Immortality begins with meditation puppets

Chapter 370 Finally Reaching the Fourth Tier
On the Snake Dragon, the Taoist priest who was on very good terms with Xiong Er of Su's Puppet Shop made no attempt to hide the fact that he had gotten in through connections, and laughed loudly.

Yao Guangquan, who had also become a third-tier ship owner thanks to his creditor Xiong Er, chuckled a few times in agreement. But when he saw the leading Jiaolong ship turn its bow and wave a precious flag that shone with a blue light, his expression hardened, and he ordered his crew to follow the main ship back to port and disembark.

As soon as he returned to Wanghai Port, the sharp-eyed Yao Guangquan saw that Rao Tingshan, Su Qing, He Xinyan, Ying Wushen and other important figures of Wanghai were gathered together on the port.

"What are these distinguished guests doing at the port? They're not here to welcome us, are they? That shouldn't be the case. Last time, when we forced back the Western Sea Heavenly Mother, none of these important figures came. This little commotion today won't bother them."

If they didn't come for us, then what were they for?

As Yao Guangquan was wondering, he suddenly saw Master Su throw out a tiny turtle that was spinning around, which then suddenly grew into a gigantic object that blotted out the sky.

There was a bang.

The massive object entered the sea, creating vast waves that caused thousands of ships in the harbor to float and sway violently.

Once Yao Guangquan had stabilized the Hailong, he looked again and saw a giant dragon-turtle that was over a hundred feet tall and as long and wide as an island.

This object is shaped like a tortoise, with gold and silver plating all over its body. It has several pavilions on top and more than a hundred spirit houses. There are array fluctuations around it, as well as rows of cannon muzzles. Just from a distance, Yao Guangquan felt that this object was no less than the fourth-order dwelling house of Penglai Immortal Island or the fourth-order sea god's throne of Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom.

"A fourth-order puppet! It must be a fourth-order puppet. Master Su has succeeded and become a fourth-order puppeteer. Now I, Wang Hai, also have a fourth-order puppet to command!"

"Let's see if the Western Sea Heavenly Mother dares to cause trouble at my Wanghai again! If she comes again, there will be no chance for her to escape!"

"Heaven blesses Wanghai. Even if the evil god Gao is in seclusion, with Su Shangren present, Wanghai is still a fourth-tier power, not something that other forces can invade!"

On and off the shore, all the cultivators who witnessed the appearance of this fourth-tier puppet were excited. With war raging in the Western Sea, and their lives and fortunes tied to the Wanghai, they desperately wanted the Wanghai to have this fourth-tier puppet to bolster its strength.

Su Qing, who created such a fourth-order puppet, was enthusiastically sought after by Rao Tingshan, Ying Wushen, and others.

"Based on the Yunshan Palace, a supreme treasure of spiritual communication, and mixed with the fourth-order Heaven-Bearing Wood provided by my Yuanlai Tower, this Dragon Island Bixi has the ability to carry the Three Mountains and Five Peaks on its back and can be used as a mobile island in the West Sea. Fellow Daoist Su's skill has reached the pinnacle of creation, and his puppetry has greatly advanced. He has even glimpsed the realm of a fourth-order puppeteer. This is truly a fortunate event for my Wanghai!"

Rao Tingshan congratulated Su Qing while also taking credit for himself, letting Su Qing know that Yuanlai Tower had also contributed to the successful forging of the Dragon Island Bixi!
Ying Wushen, who was standing to the side, also burst into laughter:
"Having the Cloud Mountain Palace and the Heavenly Wood alone is not enough. This puppet is enormous, and the materials needed to coat it with armor could pile up into a small mountain. I personally took the time, along with my daughter and many armor masters in the shop, and spent three whole years to coat the puppet with armor. This is truly the biggest project I have undertaken in recent years!"

"My Duan family puppet shop also contributed. The runes used in this puppet were all provided to Fellow Daoist Su by my Duan family. The pavilion puppet and spirit house puppet on its back were also made into prototypes by my Duan family puppeteers, and then handed over to Fellow Daoist Su to complete the final step of drawing runes!"

Seeing everyone taking credit, Duan Tianai wrinkled her nose and shouted loudly.

Su Qing looked around, in a great mood, and said:

"Everyone contributed. The precious materials from Yuanlailou and Baibaoge, the unparalleled armor, the puppet from the Duan family, the Buddhist treasures from Fobaozhai, and the water-repelling pearl from Langyafang all played a significant role in the process of refining this puppet."

This is something I owe you all, but thankfully I haven't let you down. I've successfully created this puppet. Today, I promise you, with this Dragon Island Bixi here, my Wanghai Merchants will no longer have to worry about capsizing and losing their ships when navigating the Western Sea!"

"Of course, we certainly trust Fellow Daoist Su!"

"To create a fourth-order puppet and then abandon Wanghai is something Fellow Daoist Su would never do!"

"Fellow Daoist Su is not that kind of person!"

"What's so great about the far west? Can I make money here in Wanghai? Fellow Daoist Su, just say the word, as long as you're willing to stay in Wanghai, we'll do whatever you say. Even if it means letting that evil god Gao take his place, we'll support you!"

The group of top-rated shop owners were not only trying to curry favor with Su Qing, but also fearing that he would run away with the Dragon Island Bixi and the Wanghai Fleet after he had finished his business with them!
This is not their fault. For decades, Erqiang has been in seclusion and has not been involved in any affairs. Su Qing has been the president of the Chamber of Commerce, controlling the lifeline of the shops' purchases and sales, and the commander of the Wanghai Fleet, controlling the many treasure ship puppets funded by the shops in Wanghai and crafted by Su Qing himself.

With wealth, power, and military might in his hands, if Su Qing stays in Xihai, everyone can continue to live happily with him, enjoying the fruits of his labor. But if Su Qing abandons his post, what will become of Wanghai?

"Two tigers cannot share one mountain. This city is the foundation upon which Fellow Daoist Gao established his Dao. It is not a place for me, Su Qing, to linger. Let's go. I must take this path."

But don't worry about what will happen if Xiaodao leaves. He will continue to serve as the president of the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce, and the puppet fleet will continue to shoulder the escort mission for the Wanghai caravan.

Furthermore, once the two strong individuals emerge from seclusion, their strength should have improved significantly. Without the minor Taoist priest, Wanghai will no longer be someone to be trifled with!

Seeing how excited these people were, Su Qing almost wanted to drape an imperial robe over him and force him to replace Er Qiang as the Lord of Wanghai City. He even revealed his true feelings, which made Er Qiang and the evil spirits of the Twilight Society, including Gou Xue Di, breathe a sigh of relief.

"The Dragon Island Bixi is another new type of fourth-order puppet. Fellow Daoist Su always has a skill that surprises people. If I had known that Fellow Daoist Su had such good fortune, back in White Cloud Immortal City, Xin Yan would have gone so far as to ask her family's Nascent Soul cultivator to rescue you as well!"

If that were the case, why would I bother holding this recruitment ceremony on Penglai Island? No matter how many mortals witness it, they are no match for even a fraction of Fellow Daoist Su's talent!

After Lü Wentian was exposed, to everyone's surprise, the position of Pavilion Master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Wanghai City was taken by He Xinyan, who was holding a talent recruitment ceremony on Penglai Immortal Island.

When this woman arrived in Wanghai, the Hongxiu Tower, controlled by the He family's two daughters, was put to her use. In addition, she seemed to have a past relationship with Su Qing. In just twenty years, she actually developed Baibaoge into one of the three five-star gold medal stores, standing alongside Yuanlai Tower and Su Family Puppet Shop.

At this moment, the graceful and beautiful female cultivator, dressed in luxurious robes like a lotus emerging from water, looked at Su Qing with regret and pity, which caused Ling Ying beside her to snort coldly and turn her face away.

Su Qing was also wronged. In the past twenty years, although he often went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, it was mostly to use the pavilion's channels to purchase the precious materials necessary for refining puppets from outside.

He inevitably had to come into contact with He Xinyan, but the witch from the Demon Kingdom had warned him beforehand, and he knew how terrifying the He family's sperm-draining woman was. So he treated He Xinyan with the utmost courtesy, and kept his belt tightly fastened.

Right now, this woman is openly flirting with him in front of many high-ranking cultivators in Wanghai City, making Su Qing feel like he's eager to become her son-in-law!
"Everyone has their own destiny. If you had taken me away back then, I wouldn't have experienced the White Cloud Calamity, and I might not have the good fortune I have today. I must thank you for not saving me back then!"

With a cold face, Su Qing threw He Xinyan's flirtatious glances into the sea, just like when she rode the giant Kun back then and threw the hopes of survival of those guests of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion into the White Cloud Immortal City!
Seeing Su Qing's aloof attitude, He Xinyan wasn't annoyed, but simply sighed softly:
"Wanghai City is becoming increasingly important in the West Sea. My Penglai wants to send a Nascent Soul cultivator to this city. My mother, He Caiyun, will be here soon to take over Xinyan's position."

Xin Yan only regretted that she had only won twenty years of freedom, and soon she would have to return to Penglai Immortal Island to become a caged bird. Now, thinking about it, Xin Yan greatly envied her sister Yun'er, who at least was free and unrestrained in the Demon Kingdom.

Do you envy Liu Yun'er? Do you envy her for losing her family, or do you envy her for fighting to the death with people every day now?
She's such a pampered girl, she's never experienced the hardships of life!

Su Qing glanced at He Xinyan, who was filled with sorrow, shook his head, and then, together with Qinghe, leaped into the Bixi (a mythical tortoise-like creature) on Dragon Island.

This action also made Ling Ying's eyes darken, as it was the first time she had experienced what it felt like to be a sycophant like Ye Suo.

Over the years, Ling Ying has devoted herself entirely to Su Qing, using the resources of Langya Workshop to fully assist him in refining puppets. Even Ye Suo was sent back to Jianlai Hall by her, and she did her best to help Su Qing transform Jianlai Hall into Wanghai Escort Agency.

Even though Ling Ying wholeheartedly assisted Su Qing and devoted herself to him day and night, she never gained his trust and was never considered one of his own. The fact that he was willing to take Qing He with him but not her, even though she was a fourth-tier puppet, was proof of this.

Ling Ying knew why, because she had never told Su Qing what the treasure she wanted to seek on Langya Immortal Island was.

It's only natural that Ling Ying is wary of Su Qing, and Su Qing is wary of her too!

However, Ling Ying was not like Qing He, a lotus spirit who entrusted her life and fortune to others.

She is both the daughter of a True Person and a descendant of the Heavenly Fox. What she desires is to attain her own Dao, not to become an appendage of others.

She can train a sycophant, but she doesn't want to be someone else's sycophant!
With a sigh, Ling Ying watched as the Dragon Island Bixi, with its enormous, pillar-like tortoise legs, carried Su Qing and Qing He as they swam towards the deep sea. Ling Ying then turned and left with Rao Tingshan and the others.

"How long will Fellow Daoist Su's sea voyage to test the puppets take approximately?"

"That big Dragon Island, we definitely can't test its power in the near sea. We have to go to the deep sea, which will take at least half a month!"

"If you ask me, there's no need to go too far. Just go find the Heavenly Mother of the Western Sea and have a fight. Wouldn't that test her power and prestige?"

"How can you be so sure that Venerable Su won't go looking for the Heavenly Mother of the Western Sea!"

The important figures of Wanghai City walked and talked, occasionally glancing back at the gradually receding Dragon Island Bixi, their eyes filled with envy!

A fourth-tier puppet!

How did Su Qing manage to pull this off?!
Why can't he get one for them too!

That damned puppeteer, who knows how much dirty money he's made in Wanghai over the past few decades!

······
Inside the Bixi (a mythical tortoise-like creature) on Dragon Island.

Qinghe, who stubbornly insisted on getting on the boat, walked and stopped on the turtle's back, which was as big as a small island.

Look how luxurious those pavilions are, how spacious those spirit houses are, with two rows of third-tier spirit explosion fire cannons, and two giant bear generals as tall as those pavilions...

All of this dazzled Qinghe, but it didn't put her at ease until she saw the small puppet factory in the center of the island.

Only then did she feel completely at ease, confirming that Su Qing truly intended to make this island their future base.

"It's a fourth-tier puppet, a Bixi from Dragon Island, a mobile fortress, and a luxury cruise ship. Is that what the boss said?"

"Now that this puppet is finished, the day our master leaves Wanghai won't be long. After decades of peaceful life, he's starting to feel a little reluctant to leave this place!"

Qinghe's love for the Bixi of Dragon Island was evident, but unfortunately, her master Su Qing had a free spirit and was born to wander and roam.

Having not made sufficient preparations beforehand, I am willing to stay in Wanghai for over fifty years, earning spirit stones, accumulating wealth, and investing in puppets.

Now that he has already crafted all the fourth-tier puppets, it seems that Wanghai will no longer be able to keep him here.

"If you can't bear to leave Wanghai, after I leave, can you stay in this city and help manage Su's Puppet Shop?"

Hearing Qinghe's sigh, Su Qing said considerately.

"The master knows Qinghe's temperament well. If the master doesn't keep an eye on her, Qinghe might not be able to control her criminal tendencies. Geling is a well-behaved girl, and she broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage a few years ago. Letting Geling stay in Wanghai to manage Su's Puppet Shop, while Qinghe continues to follow the master, is the right thing to do!"

Qinghe shook her head and said that she hadn't even slept with her master yet, so how could she let him go out to sea and run away? Otherwise, wouldn't she, Qinghe, be like that witch, only able to guard this Demon Smoke City and wait for her master to come and visit her once every ten or twenty years?
Bah! What's so great about that witch that makes the master travel thousands of miles to meet her?
"Since you don't want to stay in Wanghai, I won't force you. After you go back, hand over your work to Ge Ling. In a year or two, or at most seven or eight years, we will be setting sail!"

Su Qing told Qinghe to wander around the boat by herself, but he went straight into the interior of the Bixi (a mythical creature) on Dragon Island.

The puppet was luxurious on the outside, but its interior held even more secrets.

The puppets, each with its own unique purpose, are neatly arranged inside. They can be instantly teleported to the battlefield by the Dragon Island Bixi, initiating a war powerful enough to annihilate a Golden Core Immortal Kingdom.

Among them are ten slender, snake-like dragon-shaped vessels, branded with fourth-order sword dao runes and sea-controlling runes. They resemble ships but are actually swords, moving straight and direct. They are treasure ship-type sword dao puppets capable of piercing through third-order sea beasts with a single blow.

Resembling a giant whale, the Giant Whale is actually built from the corpse of a third-tier giant whale king. It is branded with fourth-tier demon beast runes and fourth-tier intelligent runes, and equipped with a missile vertical launch system that can instantly launch the six dagger missile puppets and hundreds of Sky-Shattering Thunder Serpent puppets on board.

The Deepwater Dragon, a creature with no horns on its head and covered in white scales, can dive millions of feet into the sea and is equipped with deadly weapons such as the Deepwater Tyrant and the Dragon Head Crossbow.

There were also more than twenty golden-haired water lions, and even more Void Four Lions, which had merged with the essence of the True King and were now united with the power of the fourth rank!

(End of this chapter)