Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1346 - 726: Farewell, Chun Jun

"Interesting, what kind of puppet is this? I've never encountered such a design before," the white-haired youth muttered, his eyes narrowing with a flash of genuine curiosity.

Because the Spirit Puppet had been meticulously crafted to blend into the unique environment of the Burial Immortal Ruins, it appeared quite ordinary. Its plain exterior gave no hint of the terrifying power hidden within its frame.

Detecting no sense of danger or formidable Qi from the construct, the white-haired youth remained entirely unafraid.

It never crossed his mind that the entity which had just faced the Heavenly Tribulation was the very Tiger Head Puppet standing before him.

Dressed in azure robes, Zhao Xingyu’s expression shifted. She took to the air immediately to intercept the duo, demanding sternly, "Identify yourselves! Why have you dared to intrude upon the Zhao Family Territory?"

As she spoke, the Tiger Head Spirit Puppet touched down at her side. Its amber crystal eyes locked onto the intruders, glowing with a frigid, mechanical coldness.

"Heh, based on your tone, are you implying this Cloud Mist Zhao Family is some sacred dragon’s lair or tiger's den where outsiders are forbidden?" The white-haired youth, possessed of a naturally defiant and arrogant streak, sneered back at her.

"The Cloud Mist Zhao Family is hospitable to friends, but we have no room for those harboring malice. Depart this instant, or do not blame me for failing to warn you!" Zhao Xingyu’s resolve hardened, her voice turning icy and her face becoming a mask of indifference.

Sensing her intent, the Tiger Head Spirit Puppet beside her wordlessly tightened its grip on the hilt of its massive sword.

"Heh heh, and if I refuse to leave today, what exactly do you plan to do about it?" The youth laughed with a hint of rage, crossing his arms as he mocked her.

This individual was known as No-Life, a prominent figure from the Green Bull Palace. His Cultivation was formidable, sitting at the peak of the Seventh Realm of the Nascent Soul, making him one of the most powerful figures beneath the level of a Great Cultivator.

Furthermore, the Green Bull Palace stood as the preeminent Sect of the Demon Path. Its foundation was deep and its influence vast, having produced generations of Divinity Transformation True Monarchs. It was undoubtedly the most ancient demonic power within the Spring Birth Realm.

No-Life and Ancestor Jue Xing were long-time acquaintances who shared similar temperaments.

A month prior, Ancestor Jue Xing had approached him in a state of desperation, seeking the protection of the Green Bull Palace.

To prove his "sincerity," Jue Xing claimed that a secret Treasury of the Ghost God Sect had been unearthed, and a primary treasure of the sect had been seized by an outsider.

This treasure was said to be an Order Banner crafted by the founding True Monarch of the Ghost God Sect, an item that had ascended to the rank of a Spiritual Treasure.

Jue Xing promised that if his safety were guaranteed, he would reveal the culprit's identity and help recover the Heavenly Demon Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

It worked exactly as planned.

Driven by intense greed, No-Life was swayed. He immediately promised his "old friend" that once the treasure was secured, he would be granted the prestigious rank of Minister Elder within the palace.

Overjoyed, Ancestor Jue Xing traveled across vast lands and seas alongside No-Life, eventually arriving at the outskirts of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

Upon learning the Zhao Family held the treasure, No-Life initially wanted to launch a direct assault. However, Ancestor Jue Xing urged caution, noting that the Zhao Family had deep roots and that Cloud Mist Mountain was a fortress they had fortified with Formations and prohibitions for millennia. Most importantly, the family possessed two Nascent Soul experts, making a careless attack suicidal.

Despite his arrogance, No-Life was pragmatically intelligent.

Following Jue Xing's advice, the two of them spent seven days hiding within the Cloud Mist Mountain, observing in secret.

Those seven days were enough for No-Life to confirm that many artifacts bearing the distinct style of the Ghost God Sect had indeed been circulating from the Zhao Family recently.

With this evidence, No-Life no longer doubted Ancestor Jue Xing’s claims.

When the Heavenly Tribulation suddenly erupted today, the two were jolted into action.

Watching the Tribulation Clouds disperse so rapidly, they were ecstatic, assuming the person attempting to transcend had perished under the lightning.

Believing the timing was perfect, they decided to strike while the Zhao Family was in mourning and disarray, hoping to execute a swift "palace coup."

"Hold your hand for a moment!"

Sensing the tension reaching a breaking point, Ancestor Jue Xing stepped forward to restrain his friend. Addressing the woman, he said, "Daoist Zhao, please do not misunderstand. We are not here to act as enemies of your clan. Our only wish is to recover a lost relic of our sect."

"Additionally, allow me to introduce Daoist No-Life of the Green Bull Palace. I am Jue Xing, a wandering cultivator. Years ago, my sect met with an unforeseen disaster, leaving very few of us behind."

Ancestor Jue Xing maintained a somber facade, discreetly revealing a blood-red Order Banner in his palm that bore the insignia of the Ghost God Sect.

Zhao Xingyu remained unmoved. She cast a chilling look at Ancestor Jue Xing and said flatly, "Out of respect for the Green Bull Palace, he may depart—but you shall stay!"

Her first remark was directed at No-Life, while her demand for surrender was aimed squarely at Ancestor Jue Xing.

"Heh, what arrogance! I have heard the Zhao Family fancies itself the premier clan of the Tianzhu Realm. Seeing you now, your conceit truly knows no bounds. Hmph, a pack of stray dogs dares to bark so loudly here!"

No-Life dismissed her warning entirely. He calculated that the Zhao Family currently only had this "young" Nascent Soul cultivator to defend them.

As for the famous "Heavenly Array Hermit," his failure to appear suggested he had likely passed away in solitary meditation.

It was an open secret that Zhao Menghan was nearing the end of his lifespan, a fact well-known to those who kept watch on the family.

The absence of the Heavenly Array Hermit only served to make No-Life more bold and reckless!

"Stray dogs?!" At that insult, Zhao Xingyu’s eyes flushed crimson with rage, a shadow of violent intent crossing her features.