"Then your ability to forge puppets should have returned to normal by now.
I recall from our Ziwei Sect's history that there was once a period when our Puppet Art stood unrivaled across the entire Primordial Continent," asked the Mysterious Turtle.
"More or less back to normal," Ning Zhongqi said. "I've been studying the Tiangong Secret Records day and night lately, and my gains have been significant. I am now capable of crafting puppets with strength at the Life Palace Realm level. However, the materials required to forge Life Palace Realm puppets are of extremely high grade, and I have almost none on hand."
"Don't worry, leave the material issue to that Su Fei kid to solve," the Mysterious Turtle said with a smile. "When the time comes, you forge a large batch of Life Palace Realm puppets and form a troop with them. Our Ziwei Sect's foundation will have gained another layer of strength."
"That kid Su Fei is back!" At that moment, the Mysterious Turtle's gaze suddenly shifted to the distant horizon as he spoke up.
"He's finally returned!" Ning Zhongqi couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
At that moment, a large flying ship came rumbling through the distant sky, arriving above the Ziwei Sect in the blink of an eye before coming to a stop.
Ye Yunfei and Lü Yugang led the way out of the ship, followed by a mighty contingent of people.
"It's Su Fei! He's finally back!"
The high-ranking members of Ziwei Sect received the report and rushed out from the council hall one after another, soaring into the air to welcome Ye Yunfei's party.
A short while later, the group returned to the council hall.
"Su Fei, the Corpse World has been wreaking havoc in the Eastern Barrens recently. Many forces are now heading to Tianbai City to join the allied armies to resist the Corpse World together. What should our Ziwei Sect do?" Sect Leader Liu couldn't wait to ask Ye Yunfei.
"Our Ziwei Sect's members are still too weak in strength. They don't need to go join the allied armies," Ye Yunfei said after thinking for a moment.
Currently, the high-ranking members and disciples of Ziwei Sect were still far too weak. Letting them fight the Corpse World's forces would inevitably result in heavy casualties.
"The Corpse World's forces are active throughout the Eastern Barrens now. They will inevitably come to Yan Country and cause trouble for our Ziwei Sect. I wonder if our sect can withstand it," Sect Leader Liu said, somewhat lacking in confidence.
After all, the Corpse World's strength was too formidable. Moreover, major powers like the Zhao Family, Beast Taming Sect, Meng Family, and Lü Family had all pledged allegiance to the Corpse World, becoming its subsidiary forces. Such combined strength was truly terrifying.
"Don't worry, our Ziwei Sect is not as weak as you imagine," a leisurely voice spoke up before Ye Yunfei could reply.
"It's Elder Xuangui!" Ye Yunfei's gaze turned toward the entrance of the council hall, where he saw Elder Xuangui walking in with Ning Zhongqi.
"We pay our respects to Elder Xuangui and Elder Ning!" Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ranking members hurriedly stood up and said in unison.
"Elder Xuangui, congratulations on your full recovery," Ye Yunfei said after examining Elder Xuangui, a hint of pleasant surprise in his voice.
"Nothing escapes you, kid," Elder Xuangui said.
His gaze then turned toward Lü Yugang. "You there, you're not bad."
"Chief Manager, Elder Xuangui is an ancient guardian beast of our Ziwei Sect. This is Elder Ning, the head of our Ziwei Sect's Puppet Hall, a master of the Puppet Art. In his day, Elder Ning's Puppet Art shook the entire Eastern Barrens," Ye Yunfei introduced to Lü Yugang.
*Hiss!*
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Lü Yugang couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
As the Chief Manager of the Four Directions Trading House, he was well-traveled and knowledgeable, and naturally knew something of Ziwei Sect's glorious past. An ancient guardian beast of Ziwei Sect, and an elder proficient in the Puppet Art — these were part of Ziwei Sect's ancient foundation!
"Greetings, Elder Xuangui, Elder Ning," Lü Yugang hurriedly saluted.
"Hmm?" Suddenly, Elder Xuangui's gaze shot sharply toward the old wizard, showing clear surprise.
"Elder Xuangui, their identities are special. It's best not to publicize them," Ye Yunfei said hurriedly via Sound Transmission, knowing Elder Xuangui might have discovered the old wizard and the others' identities.
If outsiders learned that over a dozen members of the Earth Core Race were here, it would attract a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"You kid, you even managed to encounter this legendary race," Elder Xuangui replied via Sound Transmission, asking no further questions.
"You youngsters can rest easy. With me here, no one who comes need be feared. If the Corpse World dares to come, they'll get to experience the might of our Ziwei Sect," Elder Xuangui said indifferently, his gaze falling upon Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ranking members.
In his eyes, Sect Leader Liu and these Ziwei Sect elders truly were just youngsters.
"Elder Xuangui, the Corpse World has several hundred Dao Origin Realm experts in total. Their overall strength is not weak," Ye Yunfei transmitted to Elder Xuangui.
"No matter how many Dao Origin Realm cultivators come, I am not afraid," Elder Xuangui replied indifferently, appearing completely confident.
"Then I am reassured," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
He could sense Elder Xuangui's strong confidence. Elder Xuangui was Ziwei Sect's guardian beast; he naturally wouldn't joke about the sect's safety. If he spoke like this, he surely had the capability.
"By the way, Su Fei, send someone to help Elder Ning procure a batch of materials for forging Life Palace Realm puppets," Elder Xuangui suddenly transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Elder Ning, you can craft puppets with Life Palace Realm strength now?!" Ye Yunfei was overjoyed upon hearing this.
"Yes. However, I lack the materials," Elder Ning nodded.
"List all the materials you need and give me a list. Chief Manager Lü is here. With his help procuring them, we will surely be able to gather everything," Ye Yunfei answered.
"Very well," Ning Zhongqi said.
With a flick of his finger, he sent a jade slip flying in front of Ye Yunfei.
"Chief Manager Lü, I need all the materials listed in this jade slip. I ask your Four Directions Trading House to help collect and procure them, then deliver them directly here when ready. The sooner, the better!" Ye Yunfei took the jade slip and handed it to Lü Yugang.
"Understood," Lü Yugang took the jade slip and handed it to a high-ranking member beside him, instructing them to handle it immediately.
"Sect Leader Liu, I plan to go to Tianbai City with Chief Manager Lü to join the allied armies and deal with the Corpse World together. For the time being, our Ziwei Sect will close its mountain gates, forbidding all entry and exit. Also, recall all high-ranking members and disciples who are out training," Ye Yunfei said to Sect Leader Liu.
"Alright, I understand," Sect Leader Liu nodded.
"As for your three factions, bring all your people to Ziwei Sect. These are chaotic times; safety comes first," Ye Yunfei said, his gaze falling upon the Valley Master of Violet Pill Valley, the head of Yan Country's Royal Family, and the Sect Leader of Sage Origin Sect.
These three factions' forces were also far too weak. Having them fight the Corpse World's forces was simply unrealistic.
"Elder Xuangui, Ziwei Sect's safety is entrusted to you," Ye Yunfei said to Elder Xuangui.
Elder Xuangui nodded.
"Chief Manager Lü, let's head to Tianbai City," Ye Yunfei said to Lü Yugang.
Next, Ye Yunfei and Lü Yugang led their contingents back into the flying ship, which then soared into the sky.
Two days later.
"Young Master Su, Tianbai City is ahead," Lü Yugang said to Ye Yunfei.
Ahead, a city came into view, with flying ships entering it one after another, a scene of great bustle.