Chapter 1004: Chapter 431: Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator; Surging Strength_2

....

Time flies like a shuttle, and two months passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the restriction in the underground cave radiated with light, slowly opening.

Xu Ping stepped out, his aura completely retracted, like a deep sea undercurrent, silent but harboring a power that made one’s heart tremble.

"Xu Lang!"

Duan Shuang, who had been waiting outside for a long time, her starry eyes lit up instantly, like the brightest star in the night sky.

Her figure flickered, bringing a fragrant breeze as she landed lightly before Xu Ping, her beautiful eyes filled with joy and admiration.

"Congratulations to the Master on breaking through to the Late-Stage Nascent Soul, the great Dao is within reach, Divinity Transformation is in sight!"

Water Lake Rat also hurriedly squeezed in, with a flattering expression on its face, feeling a bit emotional in its heart.

It had followed Xu Ping the longest and knew well the master’s deep foundation, but it didn’t expect that after breaking through the late stage, his aura would actually surpass that of its own, which could rival a top-ranked Late-Stage Nascent Soul demon.

This foundation is truly unfathomable.

"Hmm."

Xu Ping showed a gentle smile on his face, his gaze sweeping over the person and the rat.

He rarely praised Water Lake Rat: "These years, it’s been hard for you to protect the Dharma."

"Not hard, it’s an honor for the little rat to protect the Dharma for the Master." Water Lake Rat’s face was full of smiles.

Xu Ping gave Water Lake Rat a few more instructions and then sent it away.

Then, Xu Ping reached out to hold Duan Shuang’s soft hand, and together they stepped into Duan Shuang’s cave abode.

Soon, clear and melodious zither music flowed out from the cave abode...

Starting with the soft whispers and ending with the intense passion like torn silk.

After a long time.

The zither music gradually ceased, and the cave abode returned to peace.

Another hour passed, and the door of the cave abode opened again.

With Duan Shuang’s careful attendance, Xu Ping bathed and changed into a brand new cyan robe, feeling refreshed and completely relaxed, sweeping away the slightest fatigue brought by days of seclusion and breakthrough.

The way of cultivation requires balance, which is the orthodoxy.

Appropriate relaxation and warmth are also a part of the cultivation of the Dao heart.

...

Casually walking back to the underground core cave abode, Xu Ping sat cross-legged on the stone bed.

He began to calmly contemplate the path and plans after breaking through the Late-Stage Nascent Soul.

The surge in strength was comprehensive, and the opportunities it brought were all-encompassing.

"First, it’s the first revolution of the True Interpretation of Sword Dao."

Xu Ping’s eyes flashed slightly.

Previously limited by Divine Sense and comprehension, the mystery of "dispersing its form and condensing its spirit" was always shrouded in a veil.

Now that the strength of his Divine Sense touched the threshold of the Divinity Transformation Sect, his comprehension and deductive ability rose accordingly. Comprehending that profound sword principle would undoubtedly yield twice the result with half the effort.

If he could glimpse the path, even if only at the Entry Level, the power of his Condensing One Sword would be enough to become one of his strongest offensive cards at the current stage.

"Second, it is the crafting of the Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet."

Previously limited by Divine Sense and Mana, he could only disassemble part of the war trophy, the Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet, obtained from the Star Palace.

Now with the surge in Divine Sense, his control over minutiae and ability to analyze complex restrictions are incomparable.

Thoroughly disassembling it, understanding the crafting principles, and attempting to craft it himself was no longer an unreachable goal.

Once successfully crafting even a Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet, combined with his Puppet Array, in facing Divinity Transformation Cultivators, he might truly have the capital to maneuver or even resist a thing or two.

"Finally, it is the drawing of the quasi-Fifth-grade Talisman."

With a thought, several Fourth-rank Top-grade Talismans, shimmering with spiritual light and restrained power, floated before him.

These talismans, after years of nurturing, already possessed power far beyond the ordinary.

After breaking through to the late stage, with the transformation of Mana and the surge in Divine Sense, his perception of the rules of Heaven and Earth also became clearer, already having the foundation to attempt drawing the legendary quasi-Fifth-grade Talisman.

If successful, nurturing a quasi-Fifth-grade Talisman for decades or even centuries, its power would be enough to threaten Divinity Transformation Cultivators.

This would become a true trump card capable of turning the tide of battle. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"No matter which of these three paths is completed, my strength will experience a tremendous leap forward."

Xu Ping was confident in his heart, with a clear plan.

Breaking through to the Late-Stage Nascent Soul undoubtedly cleared many obstacles for him.

...

A year passed, time quietly flowed away.

In the Artifact Refining Room.

At this moment, it was almost filled with puppet parts, densely packed and flickering with various metallic lusters and flowing runes.

From small gears the size of a fingernail, covered with mysterious patterns, to large limbs and torsos over a foot long, covered with heavy armor plates, they were categorized and piled like little mountains.

In the central clearing, the once complete Fourth-rank Top-grade Ancient Demon Puppet had been completely disassembled, revealing the complex energy core, transmission structure, and Divine Sense receiving restrictions inside.

Xu Ping stood amidst these parts, a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth:

"Finally, I have thoroughly analyzed the crafting principles, core restrictions, and material ratio of this Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet!"

The benefits brought by the surge in Divine Sense were vividly manifest at this moment.

If it was before the breakthrough.

Trying to fully disassemble a Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet and completely understand its internally complex structures resembling the operation of stars would have taken a decade or two of slow and steady work, and it would have been incredibly difficult to accomplish.

Even the slightest mistake could damage the core components, rendering all previous efforts wasted.

But now, with Divine Sense touching the threshold of Divinity Transformation, every talisman imprint inside the puppet, every characteristic and fusion method of the materials were clearly reflected in his mind, being understood and mastered one by one.

"Next is to formally begin crafting the Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet."