Watching Nie Linglan practically draped over Wang Xiu, Mo Wuwei gritted her teeth and couldn't help but ask, "Junior Brother Wang Xiu, who is this?"

With some difficulty, Wang Xiu pulled his head free and chuckled. "This is my Sword Spirit. I haven't trained her well, so I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Senior Sister... Get down, now. Don't be so disrespectful!"

As he spoke, he gave Nie Linglan a pat on her rear.

Nie Linglan reluctantly pouted but got off Wang Xiu, though her arm remained tightly locked with his.

She glared at Mo Wuwei, her eyes filled with discontent.

This woman! She's so annoying! I finally get a chance to be close to my Young Master, and she has to come and ruin it! So irritating!

Wang Xiu had spent two months in the Netherworld Forest, wholly focused on creating puppets. Of course, Nie Linglan hadn't been idle, either. Following Wang Xiu's orders, she would take the Mingxue Executioner Sword down the mountain every few days to drink pig blood.

Now, two months had passed.

The Mingxue Executioner Sword had recovered to the level of a Superior Grade Spiritual Artifact. More than twenty thousand Pig Spirits were now hidden within its blade. This also meant that Wang Xiu could finally perform the true Thousand Executions Slash!

Of course, the process was incredibly dull. Although the Mingxue Executioner Sword was gorging itself on greasy blood, Nie Linglan was bored to death.

I just want to return to Young Master's side and be his quiet little Sword Spirit, to be held in his hand while we fight together.

But now, the moment she had been waiting for was ruined. Her resentment surged, and a murderous aura billowed from her body. Her red dress fluttered like a bloody flame, making her look like a truly Malicious Ghost.

Seeing this, Mo Wuwei exclaimed, "Junior Brother, your Sword Spirit... is she on fire?"

Wang Xiu's mouth twitched. He quickly grabbed the sword hilt. "No, no, no! She's just very hospitable and got a little excited seeing you, Senior Sister!"

Mo Wuwei's eyes widened. "Is that so?"

Wang Xiu smiled. "Mmhmm!"

HUMMM~

It's been so long! This feeling... being held by Young Master... I feel so complete!

In an instant, all the murderous aura vanished. The sword's blade quivered, letting out a faint, contented hum.

OINK OINK~

Mo Wuwei pushed up her glasses and looked around in confusion. "Junior Brother, do you raise pigs in this forest? I swear I just heard oinking..."

Without betraying any emotion, Wang Xiu put the Mingxue Executioner Sword away. "Really? I don't think so. You must have misheard, Senior Sister."

***

「Meanwhile, at the Manipulation Sect」

Here, almost all the disciples had gone to the blessed land to guide Human Souls. Only a few new recruits remained on guard duty.

A streak of azure light cut through the sea of clouds and landed on the mountain peak.

The disciples on watch glanced over, their expressions changing subtly as they stepped forward and bowed in unison. "We pay our respects to Elder Ouye!"

The Head of the Artifact Sect, Ouye Feng, flicked his sleeves. "Where is your Head?"

A guard disciple replied, "The Head just returned. He should be in his meditation room studying the Puppetry Art. We will inform him at once, please wait a moment!"

"No need!" Ouye Feng waved a hand. "I'll find him myself. No need to trouble yourselves."

With that, his figure flickered and vanished. When he reappeared, he was already inside the main hall of the Manipulation Sect's main peak.

The disciples exchanged a look but said nothing more, returning to their posts to continue their watch.

It was common knowledge throughout the Sanqing Immortal Sect that the Manipulation, Artifact, and Formation Sects were close. This was especially true for the Heads of the Manipulation and Artifact Sects, as their areas of expertise had much in common. They shared a deep, unbreakable bond and often collaborated to verify their research and discuss academic theories. Even the newest disciples had witnessed such a scene many times, so they thought nothing of it.

***

"Brother Gongshu! Get out here! I have a big project to discuss with you... Huh? Where is he?"

Ouye Feng knew his way around the Manipulation Sect. He quickly found the workshop where Gongshu Wumao usually researched his puppets, but upon entering, he found the man himself was nowhere to be seen.

Ouye Feng paused, stunned. His gaze swept the room before landing on a massive, tightly sealed door. A lantern hung upon it, its flame lit.

"What's he so busy with?" Ouye Feng muttered to himself.

Behind that door was the Manipulation Sect's most secret chamber, a room within a room. Not only was it impregnable, but it also housed numerous auxiliary spiritual formations capable of isolating nearly all fluctuations of Spiritual Energy. The effect was astounding, as anyone who used it could attest, but the cost of building it was extravagant. The Artifact Sect had a similar facility, but they were loath to use it, only activating it when crafting something of extreme value.

As far as Ouye Feng knew, the only major project in the Manipulation Sect that required this chamber in the last few hundred years was the research into that one Super Armor Puppet. Moreover, that project had been halted for some time due to a severe lack of materials.

Could it be they finally got the materials? The chances of that are slim. Besides, I just came from Spirit Turtle Peak, and if I recall correctly... many of the Manipulation Sect's Elders are still there! Without them, Gongshu Wumao can't accomplish much on his own. What could he possibly be doing that requires this chamber?

HISS~

Suddenly, an idea struck Ouye Feng, and his eyes lit up. As one of Gongshu Wumao's few close friends—and partners in crime—Ouye Feng knew many of his secrets.

For example... he once created a remarkably human-like puppet to commemorate his lost youth. Don't tell me... that rascal is taking advantage of everyone being away to get up to some mischief?

The more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

Thinking of this, a roguish, undignified smirk spread across Ouye Feng's face. He sneakily took out a Shadow-Recording Bead, then went to a nearby wall outside the chamber. Fumbling for a moment, he found a wooden switch and twisted it.

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