48: Chapter 48: Xin Ruyin's Master!

Zhao Changsheng soon discovered one thing: crafting higher-Rank Puppets was more difficult than he had originally anticipated.

He had thought he had fully understood the method of crafting these Puppets, yet even so, he still made quite a few mistakes during the crafting process.

After crafting for over half a year, he had only produced several dozen Qi Refining Stage Puppets.

If not for the continuous supply of ironwood, he would have struggled to produce even these several dozen Qi Refining Stage Puppets.

Having several dozen such Qi Refining Stage Puppets would be of considerable help to him.

Although their Rank was low, they would have no problem handling some daily tasks.

Under these circumstances, he naturally continued crafting.

Simultaneously, he also tried his best to improve the Puppets he crafted, making them more powerful.

The simplest and most direct method was to increase the age of the ironwood, from several hundred years to a thousand years.

In this way, whether it was the hardness of the Puppets or other aspects, there was a significant improvement, which also left Zhao Changsheng quite satisfied.

However, satisfaction aside, it still hadn't reached the level he desired, which was the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Originally, he wanted to obtain some more information about Puppets from Yellow Maple Valley, but when he went to consult his Revered Master Hong Fu and the Sect Head, the answers he received were greatly disappointing.

In the entire Yue Kingdom, no one was proficient in Puppet techniques; there weren't even any related texts.

Under these circumstances, Zhao Changsheng could only sigh and continue crafting Qi Refining Stage Puppets. If the Rank couldn't be increased, then he would increase the quantity.

After all, the ironwood was continuously supplied. As long as Han Li was fine, naturally, there was no need to worry about a shortage of ironwood.

Simultaneously, he also incorporated some of his own ingenious ideas into the Puppets.

Although eight or nine out of ten attempts failed, some were still successful, which was sufficient for him.

Of course, he wouldn't become obsessed with Puppet techniques either. After crafting two or three hundred Puppets, he temporarily stopped.

Furthermore, he gave twenty or thirty of the Qi Refining Stage eleventh or twelfth layer Puppets to Han Li, so he could properly control them and thus help bring back the golden box from the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land.

This was Zhao Changsheng's ultimate goal.

Apart from this, Han Li also asked him for the Puppet crafting method, intending to craft some himself.

Zhao Changsheng did not refuse this request and directly handed over a portion of the Puppet crafting method he had obtained to Han Li.

After all, it was no longer of much use to him.

After resolving the matter of the Puppets, Zhao Changsheng began researching Formations again.

If he couldn't obtain Formation texts within the School, then he could only obtain them from a specialized Sect.

The Yue Kingdom did not have a specialized Sect; the specialized Sect was the Heavenly Star Sect in the Yuanwu Kingdom, and this Heavenly Star Sect was not far from them—it was very close.

In their marketplace, there was no shortage of Loose Cultivators who knew Formations, so Zhao Changsheng began making inquiries in this marketplace.

This inquiry lasted for nearly half a year. During this time, he had almost thoroughly investigated all the well-known Loose Cultivator Formation Masters in the Yuanwu Kingdom.

Simultaneously, he was also researching Formations himself. There was no other way; he truly couldn't trust others.

Under these circumstances, Zhao Changsheng could only research Formations himself in order to repair the Teleportation Array.

"Elder Sansheng!"

In the teahouse, Zhao Changsheng drank a cup of tea and then looked out the window at a stooped, ragged old man.

This old man was also accompanied by a girl of about eleven or twelve years old, dressed in green.

They looked very much like a grandfather and granddaughter, but all of Zhao Changsheng's attention was on the old man.

Because the old man was a famous Formation Master within the Yuanwu Kingdom. Although Elder Sansheng was only a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator, he could still be considered a Formation Master.

Watching the other party walk further and further away, Zhao Changsheng called over the teahouse attendant, said a few words to him, and the attendant, beaming, nodded and quickly ran towards the old man outside the teahouse.

Soon, that Elder Sansheng, who had already walked far away, returned with the green-clad girl beside him, following the teahouse attendant back into the teahouse.

He arrived at the tea table where Zhao Changsheng was sitting and bowed respectfully to Zhao Changsheng.

"This Junior, Sansheng, and my little Disciple Xin Ruyin pay our respects to Senior. May I ask what instructions Senior has?"

Hearing this, Zhao Changsheng immediately shifted his gaze to the green-clad girl behind the old man, who was also bowing.

Although the girl's appearance seemed quite ordinary, with nothing particularly remarkable, the refined and elegant scholarly aura about her made one's eyes light up, compelling one to take a few more glances.

However, Zhao Changsheng couldn't look for long.

Because Elder Sansheng directly stepped in front of the girl, blocking Zhao Changsheng's line of sight, as if fearing Zhao Changsheng would take a fancy to his Disciple.

"Please sit, Fellow Daoist Sansheng. I invited Fellow Daoist here mainly because I have a few difficult unresolved doubts regarding Formations that I wish to consult you about. I wonder if Fellow Daoist can answer them? If Fellow Daoist can provide answers, then I will absolutely not let Fellow Daoist suffer a loss. Whether it's Spirit Stones, medicinal herbs, or anything else, Fellow Daoist need only name it."

Zhao Changsheng was not angered by Elder Sansheng's action; instead, he stated his purpose for inviting the other party.

After listening to Zhao Changsheng's words, Elder Sansheng did not sit down. Instead, he frowned, then shook his head and directly refused.

"I'm afraid this Junior cannot resolve Senior's doubts. I hope Senior will forgive me."

The reason for such a decisive refusal was mainly because he felt Zhao Changsheng had ill intentions, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what felt off. But having lived so many years, he was certain Zhao Changsheng definitely had ill intentions.

Under these circumstances, naturally, he had to leave immediately without any delay, lest he find himself unable to leave later.

"Fellow Daoist need not worry. I have no ill intentions whatsoever. I truly only wish to consult about a few doubts regarding Formations. As long as Fellow Daoist provides answers, I will absolutely not let Fellow Daoist suffer a loss."

Zhao Changsheng was not blind; he could naturally see the vigilance in Elder Sansheng's eyes. Immediately, he patiently began to explain.

After speaking, he personally picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Elder Sansheng.

"Fellow Daoist, have a cup of tea first, and we can discuss slowly. After all, this matter cannot be explained in just a few words."

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior. This Junior dares not accept. I truly cannot resolve Senior's doubts. I hope Senior will forgive me. It's getting late; this Junior will take my leave first."

After saying this, Elder Sansheng prepared to leave with his Disciple.

"Could it be that Fellow Daoist wants to watch your Disciple die an unnatural death?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Elder Sansheng's originally muddied and dull eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp, like blades piercing straight to the heart, making one's spine chill and feel a stinging pain.