359: Chapter 353 Puppetry

"Especially those rare metals that are incredibly hard and capable of bearing the power of a Divine Soul."

"For example, Star-Patterned Steel or Deep Sea Sinking Silver."

"Do you have any above the Fourth Grade?"

The air.

Froze instantly.

Xiao Linger blinked.

Then she blinked again.

She looked at Chen Zhiwen's expectant face.

The hint of romance and emotion in her heart,

instantly turned into a head full of black lines.

There was even a nameless fire, rising up in her chest.

"Chen! Zhi! Wen!"

Xiao Linger bit her silver teeth.

She shouted his name, enunciating every word.

If looks could kill, Chen Zhiwen would have been minced into a thousand pieces by now.

"I was just trying to talk sweet nothings with you!"

"I was just pledging my life to you!"

"Is your head filled with rocks?!"

She was almost laughing out of anger.

This mood-killing bastard!

At a time like this, he actually asked her for Ore?

Is this something a human would do?

Chen Zhiwen gave two dry laughs.

He rubbed his nose.

He appeared somewhat embarrassed, but his gaze remained persistent.

"Ahem... well, sweet nothings can be said later."

"But this Ore is really urgent right now."

"It concerns whether we can win this battle."

"And even more, it concerns... whether I can provide you with more powerful protection."

His words were half-true and half-false.

But his eyes were incredibly sincere.

Xiao Linger took a deep breath.

She forcibly suppressed the urge to throw him out of the quiet room.

She understood this man.

If there wasn't an extremely special reason, he would never spoil the mood at a time like this.

"Hmph."

Xiao Linger gave a cold snort.

She turned around and stopped looking at him.

Although she was angry, she still began to search the inventory of Cangdan Peak in her mind.

"Yes."

A moment later.

She spat out the word coldly.

"Really?"

Chen Zhiwen was overjoyed.

His eyes lit up instantly, brighter than the stars in the sky.

"What do you have?"

He asked impatiently.

Xiao Linger rolled her eyes at him grumpily.

She flipped her palm.

A Jade Slip emitting a faint blue light appeared in her palm.

"See for yourself."

"Although Cangdan Peak has mainly collected Spiritual Plants over the years, we occasionally receive some special mineral materials."

"Because they couldn't be used for Alchemy, they have just been left in the corner gathering dust."

Chen Zhiwen quickly took the Jade Slip.

He swept it with his Divine Sense.

Suddenly.

His breathing became rapid.

"Fourth Grade Low Grade, Heavenly Meteorite Black Gold!"

"Fourth Grade Medium Grade, Extreme Cold Profound Iron!"

"There is even a piece... the size of a fist of Geng Metal Essence?!"

He had struck it rich!

He had truly struck it rich!

These things, any one of them would be a priceless treasure in the outside world.

Enough to trigger a bloody battle between Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Especially that piece of Geng Metal Essence.

That was a top-tier divine material for refining Flying Swords; adding just a little bit could increase the sharpness of a Flying Sword by several times!

"Linger, you are truly my lucky star!"

Chen Zhiwen was so excited he almost jumped up.

If he wasn't afraid of making Xiao Linger angry again, he would have really wanted to hug her and kiss her twice.

"I want them!"

"I want all of these!"

He held the Jade Slip tightly, as if he were holding the whole world.

"You want them just like that?"

Xiao Linger glanced at him.

A playful arc curled at the corner of her mouth.

"This is Sect property, and even more so, the private treasury of Cangdan Peak."

"Even though I am the Peak Master, I cannot just give them away at will."

"Even brothers settle accounts clearly, let alone a heartless man like you?"

She specifically emphasized the pronunciation of the three words "heartless man".

Clearly, she was still holding a grudge about the interruption earlier.

Chen Zhiwen was stunned.

He immediately realized.

This was going to be official business.

"No problem!"

He patted his chest and guaranteed.

He waved his hand.

From his storage ring, he poured out a huge pile of things with a clatter.

It instantly filled half the quiet room.

Spiritual Qi was abundant, and treasure light overflowed.

"These are what I obtained while traveling outside."

"There are a few thousand-year-old fire-attribute Spirit Medicines,"

"which will be of great benefit to your cultivation."

"And these few bottles of Medicinal Pills were snatched from those few Loose Cultivators who didn't know better."

"In addition, there are three million Low-Grade Spirit Stones here."

Chen Zhiwen pointed to the pile of treasures and said extremely generously.

"All these resources are to be deposited into the public account of Cangdan Peak."

"Convert them into Sect contribution points."

"That should be enough to exchange for those few pieces of Ore, right?"

This was what it meant to be wealthy and imposing.

Added to his plundering over the past few months.

His net worth was already not inferior to an average Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

Xiao Linger looked at the pile of treasures.

Especially when she saw the few thousand-year-old Fire Spirit Ganoderma emitting a scorching aura, her eyes lit up slightly.

As a fire-attribute Cultivator, she naturally knew the value of these things.

This dead man.

It seems he still has me in his heart.

Even when out and about, he still knows to collect these Spirit Medicines suitable for me.

The bit of resentment in Xiao Linger's heart dissipated by more than half instantly.

"I suppose you have a conscience."

She waved her large sleeve.

She put away all the treasures on the ground.

The movement was smooth and flowing, without any hesitation at all.

"This transaction is concluded."

"I will have someone send the Ore to you later."

After speaking.

She looked at Chen Zhiwen with a half-smile.

"However, I am very curious."

"What do you need so many high-grade Ores for?"

"And they are of different attributes; they are clearly not meant for refining the same Magic Treasure."

"Don't tell me you are going to switch careers to become an Artifact Refiner."

Chen Zhiwen felt a shiver in his heart.

Naturally, he couldn't tell the truth.

That was for upgrading the Puppet army in his Divine Sense space.

Especially that Fourth Grade Puppet Spider King, which urgently needed these metals to strengthen its limbs.

"Ahem..."

Chen Zhiwen rolled his eyes.

A mysterious smile appeared on his face.

"Actually... it is because of my Natal Spirit Sword."

He casually summoned his Flying Sword.

The sword body hummed, and cold light flickered.

"My sword technique is special; it is an ancient Legacy."

"It is called the 'Myriad Transformation Sword Canon'."

"It needs to devour high-grade Ores of various attributes,"

"in order to continuously advance and improve its quality."

"These Ores are its rations."

To increase credibility.

He even specifically controlled the Flying Sword to circle around the non-existent "Ore" twice.

It emitted a longing humming sound.

This was, of course, fake.

It was purely a bluff.

But Xiao Linger was not a Sword Cultivator, and she only had a superficial understanding of such mysterious Natal Sword cultivation methods.

"So that is how it is."

Xiao Linger nodded thoughtfully.

She did not suspect anything.

After all, there were all kinds of strange Cultivation Techniques in the Immortal Realm,

and she had heard of methods for practicing sword arts by devouring metal.

"Since it is to improve your strength, then you must hurry."

She stopped asking.

Instead, she urged him with concern.

"By the way."

Chen Zhiwen seemed to have remembered something.

His gaze fell on Xiao Linger.

He looked at her carefully.

That kind of gaze was no longer looking at a wife, but more like looking at an unpolished piece of jade.

"Linger, I have always felt."

"Your Physique is seriously underestimated."

Chen Zhiwen praised sincerely.

"Sinking Ice Spirit Body."

"This is a legendary top-tier cauldron... oh no, top-tier cultivation Physique."

"Although you mainly Cultivate fire-attribute techniques, which seem to conflict."

"But in reality, isolated Yin cannot be born, and solitary Yang cannot grow."

"It is precisely because you have this Innate Sinking Ice Qi in your body,"

"suppressing the violent Fire Spiritual Power."

"That your flames can be more condensed and more controllable than ordinary Cultivators."

"You can even develop the characteristics of Yin Fire, killing people invisibly."

These words.

Chen Zhiwen was not talking nonsense.

Instead, he had reached this conclusion by combining records from certain ancient books within his Divine Sense space.

Xiao Linger listened, slightly dazed.

A strange light flashed in her beautiful eyes.

This was the first time she had heard such a theory.

In the past, she had always regarded the cold air in her body as an obstacle and tried every means to suppress it.

Unexpectedly.

In the eyes of this man, it had become a unique advantage.

"Do you... really think so?"

Xiao Linger asked somewhat uncertainly.

"Of course."

Chen Zhiwen stepped forward.

He gently held her hand.

Feeling the slightly cool touch coming from her fingertips.

"If you can find a method to Cultivate both ice and fire."

"Your achievements will definitely not be below mine."

"Perhaps one day, you will become the only Empress in the entire Eastern Continent who can control the dual Laws of ice and fire."

This evaluation was too high.

So high that it made Xiao Linger blush a little.

But even more, it was a sweetness of being understood and recognized by someone.

"You only know how to coax me into being happy."

She pulled her hand back.

But the corner of her mouth could not suppress that smile no matter what.

"However..."

Xiao Linger changed the subject.

Her expression became serious.

Those eyes, which seemed able to see through the human heart, stared fixedly at Chen Zhiwen.

"Since we are talking about cultivation."

"I also have a few questions that have been kept in my heart for a long time."

"I would like to ask our Great Grandmaster Chen for advice."

Chen Zhiwen's heart skipped a beat.

"Please... I dare not accept the request for advice."

"My lady, please speak."

Xiao Linger took a step forward.

Approaching Chen Zhiwen.

Her aura was fully unleashed.

"When you restrained me before, what was that binding technique you used?"

"Even my Mid Nascent Soul Stage Divine Sense was completely frozen at that moment and could not function."

"And the Sword Intent you just displayed."

"That level of sharpness is definitely not something a normal Profound Rank technique could achieve."

"It even... surpassed the Earth Rank."

"Chen Zhiwen."

She called him by his name directly.

Her gaze was like a torch.

"These methods of yours, as well as the true grade of your Cultivation Technique..."

"Just what level have they reached?"

This was a very sensitive question.

Every Cultivator had their own trump cards.

Even between Dao Companions, there would often be reservations.

Chen Zhiwen fell silent.

He looked at Xiao Linger.

He was hesitating whether to tell her everything.

But Xiao Linger did not make things difficult for him.

Before he could open his mouth.

She reached out a finger and gently pressed it against his lips.

"Shh..."

"You don't need to tell me."

Xiao Linger shook her head.

Her eyes held a hint of complexity, but more of clarity.

"Everyone has their own Opportunity."

"You have fortuitous encounters; this is a good thing."

"I will not ask where your Opportunity comes from, nor will I ask how strong you really are."

"I just want to remind you of one thing."

Her expression became extremely serious.

Even grave.

"A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

"Especially under the nose of the Tianyang Sect."

"You can be strong."

"You can be a Genius."

"You can challenge those above your level and defeat Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators. While this is astonishing, it is still within the tolerance range of the Tianyang Sect."

"After all, they need powerful people to guard their territories and offer resources."

Speaking of this.

Xiao Linger paused.

Her voice lowered further.

"But."

"If you perform too outrageously."

"For example... with Mid Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, easily crushing those two Thunder Cultivators from the Wan Family who are known for their offensive power."

"And even demonstrating methods that even those at the Soul Transformation Stage cannot see through."

"Then you are no longer a Genius."

"But a threat."

"An anomaly."

"For an uncontrollable anomaly,"

"the Tianyang Sect's method has always been only one."

She made a throat-slitting gesture.

Clean and decisive.

"Destruction."

"Treasures move people's hearts, but what is even more terrifying is the suspicion in people's hearts."

"Once they feel you are a variable,"

"even without treasures, they will get rid of you."

"Do you understand?"

These words.

Were like a sudden enlightenment.

Making Chen Zhiwen instantly wake up.

He looked at Xiao Linger.

His heart was filled with gratitude.

This was a virtuous wife.

Not only a partner in life but also a guide on the path of cultivation.

She keenly pointed out his current greatest hidden danger—the scale of his strength exposure.

"I understand."

Chen Zhiwen nodded.

He solemnly held Xiao Linger's hand.

"Thank you, Linger."

"I will grasp the measure."

"I will make them feel that I am very valuable,"

"but not enough to make them feel afraid."

This was an art of walking a tightrope.

It required finding that perfect balance point between "mediocre" and "Prodigy".

Xiao Linger let out a sigh of relief.

A smile reappeared on her face.

"It is good that you understand."

"Alright, I should return to Cangdan Peak as well."

"I still have to keep an eye on the refining of the Medicinal Pills needed for the resettlement of those one hundred million Mortals."

"You... take care of yourself."

After speaking.

She looked deeply at Chen Zhiwen.

Her figure turned into dots of spiritual light again and dissipated into the air.

Just like when she arrived.

Quietly.

In the quiet room.

Only Chen Zhiwen was left again.

He held the Jade Slip recording the Ore in his hand.

And fell into deep thought.

Xiao Linger's reminder was very timely.

"Mid Nascent Soul Stage, defeating a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator."

"This is indeed not too outrageous."

"After all, those brilliant Prodigies in history could all do it."

"However..."

Chen Zhiwen narrowed his eyes.

The figures of those two from the Wan Family appeared in his mind.

Wan Leixiong, Wan Leiming.

Both of them practiced thunder-attribute techniques, which were the most overbearing.

And they were good at combined attack techniques.

Once they joined forces, their power would multiply.

"If I were to single-handedly take them both on and still win easily."

"That would indeed be a bit exaggerated."

"I am afraid even the first true disciples of the Tianyang Sect throughout history might not be able to reach this step."

"This would absolutely attract the focused attention, or even investigation, of the Tianyang Sect's higher-ups."

Chen Zhiwen paced back and forth in the quiet room.

His brain was running at high speed.

Formulating the battle strategy for the next steps.

"I must win, and I must win 'reasonably'."

"I must show strength, but I must also hide my core trump cards."

"This is indeed a technical job."

A moment later.

His footsteps stopped.

A confident arc curled at the corner of his mouth. "Fortunately, I have a countermeasure."

"First."

"In the upcoming big battle, I will try my best not to use my own Spiritual Power and Divine Soul secret techniques."

"Instead, I will mainly rely on... Puppet Technique!"