Chapter 131: Gold and Silver Puppets

In a stretch of mountain forest about ten miles from Bewitching Bay, downstream of the Qingyuan River, a figure quietly emerged. Clad in a black robe and wearing a conical bamboo hat, he remained completely shrouded, revealing not a single trace of his identity.

A moment later, a breeze stirred, lifting his veil to reveal a large face—it was none other than Liao Yonghuai.

"The time is right. It is time to act."

Glancing at the sky and then toward the direction of Woodfish Island, a flicker of greed crossed Liao Yonghuai’s eyes.

In the next instant, he channeled his internal energy, and a mercury-like substance flowed out from his body. After several transformations, it coalesced into a humanoid figure. However, this figure was lean and gaunt, bearing no resemblance to the spherical, obese Liao Yonghuai. At first glance, no one would ever associate the two.

"The Taiping Sect lacks a sect-protecting formation; they could never detect my silver puppet. Today, I shall see what this spiritual treasure hidden on Woodfish Island truly is. Once I find it, everything else will fall into place. If things go smoothly, I might even be able to kill Jiang Chen in the process."

With this thought, he channeled his technique and handed his night-traveling bamboo hat—a low-grade magical artifact—to the silver puppet. This artifact held no offensive power; its sole purpose was to significantly enhance a cultivator's stealth at night. Having done this, he took out a compass, set up a simple illusion array around himself, sat cross-legged, and projected a portion of his consciousness into the silver puppet.

At that moment, the cold, lifeless silver puppet suddenly came to life.

"Taiping Sect... Hehehe..."

With a few strange chuckles, its body cloaked in a gentle breeze, the silver puppet dissolved into the darkness and headed toward Woodfish Island.

When the silver puppet finally overcame various obstacles and stepped onto Woodfish Island, Jiang Chen, who had been meditating as usual, quietly opened his eyes. He had not lowered his guard for the past few days, constantly monitoring the changes on the island.

"Did you take the bait? It went more smoothly than expected. It seems the opponent is quite confident in his methods."

Gazing into the distance, Jiang Chen clearly captured the presence of an anomaly. Although the intruder was well-hidden, he could not escape Jiang Chen’s perception; with the roots of Tao Yao permeating the island, almost nothing could evade his detection.

"The aura is rather peculiar—neither fully human nor inanimate. The strength should be around the early stage of Qi Refining."

After sensing this, Jiang Chen gathered his information. Meanwhile, the part of Liao Yonghuai’s consciousness inhabiting the silver puppet had slowly approached the Qingxin Cottage.

"The Taiping Sect started as mere bandits and lacks any real foundation. Not to mention a protecting formation, they don't even have many powerful experts. They cannot stop me."

Passing the Taiping Sect’s sentries with ease and without alerting anyone, Liao Yonghuai was filled with self-satisfaction. A man of wealth does not sit under a crumbling wall; the Gold and Silver Puppet Technique was a vital secret art from his inheritance. The Gold Puppet focused on protection and defense, while the Silver Puppet excelled in stealth, intelligence gathering, and assassination. He had paid a heavy price to master these puppets, even delaying his own cultivation, but the benefits were immense. Using them, he had dodged numerous crises and secured many gains—just as he intended to do today.

"Peachwood spiritual treasure, I am coming. I hope you do not disappoint me."

Arriving outside the Qingxin Cottage, he sensed nothing amiss. His form merged perfectly with the darkness, and without further hesitation, he walked inside.

However, the moment he stepped into the cottage, a crane’s cry pierced the air, and a flash of silvery-white sword light descended from above, as if to cleave him in two.

Sensing this sudden turn of events, Liao Yonghuai was struck with horror, his composure faltering for a split second. Fortunately, he had prepared for such a contingency. At the final moment, he crushed a magical coin minted from Toad Gold. Instantly, a protective spiritual barrier formed, shielding his form.

*Swish.* The sharp sword light descended and shattered the barrier instantly, but it bought Liao Yonghuai just enough time to shift his body, avoiding a lethal blow at the cost of losing one arm.

"I was actually discovered? How could this be..."

Realizing the situation, he cast his gaze deep into the cottage. His face was filled with shock and suspicion. Yet, although things were unexpected, he did not lose his footing; he had come prepared.

"Even if you discovered me, so what? This peachwood treasure is mine."

Spiritual light erupted from his body again. Watching the sword light strike once more, a ruthless look appeared on Liao Yonghuai’s face.

"Fall for me!"

Another magical coin appeared, and Liao Yonghuai unleashed his trump card.

In the next instant, a strange force permeated the air, and the once-sharp sword light began to falter. A look of triumph flashed in Liao Yonghuai’s eyes. This was the "Treasure-Dropping Art," specifically designed to counter various artifacts. Although it was a simplified version with limited effectiveness—mostly capable of interference rather than seizing an opponent's artifact directly—it was more than enough.

Seeing the sword light obstructed, sharp blades protruded from his remaining arm, resembling a curved saber. Liao Yonghuai drove the silver puppet toward Jiang Chen with blinding speed.

Taking in all these changes, Jiang Chen looked thoughtful.

"Indeed, not flesh and blood. It resembles a puppet, yet it is different from the usual kind."

As these thoughts collided, Jiang Chen twitched the threads of his True Qi. In the next instant, countless threads manifested into a great net, enveloping the silver puppet. The entire Qingxin Cottage had long been covered in these threads, becoming a veritable cage.

Yet, even trapped in the net of True Qi, surrounded on all sides, Liao Yonghuai did not abandon his intent to kill.

"Though I don't know how you managed it, you clearly discovered my existence long ago and set a trap for me. But you are still too arrogant."

Channeling his art to face the strangulation of the True Qi net, Liao Yonghuai triggered the silver puppet's greatest mystery, transforming his body into a stream of silver liquid.

*Hum.* With his form flowing like water, Liao Yonghuai instantly passed through the blockade of the net. At this moment, Jiang Chen’s figure finally appeared clearly before him.

"Die!"

His form changed again, shifting like a venomous snake as he lunged toward Jiang Chen.

Seeing this, a crimson flame appeared in Jiang Chen’s palm. The moment this blood-colored fire emerged, Liao Yonghuai’s heart trembled as if he had encountered his greatest nemesis. Instinctively, he wanted to flee, but it was already too late.

In the next instant, the crimson fire expanded into a vague, ghostly face, swallowing the silver snake-form of Liao Yonghuai in a single gulp.

*Ah!* A shrill, miserable scream echoed, shattering the silence of the night.