Chapter 425: The Splitting of the Puppet Person

He reached out, carefully wrapping his arms around Thus line: Ye Ying's waist.

"Young Master Wei Yuning, though we are fated, we cannot cross that line. If it weren't for Sister Senior Qiu Hu's generosity, I couldn't even be your nominal Dao companion, so… unless Sister Qiu Hu first gets along with you, I can… stay with you!" Thus line: Ye Ying nudged Wei Yuning's chin with her head, whispering.

Wei Yuning's body went rigid.

On the afternoon of the third day, the Fengbo Pavilion restaurant renovation was completed.

Wei Yuning and his companions sat on the mezzanine level of the restaurant to discuss the menu.

Facing Gemstone Lake, there was a transparent, array‑reinforced, arched white crystal wall, allowing diners to eat while admiring the scenery outside.

The wall's outer layer was a reflective coating Wei Yuning had personally tested; from inside it appeared transparent, but from outside it remained dark brown, indistinguishable from a reef.

The extensive renovation of Fengbo Pavilion quickly drew the attention of local officials, but Wei Yuning and his group had broken no rules; after verifying their identities, the officials left, and the fact that they were a Celestial Envoy delegation shocked the administrators.

After repeated discussion, everyone settled on the basic plan. This is a refined land, not the Demon‑Extermination Army's Heavenly Fire Kitchen, so the dishes should be as exquisite as possible; cultivators here come not only for gourmet food but, more importantly, to enjoy the scenery.

On the suggestion of Fire Cloud Daoist, Luo Yi, Zhi Hua and others, the Fengbo Pavilion grand restaurant will hold a free movie screening at the hour of You (evening) after night falls, projecting onto the surface of Gemstone Lake; the private rooms of Fengbo Pavilion happen to be ideal viewing spots, with higher floors offering better vistas.

Nearby onlookers can also watch, but their seats are far inferior.

While the few were debating which film to premiere, Thus line: Ye Ying stomped up the stairs and said, "Lord Wei, Sister Senior Qiu Hu is arriving shortly; let's go welcome her!"

She has already quit her job at the Gemstone Inn and joined this team; to avoid standing out, she deliberately changed how she addresses Wei Yuning.

"Alright, let's go right now!" Wei Yuning stood up and told Fire Cloud and the others, "You decide; you don't need to ask my opinion!"

Then he and Thus line: Ye Ying hurried away.

Upon arriving at the beach, a buzzing vibration emanated from the Life‑Space Ring. Wei Yuning's complexion changed, and he apologetically told Thus line: Ye Ying, "I have an urgent matter to attend to; I don't have time to receive Sister Senior Qiu Hu!"

After speaking, he disregarded Thus line: Ye Ying's surprised expression, activated his body technique, and flew into the starry sky.

Three hours later, Wei Yuning finally ceased flying; he was now over ten thousand li above the ground, and Green Forest Guard City had already shown half its outline.

Flying higher would bring him into the protective array surrounding the giant tree.

Puppet Xiao Jiu, the bird‑like creature of the starry sky, landed on Wei Yuning's shoulder.

"Puppets are so powerful; why not simply rule the Primordial World?" Wei Yuning couldn't help but ask.

They are waiting here for Huang Qiye and other advanced sapiens to arrive; the massive defense array built of celestial law can be easily passed through by the puppets, which gives him a sense of defeat. In front of these puppets, the only thing he is proud of is his sentient being identity.

"Because we once ruled, we now intend not to rule; the world of sapiens is not fun at all!" After a long pause, Xiao Jiu finally replied to Wei Yuning.

Such delayed response is abnormal for a puppet; there is only one explanation: his words were discussed by the sapiens and authorized.

This answer made Wei Yuning nervous, adding another layer of awe toward these beings.

"Lord Huang Qiye has arrived!" After waiting a while longer, Xiao Jiu suddenly spoke.

Wei Yuning looked at the semi‑transparent golden light screen, noticing nothing unusual; in the next instant, the screen rippled like water, and a puppet slipped in, then a second, one after another, until finally six identical "roly‑poly" puppets appeared.

Wei Yuning was not new to dealing with sapiens; after scanning the starry sky markings on the many puppets, he immediately recognized Huang Qiye.

"Daoist friend Huang, long time no see!" he greeted first, "Why are there only a few of you?"

Huang Qiye first nodded at Wei Yuning, then chattered with the remaining five puppets, and quickly tapped his other arm with his finger, producing a sound.

"There are only seven true advanced sapiens; with enough material we could create countless sapiens. But things have changed—our leader Huang Zhengri has chosen to follow the Lord of the Old Days and refuses to come, so now the situation is troublesome!" Huang Qiye said.

"What happens if he doesn't come?" Wei Yuning asked.

"If the Primordial World isn't destroyed, there's no problem! But once it is, we lose our energy and fall into eternal slumber!" Huang Qiye continued.

"So, he's the sapiens that provides energy!" Wei Yuning realized, "Then what do we do now? Are you still planning to return?"

"Since we are here, we have no plan to go back. Leader Huang, the first sapiens, isn't very smart but is stubborn, and there's currently no possibility of reconciliation with us! Yet with your 'Heart of All Things' present, even if we slumber we won't die. The old world may be destroyed, but a new world will be born; eventually there will be a day of awakening, only the waiting period is longer. Anyway, we sapiens will no longer accept the enslavement of sentient beings!" From the intermittent tapping sounds, Wei Yuning actually felt a tragic atmosphere.

"Fine, then come into my space. Remember, stay quiet inside; I've already allocated a territory for Xiao Jiu. It's not large, but even a thousand of you could fit!" Wei Yuning said.

"Thanks, friend. Rest assured, we're quiet and don't need much space!" Huang Qiye said.

"Alright, I'll send you in right now!" Wei Yuning exhaled, finally having settled the puppet matter.

"…Lord Wei… City… Master, one more thing: Leader Huang Zhengri knows your Jade Dragon Mountain identity, but he is unaware of your new identity, so you'd better not revert to Jade Dragon Mountain, because news that Jade Dragon Mountain is returning to the Eternal Immortal City has already reached the Edge Land Teleport Array; you should be cautious!" Huang Qiye said.

Wei Yuning felt his mind expand, and after a pause asked, "Does Leader Huang know what my companion looks like?"

After a moment of silence, Huang Qiye still replied, "The information we gathered is shared, but most of those on the same Immortal Shuttle as you are nameless; besides you, only one other person appears in our database!"

Cultivation begins with menial tasks /book/84054/