Chapter 849: Simulating Cultivation and Unveiling Hidden Potential

The Faceless Homunculus is rather intriguing.

Lu Changsheng observed the entirely transparent, faceless puppet before him and nodded slightly — its efficacy was quite impressive.

Although it held no use for him personally,

it was extremely practical for Lu Family disciples.

It could be used to simulate the cultivation of the family’s disciples,

especially during crucial stages like Foundation Establishment and Core Formation.

It offered early insights into potential issues during the cultivation journey.

“Plus, this Faceless Homunculus pairs nicely with the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror,”

Lu Changsheng lightly pinched his chin as he recalled the premium Dao-Comprehending Artifact 【Dongxuan Treasure Mirror】 he had drawn in his youth.

This functional artifact shared a remarkable similarity with the Faceless Homunculus in many respects.

It could discern the body’s meridians and acupoints, analyzing the pathways of cultivation techniques.

It could also, through its power, instruct and assist others in their training.

The only drawback was that it demanded extensive manpower.

Not only did only Core Formation cultivators have the ability to activate it,

but teaching and assisting required mastery of the respective techniques.

It also demanded a significant level of insight.

His son, Lu Ping’an, had wasted considerable time and effort in this regard.

To resolve the training issues of the Lu Family disciples, he had even devoted lengthy periods to studying techniques such as the Five Elements Unity Sutra and the Seven Luminary Sword Manual.

Now, staring at the Faceless Homunculus, Lu Changsheng conceived an idea.

He would use the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror to scrutinize the physical conditions and cultivation status of Lu Family disciples.

Then, he would transmit the gathered bodily data along with the techniques they were practicing—or planning to practice—into the Faceless Homunculus for simulated cultivation.

It would simulate the cultivation process from Qi Refining up to Foundation Establishment,

or even from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation!

In this way, Lu Family disciples could clearly and intuitively gauge their cultivation progress.

They could pinpoint existing problems and hidden risks;

identify potential future issues requiring extra caution;

and discern which technique best suited them.

All of it could be revealed at a glance through the Faceless Homunculus.

Minor issues could be discussed with academy lecturers,

while major problems would be reported during examinations by the family’s transmission elders.

At that point, the transmission elders could use both the Faceless Homunculus and the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror to offer in-depth guidance on a disciple’s issues and cultivation progress.

For Lu Family disciples who hadn’t yet commenced training,

they could initially cultivate a basic, attribute-free technique like Qi Initiation,

and then, using the Faceless Homunculus and Dongxuan Treasure Mirror, identify the most fitting technique to avoid detours before later transitioning.

“The only problem is that one Faceless Homunculus is far from enough.”

Lu Changsheng realized that the biggest challenge was the scarcity of these puppets.

At present, there was only one,

while Lu Family disciples numbered in the hundreds.

As the family expanded, their number would only increase further.

One puppet simply couldn’t satisfy the needs of so many disciples.

“Moreover, the activation of the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror poses another issue.”

Although this treasure mirror, as a functional Dao-Comprehending Artifact, had a low activation threshold, it still required a Core Formation cultivator to activate it.

Lu Changsheng’s plan was to save as much time and effort as possible,

avoiding the current method that required someone to devote excessive time tracking the disciples’ cultivation.

If a Core Formation cultivator were to be stationed permanently to assist with activating the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror, it would be futile and even counterproductive!

“As a premium artifact, the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror can be infused with a hint of spirit through the Engineering Alchemy of the Divine Creation Refinement Art, upgrading it into a Spirit Treasure. Then, by constructing a formation platform linking the spiritual veins, it could operate autonomously.”

Being a Fourth-Rank weaponsmith, Lu Changsheng’s expertise in artifact refining was exceptional.

After a brief moment of thought, he devised a solution to the treasure mirror’s activation issue.

The only drawback of this method was the high cost,

as it required upgrading a premium artifact into a Spirit Treasure.

But for the affluent Lu Ancestor, that was a trivial matter.

Finding time to execute it, however, was an even greater challenge for him.

In comparison to the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror, the major hurdle remained the insufficient number of Faceless Homunculi.

“Then have Xiao Yan research this Faceless Homunculus and see if it can be replicated,”

Lu Ancestor mused inwardly.

He was currently too busy to devote time to researching puppets,

so he planned to have the prodigious Qian Zhuyan attempt a replication.

It didn’t need to match the original perfectly,

as long as a second-rank puppet could be produced to meet most Lu Family disciples’ Qi Refining stage needs.

“If it can be replicated, these puppets would undoubtedly have tremendous market potential.”

As a perceptive Nascent Soul cultivator, Lu Changsheng also recognized the vast commercial value of the Faceless Homunculus.

Any family or major sect would be willing to invest heavily in them.

Especially prominent sects,

which not only train disciples but also experiment with and optimize cultivation techniques.

With a Faceless Homunculus, many innovative ideas could be trialed on the puppet,

greatly enhancing research efficiency for cultivation techniques.

Nevertheless, Lu Changsheng only considered the commercial aspects in passing,

as his primary concern was the cultivation progress of his own disciples.

Moreover, whether Qian Zhuyan could successfully replicate the Faceless Homunculus remained uncertain.

Lu Changsheng stored the Faceless Homunculus in his Storage Ring, inscribed the contents of the Perfect Seamless Robe onto a Jade Slip, and left the Hall of Everlasting Life to find his daughter, Lu Linghe.

He intended to use her to test the actual effectiveness of the Faceless Homunculus.

“Daddy, what’s this?”

Dressed in a red dress with delicate, cute features, Lu Linghe examined the entirely transparent puppet – which was even slightly taller than her – and asked.

“This is a Faceless Homunculus. It can simulate cultivation and breakthroughs,” Lu Changsheng explained.

He then transmitted her physical data into the Faceless Homunculus.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could assess her bodily condition and the state of her cultivation without relying on the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror.

Linking his divine sense to the puppet, he transferred her data.

Inside the puppet, seemingly cast from crystal, the outlines of organs, meridians, and bone structures gradually emerged.

Eventually, a face mirroring Lu Linghe’s appeared, albeit devoid of expression – cold and lifeless.

Finally, the featureless visage transformed into one identical to her own.

Yet it wore a cold, indifferent expression, utterly lacking in warmth and life.

“Wow!” Lu Linghe gasped in astonishment at the uncanny resemblance, her mouth forming an O-shape.

Blinking her large eyes, she asked, “Daddy, may I touch the puppet?”

“Just be careful not to break it,” Lu Changsheng replied with a smile.

Although the Faceless Homunculus possessed no combat abilities, as a third-rank puppet its material was remarkably durable.

Unless a Core Formation or False Core cultivator exerted full force, it would be nearly impossible to damage it.

Lu Linghe immediately reached out with her delicate, fair hand and pinched the puppet’s face.

It felt cold and rigid,

completely unlike her own soft, smooth skin.

After a brief inspection, the puppet, much like her usual demeanor, sat cross-legged and began circulating its spiritual energy while practicing the Diamond Maitreya Technique.

“It really is just a simulation,”

Lu Changsheng observed that the energy circulating within the puppet only followed the typical path of the Diamond Maitreya Technique, failing to replicate true magical energy.

Furthermore, the intensity was merely a tenth—or even one percent—of what a cultivator would normally achieve.

Thus, this simulated cultivation process could only serve as a rough benchmark, never fully precise.

“Hey Daddy, something seems off here!”

Lu Linghe inspected the puppet’s cultivation process carefully and pointed out several discrepancies compared to her usual training.

Lu Changsheng had her practice alongside the puppet and noted that the issue centered on the three sarira on her person.

These three sarira greatly enhanced her cultivation,

not only aiding her training even if minor deviations arose that could lead to hidden dangers, but also emitting a Buddha-like radiance to help correct them.

This was why her actual cultivation differed slightly from the simulation.

“Such external factors severely affect the simulation results of the Faceless Homunculus,”

Lu Changsheng mused as he attempted to transfer the data of the three sarira into the puppet.

However, due to the high grade of these sarira, the transmitted data contained discrepancies, making precise simulation impossible.

“A third-rank puppet won’t suffice. Only a fourth-rank Faceless Homunculus can perfectly mimic cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng gently shook his head, convinced that this puppet could only simulate the progress of a typical Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Once a cultivator possessed several third-rank treasures, accurate simulation became unfeasible.

“Xiao He, try transferring your Zen Dream Bodhi Technique into it,”

Lu Changsheng instructed his daughter on the proper use of the Faceless Homunculus.

He had her link her divine sense to the puppet and transfer the cultivation technique acquired from the Buddhist Bone Sarira to check for any issues in the process.

“Alright!” Lu Linghe eagerly responded.

With determination, she linked her divine sense to the puppet and transmitted her well-practiced Zen Dream Bodhi Technique.

Having cultivated this technique for years until it became second nature,

the transmission process echoed that of the Diamond Maitreya Technique, though the influence of the three sarira rendered it a bit more fluid.

The only issue was that this technique couldn’t advance beyond the Core Formation stage.

On one hand, the limitation of the Faceless Homunculus played a role,

and on the other, Lu Linghe’s technique itself was capped at the Core Formation level.

“Sigh,” Lu Changsheng remarked, noticing how well this technique suited his daughter and feeling a tinge of remorse.

This divine sense technique had been obtained from a lottery draw of Buddhist Bone Sarira,

and it likely contained further teachings.

However, he had reclaimed that Buddhist Bone Sarira to cultivate the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons, leaving no subsequent legacy.

“Daddy, why are you sighing suddenly?”

Observing his father’s apologetic gaze, Lu Linghe asked softly, tilting her head in concern.

“Had I not used up that golden old Master’s Buddhist Bead, you might have received additional teachings,”

Lu Changsheng gently patted his daughter’s head, speaking in a warm tone.

“It’s alright, Daddy,”

Lu Linghe tilted her head and, with a sweet smile, said, “The Buddhist Beads were always meant for you to keep safe.”

As she spoke, she carefully removed the three Buddhist Beads hanging from her neck, her eyes sparkling as she added, “Daddy, I’ve kept these beads safely. If you need them, you can take them anytime.”

Even though these three sarira greatly benefited her—nourishing her body, magical energy, and foundation—she felt no reluctance in parting with them.

“No worries, Daddy. I won’t be needing them now. Just keep them safe,”

acknowledged Lu Changsheng, aware that although these sarira could be used to cultivate the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons,

his body refinement had advanced to mid Fourth-Rank, rendering their effect limited.

It was better for his daughter to keep them.

Based on his assessment, the benefits provided by these sarira would sustain her through the mid to later stages of Core Formation.

Had such sarira not been so rare, Lu Changsheng might even consider acquiring a set of thirty-six,

allowing effortless cultivation.

“Alright, Daddy. Just let me know when you need them,”

Lu Linghe replied obediently, hoping that her father would inform her when necessary.

“Alright~” Lu Changsheng felt a warm surge in his heart.

Then he took the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror from his son, Lu Ping’an, and began teaching his daughter the subsequent chapters of the Diamond Maitreya Technique along with the Core Formation secrets.

Initially, he had refrained from teaching her further techniques due to time constraints and because her cultivation progress was rather one-tracked.

Teaching too many methods at once might confuse her, necessitating supervision.

Decades later, she remained unchanged in that regard.

Fortunately, they had the Dongxuan Treasure Mirror.

Under Lu Changsheng’s careful guidance, Lu Linghe gradually began absorbing the later teachings.

During this process, Lu Changsheng used the Faceless Homunculus to simulate his daughter’s breakthrough to Core Formation.

Though his daughter was innocent and relatively untested by hardship,

she effortlessly broke through Core Formation in the simulation, even earning a Fourth-Grade True Core evaluation.

“With the boost from the Five Elements Spirit Fruit, Sun and Moon Essence, and the addition of three sarira, achieving a top-grade Golden Core shouldn’t be a problem,”

Lu Changsheng believed that with adequate preparation, his daughter would at least reach a top-grade Golden Core.

Firstly, Lu Linghe possessed exceptional talent,

boasting a First-Grade Spirit Root.

Despite her incomplete Dragon Roar Body – even though he had reversed its partial decline to mirror a subpar average Spirit Body –

her innate potential already prepared her for Core Formation.

Once her Core Formation secrets were fully mastered, with the support of the Five Elements Spirit Fruit, Tianlu, and other spirit items, she would easily bridge the gap from a mid-grade True Core to a top-grade Golden Core.

Watching his daughter’s focused expression as she practiced the Core Formation secrets,

Lu Changsheng recalled her early failure with Alchemy of Harmony.

Otherwise, with the aid of the shared Dao-Comprehending Artifact, her talent could have risen by two more levels.

He then considered giving his long-neglected Dao Seed, 【Seven Orifices Exquisite Core】, to his daughter, Lu Linghe.

He had already distributed his other three Dao Seeds to his children shortly after obtaining them in a lottery,

and only the 【Seven Orifices Exquisite Core】 had been withheld due to its severe side effects.

Remembering that his daughter seldom ventured out alone, Lu Changsheng decided that fusing this Dao Seed for her would be harmless.

The earlier a Dao Seed is fused, the better its effect,

as it could greatly boost one’s growth potential.

Besides, it had been over twenty years that the Seven Orifices Exquisite Core had been stored in the Storage Ring.

If left any longer, it might simply gather dust, so he decided to gift it directly to Lu Linghe.

Moreover, he had long intended to bestow the 【Seven Orifices Exquisite Core】 upon his daughter.

“Xiao He,”

After reaching a decision, Lu Changsheng flipped his palm, and a pale red, heart-shaped glow appeared in his hand.