Ding Ruoshui Keeps Her Promise

The old man beamed. "That did it! Just like that! I'll teach you a built-in energy formation, and then you'll be able to make a real puppet."

Ding Dong was beside himself with joy. "Brother, could you lend me that pen for a few days?"

"Why borrow it? It's yours!" Lin Xiaosu said. "I'll throw in a pile of Formation Stones too!"

He held out a hand, and a small bag appeared in his palm. He set it on the coffee table. Ding Dong's heart thumped wildly. He threw his arms around Lin Xiaosu. "Brother, my sister is yours! If my mom asks for a bride price, tell me the amount, and I'll cover it! I guarantee you won't spend a penny marrying my sister!"

Lin Xiaosu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I'm going upstairs."

He turned and took the elevator up.

He had given Ding Dong the formation pen because, with all Five Elements gathered, he had reached the "abandoning the pen" stage of Formation Dao cultivation. He no longer needed it.

He hadn't stayed to pick up a little of the old man's Puppet Dao. Partly, he respected the cultivator's rule that "teachings must not be passed on lightly." But he had another reason: the Puppet Dao wasn't his path. He already had more than enough to comprehend, and he had no intention of following it.

Ding Dong had stayed up all night, and every sign suggested he would do the same tonight.

After all, he had unlocked a most wondrous secret art: Puppet Art!

The interest and passion of his lifetime were about to rise to something greater: "his path"...

Lin Xiaosu returned to the hall.

Ding Dong's mother hurried over. "Su'er, your brother... I mean, how is Dong'er?"

"Don't worry, Auntie. He's delighted."

"Delighted?"