Chapter 121: The State of Yan

Cao Chengyu developed a unique type of puppet, distinct from those of traditional puppeteers, and named this secret technique the "Life Puppet Art." His ultimate goal was to craft a puppet that functioned like an intelligent robot. While they couldn't be used for physical intimacy, they were at least pleasing to the eye. The synthetic silicone-like material used for their exterior was indistinguishable from real skin, and in a pinch, it could serve other purposes as well.

With these iron-clad puppets, which were ferocious in close-quarters combat, Cao Chengyu forged thirty units, completely depleting the mineral stores in his treasury. He placed them throughout his spirit ship; they could serve as servants during ordinary times and as a combat force in moments of crisis, perfectly fulfilling his needs.

After a month of travel, the group needed to stop in the Yan Kingdom for a while to restock on food (for the mortals) and, incidentally, to relax. After all, having spent so long in the sky, even the most novel sights could become tedious. The Yan Kingdom bordered the Mountain Ridge Domain, a region filled with mountain ranges, forests, and rich mineral resources. It was a nation of mountains, with cities built directly into the slopes.

Cao Chengyu’s landing point was a docking pier in the northern part of the Yan Kingdom, specifically designed for spirit ships. Many cultivators passed through here; those who weren't wandering rogue cultivators generally used spirit ships for transport. The arrival of his third-grade spirit ship did not attract much attention, as there were already over a hundred such vessels docked at the pier.

Once Cao Chengyu stepped off the ship, a cultivator responsible for managing the business flew over. After giving him a quick look, the man said, "Senior, this is a docking pier operated by the Hundred Refinements Sect. Parking a third-grade spirit ship costs two hundred low-grade spirit stones per day."

"You charge for this?"

"That’s right. This is your first time here, isn't it, Senior? The Yan Kingdom is not only rich in mineral resources but also possesses several spirit stone veins and plenty of wild medicinal herbs, so there is a high volume of cultivators coming and going. If you leave your ship here, our Hundred Refinements Sect will be responsible for guarding it to prevent it from being stolen by unscrupulous rogues. Should any accidents occur, our sect will provide compensation at our discretion."

"That sounds reasonable enough." Cao Chengyu nodded, took two medium-grade spirit stones from his storage bag, and tossed them to the man. "Keep a close eye on it. I’ll be back after a short stroll."

"Understood! Rest assured, Senior, you can trust the Hundred Refinements Sect."

Cao Chengyu turned back and sent a telepathic message to Lin Yunjiao: "Don’t let the clan members off the ship yet. I’m going to look around and check the local security first."

"Understood, take care, Chengyu."

"No problem."

After a month of dual cultivation, performed without rest, Lin Yunjiao’s cultivation base had benefited from Cao Chengyu's feedback. Her foundational injuries had healed rapidly and were now mostly recovered, bringing her back to the early stage of the Dao Body realm. That was the level of cultivation she had possessed when she first arrived, but due to her severe injuries, she had made no progress over the years. This showed that she had once been a talented cultivator herself.

Now, with the dual cultivation method nourishing her, supplemented by Cao Chengyu’s acupuncture and medicinal pills, her complexion was glowing. Even his mother had been puzzled, asking why "Auntie Lin" looked increasingly radiant and supple. It nearly made Cao Chengyu’s toes curl in embarrassment—the workload had been simply too much.

Once away from the spirit ship, Cao Chengyu entered the mountain city. The passersby were mostly mortals, while most cultivators simply zipped through the sky and vanished. The mortals all wore expressions of fanatical fervor, as if driven by some higher calling. Cao Chengyu stopped a passerby and asked with curiosity, "Where is everyone going? Why are you all so excited?"

The pedestrian turned to look at him. Initially reluctant to explain, he caught sight of a glimmer of gold in Cao Chengyu’s hand and immediately softened. "Friend, don't you know? The mining site of the Northern True Martial Mysterious Heaven Emperor has opened. We’re all going to sign up as miners."

"…Huh?" If he recalled correctly, that was merely a deity of folk belief. What did the opening of a mine have to do with it?

Seeing his confusion, the pedestrian explained, "That blood-crystal mine used to be the territory of the Hundred Refinements Sect. They forced mortals to mine for them, but aside from a pittance of silver, they didn't treat us like humans at all. Many people died every year, so naturally, no one wanted to work there. But ever since the Black Emperor Sect came to the Yan Kingdom, they have been spreading the doctrine of 'how to live as a human being.' They educate the masses, and they have won everyone’s admiration."

"Everyone believes that the Black Emperor God watches over us. As long as we work in the mines for the Black Emperor Sect and contribute to them, we are guaranteed to ascend to heaven after death and be received personally by the Black Emperor."

"This is…" Cao Chengyu could only think that this was enough to make a capitalist shed tears of envy.

The problem was that, aside from checking the situation, he also wanted to investigate the area where he had sensed the Yin-Polar Yang-Fire. He could tell from the direction the crowd was moving that the blood-crystal mine was their destination. He suspected the exotic fire was inside the mine. Furthermore, although the blood-crystal mine was only a second-grade spirit mine, it was an essential ingredient for making the synthetic "flesh" for his puppets, regardless of their quality. The blood crystals could liquefy the synthetic material and absorb impurities, which was necessary for achieving a translucent finish.

Cao Chengyu had intended to purchase a batch of materials for his puppets anyway. He tossed the gold to the pedestrian, slipped into a side alley, and transformed himself from a melancholic middle-aged man into a square-jawed fellow wearing rough hemp clothing. He activated the Sky-Locking Technique, completely masking his cultivation base so that he looked no different from an ordinary mortal.

This Black Emperor Sect had established an "ideology" for the mortals, convincing them that they would enjoy bliss after death, with the Northern True Martial Mysterious Heaven Emperor setting the standards for that process. Compared to the era when the Hundred Refinements Sect ruled the blood-crystal mines, the subjective initiative of the workforce was on an entirely different level. Before, people slacked off every day, fearing they would work themselves to death; now, they dug with a desperate fervor, fearing they might die without having met the Black Emperor.

The effort expended was the same, but this was the change brought about by a shift in "ideology." That was why Cao Chengyu had remarked that a capitalist would weep; this method of exploitation had truly reached a state of perfection. It made him suspect that the Black Emperor Sect was likely a cult. The Yan Kingdom’s dynasty had no authority over cultivators, and as for the local powerhouse—the Hundred Refinements Sect—it was clear they were the ones who had surrendered the mine to this cult in the first place.

If Cao Chengyu hadn't already been tempered by the harsh realities of the Great Yue Dynasty, he might have considered ridding the world of this evil. Now, however, he decided to let it be. Who knew if there were ruthless figures like Chi Jiuxiao hidden within that church? There were so many mortals in the world of cultivation, and countless lived miserable lives; he couldn't save them all.

Therefore, he would infiltrate the mines as a laborer to secretly scout for the Yin-Polar Yang-Fire, avoiding direct conflict with the local powers. If he could manage it, he might even get some blood crystals for free—he wouldn't lose anything either way. Cao Chengyu had a bit of experience in these sorts of deceptive schemes.

Having made up his mind, he followed the stream of people forward. The recruitment station was just ahead, and the blood-crystal mine was located beneath the mountain city. Since he had come chasing the aura of the exotic fire, it was no surprise that it was right underneath them.