Chapter 186: Humans, Don't Go Too Far
Chapter 186: Humans, Don't Go Too Far
After several attempts at training with ordinary rocks, Chu Ning took out the soul stone and officially began the repair and enhancement of his puppet.
The array of spirit patterns to be engraved on the soul stone was intricate, but Chu Ning had prior experience with drawing spirit patterns. Additionally, the task did not require him to engrave the patterns in one fluid motion. Instead, it involved layering different patterns on top of each other. This made the task less daunting for Chu Ning.
Chu Ning spent an entire day in the cave, meticulously carving the soul stone with a specialized engraving knife he had obtained from Song Li's storage bag. With each layer of patterns engraved, Chu Ning would channel his spiritual power or divine sense along the patterns according to the puppet crafting technique.
It took him more than a day to finally place the soul stone back into the undamaged puppet. He also supplemented it with other restrictive materials, performing a series of repairs.
Only then did Chu Ning turn his attention to the puppet before him with keen interest. Even if he were extremely talented, it would be impossible for him to craft a new puppet in such a short period. However, by following the restoration technique, he had managed to acquire one in a short time.
"This puppet combines the strengths of both of Song Li's puppets. Its body possesses astonishing defensive capabilities, and it can also cast long-range spells. In terms of offensive and defensive capabilities, it far surpasses the single puppet that Song Li deployed before. However, it has one significant weakness—it must be manually controlled."
For Chu Ning, this was an unavoidable limitation. If he wanted the puppet to attack any cultivator it encountered, he would need to engrave additional spirit patterns and set up a small restrictive formation driven by spirit stones. These requirements were a bit too demanding for Chu Ning, who had just begun to delve into the art of puppetry.
The reason Chu Ning had chosen to restore this puppet was, of course, due to his ability to divide his spiritual sense. This way, during battles, he could easily divide a strand of his spiritual sense to control the puppet while still being able to cast spells normally.
Thus, in the following days, Chu Ning dedicated himself to practicing the control of the puppet using his spiritual sense division technique.
Several days later, Chu Ning emerged from the cave and arrived at an island called Tiger Hill Island.
"According to the information I memorized earlier, the Red-eyed Tiger Demons should be on the southeast side of this island, roughly in this location."
As he spoke, Chu Ning's gaze shifted to the right. Through his spiritual sense, he detected two exceptionally fierce auras.
Without hesitation, Chu Ning reached into his storage bag and retrieved the humanoid puppet. Simultaneously, his line of sight captured two tiger-shaped demons.
Unlike the colorful coats of regular tigers, these tiger demons' fur had a dark reddish hue. However, the most striking feature was their pair of crimson eyes. They seemed like flames that would scorch anyone who dared to look into them.
Moreover, the auras emanating from the two demons indicated that they had both reached the peak of the third tier of the Core Formation stage, verging on breaking through to the late Core Formation stage and becoming fourth-tier demons.
Chu Ning's eyes lit up as he beheld the two tiger demons. He divided a strand of his spiritual sense and used it to control the puppet, engaging one of the tiger demons in battle. At the same time, a long spear appeared in his hand, and he wielded the Fire Phoenix Feather Spear to fight against the other tiger demon.
Half a hour later, the two tiger demons fled in defeat. Chu Ning did not pursue them but instead recalled the Fire Phoenix Feather Spear and the humanoid puppet back into his storage bag.
Standing in place and watching the retreating tiger demons, he muttered, "Looks like actual combat is the most effective way to improve."
During the battle, Chu Ning had employed his spiritual sense division technique to control both the Fire Phoenix Feather Spear and the humanoid puppet simultaneously while fighting against the two mid-Core Formation stage tiger demons. Although he had felt slightly uncomfortable at the beginning and had even needed to rely on the Thunderstep Technique to dodge the tiger demons' attacks, he had quickly adapted.
As the battle progressed, Chu Ning's control over the puppet and his wielding of the Fire Phoenix Feather Spear became increasingly fluid. With his pure spiritual power and formidable spiritual sense, he gave the two tiger demons a hard time. Realizing they were no match for Chu Ning, the tiger demons made a wise decision to flee.
"After incorporating the strengths of the two puppets, this humanoid puppet's strength is comparable to a mid-Core Formation stage cultivator. Of course, this also depends on my control. With my spiritual sense manipulating it, the puppet's attacks are naturally stronger than when it acts on its own."
Chu Ning reflected on the battle that had just taken place, then raised his right hand and summoned a ball of flame. As he channeled his spiritual power, the flame began to transform, gradually taking on the shape of a tiger demon.
However, this tiger demon was merely similar in shape, and its resemblance could be considered passable at best. Moreover, it lacked substance and seemed like it could dissipate at any moment. As for the power it exuded, it was far inferior to the previous tiger demons and even fell short of the fire python that Chu Ning had previously conjured.
Nevertheless, as Chu Ning infused more flames from his left hand into the tiger demon in his right hand, it became increasingly solid. Gradually, it began to resemble the Red-eyed Tiger Demons, achieving a similarity of four or five out of ten.
The next moment, Chu Ning patted his spirit beast bag, releasing Ling Xiaobai from within.
The little guy emerged, his head turning curiously as he sized up the situation.
And at that moment—
"Roar!"
Astonishingly, the fire-shaped tiger demon in Chu Ning's hand let out a low roar.
The next instant, the fiery tiger demon pounced towards Ling Xiaobai.
"Meow!"
Startled, Ling Xiaobai let out a startled cry.
Immediately, the little guy sprayed out several beams of white light tinged with a faint blue hue.
The fire-shaped tiger demon collided with the white beams and dissipated.
Witnessing this, Chu Ning shook his head in dissatisfaction.
"Practicing the Fiery Flame Technique requires more effort.
Although I've managed to condense the form of the Red-eyed Fire Demon, its power is only comparable to the early Qi Refining stage.
If I want to reach the mid Qi Refining stage, it will take a lot more time and practice."
With these thoughts, Chu Ning beckoned to the aggrieved-looking Ling Xiaobai and flew away.
He had chosen Tiger Hill Island not only because it was home to a pair of tiger demons, perfect for combat training with his humanoid puppet, but also because he wanted to observe their attacks to improve his Fiery Flame Technique.
According to the records in the Fiery Flame Technique, successfully condensing the complete form of the Red-eyed Tiger Demon would enable him to unleash an attack comparable to a cultivator at the mid-Core Formation stage.
Of course, for Chu Ning, there was still room for further improvement.
With the enhancement of his Fire Spirit body, he could even launch assaults akin to those of the late Core Formation stage.
Thus, over the next few months,
Roars of tiger demons and explosions of fiery blasts reverberated daily across Tiger Hill Island.
Half a year later,
Chu Ning reappeared on Tiger Hill Island and headed directly to the cave of the Red-eyed Tiger Demons.
"Hey, tiger demons, come out and fight! If you don't, I'm coming in to thrash you!"
There was no response from within the cave.
Chu Ning rolled his eyes and swaggered into the cave.
However, even as he intruded, the two tiger demons remained motionless, not even lifting their eyelids.
"Hey, you two, are you deliberately being uncooperative? Do you think I won't dare to finish you off?"
Seeing the nonchalant attitude of the tiger demons, Chu Ning flipped his eyes in exasperation.
Recalling the past six months of engaging with these mid-Core Formation stage tiger demons, he felt a sense of helplessness.
In his opinion, they were the perfect sparring partners for practical combat training.
That's why, ever since his first visit, he had returned daily.
Using his divided spiritual sense to control the puppet and cast spells, he would battle the tiger demons, honing his divine art and puppet manipulation skills while simultaneously studying their attacks to enhance his Fiery Flame Technique.
Initially, whenever Chu Ning approached their cave, the tiger demons would actively emerge to engage him in battle.
But after realizing they couldn't win and that Chu Ning wouldn't pursue them, they stopped taking the initiative and only fought when provoked.
However, Chu Ning always goaded them, luring them into sparring with him.
Gradually, the two tiger demons seemed to catch on, and they would casually attack a few times before retreating back into their cave.
As for the past two months, regardless of Chu Ning's provocations, the tiger demons refused to leave their cave.
Chu Ning had no choice but to enter their cave, using a combination of threats and enticements.
Then, one of the tiger demons would reluctantly emerge to spar with him.
But today, despite his threats, both tiger demons remained unmoved.
Chu Ning, undeterred, sent a fireball toward the male tiger demon.
The tiger demon opened its mouth and swallowed the fireball, then lazily lay back down.
However, its crimson eyes narrowed slightly at Chu Ning, as if conveying a warning:
"Human, don't go too far!"
"Looks like even threats won't work."
Seeing this, Chu Ning's mouth contorted, emitting a strange sound akin to a beast's low growl.
It was Beast Speech, a skill he had learned from a jade slip he obtained from Liu Yishan's storage bag.
Upon hearing Chu Ning's growl, the tiger demon abruptly flipped over.
"Roar!"
It let out a low roar, its crimson eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and delight.
"Good. If you cooperate with me, I can refine a batch of pills.
These pills have a certain probability of helping you break through your current realm and become fourth-tier demons."
Hearing Chu Ning's promise, the eyes of both tiger demons sparkled with delight.
"Roar!"
The tiger demon roared again.
Chu Ning listened and smiled faintly.
"It's simple. You just need to lend me a strand of your refined demon fire."
"Roar!"
Hearing Chu Ning's request, both tiger demons roared in unison, their eyes filled with wariness and unease.
(End of Chapter)
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