According to the "Da Yan Jue," after mastering the first level, one can divide oneself into hundreds at the second level, and at the third level—like Lin Sheng—can split one's consciousness to control hundreds of mechanical puppets simultaneously. Simply imagining the scene of controlling hundreds of mechanical puppets while fighting human opponents, Han Li finds it truly extraordinary. However, he estimates that such an extraordinary ability would only last during the early to mid-Ji-ji period. Once reaching the Jie-Dan stage, unless one can craft at least as many high-tier puppets as mid-Ji-ji cultivators—each of them at the third tier or above—no matter how many puppets one controls, they would still be unable to withstand a full-force attack from a Jie-Dan cultivator. He still remembers vividly the scene of that Lightning-fatty sweeping through hundreds of second-tier puppets from the Qianzhu Sect. Since crafting second-tier puppets requires materials from upper-tier artifacts, crafting higher-tier puppets would certainly require materials from the highest-tier artifacts at the very minimum. Thus, a Jin Dan stage cultivator specializing in puppetry would need at least several hundred top-tier artifact materials to match the performance of a Jin Dan cultivator using other techniques—just as a Jian Ji stage cultivator does. This alone left Han Li astonished! Moreover, the materials wasted during failed concoctions and the hundreds of powerful spirits required to sustain them were simply nowhere to be found. This likely explains why the Puppetry technique of Qianzhu Monastery remains so little known. After all, a sect's strength is primarily measured by the number of Jin Dan cultivators it possesses. If Qianzhu Monastery cannot compete with other sects in Jin Dan-level duels, even if its Jian Ji disciples are exceptionally skilled, they can only maintain a regional dominance. Of course, all of this is merely Han Li's current speculation, based on his experience with the Daxianju and Puppetry techniques. Nevertheless, the Puppetry technique undoubtedly significantly enhances Han Li's capabilities as a Jian Ji cultivator—this is entirely true. And thus, Han Li is currently too focused on his present gains to dwell on future matters. After all, this仙 realm war that has stirred several nations is just beginning! Not long after Han Li arrived as a guard at this spiritual mine, a surprise attack and ambush battle erupted between the Six Sects of the Magic Path and the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom, on a remote mountain plateau. Han Li now gradually understands the specifics. It turns out that Lingwu Mountain, one of the Seven Sects, was originally a branch of the Yuling Sect of the Magic Path—established centuries ago as a hidden outpost by the Magic Path's followers embedded deep within Yue Kingdom. When the Six Sects launched their invasion of the Seven Sects, this long-kept secret was finally activated, with the Magic Path hoping to achieve a similar dramatic impact as when they had swiftly conquered Jiang and Cheqi Kingdoms just earlier. Yet, unexpectedly, the upper echelons of Lingwu Mountain, over the course of thousands of years of development, had long ceased to see themselves as part of the Yuling Sect, and were especially unwilling to have a "Supreme Emperor" suddenly imposed upon them. As a result, after further coordination with the other six sects, the magian sects employed some unknown method to convince the magian disciples that they had sent spies to launch a surprise attack on one of the seven sects' strongholds. The thousands of disciples ambushed en route by the well-prepared forces of the seven sects were met with a resounding counterattack, defeating the magian forces decisively and inflicting a significant loss—two Disciplinary Stage disciples were even killed on the spot. This decisive blow to the magian six sects naturally brought great joy and a surge of morale to the seven sects, while the magian six sects were left furious and incensed, launching a large-scale counteroffensive. The seven sects did not hesitate, forming a strong defensive array to meet the assault. Over the course of several consecutive battles at the border regions between the Yue and Jiang states, and the Chuiqi states, the two parties clashed repeatedly, resulting in over ten thousand casualties—among them, seven or eight Disciplinary Stage disciples fell. The battles were truly devastating. The cultivator who had come to deliver the spiritual stones, his expression of sheer dread as he recounted the events, left Han Li and the other present cultivators deeply shaken, prompting them to silently thank their good fortune for not having to endure such a scale of conflict. Just consider the number of Jin Dan stage cultivators who had fallen—how terrifying the scene must have been! Nevertheless, the Six Sects of the Magian Path truly stand as one of the two major powers in the southern region, far surpassing the strength of the Yue State's cultivation realm. After seven or eight such confrontations, the seven sects began to visibly falter under the relentless assault of their opponents. Had it not been for the several large sealing and array spells they had pre-arranged within their own territories, allowing them to hold firm against the onslaught, they would have surely succumbed and fallen. Even so, the seven sects could not sustain this resistance for long. Just as the situation in the Yue State appeared to be on the brink of collapse, cultivators from two medium-sized states—Yuanwu and Zijin—adjacent to the Yue State, finally arrived to provide reinforcements at the invitation of the seven sects. It turned out that the Seven Sects had already, prior to launching the war against the Six Mage Sects, wisely dispatched skilled diplomats to send envoys to both nations for aid. As soon as the two nations' cultivation sects received these messages, they naturally feared that once the Mage Sects captured Yue, they too would fall under similar fate. Without needing much persuasion, they readily agreed to provide support and gathered the majority of their cultivators, marching at night to join the fight. With the addition of these two nations' cultivators, the strength of the Yue state and the Six Mage Sects was no longer vastly uneven. Relying on the power of their defensive formations, the Seven Sects managed to withstand the Mage Sects' offensive assaults. Thus, the Six Mage Sects' ambition to swiftly conquer Yue was dashed. The conflict settled into a stalemate, evolving into a prolonged campaign of attrition. While large-scale battles became less frequent, sporadic raids on the rear areas of both Yue and the Six Mage Sects began to occur simultaneously. Especially the sources of raw materials and spiritual stones have become primary targets for surprise attacks by the seven sects and the demonic path. Yet, for the spiritual stone mine belonging to Han Li, it seems that its remote location from the battlefield front has spared it from any such assaults—this is truly a miracle! Indeed, other spiritual stone mines of similar scale have already been attacked several times. Nevertheless, the members of the seven sects remain increasingly uneasy about this site, and just a month ago, they dispatched a team of over twenty cultivators to provide reinforcements. The leader of this team is a cultivator at the late Foundation Stage of the Lingwu Mountain. As a result, the defensive strength of the mine has been significantly enhanced. Yet Han Li has sensed an unmistakable sense of impending storm, and has thus become much more diligent in his practice of the Daxian Technique, with his breakthrough to the first stage now increasingly within reach. However, among the second group of cultivators arriving for support, Han Li unexpectedly encountered a familiar face—Zhong Wu, whom he had previously met during the Blood Trial. Zhong Wu also recognized Han Li. Yet faced with Zhang Li's current Ji Base stage cultivation, the elder's face underwent several shifts—expressions of astonishment, envy, and admiration—constantly rotating, leaving Zhang Li truly amazed. In the end, Zhong Wu managed a苦笑, stepped forward to pay Zhang Li a courtesy bow, and called him "Senior" with a touch of reluctant resignation. Zhang Li, suppressing his amusement, merely nodded politely. As he recalled Zhong Wu's ever-changing expressions during meditation, Zhang Li couldn't help but smile with quiet satisfaction, opening his eyes. At that moment, he realized his mind was no longer suitable for further deepening of the Daxian Decision—perhaps it would be better to wait until his mind settled down before continuing. … Time flew by swiftly. Over the course of a month, Zhang Li spent half his time on routine watch duties and the other half on refining the Daxian Decision and crafting puppet beasts. Now, he clearly sensed that the first layer of the Daxian Decision was nearing completion. This news filled him with both surprise and delight! To be honest, whether practicing the Five Elements techniques or the Qingyuan Sword Technique, Han Li's aptitude had always been rather mediocre. Yet when it came to mastering the Daxian Technique, his progress was remarkably smooth—so seamless and effortless that it felt as though it had been destined all along. This not only excited Han Li but also left him quietly amazed. The first second-tier puppet beast, after numerous failed attempts, was finally crafted two days ago. Though it was somewhat rougher in craftsmanship and slightly less powerful compared to those of the Qianzhu Sect and others, Han Li was nonetheless delighted and decided to scale up production, gathering additional materials from other cultivators to begin mass production. Yet today, as Han Li was meditating in his quiet chamber, a sharp, piercing cry suddenly burst through the outer doors, followed by a voice shouting furiously outside: "It's the Magian forces attacking! Everyone, come out and prepare for battle!" Han Li was immediately on alert, his expression serious as he stepped out of the chamber. At that moment, the cultivators from the seven sects, who had been quietly meditating within their underground caves, all stepped out with the same solemnity as Han Li, exchanging glances before proceeding to exit their caves.