CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 159: MASTER, LOOK WHAT TREASURE I BROUGHT FOR YOU_2

Of course, this body was still filled with abundant lifeless energy.

"Huff... The final step..."

Wen Zhixing sat cross-legged, his expression turning solemn.

The last step was to sever a portion of his divine soul to awaken and control the incomplete consciousness within the Puppet Body.

Within the Sea of Sense, Wen Zhixing’s divine soul manifested.

Having entered the Visualization Realm, Wen Zhixing would use Visualization to solidify his divine soul whenever he had the chance. His cultivation during this period had also substantially solidified his divine soul. Most crucially, Wen Zhixing’s divine soul was primarily condensed from the Nine Heavens Mysterious Thunder. Or rather, it had transformed into the Nine Heavens Mysterious Thunder itself. The terrifying thunder enveloped his being; even without fully taking shape, its fearsome power would make anyone who glanced at it shudder. This was the inherent majesty of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Thunder.

With the quality of my divine soul, just a small piece should be enough, Wen Zhixing mused. This minor puppet isn’t worth me expending too much on it.

CRACKLE!

Suddenly, the Nine Heavens Thunder Tree, formed by the Nine Heavens Thunder Seed, began to convulse, its branches and leaves shaking.

Wen Zhixing turned his head. A bolt of Nine Heavens Mysterious Thunder split the air, landing in the palm of his divine soul.

What is this...? Wen Zhixing was taken aback.

An object appeared in his palm.

A leaf...

It was a leaf from the Nine Heavens Thunder Tree, and it contained a vast amount of Divine Soul Force.

Is this to replace my divine soul...? Wen Zhixing realized.

This leaf was nurtured from the Nine Heavens Thunder Seed. The Nine Heavens Thunder Seed had long since fused with him and could be considered part of his divine soul.

"Alright, let’s test its effect!"

Wen Zhixing’s eyes suddenly snapped open. A leaf condensed from thunder light emerged in his palm, flying directly towards the spot between Ning Shan’s eyebrows.

CRACKLE!

The thunder light flared. The Nine Heavens Thunder Leaf imprinted itself onto the spot between her eyebrows.

Ning Shan’s body jerked violently. Under the stimulation of the lightning, everything seemed to begin activating.

"Merge!" Wen Zhixing formed a hand seal and began the incantation.

The Puppet Skill included various secret skills, all of which he had previously comprehended. The final step was to make his divine soul the dominant force in the body. After awakening its consciousness, he would make it obey his commands completely.

BUZZ!

The next moment, the Nine Heavens Thunder Leaf surged forcefully into the spot between Ning Shan’s eyebrows.

CRACKLE!

The thunder light began to sweep across her entire body.

At this, the lifeless energy within Ning Shan’s body began to dissipate. Simultaneously, the residual consciousness in her body started to revive under the stimulation of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Thunder.

It’s actually... even the lifeless energy within the body... has begun to dissipate! Wen Zhixing was astonished at the sight.

This was somewhat heaven-defying.

However, that was not all. After the lifeless energy dissipated, a surge of vitality emerged within Ning Shan’s body. The lifeless energy had completely transformed into vigorous life force.

Is this even possible...? Wen Zhixing’s eyes widened slightly.

All these changes exceeded his expectations.

Before Wen Zhixing could ponder further, a brand-new consciousness devoured the remnant souls inside Ning Shan and began to emerge, finally taking residence upon the Nine Heavens Thunder Leaf.

Simultaneously, Wen Zhixing felt a sense of submission emerging in his mind. The connection between them was remarkably clear, even closer than the one he shared with his Life Defying Blood Body.

The next moment, Ning Shan’s eyes slowly opened, and her body gradually rose. Unclothed, her fair, smooth skin exuded a subtle golden glow.

"Master," Ning Shan said, her eyes somewhat wooden, yet she naturally knelt.

It’s a success... Wen Zhixing was momentarily stunned.

There had been a slight deviation from his plan, but this deviation seemed rather favorable.

[Your blood and spiritual sense have caused a mutation in your puppet.]

[The lifeless energy in your puppet’s body has completely faded away.]

[Lively vitality has emerged within your puppet’s body.]

[Your puppet has become a living dead.]

[Your refining technique has surpassed the limits of the Puppet Skill; there is no longer an upper limit to the number of puppets you can control.]

"Not bad." Wen Zhixing’s lips curled into a pleased smile.

He had only attempted it casually. As a result, this fortuitous coincidence had allowed him to refine a higher-level puppet.

"Ning Shan..." Seeing his puppet still kneeling, Wen Zhixing started to speak but then stopped.

This isn’t Ning Shan anymore, he thought. After all, this body is merely someone else’s shell.

"What is your name?" Wen Zhixing asked, his gaze lowered slightly.

Name...? The newly born puppet showed a contemplative look before finally saying, "Master, I am called Ning Xiaoyu."

"Ning Xiaoyu." Wen Zhixing nodded. He glanced at her perfect figure, then took a set of clothes from his Universe Belt. "Put these on first."

"Yes, Master." Ning Xiaoyu respectfully accepted them and began to dress in front of Wen Zhixing, her expression impassive, devoid of any shyness.

Wen Zhixing watched, feeling no inner turbulence. Even the most perfect body is but a beautiful husk, a painted skeleton, after all.

"Do you remember what you used to do?" Wen Zhixing asked once Ning Xiaoyu was dressed.

Ning Xiaoyu immediately became thoughtful. Her memories were fragmented; she could barely recall a few things.

Just then, the Nine Heavens Thunder Leaf on her forehead began to radiate light. Thunder light flickered, and Ning Xiaoyu’s consciousness seemed to be nourished.

After a while, a hint of vibrancy appeared in Ning Xiaoyu’s previously dull eyes. She nodded and said, "Reporting to Master, I was a guard at Wutong Peak."

"Good." Wen Zhixing smiled. "Then from now on, continue to stand guard at Wutong Peak. I will give you further orders if anything else arises."

"Yes, Master." Ning Xiaoyu bowed. At this moment, she undoubtedly seemed like a real, living person.

BOOM!

Just then, Wen Zhixing sensed someone tampering with the array method he had set up.

Who is it? Wen Zhixing’s eyes narrowed. He immediately stretched out his hand and placed Ning Xiaoyu into his Universe Belt.

He didn’t want others to discover the connection between them.

「Outside the Refining Artifact Hall.」

The Life Defying Blood Body and the White Tiger Genius Spirit were blocked by the array method Wen Zhixing had deployed.

"MMPH..." The Life Defying Blood Body looked at the array method before it, shoulders drooping in dejection.

What’s going on? Why isn’t the main body opening the door? I’ve been waiting for ages! Could it be because I didn’t come home yesterday? Is he deliberately keeping me out? For a moment, the Life Defying Blood Body felt depressed.

Meanwhile, the White Tiger Genius Spirit cocked its head, looking at the Life Defying Blood Body. Seeing its dejected state, the spirit let out a roar.

My friend seems upset! This won’t do!

"ROAR!" The White Tiger Genius Spirit’s body erupted with sacred light. Its two claws fiercely raked forward, unleashing an invisible force!

RUMBLE!

With a tremendous noise, Wen Zhixing’s array method trembled violently and began to sway before shattering into pieces.

"EEP!" The Life Defying Blood Body suddenly grew anxious. Despite its low intelligence, it knew it shouldn’t destroy Wen Zhixing’s array method—an instinct to protect its master.

Luckily, Wen Zhixing had anticipated this. He had set up multiple layers of array methods, not for defense, but as an early warning system to give him time to react. After the first array method shattered, another appeared in its place.

"ROAR!" The White Tiger Genius Spirit lowered its head and rumbled to the Life Defying Blood Body, "What if your Master is in danger?"

The Life Defying Blood Body paused. That makes sense! Quick, break it open!

The White Tiger Genius Spirit nodded, preparing to swipe its claws again.

"Who’s there? Seeking death?" Just then, Wen Zhixing’s voice came from within the array method.

The remaining array methods shattered on their own, dispersing.

"YAY!" Hearing the voice, the Life Defying Blood Body’s expression lit up with joy.

He’s here, he’s here! Master is here!

Wen Zhixing had also sensed the Life Defying Blood Body’s presence immediately.

The Life Defying Blood Body? It’s back already? Good. Wen Zhixing nodded slightly.

"YAY! YAY!" The Life Defying Blood Body called out joyfully, eagerly moving forward with the White Tiger Genius Spirit.

Master, look at the treasure I’ve brought you!

"ROAR!" An enormous tiger head suddenly appeared before Wen Zhixing, its copper-bell-sized eyes staring at him.

Crap! Instantly, Wen Zhixing’s body tensed.