"Transformative Divine Clay — have you heard of it?" Divine Lord Dayan asked in a deep voice.
"Of course I have. Transformative Divine Clay is also known as Phantom Shaping Paste. It's said to be freely malleable for crafting into artifacts, and after sustaining damage it possesses the remarkable ability to self-repair — a rare material for forging complex magical tools. Could this really be it? But I've heard that Transformative Divine Clay is white, like fine jade. How can it look so unremarkable?" Han Li was also startled, staring at the broken steles in bewilderment.
"No need for alarm, Han boy. These are indeed Transformative Divine Clay, but clay that ancient cultivators mixed with other substances and specially refined. In ancient times, it was known as Spirit-Taming Soft Jade. The cultivators in this world who could identify it wouldn't number more than ten. I myself only came across a fragment of related information in an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling years ago and had long since forgotten about it. If not for something that recently came to mind related to this substance, I still wouldn't be able to recognize it," Divine Lord Dayan said.
"Spirit-Taming Soft Jade? How does it differ from ordinary Divine Clay?" Han Li murmured thoughtfully.
"Didn't you discover it yourself? After being refined, this type of Divine Clay not only maximizes its shape-shifting and repair properties, but it can also absorb a cultivator's magical power attacks. A strike brimming with full spiritual energy would be weakened by more than half upon contact with this material. Its only flaw is that it's vulnerable to direct physical attacks from artifacts, since it possesses no defensive capability of its own. But even so, this alone makes the clay's value no less than that of Geng Essence," Divine Lord Dayan explained.
"I see. Then does Senior intend to use this Divine Clay to forge which part of the puppet?" Upon hearing that Spirit-Taming Soft Jade held such extraordinary properties, Han Li's face lit up with delight, and he couldn't help but press further.
"Does that even need asking? Combined with your Heavenly Silver, this Divine Clay is naturally the perfect material for crafting the puppet's outer shell. A shell forged from these two materials — even without any defensive magical treasures, there would be few in the mortal realm who could easily destroy it," Divine Lord Dayan said proudly.
"I shall follow Senior's instructions." Han Li agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"Good. Don't touch these materials for now. First finish forging the remaining components. I estimate it will take another year to complete all the parts, and then we can fuse them into the whole puppet. For now, continue forging the components."
"Very well."
Han Li agreed, flicking his sleeve. A wave of azure light swept across the ground, and the materials vanished without a trace. He then patted his storage pouch, and seven or eight jade boxes containing other materials appeared before him. Han Li began forging the next puppet component.
Spring turned to autumn, and day after day slipped by. For a cultivator, a little over a year was the blink of an eye.
During this time, besides sequestering himself to forge the puppet, those twelve Six-Winged Frost Centipedes had unexpectedly advanced to the next stage under the stimulation of a single Snow Spirit Pill each month. After a round of molting, the centipedes not only doubled in size but had finally grown a pair of snow-white wings on their backs. Their flight speed had greatly increased, and they had become remarkably agile as well. This was an unexpected bonus.
However, after this advancement, the Snow Spirit Pills' effectiveness on the Six-Winged Frost Centipedes had sharply diminished — far less pronounced than before their evolution.
One day, Han Li stood with both eyes closed in the center of his secret chamber, a silvery, humanoid figure hovering in midair before him. His ten fingers danced ceaselessly, shooting out ten golden threads that embedded themselves directly into various points on the puppet's body. His expression was solemn. Above the silver puppet's head, about a foot away, the bamboo tube emitted a faint green spiritual glow as it slowly rotated.
After an unknown amount of time, Han Li's expression shifted. His fingers stopped, and he finally opened his eyes.
"It looks like there are no problems. The puppet's components have fused together perfectly. That everything went this smoothly is truly beyond my expectations." Han Li stared at the object before him, a hint of delight showing on his face.
"This puppet is my creation. Naturally, nothing could go wrong with you forging it under my guidance. Since everything is fine, it seems we can begin the spiritual essence fusion." Divine Lord Dayan's voice drifted faintly from within the bamboo tube.
"Does Senior truly wish to proceed with this, without further consideration? This is your first time using the Soul-Splitting Technique as well. There could be unforeseen complications that greatly affect Senior's cycle of reincarnation. Moreover, once the soul is split, Senior's remnant spirit will inevitably dissipate and crumble — it won't be able to endure any longer." Han Li's expression of delight vanished as he asked gravely.
"Heh heh. The greater part of my life's effort went into puppetry. To have my spiritual essence merge with this puppet and become one with it — that has been my original wish. Besides, even without the Soul-Splitting Technique, my time is nearly up. What is there to hesitate about? No need to try persuading me further. What I do hope is that I have already passed on the remainder of the Dayan Arts to you, and that you will carry on the lineage — don't let it die with me." Divine Lord Dayan chuckled lowly, completely unconcerned.
Hearing this, Han Li furrowed his brow tightly. After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh.
"Since Senior's resolve is so unwavering, this junior will say no more. I hope everything goes smoothly for Senior."
Divine Lord Dayan laughed heartily several times. Suddenly, a flash of green light split the bamboo tube in two, and a small, brilliantly golden figure appeared in midair. The figure was a puppet several inches tall, made of a material that was neither gold nor wood, exquisitely crafted. It was faintly recognizable as a middle-aged man shrunken by a hundredfold, with refined, scholarly features. At this moment, the small figure's eyes glowed with green light as it sat cross-legged. A low chant immediately rang out, and a speck of green light flew from the small figure's mouth, expanding to the size of a fist and enveloping its entire body.