trouble.'
It took him only a short moment to devise a plan, which he immediately set into motion.
He quietly left the area, concealing his aura and masking his movements with the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array as he headed toward the southern forest.
He captured a Tier 2 Peak Demonic Beast, placed a restriction on it to trap it, and locked it inside a cave alongside Xi Tianqing.
He then hid the cave entrance with a Tier 1 Illusory Array.
As long as he removed the restriction right before leaving the Secret Realm, the Demonic Beast would undoubtedly tear the defenseless Xi Tianqing to shreds.
Xi Tianqing's Storage Pouch, life-saving Dharma Tools, and other belongings were scattered somewhere within the cave.
Even if someone discovered his remains in the future, they would assume he had been killed by a Demonic Beast.
The principle of a man being innocent but drawing ruin because of his wealth was a lesson the Xu Family had experienced multiple times in Great Wei. Naturally, he wouldn't make such a careless mistake.
No matter who it was, anyone who saw Xu Chuan obtain the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Awakening Tree had to die.
But fortunately, it was the Foundation Establishment Stage Xi Tianqing. If it had been a Golden Core cultivator, he wouldn't have been able to secure a one-hit kill, and the opponent might have even leaked the information before dying.
Having handled all this, Xu Chuan returned to the Misty Forest in the west to continue reaping the rewards.
After all, one could obtain a maximum of three Spirit Woods from this place.
At the same time, it was also to prepare a backup plan in case the Heavenly Azure Sect strictly searched everyone's Storage Pouches later.
The next two times, Xu Chuan acquired two stalks of four-tier Spirit Wood, roughly three thousand years old. They were somewhat rare and considered valuable to a Golden Core Aristocratic Family, but absolutely not something the Heavenly Azure Sect would covet.
Xu Chuan transferred numerous items that couldn't see the light of day from his Storage Ring into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven, replacing the ring itself with an identical, ordinary ornamental ring.
Afterward, he deliberately concealed his figure and waited at the edge of the forest for two or three days. When an Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator from the Heavenly Azure Sect emerged, Xu Chuan feigned a chance encounter.
"True Lord Withered Glory." The man greeted Xu Chuan when he saw him flying out of the Misty Forest.
Xu Chuan looked back. "You are?"
"I am Liu Yan from the Heavenly Azure Sect. I am also a member of the Liu Clan."
"Greetings, Daoist Friend Liu," Xu Chuan said.
"You've also just come out of the forest, True Lord. Are you heading to the Inheritance Grotto-Residence next?"
"Indeed. Since it is my first time here, I am naturally curious about the Inheritance Grotto-Residence."
"If it is convenient for you, True Lord, why don't we go together?"
"That's fine."
Over two hours later.
The two arrived before the Inheritance Grotto-Residence.
Flight was restricted here, so both of them approached on foot.
There were already quite a few cultivators present. They seemed to be waiting around out of boredom, watching to see who could fight past the guards at the entrance.
As for entering the Grotto-Residence itself, very few truly had the courage.
After all, everyone who had entered previously had died.
"True Lord Withered Glory is here."
The crowd cupped their hands in salute one after another.
Once famous, one became the center of attention wherever they went, greeted by others constantly.
"Have all of you Daoist friends already attempted the challenge?" Xu Chuan asked curiously.
The Yan Clan Ancestor was also present and responded with a smile, "We of the older generation gave up long ago. We're just here to watch the spectacle. Naturally, those taking on the challenge are all newcomers entering for the first time.
Both Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators can issue a challenge. Depending on one's strength, the opponent they face will be different."
"Right now, the young lass from the Liu Clan is attempting it. If the True Lord wishes to challenge it, you might want to wait a moment. Only one person can attempt it at a time here."
Xu Chuan turned his head to look. Three hundred meters in front of the Grotto-Residence, there was indeed a translucent screen of light flickering faintly.
"Thank you for the information, Daoist Friend Yan."
Fifteen minutes later.
Liu Yue's figure appeared. Her face was slightly pale, and a faint trace of blood lingered at the corner of her mouth.
"Yue'er, how did it go? Did you succeed?"
"Second Granduncle." Liu Yue cupped her hands toward Liu Yan and shook her head. "I still fell a bit short."
"Mn." Liu Yan stroked his graying beard and nodded. "Just focus on your cultivation when we return."
"Yes, Second Granduncle."
She immediately walked over to Liu Yan's side and bowed slightly toward Xu Chuan.
Xu Chuan nodded. With a leap, he crossed the three-hundred-meter distance, and his figure vanished.
Since he had arrived, the others naturally wouldn't dare compete with him for a spot.
"Do you think True Lord Withered Glory will choose to enter the Grotto-Residence later?"
"Perhaps."
"Rumor has it that passing a single stage grants generous rewards."
"What, Daoist Friend, are you thinking of trying to snatch it from True Lord Withered Glory?"
"I certainly wouldn't dare. Without Late-Stage Golden Core strength, who could be a match for him? Even if us Early-Stage Golden Core cultivators use our Magic Treasures and Divine Abilities, I'm afraid we'd struggle to withstand a single strike of a Major Success Divine Ability."
A few people chatted idly.
In just a short moment.
Xu Chuan's figure materialized, and then the grand doors of the Inheritance Grotto-Residence slowly swung open.
Turning around, Xu Chuan cupped his fists to the crowd. "Everyone, I will head in and take a look first."
With those words, he strode into the Grotto-Residence.
The moment his toes crossed the threshold, a muffled rumble sounded from behind.
The doors of the Grotto-Residence slammed shut once more.
Looking up, an imposing grand hall soaring three hundred meters high stood before him.
The ceiling arched like a dome, embedded with countless luminous pearls. As the pearls' glow flowed, the entire hall was brilliantly illuminated, leaving no shadows for darkness to hide even in the corners.
The pillars were forged from a pitch-black unknown material, requiring a dozen people to link arms just to encircle one. The pillars were etched with complex, intricate patterns.
On either side of the hall stood four giant statues, each roughly twenty meters tall, lined up in a row and radiating an oppressive aura.
The first statue on the left was humanoid. It wore silver armor and wielded a long saber. Its expression was as cold as ice, and crimson gemstones were embedded in its eyes.
The second was in the shape of an ape. Its fur was inlaid with black silk threads, its arms as thick as pillars with fists tightly clenched. Its bulging, knotted muscles exuded a wild, primordial presence.
The first on the right was a lamia-like snake woman. Her upper half was human, while her lower half was a winding serpent tail. Her scales glinted with a dark cyan luster. Holding a short dagger in each hand, her gaze was enchanting yet concealed a vicious brutality.
The final statue took the form of a malicious ghost with a green face, fangs, and twin horns on its head. Black mist coiled around its body, and the sharp claws on its hands were like blades.
Directly ahead, a three-meter-high white jade staircase wound upward. At the end of the steps sat a massive throne.
The throne was crafted from purple-gold sandalwood. Its armrests were sculpted as two coiled golden dragons, their dragon heads gripping dazzling pearls.
However, the throne sat completely empty. Though vacant for many years, it was untainted by a single speck of dust.
The only traversable area was the inner path between the giant statues. The outer edges were sealed by Restrictions, preventing anyone from passing through.
The outer periphery of the grand hall was shrouded in pale blue Restriction barriers. Formation patterns flowed over the light barriers, exuding a chilling aura.
The only walkable path was a thirty-meter-wide corridor flanked by the giant statues.
As Xu Chuan observed the four statues.
A voice suddenly rang out.
[This place is the Inheritance Hall of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Manor. The subsequent three stages are life-or-death trials. If you are unwilling, you may withdraw.]
Xu Chuan had long put away his Myriad Manifestations Puppet Manor disciple token, afraid it would trigger some unforeseen complications.
"I am willing."
[Commencing the Inheritance Assessment. Defeat your next opponent to pass the first stage. Upon succeeding, you will become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Manor and obtain the inner sect puppet inheritance.]
As the voice faded, Xu Chuan was teleported to a battlefield similar to the one before.
As for his opponent, it was the humanoid statue he had just seen, radiating an astonishing amount of demonic energy.
[The sturdiness of this puppet's body is comparable to a Tier 2 Peak Demonic Beast. The Battle Saber it wields is a Low-grade Dharma Treasure. It is capable of executing Minor Success Divine Abilities. The assessment begins now.]
As the voice dropped, the Silver Armor puppet hefted its low-grade Battle Saber and fiercely swung out a biting blade glow, its energy bearing straight down on Xu Chuan.
Xu Chuan didn't dare be negligent. He instantly opened the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella, forming a cyan light shield.
"Bang!"
The blade glow crashed into the shield, shaking the umbrella canopy so hard its cyan light trembled wildly.
Xu Chuan thought to himself, 'This puppet's power is at least twice as strong as the one at the manor gates!'
However, it wasn't a major issue.
It was just that the puppet's agile movements didn't seem like those of an ordinary inanimate object, raising his suspicions.
After all, how could a puppet execute a Divine Ability?
Xu Chuan couldn't afford to overthink. Refusing to be careless, he responded with his full strength.
The Silver Armor puppet continuously shifted positions, swinging its Battle Saber repeatedly and sending out a rain of blade glows.
Xu Chuan concentrated fully on the battle. The Heaven-Overturning Seal spun and smashed down, the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella protected his body, and he occasionally formed signs to unleash the Flourishing Glory Seal. Cyan light and blade glows intertwined.
Shockwaves rippled out, sweeping across the battlefield in all directions.
Deafening booms echoed endlessly through the hall.
Each Flourishing Glory Seal was more powerful than the last.
By the third seal, it combined with the Heaven-Overturning Seal to completely obliterate the Silver Armor puppet's body.
A crystal bead core, thick with gloomy demonic energy, rolled onto the floor.
Xu Chuan was just about to pick it up when white light suddenly wrapped around his body, instantly teleporting him back to the grand hall.
Looking at his empty palm, Xu Chuan cursed inwardly, 'Stingy!'
[Congratulations on becoming an Inner Sect Disciple of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Manor. Inside the Storage Pouch, you will find an Inner Sect Disciple token, cultivation methods for Inner Sect Disciples, and the corresponding puppet inheritance.]
Xu Chuan looked at the Storage Pouch that had appeared out of thin air. Summoning it into his palm, he probed it with his divine sense.
The disciple token was identical to the one he had held before. As for the cultivation method, it was the first volume of the "Myriad Manifestations True Scripture", allowing cultivation up to Golden Core Perfection.
Although it couldn't compare to the Xu family's "Five Elements Creation Scripture", it was undoubtedly a top-tier Cultivation Art. It even recorded methods to cultivate several Divine Abilities.
As for the puppet inheritance, it was a Cyan Jade Slip detailing comprehensive puppet-crafting methods.
However, it lacked the refinement methods for the silver-glowing puppet Xu Chuan had faced, as well as the demonic Intelligent Puppet from earlier.
Before long.
The mechanical voice sounded once again.
[As an Inner Sect Disciple of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Manor, you qualify to challenge for the status of True Disciple. By passing the inheritance trial, you will become a True Disciple and receive the corresponding inheritance and True Disciple rewards.
Do you wish to take the challenge?]
Xu Chuan thought for a moment before looking up. "I wish to challenge it, but I want to adjust my breathing and return to my peak state first."
[Permitted. Whenever you feel ready to challenge, simply say the word.]
"Thank you."
Xu Chuan believed the next stage would feature a special puppet possessing techniques comparable to a Major Success Divine Ability, with a physical body on par with a Low-grade Dharma Treasure.
It would carry a certain degree of danger, but he should be able to pass.
Half a day later.
Xu Chuan commenced the True Disciple inheritance assessment.
Appearing opposite him was a three-meter-tall ape puppet. Its body featured bulging muscles intertwined like the roots of an old tree. Its ink-black fur shimmered with a metallic luster.
[The sturdiness of this puppet's body is comparable to a Low-grade Dharma Treasure. Its strength is equivalent to a Tier 3 Early-Stage Earth Demon Ape. It can utilize the innate talents of the Earth Demon Ape with power matching a Major Success Divine Ability. The assessment begins now.]
Xu Chuan watched as the ape leaped high into the air like a cannonball, swinging its thick, log-like arms down in a vicious smash.
Not daring to underestimate it, he blocked with the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella.
But the combined weight of this ape's physical body and strength equated perfectly to a Late-Stage Golden Core attack.
The defensive barrier of the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella shuddered violently, and he was sent flying backward.
While retreating, Xu Chuan deployed the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array, intending to dismantle this ape puppet the same way he dealt with the silver-glowing puppet.
As the mist spread, one Xu Chuan after another appeared, each holding an Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella and with a Heaven-Overturning Seal hovering above their heads.
The ape puppet wildly hurled its fists, smashing every single mist-formed Xu Chuan to pieces.
Xu Chuan felt it was only a matter of time before he finished it off.
But the very next moment.
The ape puppet seemed to realize it was being played with. Beating its chest with its fists, it threw its head back and let out a frenzied roar.
The piercing roar morphed into a tangible soundwave, piercing through the mist like thousands of steel needles.
Not only did all the mist-conjured illusions vanish.
But with a sharp crack, the light and shadows of the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array shattered completely, dispersing the mist without a trace.
The sonic attack had no blind spots. It filled the entire space, shaking out all the hidden Formation Flags.
The Formation Flags were the array cores.
With them under attack, the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array was broken on the spot.
Caught off guard, Xu Chuan felt as if his head had been struck by a heavy hammer. His eardrums popped, instantly leaking fresh blood.
Fortunately, his Spiritual Soul was comparable to a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator, allowing him to force himself to stay conscious.
Upon spotting Xu Chuan, the ape puppet closed in and launched a punch packing devastating force.
Xu Chuan hastily channeled the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella, abruptly raising its cyan light shield.
"Boom!"
The punch collided with the shield. Xu Chuan was launched like a cannonball, his back slamming viciously into the battlefield's barrier, and a sickeningly sweet taste of blood welled up in his throat.
'With the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array broken, I can't launch sneak attacks. If I just try to brute-force this, my mana will dry up before his body takes more than partial damage.
Am I going to die?'
The thought flashed across Xu Chuan's mind.
'No!'
'Absolutely not!'
'Wait.' A flash of inspiration struck Xu Chuan. 'This puppet was able to break the array, meaning it must have intelligence and consciousness!'
He immediately triggered his Divine Sense Secret Method—Divine Sense Materialization.
Unlike Xu Deling, what Xu Chuan condensed were incredibly simple, needle-shaped divine sense weapons.
A faint light flickered between his brows. His divine sense energy gathered into twelve sharp silver needles, silently piercing toward the puppet.
"Roar! Roar! Roar—"
The ape puppet immediately let out a miserable, agonizing howl.
'It worked. Moreover, its soul defense is far inferior to a genuine Tier 3 Earth Demon Ape.'
If an ordinary Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator used a Spiritual Sense Attack, it wouldn't have been effective. But a Divine Sense Secret Method was different; its lethality was astonishing.
Furthermore, Xu Chuan's divine sense was on par with a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.
'Time to counterattack!'
Xu Chuan used the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella for defense and controlled the Heaven-Overturning Seal for suppression, occasionally condensing a silver divine sense needle to agonize the ape puppet.
In the end, before he even needed to use the Withered Silence Seal to rot its body, the ape puppet's consciousness completely dissipated.
Passing this trial gave Xu Chuan a general understanding of how such Intelligent Puppets were crafted. It was likely similar to refining Demon Spirits.
By using them as the core, the puppets retained their pre-death combat instincts and intelligence.
However, the soul defense of such incomplete spirits was far inferior to that of an intact living creature, making divine sense their absolute bane.
That said, even among Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators, few possessed Divine Sense Secret Methods. An Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator using a basic Spiritual Sense Attack against such a puppet might cause some damage, but not much.
Only those skilled in Divine Sense Secret Methods had a real chance of winning.
Xu Chuan was teleported back to the grand hall.
[Congratulations on becoming a True Disciple of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Manor. The True Disciple inheritance and rewards are inside the storage bracelet. You may inspect them at your leisure.]
Xu Chuan checked the storage bracelet and found its internal space to be several times larger than his Storage Ring.
[The True Disciple token must be refined with a drop of blood. Henceforth, you may rely on this token to enter the Myriad Manifestations Secret Realm. Given the current state of Heaven and Earth, entry is permitted once every fifty years.]
Without hesitation, Xu Chuan immediately refined the True Disciple token.
Inside the storage bracelet was the middle volume of the "Myriad Manifestations True Scripture", allowing cultivation up to Divine Transformation perfection. It contained a secret technique similar to the "Thousand Gods Incantation", enabling one to easily control dozens, if not hundreds, of puppets simultaneously.
The puppet inheritance also included methods for crafting special puppets.
Such as the silver-glowing puppet.
It was one of three elite puppet guards.
The other two were the Cyan Steel Puppet and the Golden Sun Puppet. All were Tier 3 puppets.
There was also the Clone Puppet, which could simulate one's own appearance.
The Intelligent Puppet, constructed using Demonic Beast Essence Souls, Demonic Souls, Spiritual Souls, or similar components as its core, was extremely difficult to refine.
The Thousand Mechanism Puppet was exquisitely crafted and capable of assuming several, or even dozens to hundreds, of varying forms.
'Truly ingenious. As expected of a major ancient sect. If one wishes to acquire Immortal Arts inheritances, one must seek out the corresponding inheritance Secret Realms.'
Aside from these, there was a True Disciple Dharma Robe, a High-Grade Magic Treasure, and a foot-long piece of Heart of the Spirit-Awakening Tree.
Xu Chuan stored all of these within the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
[True Disciple, do you wish to undertake the final assessment?]
"What are the rewards for the final assessment?"
[Obtaining the core of this ancient Secret Realm, gaining control over the Secret Realm, acquiring all inheritances of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Sect, the ability to relocate the Secret Realm, and the right to enter the Secret Realm at any time.]
"Secret Realms can be relocated?"
[Secret Realms opened by a Greater Divine Ability possess a Secret Realm core. By refining the core, it can be moved, though doing so requires at least Late-Stage Nascent Soul strength.]
"I'd like to ask, besides inheritances, what else is in the Myriad Manifestations Secret Realm? What is the Black Mountain to the north?"
[As a True Disciple, you have the right to know. The Black Mountain is a demon-sealing ground. It suppresses many True Demons.]
"Are any True Demons still alive?"
[Yes.]
"Are you the spirit of the Secret Realm?"
[I am. If you refine the Secret Realm core, you will become my next master.]
"What level of strength is required to refine it?"
[Late-Stage Nascent Soul or above. The higher your cultivation base, the faster the refinement. A Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator would need at least thirty years.]
"Does my strength give me any hope of passing the final inheritance assessment?"
[Your mana is comparable to a Mid-stage Golden Core cultivator. You have mastered a Major Success Withered Glory Divine Ability, possess one High-Grade Magic Treasure and one Low-grade Dharma Treasure, and have grasped a foundational-level Divine Sense Secret Method. Your probability of passing is one in ten.]
"Understood. Then I choose to decline for now. I will return to conquer this Secret Realm next time. If my strength exceeds the Early-Stage Golden Core by my next visit, will I still be able to enter?"
[True Disciples are not subject to realm restrictions.]
"I have one last question. Where did all the disciples of the Myriad Manifestations Puppet Sect go? Why did the ancient war leave only these inheritance Secret Realms behind, but no people?"
[Unknown. But my previous master has already perished.]
"After the ancient war, why did the spiritual qi between Heaven and Earth decrease so drastically? Even some Spirit Veins seem to have degraded."
[Unknown!]
'Right. What would a mere Secret Realm spirit really know anyway.'
"The spiritual qi density here seems comparable to a Tier 4 Spirit Vein. May I cultivate here for a few days?"
[Permitted.]
There were over three days left of the Secret Realm's seven-day opening period.
Xu Chuan prepared to wait it out until the final few hours before leaving.
And so, he sat cross-legged and cultivated silently.
In the blink of an eye, only the final four hours remained until the Secret Realm closed. Only then did Xu Chuan exit the Inheritance Grotto-Residence.
As the Grotto-Residence's main doors slowly creaked open with a low rumble.
"He's out!" clamorous voices rang out from outside the Grotto-Residence.
After Xu Chuan stepped outside, the massive doors shut behind him once more.
"Still haven't left, everyone?" Xu Chuan said mildly.
"True Lord, why were you inside for such a long time? Could it be that you passed all the trials?" a Golden Core Perfected Person inquired.
"Daoist friend, aren't you underestimating the inheritance trials of an ancient sect a bit too much?" Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "I simply felt that the spiritual qi inside was remarkably dense, so I stayed and cultivated for a few days."
"Cultivated for a few days?" The crowd of Golden Core cultivators was dumbfounded.
Seeing that Xu Chuan hadn't emerged for so long, they thought he had already perished.
"Alright, everyone. The Secret Realm is about to close. It's time to leave."
"Exactly, it's time to head out. Getting trapped inside the Secret Realm is a guaranteed dead end."
Having finally seen Xu Chuan emerge, the crowd no longer lingered. One by one, they took to the sky, flying toward the location where they initially entered. The black portal hovering in mid-air was the entrance and exit to the Secret Realm.
"Daoist friends, has anyone seen my martial nephew, Xi Tianqing?"
"I haven't."
"Perhaps he left early on."
One after another, Golden Core and Foundation Establishment immortal cultivators charged into the Secret Realm exit.
Before leaving, Xu Chuan discreetly formed a hand seal with one hand, undoing the restriction binding the Demonic Beast.
Following that, he dashed out of the Secret Realm.