Chapter 64: The Locust Wood Puppet Lingxiang Returns

Thus and so, this and that.

Maidong told Lingxiang about Xin Yi's reaction that day, her heart full of confusion.

"Tell me, does he actually have feelings for me or not?"

Lingxiang shot a sidelong glance at Maidong; this little girl's romantic feelings were overflowing, and she was likely unable to think about anything else.

"Then did you ask him why he was like that?"

Upon hearing this, Maidong's face flushed red, and she fidgeted as she said, "Oh my—who knew he would be so impulsive? I was so nervous when he held my hand that I couldn't think of anything else at the time."

Lingxiang looked at her with disdain, thinking to herself: This silly girl must have left her brains behind at Qiuyun Peak when she came down the mountain.

Immediately after, Lingxiang recalled the scene at Yinyu Mountain, and her expression turned solemn.

"Do me a favor..."

"No way!" Before Lingxiang could finish, Maidong flatly refused. Remembering the last time the Sword Manual matter failed and she was punished by her master to copy scriptures, she still felt a lingering fear—copying scriptures was truly too torturous.

"I'm just asking you to request a puppet from Senior Brother Zhaoming; it's not like we're committing a crime. Is it really necessary to disregard our sisterly bond like this?" Lingxiang said, sitting up.

"It was precisely because I valued our sisterly bond last time that I ended up grounded and punished with copying. I won't help you again this time. As for this sisterly bond, let's save it for when we're sharing good times," Maidong said, hurriedly rising from the daybed to sit by the table, as if she would be forced by Lingxiang later.

"You speak as if I didn't give you any benefits last time. That 'Water Art' was sent in your name, have you forgotten that already? People often say men forget righteousness for beauty, but I think you are even worse," Lingxiang mocked Maidong, not forgetting to glare at her: truly a little ingrate.

"Even so, what benefit can you give me this time?"

"Sigh, I had intended that if you could help me with this favor, I would sound out Xin Yi for you. But since you've said it like that, I'll just wait until my legs are better and go ask him myself," Lingxiang said, lying back down leisurely.

When Maidong heard her say this, she hurriedly pounced onto the daybed, her eyes shining as she shook Lingxiang.

"Is that true?"

"Not a word of a lie!"

"It's a deal!"

"Go quickly and return quickly!"

Thus, Maidong left the Xianyun Abode like the wind and headed toward Diancang Hall.

Zhaoming Zhenren was in the middle of regulating his breath when he heard the young attendant's report and nearly fell off his pedestal. He had finally enjoyed a few days of peace and didn't have to worry about that troublemaker, but he had forgotten there was still a little devil.

Although Maidong was a junior and was always respectful to him, the incident from a few years ago where she used him to test medicine was still fresh in his memory. Besides, she was rarely seen at Diancang Hall on normal days; whenever she came, it was certain she was up to no good again.

It must be Lingxiang ordering her around! This girl, even when injured, she doesn't let anyone have peace!

"Did you ask her what she came here for?" Zhaoming Zhenren said, steadying his mind: Forget it, soldiers come, block with a shield; water comes, cover with earth!

"Senior Sister Maidong said she was acting on the orders of the Qingwei Peak Master to request an item," the attendant replied, though he secretly laughed in his heart: Master is likely going to be teased again this time.

Sure enough! When those two girls are together, there is definitely no good to be had.

Thinking this, Zhaoming Zhenren rose and headed to the main hall, and before leaving, he instructed the attendant to keep a close eye on his treasures.

He had to see her; otherwise, once Lingxiang recovered, there was no telling how she would torment him!

When Maidong saw Zhaoming the Perfected One emerge from behind the hall, she performed a respectful Daoist salute and then stated her purpose.

Zhaoming Zhenren was somewhat surprised upon hearing this; Lingxiang, that girl, only wanted a puppet?

It wasn't that he was unwilling to give it, but he always felt that Lingxiang must be up to some mischief, and his heart remained full of suspicion.

"She only asked you to come and request a piece of witchcraft?" Zhaoming Zhenren asked, full of doubt.

"That is correct. Ninth Junior Aunt said she wants a puppet made of locust wood," Maidong replied.

Hmph! She certainly knows how to pick; the Locust Wood Puppet Technique is the most durable. Could it be she wants to commit evil deeds without leaving her room?

However, although Zhaoming Zhenren thought this, he still agreed: get rid of Maidong early to avoid any complications.

But Maidong did not move.

"Ninth Junior Aunt said she wants to take it today. Please, Fifth Junior Uncle, perform the technique quickly so I can go back and report."

What? She wants it today? This Lingxiang, even lying beyond the three mountains, won't let him have any peace!?

It was already sunset when Maidong brought the puppet to Lingxiang. Lingxiang looked at the locust wood doll in her hand and praised Zhaoming Zhenren's craftsmanship greatly: to be able to carve the little figure so vividly in such a short time, he could probably make a living fooling children even after he left the mountain.

If Zhaoming Zhenren knew what Lingxiang was thinking, he would likely be so angry that smoke would come out of his seven orifices.

Lingxiang plucked a strand of her hair and tied it to the locust wood doll, placed it aside, pricked her finger to drip blood onto it, and then formed hand seals and chanted the incantation.

A red light flashed on the little figure, and it absorbed all the blood, growing to the size of a person in a short while.

With Lingxiang's shout of "Jiji Ru Lüling," the little figure instantly transformed into Lingxiang's likeness and sat on the daybed, while Lingxiang herself lay on the bed as if asleep, motionless.

The Locust Wood Puppet, now in Lingxiang's likeness, stood up and stretched its limbs, its face full of satisfaction.

"Your Fifth Junior Uncle's Transformation Art is truly becoming more refined. Using this puppet feels just like being in one's own body; it fits perfectly," the Locust Wood Puppet in Lingxiang's likeness said with a smile to Maidong.

It turned out this was a low-level Substitute Spirit Technique of the Puppet Technique, transferring one's own divine sense into the wooden figure to make it act in one's own image.

In other words, this locust wood figure was now Lingxiang.

However, although this technique contained the original's divine sense, it lacked the original's Spirit Power; it could neither be used for fighting nor for casting spells, and it acted just like an ordinary person.

After casting this technique, the original body had no defense at all; unless it was absolutely safe, no one would use this witchcraft. Furthermore, the puppet could not be too far from the original body; if it exceeded the range, it would instantly turn back into a wooden figure.

Then wouldn't this technique be completely useless?

Not entirely. Firstly, this was only a low-level Puppet Technique because Lingxiang's cultivation was not high enough to cast high-level techniques; secondly, most people who used this technique were like Lingxiang, unable to move about easily. This was an expedient measure, used only to accomplish some immediate tasks.

"It's three mountain peaks from here to Zhuyuan; don't let the technique wear off while you're walking," Maidong rolled her eyes at Lingxiang and mocked.

"What are you afraid of? With your Fifth Junior Uncle's cultivation, this puppet he made is enough to tour the entire Jiuque Mountain, and besides, my Qingwei Peak is the most central peak of Jiuque Mountain."

Lingxiang said, moving about to test it: This is truly very convenient.