Jemma’s skill had already demonstrated itself several times on Igor, and this kind of spirit power detection made Igor believe that as long as the enemy controlled these puppets with spirit power, they could be discovered.

Kadi’s dual swords flipped; his understanding of swords was already profound. Under Kevin’s guidance, he had reached the initial state of man and blade merging into one. Kadi’s speed was surprisingly fast, allowing him to shuttle back and forth among the four, preventing the controlled Smoke Quad from advancing even a step.

Neither Grim’s body of iron nor Ruben’s illusionary clone could restrain Kadi; as for Sims’ flames, they had long been suppressed without a trace by the swamp fire released by Kadi’s fingertip. Sims was now equivalent to a waste, only able to slightly cooperate with the smoking elder in inhaling and exhaling the smoke.

Under Kadi’s cover, Igor began to search, but unfortunately, he found nothing. Neither the puppet monster nor those smoke members had any signs of spirit power connections, indicating that the opponent wasn’t controlling these puppets with spirit power.

Unwilling to give up, Igor activated Eagle Eye once again. He couldn’t believe that there were no links among them; even dark sorcery would have some connected parts.

However, Eagle Eye’s vision still couldn’t find the method by which the puppet monster controlled the puppets...

If this goes on, the consumption would be immense; the opponent’s energy cycle can be continually repeated, but their stamina is limited...

Igor withdrew his vision, preparing to employ ghostly steps for a stealth attack.

Yet, as he was about to approach the puppet master, Ruben’s clone would come rushing in, intercepting regardless of direction.

These clones were formed by the spirit power from the smoke and Ruben’s body and could be generated anytime, anywhere...

Igor swung his sword to cut down one of the clones, and the humming sound echoed again in his ears. At this moment, Igor recalled master Lao mentioning a sword spirit, and now he inadvertently wondered if this light orb was a sword spirit.

Igor attempted to communicate, but the method didn’t work as he couldn’t establish a spirit power connection with that light orb. It seemed that traditional spirit power methods were insufficient to communicate with this small light orb; another method had to be used.

But what exactly was this method? Igor pondered over this issue.

In moments of battle, there cannot be any hesitation. Although Igor was troubled in his mind, his hand holding the sword did not slacken in the slightest; he continued to swing the sword, using sword qi for attacks, using the sword body for blocking, all actions executed seamlessly without any delay.

Igor was not a reckless person. He used several sword qis to probe the source of power of the puppet monster, showing that he was pondering every move of his own. Now, each time he swung his sword, he could feel that hum from the light orb, which made him think about one particular question.

Maybe, only this sword could communicate with the light orb!

Igor swung his sword again; this time, he swung with a purpose, hoping that the direction of his swing could guide the action of this light orb.

Ruben’s clones multiplied, giving Igor an opportunity. He infused his spirit power into a spirit power above, instantly directing it at one of the many Rubens. This attack aimed at a single clone rather than a group strike.

The sword qi soared out just like before, directly sweeping towards the target. This sword qi would still sweep a large area and lose its original power upon reaching the final targeted body, contrary to Igor’s previous intent.

However, Igor hadn’t yet reached the level of freely controlling sword qi, nor making it strike precisely as desired.

Just at the moment when Igor felt things were not going as hoped, the light orb hummed—and suddenly streamed out, trailing a long, bright tail behind it.

Igor was surprised to find the bright-tailed light orb directly smashed into the Ruben he wanted to attack, and suddenly the sword qi also seemed to find its belonging, tightly following behind...

"It’s truly a meteor!" Master Lao felt the scene with emotion.

Igor finally discovered at this moment how to communicate with that light orb. It seemed the sword qi listened to the light orb’s command; as long as he infused his intention through spirit power into the sword, he could make the light orb understand his targets and methods of attack.

"The sword spirit is also mastered, indeed a good talent, my minions need someone like that." The puppet monster moved his fingers while sighing. He had been coveting Igor for quite some time.

"Dream on." Igor avoided the entangling smoke, and a sword qi swung out.

"Did you find anything?" Kadi, who was spinning the dual swords in his hand, approached Igor to ask.

"Nothing gained."

"Spirit attack ineffective?" Kadi asked.

"He can absorb it." Every sword qi is a release of spirit power, Igor had tested this point long ago. Now they can only hope for attacks beyond spirit power.

"What’s really bothersome is the smoke; I can’t get close to that guy, or else there’d be a good beating." Kadi wielded his dual swords, slicing through large chunks of smoke. To Kadi, things would be straightforward without these smokes.

Igor also knew that using physique technique to attack the puppet monster was similar to dealing with the soul devourer master at the border realm initially. But the problem was that he couldn’t approach the puppet monster. Not even the puppet monster, or the smoking elder and the wizard Sims by the side, could he get close to. As Kadi mentioned, the nuisance lies in the smoke.

The crux now is how to sever the connection between the puppet master and these puppets. Igor needs to solve this very tricky problem.

"The puppet master has a set of puppet tools!" Master Lao shouted nearby.

This yell stunned the puppet monster, then he viciously glared at Master Lao: "You—"

"I’m a blacksmith, crafted puppet tools before, mere strings can’t control those puppets." Master Lao declared fearlessly.

This realization enlightened Igor; he had sought in the wrong direction before. Those strings were just a method; the true controlling factor was the puppet tools, with the puppet master’s arms and hands controlling these puppet tools.

But even knowing this truth, they were still unable to approach the puppet monster. Since all ranged attacks contained spirit power and couldn’t strike, close physique techniques and strategies couldn’t be enacted...

Igor and his companions found themselves in an awkward situation; even knowing the opponent’s weakness, they were at a loss.