https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-178-The-Dual-Realm-of-Ice-and-Fire-Grass-Puppet-Breakthrough/12544014/
Chapter 179: The Evil Infant Decoy
Chapter 179: The Evil Infant Decoy
"Hmm? Is that a ball of light?"
Just as the Grass Puppet turned to leave, Lu Chen noticed a white ball of light floating behind it, about the size of a fist.
With seven parts anticipation and three parts doubt, he instructed the Grass Puppet to stop and gently touch the floating ball of light.
A sinister infant's cry emanated from within the ball of light, mournful and plaintive. Suddenly, it transformed into countless specks of light and surged into Lu Chen's body.
A thought flashed through his mind.
A grass doll, about seven or eight inches tall, appeared in Lu Chen's palm. The doll was ash-black, woven from countless fine blades of grass, and it gave an eerie sensation of real skin when held.
The doll's head was a mess of tangled ash-black grass, and its tightly furrowed face vaguely revealed the outlines of its features.
Lu Chen focused his attention on the grass doll, instantly understanding everything about it.
Decoy Evil Infant, a third-rate evil object. Carry it with you and drip in your essence blood, infusing it with your spiritual sense. When the cultivator faces a fatal strike, it will automatically trigger and then dissipate.
"A third-rate evil object that can shield a cultivator from a fatal blow?"
Lu Chen muttered to himself, bewildered, as he stared at the eerie grass doll in his hand.
"A third-rate treasure with only the function of blocking a single attack. The strength of the attack this decoy can withstand must be extraordinary."
Without hesitation, Lu Chen produced a drop of fresh red essence blood from the tip of his finger and dripped it onto the doll's face. Then, he separated a wisp of his spiritual sense and infused it into the grass doll's body.
The Decoy Evil Infant's tightly furrowed features slowly relaxed after absorbing his drop of essence blood, and it now bore a vague three-part resemblance to Lu Chen.
With a flick of his thoughts, Lu Chen felt a strange connection to the abnormal grass doll. With another thought, the seven- or eight-inch-tall Decoy Evil Infant shrunk in size, becoming as long as half a finger, and hid itself in Lu Chen's waistband.
"My defensive capabilities have increased again," Lu Chen couldn't help but marvel. "The Third-rate Immaculate Jade can detect nearby evil, the Liuli Tempering Body Technique and the Tai Xu Transformation Chapter enhance my physique, the Decoy Evil Infant can block fatal attacks, and the ordinary second-rate Red Scale Armor artifact adds another layer of protection. My defenses are now quite high."
"But how did this Grass Puppet get a light sphere reward when it broke through?"
He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
The Grass Puppet was difficult to define. It couldn't be called a spirit beast as it lacked a physical body, and while it exhibited some simple autonomous behavior, it was more akin to a puppet. Moreover, after breaking through, it had gained a level of intelligence comparable to that of a two- or three-year-old infant.
Lu Chen had obtained it when he was still at the second layer of Qi Refinement, at a loose cultivator's market in Linyangfang City. According to the stall owner, the Grass Puppet was a first-rate item, but it was on the verge of being discarded. Lu Chen felt that it still had some use and reluctantly spent several spirit stones to purchase it to help guard his spirit herb fields.
Due to the Grass Puppet's diligent and devoted surveillance of the spirit herb fields, as well as its meritorious service in blocking a heavy strike during the night attack by the elder with a spear, Lu Chen had rewarded it with a First-rate treasure, the Grass Spirit Primal Liquid, as soon as he obtained the perfect-quality Spirit Firefly Grass light sphere.
Unexpectedly, after continuously absorbing the Grass Spirit Primal Liquid, which was rich in wood-attribute spiritual power, the Grass Puppet broke through to the second-rate stage today.
"Breaking through to second-rate and obtaining this unique third-rate Decoy Evil Infant as a reward is quite unexpected."
"Based on my previous experience with raising the Red-Whiskered Carp and the Iron Claw Crab, they produced light spheres as rewards when they entered maturity. I didn't expect that breaking through in their own grade would also result in rewards, and these seem even more substantial."
The potential of a demon beast was constrained by its bloodline. For example, the Xuantian White Luan, which Lu Chen had recently been enthusiastic about cultivating a relationship with, was currently a third-rate demon beast with the potential of a seventh-rate demon beast. During its growth, it would easily break through its own rank.
"It seems that when raising high-rate demon beasts, they will receive light sphere rewards during their growth period and when they advance in rank. They will also receive rewards when they reach full maturity."
"The Cloud-Walking Lynx is only first-rate, but it is an exotic demon beast, and the Wind Falcon is a second-rate demon beast. Even though it is only at the first-rate in its juvenile stage, they still have potential."
"Moreover, if the bloodline is lacking, we can make up for it with resources. As an ordinary spiritual herbologist, I should still be able to do this much."
Lu Chen thought confidently, then turned his head and saw the Wind Falcon chick lying on its back with its pale green wings spread out. He couldn't help but feel irritated.
"Get up! Start absorbing and refining spiritual energy now!"
"How can you sleep at such a young age?"
The Wind Falcon chick struggled to turn over and looked at Lu Chen, confused.
Seeing Lu Chen's serious expression, it contracted and relaxed its belly, pretending to be practicing hard.
Lu Chen sighed helplessly and went inside the house.
He took out several ingredients from his storage bag and placed them on the table one by one.
After inspecting all the Flood Dragons and giant pythons in Thousand Dragon Lake and obtaining the Spirit Bewitching Peach and Fiery Flame Fruit spirit seeds, he finally had time to prepare the medicinal concoction to assist in his cultivation of the Tai Xu Transformation Chapter.
According to the guidelines of the martial arts technique in his mind, he added various ingredients and Flood Dragon essence blood in precise amounts and at specific times.
In the large wooden barrel, half a barrel of dark red medicinal liquid bubbled and frothed, releasing a dense, violent, and bloody aura that filled Lu Chen's nostrils, causing every part of his body to stir restlessly.
Lu Chen held his breath, and his naked body slowly sank into the dark red liquid.
Following the route prescribed by the Tai Xu Transformation Chapter, he slowly circulated the spiritual energy within his body.
As time passed, Lu Chen gradually felt a mysterious power entering his body, constantly stimulating and nourishing his muscles, bones, and meridians.
Unknowingly, a nearly transparent dragon-shaped airflow appeared in the dark red liquid in the barrel, swirling around Lu Chen's body and tightly wrapping him within.
With a splash, Lu Chen emerged from the dark red liquid, naked, with faint red patterns visible on his chest, back, and limbs, resembling a fierce and clawing giant dragon.
"It's been about an hour since I started cultivating. These patterns are just a mild after-effect of absorbing the medicinal liquid. They will disappear once the power of the medicine is completely digested."
"Then, I can start preparing for the second soak in the Flood Dragon essence blood."
Lu Chen donned his robe and muttered to himself.
He couldn't help but wave his arm, creating a howling gust of wind.
"All my physical abilities have improved slightly—strength, speed, physique..."
Lu Chen sensed the subtle changes in his body. The first time he used the medicinal concoction to assist in his cultivation of the Tai Xu Transformation Chapter, the results were very obvious, and he could feel the enhancement of his physical strength.
Even when making a full-power attack pose, there was a faint sense of dignity.
However, when he relaxed, the faint dignity immediately vanished, and Lu Chen returned to being an ordinary spiritual herbologist.
(End of Chapter)
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