“Master, are you also proficient in the Puppet Art?”
Lu Xuan offered a faint, casual smile. “Just a little bit, just a little bit.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head internally. His Master’s humility was like a towering mountain, leaving him in awe. He observed Lu Xuan with intense curiosity. These ten Lu Xuans were incredibly lifelike; it was nearly impossible for an outsider to distinguish the real one from the fakes. He realized his Master’s Puppet Art was based entirely on the contents of his own Insight Jade Slip, yet it contained so much more—profound, transcendent additions.
Chen Changsheng thought darkly, Thank the heavens I didn’t deploy my Wooden Puppet Clones and engage in a full battle with Master that day. I would have lost, and lost a massive number of puppets too!
Chen Changsheng had dedicated an immense amount of time to the Dao of Puppetry to reach his current mastery. Yet, his Master had only glanced at his Insight Jade Slip for a few days and could perfectly replicate his art. It was utterly baffling.
Just then, nine of Lu Xuan’s clones began to tremble violently. Unable to sustain the immense power they contained, they instantly disintegrated into dust, vanishing into the air. Chen Changsheng was stunned. He realized the material Lu Xuan had used to craft these puppets was nothing more than ordinary spirit wood from the cave dwelling vicinity!
How is this possible? he thought, utterly shaken. To create such perfect puppets from mundane wood? Some of them even possessed the aura of an Emperor-tier Magnate! Master is simply too powerful!
The next moment, another Lu Xuan walked out of the cave dwelling, and the last remaining clone on the field instantly collapsed into a pile of ash. Chen Changsheng was dumbfounded. This... I was completely fooled just now. All ten of them were Wooden Puppet Clones!
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, sounding slightly dissatisfied. “I only studied your Dao of Puppetry for a few days, and the puppets I made still have too many flaws.”
Chen Changsheng’s face twitched. “Master, is this truly your first time encountering the Puppet Art?”
Lu Xuan replied, “Yes. My comprehension is too poor; this is all I could grasp.”
As he spoke, Lu Xuan tossed over an Insight Jade Slip. “Changsheng, I slightly refined your Puppet Art for you. Take a look.”
Chen Changsheng took the slip, skeptically probing it with his divine sense. Instantly, his pupils contracted, and a monstrous wave crashed in his heart. “Master, this…”
Lu Xuan had not only drastically improved his understanding of the Dao of Puppetry but also provided numerous profound suggestions. More importantly, the refinements were perfectly tailored to him!
Lu Xuan then tossed out several more Insight Jade Slips. “These few slips contain some insights into the Dao of Arrays and the Dao of Alchemy. Feel free to look them over.”
Chen Changsheng accepted them and immediately scanned them with his divine sense. A bolt of lightning seemed to strike his mind! Too powerful! Master is too powerful! The insights contained within these slips were entirely custom-made for him. His Master had used his meager understanding as a foundation and built a magnificent skyscraper upon it!
Watching Chen Changsheng’s reaction, Lu Xuan smiled faintly. He had only tossed out a few Insight Jade Slips for now. If he revealed all the dozens of Transcendent Realm Dao insights he had passively synchronized from his third disciple, the poor guy would probably be scared witless. I’ll just release them slowly, step by step.
Chen Changsheng sighed internally. As expected of a supreme magnate who walked out of the River of Time! Taking Lu Xuan as my Master is the greatest destiny opportunity of my life!
A moment later, Chen Changsheng carefully put away the slips, intending to study them meticulously once they returned to the Grand Dao Sect. Lu Xuan said, "Changsheng, let's head back to the Grand Dao Sect.”
Chen Changsheng nodded, suppressing his cultivation base down to Profound Sovereign Late-stage. “Master, let’s go.”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “Profound Sovereign Late-stage? If you want to hide your cultivation, I can help you.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Please do.”
Lu Xuan quickly performed some operations on Chen Changsheng's system panel. A moment later, Lu Xuan announced, “Done. Now, only Heaven, Earth, you, and I know your true cultivation.”
Chen Changsheng pondered for a moment, then said, “Thank you, Master. Could you also hide my bone age to around forty years old? I researched the cultivation levels of the Grand Dao Sect’s top true disciples. I believe this level is the most appropriate. Senior Sister Ji is an Eight-star Profound Saint, Second Senior Brother is Profound Venerate Stage Six, Luo Lingkong is Profound Venerate Stage Four, and Liu Xuan and Fang Yan are both Profound Venerate Stage Three...”
Lu Xuan's face twitched. Chen Changsheng continued, “Therefore, I cannot exceed the Profound Venerate realm. Otherwise, it would cause Second Senior Brother to lose too much face.”
Lu Xuan sighed internally. My third disciple, I almost don't have the heart to expose you. Is this really about sparing Ye Chen's face? No, you just want to continue your Ultra Low-Profile act!
Lu Xuan pursed his lips, deciding not to interfere. As long as his third disciple cultivated diligently, he could do whatever else he wanted. With this thought, Lu Xuan performed another operation on the System. Now, Chen Changsheng appeared to be a forty-year-old, utterly unremarkable Profound Sovereign cultivator.
Chen Changsheng checked himself and felt a wave of astonishment. As expected, only Master can achieve such perfection. He had already decided his strategy while studying the Scripture of Non-Action these past few days. Upon returning to Azure Mystery Peak, he would immediately start “lying flat.” This was the first step in emulating his Master!
After all, that was exactly the path Lu Xuan had taken—seven years of feigned worthlessness, which lowered the Sect Master's and Old Ancestor's expectations, ensuring no one would interfere with his Master's actions later. All he had to endure was some public criticism. So what? I don't care! In fact, the thought of it gave him a slight, secret thrill.
The second step was to slowly fade from the sight of the Grand Dao Sect disciples. Just like his Master, even if his true cultivation was exposed, no one would suspect him. Of course, the most crucial step was to constantly observe his Master's every word and action. Using Master as a mirror, I can learn what to gain and what to lose.
At this point, Lu Xuan couldn't resist asking, “Changsheng, tell me, what is your true cultivation level?”
Chen Changsheng replied solemnly, “Profound Sovereign Late-stage.”
Lu Xuan was speechless. Forget it. I won't ask.
The next moment, Lu Xuan moved his consciousness, directly activating the Corner of a Supreme Great Emperor Formation Pattern. Instantly, an incomparably profound Spatial Power enveloped both him and Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng was secretly amazed. “Master, can you teach me this Great Emperor Formation Pattern technique?”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “I can't teach you. It's not that I'm hoarding knowledge, but this power originates from Transcendent Power. You simply cannot learn it.”
Chen Changsheng simply replied, “Oh.”
Boom! The two instantly vanished from the spot, Traversing the Void toward the Grand Dao Sect.
***
Tianluo State.
Heavenly Net Hall General Headquarters.
Numerous elders had gathered upon receiving the Hall Master Duan Hunsheng’s summons. Every face was etched with worry. Their recent ambush against the Grand Dao Sect had resulted in catastrophic losses! The Cloud State (Yunzhou) branch was annihilated, and the Thirteenth Elder and Fourteenth Elder were brutally killed! Worse still, the reputation of the Heavenly Net Hall General Headquarters had been severely damaged.
The elders murmured amongst themselves. A Grey-Robed Elder commented, “I feel the Hall Master won't let this go easily! We are facing endless retaliation from the Grand Dao Sect!”
Another Black-Robed Elder frowned. “I think the Heavenly Net Hall should use this opportunity to lie low for a while. Once the storm passes, we can act again.”
The Grand Elder shook his head dismissively, looking at the Black-Robed Elder. “Watch your words. The Heavenly Net Hall can only have one voice, and that is the Hall Master's voice.”
The Black-Robed Elder immediately fell silent, recalling the terror of being dominated by Duan Hunsheng.
A moment later, a sinister black mist swirled onto the main seat. Hall Master Duan Hunsheng materialized, his face malevolent, radiating overwhelming killing intent. His terrifying Nine-star Great Emperor pressure, vast as an abyss and deep as the sea, poured into the hall.
The elders’ scalps tingled, feeling an intense, suffocating pressure. Duan Hunsheng’s eyes were like two abysses as he slowly addressed the assembled elders. “Gentlemen, I presume you are all aware of the outcome of the Cloud State (Yunzhou) battle. What are your thoughts on this matter?”
Silence descended instantly. No one dared to speak. The elders knew that contradicting the Hall Master at this moment was courting death. Countless bloody precedents had unfolded right before their eyes.
After a tense silence, the Grand Elder bowed deeply. “Hall Master, we await your command.”
Duan Hunsheng sneered, sweeping his sleeve to unleash countless seals and Restrictions across the hall. Brilliant spiritual runes instantly surged, enveloping the space. Everyone was startled. It seemed the Hall Master was about to reveal an Unsurpassed Secret.
Indeed, Duan Hunsheng gave a cold laugh. “Since things have come to this, I imagine some elders still wonder why we continue to fight the Grand Dao Sect despite repeated defeats, and why we refuse to compromise. Today, I will tell you: the Heavenly Net Hall does not fear the Grand Dao Sect!”
“Because we are backed by the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, specifically the ancient power, the Silent Destruction Sect!”
The announcement left the elders utterly shocked. They had no idea the Heavenly Net Hall was supported by the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone! No wonder he dares to confront the Grand Dao Sect! This was the first time they had heard such a profound secret.
Duan Hunsheng looked arrogant. “I take orders directly from the Silent Destruction Old Man. The reason the Heavenly Net Hall has been able to rise in the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds over the years is inseparable from the Silent Destruction Sect’s covert support. My cultivation techniques and secret arts all originate from them.”
Understanding dawned on the elders. No wonder the Hall Master is so powerful! The Grand Elder’s gaze was deep. He remembered when he first met Duan Hunsheng, the Hall Master was only a Seven-star Great Emperor. Now, thousands of years later, Duan Hunsheng had stepped into the Nine-star Great Emperor realm!
Duan Hunsheng stated gravely, “Moving forward, our plan changes. It is no longer purely about retaliating against the Grand Dao Sect, but focusing entirely on capturing Ji Fuyao!”
Capture Ji Fuyao!
A Grey-Robed Elder asked, “Hall Master, Ji Fuyao is merely a remnant of the Fuyao Dynasty, and she hasn't even fully matured yet. The Fuyao Dynasty was destroyed three thousand years ago, so why must we capture this woman?”
Duan Hunsheng cackled chillingly. “An excellent question. This matter involves an Unsurpassed Secret. If you wish to know the answer, I will tell you, but I will first impose a life-and-death Restriction upon your Sea of Divine Sense... Heheheh!”
The Grey-Robed Elder bravely stepped forward. “Hall Master, I wish to know.”
Duan Hunsheng swept his sleeve, imposing the life-and-death Restriction on the elder, and revealed that Ji Fuyao possessed the Ancient Reincarnation Secret Art.
The elder's face changed drastically. This truly was an Unsurpassed Secret. With the Supreme Path opening now, mastering such a technique was equivalent to gaining an extra life! No wonder the Silent Destruction Old Man ordered her capture! This secret held terrifying appeal for them, let alone the Emperor-tier Magnates sealed in the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone!
Soon, many elders rushed forward to learn the truth. However, a few elders quietly discussed among themselves for a moment, then gathered their courage to ask, “Hall Master, we do not wish to know this Unsurpassed Secret, and we would prefer not to participate in this mission for now. Is that permissible?”
Duan Hunsheng smiled coldly. “Of course.”
As the words left his mouth, Duan Hunsheng swept his sleeve, and several strands of sinister black mist surged toward the dissenters with overwhelming killing intent!
Seeing this, the elders cried out loudly, “Hall Master, we are willing to accept the mission!”
Duan Hunsheng replied coldly, “Too late.”
Pffft! The elders instantly dissolved into pools of bloody mist. Blood splattered everywhere!
The next moment, the bloody mist was entirely absorbed by the sinister black fog, returning to Duan Hunsheng. He closed his eyes, a look of enjoyment crossing his face, and sneered, “A bunch of fools!”
Everyone else froze in place. Only the Grand Elder and a few others remained expressionless; they were long accustomed to Duan Hunsheng's ruthlessness.
Shortly after, Duan Hunsheng’s gaze turned cold. “Excellent. The Grand Elder will oversee this operation. If you successfully capture Ji Fuyao, Grand Elder, I guarantee your breakthrough to Nine-star Great Emperor! All other contributors will be guaranteed an advancement of one star in their realm, and they will also be allowed to cultivate the Silent Destruction Sect's Supreme Secret Arts!”