Second-Order Puppet Master

Wuqi Mountain, Small Turtle Peak.

Lan Chang'an sat in the pavilion and put away the letter in his hand.

In the Lotus Pond not far away, lotus flowers are in full bloom, pure white with a hint of pink, tender stamens glistening with dew, and a delicate fragrance wafting through the air.

On the other side of the Lotus Pond.

A young girl in a green dress stood by the pool, her face as white as snow, her waist as slender as a willow, her skirt fluttering in the wind, as graceful as a light cloud emerging from a mountain peak.

During her year at Small Turtle Peak, Mu Bingyun became increasingly taciturn and aloof, like a snow lotus atop a mountain peak.

"Very similar." Lan Chang'an glanced at it.

Mu Bingyun's appearance and temperament are very similar to those of the Eldest Miss from back then, only her personality is a bit more aloof and she is not as generous.

This is related to her upbringing.

Having lost both parents at a young age, he was adopted by Mu Xiuyun as her apprentice and never had complete parental love.

Influenced by her master's experience, she distrusts men.

Upon arriving at Small Turtle Peak, Guan Qiaozhi became wary of Mu Bingyun, feeling that her outward enthusiasm was merely superficial and not genuine.

Besides cultivation, Lan Chang'an also practices body tempering, talisman drawing, nurturing Treasure Talisman, and researching Puppet.

I don't have much time to care about her.

Aside from the nurturing treatment every two months, I would occasionally offer guidance on cultivation and talisman drawing.

Squeak!

The Earth Rock Rat, carrying a beautiful wildflower in its mouth, ran up to Mu Bingyun.

"For me?"

Mu Bingyun extended her slender fingers and accepted the wildflower. A smile finally appeared on her gentle face, like the morning sun melting the winter snow.

Small Turtle Peak's two pets.

The Mystic Water Turtle is quite close to Guan Qiaozhi Guan Qiaozhi she has been with and fed it since it was a baby.

The Earth Rock Rat was only loyal to Lan Chang'an and had no interest in the two human female cultivators.

This operation was authorized by Lan Chang'an.

The main concern was that Mu Bingyun would become bored and restless without company.

"Bingyun," Lan Chang'an beckoned.

"Uncle Lu." Mu Bingyun walked to the pavilion and bowed slightly.

Not far away, Guan Qiaozhi, who was tending the Medicine Field with the Mystic Water Turtle, listened intently.

Has your injury healed yet?

"I'm much better now. Thanks to Uncle Lu's care, the discomfort in my dantian has lessened during cultivation, and my Law Power is beginning to improve, though the progress is slightly slower than before the injury."

Mu Bingyun's tone became a little lighter as she spoke.

This is the best news she's had in a year since she came to Wuqi Mountain.

Lan Chang'an's treatment methods have some effect.

She went from initial discomfort and slight suspicion to gradually adapting, and developing respect and shame.

Such a unique method of gentle care—if not for old feelings, would Uncle Lu have gone to such lengths, preparing to spend over a decade helping her recover?

"That's good."

Lan Chang'an nodded, then changed the subject.

"Small Turtle Peak doesn't support idlers."

"From now on, you will take over Qiaozhi's work in making talisman materials: preparing the Spirit Ink, maintaining the Talisman Brush, and completing the final step of refining the Talisman Paper."

Mu Bingyun is a mid-grade first-tier Talisman Master, suitable for technical work.

"Yes, Uncle Lu."

Mu Bingyun's clear eyes lit up, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

She felt uneasy about receiving care and nourishment while cultivating at Small Turtle Peak, and about being provided with free food and lodging.

Mu Bingyun returned to her cave to make some preparations.

"Brother Lu, Qiaozhi alone can make all the materials for drawing talismans. Why make Bingyun..."

Guan Qiaozhi spoke in a sorrowful tone, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I have more important work for you."

Lan Chang'an was prepared and handed her a Jade Cylinder.

Guan Qiaozhi placed the Jade Cylinder between her eyebrows to examine its contents, and quickly revealed a look of surprise.

Please keep this matter confidential.

Lan Chang'an gave instructions.

"Those crucial Puppet parts were disposed of privately in Secret Chamber."

"Don't worry, Brother Lu."

Guan Qiaozhi raised her eyebrows, her face beaming with joy.

At this moment, she had a secret that belonged exclusively to Brother Lu.

Besides being Second-Order Talisman Master, Brother Lu is preparing to break through to the second tier in another skill.

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Lan Chang'an is 86 years old and has been stationed at Wuqi Mountain for 15 years.

On this day, Secret Chamber of the cave.

Lan Chang'an squatted on the ground and installed the last dark armor plate on a humanoid Puppet that was two zhang tall.

This humanoid Puppet, more like a statue, is clad in armor and wields a long spear.

Remove the chest Heart-Protecting Mirror from the Puppet and embed several Middle-Grade Spirit Stone into it.

The area involving the Puppet's energy core is naturally a key area for protection.

Lan Chang'an used his Puppet Control Technique, and the two-zhang-tall statue Puppet emitted a hazy blue light, with the faint sound of its mechanism operating.

A long spear is swung forward, the strong wind is heavy and oppressive.

Its spiritual pressure was comparable to that of a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

"Second-tier Puppet, finally done."

Lan Chang'an was content, a smile playing on his lips.

In this life, I finally gained a second-tier skill for protecting the path.

The art of Puppet can greatly increase the margin for error.

For example, Huang Tankong, whose lifespan was nearing its end.

Sending out a second-tier Puppet would force him to exhaust the rest of his life.

If he were to encounter a truly great fortuitous opportunity, involving the quality of his Golden Core Realm or the hope of advancing to the Nascent Soul, even with a long lifespan, he could not remain indifferent.

Puppet, on the other hand, are cannon fodder sent to the front lines.

"Creating Puppet is extremely costly and time-consuming."

Lu Changan put away the second-level statue puppet and felt something in his heart.

I dedicated some time each day to crafting this second-tier Puppet, which took more than two months.

In this life, if he hadn't Evergreen Art and had plenty of free time, he wouldn't have had the energy to cultivate his body and upgrade his Puppet to the second tier.

Each monk has a limited amount of energy in his lifetime.

Cultivating oneself is very time-consuming; one must seek resources to break through minor realms and major realms.

It is truly commendable that one can elevate a skill to a higher level of expertise in the process.

Hard work alone is not enough; you also need talent and the right kind of mentorship.

Lan Chang'an's alchemy skills took decades to barely reach the threshold of the second level.

Lan Chang'an has become a second-tier Puppet Master, a fact kept secret for the time being.

Even Guan Qiaozhi only knew that he was trying to break through to the second-tier Puppet Master.

Next, Lan Chang'an needs to purchase materials for second-tier Puppet.

The materials available for crafting Puppet vary widely depending on their type.

Materials such as spirit wood, Demon Beast parts, and various ores can all be used to create Puppet.

The materials for a second-tier, low-grade Puppet are relatively easy to find.

No need to participate in the auction.

Lan Chang'an flew to Yellow Dragon Immortal City, and with the Yellow Dragon Pavilion VIP Token in hand, he could easily purchase it.

Recently, he collaborated with the Beast Taming Zhou Family, once again.

He also handed over the completed Talisman to the cultivators at the Zhou Family's residence.

Zhou Qingxuan is no longer in Yellow Dragon Immortal City. She stayed here before to hone her skills and accumulate experience.

The person negotiating with Lan Chang'an was another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Zhou Family.

His name is Zhou Jingxuan, and he has a cultivation level of Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Zhou Jingxuan was a Middle-aged Scholar, kind and talkative.

Lan Chang'an had heard that Zhou Jingxuan was almost killed by Liang Shaotian back then; it was Zhou Qingxuan's quick thinking that saved her uncle's life.

Lan Chang'an chatted with Zhou Jingxuan for a long time, learning many secrets about the Cultivation World in the Liang Kingdom.

For example, eighteen years ago, True Person Yellow Dragon secretly plotted to break through to the Late Core Formation, but he failed.

In his Previous Life, Lan Chang'an's cultivation level was at the peak of the Late Core Formation.

I have a deep understanding of the difficulties in the Late Core Formation.

He had considerable good fortuitous opportunity in his Previous Life, with the support of his Lineage, and he paid a considerable price to barely overcome that obstacle.

"True Person Yellow Dragon failed to advance to the later stages of cultivation eighteen years ago."

"And Tuoba Jin's challenge against True Person Yellow Dragon's False Core disciple, as a whetstone, happened more than a decade ago."

Now, Lan Chang'an understands the details.

True Person Yellow Dragon is in the mid-stage of the Golden Core Realm, possessing a third-tier Earth Dragon with Earth Grade Bloodline. His strength is considered very strong among Core Formation True Person, and he is revered as the number one Rogue Cultivator in the Liang Kingdom.

If this person had successfully advanced to the Late Core Formation eighteen years ago, Tuoba Jin would probably have had to find a different target.

After that challenge, Tuoba Jin went back to cultivate in seclusion and advanced to the early stage of the Golden Core Realm within two years.

According to Zhou Jingxuan, Tuoba Jin was of extremely high quality, meeting the threshold for "Golden Core" quality.

Tuoba Jin did not have this name in his early years; he changed his name to "Jin," which showed his ambition to obtain the Golden Core.

"The Golden Core is considered a seed for the Nascent Soul Realm."

Lan Chang'an couldn't help but feel a longing for it.

In his Previous Life, he High-Grade Spiritual Root, and with the combined efforts of his entire clan, he barely managed to create a true elixir of medium quality.

Of ten Golden Core cultivators, at least nine possess Earth Spiritual Root, Heavenly Spiritual Root, or Innate Treasure Body.

Tuoba Jin is said to possess High-Grade Spiritual Root and an Innate Treasure Body.

Lan Chang'an returned to Wuqi Mountain from Yellow Dragon Immortal City with a pile of Puppet materials in hand.

Guan Qiaozhi was skillful and adept at handling Puppet parts; otherwise, the Puppeteer Sang would not have given him a Puppet back then.

Lan Chang'an planned the scheme for the second Puppet.

Actually, he wanted to create a second-tier Flying Puppet.

Unfortunately, Flying Puppet require high skill levels and the materials are even harder to find, making them unsuitable at present.

His gaze swept over the Mystic Water Turtle not far away, and an idea came to him.

Turtle-type Demon Beast are known for their strong defense.

"Create a Turtle Puppet, not for attack, but for maximum defense, so it can be used as a shield in crucial moments."

Lan Chang'an confirmed the second Puppet.

While he was pondering this...

Whoosh!

A Escape Light appeared outside Wuqi Mountain and flew towards Small Plate Peak, several miles away.

She was a tall, voluptuous, and serene female cultivator dressed in a simple white dress.

"This Fairy Shi has been going out quite often these past few years."

Lan Chang'an glanced at it.

This time, Shi Manrong's Law Power aura was somewhat disordered, and her flight appeared somewhat rushed.

Lan Chang'an was unaware of what had happened and did not investigate.

Several years ago, Shi Manrong tried to feign indifference to comprehend the second-tier defensive formation in Lan Chang'an's mansion from her Previous Life, but she failed.

After that, Shi Manrong did not force the issue.

I come to Small Turtle Peak occasionally.

Each time, she would bring a small gift, chat with Lan Chang'an for a few minutes, and maintain a polite and pleasant relationship.

Shi Manrong is a well-known array formation genius in the area, and is expected to become a third-tier array formation master in the future.

Lan Chang'an was happy to associate with him.

Three days later.

Shi Manrong visited Small Turtle Peak.

The Fairy Shi regained her usual elegance and composure, and carried a small gift box.

However, Lan Chang'an was not idle today; he was in the Secret Chamber of his cave dwelling, crafting components for a second-tier Puppet.

"Senior Sister, Brother Lu is in seclusion and cannot receive guests."

"Qiaozhi, give this to Talismans Master Lu."

The Fairy Shi smiled gently, her voice warm and soothing.

"OK."

Guan Qiaozhi took a small Jade Box.

After Shi Manrong left.

Guan Qiaozhi returned to her cave dwelling and, with Lan Chang'an's permission, delivered the small Jade Box to the Secret Chamber.

The small Jade Box box was protected by a layer of Restriction, and could be opened by anyone who had Foundation Establishment Realm.

Lan Chang'an's powerful Divine Sense had scanned the area beforehand and found nothing unusual.

Upon opening the Jade Box, two items were found: a Sound Transmission Talisman and a Jade Cylinder.

Lan Chang'an activated the Sound Transmission Talisman.

A gentle, melodious female voice came through:

"Having known each other for over a decade, I have complete faith in Daoist Lu's character and integrity."

"I am willing to be frank: I will make a deal with Daoist Lu and offer him an fortuitous opportunity."

After listening to the contents of the Sound Transmission Talisman.

Lan Chang'an picked up the Jade Cylinder and examined the information inside.

His expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of surprise.

"This time, this woman is actually quite sincere."

That Jade Cylinder contained two main contents.

One of them.

It is the layout of the Mountain Protection Array Small Plate Peak where Shi Manrong is located, including its flaws and backdoors.

Lan Chang'an had been to Small Plate Peak and preliminarily confirmed that the information was true.

In other words, this Fairy Shi gave Lan Chang'an the key to her own cave dwelling, and even the hidden passage.

(Future updates will be scheduled for daytime.)

(End of this chapter)