After a flash of luminous light in the distant sky, a streak of emerald虹, about two zhang long, shimmered and settled, revealing a young cultivator dressed in scholarly robes—Han Li. He carried a bamboo container on his back and continuously gazed downward at the sea mist. Yet, what he saw was a hazy, white expanse, completely indistinct. Han Li arched his brows, blue luminescence flickering in his pupils, and then his expression suddenly darkened. "This Kǔzhú Island truly has its secrets—even with the Ming-Qing Spiritual Vision, I cannot fully penetrate the restrictions beneath. The Great Forest Array is indeed no ordinary feat," Han Li murmured to himself. "Of course, the Long-Feathered Wind of Kǔzhú Island can enhance the power of your Seven-Flame Fan to an even greater extent, making this visit essential. Moreover, this old Kǔzhú master appears to be the ideal opponent for testing the傀儡's capabilities—thus achieving two objectives at once." A faint voice, that of the Great Derivative Sovereign, echoed from within the bamboo container, growing more frail than when the divine essence first split. "I understand." That's why he had immediately come here as soon as the puppet was first completed. But how long can you still hold on?" Han Li asked with some concern. "Don't worry," said the Da Yan Immortal King with a low chuckle. "With your soul-stabilizing seal aiding me, I won't easily transition to the next life until I've witnessed the puppet's true power." Han Li nodded, then glanced down at the sea mist beneath his feet. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and with a single hand stroke on his waistward storage pouch, a bright green glow surged forth. A middle-aged cultivator, similar in stature to Han Li but with a pale complexion, materialized before him. The man wore yellow robes, his skin as fine as jade, and upon closer inspection, his appearance was exactly like the small human puppet dwelling within the Da Yan Immortal King. Yet his eyes flashed with cold brilliance, his expression stern and devoid of any warmth or smile. Though he had seen this scene many times before, Han Li still couldn't help but glance at him again at the very moment the puppet appeared. Indeed, Chi Ling Ruan Yu was truly remarkable. Originally hazy, but after a brief refinement using the method taught by the Great Derivative Immortal, the color immediately became similar to human skin, seamlessly integrating all the soft jade into the main framework of the spirit-silver-bodied puppet. Before long, a lifelike human figure stood revealed. Thanks to the inherent property of Chilin's soft jade allowing free deformation, and with a strand of his own divided consciousness infused within the puppet, it could now speak, express emotions, and move with the same natural grace as a real person. However, the only drawback in using this puppet lay in the spiritual stone issue. Such an advanced puppet required high-grade spiritual stones to operate effectively—ordinary mid-tier stones were insufficient, and even at full capacity, the puppet could barely withstand a few attacks. Only high-grade stones could fully power its offensive capabilities. Indeed, high-grade stones were quite rare. Since arriving in the Dajin realm, Han Li had diligently sought them out at every market and bazaar, yet he had managed to collect only a handful. If the puppet were to launch a full-scale attack— Each high-grade spiritual stone was likely only capable of sustaining for a single fifteen-minute period. "Proceed," said Han Li calmly. After all, once the puppets were crafted, they had to be tested. Without hesitation, the puppet raised both hands, fingers slightly spread. At once, a shimmering glow rapidly gathered at the palms, and within moments, two massive luminous spheres—each the size of a human head—coalesced, radiating an intense brilliance and commanding a powerful presence. With two soft "pffft" sounds, the puppet's wrists trembled slightly, and the spheres transformed into two beams of light that shot downward, vanishing instantly into the sea mist as if they had disappeared without a trace. Han Li remained motionless, observing the mist silently. A short while later, a thunderous explosion erupted, sending the previously tranquil sea mist surging and swirling violently. Two towering wind columns—each several zhang in diameter—rose skyward within the mist, spinning wildly and wreaking havoc, clearing a vast expanse of hundreds of zhang of sea mist, as though a monstrous dragon had emerged from the depths. Almost at the moment the wind column appeared, sharp, varied cries erupted suddenly below, filled with both surprise and anger. Han Li glanced downward through the sea mist, and there, emerging faintly against the thinned mist, was a large island. Above it, a green-hued light veil floated, nearly enveloping the entire peninsula. At that moment, dozens of beams of light of different colors burst forth from within the veil, rushing fiercely toward Han Li's position. Clearly, the attack had startled the island's inhabitants. Han Li immediately observed that the group of cultivators varied in level—some at the Foundation Stage, others at the Consolidation Stage—but the leading elder was clearly at the late Consolidation Stage. "Who are you two, and why—ah, I see, you are both senior cultivators. May I ask what brings you to our island?" As they approached Han Li, their initially stern expressions of intent to lodge formal complaints softened. But upon the leading cultivator's swift scan of his consciousness, he found that Han Li was actually a mid-stage Yuan婴 cultivator, just like the Bu Zhu Elder. Upon realizing that the illusion of the puppet could not be detected, his heart sank slightly, and his tone softened. "I have long heard of Master Ku Zhu's reputation. This visit is prompted by a matter at hand. Could Master kindly inform me of the details?" Han Li smiled calmly, making no change in his expression. "Indeed, quite unfortunate. My master has just closed his meditation several years ago and no longer receives guests. If the two elders have urgent matters, they may first share them with me. As for the affairs of Ku Zhu Island, I can certainly take the lead in handling them." The leading cultivator was momentarily stunned, then quickly offered a polite smile. "Master Ku Zhu has retired into seclusion. That's truly a pity. However, since you can take the initiative, that will suffice. I've heard that your island has nurtured an ancient spiritual bird known as the Wu Feng—would that be accurate?" Han Li blinked, maintaining his composed demeanor. "The Wu Feng? May I ask what you mean by that?" The leading cultivator's expression grew "There's nothing special. I'm preparing a precious artifact that requires three feathers from the tail of the Black Wind Phoenix. I would like to exchange for them—one seventh-rank phoenix embryo, three sixth-rank inner embryos of mythical beasts. Would you be willing to agree to this?" As soon as韩立 finished speaking, he gently brushed his sleeve, and four jade boxes floated out, hovering before him. With a casual gesture, he pointed his fingers at the boxes in the air, and one by one, the lids opened, revealing four phoenix embryos of varying colors inside—one slightly larger, the others slightly smaller. The leading elder's face clouded and cleared several times before he finally hesitated and shook his head. Upon hearing韩立's reply,韩立's gaze instantly turned icy, and he stared coldly at the man, saying nothing. Seeing韩立's displeased expression, the leading elder felt his heart sink and quickly began to explain: "Senior, please don't misunderstand. It's not that we're not honoring your presence. Our island's Wu Feng is currently at a crucial stage of advancement, and we simply cannot afford any loss in cultivation." Why don't we do this—Master, please wait a moment. I'll risk being reprimanded by my master by sending a sealed message to the seclusion chamber to see how my master responds." After being scanned by Han Li's gaze, the leading cultivator shivered, then, upon glancing at the humanoid automaton beside him, finally bit his lip and spoke. If his handling of the matter proved inadequate and inadvertently brought the Kuzhu Island into conflict with a powerful rival, he would surely face severe reprimand upon returning. "Very well. I'll wait just a little while longer." Han Li nodded, his expression gradually easing. Indeed, the elder had promptly dispatched a sealed message, clearly outlining the situation and the terms of exchange with Han Li, before returning it. Naturally, he emphasized Han Li's and the humanoid automaton's formidable cultivation levels, making it appear as though Han Li had no choice but to act. Han Li did not have to wait long. As he stood there, arms folded, carefully observing the spatial seals above the Kuzhu Island, a soft, resonant voice suddenly echoed from within the island. "Originally, a cultivator at the Yuan Ying stage has come to visit. I was unable to personally greet you at the gate, so I hope you will forgive me. Please join me at the Yingfeng Pavilion on the island. I will immediately emerge from my meditation to receive you." From the tone of voice, it was clearly the old master, speaking the first part to Han Li, while the latter two sentences were addressed to his disciples. "Understood, Master! The two senior cultivators, please follow me. Master has already decided to personally meet with both of you." The elder hurriedly bowed deeply, respectfully responding to the sky, then turned to Han Li with a warm smile. "Very well. I have long admired your island's reputation and have been looking forward to visiting it personally." After glancing around at the puppet beside him, Han Li remained composed and simply agreed. Then, he and the puppet descended together with the other cultivators toward the island. With a puppet of strength comparable to a late Yuan Ying stage cultivator by his side, Han Li was confident that even if the host activated their so-called Ten-Thousand-Plants Array, he would surely not be confined. Therefore, they were not afraid that the other party might suddenly turn against them relying on their geographical advantage. In a moment, the group flew through a crack that spontaneously opened in the light curtain into the island. As Han Li stepped inside, a surge of spiritual energy washed over him. Below, stretching out before him, were towering, lush trees of immense height—some reaching thirty or forty zhang—and clearly diverse, many of which were rare and unfamiliar to the outside world. Among them, several dozen trees stood notably taller than the others, exhibiting a delicate purple hue. These special mulberry trees were scattered throughout the forest, arranged in a manner that subtly embodied the cosmic and metaphysical principles of nature. "Is this indeed the heavenly mulberry tree of your island?" Han Li furrowed his brows, surprised. "I thought your island had only one such tree. Yet here, there are already over a dozen!" He suddenly turned to the elder beside him. Meanwhile, the elder had been quietly observing the humanoid automaton, pondering why this "senior" remained silent and expressionless throughout the conversation. Could it be that the man simply had an unusual personality?