Chapter 686 Summoning the Disciples

Wang Ping was studying how to move a puppet’s core from its head to its heart—or even how to install two cores. The problem sounded simple, but the actual execution was incredibly difficult.

The fixed diagrams of Rune Lines inside the puppets had been tested and refined by his predecessors for thousands of years, allowing the puppets to move just like humans. Now that Wang Ping wanted to alter these Rune Lines, the first problem he had to solve was energy balance.

Fortunately, with his current level of cultivation, he could simulate hundreds of diagrams in his mind in the span of a few breaths and find the optimal solution. The next step was slow and methodical experimentation. While still time-consuming, it was a drop in the bucket compared to the time his predecessors had spent establishing the foundational knowledge of arrays.

“You’re here. Have a seat.”

Wang Ping remained focused on the puppet component in his hands, gesturing for Leng Kezhen and Qingjiang to sit across from him.

Neither Leng Kezhen nor Qingjiang moved to sit. As they stepped into the small courtyard, Shi Yu Lian descended from above the clouds. She glanced at the two of them, then rolled over to lie beneath the eaves, falling into a deep slumber in the warm, early autumn sun.

By this time, Wang Ping had finished assembling the puppet’s arm. He attached it to a puppet torso whose core was located in its chest and asked, “You’ve both heard of the Star God Alliance, I assume?”

“Yes!”

“I have.”

They answered at the same time.

Wang Ping activated the core in the puppet’s chest, controlling the arm. As he tested various movements, he used a bamboo slip to record the data. Although bulky, bamboo slips were more practical for Cultivators than paper, as they used Spiritual Qi to etch characters, and paper was too flimsy for the process.

“Tell me what you know about the Star God Alliance.”

He glanced up at the two of them.

Upon hearing this, Leng Kezhen shot a quick glance at Qingjiang. Qingjiang then cupped her fist and spoke. “My Lord, from what this disciple knows, the Star God Alliance’s structure is different from that of the Daoist Palace. They are divided into many small groups and often do things together—eating, cultivating, everything. However, they have little contact with the broader Cultivation Realm. Also, their merchant caravans can be found all over the Central, Western, and Eastern Continents.”

Qingjiang intentionally paused there, and Leng Kezhen seamlessly continued, “Members of the Star God Alliance cultivate by fusing with Star God Cores. Outside of the Mystic Sect and the seven sects of Tianmen, theirs is the only other Secret Technique confirmed to allow cultivation to the True Monarch realm.”

They both fell silent after that.

“And?”

Wang Ping asked as he fitted another arm onto the puppet’s torso. “Tell me everything you know.”

He didn’t assign the mission to them directly because it would define the rest of their lives, and he did not want to see them desert him as well.

“They are usually difficult to track down, and they hold grudges. If you offend one Star God Alliance Cultivator, you’ll likely be attacked by their entire group.”

Leng Kezhen added.

Qingjiang thought for a moment. “I’ve had few dealings with the Star God Alliance, so that’s all I know. Oh, right—their merchant caravans seem able to travel to any region in this world.”

Wang Ping stood up, using the puppet’s core to control both arms simultaneously. “Do you both find the Star God Alliance mysterious? As if they exist in this world, yet are also detached from it.”

Leng Kezhen responded, “Everything in this world revolves around personal gain. The Star God Alliance doesn’t get involved in any of it. Even though they hold seats in the Daoist Palace, they almost never speak, so…”

“Hmph.”

Wang Ping turned to look at Leng Kezhen, who immediately fell silent. He instinctively bowed his head, awaiting a reprimand. Though he didn’t know what he had said wrong, he knew that staying quiet was his best option.

“I’m about to give you a mission. It’s related to the Star God Alliance.”

Before they could react, Wang Ping extended his left hand and pointed. A stream of light shot out, entering the spot between each of their eyebrows. In the next instant, they received a flood of memories: the Star God Alliance fighting against Outer Realm Demons.

Leng Kezhen looked as if he’d seen a ghost. Perhaps he never imagined the world could be so complex, or perhaps, in that moment, he felt utterly insignificant.

Qingjiang, however, simply stood in quiet contemplation. She was a deep thinker and rarely revealed her own opinions readily.

“Do you understand what the Star God Alliance is now?”

As he spoke, Wang Ping detached the arms from the puppet’s torso. He then picked up some scattered components, preparing to assemble the puppet’s legs.

After a few moments of silence, Leng Kezhen spoke first. “My perspective was too narrow. I was like a frog in a well.”

Qingjiang cupped her fist. “This disciple awaits the Lord’s command. I will not hesitate, no matter the task.”

She bypassed any evaluation of the Star God Alliance and went straight to declaring her stance.

‘She has always been very clever.’

“A traitor has emerged on the front lines, operating somewhere near the moon. I need the two of you, as representatives of Qianmu Temple, to serve under Daoist Mansu and assist him in hunting down this Rebel Army.”

Wang Ping gave his command directly. “You are to select one hundred Second Realm Cultivators from the Southern Cultivation Realm to serve under you. Then, go to Fuming Prefecture and find Hua Yun Daoist. She will arrange the rest of your mission.”

“Yes!”

They both answered decisively.

Wang Ping set down the puppet parts in his hands and turned to face them, his expression serious. “Remember, you are disciples of Qianmu Temple. Your futures are limitless. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture for trivial gains. And one more thing: finish your recruiting within half a month!”

Qingjiang’s reply was as decisive as ever.

Leng Kezhen, however, hesitated. He seemed uncertain about the role Wang Ping had just assigned him.

Then, Wang Ping pointed with his left hand. A figure flickered into existence, and the puppet “Two” appeared. “This puppet will accompany you on your mission.”