[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortal-craftsman-s-creation":3,"chapter-immortal-craftsman-s-creation-immortal-craftsmanship-chapter-110":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Mysteries of Immortal puppet Master",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2227533,4127,"Chapter 110: Puppet Strings","immortal-craftsmanship-chapter-110",110,"\u003Cp>\"Brother Ning Zhuo, I'm over here!\" Zheng Jian laughed heartily. Seeing Ning Zhuo step off the carriage, he walked over in a few quick strides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo hurriedly cupped his hands in salute: \"Brother Zheng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why stand on such ceremony!\" Zheng Jian grabbed Ning Zhuo's arm, stopping him from continuing the salute. \"Come, let's go to the second floor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, Ning Xiaohui stepped down, slowly treading on the back of a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Jian dragging Ning Zhuo along without even acknowledging her, a layer of frost covered her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the successful exploration of the Immortal Palace last time, Ning Zhuo had thoroughly demonstrated his value to the upper echelons of the three families, and his status had soared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To better win Ning Zhuo over, Ning Xiaoren had accelerated the fabrication of evidence to frame Ning Ze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must know that Ning Ze had served under Ning Xiaoren for many years; if he had no merit, he at least had the toil of labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Xiaoren’s behavior made Ning Zhuo feel secretly ashamed and vigilant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo and Zheng Jian walked arm in arm into a courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the plaque above the courtyard gate, the three large characters \"Ciyou Garden\" were engraved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The garden was crowded with people, all talking and discussing the name Li Leifeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Leifeng had finally reached the end of his life. According to his will, Ciyou Garden had prepared a legacy conference to give away all of Li Leifeng's belongings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't expect Old Li to pass away after all. When I was a child, I grew up watching Old Li's puppet shows,\" Zheng Jian sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo also sighed: \"Old Li was a respectable man. Since taking charge of Ciyou Garden, he saved countless orphans and stray children.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jian patted Ning Zhuo's back: \"Old Li had a 'happy funeral,' passing away at a ripe old age! Look at how many people came today; it shows Old Li's reputation. His life was absolutely worth it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo nodded slightly and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast majority of the crowd gathered at a five-story pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The legacy conference was being held there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo and the others also stepped into this building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilion was shaped like the character 'hui'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Climbing the stairs to a private room on the second floor, Ning Zhuo saw the Zhou brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The food served by Ciyou Garden this time still has the old flavor; it really stirs up memories.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. I still remember that when I was a child, I loved watching puppet shows the most. That private room opposite is where I often went.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I was little, I liked to lie on the railing to watch the show.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo remained silent, his gaze falling to a corner of the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was a child, he would always sneak in when the ticket checkers weren't paying attention. Huddled in a corner or behind a pillar, he could not only watch the show, but sometimes, when the crowd dispersed and the garden hadn't been cleaned up yet, he could pick up some pastries or melons left behind by guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Ning Zhuo had early intelligence, he also had a playful heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aunt and uncle treated him harshly; too many times Ning Ji would eat snacks in front of him without sharing a single sweet fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a child, Ning Zhuo would also be greedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered one time, when he was caught and trembling with fear, Li Leifeng came before him, stroked his head, took his hand, led him backstage, and gave him the clean, untouched portion of pastries and fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People around them came and went, but seeing this scene, no one was surprised, and they cast kind glances at Ning Zhuo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo couldn't clearly remember the specific details anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his impression, that entire experience was wrapped in a layer of gentle time, making a warm current rise in his heart whenever he recalled it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was why, now that Li Leifeng had passed, almost the entire city had come to mourn. The cultivators participating in this legacy conference were basically all people of status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Li Leifeng gone, I wonder what will become of Ciyou Garden?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is said that the next director has yet to be decided.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know the reason. Li Leifeng entrusted Zhu Xuanji to have the Divine Catcher scout for a successor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen exchanged words, casually revealing valuable intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo secretly noted it in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, how are your souls recovering?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Almost healed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm about the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When will we explore the Lava Immortal Palace again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this question was asked, everyone's gaze subconsciously glanced at Ning Zhuo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, it was precisely Ning Zhuo's performance that allowed them to have a qualitative breakthrough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo didn't want to do that; he had already obtained the cultivation technique and had been practicing hard all day recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Five Elements Qi Law and the Demon-Dyed Blood Tendon Technique could not be practiced. When the fourth to sixth layers of the techniques were running, there were many differences in aura compared to the first three layers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Mirror Platform Spirit-Communication Technique could be practiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All movements would be suppressed and completely contained by the Treasure Seal. This made Ning Zhuo often appear to be in a daze, when in fact he was secretly practicing the spirit-refining technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo said: \"For the time being, I can't think of any way. If we continue to explore the Immortal Palace, we will likely repeat our mistakes and fall into that kind of pitch-black trap again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jian and the others trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falling into the trap last time left them unable to live or die, unable to hear, see, or touch anything, forcing them to endure until their soul power reached its limit, at which point they were finally sent out of the Immortal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This nightmare-like experience made them never want to go through it a second time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haven't you thought of any good solutions during this time?\" Zheng Jian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zhu sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zeshen boosted morale: \"I'm almost at the peak of the third layer. Once I succeed, we will set off together and explore the Lava Immortal Palace again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded, reaching an agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the legacy conference officially began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Various items from Li Leifeng's life were publicly displayed, left for people to choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever could select one would take it directly; this was the donation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some low-level cultivators were overjoyed after taking items, feeling they had gained much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some families or powerful cultivators also took some, usually insignificant things. They would often donate a large sum of spirit stones or supplies back to Ciyou Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zeshen suddenly gave a light exclamation, reaching out to grab the air, forming an invisible force that snatched a mechanical wooden board and flew it to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a look, played with it for a while, and laughed: \"It really is this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember when I was a child, my father brought me here. I wouldn't stop crying, so Old Li took out this toy to amuse me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This mechanical toy is very complex; we need to shift and move every variation to get a little bit of information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally, piecing together this information forms a legend of gods and immortals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zhou Zeshen handed the mechanical toy to Zheng Jian beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jian played with it for a while, lost interest, and passed it to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zhu took it and asked curiously: \"Did you finally get that legend?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" Zhou Zeshen said. \"It took an entire summer. The legend of gods and immortals I obtained was only a part, which infuriated me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I still transcribed this story and wrote it on a jade slip, carrying it with me at all times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because having gone through this experience, it added a lot of patience to me. Whenever I am impatient, I take out this jade slip and rub it a few times, and I can quickly adjust my state of mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zhou Zeshen took out the jade slip again for everyone to take turns watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo played with the mechanical wooden board and also looked at the story jade slip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade slip recorded such a legend of gods and immortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the legend, a Supreme Immortal Teacher crossed the void and became tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out a Mixed-Together Cloth Bag, held the opening, and prepared to shake it fifty times. By the forty-ninth time, he was truly tired and lacked the strength to continue, so he loosened the opening and spat out a mechanical world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mechanical world, heaven and earth were suddenly up and down, water and soil were mixed, and smoke and fire swirled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Supreme Immortal Teacher then took out a Five Elements Staff Head and threw it into the mechanical world, letting the five elements circulate, with heaven above, earth below, oceans distributed, and rivers crisscrossing, everything in perfect order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Supreme Immortal Teacher entered the mechanical world and began to rest. In order to have someone serve him, he used three thousand puppet strings and flicked them three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time, the strings flicked onto immortal qi, creating immortal puppets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second time, the strings flicked onto demon qi, forming demon puppets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third time, the strings flicked onto divine qi, obtaining divine puppets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three types of puppets served the Supreme Immortal Teacher with meticulous care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Supreme Immortal Teacher rested enough and continued on his journey. Before leaving the mechanical world, he was bitterly begged by the three puppets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three puppets wanted to follow the Supreme Immortal Teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Supreme Immortal Teacher told them it was not that he was unwilling, but that the three puppets could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcibly taking the three puppets away would only lead to their demise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three puppets did not believe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Supreme Immortal Teacher pointed out to them: \"Just look at the strings on your bodies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three puppets were dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immortal puppet saw the strings on its body were ideals, wisdom, freedom, betrayal...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon puppet saw the strings on its body were power, chaos, love...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The divine puppet saw the strings on its body were reason, order, fairness...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Ning Zhuo's heart was touched!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly thought of himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of the history books he had read, the various figures in those books, and the countless times he had pondered their thoughts and their choices at critical moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he grew older, he gradually discovered: these people, regardless of strength, all had traces to follow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of Yuan Dasheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Yuan Dasheng was powerful, there was a string of loyalty firmly pulling it above its head. Wasn't the reason Ning Zhuo was able to plot against it because he had grasped this puppet string?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of his uncle Ning Ze, and Ning Xiaoren; they also had puppet strings on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of Han Ming. Even a demon cultivator had a puppet string named greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as I grasp these strings, I can manipulate them just like manipulating a machine. Isn't that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are there puppet strings on me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo felt a chill for no reason!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly raised his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly raised his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a trance, he saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a huge, almost completely transparent puppet string. That was—Human Life Hanging Thread!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Illusion-Truth Lotus Seed in his Spirit Sea quietly sprouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lava Immortal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragon-Turtle Fire Spirit woke up from its slumber. It pressed its chest, feeling suspicious about a groundless sense of fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Human Life Hanging Thread disappeared from Ning Zhuo's vision and could no longer be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhuo lowered his head, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite an interesting little story.\" Ning Zhuo smiled and returned the jade slip to Zhou Zeshen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It does have quite a charm.\" Zhou Zeshen took the jade slip and casually echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never have expected that his casual act had brought Ning Zhuo such a huge opportunity!\u003C\u002Fp>",2049,"2026-06-17T23:33:09.460Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","f2200f176960c47f78225da081eda8a20bb48b69b2a52c113b1ace44ea9251ec","immortal-craftsmanship-chapter-111","immortal-craftsmanship-chapter-109",783,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortal-craftsmanship-cover.jpg"]