Immortality begins with meditation puppets

"It seems that this Golden Core is not fully accomplished. It should have been based on the Myriad Manifestations of Talisman Technique to condense the Myriad Manifestations Pill, but unexpectedly, during the condensation process, it was affected by the Purple Star Qi that its own spiritual root had borrowed from Ling Ying, and by some twist of fate, it condensed the Purple Star Myriad Manifestations Pill instead!"

Although this Golden Core is a step further than the Myriad Manifestations Pill and has entered the ranks of Grade One Golden Cores, the spiritual materials required for Nascent Soul formation are not as abundant as those for the Myriad Manifestations Pill. It can only be formed using the Ziwei Star Core.

"But it doesn't matter. After obtaining Ling Ying's blood and the Qi of Ziwei, I can summon the Ziwei Star Core whenever I want, as long as it's well hidden and doesn't fall into the hands of others!"

Su Qing, who had achieved the Golden Core stage, showed no sign of pride.

Because during those thirty years, he had many learned scholars in his conversations and no commoners among his acquaintances. He had seen so many Golden Elixir Masters that they were no longer of much value to him.

Especially in the past thirty years, new Nascent Soul Spirits have been born in various parts of Tianyuan. Many cultivators who were previously trapped by Nascent Soul Spirits and unable to achieve Nascent Soul have now achieved Nascent Soul after having the opportunity to do so.

The Golden Core cultivator is nothing special.

At least with his Golden Core cultivation level, which allows him to draw talismans in the void and draw star power for his own use, he is far from being able to cope with the current crisis.

Amidst the chaos of war in the four regions, Wanghai City has become incredibly wealthy and prosperous, its development rivaling that of Penglai Baiyujing and Fangzhang Wanxian City.

He and Erqiang knew that someone would come to pick these plump peaches.

The fact that these people could endure for thirty years was beyond their expectations. In his and Erqiang's estimation, Penglai Island should have started a fight with them more than ten years ago when they refused to move some of Wanghai's merchants, especially Su Qing's puppet factory, to Penglai Island.

Perhaps it was because the old Taoist priest Tong on Langya Immortal Island relieved some of the pressure for them, or perhaps it was because Penglai Immortal Island and Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom failed to reach an agreement on the terms, which is why it has dragged on until now.

But this time, Penglai Immortal Island and Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom came to the grand auction uninvited, led by Nascent Soul cultivators. It seems they were about to reveal their true intentions, and the Emperor could no longer tolerate them.

"Erqiang has made great progress in Taoist and evil arts over the years. He said that he could even hold his own against a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Penglai Sect. But I'll have to deal with the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom."

"Does he really think highly of me? Does he know I have the Void Four Lions, the Fish-Dragon Dance Troupe, and other puppet trump cards?"

Su Qing muttered to himself, as a puppeteer who had earned hundreds of thousands of spirit stones over the past thirty years.

With his production capacity exploding, he no longer had any intention of personally taking charge.

He cultivates the Golden Core of Dharma and the third stage of Body Cultivation. This level of cultivation is only for his longevity. He can leave the rough and hard work of fighting with people to the puppet.

After advancing to the Golden Core stage, his divine sense leaped to another level, its strength approaching that of the Nascent Soul stage, giving him the ability to control nearly a hundred third-tier puppets.

"Unfortunately, after reaching the Golden Core stage, the Divine Art of Divinity and Divinity is no longer suitable for me. Even if I transform my essence to obtain a level-one Dao technique, my divine sense will only increase by a small percentage, far less than the improvement I experienced when I was refining Qi and establishing my foundation."

"I've invested in that ruthless tomb-raiding team for thirty years, and I don't even know if they've found the exact location of Hai Daoyou's ancestral tomb. If we could exhume the Hai family's ancestral tomb soon and seize control of Shen Wuyai, my spiritual power would increase even further. I could truly single-handedly command a puppet army that would terrify even a Nascent Soul cultivator!"

Shaking his head regretfully, Su Qing began to take stock of the puppet team he could currently use.

The dagger missile puppets are arranged in teams of eight. He has one team mainly targeting the West Sea Heavenly Mother who previously caused trouble near Wanghai, and also to guard against Erqiang.

The Golden Roc mothership has been upgraded with new cannons, including several Tier 3 Spirit Explosion Flame Cannons and Tier 3 Gale Cannons. The escort puppets, including the Silver Flowing Dragon, Flying Dragon, and Roc King Puppet, have all been upgraded and now possess Tier 3 power. He has also crafted several low-end export versions of the Golden Roc mothership, which have been tested in actual combat on the Desire Demon Battlefield and have proven to be highly effective.

In addition to the original Deepwater Dragon, the naval battle series also includes several third-tier puppets such as the Outgoing Shark and the King Octopus, which can form a small puppet fleet. Over the past thirty years, it has taken on the important task of patrolling the near seas, defeating the second and third-tier evil spirits driven by the Western Sea Heavenly Mother in a rout. It is known as the Wall of the Sea by the cultivators who look out for the sea, and its glory is unparalleled.

In addition, Tiger Egg spurred on Bear Two, and the two puppets cultivated day and night, and their strength improved. Fire Egg, with no worries about food and drink, also lived up to expectations and advanced to the third-tier Fiend Hound. After developing for so long, it finally had the ability to help him fight.

These puppets gave him the confidence to be fearless of any Golden Core sect.

However, it is still slightly insufficient to fight against Nascent Soul cultivators.

Bi Lian and Xiong Er, along with the Buddhist treasure set composed of the merit wooden fish, can target fourth-order great evil, but it has no effect against Nascent Soul True Person, making it unsuitable for great use.

The four Void Lions could barely hold off a Nascent Soul cultivator, but they were insufficient to fight a life-or-death battle with a true cultivator.

Fortunately, the fish-head shovel that was used thirty years ago sacrificed itself to give him a bunch of descendants.

The main materials are the corpses of four third-tier fish-dragons and many second-tier fish-dragons, mixed with the true dragon blood and true dragon scales of the fourth-tier fish-head shovel obtained from Erqiang, plus many precious materials, with divine beast runes as the main material and materials, magic weapons, storm, spirit explosion and other runes as secondary materials.

The mythical beast-type group puppet, Fish Dragon Dance, was born.

This Fish-Dragon Dance, the highest combat power of a single puppet is only a third-tier fat fish-dragon covered with a hundred dragon scales, the power of only a third-tier ultimate puppet.

However, when a group of fish-dragon puppets are put together, they can mimic the power of a fourth-order fish-head shovel, summon the phantom of the mountain-driving black dragon, and, together with the four ethereal lions, truly have the ability to fight against a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"If we add Bi Lian, the two-headed mirage dragon, and Xiong Er's masterful Vajra Subduing Demon Formation, even the Nascent Soul cultivators of Penglai Thousand Islands would be no match for me!"

Su Qing muttered to herself, silently taking out one more, two more, a total of eight Tier 3 substitute dolls from her storage bag.

With the doll in hand, even the fighting puppets can't stop them, but escaping is no problem.

"If thirty years weren't too short, not enough time for me to advance all my runes to the fifth rank, then they would be facing my fifth-rank puppets this time!"

Su Qing's eyes shone brightly, regretting that she hadn't had enough time to develop, so she still needed to form alliances and unite with other forces to block the offensive from Penglai Immortal Island and Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom!

"I wonder what kind of battle awaits me tomorrow. With Erqiang, these two tall guys, holding the fort, I'll just have to wait and see!"

Inside the puppet-making room, Su Qing, who had made ample preparations, showed no sign of tension. He simply waited quietly for dawn to break and for this grand auction, which was destined to be anything but peaceful, to begin.

······
The next morning.

The city of Wanghai was teeming with people. On the ground, cultivators swarmed like ants toward the auction venue, the Twilight Society, which had once been avoided like the plague by Wanghai cultivators. But after the arrival of Gao Xieshen, the society had shed its dark and ruthless nature. The excitement wasn't confined to the ground; the sky was bustling with activity as golden-core cultivators glided through the air, their figures shimmering. Local Wanghai powers and influential figures from across the Western Sea ascended the clouds to take their seats at the society.

Hu Gua, along with his hastily recruited intelligence team, had already secured back-row positions within the Twilight Society.

"Brother Hu, you're being stingy. Today is such a grand event, and people all over the West Sea are waiting for us to relay information about the conference. The location you've given us is way too far away. It's probably three or five miles from the auction stage."

One of the underlings complained, saying that as professional intelligence personnel, they knew all too well that today's auction was more than just an auction.

This could determine, given that the Dizang Evil Kingdom is closed off from the world and has no time to attend to the affairs of Wanghai City, the future ownership of this important matter will be decided.

Furthermore, since Wanghai City is now an arms dealer for various parts of the Western Sea, its future direction naturally affects the nerves of the various immortal kingdoms in the Western Sea.

With such a significant event, Hu Gua is sure to earn a substantial intelligence fee today. Yet, he's so stingy with money, not even arranging a close-up observation position for them. It's understandable that his underlings are dissatisfied.

Hu Gua slapped the melon rind on his underling's forehead and snorted coldly:

"The front row seats? Those are for rogue Golden Core cultivators. How could I, Hu Gua, possibly compete for them? The second floor is also the territory of local powerful forces such as Jia Tianxia and Fo Bao Zhai. The third floor is reserved for high-level cultivators such as Penglai Zhenren, Gao Xieshen, and Su Daoren."

"You should be grateful you managed to snag these back-row seats. If it weren't for my connection with Fellow Daoist Xiong Er of Su's Puppet Shop, who helped me get a few tickets, we'd be watching the show outside right now!"

"Watching a show? Brother Hu, do you think a fight will break out today? If you ask me, the cultivators from Penglai Sect and Thousand Island Sect are coming with great force, and Gao Xieshen and Su Daoren are both tough guys, so a fight is definitely going to happen!"

The younger brother said excitedly, "I wish this damn auction would just stop. Everyone's here for the fight, so why not just start the real show? Fight until the sky darkens and the sun and moon lose their light, and let's see who's right and wrong, male and female!"

Hu Gua glared at his underling, who seemed to enjoy watching the drama unfold, and lectured him:

"Don't just watch the show. This grand auction itself has many exciting moments. All the forces have brought out their best items to bid on in order to participate."

Putting everything else aside, the very fact that the blueprints for the Star Orbit Cannon brought from Penglai Immortal Island end up in which they are acquired is enough for us to write a long story about!

"The Star Trail Robe is a closely guarded secret of Penglai Immortal Island. It was probably not intended for someone else to win it when it was submitted for auction this time. However, his self-selling and self-auctioning is just a gimmick!"

The younger brother curled his lip and said, "I don't believe for a second that Penglai Immortal Island would be willing to reveal the blueprints for the third-tier Star Orbit Cannon, which covers the entire western sea and is one of the three-layered air defense systems of Penglai Immortal Island."

"Even if Penglai Immortal Island wasn't sincerely bidding for the Star Orbit Cannon, the fourth-tier Xuanwu blood that the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom sent for bidding, the Wutong Divine Branch that the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom sent for bidding, and even the new type of puppet that Su Daoren first refined—you don't want to know who will bid for these things today, but someone does!"

Hu Gua took out the auction list and pointed it out to his underling.

"Brother Hu, have you already taken money from the Yellow Heaven Gang, the Black Sand Gate, and other robbery organizations? These people are too bold, daring to even covet today's auction items?" the underling asked in surprise.

"They might not dare to cause trouble at this grand auction, but surely they could rob and kill any lone cultivators who win the auction today? Be smarter later, and record who bid on what. We're in the intelligence business; we're here to eat, not to watch a show!"

Hu Gua gave a few more instructions, telling his underlings to take their seats, set up their long-range cameras and other professional equipment such as telescopes and telephoto lenses, and lock onto the auction stage, waiting for the auction to begin.

Even if the auction had not been held, the mere presence of representatives from powerful forces would have been enough to warrant a great deal of bidding and extensive writing!

"The Duan Family Puppet Shop, owned by Master Duan Yang, has joined the auction with his sister Duan Tian'ai. All bystanders, please step aside and welcome the two masters to the second floor!"

The Blood Emperor of the Twilight Society served as the host of this conference. After a loud shout, members of the Law Enforcement Hall and the Twilight Society escorted Duan Yang and Duan Tianai to the second floor.

"I thought the Duan family would decline after the fall of their Nascent Soul cultivator, but unexpectedly, the puppet shop that was a subsidiary of Su's Puppet Shop has been thriving for the past thirty years!"

Hu Gua transformed into a master commentator, nodding and critiquing the powerful figures who could reach the second and third floors, while also passing on some professional knowledge to his underlings.

"Master Liaode of Fobaozhai has joined the auction. Please come up to the second floor and take a seat!" The Blood Emperor watched Master Liaode carry two princess puppets up to the second floor, secretly spitting on the old monk who, under the guise of promoting the Joyful Monk, was using public funds for entertainment and eating and drinking, even more carefree than him, this evil spirit!
"A newly promoted high monk from Fulong Temple has already gained the upper hand in the Ksitigarbha Buddhist Kingdom, and is already showing signs of overtaking the Joyful Sect. Master Fobaozhai is also on the path of Tonglexing Monk, and is only waiting for a suitable spirit object to help him achieve Nascent Soul. We must keep a close eye on his movements!"

Hu Gua thought that he couldn't let the information fee that Huanxi had taught him go to waste, and said in a deep voice.

"Ying Wushen, the best in the world, has entered the society with his thirty-six wives. Please take a seat on the second floor!" The Blood Emperor looked at Ying Wushen, who was surrounded by many mature and beautiful female lions like a male lion, and felt even more envious.

"For the past thirty years, Jia Tianxia has been forging battle armor for the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom while bearing pressure from the Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom and the Fire Phoenix Immortal Kingdom. The fact that he has remained safe and sound until now shows that Ying Wushen is not as simple as he appears!"

Hu Gua had been paying close attention to the seemingly unrestrained Ying Wushen for a long time, but he had never been able to find out how much he was hiding. Even after sending him a wife as a spy, he still hadn't found anything. Therefore, he paid special attention to this old fox.

"Why bother with the Red Sleeve Pavilion? Why bother having two esteemed cultivators grace us with their presence? Please move to the third floor and take a seat!"

Watching the two He family beauties gracefully walk into the third floor, neither the Blood Emperor nor Hu Gua showed the slightest interest in the two women.

The He family has a daughter who is fond of absorbing essence; she is not a Nascent Soul cultivator, but she is even more terrifying than a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Rao Tingshan, the owner of Wanghaiyuanlou, along with his guard Li Kuishan, shall enter the private room on the third floor!" The Blood Emperor's gaze lingered on Rao Tingshan for a moment before he ordered his men to lead him upstairs with a hint of hostility.

"It is said that Rao Tingshan was able to secure his position as the master of Wanghai Tower only because of the lingering influence of his Nascent Soul master. However, people in the cultivation world are always forgotten once they leave. Zhao Chun's lifespan is coming to an end, and his fate is unknown. He cannot even protect his own cultivation family, so how can he help Rao Tingshan?"
This man has been able to secure his position as the master of Wanghai Tower because of his exceptional social skills and ability to navigate complex situations with ease. Just you all watch; no matter how Wanghai develops after today, whoever is in charge will have a place here at Rao Tingshan!

Hu Gua expressed his strong approval of Rao Tingshan.

"Lu Wentian of Wanghai Baibaoge, along with all the managers of the pavilion, will participate in the auction!"

"He's an old fox. I suspect he's connected to the Demonic Sect's Killing Pavilion, but unfortunately, I have no evidence, so I can't trust the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!"

Hu Gua lamented, "If I could expose this old fox's true colors, I don't know how many spirit stones I could earn from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's main branch. But all the spies I sent to the Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom to investigate this old fox's background are dead; there's no chance of them exposing him!" (End of Chapter)