Chapter 276: Chapter 228: Golden Wind Bone Transformation Array, Divine Splitting Technique, Leaving Behind a Tier 2 Puppet

Upon arriving at the Sharp Pattern Copper Mine, Lu Zhao didn’t order his men to enter immediately. Instead, he hovered above the entrance to the underground cavern, his hawk-like gaze sweeping across the area.

His gaze brushed over the crude camp being set up below. With a flick of his wrist, a palm-sized Array Disc appeared in his hand. Its surface was etched with countless fine wind patterns and chain-like Runes.

"Golden Wind Bone Transformation Array..." Lu Zhao murmured. He channeled Magical Power from his fingertip, injecting it into the Array Plate Core.

The Array Disc hummed as the Runes on its surface lit up in sequence. Eight streams of pale golden light shot out from its edge, sinking precisely into the ground at eight points surrounding the ore vein.

"VMMMM—CLANG!"

A deep hum reverberated, accompanied by the faint clang of Golden Iron.

Eight pale golden phantoms, condensed from pure Geng Metal Qi, erupted from the eight locations. They shot into the sky, converging and intertwining a thousand feet above the ore vein to form a slowly rotating cage of chains.

Fine Wind Blades darted across the cage’s surface like schools of fish, emitting a sharp hissing as they sliced through the air and sealed the Core Area of the mine within.

A grim, sharp aura permeated the area, and the very air seemed to grow heavy.

Once the Array was activated, Lu Zhao inlaid a Middle-Grade Spirit Stone into the Array Disc to serve as its power source.

’It’s a pity I don’t have a Tier Two defensive or offensive Array. My only Tier Two Array is the Nine Bends Lock River Formation, which is a Trapping Array. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have needed to use this one.’

Although the Golden Wind Bone Transformation Array was a fine example of a Tier One High-Grade Array, with both offensive and defensive capabilities that were especially suited for the dense Metal Qi in this area, it was still lacking when faced with a true Tier Two Demon Beast.

However, Lu Zhao had a way to remedy this. If the Array wasn’t enough, he would supplement it with his own power.

With a mere thought, a giant bird Puppet with a nearly thirty-foot wingspan and Feathers as red as flame appeared at his side. It was the Tier Two Lower Grade Red Feather Fire Sun Bird.

Lu Zhao planned to leave the Red Feather Fire Sun Bird at the Sharp Pattern Copper Mine, placing it under Zhao Xiaoshu’s control.

With this Tier Two Puppet working in concert with the Golden Wind Bone Transformation Array, they would be able to fend off an attack, even from a Tier Two Demon Beast.

However, while Lu Zhao trusted Zhao Xiaoshu, he was well aware that the hearts of men are fickle in the Cultivation Realm, and he had no intention of gambling on loyalty.

He planned to leave a hidden failsafe within the Red Feather Fire Sun Bird.

And that failsafe was a Secret Technique from the Puppet Bead’s legacy: the Divine Splitting Technique.

Ever since condensing his eighteenth Divine Sense Thread, Lu Zhao had met the minimum requirement to practice this technique.

This technique was profound, allowing the caster to entrust a wisp of their own Divine Split into a Puppet Core.

Should Zhao Xiaoshu ever develop any untoward intentions and attempt to flee with the Puppet beyond a set perimeter, Lu Zhao would only need a single thought. By activating a specific Technique, the Divine Split residing within the Puppet Core would awaken, instantly stripping Zhao Xiaoshu of his control over the Puppet. It could even be used to counter him directly.

As for the risk of the Divine Split developing an independent will after being separated from the main body for too long and eventually betraying its creator?

Lu Zhao had harbored this same concern initially. But as his understanding of the Divine Splitting Technique deepened, that worry vanished.

On the surface, this technique resembled legendary Great Divine Abilities like the "Second Nascent Soul," but its fundamental nature was entirely different.

It was more like the ultimate Supporting Technique for Puppet Control. Its core purpose was to help the Caster control puppets with greater precision and in greater numbers. The "divinity" it split off was not a truly independent Soul, but rather a highly condensed Divine Sense Brand pre-loaded with complex instructions.

The technique had another crucial limitation—or rather, a failsafe. Once a Divine Split awakened due to its trigger conditions, if Lu Zhao’s main body failed to re-nurture it with his own Divine Sense and a specific Technique within three days, the wisp of consciousness would, like rootless water, dissipate into nothing.

This completely eliminated any possibility of it existing long-term, let alone turning the tables on its master. It cut off the risk of betrayal at its very source.

Besides, Lu Zhao would take his own precautions when casting the technique.

He wouldn’t infuse the wisp of consciousness with all of his memories and emotions. He would only give it a few key directives: guard the mine, monitor Zhao Xiaoshu, and, under specific conditions, execute the command to revoke his control.

That way, even if the Divine Split encountered some heaven-defying opportunity and underwent a mutation, its nature would have little connection to Lu Zhao’s true self. It would only give birth to a "tool spirit" executing a fixed program, not another "Lu Zhao."

His mind made up, Lu Zhao summoned Zhao Xiaoshu.

"Little Shu," Lu Zhao’s voice was calm and even. "From now on, you are in charge of this Sharp Pattern Copper Mine. Watch over it for me, ensure the mining proceeds smoothly, and guard against Demon Beast incursions." As he spoke, he handed over the Core Token that controlled the Golden Wind Bone Transformation Array.

Zhao Xiaoshu respectfully accepted the Token with both hands. A flicker of excitement at being given such a great responsibility crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by deep worry.

He hesitated for a moment. "Senior, this junior’s strength is limited. I only have a Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer Cultivation. Even with this Array Control Token, I’m afraid I won’t be up to the task of defending the mine if we face a swarm of Late-stage Tier One Demon Beasts or a Tier Two Demon Beast."

His tone was sincere, showing a clear awareness of his own limitations and a healthy respect for the task at hand.

Lu Zhao wasn’t surprised by his reaction; in fact, it made him appreciate the man even more.

He said coolly, "The Array is just the foundation. I will provide you with the strength needed to guard the mine." With a flick of his wrist, his Storage Bag flashed, and four puppets of various shapes and sizes instantly appeared on the ground before them.

Two of them had rigid, powerful frames with smooth lines. A heavy, earth-yellow Spirit Light flowed steadily around their joints, making them seem as solid and indestructible as the earth itself. These were the Earth Vein Spirit Puppets, renowned for their Defense and strength.

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