much conflict. The key to success doesn't lie with me, but with your own degree of control over the immortal energy within you.”Lu Xia Tian's tone was calm and breezy, which made Luo Shan Tian gnash h...Nor could one tell how long they had drifted in the void, perhaps countless eons or merely a handful of days. The chaotic surge of primal energy nearly robbed them of any sense of space, even time itself.

As the group arrived at their destination, they found themselves in a barren forest. The trees were withered and lifeless, their leaves long since decayed. Every step landed on brittle foliage that crumbled into dust with even a gentle breath, scattering to the wind.

Here, one can only feel the pervasive suffering of all beings, a decaying landscape stretching before the eyes, devoid of any vitality whatsoever.

Here, the power of the earthen laws is no longer chaotic, which gave the Seven Star Guards a slight respite. As for the eleven puppet warriors, their expressions looked as usual, but Lu Xiaoteng sensed that there was not no earthen law power here, it was just suppressed by some kind of eerie deathly energy. Within that eerie deathly energy, one could faintly sense a weak spark of life.

At this time, Lu Xia Tian could roughly guess why all the trees here had withered completely. It was because the power of the earth system laws here had been suppressed and could no longer nurture new life.

Even if Lu Xia Tian were walking here now, he couldn't help but feel a constant chill invading his body.

Other puppet soldiers, including Qi Xing Ye, also all sensed this abnormal aura.

"Hold it right there! Where are you taking this Huoyanche" The Seven Star Guards' overall strength was not much weaker than the eleven Puppet Warriors present. After stepping onto this desolate land, the Seven Star Guards intercepted the Puppet Warriors, questioning them in a tone of inquiry.

"Why are you bringing this Huoyan Puppet with you Is there some ulterior motive you aren't revealing!" One burly man, Huo Xingjun, cast his gaze back and forth between the puppet soldier and Lu Xiaottian.

"In this city of ruins, some places require the power of Birch Flame or the ability of the Lion Head Centipede creature to break the seals. And those with insufficient strength are simply not qualified. This Birch Flame is just right."

"What kind of restrictions need this Flame-Birch to open" The Seven Star Guards had also cultivated to this level, naturally wouldn't be accustomed to being led by the nose by the puppet soldiers in front of them. Otherwise, if they were tricked and killed in the end, it would not be surprising.

"The City of Dique is extremely mysterious. Who can say for sure what specific restrictions need to be opened We can only take one step at a time." One of the puppet soldiers smiled.

"Well then, you lot lead the way. As for this blazing bear, we'll take care of it. Otherwise, everyone stays here, and don't even think about going anywhere else." Ho Xingjun chuckled coldly. The Seven Star Guards fanned out in a protective circle, ready to fight at any moment.

“What does Fellow Daoist Huanyan think” The puppet soldier who seemed to be leading the others didn't look nervous at all, but instead looked at Lu Xia Tian and asked.

Lu Xiaoteng understood this. To outsiders, these puppet soldiers seemed to have ranks, but Lu Xiaoteng, who knew more about Emperor Qinling than the average person, realized that these puppet soldiers were not ranked. In reality, they were all controlled by Emperor Qinling's avatars.

At this time, the Great Emperor of Qinling kicked the ball to Lu Xiaoteng's side. It was clear that he felt that the seven Star Guards in front of him were no longer a threat, and it was up to him whether to kill them or let them go. However, the key still depended on Lu Xiaoteng's opinion. After all, even though they had some advantages against the Seven Star Guards, there was no absolute chance of winning. But if Lu Xiaoteng could hold back one or two Star Guards, the situation would be very different.

Prior to this, Lu Xia Tian had performed no worse than any of these people present under that violent and chaotic surge of law power. Even his ability to act was stronger by some margin.

“In this perilous situation, even Golden Immortal-level experts are greatly restricted. All of us can only have a chance of survival if we work together.” Lu Xiaoteng pondered for a moment. Although it seemed that the Qinling Emperor had spoken up to stop the Starlight Hall Master's attack before, at this time, Lu Xiaoteng was still unsure what the Qinling Emperor's plan was. Keeping the Seven Star Guards would ultimately serve as a way to somewhat restrain them, playing a role of mutual constraint.”

>

Judging from the current evidence, Xing Shudeng's lord should be visiting Quezhi City for the first time and doesn't know much about it. Lu Xiaoteng also needs to have some restraint over the puppet warriors, otherwise, who knows if the other party would use him and then discard him once the huge profit is secured.

“My friend is right, the only way we can safely leave this place is to work together.” The puppet warrior who seemed to be in charge nodded.

“Our master didn't say where he was going before he left, and it seems you guys know quite a bit. Let's each send half our people to scout ahead, and the rest of us will protect this Huanyan together.” Huo Xingjun saw the puppet soldier nod and did not lower his guard because of it.

The division of labor has been confirmed, and everyone is divided into two groups, advancing continuously. Lu Xia Tian was surrounded by six puppets and four star guards in the back, regardless of how both sides guarded, none of them intended to let Lu Xia Tian take advantage of the chaos to escape.

Though both sides were well-prepared, they couldn't defend against the growing aura of death that enveloped them. As time passed and they covered more ground, the oppressive aura grew stronger, corrupting everyone within its reach. This aura was impossible to fully resist, corrupting both body and spirit with incredible power.

Over time, even the puppet warriors present, those from the Qixingwei whose strength was slightly weaker, found themselves struggling under the strain. Their movements grew increasingly sluggish.

“I didn't expect the heavy silence of this place to be so profound. It seems I won't be able to leave here.” One puppet warrior wryly smiled, its sluggish movements coming to a halt. A glimmer flickered inside, and a wisp of its spirit flew out, drifting towards another puppet body. As for the original puppet's form, it remained frozen in place, unable to move.

“If you lot don't need these bodies anymore, I'll gather them up.” Lu Xia Tian said to the remaining puppets.

Here is the translation:

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

"So, fellow cultivator, you're still interested in the art of puppetry" In front of Qi Xingwei, the seemingly leading puppet soldier still addressed Lu Xia tian as an equal.

“Those who have dabbled in this art, mere puppets are beneath my notice. However, a celestial-grade puppet, even one infiltrated by sinister energy, holds considerable research value.” Lu Xia Tian said.

This will close the paragraph tag.

“If you, Daoist friend, fancy it, just take it.” The puppet soldier seemingly leading the others nodded and said, without objecting to Lu Xia Tian's proposal.

The content within the tags is simply:

Let me know if you have other text you'd like translated!

“Many thanks, fellow cultivator, for your generosity.” Lu Xiaoteng was delighted upon hearing this and immediately stored the puppet body within the Qingguo boundary. The aura of death had already invaded the puppet soldier’s body; it was extremely difficult to remove from the outside, but for Lu Xiaoteng, putting it inside the Qingguo boundary wasn't a particularly big problem.

>he left this secret Buddhist temple's special shuttle boat, the Shadow Monk would also be extremely dangerous.Boom boom boom! Dragon Yuan surged, with every palm strike from Lu Xia Tian, a dragon sha...