It was an Innate Divine Power. The candle held within its mouth was the essence of all the myriad fires between heaven and earth, possessing boundless power. This was an ancient existence that could be traced back to the very creation of the world. Anything associated with it was far from ordinary.

Could that Ancient Dragon actually have had the bloodline of a Zhulong? Or perhaps a collateral branch?

Regardless, even a mere trace of that bloodline would be enough to explain the Ancient Dragon's extraordinary power when it was alive.

Wang Xiu reviewed the ancient legends in his mind. His gaze grew fervent as he focused more intently on the rune. It was complex, profound, infinitely mysterious, and ever-changing, as if it contained the very laws of the universe. This was something far beyond what a cultivator of Wang Xiu's current Realm should have been able to access.

But with the Supreme Sensing Chapter, he could study it in peace. After several days of continuous research, he finally grasped a sliver of its secrets.

SWISH!

A pale golden flame suddenly burst forth from the Dragon Scale.

Wang Xiu held out his palm. The Dragon Scale rotated slowly above it, and as he infused it with Mana, the flame grew more vigorous, gradually reaching the size of a fist. The flame appeared to be mere light and shadow, and its temperature was impossible to feel. Its radiant light flowed beautifully, a dazzling spectacle.

Yet the surrounding void began to distort, scorched by the fierce flame and showing gradual signs of being eroded away. Beneath the quiet beauty lay an unimaginable terror.

Wang Xiu stared at the small flame before him. He felt as though he were playing with a time bomb that, if mishandled, would explode and unleash an endless disaster.

The Fire of Candleholder was the natal divine ability of the Ancient Dragon clan. The chances of an outsider mastering it were slim to none.

After several days of research and countless attempts, Wang Xiu could now use this Dragon Scale to wield the terrifying flame.

This flame seems calm, but its power is astonishing. If I continue to research it and gain a deeper understanding of this rune, its future potential might not be much less than the Vermilion Bird Flame or the Phoenix Divine Flame! Wang Xiu thought, carefully controlling the flame. This Fire of Candleholder can be one of my trump cards.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and his eyes lit up with excitement. Wait, can I use the Fire of Candleholder to smelt those Dragon Bones?

He immediately put it to the test. He retrieved a broken piece of Dragon Bone from the Dragon Scale Space, then directed the Fire of Candleholder to begin smelting it. The previously indestructible remains of the Ancient Dragon actually began to melt and change shape under the golden Divine Fire's heat. It emitted streams of golden divine light and transformed into a mass of exceptionally pure energy, shining with a brilliant radiance.

It really works! Wang Xiu was overjoyed. These Dragon Bones were excellent materials for both Artifact Refining and alchemy, but the main difficulty lay in smelting and cutting them.

Now, he had found a way!

My current attainments in alchemy and Artifact Refining are mediocre at best, but… if I use them to make Puppets, the results should be excellent!

Wang Xiu had once acquired a Complete Experience Card for the Supreme Soul-Nourishing Elixir. By analogy, he was also quite proficient in the Alchemy Dao. However, upon careful consideration, he realized he didn't have any good pill formulas that would suit the use of Dragon Bone powder. It would be difficult to unleash the Dragon Bones' true potential.

In contrast, when it came to puppet crafting, Wang Xiu—possessing the Complete Realm Grand Cycle Divine Controlling Classic—was an undisputed master. With just a moment's thought, several plans that could leverage the unique properties and power of the Dragon Bones emerged in his mind.

SWISH!

He took out a brush and paper, leaned over his desk, and his brush tip flew swiftly across the page, creating one exquisite and lifelike diagram after another. He continuously took out more materials, melting them down with the Fire of Candleholder and attempting to forge the parts.

「Several days later.」

Three Puppets, each the size of a normal person, stood before Wang Xiu. Their bodies were covered in dense golden runes, and their tall, imposing frames radiated an astonishing presence. They looked no different from ordinary people, but each one held a huge bone club. Forged from Dragon Bones, the clubs glinted with a chilling light and emitted a heavy, terrifying aura that was palpably intimidating.

"Go take a look around," Wang Xiu commanded.

"Yes," a Puppet responded, its voice mechanical. It turned and left, moving with astonishing speed. Like three golden bolts of lightning, they dashed off into the Ancient Forest in different directions.

Wang Xiu closed his eyes. At his command, a new image appeared in his mind's eye: the perspective of one of the Puppets.

This version of the Puppets was the one Wang Xiu had settled on after much deliberation. He certainly could have used the Dragon Bones and other materials he'd recently gathered to create a true superweapon, one capable of matching thousands of men. But a Puppet of that level would require far too much time. Even a simplified version would take months to complete. His control over the Fire of Candleholder was still in its early stages, and he had only deciphered about a tenth of the rune. His speed at smelting the Dragon Bones just couldn't keep up.

Time in the Holy Realm was precious; he couldn't afford such a delay.

Besides, any Puppets he made right now had to meet his immediate needs and directly enhance his combat power. After thinking it over, he settled on the humanoid design, which offered comprehensive functionality and considerable effectiveness.

The Puppets moved rapidly through the dense forest. As days passed, more and more prodigies from the Great Immortal Gates were able to move about freely, making the area increasingly busy. Every so often, the sounds of battle between prodigies and Fierce Beasts would echo through the trees. The forest floor shook and leaves rustled down, creating an unnerving atmosphere.

ROAR—

Before long, a huge Black Bear appeared before one of the Puppets. It stood upright to a height of several tens of feet, resembling a dark mountain. Dark flames burned across its body, and it radiated an astonishing presence.

A Fierce Beast like this was considered a top-tier opponent among the countless denizens of the Ancient Forest. Even many of the most outstanding prodigies from the Great Immortal Gates would find it a major headache to deal with.

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