Free Web NovelChapter 358: Golden Puppet Reaches the Late Nascent Soul Stage
Half a month later, deep inside the Earth Fire Cave.
Fang Hao sat cross-legged beside the scorching Earth Fire magma, sweat on his forehead, but his expression was incredibly focused. Before him lay the remains of the golden puppet, along with various Materials needed for its repair: star core, star iron, Earth Dragon beast bones, Iron-backed Gray Wolf essence blood... Of course, the most important item was that section of ten-thousand-year star wood, over a person’s height and as thick as a bowl.
He did not act immediately. During this half month, besides traveling, he had been repeatedly studying the section on "Spirit Fusion Regeneration" in the fragment of the heavenly craft puppet manual, pondering every step and every detail countless times. The golden puppet was his important partner and trump card; he could not afford the slightest mistake.
"Let’s begin." Fang Hao took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp as blades.
He first used the Earth Fire to melt and purify auxiliary Materials such as the star iron and Earth Dragon beast bones, then refined them into the alloy solution required for repairs according to specific proportions. This process required extremely strong fire control and patience, taking a full three days.
Then came the most critical step—processing the ten-thousand-year star wood. He did not melt the entire piece of ten-thousand-year star wood, as that would be too wasteful, and the golden puppet might not be able to withstand such vast Power of the Stars. Using his Chaos Sword Qi, he carefully cut off a piece the size of a fist from the ten-thousand-year star wood. The remaining part was sealed in the best jade box for his future use.
Even this fist-sized piece contained an unimaginably vast Power of the Stars. Fang Hao formed hand seals, urging the Earthly Fiend Golden Flame to envelop it, slowly scorching and refining it. The ten-thousand-year star wood was incredibly hard; under the scorching of the Earth Fire, it burned for seven full days and nights before finally softening, eventually turning into a fist-sized ball of silver liquid that shimmered with brilliant starlight, resembling a liquid galaxy—the star wood marrow!
Fang Hao carefully divided this "star wood marrow" into several portions. The largest portion was mixed with the previously refined alloy solution to begin reshaping and repairing the damaged torso and limbs of the golden puppet. Another small portion was integrated with Materials like the Iron-backed Gray Wolf essence blood to refine a special spiritual liquid for repairing the core Formation and transmission joints.
As the Earth Fire and Chaos Spiritual Power complemented each other, as the star wood marrow and metal solution fused perfectly, and as each damaged component was recast, repaired, and connected... the broken body of the golden puppet began to recover its former appearance bit by bit, even becoming more perfect than before. The dark golden metal surface began to shimmer with a layer of pale silver, starlike luster, and mysterious star patterns could be vaguely seen flickering inside the metal.
Repairing the shell was only the first step. Next was the key to "Spirit Fusion"—reactivating the dim star core and perfectly connecting it to the brand-new shell that had been fused with the star wood marrow.
Fang Hao held his breath as he carefully dripped the refined core spiritual liquid onto the Formation patterns on the surface of the star core. At the same time, his hands moved like butterflies, casting complex spiritual power incantations into the core.
"Hum..." With the casting of the incantations and the infiltration of the spiritual liquid, the long-dormant star core began to vibrate slightly, and the dim patterns on its surface began to light up with faint starlight, bit by bit. This starlight grew brighter and more stable, as if a sleeping heart were beginning to beat again.
When the light of the star core stabilized, a flash of light appeared in Fang Hao’s eyes, and he shouted in a low voice: "Fuse!"
He guided with his hands, slowly leading the largest portion of the alloy solution, now fused with the star wood marrow, to the empty space in the chest of the golden puppet, wrapping and embedding the star core. At the same time, he bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of his life essence, which contained his own essence blood and Divine Soul imprint. Mixed with Chaos Spiritual Power, it turned into countless fine runes that merged into the cooling, forming metal, tightly connecting with the control Formation deep within the star core.
"Hiss..." The scorching metal solution made contact with the cold star core, emitting faint sounds and rising white smoke. The brand-new shell of the golden puppet began to cool, solidify, and take shape at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Time passed bit by bit. Fang Hao was fully focused, not daring to be distracted in the slightest, controlling the heat, guiding the energy, and engraving the runes. Sweat had long since soaked his clothes, only to be dried by the high temperature of the Earth Fire, leaving white salt stains. His face was also slightly pale; the continuous high-intensity refining and the consumption of essence blood made him feel a trace of exhaustion.
Finally, after forty-nine hours.
"Clang!" A clear metallic vibration, sounding like a Dragon’s roar, suddenly rang out from the Earth Fire Cave! Fang Hao, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face filled with uncontrollable ecstasy!
Beside the Earth Fire, a brand-new golden puppet, two zhang tall, stood quietly. Its entire body presented a strange metallic luster intertwined with dark gold and silver-white, with smooth lines and a sense of power! Its shell was thicker and stronger than before, with faint starlight flowing on the surface, and mysterious internal Formation patterns could be vaguely seen. At the chest position, the star core pulsated slowly like a real heart, emitting stable and powerful energy fluctuations. A pair of "eyes," refined from special crystals, were currently glowing with two clusters of warm and deep silver-white light, quietly "watching" Fang Hao.
A powerful, steady, and slightly familiar spiritual aura emanated from the golden puppet. This aura had surprisingly reached—the Late Nascent Soul Stage!
No, it was even more solid and heavy than an ordinary Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator! Having integrated the essence of the ten-thousand-year star wood, this golden puppet had undergone a rebirth!
"Old Jin!" Fang Hao’s voice carried a trace of excitement and trembling.
The silver-white light in the golden puppet’s eyes flickered slightly, as if in response. Its brand-new metal head slowly turned towards Fang Hao, and then, in Fang Hao’s pleasantly surprised gaze, it slightly bent its indestructible metal body, knelt on one knee before Fang Hao, and lowered its head.
A slightly stiff, yet exceptionally clear voice with the texture of metal friction, directly resonated in Fang Hao’s mind through the Divine Sense connection: "Master... Old Jin... reporting for duty."
"Hahahaha! Good! Good! It’s good to have you back!" Fang Hao looked at the brand-new Old Jin kneeling on one knee, feeling incredibly satisfied, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. The hard work, risks, and battles of this period were all worth it at this moment! A Late Nascent Soul Stage golden puppet as a Protector—this sense of security was top-notch!
He stepped forward and patted Old Jin’s cold, hard shoulder, which still exuded a strange metallic luster. The feel of it was more dense than before, and there was a faint, warm sensation of Power of the Stars circulating. "How do you feel? Can you move? Is anything uncoordinated?"
Old Jin "clicked" as it turned its metal head, the silver-white "eyes" glowing steadily, seemingly adapting to this brand-new, more powerful body. It tried to lift its arm, flex its fingers, and then slowly stood up straight. The movements were initially a bit sluggish, but soon became smooth, even more flexible and powerful than before.
"Main body... structure stable, energy core... functioning normally, control Formation... connection perfect, spirituality... improved. Combat power assessment... Late Nascent Soul Stage, defense... significantly strengthened. Ready to execute orders, Master." Old Jin’s metal-textured voice resonated in Fang Hao’s mind again. Although it was still somewhat rigid, Fang Hao could feel that there seemed to be a trace of a faint "emotion" that hadn’t been there before, for example... a hint of satisfaction and joy?
"Good! That’s great!" Fang Hao beamed. After being repaired, not only had Old Jin’s strength greatly increased, but its "brain" seemed to be working better too. The ten-thousand-year star wood was definitely not wasted! With it as a Protector by his side, the last bit of concern regarding the refining of the nascent soul forming pill had completely vanished.
"No time to lose, Old Jin, we leave now!" Fang Hao said spiritedly, waving his hand. The golden puppet was repaired, the Materials for the nascent soul forming pill were complete, and the chaos pill cauldron and Earthly Fiend Golden Flame were ready to use; the conditions for refining the nascent soul forming pill were fully met! Now, all that was missing was a place that was safe enough, quiet enough, rich in Spiritual Qi, and capable of providing a stable Earth Fire.
And that place, he had already decided on—the ancient Immortal Cave, the Earth Fire Cave!
That place was deep underground, with powerful natural Restrictions isolating the inside from the outside; its concealment was beyond reproach. The Spiritual Qi inside was dense, especially the fire-attribute Spiritual Qi, and there was ready-made Earth Fire to borrow, making it simply an excellent place for Alchemy. He had obtained the chaos pill cauldron and the Legacy there, so it could be considered a blessed land. Moreover, he was familiar with the environment there, and with Old Jin as a powerful brawler, the safety was absolutely guaranteed.
One man and one Puppet, no longer delaying, immediately set off. Fang Hao identified the direction, restrained his own aura, and with Old Jin, sped towards the location of the Earth Fire Cave in his memory.
Although Old Jin was large, its movements were surprisingly agile and swift. With a tap of its foot, it could cover dozens of zhang, following closely behind Fang Hao, landing without a sound, showing its exquisite control over power. The starlight flowing on its body surface was also retracted by itself; looking from afar, it was just like an ordinary metal Puppet, unremarkable.
Along the way, Fang Hao specifically chose to walk through deep mountains and old forests where few people went, trying his best to avoid areas where Cultivators might gather or Demon Beasts might reside. With Old Jin, a Late Nascent Soul Stage "bodyguard," he felt much more confident, but Fang Hao still tried to keep a low profile, not wanting to cause any extra trouble. After all, he was carrying the full set of Materials for refining the nascent soul forming pill, as well as a treasure like the golden puppet; if he were targeted by some old monster, it would be troublesome.
Several days later, they arrived in the depths of the Ancient Elephant Mountain Range, a more desolate area filled with miasma. This was the place where Fang Hao had originally obtained the chaos pill cauldron and the Legacy.
Familiar with the path, he found the hidden entrance covered by vines and rocks. Fang Hao cast a few incantations, unlocking the outer illusion Formation and simple Restrictions, revealing the pitch-black cave entrance. A familiar and scorching aura came from deep within the cave.
"This is it, Old Jin, let’s go in." Fang Hao stepped into the cave entrance first, followed closely by Old Jin; as its massive body squeezed into the entrance, it made a slight metallic friction sound.
The passage inside the cave wound downwards, and the temperature got higher and higher. Soon, they arrived once again at that huge underground cavern space. In the center of the cavern, the scorching Earth Fire magma was still flowing slowly, making a "gurgling" sound, illuminating the entire cavern in red. The air was filled with dense fire-attribute Spiritual Qi and a faint smell of sulfur.
On the rock walls around the cavern, the few simple stone rooms that Fang Hao had excavated back then, as well as the ancient chaos pill cauldron, were all still in their original places, covered with a thin layer of dust; clearly, no one had been here for a long time.
"Phew..." Fang Hao took a deep breath of the scorching and familiar air, a smile appearing on his face. Finally back. This place would be the final stepping stone for his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage!
"Old Jin, guard the surroundings, forbid any living creature from approaching!" Fang Hao ordered in a deep voice.
"Yes, Master." The silver-white light in Old Jin’s eyes flickered slightly, and with a flash of its body, it appeared near the cavern entrance, standing there like a silent metal statue. An invisible, powerful Divine Sense and pressure of the Late Nascent Soul Stage slowly spread out with it as the center, covering the entire cavern entrance and the surrounding area. Any movement would not escape its perception.
Fang Hao nodded in satisfaction and walked to the center of the cavern, in front of the ancient chaos pill cauldron. He reached out and touched the cold surface of the cauldron, feeling the Chaos aura contained within. This cauldron, which had accompanied him all the way, would today join him again to attempt to refine the legendary nascent soul forming pill!
He waved his hand, casting a stream of spiritual power that stirred up a gust of wind, sweeping away the dust on the stone room and the cauldron. Then, he sat cross-legged on the futon in front of the cauldron, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing. He wanted to adjust his state to the best, with his essence, energy, and spirit all reaching their Peak, and then, open the furnace for Alchemy and charge towards the Nascent Soul Stage!
