The Daofather Puppet and the First Cry of a New Life

The Wuxiao Celestial Immortal gave his orders. “Go. There is no need for you to wait upon me here.”

“Understood.”

The two Pure Yang True Immortals immediately flew down below and began to issue commands to the countless Celestial Immortals. The two of them also began to frantically refine certain components.

Wuxiao Celestial Immortal gazed downwards.

“Wuxiao.” Suddenly a deep, rumbling voice sounded by Wuxiao’s ears.

Wuxiao was startled, then immediately said respectfully, “Master.”

“This sort of Daofather puppet is far too weak. It is merely on the threshold of the Daofather level. When the final battle arrives, the top-tier True God Daofathers of the Three Realms, leaders of the Daoist and Buddhist sects, could destroy this puppet with a single blow.” The deep voice said calmly, “Best not to be distracted. Focus on refining the ‘Emissary of All Things.’”

“Master, this is merely a manifestation clone of mine.” Wuxiao said respectfully, “And as Master said, this Daofather puppet barely counts as a Daofather. Refining it is still quite easy for me. After all, it is only three years; it will not have a great impact on the overall situation. I have roamed freely through the Three Realms over these years, traveling everywhere. That little babe, Zicao… I truly did adore her. I cannot bear to simply let her death go unavenged.”

“Mm. I never expected you would be capable of forming such attachments.” The deep voice carried a hint of amusement. “Since that is the case, go ahead. But you know the priorities.”

“Understood. Once the Daofather puppet is refined, I will immediately dispatch this 1,800,000 Celestial Immortals back and have them continue refining the Emissary of All Things.” Wuxiao said respectfully.

The number of Celestial Immortals in the Seamless Gate’s camp was only so high.

Those who had been taught and were skilled in the art of puppetry were even fewer… the 1,800,000 Celestial Immortals represented nearly twenty percent of all Celestial Immortals proficient in puppetry. Transferring them to refine this ‘Daofather puppet’ had indeed impacted the progress of the ‘Emissary of All Things.’ However, refining the ‘Emissary of All Things’ was an incomparably vast project. Having just twenty percent of the artisans waste three years would have only a very minor impact on the overall situation. If the impact had been significant, Wuxiao would not have dared to act.

“Good. We must win the final battle. We have already lost once. This time, I do not wish to lose again.” The deep voice said.

“Understood.” Wuxiao was filled with reverence.

Soon, a wave of ripples faded away.

Only then did Wuxiao let out a breath of relief.

“I must also see the Godking. They had best not foolishly abandon this realm war.” Wuxiao thought to himself.

…

In a vast, dark world.

A towering throne sat high above on the ten-thousand-zhang dais. The Godking sat upon it, looking down. Below him, a figure appeared—it was Wuxiao Celestial Immortal.

“Godking.” Wuxiao Celestial Immortal said.

“Grandmaster.” The black-robed Godking’s voice carried a hint of laughter. “What brings Grandmaster to my domain?”

“I would ask you to invite Daofather Ink Bamboo here as well.” Wuxiao Celestial Immortal said.

“Very well.” The Godking nodded.

Soon.

Another figure appeared in this dark world. Daofather Ink Bamboo. He also saw Wuxiao Celestial Immortal, and said in surprise, “Grandmaster?”

Within the Seamless Gate camp, only the most top-tier beings knew of Wuxiao’s true identity. It was precisely because they understood some of Wuxiao’s background that they treated ‘Wuxiao’ with such respect, even with courtesy. First of all, behind Wuxiao… stood the current most powerful existence in the entire Seamless Gate camp—Lord of All Demons!

Secondly, Wuxiao was the supreme master of puppetry in the Seamless Gate camp.

Whether it was the Lord of All Demons or his mastery of puppetry, both made the status of Wuxiao Celestial Immortal transcendent.

“I have refined a Daofather puppet.” Wuxiao Celestial Immortal announced.

“A Daofather puppet?” The Godking above frowned. “That kind of puppet consumes a great deal of precious materials and is relatively weak in combat. Didn’t Lord Demon-Heart abandon that project?”

Daofather Ink Bamboo also looked at Wuxiao with confusion.

They were both core members of the Seamless Gate and were well aware of certain strategies.

The Godking…

was the leader who commanded all factions of the Seamless Gate camp.

But the ‘Lord of All Demons’ was the most powerful existence in the Seamless Gate camp. It was precisely because the Lord of All Demons sat in command of the ‘All-Demon World’ that the Nuwa camp had absolutely no way to obtain the core formation diagrams of those puppets. Some of the top-tier, most powerful puppets were refined within the All-Demon Realm. The Lord of All Demons was also revered by the Seamless Gate camp as ‘Demon-Heart.’

The Lord of All Demons did not meddle in worldly affairs, which was why the Godking was able to command the Seamless Gate camp.

It should be noted that even when that ‘King’ had still existed, the Lord of All Demons was second only to the King! Later, when the King was unable to defeat Mother Nuwa and was forced to merge with the Heavenly Dao—at least not truly dying—the Lord of All Demons, relying on his own methods, managed to escape from Nuwa’s grasp with his life. And after endless years, the Lord of All Demons’ power had become even more unfathomable.

Beings like the Godking, Daofather Ink Bamboo, and other major powers all treated the Lord of All Demons with the utmost reverence.

“Of course, Master knows of this matter.” Wuxiao said. “I am refining this Daofather puppet for one purpose—to kill one person.”

“Kill one person?”

The Godking and Daofather Ink Bamboo both looked at Wuxiao. The Godking spoke, “Ji Ning?”

“Mm. Zicao grew up under my care. I will not tolerate her dying in vain. I must make Ji Ning pay the price.” Wuxiao Celestial Immortal’s eyes flashed with cold light. “He must die. I know that in this realm war, you have encountered the Seven Radiance Empyrean God. As long as my Daofather puppet appears, the Seven Radiance Empyrean God is doomed to lose.”

“With the Seven Radiance Empyrean God defeated, you should be able to win this war, yes?” Wuxiao Celestial Immortal said.

“If it is truly a Daofather puppet… then yes, this battle can be won.” Daofather Ink Bamboo said.

They all understood the power of a Daofather puppet. Even a true Daofather of lesser strength—someone on Daofather Ink Bamboo’s level, for instance—would find it very difficult to do anything to a Daofather puppet. It was similar to how an Empyrean God would struggle against an ‘Empyrean God puppet.’ The principle was the same. A Daofather puppet’s body rivaled an ‘Innate spirit treasure’ and was incredibly difficult to destroy!

Furthermore, it possessed boundless strength and overwhelming power.

Of course, the top-tier True God Daofathers of the Three Realms could destroy it with ease.

But the Seven Radiance Empyrean God?

The Seven Radiance Empyrean God was ultimately just seven Empyrean Gods combined through a formation. Their attacks barely reached the Daofather level. Striking a ‘Daofather puppet’ would be like tickling it. Meanwhile, the Daofather puppet could rampage freely. In the entire Crimsonbright Realmverse, there was simply no one who could match it. Unless they mobilized a massive army to jointly suppress it.

“This Wuxiao is truly mad. A single Daofather puppet consumes enough materials to be worth a thousand Pure Yang treasures. And now, in the midst of refining the ‘Emissary of All Things,’ he has diverted a large number of immortals and demons, using vast quantities of precious materials to refine a Daofather puppet. I imagine even the Demon-Heart is a bit displeased.” The Godking and Daofather Ink Bamboo both thought to themselves.

“But Wuxiao… if the Daofather puppet joins the battle, we will naturally win. However, what if the Nuwa camp dispatches the Eight Great Adepts of the Upper Realms, or other powerful Empyrean Gods and True Immortals, to aid the Seven Radiance Empyrean God? A single Seven Radiance Empyrean God cannot stop it, but if the Eight Great Adepts join in, they might be able to hold off the Daofather puppet.” Daofather Ink Bamboo said worriedly.

“If that happens, we ignore the war itself. Our single target is Ji Ning.” Daofather Ink Bamboo said.

“If it is merely to kill Ji Ning… very well.”

“Mm.”

The Godking and Daofather Ink Bamboo both nodded.

They both knew that things had progressed to this point. The Crimsonbright Realmverse had mobilized a considerable amount of power. The Nuwa camp also had to manage many other regions and likely could not divert any more top-tier combat power to join this realm war. Otherwise, other regions would find themselves severely shorthanded.

Thus, they could win this battle.

“One month. The Daofather puppet. In one month, go to the All-Demon Realm, and I will give it to you.” Wuxiao said, then vanished into thin air.

The Godking and Daofather Ink Bamboo exchanged a glance.

“This realm war in the Crimsonbright Realmverse is spiraling somewhat beyond our control.” The Godking said softly.

“The appearance of the Seven Radiance Empyrean God of Daoist Threelives has already driven this war to greater frenzy.” Daofather Ink Bamboo said. “Refining a Daofather puppet for the sake of a single realm war victory is not truly worthwhile.”

“Regardless, we have already paid a heavy price. Therefore, we must win this war all the more.” The Godking said solemnly.

…

Days passed, one by one.

“What’s going on? The Seamless Gate hasn’t retreated?”

“That Seamless City is still there.”

On the walls of the Eight Dragon Cloud City, Empyrean Gods, True Immortals, and various generals and commanders often looked out. The distant, towering black city, ‘Seamless City,’ had indeed not moved.

“They have suffered massive losses. Our Seven Radiance Empyrean God is far stronger than their Three-Eyed Fiendgod. Why haven’t they retreated?”

“They ran fast last time. If they fight again this time, we will annihilate them all.”

The morale of the Crimsonbright Realmverse forces was high.

Lord Crimsonbright himself even ordered the army to taunt the enemy forces, but the Seamless Gate remained entrenched and refused to come out.

…

Half a month had passed since the last great battle.

In a world of beautiful mountains and clear waters.

This was the vast world contained within the Pure Yang treasure, ‘Purple Haze Pearl.’ Ji Ning had previously relocated the members of the Ji Clan here. Uncle White, Mu Northson, Qingqing, Qiuye, and the others were also living here. And now, Ji Ning had brought Yu Wei here as well. Of course, his second true body remained in the Eight Dragon Cloud City, awaiting orders at all times.

It was a quiet courtyard.

Ji Ning, Ji Liuzhen, Uncle White, Qingqing, Mu Northson, and the others were all there. Ji Ning sat on a stool nearby, occasionally lifting his head to look at the closed door of the room. Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei and Qiuye were inside that room.

“Look at Senior Apprentice-Brother. He’s silent, and his face is a bit pale.” Mu Northson laughed.

“He’s about to become a father. Of course, it’s different.” Whitewater Hound’s massive body lay to one side, watching Ji Ning with a smile. He was very gratified. Ning was finally going to be a father, to have offspring.

“Ning, don’t worry. Take your time. You’ve waited all these years. What’s a little while longer?” Whitewater Hound said with a laugh.

“Mm.” Ji Ning nodded.

Senior apprentice-sister was a Celestial Immortal; giving birth was naturally very safe. But the thought that his own child was about to arrive in this world filled Ji Ning with an inexplicable nervousness and anxiety. Could he take care of the child? Could he protect it well?

“Five years and two months of pregnancy. I wonder what Senior Apprentice-Brother’s child will be like.” Mu Northson mused on the sidelines.

Ji Ning became even more nervous. No one knew how much time had passed.

Suddenly—

“Child greets mother. Eh, where is my father?” A crisp, childish voice came from within the room, followed by Qiuye’s startled cry.

Ji Ning, who had been nervous and tense, was momentarily stunned.