Cultivation through Skin Making

As for her invitation...

Song Yan thought for a moment, then narrowed his eyes.

He figured it out...

Whether to accept or believe it actually didn't matter.

The important thing was, Old Demon Gu Huangzi definitely knew that Wang Susu had privately met with him and had a long talk in a quiet chamber.

Yin Wutai might casually chat about him with Wang Susu, even if he doesn't, Wang Susu might accidentally reveal a "flaw."

This alone would be enough to make Old Demon Gu Huangzi worry that his "Shadow Puppet Maker" might run away.

If thinking of the worst-case scenario, perhaps someone had used Divine Sense to eavesdrop just now, and everything Wang Susu said might have been overheard.

He faced three possible outcomes:

One, escape back to the Nanwu Sword Sect, but the hope was slim, and the consequences numerous. Moreover, given the current special situation, the Nanwu Sword Sect wouldn't break the grand alliance plan for him;

Two, escape to the Evil Land;

Three, be imprisoned more harshly by Gu Huangzi, perhaps even having his legs broken.

This was the real intention behind Wang Susu's visit.

As for what Stone Seat Elder's real motive was, he still couldn't see clearly, but since Stone Elder himself had hopes of breaking through the Crimson Palace Realm, he naturally didn't want his unique Secret Technique to be spread outside...

"Using another's hand to kill" couldn't be ruled out.

Describing the brother-sister affection gently was actually hiding ghostly thoughts.

Song Yan was somewhat speechless.

After working together for so many years, who doesn't know each other?

But this was really pressing him hard...

...

...

The next day.

An Elder displayed the Fox Demon Shadow Puppet sent by Stone Elder.

The shadow puppet was connected to the fingertips with Profound Qi, yet it suddenly changed into all sorts of forms through Illusion Techniques, sometimes a charming beauty, sometimes a bent old elder, sometimes a strong man, sometimes a naïve child...

Endlessly variable, mesmerizing.

For a time, Paperman Peak was in an uproar.

After all, everyone knew the value of such a Fox Demon Shadow Puppet.

It could fight, kill, and disguise, its functionality was far superior to those pure "big demon beasts."

With this Fox Demon Shadow Puppet, the Puppet Sect's "infiltration capabilities" would become particularly alarming, almost omnipresent. Against forces like the Nanwu Sword Sect, one could easily sneak in and cause huge destruction by exploiting a moment of inattention.

The disciples began to chat amongst themselves.

"I didn't expect the Fox Demon Shadow Puppet to be this good."

"Yes, dealing with those Fox Demons was such a headache for us because of their Illusion Techniques, but if they became shadow puppets, that power could be used for us."

"These days, we teamed up with Ghost Cultivators to kill quite a few Fox Demons."

The voices of the disciples were filled with both emotions and excitement.

At this moment, someone glanced at Song Yan on the other side.

"Song Master is here too," a disciple remarked.

However, Song Yan remained silent, his eyes fixed on that Demonic Fox Shadow Puppet, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh, "The teacher's mastery is divine, I'm far inferior..."

Some disciples comforted him, others had a mocking glimmer in their eyes, but most were silently indifferent.

In their hearts, "Song Master, who made an intermediate Demon Beast Shadow Puppet daily," was nearly surpassing "Stone Master," but now... Song Master was suddenly knocked down.

Truly, comparison reveals differences.

Still, the old ones have their edge.

...

...

Time flew by, and soon a month had passed.

The No-Body Phantom Crow delivered that bottle of blood to Song Yan with unwavering accuracy.

Song Yan quickly stored the blood in his Storage Space, leaving everything for action after the visit to the Cold Pool Valley Market.

The Cold Pool Valley Market... finally opened too.

Song Yan wasn't among the first to enter the market; he waited a few days before entering along with some fellow disciples from the Puppet Sect.

When they reached the market gate, they found cultivators already guarding it, and more cultivators at the Crimson Palace Realm stationing in a pavilion not far away.

To everyone's surprise, there was a small crystal cage hanging in front of the gate.

Inside the cage, nearly a hundred small snowy white insects were fluttering around.

As everyone took a glance, intending to step into the market, a guarding cultivator hurriedly approached, blocking them, "Fellow Daoists, please go to that cage first and wave, then enter the market."

Guan Wu, being familiar with Song Yan, naturally walked with him, stepping forward to ask, "What is the reason for this?"

The cultivator replied, "It's decreed by the Sect Leader and the elders."

Guan Wu furrowed his brows, his voice a bit wicked, "What Sect Leader and elders?"

The cultivator calmly replied, "It's also decreed by your Sect Leader, Gu Huangzi."

Guan Wu fell silent, stepped forward, waved his face in front of the cage, and said, "Is this acceptable now?"

The cultivator nodded with a smile.

Thus, everyone followed suit, and when all were done, the cultivator said, "Apologies, fellow Daoists, this cage contains a type of rare insect called Phantom-Devouring Flying Ants, which are extremely sensitive to Illusion Techniques. If anyone attempts to use Illusion Techniques to sneak into the market, these Phantom-Devouring Flying Ants will quickly attach themselves to the crystal wall.

This Cold Pool Valley Market is of great significance, so to prevent Fox Demons from sneaking in, this is necessary. Apologies."

Song Yan curiously asked, "If each person had a few of these insects, how could a Fox Demon hide?"

The cultivator replied, "You're joking, fellow Daoist. Phantom-Devouring Flying Ants are scarce, and acquiring so many is no easy feat. It's only because of the market opening that some seniors were willing to bring them out."

Song Yan nodded and entered, with Yuzhuang tightly clutching his hand.

Upon reaching the market, Puppet Sect cultivators immediately headed towards the Profound Artifact Elixir area.

Song Yan, however, halted and said, "I'm not going that way."

Guan Wu, curious, asked, "What is Master Song intending to buy?"

Song Yan smiled and said, "I'm buying some supplements for my little Yuzhuang… I'm going to stroll around the Mortal Area."

Everyone chuckled, and Guan Wu cheerfully said, "Master Song truly is a man who cherishes beauty. So, Master Song, do enjoy strolling with your little lady."

Yueyang Luo and Shen Nongjia were together as well; they were about to follow their master but really didn't want to go to the Mortal Area, so they each said, "Master, do have a good stroll..."

Song Yan nodded with a smile and then parted ways with a few people.

Gu Huangzi had imprinted a tracking mark on him, so there was no worry about him getting lost, especially with such a burden like little Yuzhuang beside him.

The meeting with people from the Nanwu Sword Sect didn't concern Gu Huangzi either.

No matter what he did after this stroll around the market, he would likely be placed under house arrest upon returning.

The only thing Gu Huangzi worried about was him leaking "Stone Seat Elder's Shadow Puppet Secret Technique," but both Gu Huangzi and Song Yan knew: if Song Yan dared to send it out, his return would hold consequences far beyond mere confinement...

Gu Huangzi could vaguely guess what kind of person Song Yan was.

He just didn't believe Song Yan was someone who would "sacrifice his life for righteousness."

It must be said, he was pretty accurate with his insights...