Immortality begins with meditation puppets

The Wanghai Grand Auction attracted over ten thousand attendees.

The cultivators, crowded on the first floor, looked up at the second and third floors, dreaming of one day becoming those people up there, looking down at the ants below.

What they didn't know was that Ying Wushen, Duan Tianai, and the others on the second floor had no intention of looking down at them. They were just like them, looking up at the third floor, waiting for the big shots on the third floor to decide who would ultimately rule Wanghai City.

"Let me make this clear: no matter who's in charge of Wanghai in the future, I will not hand over the autonomy of Jia Tianxia to anyone else. Those old guys from Penglai Thousand Islands don't even dream of making Jia Tianxia their weapon-forging shop!"

On the second floor, Ying Wushen slammed his fist on the table and roared, revealing his true feelings.

“Father-in-law is right. We, the best in the world, fear no one. If Gao Xieshen tries to bully us, we will not stand for it! If the Penglai Sect and the Thousand Islands Sect try to bully us, we will not stand for it either!”

Behind Ying Wushen stood Shao Delong, the son-in-law of the Ying family, who had given up on trying twenty years ago. He was wearing three or five pieces of Tier 3 armor and, as always, feared no one.

“Son-in-law, you can’t say that. It’s not too much for Gao Xieshen to bully us. He only asks us to provide corresponding armor every year to support the construction of Wanghai. He hasn’t asked us to hand over the armor technology or armor personnel. We, Jia Tianxia, ​​can tolerate this!”

Ying Wushen raised his hand to defend Shao Delong, saying, "Today, it's just these two sides fighting for victory. If they're not afraid of either of them, others will think that even the world's best are vying for the position of the leader of Wanghai!"
"So, Fellow Daoist Ying and Jia Tianxia are supporting Gao Xieshen's side today?"

Duan Tianai wrinkled her nose, but what she smelled was the lingering pollen scent of the ladies on Ying Wushen's body. She didn't smell anything suspicious, so she could only ask him the question.

"If I had a choice, I would certainly want to support Fellow Daoist Su to become the Lord of Wanghai City. But Fellow Daoist Su is unwilling to take on this responsibility. So supporting Gao Xieshen is supporting Fellow Daoist Su. With Fellow Daoist Su to keep Gao Xieshen in check, he won't go as far as the Penglai Sect and the Thousand Island Sect in dealing with us!"

Ying Wushen said helplessly, "In fact, as early as this month, all the merchants in Wanghai joined together to find Su Qing, wanting to promote him as the representative of the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce, to represent the interests of all the merchants in Wanghai, and to compete for the title of city lord!"

But this Fellow Daoist Su is too cautious. He has no youthful vigor at all. He only said that his cultivation is shallow and his shoulders are too thin to shoulder the heavy responsibility of Wang Hai. He really has no intention of being the first to step up!
Su Qing refused to listen to their bluff, leaving Ying Wushen and the others with no choice but to support Gao Xieshen!

“That’s right. My Duan family’s puppet shop and Ling Shangren’s Langya Workshop have long been inextricably linked with Fellow Daoist Su’s Su’s Puppet Shop. Whoever Fellow Daoist Su supports, we will support!”

Duan Tianai made her statement, which seemed to elicit a slight disdain from Ying Wushen.

What does it mean to have a relationship that's still connected even if the bones are broken? Let's just say that you've been completely infiltrated by Su Qing and become his subordinates. You've given Su Qing everything you could, and even Ling Ying Shangren gave himself to him. You'll probably have to give your Tian'ai to Su Qing soon too. Under these circumstances, who do you support? You have no choice at all!

Unlike the world's best, who have always maintained their autonomy under his leadership, their desire to support Gao Xieshen is not because of Su Qing, but simply because of their own wishes!

"The same goes for Jia Tianxia. Over the years, most of our goods have been escorted by Fellow Daoist Su's puppet escort agency. Fellow Daoist Su's fate is intertwined with that of Jia Tianxia. Whoever he supports, we can only support!"

Shao Delong proudly said that although he became the Ying family's son-in-law because he didn't want to work hard, under the patient guidance of Su Qing and Liang Haishun, Delong learned that even a son-in-law has to work hard, otherwise he can only take the daughter, not the family property.

Over the course of twenty years, through the relationship between the Wind Eagle King and the demon race, and with the help of the Sword Escort Agency under Su Qing's command, Shao Delong gradually took over the responsibility of shipping goods for Jia Tianxia. He had already disbanded Jia Tianxia's original caravans, saving Jia Tianxia a lot of costs, and at the same time, handed over one of the lifelines of the shop to Su Qing!
Ying Wushen paused upon hearing this, glanced at his son-in-law who looked so imposing in his armor, and wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

He may have some trump cards that he has never revealed, but no matter how many trump cards he has, it cannot change the fact that he only has one daughter.

None of the thirty-six wives had produced a son, yet her own precious daughter, who had inherited her true teachings and was already a Golden Core cultivator and a third-tier armored warrior, had taken a fancy to this little blond boy riding the Wind Eagle King.

The family business will eventually be handed over to them. Without their protection, it wouldn't be a bad thing if they could get close to Su Qing.
"Haha, it seems that although Fellow Daoist Su above is unwilling to organize the Wanghai merchants to establish the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce and become the first president of the Chamber of Commerce, it seems that all the local top stores in Wanghai, except for my Fobaozhai, have to act according to his whims."

"Excellent, excellent indeed! In that case, my Buddhist Treasure Pavilion will also submit to Fellow Daoist Su!"

Master Liaode laughed unrestrainedly, showing no remorse whatsoever for the Buddhist Treasure Temple's support of Su Qing and the Evil God's reign. It seemed he had truly grasped the essence of the Lexing Monk lineage.

"Where is the Hall of Enforcement, Hei Qingtian? Are you going to be the upright official for my Wanghai Merchants, or for the Penglai Sect and the Thousand Islands Sect?"

The local top-rated shops on the second floor reached an agreement and stood on the same side. This made it very incongruous for those who were unable to go up to the third floor and could only stay on the second floor, represented by the Black and White Impermanence.

The cultivators, who had initially thought Hei Qingtian would remain neutral and observe the political climate, were surprised to find that Hei Qingtian's attitude was even more resolute than theirs this time.

"Wanghai refers to the Wanghai cultivators, not the Wanghai of a single country or sect. Whether it is Gao Xieshen or Fellow Daoist Su, they are both solitary individuals with no power to rely on. Since they are the lords of my Wanghai City, our Wanghai is their only power, just as they have done for the past thirty years, devoting all their efforts to the development of my Wanghai."

On the other hand, if Wanghai had become a subordinate force of Penglai Thousand Islands, Wanghai would only have its resources drained by them and given to Penglai Immortal Island and Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom, and would have slowly declined, making it difficult to achieve its current prosperity.

Over the past thirty years, Gao Xieshen and Su Daoyou have kept evil sea beasts away from Wanghai and protected the smooth trade routes of Wanghai both domestically and internationally. As a result, the number of cultivators in Wanghai has increased from more than 78 million thirty years ago to 160 million immortals thirty years later.

For the past thirty years, the merchants in Wanghai have not been affected by war. The number of merchants and the size of the shops are far greater than they were thirty years ago.

"I, Hei, have witnessed everything that Gao Xieshen and Fellow Daoist Su have done to me, Wang Hai. Although my abilities are insufficient to become a righteous ruler for Wang Hai, my path is already bound to him. For Wang Hai's future, I am even willing to lead the Enforcement Hall to die for Gao Xieshen!"

Hei Qingtian spoke with a powerful and resounding voice.

He understood perfectly well that both Penglai Sect and Thousand Island Sect had their own dogs. If they came to Wanghai to take charge, his dog, the Law Enforcement Hall, would probably become a stray. For his own sake, and also for Wanghai's sake, he was willing to take the risk!
"The will of the people is truly evident! In just thirty years, all the local forces in Wanghai have been won over by this Evil God Gao and Daoist Su. Such methods are something that neither the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom nor the Demon Tree Evil Kingdom has been able to achieve in the past tens of thousands of years!"

Seeing that Hei Qingtian was so determined, Ying Wushen couldn't help but praise Gao Erqiang and Su Qing. Meanwhile, the cultivators on the second floor reached a consensus, agreeing to speak out for Gao Xieshen today and keep Penglai and Qiandao outside the city.

But they all knew that the final outcome today depended on the result on the third floor.

"Let's wait a bit. If we're going to make a scene, we should wait until the grand auction is over. This auction will bring cultivators from all the immortal kingdoms of the Western Sea, and it's also a chance for our merchants in Wanghai to make a name for themselves. Even if the people on the third floor are in a hurry, they won't be so impatient as to not wait a little longer!"

Ying Wushen pursed his lips, then turned his gaze to the first floor, where Liang Haishun, the auctioneer for this grand auction, had already come out.

"This old Taoist is only at the Foundation Establishment stage. How is he qualified to be the auctioneer at this grand auction? Anyone who doesn't know better would think that Wanghai has no talent!"

"It was Fellow Daoist Su who recommended him!"

"Oh, that's alright then. I trust Fellow Daoist Su's judgment!"

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Liang Haishun, draped in a cloth for the auction, was the most dazzling presence in the entire room at that moment.

Stared at by cultivators from the first, second, and third floors, ranging from Nascent Soul to Foundation Establishment, Liang Haishun was extremely grateful that he had worn the Death Cloth. Otherwise, this cushy job, which he had obtained through Su Qing's connections, would probably have been impossible to get off the ground.

He looked down on Delong, who didn't work hard and sold himself into servitude as someone's son-in-law.

Liang Haishun earns spirit stones entirely based on his own ability!

"Today, all the wise men and women of the world have gathered here, young and old. I am Liang Haishun, a Taoist priest who came from a humble background and whose Taoist skills are shallow. On the occasion of this grand event in the Western Sea, I am not qualified to be the auctioneer for this conference."

But this is precisely where the sea is, and anything is possible here. Even someone like the old Taoist has the opportunity to step onto this stage. So, everyone, please keep your eyes wide open today; every item up for auction might be a destiny item that can help you on your path to enlightenment and grant you longevity!

Although weak in strength, Liang Haishun had seen many high-level matches with Su Qing and was used to all kinds of storms. After enduring the faint spiritual pressure from the cultivators, he read out his opening remarks without any stage fright.

With another gentle clap, the first item was brought out by a female cultivator dressed in a palace dress, with a curvaceous figure.

"Is this female cultivator for sale?" Before the red cloth on the auction item was even lifted, a cultivator's eyes gleamed as he looked at the female cultivator, whose every step touched his heart and whose appearance and demeanor were exactly to his liking.

"For sale! Fellow Daoist, you have a discerning eye. This fellow Daoist is a senior artist trained by my Wanghai Hongxiulou. He has been performing in Hongxiulou for a hundred years. His appearance and other qualities are all first-class. If you are interested, please go and contact the relevant personnel of Hongxiulou behind the scenes."

In addition, apart from the old Taoist, everything that appears on this auction stage is for sale. This is the principle of our Great Wanghai that nothing is off-limits for sale. Fellow Daoists, if you take a fancy to anyone or anything, just speak up!
Now, let us turn our attention to the first item up for auction, a masterpiece meticulously crafted by Su Qing, the master puppeteer of the Wanghai Puppet School: the third-tier divine beast armored puppet – the Ironclad Dragon Turtle!
Over the past thirty years, Master Su's puppets have been renowned both at home and abroad. Whether it is the Wanfa Master series or the Exorcising Spirit Explosion series, they are all highly praised, and no one who has used them has said anything bad about them.

This Ironclad Dragon Turtle is the first new series of puppets developed by Master Su. It is being launched at this grand auction today. If you are lucky enough to be the first to get your hands on it, don't miss it!
This puppet has been jointly appraised by many appraisers in our auction house. It has many advantages, such as versatile armor, remarkable defensive capabilities, and the ability to fight across all terrains, including seas and mountains, and its integrated offense and defense. Its grade can be set as a third-grade superior quality. The minimum requirement to control this puppet is a spiritual strength of a lower-grade Golden Core.

The starting price is three thousand spirit stones, with bidding increasing in increments of one hundred spirit stones. Interested fellow cultivators, please raise your paddles and bid!

Lifting the red cloth, the Ironclad Dragon Turtle with its laurel head and turtle-like brain appeared on the auction stage. Countless divine lights shone on its body, making every part of it shine brightly, revealing every detail to all the cultivators who intended to bid.

"It is said that Master Su possesses a Luwu armored puppet with nine tails and nine swords, which is extremely remarkable. Judging from this puppet, Master Su's skill in divine beast-type armored puppets is no less than that of other types of puppets. This Ironclad Dragon Turtle must be the same!"

"With dragon horns on its head and dragon scales covering its body, Master Su seems to have mixed real dragon blood into this dragon turtle, giving it the ability to mimic divine beasts. Three thousand spirit stones for such a puppet is indeed not expensive!"

"What's there to say? Master Su's puppet, if you miss today, who knows how long you'll have to wait in line to get one later. If you don't rush now, when will you?"

"The first batch of five Ironclad Dragon Turtles? I want one. Three thousand two hundred spirit stones. Please, everyone, give me some face!"

"Four thousand spirit stones, Master Su's puppet deserves this price!"

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"Fellow Daoist Su's puppet is quite popular among fellow Daoists. A new type of puppet that has never shown its power can attract thousands of people to fight over it!"
This must be the result of Fellow Daoist Su's convincing reputation built over the past thirty years of selling puppets. This reputation is intangible yet priceless. To achieve this level in just thirty years, Fellow Daoist Su's ability to create new types of puppets and refine puppets below the third rank is no less than that of the fourth-rank puppeteers on my Penglai Immortal Island!

On the third floor, Master Du'e turned his head and smiled at Su Qing, who was sitting to his lower right.

Contrary to the tense atmosphere that Ying Wushen and the others on the second floor had imagined, the atmosphere on the third floor remained harmonious.

Harmony was so strong that even True Man Fuhu became suspicious, wondering if Gao Erqiang had reached an agreement with Penglai Immortal Island to kick their Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom out of the game. Otherwise, why had True Man Du'e not made any trouble for Erqiang yet, but instead praised Su Qing?

Why praise him? If you keep praising him, will he be able to create puppets for your Penglai Immortal Island?
Master Yu Fuhu's big eyes darted back and forth between Su Qing and Master Du'e, fearing that the scenario he had predicted—Wanghai City surrendering to Penglai—would occur.

As soon as Su Qing spoke, his heart settled down.

"You flatter me, Master. The puppets of Penglai Immortal Island are far superior to any new type of puppets created by me, Su Qing. Whether in terms of quality or quantity, my humble method cannot compare to Penglai Immortal Island."

But there's only one reason: I'm willing to share these new puppets to benefit my fellow cultivators! (End of Chapter)