"Grand Artisan, we have sealed off a thousand li in every direction as you instructed, cutting off passage through the void both inside and out!"
"The Great Demon Mo Huang previously demonstrated the ability to burrow through earth, but it has never displayed any ability to traverse space through the Cosmic Dao. This time, we have combined the Five-Element Binding Formation with the Space-Severing Grand Formation to counter its innate Divine Ability. We are certain to annihilate it in one stroke!"
While Li Chen was once again engrossed in mining, aboard the Mirage, a subordinate clad in Battle Master War Armor, with the appearance of a Mechanical Martial Artist, was reporting the recent progress of their battle preparations to Grand Artisan Qi.
This subordinate appeared highly capable, clearly one of those reliable disciples whose accomplishments on the Puppeteer Dao Path were modest, but who had honed themselves through practical duties.
"Very good. You haven't disturbed it?" Although Grand Artisan Qi had already guessed the answer, he asked anyway.
The Mechanical Martial Artist replied, "No. It's sleeping soundly."
Another subordinate beside him, likewise dressed as a Mechanical Martial Artist, explained, "We deliberately assigned Qi Refining Realm Demon Hunters who posed absolutely no threat to set up the formation flags."
Grand Artisan Qi smiled at this. "Those low-level cultivators have proved useful after all. It's about time to have them withdraw."
The Mechanical Martial Artist replied, "Yes."
On the other side, a burly, powerful cultivator who appeared to have undergone puppet modifications asked, "What about everyone else?"
The Chief Steward added, "The battlefield selected this time happens to be in the Xiling area. We fear the aftershocks of the battle may destroy it..."
Grand Artisan Qi said, "Notify them just before battle begins. If necessary, send more reinforcements."
He was not overly