Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Zhang Zhihan had only been down the mountain for two years.

He originally thought that assembling a team would be a difficult task.

Although he was skilled in troop deployment and knew many military strategies, how to communicate with "people" was a huge problem for Zhang Zhihan.

This conclusion is based on years of experience—he seems unable to communicate with people smoothly.

For example, Zhang Zhihan's popularity in the Star-Picking Tower was far inferior to that of Song Kezi. No matter how many times he emphasized to others that Song Kezi was a bad person, people always thought he was joking.

Therefore, before Sect Leader Fang left the Star-Picking Tower, he summoned Zhang Zhihan to the Enlightenment Hall, and the following conversation took place—

"Sect Leader, I have strayed into the path of military strategy for too long, and I cannot even deal with Song Kezi alone. How can I possibly manage the affairs of the world?"

"This is a misconception. If you were to fight, he would be no match for you. But if you were to place him among a thousand men and let him do as he pleases, the thousand men would fall apart and abandon you."

Zhang Zhihan nodded in agreement, and said:

"Sect Leader, could you grant me a puppet cavalry? With my abilities, I can simultaneously control 3,500 men to break through enemy lines and attack. They will surely become a formidable force."

Sect Leader: ?

Sect Leader Fang asked, "Are you talking about those puppets that start at 3,000 spirit stones, can be used at 10,000 spirit stones, and are like real cultivators at 30,000 spirit stones?"

“That’s right, Sect Leader, this is exactly what I want.”

"Three thousand five hundred more?!"

"Yes, is our Star-Picking Tower out of money? Aren't we one of the four sects?"

Sect Leader Fang clutched her chest and sat down in a chair. She said, "Actually, after this great calamity, our Star-Picking Tower planned to continue to live."

"Oh."

Zhang Zhihan responded and then continued, "Then I'll go down the mountain."

Having said that, he hugged the goose in his arms and turned to leave, when he heard Sect Leader Fang's voice behind him—

"Once you reach the South, everything will become clear. There, an unexpected force awaits you."

Even for Sect Leader Fang, this group of chickens, ducks, geese, birds, and rats was quite unexpected.

It's like a tributary that has been washed away at some unknown time.

It's like when the main river is rushing forward, some currents suddenly decide to change direction and try to go in an unknown direction.

Yes, even Li Fuwei and Zhou Fa from Mohen Bookstore didn't know what use the little animals they released would be.

As long as the Juque Sect remains standing, the two will never give up their treacherous intentions.

They would try all sorts of possibilities to cause trouble for the Juque Sect. Today they would tame a lark and release it near the Juque Sect. Tomorrow they would catch a mole, tame it, and then release it.

The two soon discovered that even after being fed multiple doses of improved pills, the intelligence that these smaller creatures had developed was still limited.

This is due to a lack of talent, in short—the brain is too small.

However, if a large creature, such as a dog, is placed near the Juque Sect, there is a concern that the Juque Sect might notice the danger posed by the "animal."

Therefore, the two felt that the future of this path was bleak.

The reason why they keep releasing small animals around the Juque Sect is partly due to sunk costs.

If we don't persevere, won't all our previous efforts be wasted?

"Hey, Lao Zhou, that book 'The Fake Heiress' written by Xiao Dingdang has really caused us a lot of trouble!"

“Yes, forming a contract with a spirit beast and gaining its blessing seems like a dead end, but... we were just trying it out anyway.”

Li Fuwei released a small mouse, and seeing it nimbly dart into a corner, he sighed:

"It's because the two of us have nothing else to do. Even though we know this method is useless, we're still stubbornly persisting."

"Let's go. Even if we only contributed a little weight like snowflakes when the Juque Sect collapsed, it would still be worthwhile."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Huh? Another one?"

Zhang Zhihan was underground, not far from the Juque Sect.

He was not in the cave, because the caves had all been occupied by others, and none of them were willing to share them with others.

Helpless, he could only dig a hole in the ground to try to find a place to hide. It was during the digging process that he encountered the mole.

That was the beginning of our destiny.

Zhang Zhihan resides in multiple locations. He is currently in his underground hideout, listening to reports with his eyes closed.

There was a small snake in front of me.

Zhang Zhihan closed his eyes not because he was afraid of snakes, but because he had trypophobia.

The "wall" in front is covered with countless holes, allowing various small animals to crawl in and out. At all times, there are creatures peeking out from the holes.

Perhaps they are both lovely even when separated.

But when people gather together, it can be a bit suffocating.

After encountering the mole, Zhang Zhihan began to pay extra attention to the animals around the Juque Sect. At first, he did not notice anything unusual about the mole.

They simply viewed it as a substitute for humans and puppets.

But he soon realized that some small animals seemed to have unique characteristics and understood his "commands" very well.

This difference would never have been noticed by him if he hadn't been so poor that he couldn't find any puppets and had to try controlling animals instead.

He now knew exactly what the "unexpected surprise weapon" that Sect Leader Fang had mentioned before he left the sect was.

Regarding the current situation, Zhang Zhihan offered a four-word assessment: "A match made in heaven."

No need to communicate with people.

It is not as complex as human thought.

They will not be swayed or swayed by others.

The quantity is extremely large.

Most importantly, without the death of any human, the evil energy within his body will not be amplified, his mind will remain clear and he will not become possessed by demons. Furthermore, due to the simple thinking of animals, the number of animals he can control at the same time can reach tens of thousands at its peak.

But recently, Zhang Zhihan has been somewhat dissatisfied.

Because the two humans who deliver the goods seem to have come less frequently, and each time they bring fewer small animals.

He arrived at Outpost No. 3.

On a mountaintop, he picked up a pen and wrote a note, which summoned a bird.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In order not to attract the attention of the Juque Sect, the two kept a very low profile and did not use any escape techniques.

He heard birdsong and the sound of two birds flapping their wings behind him. Li Fuwei thought it was a lark reluctant to leave and wanted to say goodbye. He was touched and turned around to look.

Suddenly, a note fell down.

A little bird landed on the note and looked at Li Fuwei, while another little bird chirped and flew around him.

In that instant, a series of speculations played out in my mind—

The Juque Sect has discovered this and is warning them; a spirit beast has learned to write and wants to negotiate with them.

Upon opening it, I saw three large characters written on it: "Give us more."

Li Fuwei and Zhou Fa looked at each other, watching the two little birds fly away, their hearts filled with doubt and uncertainty.