Ning Fa kept his confusion to himself.
He immediately began to intensely consider whether to seize this opportunity to escape. If he could activate the White River Chariot, he believed he would have a significant chance of getting away.
But in the end, he gave up.
It was because the oppressive aura emanating from the strange man named Feng Jue was simply too powerful.
It was highly likely that he would be easily captured within the time it took to activate the White River Chariot Talisman Treasure, and that would be a terrible situation.
Just then, Feng Jue walked up to the stone wall.
A layer of golden light enveloped his entire body, and the scorpion pattern on his bald head seemed to come alive.
He threw a punch with all his might.
The power of this punch far surpassed the previous one. After a deafening roar that shook the earth, a deep hole about ten feet wide appeared in the stone wall, revealing a dark passage within.
As light shone into it, a stone door could be seen at the end, with a pair of stone puppet guards standing before it.
"Miss, these stone puppets should both be second-tier puppets. Please wait here while I clear them out."
Feng Jue said, and then charged in.
Immediately, a series of fierce collisions and the sounds of spell bombardment could be heard.
Thirty breaths later, the sounds ceased.
Feng Jue's uniquely effeminate voice echoed from the passage. The young woman named Duanmu Ling first glanced at Ning Fa and the other person.
A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes, and two illusory flower petal shadows flew out, entering Ning Fa and Liu Qinghui's bodies respectively.
The speed was so great that Ning Fa had no time to react.
She chuckled lightly, "You two wait here for a moment. Don't even think about escaping."
With that, she stepped into the passage.
Ning Fa and Liu Qinghui exchanged glances, both seeing the wry smile in the other's eyes.
Liu Qinghui inwardly cursed herself, wondering why she hadn't come here a day earlier, and now she could only watch as others reaped the rewards.
Ning Fa desperately checked his body but couldn't detect anything unusual. He could only resign himself to his fate.
Without a doubt, what had just happened was something akin to a tracking mark.
This way, even if he managed to activate the White River Chariot, he would likely be found afterward.
At this moment, Duanmu Ling and Feng Jue had already entered a cave dwelling.
The cave dwelling was not large, containing only one room. Beside the bed was a stone table, upon which rested several brocade boxes shimmering with colorful light.
Even with Duanmu Ling's usual composure, her face couldn't help but show excitement.
Feng Jue stepped forward and examined the three brocade boxes. After confirming there were no issues, he handed them over to Duanmu Ling.
The young woman opened the brocade boxes one by one.
They contained a palm-sized white humanoid puppet, an ancient scroll, and a jade slip.
Duanmu Ling's gaze was fixed on the ancient scroll, her eyes filled with surprise.
On the cover of the ancient scroll were several large characters: "[Primordial Soul Split Spirit Art]".
Duanmu Ling caressed the ancient scroll, exclaiming with joy, "It is rumored that this Puppet Master Zhenren not only cultivated the rare puppet secret art known as the [Heavenly Puppet Treasure Scripture], but also cultivated a soul technique, which allowed his divine soul to be exceptionally powerful and enabled him to control so many puppets in battle. I never expected the rumors to be true."
With that, she eagerly began to flip through it.
Feng Jue waited patiently by her side.
After a while, Duanmu Ling put down the ancient scroll, her expression of joy considerably diminished, replaced by a hint of regret. "It's a pity it only has the first six layers, only allowing cultivation up to the late Foundation Establishment stage. I wonder if this Puppet Master Zhenren only had these first six layers of the technique, or if he stored the later parts in other cave dwellings."
Her face then broke into a smile. "However, even so, this technique is a High-grade Earth Tier cultivation method, possessing immense value, especially to me. This technique alone makes this trip to Thousand Wave Lake worthwhile."
Duanmu Ling then looked at the other jade slip. After reading it, her eyes widened in shock.
Immediately, a faint light flashed in her jade hand, and the jade slip turned into nothingness.
Feng Jue stood by, his eyes focused, his mind serene. He showed no reaction to Duanmu Ling's actions.
Duanmu Ling took a deep breath, then solemnly put away the humanoid puppet.
She said with barely suppressed laughter, "This trip to Thousand Wave Lake has been incredibly fruitful. And I even met two interesting little ones along the way."
At this point, Feng Jue asked curiously, "Miss, what do you need that young man for? Although he has a Lightning Spiritual Root and his strength is quite good among Qi Refining Cultivators, he is, after all, just a Qi Refining Cultivator."
Duanmu Ling, seemingly in a good mood, laughed, "Uncle Feng, don't you find this person's Thunder Spiritual Power to be very pure? And his magic power is also very abundant, not comparable to ordinary late Qi Condensation cultivators."
Feng Jue seemed to understand, and he said with sudden realization, "Could it be that Miss intends to..."
Duanmu Ling smiled, "That's right. With this person's assistance, Little Lei's chances of breaking through to the second tier will increase by at least another half a percent."
"Let's go. Those two little fellows are probably getting impatient waiting."
Ning Fa saw Duanmu Ling and Feng Jue again.
This brought him some disappointment. He had just been fantasizing about some unforeseen event happening in that cave dwelling, trapping the two of them there forever.
This is a common occurrence when cultivators explore ancient ruins and cave dwellings.
Although Ning Fa concealed it well, Duanmu Ling keenly noticed. She said with annoyance, "What, are you disappointed to see us come out safely?"
Ning Fa broke out in a cold sweat and quickly shook his head, indicating he had no such intention.
Duanmu Ling let out a soft hum, displaying the petulance of a young girl.
She said seriously, "You don't need to be nervous. I just want you to do me a favor."
Ning Fa couldn't help but cautiously ask, "Senior, what favor do you want me to do? My cultivation is low, I'm afraid I might mess up your important plans."
Duanmu Ling said with annoyance, "Don't worry, it's definitely something within your capabilities. As long as you cooperate, I'll give you a generous reward afterward."
She pondered for a moment, then continued, "Ten days from now, come find me on Cloud Crystal Island."
Ning Fa was startled and asked, "You mean Xue Family's Cloud Crystal Island?"
Ning Fa was very familiar with this island, as the Cloud Crystal Liquid produced by the Xue Family came from this very island.
Seeing Duanmu Ling nod, Ning Fa couldn't help but wonder if the Xue Family's blockade on Cloud Crystal Liquid exports over the past two years was due to this Duanmu Ling.
Ning Fa suppressed his other thoughts and agreed with a nod.
Duanmu Ling looked at him with a beaming smile, but also with a threat, "Don't think about running away. You've been marked with my Flower Soul Mark. No matter where you go, I can find you."
Ning Fa cursed inwardly but quickly indicated he wouldn't dare on his face.
Duanmu Ling nodded with satisfaction and then looked at Liu Qinghui again.
A strange glint flashed in her eyes, and she suddenly asked, "Do you possess the Yin Physique?"
Liu Qinghui's whole body trembled, and she looked at Duanmu Ling in disbelief.
Being exposed so easily about her body's secret, she became extremely flustered.
She retreated repeatedly, her face filled with panic.
Duanmu Ling, however, smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, I mean you no harm. To be honest, your Yin Physique is of some use to me. Are you interested in joining our Huayu Sect? I can make you an inner disciple directly."