Chapter 1602: The Deepest Secret

He had been wearing a belt patterned with a green python, but when it was unfastened, others realized it could twist and move—it was, in fact, a living python! As soon as it was activated, it slithered onto its master's shoulder, coiling itself into an alert posture.

Another shadow flashed in the forest, and something shot towards Cao Wendao with a whoosh, moving so fast it left no afterimage. The green python on his shoulder also sprang out, its body suddenly enlarging, and then it collided with the object in mid-air. With a dull thud, the green python was thrown back ten feet, but the opponent's sneak attack was thwarted, forcing them to reluctantly retract their weapon.

On that rainy, snowy night, the forest light was dim. Even with Cao Wendao's sharp eyesight, he could only discern the enemy's demon puppet launching a long, ribbon-like, dark-red weapon. He only caught a fleeting glimpse of what the puppet itself looked like, as it too plunged abruptly into the ground. It was also very large, resembling a small cabin. Did it have an outer shell? He noticed a faint waxy sheen, typically indicative of a hard carapace. As for the long, ribbon-like weapon, could it be a tongue or a tentacle? What creature possesses such slender and tough tongues or tentacles?

The greatest concern, however, was that he had just concealed himself in the jungle only to be immediately detected by Wei Yishan, who had then hidden again! At this moment, he heard faint buzzing sounds around him. It was the sound of insects flapping their wings. Cao Wendao strained his eyes and looked around, only then discovering several small beetles perched on the surrounding branches. They were of various colors: black, green, green with a golden sheen, and two of them bore unique round spots. Wait, weren't these his apprentice Yang Chi's insect puppets? These creatures generally had weak offensive capabilities but were excellent at surveillance and tracking. Yang Chi had only been captured for half a night; had the opponent already turned and gained control of his insect swarm? This wasn't difficult for Cao Wendao, as only the progenitor insect needed to be controlled. However, it had taken Yang Chi over half a month to tame the progenitor insect back then, yet the one named Wei only needed half a night?

Cao Wendao was somewhat curious. He retreated into the woodland, approaching his own Flayed Moray. Wei Yishan's hidden demon puppet clearly possessed earth-burrowing abilities, and typically, only a large creature could contend with another large creature.

The green python, now landed, revealed its true form. After Cao Wendao's modifications, it was, of course, more than just a python. Its upper body vaguely presented a humanoid outline, yet its features were indistinct, its neck thick and short, and its torso sturdier than the largest wine barrel. Furthermore, it possessed two rows of sharp, blade-like legs along its flanks! Dong Rui, hidden in the shadows, knew at a glance that this creature must have incorporated elements of a centipede demon. Centipede demons could retract their abdominal legs to their sides, forming a row of sharp blades that, when twisted frantically, resembled a guillotine. Anyone who saw it would flee, for those too slow would be sliced into pieces.

Furthermore, this green python's two pairs of forelimbs were structured like human arms, complete with upper arms and forearms, and flexible elbow joints. One pair of hands bore sharp, tiger- or leopard-like claws, while the other pair had no palms at all, replaced instead by long, bony scythes. Just moments before, when the Snail Toad launched its long tongue towards Cao Wendao, it was parried by these long scythes. Dong Rui had manipulated the Snail Toad's tongue to capture numerous enemies, yet only this green python had managed to deflect its attack without fail. Moreover, the Snail Toad's tongue was injured, its stickiness significantly reduced, and it would require some time to recuperate.

Earlier, when the Flayed Moray ambushed Dong Rui from underground, even the Ghost Ape couldn't react quickly enough to dodge. It was the Snail Toad, extending its long tongue at the last moment, that saved them, allowing the master and servant to narrowly escape disaster. The Snail Toad, previously hidden motionless underground, had detected the unusual vibrations of the Flayed Moray as it burrowed and immediately alerted Dong Rui. Otherwise, if it had intervened even half a breath later, Cao Wendao would have already captured Dong Rui.

As the green python landed, the Ghost Ape immediately charged forward and engaged it in a fierce struggle. The green python's blade-like side legs were formidable; it wrapped around a tree too thick for two people to encircle and twisted, severing the trunk into several pieces more efficiently than a saw. However, the Ghost Ape had previously battled the Xuanlu Ghost King's centipede corpse puppet in Dead Village, whose attack patterns closely resembled the green python's. Thus, the Ghost Ape remained exceptionally cautious, preventing its opponent from entangling it. The green python's scythe attacks were a relentless barrage; within three breaths, it struck at least twenty or thirty times, filling the air with cold blade shadows. However, the Ghost Ape's purple-gold copper staff could extend or retract, and naturally, it leveraged the 'an inch longer, an inch stronger' advantage against the green python. Several times, it struck the python, sending it flying and preventing it from getting close.

These two colossal creatures fought so ferociously that the ground trembled and countless trees were shattered, yet Dong Rui and Cao Wendao's attention was not entirely focused on them. Once inside the Snail Toad's Mud Palace, one was considered detached from the mortal realm, and Dong Rui's psychic link with his other demon puppets would be severed by the spatial barrier. He would then be unable to control any demon puppets, except the Snail Toad, for precise combat. Therefore, despite the dangers on the surface, he had to force himself to remain there. Cao Wendao lured him out, aiming to seize the initiative and even prepared to expend a valuable opportunity to conceal injuries. However, he still underestimated his opponent's cunning and… luck.

"'Wei Yishan, we finally meet,' he said, surveying the dim jungle. 'Why don't you come out and chat?'"

Dong Rui's voice was ethereal and elusive, seemingly coming from nowhere: "'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell?'"

Cao Wendao still had three holes in his body, and even his damaged clothes were stained with blood, indicating he had indeed been struck by the bat demon puppet. Yet, his movements were perfectly unhindered, unlike someone whose vital points had been pierced. There were too many illusionary spells in this world, and this fellow was skilled at using insect puppets, so Dong Rui's first thought was of the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' technique. Several divine abilities shared this name, with largely similar effects: the user could leave behind a lifelike corpse in their place, much like a cicada's shed skin, to confuse enemies. Of course, such false shells had a time limit, typically lasting no more than thirty to fifty breaths. He Lingchuan's 'Plum Blight, Peach Substitute' also had a similar effect; the false body would not immediately vanish upon death, but it could fight autonomously while alive, distinguishing it from 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell'.

"'There's also the Bone-Dissolving Butterfly,' Cao Wendao said, glancing down at the holes in his chest. 'Once the larvae have stored enough energy, they can immediately form a cocoon and transform into a butterfly upon severe injury, and all wounds vanish.'" He combined two divine abilities: leaving a false shell when struck and brought down by the bat demon puppet, while his true body was transported away underground by the Flayed Moray, and the Bone-Dissolving Butterfly larvae negated the damage.

Dong Rui blinked, then his eyes widened in realization: "'You turned the larvae into defensive artifacts—what a brilliant idea!'" Rather than saying Cao Wendao made the Bone-Dissolving Butterfly larvae into demon puppets, it was more accurate to say he fashioned them into active defensive artifacts. Upon being struck by an enemy, the defensive artifact would automatically activate, absorbing most of the damage, while simultaneously, the Bone-Dissolving Butterfly's innate ability would trigger, initiating cocoon formation. Typically, magical artifacts were inanimate objects crafted from materials like gold, silver, wood, or stone, at most developing an artifact spirit. However, Cao Wendao refined living insect puppets into artifacts, an innovative approach that greatly inspired Dong Rui. He truly needed to exchange ideas more often with his peers.

Cao Wendao observed the fiercely battling Ghost Ape and remarked, "'Your method of crafting demon puppets is simple, yet highly imbued with spirit. Are you self-taught?'" Without waiting for Dong Rui's reply, he continued his persuasion: "'Why not abandon the darkness and embrace the light? How powerful is the Heavenly Palace? It possesses abundant resources, ample materials, and numerous colleagues for discussion. Furthermore, the data we have amassed is enough for you to study for a lifetime.'" Several of his research projects were at critical junctures, and he was short on skilled personnel, so he harbored the intention to recruit Dong Rui. Though the disciples of Honglu were diligent and uncomplaining, their minds lacked flexibility and their research wasn't deep enough. In contrast, while Wei Yishan's approach was unconventional, his ideas were unique and his methods lively, making him a valuable asset.

But Dong Rui disliked his condescending attitude. "'Follow you?' he scoffed. 'You're not favored by the Heavenly Palace, which is why you were exiled to the Shanjin Plains. People strive for higher positions; if I were to join anyone, it should be Qiandu Fang. What good could possibly come from following a failure like you?'" A flicker of anger crossed Cao Wendao's face, which he suppressed as he replied, "'Xiao An has survived for over seven and a half months, already breaking Qiandu Fang's record. If you hand Xiao An over to me, it will be a significant contribution from the outset. Within a year, I will return to Lingxu City for my duties, and you will also receive a promotion.'"

Dong Rui couldn't help but chuckle. This fellow's skill at making empty promises was far inferior to those he had made to He Lingchuan. "'Why are you researching humanoid puppets?'" And it wasn't just Cao Wendao; many other groups of demon puppeteers in the Heavenly Palace were also delving into this research.

"'If you surrender and join us, you will naturally know,' Cao Wendao said, frowning. 'Your demon puppets are impressive, but they are no match for me. I value talent, so I'm offering you one last chance.'" Silence fell in the forest for a few breaths. Dong Rui then grimly stated, "'Is it related to divine descent?'" Their initial experiences within the Ghost King's underground palace had left both him and He Lingchuan deeply disturbed. Towards the end of the ancient war between immortals and gods, True Master Minghui had sacrificed his cultivation, life, and primal spirit to destroy his life's work. He feared that his research findings would fall into the hands of the Sky Demons, dreading their 'quiet return to the mortal realm in the future!' Was the Heavenly Palace's deployment of so many demon puppeteers for this research connected to that?

Caught off guard by the question, even the composed Cao Wendao couldn't help but visibly flinch, his expression instantly changing: "'You...'" How had this fellow deduced the Heavenly Palace's deepest secret, one known to only a handful in all of Lingxu City? He had misjudged him; this fellow was more than just an untamed demon puppeteer! Did Wei Yishan's question imply that He Xiao or the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities had also reached this conclusion? Regardless, Cao Wendao's momentary loss of composure had already provided the answer, and Dong Rui now had a clear understanding.

"'You are still young, and impatient,' Cao Wendao said with a sigh, no longer concealing his thoughts. 'If it were me, I would never voice such a question.'"

"'That's why you can't advance with vigor and diligence,' Dong Rui stated blandly. 'Where is your main demon puppet? You've been brewing it for so long; why not bring it out and show me?'"

Since his ambush, Cao Wendao hadn't deployed many demon puppets, and had even engaged him in conversation. This was certainly not Cao Wendao being courteous; Dong Rui surmised he was saving a powerful move. However, he couldn't kill Dong Rui outright, as that would leave Xiao An's whereabouts unknown. Given the circumstances, what reason did Dong Rui have to be polite?

The enormous fin beside Cao Wendao suddenly twitched. The Flayed Moray then plunged abruptly, its massive tail nearly striking its master.