Chapter 27 The Rebellious Puppet
After completing their shopping, Lan Chi walked out of the shop feeling quite satisfied. Alchemists really knew how to make money—their various alchemical products had a wide audience. It was much more profitable than selling basic materials like he did.
"Once we reach the Dwarf territory, I plan to buy more magic crystals. I want to make energy absorption runes and a spiritual energy tower. That way, I can install an energy absorption system on the hut. It will be able to absorb energy on its own and won't need to eat every day." Nightshade's voice transmitted directly into Lan Chi's mind.
"Good." Lan Chi nodded with satisfaction. Since the hut had advanced to Tier 2, its growth rate had significantly slowed down. Even after consuming tens of thousands of Phosphorus Crystals and various materials, its growth progress had barely reached 5%.
The two wandered through the street stalls for a while longer. Lan Chi bought some plant seeds unique to this area, then they returned to the inn.
Nothing eventful happened that night. The next morning, after waking up and washing up, the two returned their room key to the front desk and drove the wagon toward their next destination.
Half a day after leaving the main city, there were fewer and fewer travelers on the road.
When there was no one around, Lan Chi could no longer contain his excitement. He ducked back into the hut's space and took out the Blue Beauty puppet from his spatial wrist guard.
This was a real humanoid doll—much more advanced than any lifelike doll.
"This is... a puppet? So beautiful." The hut extended its large eye, hovering back and forth in front of the glass case.
"Right? I was drawn to it the moment I saw it." Lan Chi's face beamed with pride. "Little Hut, help me open the box. I'm going to mutate it soon."
"Okay!" The hut extended its tentacles and carefully removed the entire glass case.
Lan Chi touched the puppet's cheek. The skin was very elastic, cold, and smooth—like touching a boiled egg. The sky-blue hair was incredibly soft. Her fingers were a bit stiff, but still movable. "The craftsmanship is exquisite."
He placed his hand on the puppet's forehead. A surge of immense mental energy flowed through his palm and into the puppet's body.
A faint warmth spread across the puppet's pale skin. Her sky-blue hair stirred without any wind, gently floating, with faint glimmers of light flashing through the strands. Beneath her closed eyelids, her eyeballs rolled ever so slightly, as if a sleeper was about to awaken.
Lan Chi could clearly "perceive" the energy channels moving within her body. The blood that had congealed in her veins began to flow again, like ice melting. Her dormant heart started beating once more, slowly at first then faster, producing a rhythmic pulse that only he could "hear."
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The puppet was given life once again.
Lan Chi withdrew his hand and stood by, waiting.
The Blue Beauty's eyes moved beneath her eyelids for a moment, then suddenly flew open!
A pair of sapphire blue eyes coldly locked onto Lan Chi.
Suddenly, her face twisted with ferocity. She explosively sprang from the wooden box, her hands seizing Lan Chi's throat and pinning him to the ground. "You all deserve to die!"
Caught off guard, the immense force on Lan Chi's neck caused his face to turn purple. He felt like he could barely breathe, frantically calling for help in his mind, "Little Hut, help! My neck is about to snap!"
"Ah! Let go of master!" The hut screamed in alarm.
Several thick tentacles burst through the floor, slamming into the Blue Beauty with all their might.
"Bam! Bam!"
The Blue Beauty grunted in pain, released her grip, twisted her waist, and executed a nimble backflip, escaping the tentacles' attack range.
"Cough! Cough... damn it..." Lan Chi clutched his neck, scrambling toward the nearby shelf. He grabbed a wooden axe hanging there and spun around to face his attacker.
The Blue Beauty grabbed two incoming tentacles, yanked them with force, and snapped them clean off.
"Ow—! She broke my arms!" The hut cried out in pain as the remaining parts quickly retreated. "Nightshade! Nightshade! Come quick! We're going to be killed!"
Nightshade, who was outside on the wagon, heard the desperate calls in his mind. He quickly got up and entered the hut's space.
The moment he stepped inside, a gust of wind hit him! An axe came spinning toward his head!
Nightshade reacted swiftly, tilting his head to the side. The axe grazed past his hair and embedded itself deeply into the wooden wall behind him.
Nightshade quickly surveyed the room.
The place was already a mess. Lan Chi was using a chair as a shield, hiding behind it while dodging the Blue Beauty's axe attacks. The hut was swinging its tentacles, both attacking the Blue Beauty and creating obstacles for her.
"Nightshade, help!" Lan Chi shouted. Just moments ago, this Blue Beauty had kicked the axe right out of his hand with a flying kick, then seized another battle axe from him, nearly splitting his skull open.
The Blue Beauty turned her head, her sapphire blue pupils instantly locking onto the new threat. She pushed off the ground with force, launching herself at Nightshade. A fierce spinning kick aimed directly at his temple!
Nightshade's gaze was calm. He crossed his arms in front of him, his forearms blocking the kick.
Unfazed by the failed attack, the Blue Beauty used the momentum to flip backward in mid-air. The moment she landed, she pushed off again, closing in like a whirlwind. The axe blade traced an icy arc as she swung it horizontally at Nightshade's midsection!
Nightshade slid sideways, avoiding the sharp blade. The runes on his body suddenly lit up. A circular formation instantly condensed in his palm. He thrust his right hand forward, and the formation struck the Blue Beauty precisely.
"Restrain." As the word fell,
The formation expanded, and countless chains of light emerged from it, trapping the Blue Beauty inside. Only her sapphire blue eyes continued to move restlessly, filled with icy anger.
Lan Chi put down the chair and sat on it, breathing heavily. The feeling of barely escaping death was not pleasant. "I'm never playing around like that again. That nearly cost me my life."
"Don't think you can make me submit! Even if I die, I'll drag you all down to hell with me!" The Blue Beauty said fiercely.
Nightshade glanced at the fierce Blue Beauty, then turned to Lan Chi with a smile. "Young master, you go tend to the wagon. Disciplining maids is a subordinate's job."
"Huh?" Lan Chi scratched his head. It was the first time Nightshade had called him "young master," and he was a bit confused. He stood up, said "I'll leave it to you," and walked out of the hut's space.
After Lan Chi left, Nightshade expressionlessly looked at the Blue Beauty. "Little Hut, open the weapon testing room. I'm going to properly discipline a disobedient subordinate."
"Oh, okay!" The hut laughed excitedly, a hint of satisfaction in its voice. "Nightshade, you need to discipline her well! She broke my arms and choked Lan Chi—it hurt so much!"
"Alright." Nightshade replied readily. He dragged the Blue Beauty on the ground and entered the testing room.
