187: Heading to Tianshui, passing Tianbo

It was a delightful gathering where everyone enjoyed themselves. Chen Cuo did not have a specialized Legacy in the Dao of Puppets. He had learned from Secret Manuals and relied on the System to forcefully advance, but such growth ultimately lacked his own insights.

However, a Legacy like the Mu family's, which specialized in Puppet Art, naturally possessed unique experience. This time, it could be said that he benefited greatly.

At least regarding the advancement of a Puppet Craftsman, it would be more stable.

After the banquet, the Mu family also obtained what they desired: the share of Hua Jian Trading Company's business in the Huaguang Kingdom that the Mu family would manage. This share was a full 30% of what the Bai Family had, a proportion that, given the current size of the Mu family, was almost more than they could handle.

Without Chen Cuo's permission and protection, it would certainly attract covetous eyes.

For example, the Hua Family, and even some malicious intentions within the Sect.

Chen Cuo immediately said, "I truly thank Fellow Daoist Mu Tianlong. Your clarification today has greatly benefited this one. Rest assured, after this one comprehends the Puppet Recognition Talisman, it will be directly given to Mu Erhun, along with a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"Thank you, Senior Chen. From now on, the Mu family will follow Senior Chen's lead!"

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Mu, you exaggerate."

"This one will take his leave. As for the matter of the Hua Family, Fellow Daoist Mu need not worry."

Bai Tang followed behind Chen Cuo, her expression normal. As they left, Chen Cuo had a faint smile on his face.

Just as he was about to leave directly, the woman who had presented the tray earlier, who was Mu Tianlong's granddaughter, stepped forward on her own.

She softly said, "Senior Brother Chen, please wait..."

"Rui'er, you..." Mu Tianlong immediately exclaimed.

"Rui'er, M蕊? Young lady, what is the matter?" Chen Cuo and Bai Tang immediately turned around.

M蕊 timidly said, "Senior Brother Chen, what you just said about needing an assistant, I wonder if it's true?"

"Can I Cultivate the Sect's Secret Manual? I am willing to mutually exchange my knowledge of Puppet Art with Senior Brother Chen."

"Since that's the case, it would naturally be for the best. With Chen's guarantee, you can Cultivate a Cultivation Technique more suitable for you!"

Chen Cuo looked at the woman opposite him, feeling a bit of admiration. After all, she was beautiful and in the prime of her youth. She was just an assistant, and he had a plan in mind.

Most of the Cultivation Techniques integrated by the System were more exquisite and perfectly suited to oneself. He wanted to experiment a bit to see if he could disseminate one or two of them and let others Cultivate them to observe the effects.

This way, the Hua Jian Trading Company could have another business: selling Cultivation Techniques. This was a truly lucrative, capital-free business.

However, such matters involved too much; one wrong move could affect the whole situation. He couldn't act rashly. Not to mention how effective the System-integrated Cultivation Techniques were or if they had universality.

It was always good to have a guinea pig to test things out.

This kind of business strategy needed more consideration, even as a means for him to win over his subordinates, it was an option.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. M蕊 is willing to return to the Sect with Senior Brother!"

"Hahaha, good. However, I still have matters to attend to this time. I will come to pick you up after some time."

Chen Cuo immediately agreed. Although Bai Tang's expression was somewhat displeased, she merely suppressed it.

After making his promises, Chen Cuo bid farewell and left, no longer looking at the expressions of Mu Tianlong and the others.

"Alas, Rui'er, don't you know that True Disciple Chen is rumored to be someone who enjoys Dual Cultivation? Aren't you just walking into a tiger's den?" Mu Tianlong sighed with regret.

M蕊's eyes darted away, but she firmly said, "Alas, if I don't go, Big Brother's Foundation Establishment Pill might not be obtained smoothly. Besides, Grandpa, wasn't this your initial plan?"

Mu Tianlong was stunned, speechless.

M蕊 was already sixteen, with a Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivation. She was not an ordinary young lady confined to her chambers; she had her own considerations. The Family's resources were all prioritized for Mu Erhun. Where was the chance for girls like them to stand out? Their ultimate fate was nothing more than a political marriage.

...

Three days later, Chen Cuo emerged from the Hua Family, both parties looking happy, which made the Mu family's spies outside feel incredulous.

They quickly returned to report. Chen Cuo also set off for the Tianshui Sect with Bai Tang.

"Senior Brother, are we going directly to the Tianshui Sect, or...?" Bai Tang asked while piloting the Spirit Boat through the misty sky.

Chen Cuo pondered for a moment, his eyes revealing determination: "Let's go to Tianbo City first and see if we can find a high-grade Puppet Art Legacy. Although the Mu family's Puppet Recognition Talisman is powerful, it can only refine Puppets up to the Golden Core Late Stage, which might not meet my needs."

As the Spirit Boat flew, the outline of Tianbo City gradually became clear before their eyes.

This city, famous throughout the world for its Puppet Art, was a Holy Land coveted by countless Puppet Masters.

Chen Cuo had dealt with it once before, spending a lot of Spirit Stones here to buy some semi-finished Legacies.

There were also some Artifact Refining Materials, Materials for making high-grade Puppets. It was probably a place for continuous improvement. This place could be said to be a Holy Land for Puppet Masters and Artifact Refiners.

Many of the Hua Jian Trading Company's Artifact Refining Materials were acquired by the Bai Family here.

They had fixed partners.

Chen Cuo and Bai Tang arrived quietly.

They first came to the core area of the Puppet market, where various Puppets were dazzlingly arrayed, from simple combat Puppets to complex Formation Puppets, everything imaginable was available.

Chen Cuo and Bai Tang moved through the crowd, carefully selecting suitable Puppet Art Legacies.

However, high-grade Puppet Art Legacies were not easy to find. Chen Cuo knew that to refine more powerful Puppets, he had to master more profound Puppet Art.

Compared to searching on the streets, it was better to go directly to the Puppeteer Association to inquire about information.

Compared to the Sect's cultivation method, the Puppet Masters of Tianbo City were more like an academic faction, and the second-tier power Puppet City was also like this.

It must be said that those who worked with machinery had a bit of a scientific research spirit and were not so possessive of their knowledge; otherwise, they wouldn't have made Puppet Art Cultivation Techniques so widely available.

Although, there were not many rare treasures.

After finding an agent at the Wind Chime Shop to lead the way, Chen Cuo went directly to the Puppeteer Association. As for Bai Tang, she went to find a partner to inquire about the Spirit Materials Chen Cuo needed.

Having little interest in the cliché drama of showing off and slapping faces, Chen Cuo revealed his identity as a True Disciple of Lingbao Mountain and immediately received the highest reception.

Lingbao Mountain and Tianbo City, as well as the Puppet City behind it, had many cooperative relationships, as Artifact Refining and Puppetry had many commonalities.

A white-bearded old man came out to greet Chen Cuo. Chen Cuo looked closely and felt a slight sense of familiarity.

"Isn't this the old man from Wan Kui House where I bought Puppet Art back then?" Chen Cuo was immediately a little surprised, and this change was seen by the old man.

However, the other party couldn't remember who Chen Cuo was and was somewhat puzzled.

"Fellow Daoist is truly leisurely. As the Vice President of the Puppeteer Association, you actually go to the market to sell Cultivation Techniques, which truly makes Chen envious!"

Chen Cuo's reminder made the old man realize. Most cultivators had quick minds, and after a careful look, he indeed had some impression.

"Oh, you're that young man who bought many Cultivation Techniques from my shop. I didn't expect you to be a Disciple of Lingbao Mountain, and even a True Disciple. That truly surprises me, Pang!" Old Man Pang seemed to recall as he spoke.

"I heard that the newly promoted True Disciple of Lingbao Mountain has a leader named Chen. Could it be you, young friend?"

"Haha, it's just luck. Today I'm here to ask if your association sells Puppet Art Legacies!" Chen Cuo did not beat around the bush and spoke directly.