In less than a year, he had gone from a mortal to a Qi Refinement cultivator.
After the change in his fate, Zhang Haobo’s cultivation speed was even faster than in his previous life.
The faster he cultivated and the stronger he became, the greater the turmoil he would be able to stir.
Even if he might not personally be involved in the battle with Crimson Flame, Li Fan, who had already begun comprehending the Interlocking Chains of Life and Death, understood clearly that one must never underestimate the chain reaction a Golden Core cultivator could set in motion.
The descent of Crimson Flame in this lifetime is truly something to look forward to.
***
Three months later, while in seclusion, Li Fan received a message from Yuwen Xing.
"Fellow Daoist Li Fan, have you heard? Our Liuli Island has recently produced a truly remarkable figure!"
Li Fan’s eyes glinted. "Oh? I’d like to hear the details."
"Heh, see for yourself." Yuwen Xing transmitted a video.
In the video, seventeen massive, dark-red puppets swung their enormous fists, each engaged in combat with a blue water sword.
At the center, surrounded by these seventeen puppets, was a single person—Zhang Haobo!
Seven additional blue swords hovered around him, spinning continuously in a protective formation.
He was simultaneously controlling twenty-four water swords, battling all the puppets at once.
This kind of combat was clearly immensely mentally taxing. Before long, three puppets broke through the blockade of water swords and closed in on Zhang Haobo.
Instantly, three of the seven blue swords guarding Zhang Haobo shot out to meet the three puppets.
Zhang Haobo then flew backward in the blink of an eye, withdrawing from the cave dwelling under the furious roars of the puppets.
A moment later, Yuwen Xing’s voice came through, brimming with pride. "Well?”
“Are those seventeen puppets from Tian Yang’s cave dwelling? To fight seventeen puppets alone, even if only for a brief moment, is quite astonishing. Who is this person?" Li Fan feigned ignorance.
"Heh, this person is called Zhang Haobo. Just over a year ago, he was still an ordinary mortal.
"A few months ago, after breaking through to the Qi Refinement realm, he joined our Myriad Immortals Alliance with my referral.
"After hearing the rumors about Tian Yang’s cave dwelling, he went there alone.
"At first, I didn't know what he was doing. I only found out later that he was using those seventeen mechanical puppets for training!
"In the beginning, they say he could only last a few breaths. But with each attempt, he’s able to last longer under the puppets’ onslaught.
"This recording I sent you is already over half a month old.
"I can only wonder what the situation there is like now."