Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 338 Puppet Deal

Among the ancient puppetry inheritances that Li Ji'an obtained were fragments about the ancient Thousand Machines Sect. The Xuanji Pavilion, which was worshipped by that ancient puppeteer, was a branch of the Thousand Machines Sect.

Without a doubt, the Thousand Machine Sect has always been the leader in the field of puppetry in the entire cultivation world since ancient times.

After listening to the burly man's concise explanation, anticipation arose in Li Ji'an's eyes.

Although he has inherited the ancient puppetry skills, his progress in puppetry has been slow over the years, and he is still stuck at the mid-stage of the second tier.

Besides the scarcity of second-tier puppet materials, it's also because he only has this one puppet inheritance guide.

The ancient puppetry tradition is certainly different from the modern one in terms of both materials and environment, and it often takes him a long time to deduce it on his own.

If people can exchange and verify information with each other, it will definitely be twice as effective.

However... sensing the puppeteer's mid-stage Core Formation level magical power and his somewhat arrogant personality, Li Ji'an, with his current cultivation level, would most likely be unable to engage in conversation.

After the puppeteer finished speaking, everyone present was filled with excitement.

They were also amazed by the immense power of the Merchant Alliance, which had already established connections with the two major sects in the western part of the Great Swamp cultivation world.

Given a century, it may truly realize its original ambition of establishing an alliance to trade across all regions!

A high-level, third-tier behemoth puppet, comparable to a late-stage Core Formation cultivator among humans.

In terms of sheer power, it is even greater, unless one has fought their way up through mountains of corpses and seas of blood like the Shadowless Cult Leader.

However, the drawbacks are also obvious.

First, the methods are too simplistic.

According to the puppeteer on stage, this giant beast puppet can only launch ranged attacks by activating magical energy from its mouth, in addition to close combat.

Secondly, its agility and power are limited by the puppeteer; only those with magic power and divine sense above the mid-stage of Core Formation can fully unleash its power.

What made everyone grit their teeth the most was the energy consumption of this giant beast puppet.

Compared to smaller puppets of the same level, this behemoth requires a high-grade spirit stone to unleash its full power once.

In the Wanshang Domain, a high-grade spirit stone is worth between 12,000 and 15,000 low-grade spirit stones.

Low-grade spirit stones have long been used as currency here, but high-grade spirit stones have always been considered commodities.

Of course, those who can afford to trade for this puppet won't care too much about the cost.

After all, the greatest use of this item for the entire Eastern cultivation world is undoubtedly as a deterrent and foundation for protecting sects and clans; it's impossible to control it for fighting every day.

"Everyone, Fellow Daoist Yansha's puppet is only available for trade in spirit marrow and high-level puppet materials. There is no reserve price at the moment. If any of you are interested in Fellow Daoist Yansha's puppet, please feel free to make an offer. Ultimately, Fellow Daoist Yansha will decide whether to proceed with the transaction," Alliance Leader Tong explained in closing.

“Spiritual marrow? That’s something a True Monarch needs for cultivation.”

"High-level puppet materials, I wonder what tier is required? Would early tier 3 materials be acceptable?"

In an instant, many people interested in creating this puppet began to ask questions.

"That's right, it requires genuine spiritual essence, the kind found in spirit stones, the kind that contains rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth, unlike other elements."

As for high-level puppet materials, they naturally require fourth-tier materials! "Alliance Leader Tong explained again.

"Spiritual essence! Materials for fourth-tier puppets!" This made many people immediately back down.

It's not a matter of weighing values, but rather that fourth-tier items are extremely rare, many of which cannot be traded even with countless spirit stones.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji'an's heart stirred. It wasn't that he had any designs on the giant beast puppet, after all, he had obtained a puppet that was suspected to be a fifth-order puppet in the Blackwater Swamp Palace. Although it had been eroded by time and was only at the fourth-order level, it was still far superior to the third-order high-level beast-type puppet in front of him.

What he cared about was the other party's purpose in trading these spiritual resources.

They must be trying to create a fourth-tier puppet!
In this post-ancient era, fourth-order puppets are truly unparalleled.

"I wonder if they have developed a mature technique for spirit possession of puppets?"

The puppetry inheritance that Li Ji'an obtained stated that the puppeteer claimed that there had never been a method of spirit possession for puppets in ancient times, and that he and his friend were the pioneers of spirit possession.

However, many years have passed since that ancient puppeteer died, and the Thousand Machines Sect, as the leader of puppetry, may have developed this method.

As Li Ji'an pondered, the puppeteer on the stage frowned slightly and spoke again: "Even the primordial spirit of a True Monarch can be traded!"

Boom~
One word stirred up a thousand waves.

"Fellow Daoist Yansha, be careful what you say!" Alliance Leader Tong's expression changed instantly, and he hurriedly stepped forward to remind him.

In this world, any Nascent Soul True Monarch is a leader in this realm, or even a supreme being in a region.

Even though the Merchant Alliance has a reputation that rivals that of Nascent Soul True Monarchs, and there are indeed stories of them spending huge sums of money to kill Nascent Soul True Monarch enemies, only they know the truth.

Moreover, the cost is too high, and unless absolutely necessary, I would never want to be an enemy of any Nascent Soul True Monarch again.

Business alliances also value harmony and prosperity.

The competitive investment over the past few centuries was also intended to establish a connection between the Merchant Alliance and the Nascent Soul True Monarchs at the pinnacle of this realm, so that in the future, the Merchant Alliance would not have to use its full strength to become an enemy of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

The True Lord's Primordial Spirit mentioned by the Flame Sand Puppet Master can only be obtained by killing a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Furthermore, it is necessary to prevent the self-destruction of the nascent soul or the departure of the primordial spirit from the body.

The Flame Sand Puppet Master glanced at the nervous Alliance Leader Tong with a slightly contemptuous look.

We can't even say it?
You should know that the Thousand Machines Sect has killed no less than a handful of Nascent Soul True Monarchs over the years. They only came out to trade because they really had no Nascent Soul True Monarchs to go to the western desert.

Upon hearing the terms of the deal, Li Ji'an immediately suspected that the Thousand Machines Sect might have also mastered the method of spirit possession in puppets.

Because the method of imbuing puppets with spirits requires refining them with primordial spirit or beast soul.

After the initial astonishment, Leader Tong hurriedly rallied everyone to begin trading, and we'll skip that part.

"I possess a spirit marrow, but... it was discovered in an ancient ruin, and now much of its spiritual energy has dissipated. I wonder?"

"Our merchant guild possesses a piece of molten crimson gold, a genuine fourth-tier treasure, though it's a bit small."

Can Kongtong wood be traded?

……

After a moment of silence, people began to speak tentatively.

Most of them are members of business alliances or large organizations.

However, none of them satisfied the Flame Sand Puppet Master.

He then looked at Alliance Leader Tong, his face showing considerable disappointment.

The business alliance had previously made grand promises in order to open up trade with the western region.

In order to gain the Qianji Sect's acceptance of the Merchant Alliance's business system, Alliance Leader Tong rejected the requests from some forces within the Merchant Alliance who wanted to secretly acquire the puppet, insisting on a public auction.

However, the situation on the scene was somewhat disappointing.

The smile on Alliance Leader Tong's face was somewhat stiff, but he still forced a smile and explained, "Fellow Daoist Yansha, to be honest, your terms for this transaction are indeed a bit too high."

Whether it's spirit marrow or fourth-tier treasure materials, our merchant alliance has handled quite a few. However, whenever such treasure materials appear, they are quickly traded away by the giants of the ten central regions, and the supply can't meet the demand.

"If you had previously stated that you needed to trade for fourth-tier treasure materials, giving us some preparation time would have been enough. Not just one, but ten or even twenty portions could be placed before you." The Flame Sand Puppet Master's face showed a strange expression: "Didn't Alliance Leader Tong boast that no preparation was needed and that they would be available at any time?"

"..." Alliance Leader Tong's face stiffened, then he laughed it off.

"Fellow Daoist Yansha, please stay in my domain for a year or two. I will definitely satisfy you then."

Ensha looked somewhat distrustful, but still nodded.

Tong, the leader of the alliance, immediately announced that the conditions would remain unchanged, with a one-year limit. The leader of Yansha would stay in Feihong Immortal City for one year, and whoever first presented a trade item that satisfied the Yansha puppeteer would obtain the puppet.

Tong Mengzhu was actually aware of the awkward situation he was in today.

Firstly, the member chambers of commerce of the business alliance had already sold some high-level spiritual resources in the Central Ten Domains a few years ago in preparation for this auction, in exchange for the most popular second- and third-tier spiritual resources there.

Secondly, some individuals, small families, or minor forces within the region may possess fourth-tier treasures, but they are unlikely to want to reveal them in public, as they might not be able to complete the transaction if they do.

However, if the transaction is conducted privately and there is a spiritual contract to restrict it, the likelihood of people being more proactive will be much higher.

The final, high-level Tier 3 behemoth puppet met a somewhat awkward end, but it also left everyone with even greater anticipation.

After the Business Alliance's opening remarks, the final round of the Flying Goose Forum began.

However, after a month-long auction extravaganza...

Having seen various Tier 3 treasures, especially the final Tier 3 high-level puppet, the audience's interest in the competition for the top three in the Flying Goose Dao Discussion diminished considerably.

No matter how hard they fight, they're only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Everyone is more looking forward to a showdown between the Shadowless Cult Leader and the Pure Yuan Master.

However, the result of the finals shocked everyone present.

The prodigy of the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce, born with the Ten Thousand Laws Thunder Spirit Body, was actually defeated by the earth-type Heavenly Spirit Root Immortal Seed of the Tai'an Chamber of Commerce.

No matter how devastating the accompanying thunder, the opponent's thick earth shield remained as solid as a fortress.

In the final battle of magic, the immense earth magic surprisingly prevailed by a narrow margin.

Even with a naturally spiritual body, one still loses out due to the quality of magical power.

This result made the cultivators in the region even more curious and expectant about the earth-based cultivation technique of the Tai'an Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately, Li Ji'an had already quietly left after the puppeteer stepped down from the stage.

I have just stepped into the elegant room on the top floor of the first building in the Cold Mist Immortal City.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, I apologize for the intrusion in inviting you." The dignified leader of the Shadowless Sect, disguised as a young gentleman, bowed slightly to Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an's heart stirred slightly. Judging from his words and actions, he did not regard him as a junior.

However, Huang Jie's essence blood, which he activated with the Mask of No Form, was merely a minor Foundation Establishment cultivator in front of him.

"Senior Han is too kind. This junior..." Facing this person, Li Ji'an did not dare to be presumptuous.

“Hey, there are no outsiders here, Fellow Daoist Huang, there’s no need for such humility.” However, the Shadowless Sect Leader interrupted Li Ji’an’s act of modesty.

“Fellow Daoist Huang, Xiao Wu has already told me about his experiences in the Tiancang Domain. However, he has kept his oath and has not broken his promise to Fellow Daoist Huang. He only shared some speculations beyond the scope of the oath. Nevertheless, I can see Xiao Wu’s respect and gratitude for Fellow Daoist Huang.”

Upon hearing this, Li Ji'an glanced at Wu Weixiong without leaving a trace.

Although it is uncertain exactly what Wu Weixiong said, it is clear that he probably told the Shadowless Sect Leader all his conjectures.

Judging from the attitude of the Shadowless Sect Leader, he clearly regarded him as a peerless master on par with him.

"Perhaps it was about the incident with the old thief Chun Yuan after he left the Blackwater Swamp..." Li Ji'an guessed that Wu Weixiong might have connected this matter with himself and informed the leader of the Jueying Sect.

However, upon reflection, it made sense. Wu Weixiong had seen Li Ji'an reveal his previous life's fake core cultivation level, and he had also personally witnessed Li Ji'an using various methods to reverse the situation and kill Fu Xiaochen.

He then devoured the spirit flame of the old thief Chun Yuan under the identity of Fu Xiaochen and escaped successfully, which had a great impact.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, please have a seat." Seeing that Li Ji'an remained silent, the Shadowless Sect Leader invited him again with a smile.

"Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Han!" Li Ji'an stopped worrying and sat down calmly.

Although the highest level one can reach in the cultivation world is only the Pseudo-Core stage after three lifetimes, Li Ji'an has lived for over four hundred years, including six lifetimes as a human and the one before his transmigration. His state of mind, honed by the years, is no less than that of a Core Formation cultivator.

"This is the Dao artifact that Fellow Daoist Huang needs." The Shadowless Sect Leader then placed the insect-catching net that he had helped Li Ji'an win at the auction on the table.

Li Ji'an smiled and nodded, handing over a bag of spirit stones that he had prepared beforehand: "Thank you for your trouble."

"Does Fellow Daoist Huang have a grudge against that old thief?" The Shadowless Sect Leader gestured slightly, and Wu Weixiong stepped forward to put away his storage bag, then asked casually.

Li Ji'an smiled calmly: "It's not a matter of enmity, but rather a bit of cause and effect. If you sow bad seeds, you will reap bad fruits."

"Hahaha, what a good cause and effect! That old thief's blood-draining of the entire domain has already sown the seeds of evil." The Shadowless Sect Leader laughed heartily in agreement.

His expression immediately hardened: "However, that old thief has sown more than one evil seed."

"Does Fellow Daoist Han have a deep grudge against that old thief?" Li Ji'an asked casually, taking a sip of spiritual tea.

"The hatred for killing my wife is irreconcilable," the leader of the Shadowless Sect said resolutely.

Li Ji'an nodded slightly. He had only known about the grudges and entanglements between the Jueying Sect and the Wanfa Palace, but he never expected that there were such grudges.

There had long been rumors that the current leader of the Shadowless Sect was a pitiful person who fled from the Heavenly Azure Domain to the Shadowless Grassland more than two hundred years ago, and now this has been confirmed.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, you probably don't know about that old thief's other heinous crime?" the Shadowless Sect Leader continued through gritted teeth.

Li Ji'an raised his eyes and subconsciously replied, "The Great Elixir of Human Medicine?"

"!" The leader of the Shadowless Sect suddenly looked up, clearly not expecting that Li Ji'an would also know such a secret.

As far as he knew, only the former True Lord of Ten Thousand Laws had tacitly approved of this matter within the entire Palace of Ten Thousand Laws; everyone else was completely unaware of it.

In an instant, he had no more doubts about Li Ji'an's identity.

He had already become suspicious after Wu Weixiong told him some things about Li Ji'an.

Upon meeting him, Li Ji'an's cultivation level was immediately apparent to him using his late-stage Core Formation divine sense, which aroused his suspicions.

Given that Wu Weixiong was very certain that Li Ji'an's current outward display of magical power was not his true cultivation level, and that his true cultivation level must be at least at the mid-stage of True Core Realm, and that he was quite certain that Li Ji'an had already fought against the old thief Chun Yuan a hundred years ago and had taken away the old thief's third-tier spiritual flame, causing the old thief to suffer a great loss.

That's why he patiently tested the waters.

However, Han Yu was slightly moved upon first meeting the other party, because although the other party appeared to be around a hundred years old, his temperament and demeanor were mature and composed, which could not be faked, making him even more curious.

And now, the other party actually knows about that old thief's refining of the Human Medicine Pill.

And yet, he was able to live peacefully and even get close to that old thief.

This only proves that this person is definitely not simple.

Even with his late-stage Core Formation level divine sense, he couldn't see through anything, so the opponent was likely superior to him!

In an instant, he put aside the slight contempt he had unconsciously revealed and formally began to talk as a fellow traveler.

(End of this chapter)