Moreover, Gu Yuntao is currently keen on forming an alliance with him, so Xu Ping feels that this request is unlikely to be refused.
...
...
Thus, in the days that followed, Xu Ping formally requested guidance on puppetry from Gu Yuntao.
As he anticipated, the request was not refused, and Gu Yuntao generously shared his years of accumulated insights and techniques.
Under Gu Yuntao’s direction, Xu Ping began to refine the third-rank top-grade puppet that was yet to be successfully crafted.
Xu Ping treating Gu Yuntao as a free, competent assistant surprisingly did not anger the latter.
Gu Yuntao continued to wholeheartedly guide Xu Ping in the refinent of this third-rank top-grade puppet.
"It seems Gu Yuntao’s hatred towards the Seed Puppet Sect is far deeper than I imagined," Xu Ping pondered silently.
In fact, his actions had a certain probing elent to them.
Now it seems that the grievances between the two are not shallow but deep-rooted and longstanding.
After all, Gu Yuntao’s efforts to cultivate an alliance with him cannot be explained simply by broad-mindedness.
The only reasonable speculation is that Gu Yuntao harbors an intense hatred towards the Seed Puppet Sect.
"However, this is indeed an excellent opportunity for ."
Xu Ping slightly curled his lips and thought to himself, "In this way, the likelihood of obtaining the puppet array has undoubtedly increased significantly."
After confirming his suspicions, Xu Ping ceased any further probing actions.
He settled down and, under Gu Yuntao’s patient guidance, concentrated on crafting and perfecting the third-rank top-grade puppet.
...
...
Ti quietly slipped away, and four months had passed in an instant.
In the topmost secret chamber of the pagoda on this day.
Gu Yuntao stood still before the initially ford third-rank top-grade puppet, his eyes showing scrutiny and admiration.
He nodded slightly, his tone brimming with emotion, "Your talent is truly exceptional!"
In these short months, the progress Xu Ping made in puppetry was astonishingly swift.
Although he hadn’t truly reached the level of a third-rank top-grade puppet master, the gap was not significant.
Gu Yuntao considered himself highly accomplished and rather proud in puppetry.
In his heart, no one in the Seed Puppet Sect could match him in puppetry, and only the Nascent Soul elder of the Hundred Bamboo Sect might surpass him slightly.
But the talent Xu Ping demonstrated made him reevaluate, feeling Xu Ping was only half a notch below.
"City Lord Gu praises too highly; all of this depends entirely on City Lord Gu’s painstaking guidance." Xu Ping modestly waved his hand.
In these months, Gu Yuntao’s guidance was indeed conscientious and thorough.
Although Xu Ping understood that Gu Yuntao’s actions aid to win him over, he naturally noted this kindness in his heart.
During his studies, Xu Ping keenly sensed Gu Yuntao’s profound expertise in puppetry, far exceeding just the third rank.
However, whether Gu Yuntao’s puppetry had reached quasi-fourth rank or broken through to the fourth rank, Xu Ping did not dare to conclude recklessly.
If he truly reached fourth rank, Gu Yuntao’s power and status would be akin to a Nascent Soul cultivator, explaining his confidence in opposing the Seed Puppet Sect.
Gu Yuntao joked, "Excessive modesty is arrogance."
He smiled at Xu Ping, his eyes affirming, "With your talent in puppetry, even without my guidance, you should have successfully perfected this third-rank top-grade puppet."
After a pause, he said seriously, "However, it’s ti to stop crafting puppets for now; the people from the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons are coming."
"The people from the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons are coming?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ping’s eyes instantly brightened.
In his future plans, the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons holds an extrely crucial position.
Establishing contacts with the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, acquiring precious puppet materials, and assisting demon beasts in breaking through to fourth-rank transformation items is a key step in enhancing his strength.
Thus, they are finally coming.
"Exactly."
Gu Yuntao nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed, and said slowly, "They will arrive in about half a month."
"After all, the demon beast materials suitable for crafting a third-rank top-grade puppet are exceedingly rare and precious, so you must prepare thoroughly in advance."
"Understood."
Xu Ping nodded, his mind quickly calculating.
For a large sect like the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, with profound reserves, nurous disciples, their daily resource needs are diverse.
In trading, resources like spirit stones, talismans, and puppets are often their focus in exchanges, while the need for relatively rare and precious items is less.
Xu Ping’s wealth now was considerably more abundant than that of a typical Golden Core cultivator, especially as he had accumulated many third-rank talismans that he temporarily couldn’t use.
He knew well that third-rank talismans have great allure even to Nascent Soul sects.
Unfortunately, over the years, he hadn’t been able to find any inheritance of talismans above the third-rank top-grade.
Otherwise, trading third-rank top-grade talismans with the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons would surely pique their interest and greatly increase the success rate of the trade.
However, opting for a secondary strategy, using a sufficient number of third-rank mid-grade talismans to exchange should also achieve the goal.
...
Half a month flew by in an instant.
Ancient Sand City remained enveloped by flying yellow sands, exuding a solitary desolation when seen from afar under the backdrop of yellow sand.
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