Although Ziwei Sect was a legacy left behind by a Great Emperor, it would undoubtedly possess some hidden foundations. Let's go, we'll head to the rear mountains to see.
Having pondered this, Ye Yunfei (Su Fei) spoke up. Then, he unleashed his movement technique and soared into the air.
'Let's go take a look!' Sect Leader Liu exchanged glances with the six great elders, seeing excitement mirrored in each other's eyes.
A short while later, they arrived in a vast, desolate mountain range at the very rear of the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
'Senior Brother Su Fei, what is here?' The Grand Elder examined the remote mountain range, questioning with puzzlement.
'During the glory days of Ziwei Sect, the area of its headquarters was at least a thousand times greater than it is now. These seemingly barren mountains were also once a very important part of the headquarters.' Ye Yunfei swept his gaze over the landscape as he spoke.
'A very important part?' Sect Leader Liu and the six elders were momentarily stunned by Ye Yunfei's words.
'Sect Leader, elders, have you heard of the Puppetry Hall?' Ye Yunfei asked.
'Puppetry Hall? I recall reading about it in an ancient text in the Scripture Depository. The Ziwei Sect of old did indeed have a hall known as the Puppetry Hall. It housed many weapon artisans skilled in puppetry craft. Later, those artisans either died or went missing, and the Puppetry Hall vanished,' Sect Leader Liu replied after some thought.
'This area used to be the location of that hall. Now, the Puppetry Hall should reemerge,' Ye Yunfei declared, pointing at the desolate mountains before them.
'To make the Puppetry Hall reemerge?' Sect Leader Liu and the six elders were astonished.
Whoosh!
In a flash, Ye Yunfei shot towards a small hillock nearby. Sect Leader Liu and the six elders quickly followed. Soon, Ye Yunfei stood before the hillock.
'There seems to be nothing here...' One elder unleashed his Soul Power, carefully sensing the hillock ahead, voicing his doubt.
'Disciple Su Fei, accompanied by Ziwei Sect Leader Liu and the six great elders, humbly greets and pays respects to the senior of the Puppetry Hall!' Ye Yunfei suddenly bowed respectfully towards the hillock, his voice clear and resonant.
'There's a senior from the Puppetry Hall here?' Both Sect Leader Liu and the six elders jumped in surprise.
'Sect Leader, Elders, this senior from the Puppetry Hall holds a tremendously high seniority. We must conduct ourselves with utmost reverence. Otherwise, he may not be willing to see us.' Ye Yunfei sent a Sound Transmission to them.
'Understood.' Sect Leader Liu and the elders were startled once more.
'Liu Zixiong, accompanied by the six great elders and disciple Su Fei, humbly greets and pays respects to the senior of the Puppetry Hall!' Sect Leader Liu proclaimed respectfully, bowing deeply towards the hillock. The six elders also bowed.
For a moment, the hillock remained dead silent.
'Su Fei, are you truly certain a Puppetry Hall senior resides here?' Sect Leader Liu and the six elders transmitted their question silently.
Instead of answering them, Ye Yunfei turned again to the hillock. 'Senior, the Ziwei Sect has fallen into decline. Our strength is weak. We need you, senior, to step forward and help restore the Ziwei Sect to glory.' Having said this, he quietly stared at the hillock.
Several moments passed.
'Youngster... To think you could discover me.' A faint, distant voice suddenly emanated from within the hillock.
'There really is someone!' Sect Leader Liu and the elders were profoundly shocked.
Next, the hillock seemed to ripple gently.
'An Illusion Formation!' Sect Leader Liu and the elders finally realized that the hillock had been concealed by such an array.
Then, an elderly man with wildly unkempt hair slowly materialized. His clothes were worn and ragged, his appearance unkempt. He fixed a piercing stare on Ye Yunfei.
'We greet the senior of the Puppetry Hall!' Knowing this elder must be a high-ranking senior from the hall—one whose seniority was surely intimidating—Sect Leader Liu and the elders immediately greeted him with deep respect.
Ignoring Sect Leader Liu and the six elders completely, the elder focused on Ye Yunfei. 'Brat, how did you find me?' he demanded.
'I sensed the fluctuations of an Illusion Formation here. Furthermore, the earth-lung fire veins beneath this mountain range clearly show signs of periodic use. Simultaneously, there are faint energy disturbances in this space leftover from crafting activity. Considering this used to be the site of the Puppetry Hall, I surmised a senior might be secluding himself here,' Ye Yunfei answered.
'Youngster, your observation is quite meticulous.' The elder looked Ye Yunfei up and down before nodding slightly.
'Senior, the Ziwei Sect has declined. If it hopes to rise again, it needs your assistance. Senior, I beseech you to reopen the Puppetry Hall,' Ye Yunfei urged.
'Reopen the Puppetry Hall? Too difficult.' The elder seemed taken aback by the proposal, then sighed.
'Senior, I believe nothing is too difficult. If we need people, we can cultivate them. If we need materials, we can acquire them. As for your injuries, senior... I can heal them.'
'You can heal me?' The elder wore a dubious expression.
'Of the twelve primary meridians in your body, senior, your hand three yang meridians and foot three yang meridians are damaged. However, the most crucial injury lies within your Soul Body. The trauma to your Soul Body has likely caused you to lose a portion of your memories. Nonetheless, these injuries are treatable.'
'That is precisely the state of my injuries! You've hit the nail on the head! In the past, our Ziwei Sect encountered formidable enemies. The experts of our Puppetry Hall were either killed or wounded. We were nearly obliterated. I suffered severe injuries myself. Disheartened, I secluded myself here. Young man, can my injuries truly be healed?' the elder asked urgently, nodding vigorously as he listened.
'They absolutely can! Furthermore, I happened to obtain a copy of the Heavenly Craft Secret Record, which contains extensive knowledge related to artifact forging. You could consult it. I believe it will aid in elevating your forging prowess,' Ye Yunfei said.
'You possess the Heavenly Craft Secret Record?! How is that possible? That is a sacred tome in our forgers' world! How do you have it?' The elder trembled, fixing an incredulous gaze on Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger. A wisp of Soul Power, carrying information, flew from his fingertip and entered the elder's Soul Sea.
'It truly is the Heavenly Craft Secret Record! I finally have the fortune to read this sacred scripture of the forging world! Young man, I thank you!' The elder quickly skimmed the information in his Soul Sea, swiftly confirming it was indeed the text he had long yearned for. Overwhelmed, he even bowed slightly towards Ye Yunfei.
'There's no need for senior to be so formal. I hope you will agree to reopen the Puppetry Hall,' Ye Yunfei replied.
'Good! Young man, as repayment for this magnificent gift, I promise you! I shall reopen the Puppetry Hall!' the elder declared with a firm nod.
'Senior, could you possibly be... Elder Ning from the ancient Puppetry Hall of our Ziwei Sect?' At this moment, Sect Leader Liu suddenly recalled the ancient text he'd read, which documented the history of the old Puppetry Hall. It contained portraits of several powerful members of the hall, one of which resembled this very elder!
'Correct. I am Ning Zhongqi. From this day forth, the Ziwei Sect's Puppetry Hall is reopened!' the elder affirmed, nodding.
'The Puppetry Hall once shook the entire Primordial Continent with its might. I wonder if it can develop to such heights once more.' Ning Zhongqi sighed softly.
'It certainly can. Believe me. One day, the Ziwei Sect will reclaim its former glory.' A faint smile touched Ye Yunfei's lips.
'Young man, I believe in you.' Ning Zhongqi gave Ye Yunfei a deep, probing look before speaking.
'Sect Leader Liu, please assign a group of personnel to assist Elder Ning in rebuilding the Puppetry Hall,' Ye Yunfei said.
'No problem! I shall dispatch people immediately!' Sect Leader Liu promptly agreed. The reopening of the Puppetry Hall was monumental good news for Ziwei Sect; he would naturally offer his full support.
Just then, Sect Leader Liu's expression shifted. He retrieved a jade slip and probed it with his senses.
'An ancient tomb has been discovered within Yan Country's borders. It is said to possibly be the tomb of Ancient Sage Gu Yao. Many factions have already dispatched teams to investigate,' Sect Leader Liu announced.
Ancient Sage Gu Yao! The six elders gasped in shock.
The Ancient Sage Gu Yao was a formidable power from the ancient Eastern Barrens region of the Primordial Continent. He had once shaken the entire Eastern Barrens. Later, he perished. They'd never imagined his tomb would be found within Yan Country. The tomb of such a power would likely hold rare opportunities!
'The tomb of Ancient Sage Gu Yao? It seems the Gu Yao Secret Realm has appeared. That realm contains many opportunities. Moreover, one particular treasure within could be highly beneficial to the Ice Demon Man. We must go and see for ourselves.' Ye Yunfei silently strategized.
'Sect Leader Liu, assemble a group of elite disciples immediately. Our Ziwei Sect will also go to investigate,' Ye Yunfei decided.
'Good.' Sect Leader Liu nodded. He was growing increasingly convinced by Ye Yunfei's judgment.
'I'll give you five puppets. Take them for protection.' Elder Ning declared. As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve.
With a rumbling sound, five towering puppets materialized before Ye Yunfei, emanating an esoteric pressure.
'Thank you, Elder Ning.' Ye Yunfei briefly assessed the five puppets, gauging their approximate strength, then directly transferred them into the Phantom Shadow Pagoda.
Half a day later, amidst a buzzing atmosphere within Ziwei Sect, preparations were complete. Three of the six great elders—the Third Elder—along with three regular elders, seven deacons, Ye Yunfei, and a selection of elite disciples boarded a flying ship. They departed the Ziwei Sect headquarters, setting course for the tomb of Ancient Sage Gu Yao.
Within the ship, Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged. 'Old Ice... your opportunity has arrived.' He sent a Sound Transmission to the Ice Demon Man.