380: The inheritance of the spirit puppet and the mystery of the spirit gourd

"Fellow Daoist Cheng, an ordinary Middle-Grade Tier 4 Spirit Puppet cannot be exchanged for purple zenith sandalwood."

Lin Shiming glanced at Cheng Mu, but still shook his head. A single purple zenith sandalwood already provided a significant boost to the Divine Soul. Lin Shiming knew that even after absorbing a mere fraction of it, he felt a profound benefit.

He genuinely wasn't interested in an ordinary Mid Purple Mansion Realm Puppet.

"Fellow Daoist Lin probably doesn't know the reputation of Thousand Machine Island, does he? Our Immortal Master Qianji is famous for his Puppets in the Coral Island!" Cheng Mu wasn't annoyed. Instead, with a wave of his hand, he took out a Spirit Puppet, which stood beside him.

Lin Shiming also looked at the Spirit Puppet, and saw a middle-aged man of about forty, who also reached out and called him Fellow Daoist Lin.

His appearance was no different from an ordinary person, and even his Spiritual Qi fluctuations were at the Mid Purple Mansion Realm.

However, after Lin Shiming probed with his Divine Sense, he still found a subtle clue.

"Let me demonstrate for Fellow Daoist Lin!" Cheng Mu continued, and casually handed a wooden guqin to the Spirit Puppet.

This wooden guqin also glowed with extraordinary Spirit Light, indicating it was a Magical Artifact.

Saying this, he took out an isolation Formation and enveloped the surroundings.

The Puppet took the wooden guqin and immediately began to play!

"Zheng!"

A Divine Soul attack, like ripples, surged forward like a tide.

Lin Shiming was somewhat stunned. This Spirit Puppet could not only use Magical Artifacts but also play the guqin itself to launch Divine Soul attacks.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, our Thousand Machine Island's Puppets are refined from the Divine Soul of a great demon, along with thousand-year-old ironwood and spiritual mud. They can attack autonomously, use Magical Artifacts, and are no different from having an additional Purple Mansion Cultivator in the Family. Moreover, once refined, they will absolutely obey commands!"

Cheng Mu put away the Puppet, not allowing Lin Shiming to examine it further, and began to explain in an endless stream.

Lin Shiming also noticed that Cheng Mu's Divine Soul strength was unusually powerful. Although he had just entered the Purple Mansion Late Stage, he was no weaker than a Peak Purple Mansion.

"What are the drawbacks then?" Lin Shiming interrupted Cheng Mu.

If such a good item had no drawbacks, purple zenith sandalwood wouldn't be able to compare.

"Fellow Daoist Lin has a Wisdom Eye, I admire him. I will not hide it, Cheng Mou. The only drawback is its immense consumption of High-Grade Spirit Stones, and it constantly requires High-Grade Spirit Stones to maintain the Spirit Puppet's vitality!"

"One High-Grade Spirit Stone can last about a month. In combat, a single battle might require three or four High-Grade Spirit Stones!" Cheng Mu continued.

"Fellow Daoist Cheng is not being generous; this is clearly a money pit!" Lin Shiming shook his head, making to turn away.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, the price can naturally be negotiated further." Cheng Mu quickly pulled Lin Shiming back.

purple zenith sandalwood was precious on Rising Sun Island, but on Thousand Machine Island, it was truly an astronomical price and hard to find.

The most crucial aspect of Cultivating Spirit Puppets was Divine Sense; without strong Divine Sense, one simply couldn't refine them, a requirement even greater than Artifact Refining.

The purple zenith sandalwood of Rising Sun Island generally wouldn't openly flow into Thousand Machine Island.

After all, the Twelve Inner Islands were also in competition.

"That's possible, add a Legacy for refining Spirit Puppets." Lin Shiming stopped and continued.

"Up to Foundation Establishment is fine!"

Cheng Mu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "Fellow Daoist Lin, you almost scared me with that held breath. The value of a Purple Mansion Spirit Puppet Legacy goes without saying, but a Foundation Establishment Spirit Puppet Legacy, I can certainly give you one!"

Lin Shiming finally turned around. This time, he was naturally willing to exchange six purple zenith sandalwood for a Mid Purple Mansion Realm Spirit Puppet.

However, if he agreed too easily, the other party might realize that their Lin Family possessed a High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine.

Although it was only a miniature one, maintaining a Puppet was certainly not a problem.

As for the Puppet Legacy, Lin Shiming had naturally wanted a Purple Mansion one at first. After all, Legacy items were reproducible. Only after seeing Cheng Mu's difficult expression did he switch to a Foundation Establishment one.

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From the actions of these Immortal Masters and the attacks of the Demon Kings, it was likely that the Coral Sea Area would experience another great beast tide.

The Lin Family belonged to the Outer Sea, and would definitely bear the brunt at that time.

Most of the Lin Family's Cultivators would also not be able to hide.

Having an additional Spirit Puppet as a means of defense, in his opinion, was also excellent.

In any case, the current Lin Family did not lack resources.

Lin Shiming took out a jade box, and the latter handed the Spirit Puppet to Lin Shiming, along with a control token.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this is the Spirit Puppet's Spirit Control Token. Just refine it with a drop of blood!" Cheng Mu was overjoyed.

He took the jade box and retreated.

Lin Shiming continued to wait in a corner of the spirit boat.

After a long time, the spirit boat once again became enveloped in a thick fog, and the Cultivators could no longer see the scenery outside.

Lin Shiming couldn't help but feel a sense of solemnity. This meant they were returning to the inner sea of the Coral Sea Area.

And those Immortal Masters were still deliberating inside.

Just as Lin Shiming thought they would reach Rising Sun Island without incident, a Buddhist monk with a spiritual pattern on his brow walked over.

This monk was unusually young, with fair skin and bright eyes, even more beautiful than an average female Cultivator.

Lin Shiming's gaze couldn't help but turn somewhat gloomy.

"Patron Lin, this humble monk, Ling Ye, may I have a word?"

"Fellow Daoist Ling Ye, feel free to ask, but my injuries are not yet fully healed!" Lin Shiming did not wish to discuss too much with this Monk Ling Ye.

Ten Thousand Buddha Island and the Blood Cultivation Sect were not something he could get involved in, let alone the fact that he had slaughtered a group of Cultivators, and their residual Divine Souls were still in the Soul Suppressing Tower.

If they talked in detail, he might inevitably be discovered.

"This humble monk wishes to ask if you have seen my Senior Brother Yuangu!"

"I have, but Fellow Daoist Lin was no match for your Ten Thousand Buddha Island Cultivators, so he could only escape using a Realm Breaking Talisman!" Lin Shiming said directly and decisively.

Monk Ling Ye saw Lin Shiming's expression change, shook his head, and decisively retreated to the side.

Not to mention lacking evidence, even with evidence, Monk Ling Ye couldn't touch Lin Shiming.

He asked naturally for peace of mind, and seeing Lin Shiming admit it decisively, and with a face full of resentment, it was highly probable that he had been chased, so he believed it somewhat.

Lin Shiming watched Monk Ling Ye leave, his eyes somewhat surprised. He found that Monk Ling Ye was somewhat different from the other Buddhist Cultivators of Ten Thousand Buddha Island.

His temperament and Heart-Nature were much higher.

Just then, the external environment changed again. Mountains and islands, seabirds flying in parallel.

Soon, the giant spirit boat landed on a valley, and Immortal Master Xuri and other Immortal Masters also walked out of the spirit boat.

Immortal Master Xueshan still walked at the forefront, followed by several Late Golden Core Stage Immortal Masters.

Everyone landed in the valley, which now seemed much emptier. As the Spirit Formation was activated again, one by one, the inner island forces departed.

Rising Sun Island's departure was ranked seventh. On the way back, the activation method of the Teleportation Array here was also very different. Brilliant and complex spiritual incantations were cast one by one, and several Cultivators held Formation Plates to connect with the Teleportation Array.

Clearly, this was a protective method for the Teleportation Array, to prevent those Demon Kings from teleporting through it.

Following a dazzling white light that lasted for ten breaths, Lin Shiming once again felt the blinding sunlight, causing his eyes to narrow slightly.

The Spiritual Qi slowly emanating from the Tier 5 Spiritual Vein, and the Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivators guarding by the Teleportation Array, all indicated that he had returned to Rising Sun Island.

And next, he also had to start guarding against Immortal Master Xuri!

Lin Shiming hadn't forgotten that long ago, the System had prompted him that Immortal Master Xuri had designs on him, and also possessed a one-star incomplete Spirit Treasure.

The power of the Spirit Treasure, as known from the Book of Hidden Paths, was extraordinary.

Moreover, it involved the power of starlight.

Not to mention, Immortal Master Xuri had not asked him for specific details until now, simply waiting for an opportunity to take it himself!

Immortal Master Xuri's complete set of Magical Artifacts, which could check Divine Souls through the Sect's jade records, had already been refined.

After exiting the Teleportation Array, Immortal Master Xuri and Immortal Master Hongye waved their hands, allowing the two to retreat, and arranged for a Purple Mansion Cultivator named Xu to take them to cancel their mission.

Loose Cultivator Guanghao canceled thirty years, while Lin Shiming canceled a full sixty years.

After leaving the Mission Hall, Lin Shiming naturally went to the Treasure Hall, while Loose Cultivator Guanghao left in anger.

At this moment, he harbored deep resentment towards Lin Shiming, but since he had been surpassed by Lin Shiming in every aspect, he couldn't stay any longer.

Lin Shiming also glanced at Loose Cultivator Guanghao's retreating figure in the distance, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. If it weren't for the fact that not much time had passed since the Secret Realm and the attention was still high, he wouldn't mind following him to eliminate this hidden danger.

Otherwise, the other party would still waste three purple zenith sandalwood.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this is the Treasure Hall of Rising Sun Island. You can pass through this path paved with bluestone slabs, but remember not to leave the bluestone slabs in the slightest, otherwise the Formation will tear you to shreds. At that time, even a Golden Core True Person cannot save you!"

"In addition, the Elder guarding the hall in front is Elder Ye. There is no need to disturb Elder Ye unless necessary. Just go up to the third floor; do not move on other floors, and you can only take one treasure!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xu. When I have leisure another day, Junior Brother will host a banquet for Senior Brother." Lin Shiming was somewhat grateful for the other party's reminder.

Subsequently, Lin Shiming walked alone towards the Treasure Hall, which was entered via a bluestone path.

Of course, one shouldn't underestimate this seemingly ordinary bluestone path. From Senior Brother Xu's reminder, stepping off the stone slab could lead to being caught in a Tier 5 Formation, and being completely annihilated was highly possible.

The Spirit Devouring Ant on Lin Shiming's sleeve also squeaked twice, giving Lin Shiming a warning.

Putting away the Spirit Devouring Ant, Lin Shiming passed through the stone steps and soon saw a Cultivator at the entrance of the hall. The other party was lying in a grand armchair, dozing, letting the sunlight fall on his face.

He also obeyed the instructions, not daring to look much, let alone disturb, and went straight up.

Inside the Treasure Pavilion, it was not like the Lin Family, with the first floor for Qi Refining, the second for Foundation Establishment, and the third for Purple Mansion.

Instead, from the first floor, it was Tier 4 treasures as the starting point.

As for treasures below Tier 4, they were not considered worthy by the twelve inner islands of the Coral Alliance.

The first floor housed Tier 4 Spirit Talismans, and the second floor housed Tier 4 Spirit Pills and precious Spirit Medicine and spiritual materials.

The third floor was where Magical Artifacts were placed.

Immortal Master Xuri had promised a Magical Artifact, so Lin Shiming naturally wouldn't choose from Spirit Pills or Spirit Medicine.

On Rising Sun Island, Immortal Master Xuri's actions against him lacked only a pretext.

If he were ignorant, Immortal Master Xuri would absolutely not spare him for a moment longer.

Ascending to the third floor, several small wooden shelves were arrayed with one Magical Artifact after another.

These Magical Artifacts were all enclosed by spiritual shields, which both injected Spiritual Qi into the Magical Artifacts to prevent the spiritual Formations from loosening over time, and also prevented Cultivators from casually stealing them.

Lin Shiming also held a Spirit Talisman in his hand, which Immortal Master Xuri had given him to retrieve a treasure.

The Magical Artifacts on the several wooden shelves were extremely abundant, with all sorts of varieties, including several Buddhist and demonic Magical Artifacts, and a whole row of High Grade Tier 4 Magical Artifacts!

Lin Shiming was dazzled, truly unsure how to choose at the moment. He had obtained many Magical Artifacts in the Ziyang Secret Realm, but currently had no time to refine and investigate them.

"Please select the illusory spirit gourd. You will obtain the illusory spirit vine seed Magical Artifact!"

The System prompt rang out again, and Lin Shiming was somewhat surprised, because looking down the rows of Magical Artifact shelves, only the row for Purple Mansion Late Stage Magical Artifacts had a single green spiritual gourd.

Spiritual gourd Magical Artifacts were not uncommon, but what he was concerned about was the latter sentence: the seed of the Illusory Spirit Vine.

For Lin Shiming, as a wood-attribute spiritual body, he had never had a suitable and familiar wood-attribute Magical Artifact. Even when he was still in the Qi Refining stage, he fought with vines.

However, after advancing to Purple Mansion, he no longer had suitable vine-type methods.

He walked to the green gourd, used the Spirit Talisman in his hand to open the spiritual shield, and took out the illusory spirit gourd. Inside the gourd, there were indeed several seeds.

These seeds were embedded in the gourd's wall and could not be removed.

Furthermore, these seeds did not manifest any Spirit Light and were completely inconspicuous. If one didn't examine them carefully, one might even mistake them for the illusory spirit gourd's spiritual patterns.

He channeled his True Essence into the several seeds. For a moment, most of his True Essence infiltrated, but the seeds remained motionless. However, next to the seeds, layers of green appeared.

When his True Essence was withdrawn, the greenness of the seeds also dissipated.

"Indeed, it's a High Grade Magical Artifact!"

Lin Shiming withdrew his True Essence, and after confirming that the seed Magical Artifact was a High Grade Magical Artifact, he was very pleased.

After all, the illusory spirit gourd was also a High Grade Magical Artifact, which meant he had obtained two Magical Artifacts at once.

Being opened within one spiritual shield, it was naturally counted as one Magical Artifact.

Moreover, he also recalled the Serpent Vine Flower seeds he used during the Qi Refining period, which had a similar effect.

After receiving the Magical Artifact, Lin Shiming did not linger, but left the Treasure Hall. As he passed the Elder guarding the building, he suddenly noticed that Elder Ye had woken up, and his deep eyes were now looking at him.

That gaze made his scalp tingle and his heart race.

Golden Core True Person!

Lin Shiming had only one thought in his mind: the third Golden Core True Person of Rising Sun Island, and he was guarding the Treasure Pavilion.

"Senior Ye!" Although Senior Brother Xu had warned him not to disturb, seeing the other party awake, Lin Shiming still cupped his hands and bowed.

However, he received no response; the other party continued to stare.

Lin Shiming did not move, then the other party lay down again, continuing to doze.

Only then did Lin Shiming exit the pavilion and stride towards the outside.

After Lin Shiming left, Immortal Master Hongye walked over. She looked at the old man and respectfully called him 'Father'.

The old man finally stood up and nodded in response.

"Father, these are the Spirit Medicine allocated to you this time!" Immortal Master Hongye handed over a Storage Pouch.

"Is there anything special about that Cultivator named Lin?" Immortal Master Hongye continued to ask.

"He has three Minor Divine Abilities!" The old man's single sentence left her somewhat dumbfounded.

Her father had a jade pendant that could sense Minor Divine Abilities as long as a Cultivator used True Essence.

And she finally understood why Lin Shiming had achieved such gains in the Secret Realm.

She just didn't understand what Immortal Master Xuri was pondering?