Lu Changan made a secret in his hand and used the Puppet Control Technique. A humanoid leather puppet lying on the ground flipped up vigorously.
The leather-armored puppet has sharp eyes, carries a longbow and quiver on its back, and has a short sword on its waist.
Pulling out the long bow, a silver-gray arrow was revealed, surrounded by a cyan wind; the arc of electricity flashed on the bow string, and the fluctuations of spiritual power it emitted were enough to frighten people in the later stages of foundation building.
Whoops!
The arrow flew away with lightning speed, piercing through the second-grade raw ore that was about a foot thick. The remaining power was absorbed by the restriction of the secret room.
"As expected of a second-level top puppet who is good at attacking."
Lu Changan's face was filled with joy as he checked the condition of the bow and arrow puppet and confirmed that the refining was successful.
After completing the procurement of materials, it took half a year for Lu Changan to make the first breakthrough in puppetry skills.
Today, it was refined into a second-level top-notch puppet.
Of course, the second-level top quality is still in the second-level high-quality category, but the difference is that the quality has reached the peak of the second level.
Theoretically speaking, the level of this puppet is equivalent to the peak of the later stage of foundation building.
But normally speaking, the combat power of puppets is inferior to that of monks. Puppetes are dead objects after all, while human monks have advantages in spiritual intelligence, use of martial arts, talismans and other external objects.
However, Lu Changan has strong spiritual consciousness and profound knowledge in puppet control techniques, so he is confident that this puppet can compete with a senior late-stage foundation builder.
Moreover, this archer puppet abandons defense and fully uses its attack power, which is very lethal to ordinary foundations.
Especially in the case of ambush and secret attack.
"If there are seven or eight of these bow and arrow puppets, even the fake Dan real person will not be able to withstand the damage under a volley of fire."
Lu Changan put away the puppet and thought about it.
However, he did not have that many materials on hand. Refining the puppet was quite time-consuming. The higher the grade, the longer it took.
…
"One hundred and thirty-five years old."
A few days later, Lu Changan came out of the customs and realized that his life span had expired by another year.
Unknowingly, he had been practicing in Wuqi Mountain for sixty or seventy years.
The maid Lan Rou has transformed from the pretty girl she once was to a mature beauty in her late thirties.
This is a case of paying attention to beauty.
"Calculating the time, the injuries of Fellow Daoist Zhao and Fellow Daoist Zhang should have begun to recover."
Lu Changan thought.
About three months ago, Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan returned to Jinyun Valley, but their injuries had not healed and they needed to rest and have to deal with the aftermath.
Lu Changan and Zhao Siyao agreed in their letters to get together when they return.
He plans to visit his two friends who survived the disaster in the near future.
Zhao Siyao originally wanted to come to Wu Qi Mountain in person, but Lu Changan declined in his letter.
Considering Zhao Siyao's status as a cultivator, it was somewhat unusual for him to visit a casual cultivator before his injury healed.
Lu Changan did not want the outside world to associate the "third-level talisman" used by Zhao Siyao with him.
Under normal circumstances, it is impossible to refine a third-level talisman in the middle stage of foundation building.
Even if Lu Changan's spiritual consciousness was powerful and he had the skills of a third-level talisman master in his previous life, he still couldn't do this.
Because drawing talismans requires corresponding mana support.
The mana gap between the foundation building stage and the pill forming stage is too big.
It is not unusual for a talisman master with fake alchemy skills to refine third-level talismans.
Being able to refine one by luck in the later stages of foundation building is considered an extremely talented person, but it also costs a lot and is not cost-effective.
…
Ten days later.
Jinyun Valley, a waterscape cave with a quiet environment.
Four foundation-building monks, two men and two women, sat opposite each other.
The first two people in the late stage of foundation building were Zhang Tieshan and Zhao Siyao, and their bodies were faintly exuding evil spirits.
Zhang Tieshan, in particular, had an even stronger evil spirit. He had obviously killed many enemy monks on the frontline battlefield.
The evil spirit in Zhao Siyao's body was much lighter.
Compared to the past, he was elegant and refined, with a fairy-like air, and the divine light between his eyebrows was even more powerful.
Lu Changan had to admit that the war to cultivate immortals had a very good tempering effect on monks.
Experiencing the line between life and death can help squeeze a monk's potential and even break his own limits.
The premise is that you can come back alive.
"Surviving a catastrophe will lead to blessings in the future. After experiencing this battle, the future path of the two Taoists may be smoother."
Lu Changan spoke in auspicious words.
"I would like to borrow the auspicious words from fellow Taoist Lu. I hope fellow Taoist Zhao and I can enjoy good fortune by forming elixirs in the future."
Zhang Tieshan's voice was hearty, and scars were vaguely visible on his slightly dark skin.
Zhao Siyao's eyes were smiling and her eyebrows were slightly raised. From time to time she looked at her old friend in white, whose appearance had not changed for a hundred years. When they met this time, she seemed quiet and spoke little.
It was obvious that she was no longer a familiar figure, but her clear and soft eyes seemed to have the same brightness as when they first met her.
"Uncle Lu, if the battlefield is so effective, why didn't you listen to Tan'er's suggestion and follow..."
Zhao Tan'er smiled, revealing her teeth like braided shells.
"Tan'er, don't be rude! At your age, you still don't know how to be more prudent.
Zhao Siyao's expression changed slightly and she interrupted the female disciple with a cold scolding.
Zhao Tan'er stuck out her tongue and didn't dare to say anything more.
She is usually lively and bold, and sometimes speaks out loud, but she is still quite afraid of Master.
"It's okay, Tan'er has a straightforward personality and has no malicious intent."
Lu Changan waved his hand.
In the world of cultivating immortals, there are a few monks whose hearts are simple and sincere. They have remained unchanged for hundreds and thousands of years, as if they will never "mature".
It's not that they are really simple and remain unchanged, this is a state of practice that is in line with the self.
Such monks have no internal mental friction, are difficult to invade by external demons, and often have an advantage in their mental state. They are called "innocent hearts."
Zhao Tan'er may not have a true innocent heart, but she has similar qualities.
Lu Changan remembered that when this woman was promoted to the middle stage of foundation building, her spiritual roots were smoother than those of the same high-grade ones.
"Fellow Daoist Lu's magic power seems to be not far away from the later stage of foundation building. He was a late bloomer back then, but now he still has great stamina and has surpassed many fellow daoists of his generation."
Zhang Tieshan looked at Lu Changan and was slightly surprised.
"Lu just has a good mentality, a solid foundation, and is not lacking in spiritual stone resources."
Lu Changan said modestly.
"Is Fellow Daoist Lu confident that he will be promoted to the late stage of foundation building?"
Zhao Siyao said.
"I have asked someone to refine the level-breaking elixir. I should be 30 to 40 percent sure of it in the later stages of foundation building."
Lu Changan said thoughtfully.
"300 to 40% sure?" Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan looked at each other and smiled without saying a word.
Having known each other for hundreds of years, the two of them knew Lu Changan's character quite well.
It is said that it is 30% to 40%, but in fact I am probably 70% to 80% certain.
"Although Fellow Daoist Lu is slow in his cultivation, if he can make steady and steady progress, his character will be very similar to a rare evergreen tree in the world of immortality."
Zhang Tieshan praised.
"Evergreen ancient tree? It's the kind of ancient spiritual tree that can grow evergreen as long as there are enough rings?"
Zhao Tan'er blurted out in a clear voice.
"How can Lu, a casual cultivator, be compared to an evergreen ancient tree?"
Lu Changan's head jumped.
When he mentioned the ancient evergreen trees, a mysterious inspiration arose in his mind.
"However, Lu wishes that all of you here can be like evergreen trees, and the path to immortality will always be green."
Lu Changan's words made the three people respond, and the atmosphere became more relaxed.
…
At sunset, Lu Changan said goodbye.
The three sects built the foundation and sent Lu Changan to the entrance of the cave.
"Friend Lu Dao, I'll give you a ride."
Zhao Siyao suggested.
"Okay." Lu Changan glanced at her and agreed.
Zhao Siyao's personality was such that he would not deliberately engage in pleasantries, so he should have something to discuss with him alone.
Zhao Tan'er winked at Zhang Tieshan, but the two of them did not follow him.
Lu Changan and Zhao Siyao, wearing white clothes and white skirts, like a couple, flew out of Jinyun Valley side by side.
"Very good!"
Zhao Tan'er jumped for joy and watched the two elders leave with a look of relief on her face.
Outside Jinyun Valley.
The mountain breeze blows, making it slightly cool.
Zhao Siyao wears a phoenix hairpin on her head, a fluttering fairy skirt, a tall and graceful figure, a picturesque profile, and is elegant and refined.
Along the way, their eyes met occasionally, they smiled slightly, and they had a silent understanding.
Until it flew hundreds of miles out of Jinyun Valley.
Zhao Siyao's escape light slowed down, her clear and beautiful eyes settled on Lu Changan's face, and then she spoke:
"Thank you. Without that talisman, Siyao would never see Fellow Daoist Lu again..."
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, what's the talisman? Why can't I understand it?"
Lu Changan said doubtfully.
Zhao Siyao was startled and stared at this familiar face for a few seconds.
She didn't reveal it, but suddenly smiled brightly, her face brightened, and she sighed softly:
"Lu Changan, how do you want me to repay such a great kindness?"
After knowing each other for more than a hundred years, Zhao Siyao called him by his first name for the first time.
"If you want to talk about kindness, without the help of Fellow Daoist Zhao, Lu could not have successfully built the foundation. When facing Fu Xuemei when he was refining elixirs in Huanglong Fairy City, Fellow Daoist Zhao helped to defend him. When Lu was building the foundation, Fellow Daoist Zhao was also the inseparable protector."
Lu Changan said sincerely.
From the Qi Refining Stage to the Foundation Building Stage for hundreds of years, he was able to practice in a relatively stable manner, and he also had the care of his sect friends.
Fighting side by side in the Black Mist Mountains, experiencing life and death, refining the Foundation Establishment Pill twice... All these past experiences gave him and Zhao Siyao enough tacit understanding and trust.
It was precisely for this reason that he secretly gave a talisman to Zhao Siyao a few years ago.
"You don't have to worry about it, Fellow Daoist Zhao. If you insist on repaying it, I wish Fellow Daoist Zhao a success in forming the elixir as soon as possible, so that Mr. Lu can embrace it."
Hearing this, Zhao Siyao let out a gasp, his eyes clear as if the winter snow had melted.
Afterwards, the two chatted about some light topics and past events.
As night falls, the moonlight is like water, making the figures of the two people in white clothes and white skirts look even colder.
"I heard that Fellow Daoist Lu has a good relationship with Master Shixianzi?"
Zhao Siyao said calmly.
"It's okay. We've been neighbors for many years and we're quite compatible."
Lu Changan said calmly.
His relationship with Shi Xianzi cannot escape careful observation.
Zhao Siyao pursed her lips slightly, remained silent for a few breaths, and then nodded and said, "When does Fellow Daoist Lu plan to become a Taoist couple and marry Master Xianzi?"
Lu Changan shook his head and said: "The world of immortality has been changing rapidly. During the foundation period, we can stand firm and have a foothold. But unlike Master Jiedan, who has magic weapons and magical powers, how can he not withstand strong winds and waves, how dare he marry a wife and have children?"
"My friend Lu Dao is prepared for danger in times of peace. This is not a bad statement."
Zhao Siyao smiled slightly.
She asked again: "What if fellow Taoist Lu forms a false elixir someday?"
In fact, given Lu Changan's age and qualifications, being able to become a real person with false elixirs can be regarded as a blessing that he has cultivated for ten generations.
Such an assumption can be regarded as a compliment to Lu Changan.
"If the fake elixir is achieved, Lu will find a female cultivator with whom he likes each other, get married, have children, establish a cultivating family, and cultivate his descendants."
Lu Changan told the truth.
"Yeah." Zhao Siyao glanced at him and made no comment.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, there is no need to send him any more. I hope you will get the elixir soon."
"Friend Lu Dao, the road is blocked and long. May the road to immortality be evergreen."
The two looked at each other for the last time, freezing for a few breaths, without concealing the admiration in each other's eyes.
Figures in white clothes and skirts passed by each other and flew in different directions.
…
Two months later.
Wuqi Mountain, Xiaogui Peak.
"This is the first time in Lu's life that he has been invited to attend a grand gathering of Master Jiedan - even though it is a funeral."
Lu Changan held the black and white invitation letter in his hand and looked at the elegant and dignified Shi Xianzi beside him.
"Is it true that Master Huang Long has passed away?"
"Invitations to funerals are sent to various places and should not be fake."
Shi Manrong's voice is gentle.
"Manrong, do you think I should go to Zhenren Huanglong's funeral, or not?"
Lu Changan muttered, seemingly undecided.
The update time is indeed in the underworld, but my current biological clock makes me feel groggy during the day and energetic at night.
(No update on the night of the 11th. I got home late, so I drank a glass of wine and felt dizzy.)