Subduing the Puppets (Part Two)

Everyone in the square was taken aback when they saw Lin Ming suddenly stepping forward, and their expressions varied.

Some people who had grudges against Lin Ming, such as Chen Tiannan of the Profound Nether Sect, frowned deeply. Based on their understanding of Lin Ming, this guy was as shrewd as a fox, and he wouldn't do anything without a profit. Why would he voluntarily step forward to do such a thankless task?

"This kid has shown himself; could it be that he's planning to subdue these ten Puppet?"

Within the Starfall Pavilion camp, Xiao Yan gazed at Lin Ming's retreating figure and murmured softly, a hint of understanding and envy flashing in his eyes.

He had personally witnessed Lin Ming controlling Puppet to absorb the Pill Lightning at the Pill Gathering, and he had a deep understanding of Lin Ming's Puppet Art. Seeing Lin Ming's actions at this moment, he roughly guessed Lin Ming's thoughts.

However, Xiao Yan could only secretly envy him.

After all, he only has the strength of Eight-Star Dou Ancestor. Although he may not be afraid of the Two-Star Dou Venerate level Heavenly Demon Puppet if he uses Trump Card and has all his methods ready, that would inevitably exhaust him and deplete his Dou Qi.

In this ruin surrounded by powerful figures and fraught with danger, it would be a foolish act to put oneself in such a perilous situation for a few gatekeeper Puppet.

Only someone like Lin Ming, with unfathomable strength and Puppet Art, would have the confidence and ability to plot against these ten precious Puppet.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Lin Ming, wanting to see how this recently famous sect Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect would deal with this Puppet Array that even Dou Venerate found troublesome.

Lin Ming's sudden move certainly aroused Xiao Yan's speculation and some people's doubts, but not everyone would choose to wait and see like Xiao Yan.

With their own interests at stake, and especially after seeing through Lin Ming's intentions, some people were naturally unwilling to let him succeed so easily.

Just as Lin Ming landed and was about to make a move, a White-haired Man from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan camp, who had always been taciturn and had a cold aura, curled his lips into a mocking smile. His gaze swept over Lin Ming's back, and then he chuckled and slowly walked out.

"Sect Master Lin, you are the esteemed leader of the Five Elements Sect, a person of great prestige. How could we dare trouble you with such a trivial matter as cleaning up sects and dealing with Puppet? I think we should just forget about it."

The White-haired Man's voice carried an innate arrogance and sarcasm. His gaze swept over the ten Silver Puppet, and he deliberately raised his voice, saying, "Coincidentally, I'm also quite interested in these iron lumps. If we could take them back and place them on the outskirts of our clan as gatekeepers, it would certainly be unique and quite imposing."

This person had a keen eye. Although he didn't understand the specific methods of Puppet control, his sharp intuition and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's innate perception of energy fluctuations allowed him to see at a glance that Lin Ming didn't simply want to defeat the Puppet, but rather intended to control and subdue it.

His intervention was partly to annoy Lin Ming, and partly out of a sliver of hope that he might be able to snatch one or two bodies by force. At the very least, he couldn't let Lin Ming get his way so easily.

Lin Ming frowned slightly at this unexpected obstacle, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He slowly turned around, looking at the White-haired Man, a sneer of undisguised mockery on his face:

"Heh, you're just a junior from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, your status is far too precious. If a fight breaks out later, these blind Puppet might hurt your delicate skin, wouldn't your old folks be heartbroken? So, this kind of dangerous fighting isn't something a pampered junior like you is qualified to participate in. Just obediently step aside and watch, lest you humiliate yourself."

Lin Ming's words were extremely sarcastic, directly belittling the other party as a spoiled brat who needed the protection of his family and was utterly useless. He also pointed out the other party's identity as a member of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, implying that he was all bark and no bite.

"You... you bastard!"

The White-haired Man had never been so humiliated in person, especially by someone he considered "lowly" human. He immediately turned ashen with rage, his eyes blazing with Killing Intent.

The moment Lin Ming finished speaking, he didn't give him a chance to waste words. He stomped his foot on the ground and his figure shot out like an arrow, transforming into a blurry blur of light and shadow, rushing into the Puppet's guard range within ten feet of the Stone Door without hesitation!

"Court death!"

Seeing that Lin Ming ignored him and acted directly, the White-haired Man was even more furious. His face was cold and sinister. He flashed forward and rushed in as well, moving extremely fast, trying to get there first.

At the same time, he suddenly waved his sleeve, and a fierce, incomparably sharp, deep blue wind, like an invisible Wind Blade, with a piercing whistling sound, lashed directly at Lin Ming's back!

If this blow lands squarely, even with the physique of Dou Venerate, he would not escape unscathed.

However, Lin Ming seemed to have eyes in the back of his head as to the fierce gust of wind that was rapidly approaching from behind.

Just as the powerful wind was about to hit him, he twisted his body at an incredible angle, like a willow catkin in the wind, easily dodging the attack that was powerful enough to split rocks and shatter stone, without even slowing down his speed.

Just as he dodged, his mind stirred, and the vast Soul Power that had been lurking between his brows and had already reached the Heavenly Realm level was now unleashed without reservation, erupting like a dormant volcano, surging out in an overwhelming torrent!

An invisible Soul Power instantly permeated the area in Stone Door, then precisely split into countless strands, like countless incredibly thin yet incredibly tough soul tentacles. Ignoring physical defenses, they rushed directly towards the ten Earth Demon Puppet that were about to launch an attack, their brilliant silver light emanating again due to the intruders!

Lin Ming had personally crafted Earth Demon Puppet and even possessed higher-level Heavenly Demon Puppet. He was extremely knowledgeable about the internal structure, energy execution principles, and core control mechanisms of such Puppet, far more so than anyone else present.

If you choose to confront them head-on, the only way to get past them is to use absolute force to completely dismantle and pulverize them into parts.

But doing so would not only be time-consuming and laborious, but would also completely destroy these precious Puppet. This was definitely not what Lin Ming wanted.

What Lin Ming wanted was control! To control these ten Earth Demon Puppet perfectly, just as he controlled his own Heavenly Demon Puppet, making them the guardian force of the Five Elements Sect!

Deep within the Earth Demon Puppet lies a unique Soul Imprint left by its creator.

If one can find this mark, forcibly erase it with stronger Soul Power, and then leave one's own Soul Imprint, then one can easily seize control of the Puppet and command it as if it were an extension of one's own arm.

However, this core Soul Imprint was hidden very deeply and protected by the Puppet's own energy and the array. If Lin Ming had not also been a master in this field and had not reached the Heavenly Realm Soul Realm, he would not have been able to perceive it so accurately and attempt to intrude.

"Hmph! This kid really is trying to control Puppet!"

The moment Lin Ming's immense Soul Power spread out, the White-haired Man following closely behind immediately noticed it.

Although he was quite powerful, having reached the Two-Star Peak Dou Venerate, he was completely clueless about the delicate art of Puppet control and could not seize control by intruding with his Soul Power like Lin Ming could.

However, he was no pushover either. Seeing that he couldn't compete with Lin Ming on the "technical" level, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"If I can't have it, you won't get it easily either!"

Then, this person suddenly flashed away, abandoning the pursuit of Lin Ming, and appeared in front of the nearest Earth Demon Puppet.

Then, his fighting Dou Qi surged wildly, and a violent Azure Wind Vortex condensed on his fist. He was about to throw a punch, aiming directly at the core chest of the Earth Demon Puppet! He actually intended to severely injure or even destroy it, preferring to destroy it rather than let Lin Ming subdue it completely!

"Court death!"

Sensing the White-haired Man's intention, Lin Ming's eyes flashed with a cold light. He diverted some of his attention, raised his left hand, and waved it in the direction of the White-haired Man!

"Buzz!"

An invisible, immense Soul Power struck the White-haired Man's fist, which was gathering Dou Qi, like a heavy hammer. Although it did not completely dissipate the attack, it did cause his fist to deviate. The punch, which was originally aimed at the core, only grazed the Earth Demon Puppet's shoulder, leaving a trail of sparks, without causing any substantial damage.

"Since you enjoy beating my Puppet so much, then I'll let you have your fill!"

After blocking the attack, Lin Ming snorted coldly, his tone filled with icy Killing Intent.

As Lin Ming finished speaking, the Storage Ring on his finger flashed!

"Call out!"

A blinding golden light, as if Space-Tearing, suddenly shot out from the Storage Ring and appeared at an astonishing speed directly in the retreat path of the White-haired Man was slightly stunned and subconsciously retreating after his punch missed!

The golden light receded, revealing a massive body that was entirely dark gold, as if cast from metal.

Its face was expressionless, its eyes were empty, but the ferocious aura and solid, indestructible texture emanating from its body, like that of a prehistoric beast, caused the White-haired Man's pupils to suddenly contract!

This dark golden Puppet gave him a sense of danger far greater than the Gold Heavenly Demon Puppet Earth Demon Puppets! Its extremely restrained power seemed poised to unleash a world-destroying force at any moment.

"This Lin Ming... he actually possesses such Puppet! And of such high quality! No wonder he dared to make a move and was determined to obtain those ten Puppet!"

Upon seeing the dark golden Heavenly Demon Puppet, the White-haired Man suddenly understood, feeling both shocked and furious.

However, before he could think any further, the Dark-Gold Heavenly Demon Puppet had already received Lin Ming's command. Without any hesitation, it took a step forward, causing the ground to tremble slightly. Its fist, gleaming with dark golden light, smashed down on the White-haired Man's head without any fancy moves!

Wherever the fist passed, the air exploded, producing a low sonic boom!

The White-haired Man was horrified. He quickly composed himself, pushed his Dou Qi to its limit, and his palms shone brightly with azure light, transforming into a thick wind shield as he met the attack with all his might!

"Bang!!!"

The dark gold fist collided violently with the wind shield, producing a deafening roar! Violent Energy Ripple spread out in a ring, stirring up all the dust on the ground.

The White-haired Man felt an irresistible force surge through his arms. His throat tasted sweet, and his body slid backward for more than ten meters as if struck by a giant hammer. He barely managed to regain his balance, his Qi and Blood churning within him. His gaze towards the Dark-Gold Heavenly Demon Puppet was filled with terror.

This Puppet's power has definitely reached the level of Four Stars or even Five-Star Dou Venerate!

In the brief moment when he was struggling to defend himself and had no time to think about anything else, he happened to look up and see Lin Ming, who had been controlling his Soul Power with his eyes closed, slowly opening his eyes.

Lin Ming's eyes were cold as ice as he glanced indifferently at the disheveled White-haired Man, his gaze as if he were looking at a struggling ant, filled with disdain and indifference.

Immediately, Lin Ming ignored the other party and gently beckoned to the ten Silver Earth Demon Puppet that were frozen in place because their core Soul Imprint had been quickly erased and replaced.

A soft "hiss!" sound.

Under the shocked, envious, and jealous gazes of many in the square, the ten powerful Earth Demon Puppet, capable of merging and evolving, transformed into ten streaks of silver light and were easily stored into Lin Ming's Storage Ring.

The whole process was smooth and natural, as if it were meant to be.

The White-haired Man from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's attempt to stop Lin Ming became a complete joke. Not only did he fail to stop Lin Ming, but he was also forced into a sorry state and humiliated by Lin Ming's Puppet in front of everyone.

Lin Ming, on the other hand, achieved his first valuable "success" of the trip without bloodshed in this brief conflict.