But as Han Li was observing these strange beings, a blood-robed figure suddenly stepped forward and said to him, "How is it, Master Han, that you're interested in my spiritual attendants?" "Spiritual attendants?" Han Li was taken aback and replied honestly. "Heh, it's no surprise that you haven't heard of them. These spiritual attendants were originally crafted by me as a unique kind of semi-mechanical servant." The blood-robed figure spoke with a touch of pride. "Semi-mechanical? I shall have the pleasure of seeing them firsthand," Han Li said, his expression of surprise briefly flashing, before bowing respectfully. "Master Han seems genuinely interested in these spiritual attendants—perhaps you're also familiar with the art of automaton craftsmanship. I'd be happy to share some insights with you. But for now, let's proceed to the Yin Fire Hall!" Another blood-robed figure's eyes flashed with a gleam, yet he said this with such firmness. Han Li, unwilling to offer any objections, simply nodded in agreement. Thus, the group entered the hall, the palace doors closing gently behind them. The Shu turtle beast, which had been resting before the hall, gradually submerged itself once more into the molten rock with serene ease. After a cup of tea's worth of time, Han Li and the two blood-robed figures appeared within a hall spanning over a hundred zhang in area. Every piece of furniture and object in the hall—tables, chairs, and so on—had been crafted from an unusual black-red stone. When touched, the stone emitted a warm sensation, yet upon entering the body, this warmth transformed into a refreshing coolness. The contrast between heat and coolness proved remarkably intriguing. Han Li, feeling the peculiar quality of the jade chair beneath him, silently marveled at it. By now, he had settled on one side of the hall, while the two blood-robed figures sat side by side at the center. Before each of them, on the dark-red tables, were arranged various exotic fruits and fine wines, with a translucent, rosy-hued figure standing behind each, veiled in mist. Whenever someone drank, the figure would respectfully advance and promptly skillfully refill the cups. The figures within the crimson mist differed from those in the earlier gray mist—not only were each of them slender, but they exuded a delicate fragrance that left the observer feeling refreshed and at ease. And their true nature—two immortal essences discovered by me in the Blood-Flame Mountain that were incapable of awakening spiritual consciousness—were later transplanted into puppet bodies," the other blood-robed figure said with a smile, finally explaining the origins of these spiritual attendants. "By refining these essences into puppet forms!" Hearing this, Han Li was deeply moved, almost immediately recalling his own experience when his second immortal embryo had once hidden within a puppet body. "Indeed, these essences have not yet developed a spiritual soul or refined consciousness, making them exceptionally docile and possessing a certain degree of spiritual sensitivity. They can accurately carry out even simple commands. Moreover, they can seamlessly integrate with the puppet bodies, making them ideal material for crafting spiritual attendants. That is precisely why I have chosen to remain here in the Blood-Flame Mountain." "This is also why the elder is so proficient in the art of puppets—otherwise, even if others spotted them, they would never have thought to use puppetry to fabricate a lie." Though the blood-robe elder spoke it simply, the intricate and difficult process of infusing a spiritual essence into a puppet was something the master of puppetry fully understood. Thus, these two sentences truly came from the sincerity of Han Li. "Should you find it appealing, I shall be honored to teach you the secret technique of 'infusing spirit into objects,'" one of the two blood-robed figures remarked, after exchanging a glance with the other. "I have not yet served you, so how could I dare accept such a generous gift from you?" Han Li was somewhat surprised, his expression reflecting hesitation. "Ha ha, it's merely a humble skill, nothing remarkable. Han, you needn't be so formal. Over the coming month, I shall rely on you frequently and shall need your full support!" The blood-robed figure smiled, his tone now even more courteous. With a quick internal thought, Han Li could only rise to accept and express his gratitude. "Master of the Earth Blood, I have arrived at this place. How may I assist in the crafting of the puppets? Could you kindly tell me a bit more?" After sitting down again, Han Li paused thoughtfully before asking. "Nothing urgent here. As a newcomer to the Blood Flame Palace, you should first enjoy yourself with the wine. Rest well tonight, and we can discuss this matter tomorrow." The robe-clad elder waved his hand, clearly unwilling to speak of it now. Han Li sighed with a smile, and had no choice but to take another cup of the spiritual wine. Suddenly, a few light taps came from the robe-clad elder, who lightly tapped once with one hand. As Han Li's expression shifted, footsteps echoed from the outer hall, and then a sudden fragrance filled the air. Twelve young, beautiful women stepped in, each dressed in colorful robes, their figures graceful and elegant. "Who...?" Han Li glanced at the faint pink mist emanating from each woman's body, and a look of sudden realization passed over his face. These women were exactly like the ethereal attendants standing behind them, wrapped in delicate pink mist. Only these women's powdery mist had grown extraordinarily thin, revealing their true forms. Their bodies seemed crafted from some unknown substance—whether in complexion or manner of movement, they were no different from ordinary Feilings. Even their backs bore faintly pale green feathered wings. After a few flashes of luminous light in their eyes, Han Li found no illusions concealing them; indeed, they were exactly as they truly appeared. Such lifelike automata left Han Li quite astonished. Previously, his Yuan婴-stage automaton in the human realm had managed to evade notice, partly because the automaton's outer skin was made of a rare material—'Chilin Soft Jade'—that closely resembled human flesh. Moreover, at that time, a Yuan婴-stage automaton was inherently difficult for ordinary beings to perceive through divine awareness. Thus, during combat, it often deceived opponents, causing them to be mentally confused and unable to distinguish it from a genuine human. Yet the bodies of these spiritual attendants clearly could not be composed of "Chi-Ling Soft Jade." Even when he strained his divine awareness and swept it over their forms, it was mysteriously blocked, as though by a barrier. Han Li, not looking at these women, paused thoughtfully. If these spiritual attendants were to find any distinction from ordinary people, it would be that their eyes, when shifting, carried a slight lag—seeming to lack a touch of the usual grace and vitality. While Han Li was quietly marveling at this, at the same time, a group of young men, wrapped in pale gray mist, began to emerge slowly from either side of the hall. Each of them was handsome, holding instruments of unusual design, seated cross-legged on the ground. Soon, a pleasant melody filled the hall, invigorating and soothing the listeners. As the beautiful women moved gracefully, they began to sway and dance in time with the music. Their waists were slender as willows, and as they moved, their robes of five colors swayed and spun, releasing a fragrance that spread throughout the hall. Han Li remained seated in silence, as if equally captivated by the graceful, exotic dances of the women. His eyes slightly narrowed, fixed upon them without speaking. Two figures dressed in crimson robes sat at the head of the table, glancing at Han Li with a sideways glance. As Han Li appeared deeply immersed in the performance, the two exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with subtle interest. After a full meal's worth of music and dance, the music ceased, the twelve women stopped their movements, and then stood still, hands folded, in place. "I shall gift you both the twelve spiritual attendants who are dancing and the twenty-four spiritual attendants who are playing music beside them," said the robe-of-blood man with a gentle smile. Then, as韩立 stared in astonishment, another robe-of-blood man raised his hand and, with a few quick flicks of his fingers toward the dancers and the musicians on either side, produced a series of soft "pings." From the palms of the two robe-of-blood men, streams of blood shot out, piercing through all the spiritual attendants at once. As the blood streams contracted, the attendants fell to the ground, motionless, as if lifeless. At that moment, the robe-of-blood man gently swept his other hand through the air, lightly touching the ground. Instantly, amid a shimmering glow, the figures of the attendants shrank to the size of small puppets, then rose into the air and floated toward韩立, landing neatly before him on the table, arranged in a row. "The imprints within their bodies have now been retrieved by me," he said with a low chuckle. "All you need to do is apply the secret technique I have provided, and you will be able to command them at will." "An elder of merit neither accepts reward nor takes honors—how could I dare receive such a generous gift at this late stage?" Han Li bowed his head, gazing at the spiritual attendants, his expression now somewhat strange as he repeatedly declined. "Heh, these are merely some trinkets. Surely, young friend, you must not find my gifts too modest and thus unwilling to accept them?" A man in a blood-red robe frowned, his tone growing colder. Upon hearing this, Han Li's face slightly changed, then he smiled gently, bowing deeply. "Given your great generosity, I shall have no choice but to accept, for to refuse would be most disrespectful." With a swift motion of his sleeve, he brushed the table, and instantly a flash of green light revealed that all the spiritual attendants had vanished without a trace. "Ah, now that's perfect! This is my secret technique for crafting spiritual attendants—the method of infusing spirit into objects and the ritual for attuning them are all contained herein. You may take them home and study them at your leisure. They will also prove very useful in your assistance with the crafting of the puppets." The man in the blood-red robe nodded with satisfaction. At the same time, another "Thank you, elder!" Since the other insisted on giving it, Han Li no longer hesitated. He bowed slightly, and with a single hand, the item gently settled into his palm. (Second update!)