Chapter 191: The Possession of the Devil Puppet

Chapter 191: The Possession of the Devil Puppet

From within the storm, a voice of shock sounded. Although the spirit didn't know the exact origin of Elder Ling, he could feel the overwhelming aura that far surpassed even the four great beast clans, striking him with profound fear.

"Pathetic creature! You're restless even in death. Just a leftover spiritual imprint, and yet you dare to stir up trouble. Since you've shown yourself, don't even think about leaving!" Elder Ling's dignified voice held a sharp and ruthless edge as her immense fiery wings stirred. Two swift bolts of Nine Nether Fire shot forth, slamming directly into the storm, forcing it back.

Since Elder Ling had undergone a bloodline connection with Lin Langtian, which was tied to his spirit, even if this cunning spirit succeeded in taking Lin Langtian's body, it couldn't replace him fully. Moreover, the possession would threaten Elder Ling's own existence, and her fury was justified.

In her wrath, Elder Ling's every move radiated formidable power.

Boom! Boom!

The storm reeled under the strikes of Nine Nether Fire, retreating rapidly. It finally shattered, revealing a faint gray silhouette before Lin Langtian's focused gaze.

The hazy figure was almost transparent, but its appearance faintly matched the skeleton Lin Langtian had encountered earlier.

"This guy is persistent, hiding here for who knows how many years!" Lin Langtian muttered, sneering.

"Honored one, I only wanted to borrow this young man's body. Surely, as a spirit beast yourself, you can see the value of my revival. I can offer you power to restore your own form! Why protect a nobody?" the gray spirit pleaded, cautious eyes on Elder Ling.

"No need to explain," she replied coldly. "Since you dared target him, it's time for you to disappear!"

With that, Elder Ling's massive maw opened, releasing a torrent of Nine Nether Fire that surged through the chaos at alarming speed, colliding ferociously with the gray spirit.

As the fire's terrifying power engulfed the spirit, fear flashed in its eyes. Realizing its danger, it tried to flee, splitting apart and darting for an escape.

"Trying to run?"

With a disdainful scoff, Elder Ling's Nine Nether Fire expanded into a net that spread swiftly across the space. The spirit halted in its tracks, too late to stop itself from slamming into the fiery net that blocked its escape.

The spirit stopped just inches from the net, its forward movement halted. But before it could react, Elder Ling's fire net descended upon it, enveloping it completely.

Sizzle! Sizzle!

The spirit writhed within the flames, giving off streams of white smoke as it struggled in agony. Even though it lacked a physical body, the Nine Nether Fire acted directly upon its essence, searing it with a relentless, soul-burning pain.

"Honored one, please… spare me! I will serve you, I swear!" The spirit begged, its desperation mounting as it felt its consciousness slipping away. Elder Ling's flames were devouring even its memories.

"Hmph! You enjoy possession? I'll grant you the chance to fulfill that wish." Elder Ling's voice was laced with derision as she intensified the Nine Nether Fire. The spirit shrieked in anger and despair, thrashing against the net's confinement but unable to break free.

"Lin Langtian," Elder Ling called over. "Once I refine this thing, summon your Devil Puppet!"

"Refine it and summon the Devil Puppet?" Lin Langtian was taken aback. But then he caught on, his face lighting up with realization. "Elder Ling, are you suggesting that the spirit should possess the Devil Puppet?"

Seeing he'd caught on, Elder Ling gave a slight smile. "Precisely. Possession is a foul act I despise, but if it's what it desires, I'll see it fulfilled. Your Devil Puppet will make a perfect host. I'll retain a fragment of its consciousness, just enough to ensure that it doesn't affect your control. This way, your puppet will gain sentience and the ability to train itself, making it far more useful."

Lin Langtian's surprise gave way to elation. Elder Ling was truly ingenious—not only powerful, but full of clever strategies.

After all, the Devil Puppet had been lifeless, capable only of absorbing a little demonic energy, but missing something essential. Now, with this spirit as its core, the Devil Puppet would gain awareness and an ability to cultivate, making it nearly human. It would become a formidable ally on this treacherous Ancient Battlefield.

Time passed slowly as Elder Ling worked. After fifteen minutes, the spirit was sufficiently refined, reduced to a manageable form. Elder Ling brought it out of Lin Langtian's spirit palace, restoring him to full control of his body.

Lin Langtian stretched his limbs briefly, then summoned the Devil Puppet, enveloped in its chilling aura.

Elder Ling cast a glance at the spirit-turned-gray mist, which now floated weakly. With a flick of her hand, she tossed it toward the Devil Puppet, where it shot into the puppet's forehead like a wisp of smoky dragon.

"Keep your focus, Langtian! Use the mental imprint you left in the Devil Puppet to absorb this gray spirit. Though I've removed most of its intelligence, be cautious not to let it overpower you," Elder Ling warned.

Lin Langtian nodded, concentrating as his spiritual energy surged through the mental imprint within the Devil Puppet.

As Lin Langtian's energy poured in, the mental imprint glowed brightly, drawing the gray spirit toward it. True to its nature, the remnant spirit moved toward the imprint with unwavering determination to possess it.

"Relentless, even with only a sliver of consciousness. This old spirit truly lives up to its reputation as a schemer," Lin Langtian murmured. Taking advantage of its approach, he manipulated his mental imprint to absorb it completely.

To his surprise, the fusion process went smoothly. Elder Ling's earlier preparations had weakened the spirit, and in only a few minutes, Lin Langtian's mental imprint successfully assimilated it.

With its newfound core, the Devil Puppet suddenly opened its eyes. Where there had once been a lifeless gaze, now lay a spark of awareness.

Adjusting to its new form, the Devil Puppet's eyes held a trace of confusion for a moment before it recognized Lin Langtian, its expression transforming into one of reverence. It dropped to one knee, bowing.

"Servant greets Master!"

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