Chapter 297: The Proud Queen Wants to Turn Xiao Yuan into a Puppet
Dense, dark clouds rapidly gathered above the valley, obscuring the first rays of dawn that had barely appeared on the horizon. Instantly, the entire valley became unusually gloomy, illuminated only occasionally by flashes of silver lightning slicing through the thick clouds.
As these thunderclouds assembled overhead, the rich medicinal aroma on the stone platform intensified, reaching a peak. The energy in the surrounding area trembled slightly, drawn by this powerful fragrance.
Within the cauldron, dark-golden flames blazed fiercely. Above these flames floated a round pill, shimmering alternately with shades of green and red, continuously rotating and releasing waves of astonishing energy. These energies repeatedly struck the inner walls of the cauldron, producing resonant metallic clangs.
Xiao Yuan looked at the spinning pill, and a faint smile appeared on his pale face. His eyelids slowly drooped as a deep exhaustion surged from his very soul, making him feel increasingly sleepy. Although the Yin-Yang Soul Nourishing Bead had replenished his soul power during the alchemy process, half a month without rest had taken its toll on his mental strength. He knew that after this, he would desperately need a good, long sleep.
The lightning illuminating the sky cast sharp contrasts on Xiao Yuan's pale face. Clearly, in his current condition, dealing with Pill Lightning was beyond him.
"Little friend Xiao Yuan, words cannot express my gratitude. Let me handle this Pill Lightning; you should rest now."
Seeing Xiao Yuan's weakened state, Tang Zhen snapped out of his excitement and hurriedly cupped his fists respectfully.
Just as Tang Zhen was about to rise into the sky to confront the Pill Lightning, Xiao Yuan's soft laughter interrupted him. "Valley Chief Tang, leave the Pill Lightning to me."
Surprised, Tang Zhen quickly objected, "Xiao Yuan, rest assured, this Pill Lightning poses no threat to me. How could you possibly handle it in your current condition?"
Xiao Yuan smiled faintly, waving his hand as a dazzling silver figure, Shen Yun—the Earth Demon Puppet—appeared beside him. Glancing at Tang Zhen, Xiao Yuan chuckled, "Valley Chief Tang, I have a use for this Pill Lightning, so please don't fight me over it."
Tang Zhen was momentarily stunned by the puppet's sudden appearance. His eyes flickered with astonishment as he exclaimed, "A puppet?"
Given Tang Zhen's keen perception, recognizing the Earth Demon Puppet's true nature was not difficult. Xiao Yuan was not surprised by Tang Zhen's reaction. Glancing upward at the increasingly dense thunderclouds, Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Since you insist, Xiao Yuan, then let your puppet handle it. But if anything unexpected happens, don't hesitate to speak up."
Although Tang Zhen was unsure why Xiao Yuan placed such confidence in his puppet, he chose not to question it further. Xiao Yuan had already done him an immense favor by successfully refining the Fire Bodhisattva Pill; he naturally would not object to such a minor request.
Xiao Yuan nodded appreciatively and looked up at the sky. Lifting his hand, he softly commanded, "Go."
At his command, the Earth Demon Puppet instantly stomped heavily on the ground, shooting upward like a rocket and halting mid-air beneath the thick, lightning-laden clouds.
Witnessing the puppet's ability to levitate like a Dou Zong powerhouse, surprise filled Tang Zhen's eyes once more.
This Xiao Yuan possessed not only a powerful Heavenly Flame and astonishing alchemical talent but also a puppet comparable to a Dou Zong expert. Perhaps Xiao Yuan truly had some connection to the legendary Yao Zun-zhe!
These developments were observed by everyone present. When they saw Xiao Yuan sending out a silver figure to confront the lightning, they all stared blankly. Puppets emitted no aura, so any cultivators with sensitive perception quickly identified its true nature.
"A puppet? Is Xiao Yuan planning to use it to withstand the Pill Lightning?"
"Pill Lightning from a seventh-tier high-grade pill is no joke. Even a five-star Dou Zong would struggle to endure it. Can a mere puppet handle such power?"
The alchemists voiced their doubts, yet none dared openly mock Xiao Yuan again. Their faces were still swollen from humiliation. It was clear to everyone that this young man—far younger than them—had attained an alchemical mastery beyond their imagination.
The confusion wasn't limited to the alchemists; even the disciples of Burning Flame Valley couldn't understand Xiao Yuan's actions. Had Xiao Yuan been at full strength, perhaps they might believe he could handle the lightning. But in his current weakened state, even an ordinary disciple might easily defeat him.
However, the truth was that even in his exhausted state, Xiao Yuan could still effortlessly crush the entire group of Burning Flame Valley disciples.
"What is Father thinking? Even if it's the puppet handling the Pill Lightning, it's clearly connected to Xiao Yuan. If the puppet is destroyed, Xiao Yuan will also suffer the backlash. Given his current state, another injury might cause irreparable harm!"
Tang Huo'er frowned slightly as she gazed worriedly at the silver figure in the sky. At this moment, any minor grievance she had held against Xiao Yuan earlier had long since vanished.
Xiao Yuan ignored the puzzled looks surrounding him, too focused on the thick thunderclouds above, which after prolonged brewing, were now ready to unleash their fury. Thunder rumbled continuously.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
A fragrant scent wafted toward him as Cai Lin suddenly appeared at Xiao Yuan's side, her beautiful eyes fixed gravely on the Pill Lightning.
"Don't worry; I know what I'm doing." Xiao Yuan smiled warmly, seeing Cai Lin's genuine concern.
"Hmph. This Queen simply doesn't want to see you wasted effort and then killed by lightning. Don't overthink it," Cai Lin responded awkwardly, sensing Xiao Yuan's amused gaze.
"Well then, such kindness can only be repaid by offering myself to you," Xiao Yuan replied teasingly, popping a recovery pill into his mouth and grinning broadly.
"..." Cai Lin rolled her eyes in mild annoyance, turning her head away. This man was clearly good-looking yet somehow always managed to say something ridiculous—yet strangely, she wasn't displeased by it.
Boom!
As the two exchanged glances, a deafening thunderclap echoed across the sky. A massive bolt of silver lightning, as thick as a man's thigh, shot downward like a silver python toward the cauldron on the stone platform.
The moment the lightning appeared, Xiao Yuan mentally commanded the Earth Demon Puppet, which instantly descended in front of the cauldron. It spread its arms wide, directly taking the brunt of the lightning bolt.
Bang!
The heavy impact resonated throughout the valley, causing everyone's heart to skip a beat.
The Earth Demon Puppet was forced dozens of meters downward by the strike, silver lightning crackling violently across its body. While a normal person would have been severely wounded, the puppet felt no pain. Instead, its dry body continuously absorbed the lightning, gradually strengthening itself further.
"It's absorbing the Pill Lightning's power?" Tang Zhen exclaimed, astonished at the puppet's reaction.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
After its first attack was thwarted, the thundercloud churned violently. Three even thicker lightning bolts erupted simultaneously, striking fiercely at the puppet.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Under Xiao Yuan's control, the puppet unhesitatingly drew all three lightning bolts onto itself. Each strike knocked it downward, the final blow driving it into the stone ground. Yet, as soon as the lightning dissipated, it surged upward once more, glowing brilliantly and imposing like an undefeated god of war.
Seemingly enraged by the puppet's resistance, the thundercloud released a continuous barrage of lightning bolts, battering the puppet relentlessly, a spectacle so fierce it left the crowd breathless.
Observing the Earth Demon Puppet's repeated descent and recovery beneath the lightning strikes, Xiao Yuan couldn't help but smile in anticipation. He wondered just how much the puppet would be strengthened after this ordeal.
Although unable to use Dou Qi, the puppet's formidable physical body absorbed the lightning energy, growing steadily stronger.
"Seventh-tier high-grade Pill Lightning truly is formidable. Even with the puppet's abilities, resisting it is challenging. Fortunately, the puppet can absorb lightning power, allowing it to gradually adapt. Otherwise, it wouldn't withstand such relentless attacks."
Looking at the persistent clouds still unleashing fierce lightning strikes, Xiao Yuan shook his head slightly, smiling as he spoke to Cai Lin.
"Hmm, this puppet really is interesting. Why don't I make you into a puppet too? I think that would be quite fun."
Cai Lin nodded slightly as she spoke, her seductive eyes scanning Xiao Yuan from top to bottom with mischievous intent.
"Better not. A puppet wouldn't love you like I do," Xiao Yuan replied seriously, shaking his head.
"Hmph!"
Cai Lin snorted, but the corner of her mouth curved upward ever so slightly. As she looked up at the lightning in the sky, a faint smile flickered in her eyes.
"The lightning is falling much slower than before. Looks like it's about done. I'll head down first."
Moments later, Cai Lin spoke again, turning slightly. But as she did, she felt Xiao Yuan grab her hand.
"Wait. You'll have to help me down later. This round of alchemy drained me—I'm really tired."
There was unmistakable weariness in Xiao Yuan's voice.
"Okay."
Cai Lin glanced down at his pale face, a trace of gentleness flickering in her eyes as she nodded lightly.
"What a peculiar puppet. Judging by its combat strength alone, it's probably not inferior to a five-star Dou Zong. And it seems like it can absorb lightning to strengthen itself. If it endures a few more rounds of Pill Lightning, even a Dou Zun might not be able to take it down!"
On the high platform, Tang Zhen's astonishment grew. Even with his vast experience, he had never seen such a puppet.
"But to think that Xiao Yuan used only this puppet to endure the Pill Lightning... This young man never ceases to amaze."
With a quiet sigh, Tang Zhen could also sense that the Pill Lightning in the sky was drawing to a close.
He wasn't alone. Everyone present understood just how destructive seventh-tier high-grade Pill Lightning was. Typically, it required several Dou Zong experts to shield against it. Yet now, a puppet summoned by Xiao Yuan had absorbed the lightning with ease. If word of this got out, it would surely attract the attention of alchemy masters across the Central Plains—who wouldn't want such a puppet for themselves?
As various thoughts raced through everyone's minds, another booming clap of thunder echoed. A silver bolt of lightning, half a zhang thick, tore through the sky and struck the Earth Demon Puppet.
Boom!
The powerful impact sent the puppet crashing into the ground, creating a massive crater over ten zhang wide. Thick cracks, like a spiderweb, spread outward from the pit's center.
The sudden explosion made nearby Burning Flame Valley disciples instinctively retreat, gasping at the devastation.
After unleashing its most powerful bolt, the thunderclouds above began to dissipate. Beams of light broke through the thinning clouds, casting spots of brilliance across the valley and sweeping away the oppressive darkness. The terrifying pressure from earlier vanished as if it had never existed.
Everyone let out a collective breath of relief, though many glanced nervously at the giant crater. Had it really ended in failure on the final strike?
"Little friend Xiao Yuan, are you alright?"
Tang Zhen, shaken by that final explosion, looked down with concern, then turned to Xiao Yuan.
Under Cai Lin's support, Xiao Yuan was perfectly fine. Though pale, he hadn't been harmed. He waved lightly and smiled, "Don't worry, Valley Chief Tang."
With a change of his hand seal, a dull rumble echoed from the crater as a silver figure shot upward and landed steadily on the stone platform.
Xiao Yuan's gaze fell upon the Earth Demon Puppet. After enduring the lightning barrage, its silver exterior looked purer than ever—like it had been forged from refined silver.
He reached out and tapped its body. It was cold to the touch and as hard as metal. However, to Xiao Yuan's slight disappointment, it hadn't changed color.
Puppets were divided into three ranks—Heaven, Earth, and Human—distinguished by their color. Human-ranked puppets were bronze, Earth-ranked were silver, and Heaven-ranked were gold. Despite its progress, the puppet was still silver, still Earth-ranked. If it ever turned golden, it could be truly called a Heaven Puppet.
Still, Xiao Yuan could clearly feel that after this refinement, the Earth Demon Puppet's power had grown. He estimated that it could now fight on par with a seven-star Dou Zong.
He stored the puppet back into his ring and turned to the cauldron, where a green-red pill spun slowly, exuding a rich, intoxicating fragrance.
"So this is the Fire Bodhisattva Pill!"
He smiled as he flicked his finger. The lid of the cauldron flew off, and the pill shot upward in a flash of green and red light, trying to escape.
"Valley Chief Tang, I'll leave that to you."
Smiling faintly, Xiao Yuan said as he watched the pill flee. High-tier pills had rudimentary sentience and would instinctively flee upon emerging.
Tang Zhen laughed, nodded, and reached out. The pill's path froze midair, causing it to bounce back into his waiting sleeve. With a flick of his robe, he caught it and sealed it into a fine jade bottle.
Holding the bottle, Tang Zhen exhaled in relief. He turned solemnly toward Xiao Yuan and bowed deeply. "Little friend Xiao Yuan, thank you. I owe you greatly for this."
"Just fulfilling a request, that's all."
Xiao Yuan waved casually. Now that it was over, the exhaustion hit him like a tide. As his eyes grew heavy, he spotted Cai Lin nearby—reliable and comforting—and leaned toward her without hesitation.
Cai Lin noticed him deliberately adjusting his fall but didn't dodge. Instead, she extended her arm and gently pulled him into her embrace.
On the high platform, Tang Huo'er frowned deeply at the sight, a strange unease blooming in her chest.
"Valley Chief Tang, I'll take Xiao Yuan to rest."
Cai Lin addressed Tang Zhen for the first time, scooped up the Black Demon Cauldron, and carried Xiao Yuan off toward the quarters Burning Flame Valley had prepared.
(END CHAPTER)
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