Chapter 159

159. Chapter 159: Fang Qingyan's Demon Heart

The three women together finally defeated the Puppet King; it seemed easy, but it was thanks to the Youyu Bead that Luo Yao had given them. Without this bead protecting them, they would have been injured at least, and could not have won so easily.

"This thing…"

Fang Qingyan held the puppet and immediately felt embarrassed, since this was technically their collective spoils, yet she had taken it alone.

Luo Yao saw her thoughts and pointed to the puppet materials scattered on the ground, "Yan Jie, you won't need these, right? Can I have them?"

"If Xiao Yao wants them, take them—I don't need these for this puppet."

Xi Lan also said, "I don't like using puppets; they're useless to me."

Luo Yao was naturally delighted—compared to the puppet itself, these puppet materials were what she valued most.

Especially those who had once hunted her—this very puppet nearly killed her, and chased her like a cat toys with a mouse.

And Xi Lan, already at Golden Core Stage, had no need to rely on external aids; what she needed now was an opportunity to break through to Golden Core Mid-Stage.

But even so, that had only temporarily resolved the Demon Heart issue.

So, compared to the Puppet King, Luo Yao felt those materials suited her better.

Soon, he made his decision, rolled over and got up, then thudded to his knees on the ground.

"It's fine, this place is…"

Unless the core is replaced—but after replacing the core, it's no longer the original puppet.

However, judging by the situation, he must have been separated from Liu Yizhou and the others.

And unlike other puppets, despite Xiao Kui's current weak strength, she can continuously enhance her power—other puppets cannot do this.

Now, only by defeating this Foundation Establishment cultivator can she overcome her Demon Heart.

"Watch out!"

Xi Lan looked around—there were no other paths; they could only retrace their steps. What could they do? Their luck had been bad, and they hadn't chosen the right path.

Crack!

Thus, Fang Qingyan's strength had long surpassed ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage.

Luo Yao and Xi Lan both grew angry and dashed to block the man's escape route.

That meant this hall was the end.

In truth, even if Luo Yao and Fang Qingyan teamed up, he wouldn't care—but Xi Lan, a Golden Core cultivator, was different.

"Even if you've broken through to Foundation Establishment, I can still slap you dead with one hand."

"I'm just following orders; I have no choice. Liu Yizhou is the Great Elder's grandson—we dare not defy his commands…"

"Foundation Establishment… Golden Core…"

Fang Qingyan was about to say yes, but several Luo Yaos frowned.

Seeing the strength of Luo Yao and Xi Lan, the Foundation Establishment cultivator's face turned pale.

A puppet like Xiao Kui—with self-awareness and humanity—is impossible to find anywhere.

Which means these puppets' power is fixed and cannot grow further.

Xi Lan looked apologetic—she had only intended to use Thunder Technique to crack a small hole and check the situation, but the floor was so fragile it collapsed instantly.

He had already thought of a solution: capture Fang Qingyan and threaten Luo Yao and the other woman to let him escape.

"You escaped last time—that was your luck. But back then, I chased you like a dog running for its life; now, your fate won't change…"

It will recur.

He widened his eyes, disbelieving—this ant he could have crushed with one hand back then now couldn't even withstand a single strike.

"You've got guts, showing up again?"

He realized Fang Qingyan had already reached Foundation Establishment—how was that possible?

Boom!

Too bad his plan was excellent—the reality was cruel.

Xi Lan immediately brightened, "You two step back—I'll try."

Fang Qingyan, after years of being hunted, was no longer the old Fang Qingyan. She had received the legacy of an Ancient Immortal and had been personally guided by Yunhua Xianzi.

Yet, upon meeting Luo Yao, Fang Qingyan's Demon Heart dissolved effortlessly.

Saying this, Xi Lan summoned a bolt of lightning in her palm and slammed it onto the ground.

Fortunately, Yunhua Xianzi had always cared for her and helped her resolve her inner turmoil.

After finishing their conversation, the three looked around.

"You?"

With these materials for Xiao Kui, Xiao Kui's strength could rise dramatically—she could at least break through to Foundation Establishment.

Luo Yao and the others turned to look around—this was another great hall. When they fell, the falling stones had smashed through the ceiling, but their quick reactions spared them from injury.

Seeing the identical expressions, Luo Yao and the others couldn't help but feel disgust—these Star Temple cultivators were truly arrogant, always believing only they were heaven's chosen.

Fang Qingyan didn't waste words—since the Star Temple killed her master, their conflict could never be resolved.

"Who are you?"

But with Luo Yao and Xi Lan—one Foundation Establishment and one Golden Core—he grew nervous.

However, since it was Fang Qingyan who initiated this and shared the Ancient Cultivator Cave Abode, naturally they must consult her opinion.

The three were startled, but reacted quickly and regained composure, avoiding injury.

There were no other exits.

Clearly, these were Star Temple cultivators—those who had entered with Liu Yizhou.

Suddenly, a sound rang out—the ground split open a crack, and the next second, the floor shattered, sending Luo Yao and the others tumbling down.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator who had just broken through—he didn't care at all.

"Is it hollow below?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator before her was clearly just an ordinary person.

"Wait, something's wrong here."

Seeing that Luo Yao and the others hadn't moved, the Foundation Establishment cultivator sighed in relief—then burst into fury. "You? A former defeated opponent."

"How's it going?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator was just about to laugh loudly when his face changed.

Suddenly, a questioning voice came from all around; Luo Yao and the other two immediately went on alert, turning toward the front.

There, before them, stood a Foundation Establishment cultivator wearing the robes of the Starlight Palace.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A reverberation echoed from the ground—something that hadn't been there before, or rather, hadn't existed before the Puppet King appeared.

That period was the darkest moment of her life.

"So it's you!"

"Spare my life!"

"Since you've come to us, don't bother leaving."

"Are you alright?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator naturally recognized Fang Qingyan and sneered coldly.

"Kill!"

For some Puppets, the strength of their core determines the Puppet's strength.

"Bad! Grab me quickly!"

"You—you've broken through?"

"Yan Jie, go ahead. We'll guard your back."

During the months she was saved by Yunhua Xianzi, she had nightmares every single day.

Fang Qingyan instantly recognized the cultivator—he was the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had hunted her, once nearly killing her.

Seeing this cultivator, Fang Qingyan's eyes instantly filled with rage and hatred.

Puff!

Sure enough, shortly after the two clashed, the cultivator was blasted away by Fang Qingyan, spitting blood as he crashed to the ground.

Fortunately, none of them were injured; otherwise, Xi Lan would have been tormented by guilt.

Moreover, her previous inability to break through to Foundation Establishment Stage had been due to the presence of this Demon Heart.

Luo Yao stood in the center of the hall, crouched down, and tapped the ground with her hand.

"What do we do? Go back and find another Passage?"

Thinking of this, his heart sank to the bottom.

Then the man abandoned all dignity of a Foundation Establishment cultivator and cried out for mercy.

Luo Yao's expression changed; she feared Yan Jie might soften—should this man seize the chance to launch a surprise attack, Yan Jie…

Sure enough, a flash of cold light darted before their eyes.