Golden Core Puppet

“Decide for you…”

That night, in the top-tier sword workshop, Empress Phoenix stroked her chin thoughtfully.

“Hm?” Chu Liang was surprised. “Master, why are you hesitating? Your most beloved disciple was nearly crushed to death!”

“First, tell me what happened. You said you went out to buy something, but wow, you were gone half the day and almost didn’t come back alive,” Empress Phoenix said.

Chu Liang then briefly recounted his earlier experience, emphasizing Xu Nanling’s ruthlessness and cruelty, as well as his own weakness and helplessness.

“Hmph,” Empress Phoenix sneered after listening. “A mere manager of the Whale Gang dares to attempt to kill my disciple? They must be either very rich… no, they must be very foolish to think they have a long life ahead.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Chu Liang nodded in agreement.

“But if we want to pay them a visit and seek revenge, I’ll at least need a day to recuperate,” Empress Phoenix said. “I put a lot of effort into forging a sword for you.”

“Inviting Kunwu Master to forge the sword, and you needed to put in effort too?” Chu Liang was puzzled.

“Senior Empress Phoenix selected the best material we have in the sword workshop, the Transparent Jade Gold Crystal,” said a sincere young man accompanying Empress Phoenix, unable to hide his pain. “Transparent Jade Gold Crystal can only be refined by the Samadhi True Fire, so Senior Empress Phoenix had to exert great effort.”

This young man was naturally Xu Kunwu’s only son, Xu Sui.

Though he said this, what he pictured in his mind was a different scene.

At that time, Empress Phoenix had barged boldly into their top-tier sword workshop, completely disregarding all eyes upon her, and put on a rogue’s face straight to his father.

“Now you’re helping forge the sword, but I, Empress Phoenix, am not one to stand by idly. I’ve heard swords forged with Samadhi True Fire are top-notch. Here you go.”

But…

The reason swords forged with Samadhi True Fire are so excellent is because only the finest materials require such divine fire for refining. Any slightly ordinary material will be ruined instantly by the Samadhi True Fire’s blaze.

So Empress Phoenix’s meaning was clear.

I want the best materials. If you try to fool me with ordinary ones, don’t blame me for burning them to ashes.

If you want to refuse?

A cluster of flickering purple true fire hovered at Empress Phoenix’s fingertips — who could say no?

Xu Kunwu could only grit his teeth and agree.

In fact, Xu Kunwu himself was a seventh-realm cultivator with Dao understanding. In this cultivation world, no craft can reach the top of the Nine Provinces without Dao comprehension.

But if he was a seventh-realm blacksmith specializing in sword forging, then Empress Phoenix was a seventh-realm warrior specializing in fighting! Both at the same realm, but their combat power was incomparable.

Moreover, Xu Kunwu owed a favor to others now; Empress Phoenix was in the right! Even if he brought high-ranking officials from Gluttonous Beast City to back him up, she wouldn’t flinch.

Xu Kunwu could only grit his teeth and take out his treasured Transparent Jade Gold Crystal, which he had preserved for many years.

Besides, he had always remembered the help Empress Phoenix had given him back in the day. Now, having a chance to repay her was somewhat fulfilling a wish.

Still, he was a bit troubled, not understanding why Empress Phoenix insisted on having him forge a replica of the Ancient Xiaoyun Sword.

Because with Transparent Jade Gold Crystal, combined with Samadhi True Fire and his full effort, he could forge a sword sure to enter the top three hundred of the Ten Thousand Treasures Registry, even potentially challenging the top two hundred. For a swordsmith of his level, that was quite appealing.

If he made a replica of the Ancient Xiaoyun Sword, it would be slightly easier and might have a slight edge in power, but it wouldn’t make it onto the registry, and the fame would be impossible to spread.

To this, Empress Phoenix’s answer was…

“My disciple’s strength is lacking, so I want to give him a good sword for protection. But if his flying sword ranks on the Ten Thousand Treasures Registry, it will inevitably attract covetous eyes. Such fame is not something I want.”

Hearing this, Xu Kunwu was slightly surprised. “I didn’t expect you to have a considerate side. If you weren’t a master who cared deeply for your disciple, I doubt you’d think of this.”

“Not quite so,” Empress Phoenix waved her hand and smiled. “Because when I covet others’ treasures, I always envy those ranked on the registry. Naturally, it’s easy to think of this.”

“…”

Xu Kunwu’s feeling of being moved vanished instantly.

Well then.

Apparently, she always thought like a bandit. So it was no surprise what she thought of.

Thus, Xu Kunwu, the owner of the top-tier sword workshop, hurriedly lit the forge and didn’t rest even into the night, eager to finish the sword and send off this formidable deity.

As for whether he would slack off—of course not. As a world-class swordsmith, he had his principles. Once he promised, he would give his all, never sabotaging his own reputation.

Especially with the opportunity to use Samadhi True Fire, which was rare, he quickly immersed himself in the work.

So when Chu Liang arrived, only Xu Sui accompanied Empress Phoenix to receive him.

“I see,” after hearing all the details, Chu Liang understood Empress Phoenix’s careful intentions. “Then we’ll wait until Master’s true energy recovers to its peak. There’s no rush to seek revenge.”

“Indeed,” Empress Phoenix nodded. “If it were just to deal with a minor Fifth Element realm, I wouldn’t need to rest. But since we’re taking the initiative, we must be in the best condition to handle any unexpected situations—like fighting the small to draw out the big…”

“Moreover, tonight’s chaos in the Wild Beast Hall will surely make them highly alert. Rushing in would easily raise suspicion. Let’s wait a day and catch them off guard; that way, it’ll be easier to capture them on the spot.”

Listening to her analysis, Chu Liang found it reasonable.

These were valuable combat experiences Empress Phoenix gained over years in Shu Mountain and the martial world. No need to debate right or wrong—just learn.

She might be unreliable in many ways, but when it comes to fighting, you can always trust Empress Phoenix!

…

Late at night, Chu Liang finally settled in the top-tier sword workshop and went back to his room to rest.

As the surroundings quieted, he finally had time to enter the White Tower.

A small ghostly figure with a human face floated inside the iron cage. This little creature, though ferocious and cunning, somehow looked endearing.

Meanwhile, the big-headed doll sat quietly in a corner of the White Tower space, diligently operating. Because of the perfect operation of its cultivation method, it was always surrounded by a misty glow. Even though it worked tirelessly and emitted smoke, it had never once asked for a raise in spirit-gathering pills.

Truly moving.

Who wouldn’t want more employees like this?

With a nervous heart, Chu Liang pressed the “Refine” character. He didn’t know if a slightly stronger ghost like the human-faced demon could be refined for the same reward.

Boom—

As white radiance slowly flew out, Chu Liang’s breath tightened. The shape looked like a puppet? It must be! It immediately landed in his hand.

[Golden Core Puppet]:

A puppet doll used to nurture the Golden Core and assist in cultivation. The puppet must first complete the Golden Core formation; thereafter, it will nurture the Golden Core for its master, and all cultivation gains belong to the master. During the day, it consumes one spirit-gathering pill; at night, two. Additionally, if engaged in combat, it can operate simultaneously with the master’s own Golden Core, but spirit pill consumption doubles.

Note: This puppet can only assist in cultivation and combat. Engaging in other illicit acts risks damage to the puppet.