Chapter 1049: Chapter 446: Quasi-Fifth-Order Puppet; Soul-Breaking Needle Upgrade 2

Almost at the same time, an undisguisable intense light erupted in the eyes of the Star Palace Saints and Dragon King Ao Guang.

For the Star Palace Saints, if they could acquire this puppet, it would be a significant tactic in the upcoming decisive battle against the Demon Race alliance.

And for Dragon King Ao Guang, this puppet was equally significant.

Although he was strong, if he were entangled by the combined forces of the Star Palace Saints, Nine Nether Elder and Xu Ping would inevitably face enormous pressure from the ancient demon of unknown condition and the other forces of the Star Palace.

With the help of this puppet, whether to protect key figures or to quickly open an engagement for one side, it could play an important role.

As for Xu Ping, he would certainly be interested as well.

But what intrigued him more was the crafting method for the Quasi-Fifth-Order Puppet.

His current puppetry skills were very close to crafting a Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppet.

If he could acquire the method to craft a Quasi-Fifth-Order Puppet, even if it took time, Xu Ping had confidence in eventually crafting it.

However, at this moment, all the Divinity Transformation Cultivators were captivated, so it was better to remain calm for the time being.

Black Soul seemed to have anticipated everyone’s reaction and remained expressionless, saying in a deep voice, "I, only exchange for a rare item that aids in breaking through the Divinity Transformation bottleneck, nothing else."

"An item that aids in breakthrough to Divinity Transformation?"

With these words, the previously heated atmosphere due to the appearance of the puppet seemed to be doused with cold water, turning frigid suddenly.

Several Divinity Transformation Cultivators, whose eyes were initially fervent, soon dimmed their gazes, shaking their heads helplessly.

An item that aids in breakthrough to Divinity Transformation, its rarity surpasses even that of the Quasi-Fifth-Order Puppet in some ways.

It might create a Divinity Transformation, changing the fate of a realm with its earth-shattering potential.

Anyone who possesses one would either use it for themselves or have it as the treasured artifact ensuring the prosperity of a sect, unlikely to easily trade it for a puppet.

Even if this puppet was priceless.

The brows of the Star Palace Saints and Dragon King Ao Guang furrowed tightly simultaneously.

An eerie silence engulfed the floating island.

Only the dark golden "Earth Guardian Puppet" stood silently, exuding a tempting yet heavy aura.

Black Soul did not rush, crossing his arms, closing his eyes as if he had all the patience in the world.

Time ticked away, the atmosphere suppressive.

At last, Dragon King Ao Guang seemed to make up his mind, sending a concentrated Dragon Race divine sense toward Black Rock Man.

Almost simultaneously, there was movement from the Star Palace Saints’ side as well, with the Star King’s Divine Sense probing forward.

Clearly, all three parties were determined to obtain this item, initiating secret bids.

However, moments later, Dragon King Ao Guang’s face suddenly turned extremely grim, his dragon eyes almost spewing fire.

He suddenly turned his head, his cold gaze seemed to pierce towards the direction of the Star Palace Saints.

Only to see the starlight around the Star King barely perceptibly rippling, as though he had reached some sort of agreement with another Divinity Transformation Cultivator from outside the Wind Origin Realm.

Soon after, Black Soul opened his eyes, his gaze swept across the Star Palace Saints and the external Divinity Transformation Examining them before offering a slight nod.

The Star Palace Saints, who had teamed up with another Divinity Transformation Cultivator, pooled together what Black Rock Man needed.

Or they offered him conditions too tempting to refuse, forcibly snatching the Quasi-Fifth-Order Defense Puppet from Dragon King Ao Guang’s grasp.

Dragon King’s scales surged with blood, yet bound by the rules of the place, unable to lash out, he could only suppress his frustration.

Xu Ping observed all this, his heart subconsciously sinking a little.

The preparations of the Star Palace Saints were even more thorough than anticipated.

Although obtaining this puppet wouldn’t drastically alter the situation in the Wind Origin Realm, it at least slightly tipped the scales in their favor.

Xu Ping’s gaze swept across the other Divinity Transformation Cultivators present, noticing their mostly calm expressions, even with a faint hint of satisfaction, becoming even clearer in his mind.

To these external Divinity Transformation Cultivators, the balance between the two battling factions within the Wind Origin Realm—especially the power and combination displayed by the Demon Race alliance—seemed overly formidable and strange.

Now that the Star Palace had obtained this puppet, the slight balance achieved was exactly the "balance" they most wanted to see.

Meanwhile, the Nine Nether Elder remained throughout like a withered tree, closing his eyes, untouched by the surrounding events.

He hadn’t even made a move to exchange for any items during the entire transaction process, continuing to remain mysteriously silent even at this moment.

...

Perhaps spurred by the Quasi-Fifth-Order Puppet from Black Rock Man, in the ensuing transaction phase, the items offered by various Divinity Transformation Cultivators noticeably escalated in grade.

Prompting frequent offerings, with telepathic transmissions dense as rain.

Dragon King Ao Guang, too, forcefully suppressed his anger, participating in the bidding, and by leveraging the profound heritage of the Dragon Race, successfully exchanged for several treasures.

The previously silent Nine Nether Elder finally opened his cloudy eyes, trading for what appeared to be an inconspicuous, gray, palm-sized three-footed small cauldron.

The small cauldron’s spirit light was restrained, its aura ancient, merely a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure level artifact, not standing out among the many Fifth-order, Quasi-Fifth-Order treasures.

Xu Ping scrutinized it with interest, using his Divinity Transformation Divine Sense to carefully sense but failed to detect any unusual energy fluctuations or hidden mysteries, like it truly was just an ordinary Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure.

Did Nine Nether Elder acquire it casually, or was there another intention?

Xu Ping did not know, only able to temporarily suppress his curiosity.