Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

In the small courtyard, strands of Yin energy rose and hovered, enveloping the surroundings. The sounds outside the courtyard grew fainter, as if isolating this place from the outside world.

Sun Lingtong, short in stature, resembled a three-year-old child with a head of short, shiny black hair. His eyes were large, distinctly black and white, with chubby cheeks and smooth, tender skin.

He was trapped in the middle of the courtyard.

In front of him and behind him stood two black-clad demon cultivators, one with triangular eyes and the other with a hooked nose.

To Sun Lingtong's right, a shadow, seemingly alive, gathered against the courtyard wall.

Within the enveloping shadow, Han Ming's figure flickered faintly.

Her face was delicate yet tinged with a bluish-gray hue. Her expression, twisted by intense resentment and hatred, made her look especially menacing.

“The situation is unfavorable,” Sun Lingtong thought to himself.

He could clearly sense the separation between himself and the surrounding environment, as if the once clear world had suddenly been obscured by a layer of coarse glass.

The reason the formation hadn’t shown its external signs was solely because the opponents were holding back.

"Three against one, and they're all at the Foundation Establishment stage," Sun Lingtong observed the two black-clad demon cultivators in front and behind him, as well as Han Ming in the corner.

His gaze quickly swept over them and lingered momentarily on Han Ming.

“Han Ming possesses the Yin Corpse Qi!”

“Most of her body has already turned into a zombie, so ordinary attacks are ineffective against her.”

Sun Lingtong calculated in his heart, while outwardly showing a panicked expression. “Wait, everyone, don't be impulsive!”

“I’m a disciple of the No-Void Sect. You should consider the consequences of making a move.”

“If I die at your hands, there will surely be traces left behind. You must think carefully about the future retaliation from the No-Void Sect.”

The two black-clad demon cultivators remained expressionless, while Han Ming gritted her teeth. “Worried about the No-Void Sect's retaliation? You ambushed me before, weren't you afraid of the Soul-Devouring Sect's revenge?”

Sun Lingtong quickly said, “I didn't ambush you, it wasn’t my intention.”

“It was that young puppet master who offered such a high price that it was hard to refuse!”

“The black smoke that knocked you out wasn’t from me. It was the young puppet master; the one who imprisoned and humiliated you was also him. Go after him!”

“We're not enemies, I was just doing business.”

“As long as you pay, I can be your ally.”

“Ally?!” Han Ming’s tone rose, full of mockery and disdain. “Do you think I’d fall for the same trick twice?”

“Still asking for money?”

“Hah, are you blind? Can’t you see the current situation?”

“Enough, killing you and taking your soul for interrogation is the same!”

“Attack…”

“Wait!” Sun Lingtong shouted, “I know you’ve set up a formation, but you must understand.”

“This is the Immortal City of Huoshi!”

“The formation you’ve set up will inevitably trigger a response from the city's defensive formation. How long can it last?”

“If I'm trapped in the formation and can't leave, I will certainly fight you to the death.”

“At this rate, won’t that old puppet master laugh himself to death?”

“We should sit down and have a proper discussion. There’s no need for a life-and-death struggle.”

Sun Lingtong tried to persuade them kindly.

On normal days, his words might have had some effect. But now, after Meng Kui had set the stage for watching tigers fight from atop a mountain, the aura of fortune had already influenced everyone present.

Han Ming snapped, “He’s stalling for time, attack!”

As she spoke, she formed seals with her hands, and with a small opening of her mouth, she spat out a wisp of black-gray Yin wind.

Hand seal, body seal, mind seal.

These were among the main auxiliary techniques for spellcasting in the cultivation world.

The two black-clad demon cultivators performed the same technique, blowing out two additional gusts of Yin wind.

The Yin wind, though seemingly slow, was actually swift. It approached Sun Lingtong from three directions, about to surround him.

Sun Lingtong channeled his mana, and his figure suddenly vanished from his original spot. When he reappeared, he was already by the left wall of the courtyard.

The Yin wind missed its target, converging into a whirlwind that continued to pursue Sun Lingtong.

This was the advantage of being trained under the same sect.

They all mainly cultivated the "Nine-Turn Soul-Devouring Art". Even though each of their mana had unique characteristics, their essence was similar. This allowed their spells to briefly merge rather than clash fiercely against each other.

Sun Lingtong attempted to leap over the courtyard wall, but suddenly, whistling Yin energy surged in front of him. The ground split open, and from the cracks, torrents of Yin wind erupted.

The overwhelming Yin wind shot straight into the air, forming a wall of wind about five or six feet thick and two zhang high.

These Yin wind walls were not just in one spot; in the next breath, all the courtyard walls were blown away, replaced by violently billowing black-gray Yin wind.

“Within my Yin Wind Narrowing Formation, Sun Lingtong, where do you think you can run?” The hooked-nosed demon cultivator laughed smugly.

Sun Lingtong had no way forward, and from behind, a chilling whirlwind was blowing towards him.

He cursed, extended his left hand with five fingers, and formed a seal with his fingers, creating a hand sign.

In the next moment, he spread his left hand flat, and a cluster of lightning formed in his palm.

Palm Lightning!

Boom.

With a thunderous roar, the lightning shattered the Yin wind.

But the triangular-eyed demon cultivator’s thin needle magical instrument took advantage of the chaos, silently stabbing straight towards the back of Sun Lingtong’s head.

If it pierced him, Sun Lingtong would be gravely injured, if not killed.

In this critical moment, Sun Lingtong’s eyes flashed with spiritual light. He spun around abruptly, his gaze locking onto the thin needle magical instrument.

Having just used his left hand for the lightning technique and unable to use it again, he reached into his robe with his right hand and flung out a handkerchief.

The handkerchief flew out, wrapping around the thin needle magical instrument.

Sun Lingtong grinned, lightly leaped, and grabbed the handkerchief with his right hand, tightly wrapping the thin needle magical instrument.

The triangular-eyed demon cultivator's expression changed drastically.

He frantically channeled his mana and consumed his spiritual sense to summon the thin needle back. However, once the handkerchief wrapped around it, his connection with the thin needle weakened significantly. By the time Sun Lingtong grabbed it, the triangular-eyed demon cultivator could barely sense the needle.

The demon cultivator was greatly alarmed and recognized it: “No-Void Sect, Trapping Treasure Art!”

The thin needle struggled frantically within the handkerchief in its final throes as Sun Lingtong was about to succeed, and Han Ming lunged over.

“Let go!” Han Ming’s movements were stiff, but her speed was incredibly fast. She spread her fingers wide, reaching to grab Sun Lingtong.

Her fingernails were exceptionally sharp, appearing blackish-purple, slicing through the air with ten sharp trails, and emitting a pungent, sweet odor.

Sun Lingtong’s hair stood on end. He quickly released his grip, abandoning the thin needle and the handkerchief, and leaped backward.

The thin needle and handkerchief fell to the ground.

Han Ming, ruthless by nature, had sought revenge even against Sun Lie in the past. After Sun Lingtong tricked her, she harbored an extreme hatred for this disciple of the No-Void Sect, with each strike aimed at Sun Lingtong's vital spots.

Sun Lingtong retreated continuously, not daring to confront her head-on.

Han Ming relied on her natural talents and had also cultivated the "Immortal Zombie Life Creation Method," making her a formidable body cultivator as well.

Sun Lingtong practiced the No-Void Sect's techniques, having successfully built his foundation with a focus on cultivating his Divine Sea. However, his mid-dantian Qi Sea and lower-dantian Essence Sea were not as strong as his upper dantian.

Han Ming kept closing in, fully utilizing the power of her zombie body, vicious and poisonous.

Sun Lingtong dodged left and right, his movements extremely agile. Though his magical treasures were far inferior to Han Ming's, he managed to maintain the situation.

The two black-clad demon cultivators from the Soul-Devouring Sect, who were watching, gradually noticed the nuances.

“Sun Lingtong has very rich combat experience!”

“Han Ming has a significant advantage, but she lacks proficiency in martial skills. Despite her advantage, she can’t establish dominance in a short time.”

“Let’s assist her!”

The two communicated through sound transmission and reached a consensus.

The hooked-nosed cultivator manipulated the Yin Wind Narrowing Formation, causing the Yin wind walls to press in.

The triangular-eyed demon cultivator recalled his thin needle instrument, seized Sun Lingtong's handkerchief magical instrument, and reactivated his spiritual sense. The thin needle flew out, circling around to cooperate with Han Ming, thrusting toward Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong, besieged by the three, struggled to fend them off. First, he was struck several times by the thin needle, and his protective spells were nearly shattered. Then, he was scratched by Han Ming's nails, prompting him to quickly consume an antidote pill after being poisoned.

Finally, as the Yin wind walls pressed in, Sun Lingtong managed to complete his spell.

Space-Piercing Technique.

He took a large step back, spatial ripples emerged, enveloping him from back to front.

As he retreated, he vanished into thin air.

In the next moment, he appeared behind Han Ming and the others, standing at the other end of the Yin Wind Narrowing Formation, finally gaining some distance.

Sun Lingtong’s expression was very grim.

Han Ming turned around, sneering. “Sun Lingtong, since we already know you're from the No-Void Sect, how could we not guard against your Space-Piercing Technique?”

For the first time, Sun Lingtong’s childlike face twisted into a fierce expression. “Fine, fine, since you're pushing me this far, even if I lose my life, I’ll make sure to drag all of you down with me!”

Han Ming scoffed, “Foolish delusion!”

She channeled her mana, formed seals with her hands, and spat out a stream of ghostly green fire.

Sun Lingtong shouted and pulled out a gourd from his robe, spraying a jet of cold water from its mouth.

The ghost fire and cold water collided, creating a mist that filled the sky.

Sun Lingtong’s eyes shone with spiritual light, easily piercing through the mist. Ignoring Han Ming, he charged toward the hooked-nosed cultivator.

The hooked-nosed cultivator was the one controlling the formation. If Sun Lingtong could kill him, he might have a chance to break the spell and escape.

However, the three from the Soul-Devouring Sect had long anticipated this move. The hooked-nosed cultivator retreated, disappearing into the Yin wind.

The triangular-eyed cultivator and Han Ming immediately caught up, engaging Sun Lingtong in a chaotic melee.

Sun Lingtong abandoned his previous evasive style, recklessly using his mana and spiritual power, frequently casting spells and throwing various magical artifacts.

For a moment, the battle was evenly matched.

“This Sun Lingtong has a lot of useless trinkets!” The hooked-nosed cultivator, controlling the formation, lamented after destroying a flying dagger artifact.

“People from the No-Void Sect never keep their hands clean. Sun Lingtong has been accumulating in the black market for years; these artifacts are surely stolen,” the triangular-eyed cultivator remarked.

Han Ming, displeased, snapped, “Kill Sun Lingtong quickly! Once the fight is over, you'll have plenty of time to chat!”

The hooked-nosed cultivator snorted coldly. “Han Ming, what’s with your attitude? We’re the ones who saved you.”

The triangular-eyed cultivator added, “Without us, you’d still be chained up. This is your enemy; we've helped you enough.”

The hooked-nosed and triangular-eyed cultivators began to hold back.

As Sun Lingtong fought back fiercely, the two black-clad demon cultivators grew somewhat apprehensive.

They preferred letting Han Ming take the lead, weakening Sun Lingtong. If he revealed one or two trump cards against Han Ming, the two demon cultivators would be safer.

Demon cultivators excelled in solo combat and also preferred it.

A key characteristic of demonic techniques was the ability to use fellow cultivators as resources for cultivation. Thus, demonic sect brothers often had strong motivations for turning against each other.

After briefly joining forces to attack Sun Lingtong, the three from the Soul-Devouring Sect soon turned on each other.

The pressure on Sun Lingtong sharply decreased!

Sun Lingtong keenly felt this change, granting him a moment of respite.

His eyes flashed with brilliance, and he switched his combat style back to evasion. Occasionally, he would activate spells or magical artifacts, attacking Han Ming or the Yin wind walls.

Prolonged defense inevitably leads to failure.

Han Ming spat ghost fire that chilled Sun Lingtong to the bone, turning his black hair to white ash.

Her nails were exceptionally sharp and carried corpse poison. Sun Lingtong’s body was riddled with wounds, the flesh around them rotting and exuding a foul corpse stench.

Han Ming’s Soul Capturing Shuttle was what Sun Lingtong feared most. He preferred enduring other attacks rather than allowing the Soul Capturing Shuttle to get close.

“Haha, hahaha!”

“Sun Lingtong, did you think about today when you framed me back then?”

“I will surely capture and kill you, extract your soul, and let you taste the soul punishments of the Soul-Devouring Sect.”

Han Ming’s eyes were filled with bloodthirsty rage. Revenge made her feel indescribably satisfied, sinking into a nearly frenzied excitement.

Sun Lingtong was forced into a corner.

“Die!” Han Ming screamed, pushing her mana to the limit. The ghost fire blazed, forming a serpent of dark fire that opened its jaws to devour Sun Lingtong.

In the face of death, Sun Lingtong suddenly let out a sly laugh.

“You want me dead?”

“Hahaha, you three are far from it!”

The next moment, his figure abruptly vanished.

“Another Space-Piercing Technique,” the triangular-eyed cultivator muttered.

“No worries, he’s within my Yin Wind Narrowing Formation… Not good!” The hooked-nosed cultivator's expression suddenly changed drastically.

The relentless Yin wind that formed the wind walls collapsed at that moment.

The hooked-nosed cultivator, who had been maintaining the formation, suffered a terrifying backlash from the sudden change.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground, unconscious.

“What’s happening?!” The triangular-eyed cultivator wondered in alarm. Sun Lingtong had already flashed behind him.

Splat.

A snow-bright dagger, razor-sharp, easily pierced the triangular-eyed cultivator's lower back.

Then, the dagger exploded with bright blue lightning, fiercely attacking the triangular-eyed cultivator's internal organs.

The triangular-eyed cultivator's body convulsed violently, as if in the throes of a seizure.

Within a few blinks, his eyes rolled back, and he opened his mouth, a stream of black smoke seeping from his throat.

Thud.

He, too, fell to the ground, unconscious.

“Only you’re left.” Sun Lingtong, no longer looking beleaguered, had eyes blazing with light and an unyielding fighting spirit.

Han Ming, enraged, shouted, “Without these two burdens, it’s no big deal!”

With that, she charged at Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong took a deep breath, holding a dagger in each hand, pouring his mana into them.

The blades flickered continuously, like the flapping wings of a butterfly, dancing forward.

The butterfly-like blade light was dazzling and exquisite, as beautiful as a painting. Not a trace of mana was detected, perfectly restrained.

Sun Lingtong’s self-created blade technique—Butterfly Wing Blade!

A swarm of butterflies surrounded Han Ming.

Wrapped in Yin wind, Han Ming spewed ghost fire and attacked with punches and kicks, but all her strikes missed!

The butterfly blade lights were exceptionally nimble; some lightly grazed her skin, while others sliced through her limbs, flying out from her back.

From their formation, attack, to their dissipation, the butterfly swarm lasted no more than five breaths.

Han Ming stood still, motionless.

Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief!

“This… this is your true strength?” she managed to utter.

As soon as the words left her mouth, her head fell off, and her torso, severed diagonally at the waist, also crashed to the ground.

As her body hit the ground, her limbs were also dismembered, scattering around her.

Blood gushed out, rapidly forming a pool around Han Ming’s corpse.

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