Chapter 286: Puppet Technique

Yuan Yao nestled inside the bamboo hut.

She suddenly recalled the inheritance key she obtained in Wuduan Mijing.

She took it out from the storage compartment.

On her palm, six green inheritance keys suddenly appeared.

The Heaven and Earth Formation Diagram she has been practicing was taken from one of those inheritance keys; besides it, there are four other cultivation manuals:

Nirvana Sword Manual, focusing on swordsmanship.

Sun-Moon Sacred Record, focusing on spells.

Heavenly Fire Rebirth Scroll, focusing on spells.

Cultivation True Scripture, focusing on inner methods.

Yuan Yao extracted the remaining four manuals from the inheritance key.

She placed the four manuals together with the Heaven and Earth Formation Diagram on the table.

Her gaze swept over the five advanced books.

She has already completed practicing all the contents of the Heaven and Earth Formation Diagram.

Therefore, what she needs now is a Holy Rank Formation Diagram.

Her eyes lingered on the Nirvana Sword Manual; she reached out, picked it up, flipped through a few pages, and found the sword techniques inside to be quite exquisite.

She wants to learn it.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of the Sun-Moon Sacred Record, and her heart stirred slightly; she also wishes to practice spells.

As the saying goes, having many skills does not weigh one down!

Next, she will self‑study the Sun-Moon Sacred Record and the Nirvana Sword Manual.

Her gaze shifted toward the other inheritance keys.

Previously she had only used two inheritance keys. The first key yielded five advanced cultivation books, while the second key taught Mental Power.

As for the remaining four inheritance keys, she has not used them yet.

A thought sparked in her mind; she picked up the inheritance key whose surface resembled a cloud‑mist totem and projected her spiritual awareness into it.

Soon, her consciousness arrived in a pitch‑black space.

The surroundings were especially silent.

Suddenly, a "creak creak" sound came from somewhere.

Yuan Yao's spirit instantly tensed, and she vaguely saw a figure appear before her.

A hoarse, aged voice said: "Puppet Technique is divided into Spiritual Thread Puppet Technique, Mental Power Puppet Technique, and Spiritual Pattern Puppet Technique."

"Spiritual Thread Puppet Technique: using spiritual energy to form threads that wrap around the opponent's body, with incantations as the trigger and puppet seals for control, manipulating the opponent's form."

"Mental Power Puppet Technique: using mental power as threads to envelop the opponent's body, infiltrate their sea of consciousness, and compel them to serve you. Every word and action can be controlled."

"Spiritual Pattern Puppet Technique: practicing the carving of spiritual patterns, using the patterns as a conduit, attaching them to the opponent, and turning them into your puppet."

The three puppet techniques each have different effects.

The first two are prone to backfire.

The third, Spiritual Pattern Puppet Technique, is like casting a talisman; it does not entangle the user.

"This is the Puppet Technique inheritance…" Yuan Yao said, slightly surprised; before she could finish, three lights appeared ahead.

Gradually, they turned into three ancient books.

They looked extremely thick.

When Yuan Yao raised her hand, the three ancient books had already settled in her hands, heavy and weighty.

Her gaze fell on the covers, each bearing the title:

Spiritual Thread Puppet Technique

Mental Power Puppet Technique

Spiritual Pattern Puppet Technique

Yuan Yao looked at the three Puppet Technique books; although she had never before considered studying Puppet Technique, she now felt interested.

Going forward, she will also set aside time to practice the Puppet Techniques.

…

During the next two days of body cultivation, she flipped through the Mental Power Puppet Technique while gathering mental power to practice.

Time seemed to fly by.

It had been three days since she returned to the sect.

She suddenly remembered that Shiziwen was still confined at Tianwen Peak Gate, and thought of visiting him, and also of going to Tianwen Peak to inquire about senior brother Ao Su.

Because in the past two days, senior brother Ao Su had not sent any messages in reply.

She felt a bit worried.

Yuan Yao took her food box and headed toward Tianwen Peak.

Along the way, she encountered many senior brothers and sisters.

She waved to greet them.

Occasionally she stopped to chat a few words with them.

When she arrived outside the Cold Moon Cave of Tianwen Peak,

"Junior sister, you're visiting Shiziwen again," a senior brother on duty outside the Cold Moon Cave laughed.

"Yes," Yuan Yao replied with a smile, "Has junior brother Shiziwen experienced anything these past days?"

"No," the senior brother shook his head, sighing, "No one has come to see him; it seems junior brother Shiziwen isn't very popular."

Yuan Yao said, "Junior brother Shiziwen's temperament is a bit cold on the outside but warm inside."

The senior fellow disciple heard and also echoed in agreement.

"Junior sister, go in. If anything comes up, call me."

"Okay."

Yuan Yao entered the Cold Moon Cave; the temperature dropped sharply, the cold was bone‑piercing, and there was also a hint of yin chill and dampness.

In the dim, damp Cold Moon Cave, the pale‑faced youth seemed to sense something, slowly lifted his eyes, and vaguely saw a familiar figure approaching against the light.

What arrived even faster was her scent.

The youth felt his throat dry and gave a slight swallow.

"Junior brother."

It was her voice.

She has finally come.

When Yuan Yao came up to him, set down the food box, and squatted before him, he still looked a bit dazed.

"Junior brother, are you all right?"

"... Good." The youth's voice was a little hoarse.

"Hold on for two more days; after two days you'll be able to leave the Cold Moon Cave."

"Mm." Shiziwen replied softly, his lips moving a few times, and he couldn't help asking: "Senior sister, are you very busy?"

"Indeed very busy." Yuan Yao nodded and said: "Busy cultivating, busy training."

Shiziwen lifted his gaze and stared at her, "Senior sister, your aura seems stronger."

Yuan Yao chuckled, "I've been working so hard—if I didn't get stronger, wouldn't that be pointless?"

As she spoke, she opened the food box, pushed the pastries toward him, and said with a smiling squint: "Have a bite."

Shiziwen was dazzled by her smile, he gave a slight nod, was about to reach for the delicate pastry, but soon his body stiffened.

Because he saw his own hands, they were dirty.

He flustered pulled his hand back and placed it behind his back.

Yuan Yao instantly saw his embarrassment, took a clean white handkerchief from her storage space, and handed it to Shiziwen: "Wipe your hands."

Shiziwen lowered his eyes; his sense of inferiority surged like a tide, threatening to engulf him completely.

"Back when the senior fellow disciples of Heaven Questioning Peak were punished in the Cold Moon Cave, they were just like you—dirty. At first they also blushed, but later they grew thick‑skinned, got used to it, not only openly showing their dirty hands, but even eating pastries without wiping them first." Yuan Yao spoke the truth.

Hearing this, Shiziwen silently reached out and took her handkerchief.

His eyelids drooped slightly, and he asked in a low voice: "Senior sister, how do you get along so well with so many people?"

"Probably because I'm a good person." Yuan Yao propped her cheeks with both hands, speaking in a proud, cute tone: "And I'm also very adorable."

Shiziwen froze; he lifted his eyes to see Yuan Yao's beaming smile, her brows and eyes expressing a proud‑cat‑like demeanor, beautiful and lively.

Her eyes were truly beautiful, like gemstones, sparkling.

"Actually, within the sect there are some senior fellow disciples and instructors who don't like me, but they never direct harsh words at me or secretly try to harm me; I think they're wary of my status. After all, my master is the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord."