Chapter 477

Chapter 477: Guidance

As the battle concluded, everyone fell silent, reflecting on every detail of the recent fight.

"Grand Elder, I have learned much," Spirit Cut said, respectfully cupping his hands. He had gained a lot from the previous battle.

"I wonder when I’ll have the chance to spar with the Grand Elder on the path of the blade."

"Well, that depends on when my cultivation partner gifts me a celestial tool, the large knife," Xu Fan replied with a smile.

"……"

His words not only stirred envy but also struck a nerve.

At that moment, a Transformation Stage Swordsman Puppet stepped forward and respectfully said, "Following Shadows humbly requests guidance from the Grand Elder."

"So, you want to test your limits," Xu Fan said, eyeing the puppet.

Half of his enthusiasm for his friends came from the Tian Puppet Master behind this puppet.

"Perfect timing. I’ve got nothing else to do, so let’s have some fun."

A Transformation Stage Swordsman Puppet appeared beside Xu Fan and then flew toward the Steel Wall.

The puppet controlled by Following Shadows followed closely behind.

Without wasting any words, the two puppets immediately engaged in a fierce exchange of swordsmanship.

Following Shadows’ puppet executed each move with precision, striking directly at vital points.

Every attack was paired with defense, and every defense carried an offensive edge, all while probing for weaknesses in Xu Fan’s puppet.

At the same time, Following Shadows maintained an impeccable defense.

Wielding his Spiritual Sword, Following Shadows drew threads of sword light, spreading them across the battlefield in all directions.

Xu Fan mirrored Following Shadows’ techniques, attacking and defending with calm composure, almost as if teaching a child.

At times, he even subtly guided Following Shadows to unleash the puppet’s full offensive potential.

Once Following Shadows’ threads of sword light fully locked onto Xu Fan’s puppet, his first killing move was ready.

The puppet feigned an attack, retreating a hundred meters, and gently pulled back the Spiritual Sword.

In an instant, countless threads of sword qi sealed off all space around Xu Fan’s puppet.

"Young people are still too impatient," Xu Fan remarked from the Steel Wall, controlling the puppet with ease.

"Swordsmanship, Ten Thousand Blade Threads Kill!"

The myriad threads of sword qi suddenly contracted, slicing toward Xu Fan like a storm of swords.

"This killing move is impressive. Within this sword thread grand formation, even multiple Transformation Stage experts could be shredded. But it’s a shame you’ve run into me."

Xu Fan’s puppet intercepted the incoming threads of sword qi with the Spiritual Sword and then struck toward Following Shadows’ puppet.

Instantly, the myriad sword threads reversed direction, enveloping Following Shadows’ puppet.

At this moment, Following Shadows’ focus sharpened, his tension evident. Though he couldn’t show it through the puppet, its slight tremble betrayed his nerves.

"Does this kid have a backup plan?" Spirit Cut asked, watching Following Shadows’ puppet.

"Even if he does, he’s still going to lose," Li Chufan commented from the side.

"You tell me, why did he lose?" Spirit Cut asked Li Chufan with interest.

"Master Ancestor taught me that in a fight, not only should you hold back your own moves, but you must also find a chance to draw out the enemy’s hidden powers and then retaliate."

"This is commonly known as tricking skills," Li Chufan stated confidently.

"Yes, that’s pretty much it."

"You haven’t wasted your time with your Master Ancestor," Spirit Cut said with satisfaction.

"Of course," Li Chufan replied proudly, tilting his head.

At that moment, a sword sound echoed through the heavens and the earth.

A beam of sword light pierced through the massive web formed by myriad paths of sword threads, aiming straight for Xu Fan.

"The peak of concentrated spirit and energy in a single strike."

"Kid, you are the most talented swordsman I have ever seen."

The puppet controlled by Xu Fan dodged this sword strike, then unexpectedly thrust at the puppet hiding behind the sword light from an unusual angle.

"Stab~"

The spiritual energy cores in Following Shadows’ puppet were damaged in six places, causing the puppet to fall from the sky like it had lost its soul.

"Thank you for your guidance, Grand Elder."

A glimmer of understanding appeared in Following Shadows’ eyes.

"The Grand Elder is truly amazing, mastering various techniques of the Dao with ease."

"One day, when the Grand Elder told me he could create the Thousand Worlds, I believed him," Spirit Cut exclaimed.

"Master Ancestor is the strongest, and Grandpa is also impressive," Li Chufan said with a smile.

"That’s right, your strength has increased, and your flattery has improved," Spirit Cut squinted his eyes.

"My Master Ancestor taught me that when your strength isn’t strong, you should be a little sweet, just like Grandpa," Li Chufan explained.

"……"

"How did that come up?" Spirit Cut looked at his good grandson.

"I just feel that Grandpa had a lot of presence back then, even when facing the Grand Elder."

"Now…" Spirit Cut didn’t continue his thought.

"Aren’t I the same as before?" Spirit Cut defended himself a bit.

He admitted that he had been somewhat flattering the Grand Elder for the sake of the celestial tool.

But is it wrong to flatter a future artifact great master for the sake of a celestial tool?

This question had only one answer in the hearts of all respected elders.

Of course not~

We can’t give up a celestial tool just for the sake of pride.

"Chufan, go back to the Hidden Spirit Sect and bring some food and drink for your fellow disciples." Xu Fan then opened his eyes.

"Master Ancestor, I came prepared."

Li Chufan said as he took out dozens of food boxes.

"I also brought Spiritual Fruits, dried fruits, and pastries. Whatever you need is here."

"Mm, good~" Xu Fan praised.

Advancements in cultivation realm are common, but the ability to serve has certainly improved quickly.

With four or five small dishes and two jars of spirit wine, Xu Fan and Spirit Cut began to enjoy their drinks atop the Steel Wall.

"If it weren’t for Elder Bear Two’s ascension, we wouldn’t be afraid of that female lion," Xu Fan sighed after taking a sip of wine.

"Let him ascend; as long as we have a way to deal with that female lion, it’s fine," Spirit Cut said, clinking cups with Xu Fan.

"I just lament that staying on this Steel Wall isn’t very exciting."

"The female lion is indeed easy to deal with," Xu Fan said softly while drinking another cup of wine.

There are always things in this world that pull him away from a lazy life.

"……"

No wonder he is the Grand Elder, Spirit Cut thought to himself.

"Grand Elder, do you think it will be possible to create a move that can kill the Cloud Saint Beast King with one strike?" Spirit Cut asked curiously.

"Of course, but that will happen after I become an artifact great master," Xu Fan replied.

"Then can we kill the invincible respected elder, just like the Grand Elder of Qianling Sect?" Spirit Cut asked again.

At this moment, Xu Fan shook his head instead.

"Such a thing exists, but this world will not permit it."

"Just like the ancient demons back then, their existence brought about the world’s decay, which is why the heavenly way eventually disallowed them," Xu Fan explained.

"Isn’t it because they were too powerful, threatening the existence of this world’s heavenly way?" Spirit Cut asked.

"No matter how strong they are, there’s a limit. Eventually, they all ascended to the Thousand Worlds."

"According to Elder Bear Two, each ancient demon consumed vast resources from birth to ascent to the Thousand Worlds."

"After ascending to the Upper World, they didn’t even know how to replenish, and every ascended ancient demon would carry vast resources to the Thousand Worlds."

"Over time, the heavenly way of this world naturally couldn’t sustain it, leading to their eventual destruction."