After consuming the 500 Soul Nurturing Divine Pills set aside for her, Tusha got to work, seeking enlightenment in the Sacrament of the Blood Star.
Meanwhile, Zi Feng studied puppet refinement and holy scriptures by Xinzi’s side.
”Feng’er, this Millennium Revolution Code is perfect for you. Study it alongside the scriptures, and your Soul Force, understanding of puppet refinement, puppet manipulation, and other skills will increase exponentially.”
”But it’s demonic, isn’t it? I don’t want to go through demonization.”
”Not every demonic technique implies demonization—at least not for the user. This Millennium Revolution Code gives you all the tools to become a peerless puppeteer. True, you will be refining Demon Puppets, but that’s as far as the demonization goes. A’Zhi and A’Zhu are practicing it as well, so you can seek one another for pointers.”
With her Greater Soul, Zi Feng was by far more gifted than Zhi-Zhu twins in the puppeteer craft. Xinzi would use various methods to increase their soul talents, but the notion that Zi Feng could seek pointers from them already made as much sense as eternal peace between demons and divines. But ever the humble one, Zi Feng didn’t see why the twins couldn’t see aspects and offer insights that eluded her Greater Soul.
”Mhm…as you wish, master.” Zi Feng’s new interest with puppets stemmed from her own background. Xinzi considered nipping that interest in the bud, but realized that by doing so, he’d just be feeding the insecurities that still hid at the back of her mind.
”You’re not worried that I’m tricking you into learning something that will twist you into a demonic version of yourself?”
”I would be lying if I said I weren’t, but I want to believe in unconditional trust. That by your side, I don’t need to second guess, seek hidden meanings, or keep my guard up to avoid backstabbing and betrayal. I want to believe…because if I can’t, my fears, doubts and apprehensions will eat at our bond, and imprison my heart,” Zi Feng held her chin and said, almost as if speaking more to herself than Xinzi.
”I can understand the sentiment and hope to not disappoint,” Xinzi said. In Zi Feng’s eyes, our monk saw a spark of purity that shouldn’t exist in one of such cultivation, making him wonder if his world would protect or ruin that spark.
’Your Eminence, it’s been three days already, and the enemy’s body language shows the need for other alternatives. Should I continue?’ Xin Zhong asked in a mental message, interrupting the master and disciple pair.
’Nah, I was about to contact you, anyway. It’s time I meet that so-called Bull Demon Prince and Princess Tieshan,’ Xinzi replied, and following a gentle kiss, sent Zi Feng on her way.
Now alone, and dressed in a blood-red robe embroidered with golden tree patterns, our monk sat crossed-legged, awaiting Princess Tieshan in his study. It wasn’t long before Tieshan and the Bull Demon Prince’s avatars arrived at Xinzi’s door, escorted by Xinzi’s White-Winged Demons.
Starting with the Nascent Soul realm, all experts could create clones, and by the Divine Transformation realm, they could produce avatars enabling them to be at multiple places at the same time.
Needless to say, during critical diplomatic talks, avatars took the place of true bodies so all sides could prevent needless surprises.
”I will meet Lady Tieshan in my study. The Bull Demon Prince will be meeting an avatar of mine in the adjacent room.” Xinzi’s voice boomed out, reaching both Tieshan and the Bull Demon Prince. The meaning was clear, in these peace talks, Xinzi took Tieshan as the enemy leader, and the Bull Demon Prince as her subordinate.
These were the facts. But it was one thing to know, another to have the enemy slam these facts into your face. The Bull Demon Prince’s teeth clenched on one another, and again, he tapped into the full depth of his self-control to avoid a frenzied outburst.
Tieshan didn’t have the time to consider the impact of Xinzi’s words on her betrothed and hoped that, at the very least, he wouldn’t be so stupid as to let the enemy get into his head. Moreover, Xinzi called her “Lady” not “Princess,” a mistake that made Tieshan fear the worst.
Two doors opened, one of silver, the other of marble. Vast suction force unfurled, latching on Tieshan and the Bull Demon Prince.
The Cow Demoness didn’t resist, but even if she wanted to, Swallowing Skill of this level was not something that she could break—at least not in her tallest form.
The Swallowing Skill dragged Tieshan to Xinzi’s desk, and all the conjectures that her mind formed on the enemy’s face collapsed—for Xinzi wore a golden goat mask, preventing Tieshan from getting a glimpse at his face.
”Greetings, Lady Tieshan, welcome to my domain,” Xinzi said, relaxing in his chair.
”Why…are you calling me ‘Lady.’ And why not show me your face. Don’t tell me that a man of such unfathomable background is afraid of what I’d do with his identity.” Tieshan’s scarlet eyes narrowed at Xinzi—a futile attempt to see past the mask.
”Of course I’m afraid. After all, it’s Lady Tieshan that I’m dealing with. Who knows what friends you have outside, and what they’d do with the knowledge of my presence here. I’m not afraid of your friends, but as we all know, caution saves more people than it ruins,”
”I…don’t understand what you’re talking about.” By now, Tieshan had no doubt that the ‘Lady’ in Xinzi’s mouth referred to the outer world’s spiritual nobility title—meaning that…
”Oh don’t play coy. How can a Yanzhou citizen not know Lady Tieshan—ranked number one among the Human Lords of the Seven States. That said, you’ve defrauded the Yanzhou people. After all, you’re not human, are you? Lady Tieshan, Hierarch of the Dark Moon Cult.”