Chapter 1005: Chapter 431: Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator; Surge in Power_3

Xu Ping’s eyes blazed with anticipation, but there was also a touch of solemnity, "This matter might take quite a long time."

The Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet stood almost at the pinnacle of the human art of puppetry.

Its crafting difficulty far surpassed that of the Lower Grade.

"Let’s first assemble this Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet."

Although the quality of this Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet had decreased, it could still be used with some modifications.

Saying it, Xu Ping immediately took action.

....

Two months later.

When the last piece of armor was perfectly fitted over the core of the chest.

This colossal Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet suddenly had two scarlet lights flare in its eyes, with obscure runes continuously circulating around its body.

A heavy, cold, and powerful pressure slowly began to spread out, though subdued, it was enough to make one’s heart palpitate.

"It’s finally done."

Xu Ping looked at the newly refurbished Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet, exhaled a long breath, and showed a satisfied expression on his face.

Reconstructed by his hands, although this puppet had slightly diminished spirituality, its fundamental combat power was intact, and with a little refining, it could be commanded as easily as an arm moves the hand.

However, he hadn’t even had time to inspect this new helper thoroughly or even rest for a moment when his eyebrows twitched, detecting two familiar and powerful auras arriving from outside the island.

"Has Hongyi and Nine Nether Elder arrived?"

Xu Ping was slightly surprised in his heart, waved a hand to store away the freshly assembled puppet, tidied up his robe, and quickly headed out to greet them.

A quarter of an hour later.

In the Blood Bone Hall, the fragrance of tea wafted gently.

Without much pleasantries, Hongyi put down the teacup, looked solemnly at Xu Ping, and directly delivered a shocking piece of news:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I’ve come unannounced this time because there is an important matter to inform you about."

Based on my various investigations, the Star Palace’s top leadership... seems to be secretly planning a major operation recently.

"The scale of resource and personnel mobilization and its level of secrecy far exceed the ordinary; various signs indicate their target might be the outer sea and the Demon Race."

"Plotting against the outer sea and the Demon Race?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping was suddenly shocked, unable to conceal the surprise on his face.

Although the Star Palace is strong, possessing the dual saints, the True Dragon Hall is also not weak. That Fifth-rank Dragon King’s strength is unfathomable, commanding the endless Demon Race of the outer sea.

In the outer sea, a region whose rules of heaven and earth blatantly favor the Demon Race, even if the Star Palace saints join forces, it is by no means easy to gain an advantage.

"Where do they get their confidence? Or is it that... the Star Palace secretly has an unknown plan?"

Xu Ping quickly thought of various possibilities, each making him feel the seriousness of the situation.

"Fellow Daoist Hong, can this information be confirmed?" Xu Ping asked solemnly with a heavy expression.

"About eighty to ninety percent certain."

Hongyi nodded solemnly, "The strength of the True Dragon Hall is not inferior to the Star Palace, but the Star Palace still chooses to act at this time, there must be something to rely on."

Xu Ping was silent, agreeing with Hongyi’s judgment.

A giant entity like the Star Palace taking such actions surely cannot be child’s play.

Xu Ping pondered for a moment and tentatively asked, "I wonder what the two of you intend to do... Will you go along with the tide, or..."

He did not finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Is it to help the Star Palace, or to stop the Star Palace?

Regarding the mysterious and unfathomable Nine Nether Elder, even Xu Ping felt an immense apprehension. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

If they chose to stand with the Star Palace, it would be disastrous for the outer sea and Xu Ping himself, adding fuel to the flames.

Before Hongyi could answer, the typically ashen Nine Nether Elder suddenly let out a hoarse, chilling laugh, his eyes slowly opening.

"Naturally to stop them, the ambitions of the Star Palace Saints are no small matter."

"Although I do not know their exact plans, I can predict that if they successfully sweep the Demon Race of the outer sea and swallow its fortune, their cultivation will surely advance significantly, possibly even both saints ascending."

"At that point, the entire Wind Origin Realm would be thoroughly suppressed by them, and even the neighboring Nanchuan Realm would find it hard to escape, in a precarious situation."

He paused, his gaze, as if substantial, falling on Xu Ping:

"When the time comes... Under the absolute rule of the Dual Saints, do you think they would still allow the emergence of new Divinity Transformation Cultivators to challenge their authority and share the realm’s resources and fortune?"

Xu Ping remained silent, but his heart was alert.

What the Nine Nether Elder said was by no means an alarmist talk.

Could anyone possibly tolerate others sleeping soundly beside their bed?

If the Star Palace Saints truly unified Wind Origin, they would not tolerate any potential threats emerging.

After a long silence, Xu Ping looked up at the Nine Nether Elder, speaking cautiously, "What you said is eye-opening, Senior."

"But I do not know... Do you have any specific plans for us to respond accordingly?"

The Nine Nether Elder’s voice remained calm: "The Star Palace’s plans are secretive and currently unclear, so we can only watch quietly for any changes. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, dropping a bombshell: "When the critical moment arrives, we need you to stand against one of the Saints."

"Me? Stand against one of the Saints?"

Even with Xu Ping’s steady nature, he was completely stunned at this moment, his face filled with disbelief.

He even doubted if he had heard it wrong.

Although he had just broken through to the Late-Stage Nascent Soul, his strength skyrocketing with confidence to sweep across the Nascent Soul Realm, still... that was a Divinity Transformation Cultivator.

To have him stand against a Divinity Transformation Celestial Venerable?

"Senior, you must be joking, right?" Xu Ping had a somewhat unpleasant countenance.

"I never make such jokes,"

The Nine Nether Elder’s expression remained completely unchanged, his withered face calm as ancient water, yet his tone carried an unequivocal certainty.

Xu Ping immediately showed an expression of helplessness and absurdity, shaking his head repeatedly: "Senior, have you perhaps misunderstood my abilities?"

"I, Xu Ping, have some ability for self-preservation, but to face a Divinity Transformation Celestial Venerable, especially possibly two... Pardon my bluntness, this is akin to an ant trying to stop a chariot."

"In this matter, I must decline to comply!"

He refused decisively, without any hesitation.