The Puppet Legion

Seeing these statue-like figures, Bai Qiuran Consciousness thought of the Puppet Venerable of the Underworld Ghost Realm, the unique Ghost Realm Three Venerables. Just like his and Jiang Lan's adopted daughter, after Bai Xuxiang was born, the Puppet Venerable would occasionally send one or two clones to accompany Bai Xuxiang as her older sister.

The body used by the Puppet Venerable is Puppet, just like these sculptures.

After confirming the fleeing Consciousness Demon ahead, the sculpture team immediately began a methodical pursuit.

"The Heavenly Pursuers will encircle the enemy, Heavenly Soldiers will continue the pursuit."

A tall statue, holding a Great Sword in its left hand and a lantern in its right, appeared to be the commander of the group of sculptures and issued a command.

The other sculptures immediately began to move. On both sides of the formation, a group of sculptures split up, and a pair of Flying Wheels appeared beneath their feet. Runes appeared on the wheels, which kept tumbling. Then, the speed of these sculptures suddenly increased, and they turned into beams of light, rushing to the front of the Consciousness Demon.

The remaining sculptures, in a uniform pose, gripped their long Demon-Subduing Staff.

A golden symbol appeared at the tip of the Demon-Subduing Staff, and mysterious symbols also appeared on their limbs and bodies, radiating light.

"Combat Form activated."

The sculptures announced in mechanical voices, "Operation begins."

The symbols emitted an even more dazzling brilliance, and a blade of light sprouted from the tip of the staffs in their hands, forming a light spear. Golden flames shot out from their backs, propelling them forward, and a unified symbol appeared between their brows.

"This is related to books--"

Bai Qiuran couldn't help but ask, "These are the Runes of the Shuhua?"

After assuming their so-called Combat Form, the sculptures, led by the sword-wielding lantern-carrying commander, charged towards the Consciousness Demons. Meanwhile, the so-called "Heavenly Pursuers," who had circled around to the front of the Consciousness Demon Consciousness Demons surrounded them, also launched an attack on them.

Although they are vastly different in size from the Consciousness Demon, their power is in no way inferior to that of the Consciousness Demon.

The Heavenly Soldiers displayed exquisite spear techniques, riddling the Consciousness Demon with countless holes. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Pursuers behind them conjured pairs of magical Treasure Wheels from their hands, hurling them at the Consciousness Demons. Although these Heavenly Soldiers Heavenly Pursuers appeared to be low-level troops, their every move possessed power comparable to Spirit Severing Stage expert. The Commander wielding the sword, however, was even more powerful than a Mahayana Stage Cultivators, and with the enhancement of Runes, his strength might even surpass Tang Ruowei's original form.

The sculptures were besieging several Consciousness Demons Consciousness Demon, who were actually quite powerful. As mid-level Consciousness Demon beings, they possessed strength comparable to their commander. However, they were injured and had long been terrified by the forces behind the sculptures. Therefore, even when facing a group of sculptures weaker than themselves, the Consciousness Demons were still driven to flee in terror.

One side advanced and retreated with discipline and formation, forming a perfect battle array and coordinating seamlessly. The other side, however, lost its footing, its will to fight gone, and only thought of escaping. As a result, the Consciousness Demons quickly collapsed and suffered casualties.

"Awooooo--"

The desperate situation finally provoked a few Consciousness Demon, who became ferocious and fought back with all their might, slapping with their tentacles and tearing with their giant mouths, quickly shattering several Heavenly Soldiers who were too close.

After the sculptures were shattered, their skin peeled off, revealing intricate mechanical Runes structures beneath.

"It really is Puppet."

Bai Qiuran said, "But these Puppet seem to have their own consciousness. How is that possible?"

Even after being shattered by the blows, these Heavenly Soldiers sculptures remained dignified and fearless, calmly repeating the final command.

"Confirmed, the Body Damage Level is severe, exceeding the Repair Threshold. Self-Destruct Program initiated."

Energy flowed through their bodies, billowing hot white smoke from their ears and mouths. Then, the sculptures' chests opened, revealing severely damaged internal components and cavities in their abdomens.

There was a small space inside, and in the center of the space was a somewhat illusory human figure.

"What?! Purple Mansion? Nascent Soul?!"

Bai Qiuran suddenly stood up from the driver's seat, pressed himself against the ship's display window, and stared intently at the sculptures.

"It's over."

Tang Ruowei said blankly, "Master's cultivation has been surpassed by the Puppet."

After the sculptures opened their chests and revealed their inner Purple Mansion, the Nascent Soul within the Purple Mansion began to emit increasingly bright light, and their bodies accelerated at full speed, rushing towards the resisting Consciousness Demon.

"Nascent Soul Self-Destruct Program activated!"

Boom!

A massive burst of energy created clusters of explosive light near the Consciousness Demon.

Even the self-destruction of a Nascent Soul Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators is not to be underestimated; even Body Integration Stage Cultivators must avoid its edge. These sculptures, however, are all firmly at the mid-stage of the Spirit Severing Stage. The shockwave from the explosion tore apart the bodies of the Consciousness Demons. Amidst screams, they were severely injured. Then, the Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Pursuers joined forces and tore these dying Consciousness Demon to shreds.

After tearing apart the Consciousness Demon, the Commander wielding the sword and lantern raised his metal lantern high. Mysterious Runes on the lantern lit up and shone brightly. Then, the remaining concepts and Power of Intent of the Consciousness Demons after they were torn apart were all absorbed by the lantern and transformed into a wisp of eerie fire in the wick.

"Battlefield clearing complete. Record battle damage and combat data... Recording complete. Return to Command Center."

Standing still, the sculpture holding a sword and lantern gave instructions to the other sculptures in a mechanical voice. Immediately, these sculpture-like Puppet formed a procession and left, flying towards the Rift in the distance.

"Follow them and see."

Bai Qiuran piloted the Void Airship and set it on its course.

"These Puppet are definitely connected to Shuhua. What kind of thing did he build and dump on the other side of the river back then?"

No one could answer his question. Lou Yueming had not gone with Shuhua, and when the Immortal Emperor Shuhua returned, he was on his deathbed and had not told her what he had created.

The only one who knew the truth, the Immortal Emperor Shuhua, Souls lie in his wife's womb for tens of thousands of years, so his memories had naturally been completely erased. Even if you asked his reincarnation now, he himself wouldn't know.

Only by going there in person can we know what this "moon in the clouds and flower in the mist" really is.

The Puppet squad sped along, with the Void Vessel close behind. After flying for about two or three days, Bai Qiuran and the others entered an area closest to the Rift in the Consciousness Barrier.

More than a dozen worlds are connected here by the Network Pathway of Consciousness Domain, forming a ring-shaped world zone, similar in structure to the vicinity of the Immortal Realm Fortress.

At the center of this Ring-Shaped World Belt lies a battlefield raging fiercely.