Back when Li Fan had first formed his Nascent Soul using the newborn Five Elements Grotto-Heaven, a faint, peculiar sensation had stirred within him.
At the time, however, he had been focused on seizing the exact moment the grotto-heaven descended upon the world to complete his breakthrough, leaving no room to dwell on it.
He had brushed that subtle distinction aside.
It was not until recently, after upgrading the Dao Transformation Stone, that Li Fan had reviewed every detail of his past experiences once more.
Only then did he make a new realization.
"If my deduction is correct, a new Five Elements Grotto-Heaven should eventually be born within the Root of Heaven and Earth in Tianling Province. When the time comes, a simple test will confirm it.
"However, the original Five Elements Great Grotto-Heaven of this world was absorbed by me for my breakthrough. The world suffered a loss in the process, so nurturing a new grotto-heaven will take time.
"If the test proves my suspicion true, I should be able to gain a few more usable anchors."
A cold glint flickered in Li Fan's eyes. "Though newborn grotto-heavens are hard to find, in a realm as vast as the Xuanhuang Realm, there are bound to be plenty.
"Taking it a step further, annihilating a grotto-heaven and directly remodeling it...
"That, too, might not be a bad approach."
There had been a time when Li Fan had to scour shadowy, illicit channels just to obtain cultivators' Golden Cores to increase his anchors, even stumbling into an encounter with Ruomu by chance.
Now, he could obliterate grotto-heavens in the Xuanhuang Realm at his whim without the slightest hesitation.
It was not that Li Fan had grown arrogant; rather, very few things in the Xuanhuang Realm still posed any real threat to him.
***
While Li Fan was absorbed in preparing to help the Heavenly Profound Mirror break free, Layman Qiaogong actually made progress on his end.
He came hurrying over in high spirits, hoping to make use of Source Power Essence.
"It is all thanks to Fellow Daoist Fang! His artifact-refining skills are admittedly mediocre, having lacked any formal training, but because of that, his mind is unconstrained by conventions, and he always comes up with wonderfully wild ideas!
"I have already drafted an initial design to reforge Tianyang's puppet body. Envoy, please take a look!"
With that, Layman Qiaogong tapped the empty air.
The imposing figure of a puppet clad in what seemed to be black metal battle armor instantly manifested before Li Fan.
"We modeled this appearance partly on Ancestor's former likeness, while also taking Tianyang's personal wishes into account. Fellow Daoist Fang and I are quite pleased with it.
"Of course, the exterior can be altered at will, so that is not the main point."
Layman Qiaogong gestured again, and the puppet's projection expanded at once.
Its internal structure was revealed.
Channels resembling human blood vessels ran throughout the puppet's entire frame.
Golden Source Power Essence surged relentlessly within them like a rushing river.
"The most fundamental difference between an immortal puppet and a mortal puppet is that an immortal puppet can absorb external power and continually evolve to grow stronger, much like a true living being.
"Fellow Daoist Tianyang transformed himself into an object, fusing his body with a puppet. He is both cultivator and puppet. By some stroke of fate, he already meets the most difficult requirement for becoming an immortal puppet.
"Therefore, all that remains is to proceed step by step and add a few things to Tianyang himself!"
Listening, Li Fan furrowed his brow. "Merely stacking physical materials? Can that truly elevate Tianyang's strength? He already possesses Dao Integration cultivation. Once this puppet refining is complete, what height can he reach?"
Layman Qiaogong was brimming with confidence. "There will be no issue whatsoever! Tianyang's current state is like a cultivator who already meets the requirements for advancement, but lacks the necessary resources to finalize the metamorphosis.
"He possesses both a puppet body and a cultivator's consciousness. Since he already has a path of elevation as an immortal puppet, why bother chasing the Xuanhuang Realm's new method?"
At Layman Qiaogong's words, Li Fan immediately understood.
Any cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm seeking a breakthrough had to abide by the rules laid down by the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerable.
Yet Tianyang, through a series of coincidences, had become a being half puppet and half cultivator.
Beyond the advancement path of a cultivator, he could also pursue the elevation path of an artifact.
Excitement shone in Layman Qiaogong's eyes. "Once the forging is complete, exactly how strong he will be remains uncertain for now. But one thing is guaranteed—he will definitely not be weaker than a Longevity cultivator of the Xuanhuang Realm!"
Li Fan's eyes flashed. "In that case, proceed boldly."
Saying so, Li Fan separated a calamity body filled with golden Source Power Essence to accompany him.
Layman Qiaogong's gaze was instantly captivated.
"If your idea works, doesn't that mean we could mass-produce Longevity realm combatants?"
Li Fan's eyes flicked as a thought occurred to him, and he asked, "I know a bit about Tianyang's Path of Bodily Transformation as well. So long as one cultivates this secret technique and becomes half puppet and half cultivator, then uses Source Power Essence to facilitate the elevation..."
Layman Qiaogong's attention remained glued to the golden calamity body.
Only after a good while did he snap back to reality.
He shook his head, flatly dismissing Li Fan's speculation. "I thought the same at first. However...
"After asking Tianyang about the specifics of the Path of Bodily Transformation, I realized it is far from easy.
"Transforming one's body into an object—especially into a puppet—makes it extraordinarily easy to lose oneself. Once human nature is lost, one truly turns into a mindless puppet. Without immense perseverance and an iron will, it simply cannot be done. Fellow Daoist Tianyang's tenacity of will is rare in this world," Layman Qiaogong praised.
Thinking of the Eternal Lingering Thought within Tianyang's remains, Li Fan nodded silently.
"And that is only one obstacle. The greater restriction lies in this Source Power Essence," Layman Qiaogong continued, pointing to the golden calamity body.
"I know what you have provided is already immensely precious, Envoy, but it barely meets the bare minimum requirements for the refining process.
"The gap between immortal and mortal is simply too vast. Without the baptism of immortal spiritual qi, relying solely on Source Power Essence..."
Layman Qiaogong paused, choosing his words carefully. "Even ten times this amount likely wouldn't suffice.
"Refining a single puppet requires such a staggering amount. How could we possibly mass-produce them?"
Li Fan heard him out but did not echo his sentiment.
To him, these two constraints were not insurmountable.
As long as the pool of candidates was large enough, individuals of exceptionally unyielding will could always be found.
And as long as he had enough believers and enough time, he could always accumulate sufficient Source Power Essence.
So long as it yielded combatants of the Longevity realm, it would all be well worth it.
The only concern was whether mobilizing Source Power Essence on such a massive scale would draw the attention of the Faceless True Immortal.
In theory, a True Immortal no longer had any interest in Source Power Essence. However, the Flower of the Dao remained intimately close to the power of the Root of the Dao that True Immortals pursued.
If it reached a certain energy threshold, catching the gaze of a True Immortal would not be entirely surprising.
Chapter 1028