In this world, the mighty powers that truly inspired longing were still nature, the boundless cosmos, the creation of life, and the reproduction and development of species.
And judging by their path of development, Puppet Masters had progressed from their earliest Mechanism Puppets, fighting with concealed weapons and tools, to the materials science and engineering needed to manufacture those puppets and tools. Then they had gradually advanced into biology, chemistry, physics, and other disciplines related to Creation... eventually extending into the entire field of natural science, pursuing the essence of nature's creative power. This was the true pursuit of the Dao.
If they confined themselves to their own bodies, they would largely remain shackled by their Spiritual Root aptitude and innate talent. Seeking only within and refusing to adapt, their Dao Path would retain its original form even after millions of years.
It was not that Outer Dao cultivators lacked intelligence, but that once they stepped beyond those confines, they would become heretics who defied established teachings, no longer tolerated by their peers.
Zhao Bin asked again, "When I return here in a while, what do you plan to be doing?"
Li Chen said, "I once heard that to travel a thousand miles, one must gather provisions for three months. While I'm staying at the Commandery Seat, becoming a Demon Hunter would be a good option."
Zhao Bin nodded. "That's how Rogue Cultivators see things: earn a sum of Talisman Coins first, then consider the rest."
Li Chen asked, "Do you think that's a bad thing?"
Zhao Bin shook his head. "No, you've made the right choice. In truth, cultivating and seeking the Dao comes down to food, clothing, shelter, and travel. Staying alive and living well-that is the proper path."
"Many people mistakenly believe that cultivating and seeking the Dao means nothing but clear breezes and bright moons, immortality and carefree freedom-treading upon lotuses and trailing waves to cleanse one's sword bones, riding the wind through the void to shape a sacred soul. In reality, they're all merely running about for spirit stones and cultivation resources. Until they transcend, they're all mortals. And if they're mortals, how could they possibly avoid the business of living?"
"If you have the mindset to make a life for yourself, you have the mindset to advance in cultivation. That's good. Very good."
Li Chen fell silent, deep in thought.
On the eighth day of the third month, Li Chen collected the Mechanism Beast he had ordered. Every day, he rode it around the city, and even took advantage of the open gates to conduct practical combat drills in the nearby countryside.
This kind of puppet fell into the Mechanism Beast category and usually possessed attacks such as pouncing, tearing, clawing, and biting. Under the standard star-rating system, it was classified as a two-star puppet.
Li Chen was clever by nature and had already tried operating puppets of this kind as a child; he had simply never had the chance to own one. Thus, it took him only a few days to master the basic methods of controlling it.
Besides practicing with his Mechanism Puppet and familiarizing himself with its offensive, defensive, and riding methods, Li Chen visited the Market Fair several more times over those days. He continued buying spiritual materials and preparing components, and also went to taverns frequented by Rogue Cultivators to gather information, taking the opportunity to meet seasoned veterans who traveled through the surrounding areas.
Li Chen understood these Rogue Cultivators well. Back in White Rock Ward, he had inherited the small repair shop his parents left behind, repairing puppets for Rogue Cultivators of all stripes while also selling assorted goods he made himself, such as Needle-Shooting Mechanisms, claws, fangs, and sharp blades. He had quickly become one of their own.
Where there were people, there was a world of wandering adventurers. These Ruins Seekers, Merchants, and Demon Hunters formed the rough-and-ready underworld of this Commandery Seat. His future path would also lead him into their ranks, so how could he not make a few friends and open a few doors?
During this time, Li Chen happened to meet the Demon Hunters who had slain the Red-Eyed Boar Demon that day again, and learned that they were a temporary team of six Puppeteers.
Their leader was Huang Yuan'an, a Puppeteer who had once been an apprentice at the Creation Sect's Heavenly Crafts Academy. After failing the major examination that year, he had gradually given up on becoming a craftsman and entered the world of wandering adventurers as a Rogue Cultivator.
The others' experiences were much the same. They had all failed to become craftsmen, so they had settled for the next best thing and become Puppeteers.
Puppeteers were a group closely connected to Puppet Masters. The term usually referred to people who specialized in the Mechanism-Performance Method and excelled at controlling puppets in battle. They could be considered half a Puppet Master, but because their work did not involve crafting, they were not highly regarded by the mainstream.
On the Eastern Victory Continent, Puppet Masters could also serve as Puppeteers themselves, controlling puppets through the Mechanism-Performance Method without falling the slightest bit short of accomplished Puppeteers. Moreover, they possessed crafting skills that Puppeteers lacked. Which of the two carried more weight went without saying.
In this world, anyone who isn't a true Puppet Master ultimately falls a cut below. That's why I need to secure standing as a craftsman. Only with a status recognized by the Creation Sect can I survive and develop more successfully!
After learning about their lives, Li Chen could not help sighing inwardly.
Still, the Puppet Dao is vast. Advancing in cultivation may not necessarily be a straight staircase. It's more like an open ocean of knowledge, where what you gain depends entirely on the opportunities you encounter.
The scope of the Puppet Dao was far too broad, encompassing even the sum of natural science, mysticism, and metaphysics. It had no naturally defined realms, only artificially designated ranks marked by major, representative Dao Fruits.
Cultivation realms were merely one kind of Dao Fruit. Advancing to Foundation Establishment did not necessarily mean one could surpass a craftsman and reach the level of a Master Artisan, nor did advancing to Core Formation mean one could become a Grand Artisan.
They benefited one another, but the relationship was not absolute.
Ultimately, the Puppet Dao placed knowledge and attainment first; cultivation was merely a tool. The magical power and spiritual sense that cultivation brought were convenient and easy to use, strengthening the practitioner and aiding research, while the results of research into the Puppet Dao could often benefit one's cultivation in turn.
Li Chen knew that the Dao Fruits valued among ordinary folk mostly emphasized practical combat. This was entirely different from the Creation Sect's disciples. The Creation Sect was more like an academic school, emphasizing research and the mastery of knowledge.
A person's time, energy, money, provisions, and resources were all limited, so arranging them sensibly became the foremost consideration.
I can't sink into being a Puppeteer who only knows how to use things, not create them. If I'm to walk the path of a Puppet Master, I must avoid the vicious circle of judging everything solely by combat strength.
But as a wandering Rogue Cultivator making his way in the world, he absolutely could not do without fighting power either.
Huang Yuan'an knew nothing of Li Chen's thoughts, but he was quite curious about his background and tried several times to sound him out indirectly.
Although Li Chen was new to this world of wandering adventurers, he was no greenhorn. From beginning to end, he promised Huang Yuan'an nothing and never revealed the full truth of his background.
He understood that he would soon undergo a crucial transformation. When the time came, facing them as a craftsman would speak louder than a thousand words.
And so, the fifteenth day of the third month finally arrived.
Artisan Lei sent someone to fetch him and shared some good news. "Get yourself ready. The Creation Sect's Instructors have arrived. We can begin soon!"
At the same time, Li Chen also saw Zhao Bin at the Lei Residence, having come all the way from White Rock Ward for this occasion. Both men came from the Creation Sect and were true Puppet Masters with the status of Master Artisans, so naturally they had their own private channels of information.
Zhao Bin nodded to Li Chen and encouraged him. "You needn't be nervous. Just answer their questions properly. The Instructors also know you didn't come from an academy, so they won't make things too difficult for you."
Artisan Lei immediately took Li Chen and Zhao Bin to the local Heavenly Crafts Academy. It was the verification site arranged by the Creation Sect, as well as a base responsible for liaison and communication.