The road is vague

Chapter 432 Bronze Woman
Deep within the Yuancheng Imperial Palace.

Qian Yuan Shengjun looked at the demonic statue bound by layers of chains in front of him, a thoughtful expression on his face.

After he extracted the soul of the Stone Demon Master from the golem, he was astonished to find that there was another soul inside the Star Crystal, but it had lost its memory and only had a trace of spiritual essence attached to it.

"Where am I? I'm so scared, boohoo."

"Lianyi, Li Mo, where are you...?"

With each movement of the golem, countless grain-like runes on the massive chains would flash incessantly.

After several soul probes, the Holy Lord Qian Yuan finally confirmed that the Tongtian Demon Statue was actually occupied by a trace of spiritual essence. Based on various clues, this was most likely the spiritual essence of Lu Cuicui, the wealthy merchant who hosted the Spiritual Essence Eternal Puppet Conference.

At this moment, she possesses the memory and wisdom of a three-year-old child.

Moreover, as time goes by, these memories will gradually disappear, leaving only the emotional essence.

"Father!"

Li Yineng walked over, looked at the suppressed and bound Tongtian Demon Statue, and showed a hint of curiosity.

"This is the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure that the Hidden Dragon Organization has spared no expense in refining over the years. It's known as the number one puppet in the world. Why is it a little girl crying?"

Qian Yuan Shengjun tried several times to extract the spiritual essence from it.

However, for him, the Tongtian Lingbao was not unusual, but the living Tongtian Demon Statue was a rare find, so he remained hesitant.

"I have already destroyed the Stone Demon Venerable. The spirit inside this demon statue is that of a wealthy merchant in the city named Lü Cuicui. She ran the Lü Family Workshop in Jimu Mountain and amassed a considerable fortune in her lifetime. Because she only had the cultivation level of Qi Refining, she was unwilling to die, so she held the Spirit Immortal Puppet Tournament, wanting to transform into a puppet life. After the Stone Demon Venerable destroyed her original puppet body, only this Star Crystal remained, which was taken by the Stone Demon Venerable..."

"Lü Cuicui!?"

Li Yimeng looked incredulous.

"Lü Cuicui from Qingming Mountain?"

After a brief moment of surprise, the Holy Lord Qian Yuan turned his gaze to the inner court personnel. Everyone looked astonished and no one could answer. Then, it was actually the old ghost Zhong, the Director of the Road Pass, who stepped forward.

"Your Highness, she is indeed from Qingming Mountain."

Speaking of Qingming Mountain, Qian Yuan Shengjun couldn't help but think of the Rainbow Bird. He looked at Li Yineng with affection and reached out to touch her soft hair.

"In the blink of an eye, they've grown up so much. Once they advance to the Nascent Soul stage, it'll be time to choose a husband. Where did that Rainbow Bird go?"

"She went back to Qingming Mountain to find that companion."

Li Yineng said coquettishly, "I don't want to get married. I want to stay by my father's side forever."

"Hahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, the Holy Emperor Qian Yuan burst into laughter, his eyes filled with even more doting affection.

“You’re not worried, but your mother is. She says she’s already selected a once-in-a-millennium talent for you in the Yu Kingdom, and the ministers in the court have submitted many memorials, all vying to snatch you, my precious treasure, from your father’s hands.”

Li Yinmeng's eyes darted around.

"Let them worry about it then. I just want to stay by Father's side. Father, how about giving this demonic statue to your daughter? I don't have any powerful magical treasures yet!"

Qian Yuan Shengjun shook his head and smiled.

"With your cultivation level, even a heaven-reaching spiritual treasure wouldn't help. You want..."

However, he had only spoken halfway when he suddenly seemed to remember something, and when he looked at the towering demon statue again, he couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression.

This Heavenly Treasure seems to be quite different.

……

the next day.

Li Mo finally got to see Old Ghost Zhong.

"Hehe, you've really hit the jackpot!"

Before Li Mo could speak, Old Ghost Zhong spoke first.

"I originally only wanted you to destroy that headquarters and accumulate some merit so that you could be promoted to deputy commander in the future and meet the emperor as a third-rank official. But now it seems that's no longer necessary. After the Holy Emperor obtained the Heavenly Demon Statue, he was overjoyed and has officially promoted you to commander. Furthermore, at my instruction, he has designated you as my successor. From today onwards, you no longer need to worry about that old dragon within the Great Qian Kingdom!"

The main reason why the Stone Demon was killed by the Holy Lord Qian Yuan was because the teleportation array was destroyed. Li Mo's actions were indeed an unexpected but beneficial outcome.

Upon hearing this, Li Mo couldn't help but show a look of joy.

He was worried that this identity was no longer usable and wanted to ask Old Ghost Zhong what to do.

If one wants to become a fourth-rank or third-rank official in the imperial court, it involves choosing sides and requires the support of at least one Grand Secretary. However, if one wants to become a second-rank official, one must obtain the approval of the Emperor Qian Yuan.

Even if that old dragon were incredibly audacious, it would never dare to cause trouble within the territory of the Great Qian Kingdom.

However, if one leaves the territory of the Great Qian Kingdom, the situation will be different.

However, the same was true for Li Mo.

Once he truly advances to the Nascent Soul stage, with the blessing of the Dark Thunder Heavenly Book and the suppression of his identity as the Fate Master, that old dragon will have no chance to turn the tables!
Completely relaxed, Li Mo quickly asked about another matter.

"I wonder if the Holy Lord obtained a Star Crystal after his battle with that Stone Demon Venerable. Now there's no need to hide it from you anymore. Lü Cuicui, who organized this Spirit Flavor Eternal Puppet Tournament, is my close friend. If possible, I would like to reforge a puppet body for her."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Laogui suddenly revealed a strange expression and looked at Li Mo.

He looked at Li Mo and remained silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.

Li Mo felt a little flustered by his direct gaze and couldn't help but frown.

"what happened?"

"Ahem, the Holy Lord did indeed obtain that Star Crystal, but as for the specifics, you can inquire about it yourself when you meet the Holy Lord in court in a few days as the Commander. There is another matter that I must remind you of: seize the opportunity!"

Seeing Zhong Laogui's mysterious demeanor, Li Mo couldn't help but frown. In the following few days, as Li Mo was promoted to commander, the fact that the Black Dog Old Monster was actually Li Mo, the Road Guide and Town Support Officer, spread throughout Yuan City.

People kept trying to find out Li Mo's real Daoist name, but to no avail.

As rumors grew more numerous and exaggerated, some even compared him to a powerful figure second only to a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Although the strength displayed by the Stone Demon Master that day was exaggerated, he was still only at the late Nascent Soul stage of a cultivator who had mastered a Heavenly Treasure. He had not truly merged with the Heavenly Demon Statue. It was only when he fought against the Qian Yuan Saint Lord that he barely managed to merge with the Heavenly Demon Statue briefly and reach the ideal state.

a few days later.

Li Mo, dressed in his commander's robes, arrived early at the palace gates at dawn and waited.

Zhong Laogui was whispering to several high-ranking officials in the distance, and it was unclear what they were saying.

Wang Feng, as the Vice Minister of Works, stood with Li Mo and chatted in hushed tones.

This is Li Mo's second time participating in the morning court session.

Unlike last time, this time he entered as a court official. Many people looked at Li Mo, knowing that he was the famous Zhenfu Envoy of Yuancheng a few days ago, and now the Commander of the Road Guidance Office.

At this time.

A person walked over from a distance, smiling and cupping their hands in greeting.

"Hehe, Lord Li, congratulations on your promotion!"

Upon hearing this, Li Mo looked at the withered old man, his expression briefly changed, but he quickly regained his smile and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"So it's Lord Ying. I've heard so much about you. I hope you'll give me your guidance and support in the future."

This man was none other than Ying Shi, the seventh elder of the Road Guiding Division, a chameleon-like assassin and a second-rank official.

"Not at all, not at all. Lord Li has been recommended by the God of Fate and will most likely become the God of Fate of the Road Pass Office in the future. This old man will have to follow your orders, hehe."

Li Mo looked at the smiling, harmless old man in front of him, his teeth almost grinding to powder, but his smile remained unchanged.

"May Lord Zhong enjoy good health and longevity. As long as I do not become the God of Fate, I will remain Lord Ying's subordinate."

While the two were exchanging pleasantries, the palace gates opened.

Unlike his previous dazed state, Li Mo was unusually clear-headed during this morning court session. Following Zhong Laogui's advice, he submitted a memorial inquiring about the Star Crystal and praying for the Emperor's grace.

Qian Yuan Sheng Jun did not respond in person.

Down towards the back.

The Holy Emperor Qian Yuan summoned Li Mo alone.

When he entered the side hall by imperial decree, he did not see the Holy Emperor Qian Yuan, but instead saw Princess Li Yineng of the Empire.

He paused for a moment.

Upon seeing the princess again, with her fair skin, delicate bones, and stunning beauty, Li Mo immediately paid his respects.

"Hehe, Black Dog Old Monster, Senior Brother Li, you really know how to come up with a Taoist name."

After making a few laughs, Li Yineng's smile gradually faded, and she looked at Li Mo with a serious expression.

“Brother Li, sometimes I wonder if you are the reincarnation of the Heavenly Sword Saint. According to my father, among all the people he has ever met, only the Heavenly Sword Saint’s cultivation speed can rival yours.”

If Li Moruo has truly advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, he can indeed be considered a genius of unprecedented talent.

Unfortunately, he is only at the late stage of the Golden Core realm, and is still some distance from the peak. The reason he is seen as a Nascent Soul expert by outsiders is because of his Demonic Shadow Mask.

"I simply had a stroke of luck."

"Speaking of opportunities, what opportunity could compare to my status as an imperial princess?"

After mocking herself, Li Yineng realized Li Mo's purpose in coming here. She then looked at the bronze statue to the side and saw that it was staring at Li Mo intently. She sighed softly.

"This is Lü Cuicui. At first, she still had some memories, but after only a few days, she is now only a spiritual essence and has completely merged with this towering demon statue."

"This……"

Li Mo turned his head and looked at the bronze golem in disbelief.

At this moment, the bronze golem suddenly stepped forward, slowly reaching out to stroke Li Mo's cheek.

"I feel like I like you so much. I want to give you my most precious thing, but I have nothing. Who are you? Why am I like this?"

Li Mo stared blankly at the bronze woman, and also reached out to touch the bronze hand on his cheek, his eyes gradually becoming moist.

"I am Li Mo."

"Li Mo? I don't remember, but I feel like you must be very important to me."

After a long time.

As Li Mo walked out of the palace, his eyes held both disappointment and relief.

Despite the many hardships, Lü Cuicui finally achieved a satisfactory outcome.

The bronze-clad woman stood on the white jade platform, watching Li Mo's departing figure, and suddenly said, "Princess, he seemed to have cried just now, but I couldn't cry with him. I feel so lonely."

Upon hearing this, Li Yineng gently comforted her, "You still have me."

"Then... then how about I give you to Li Mo? I want to make him happy, I don't want to make him sad. Seeing him sad will make me even sadder."

Upon hearing this, Li Yineng rolled her eyes.

(End of this chapter)