Chapter 61: A Hard-Fought Battle

“Soul-less Puppets?!” Yue Qi glanced back at Bai Lian in confusion. He had certainly heard of puppets before, but what exactly were these soul-less puppets?

“Be careful, Brother Qi. These soul-less puppets are nothing like ordinary ones—most spells are useless against them! Just be vigilant!” Bai Lian, clearly familiar with their fearsome reputation, hastily warned him.

In the world of cultivation, soul-less puppets were not a secret, but they existed only within the demonic sects and were rarely seen among the orthodox. Though the demonic sects were now heavily suppressed, they had always endured, mostly hidden away from the Central Plains. Thus, the cultivation world had little interest in the arduous task of rooting out every last remnant.

Soul-less puppets were among the most wicked creations of these sinister sects. While ordinary puppets were crafted from resilient materials, these were instead made from living human beings. To create one, the cultists would subject their captives to frenzied torment. When the victims’ spirits were shattered but they still lived, they would be submerged in a special potion for seven days and nights, rendering their skin invulnerable to blades, arrows, fire, or water.

But the process did not end there. The half-dead puppet would then be fed a unique poison, finally killing it outright. The crucial final step was shrouded in mystery—even Bai Lian did not know it in detail—but it was said that the cultists would inscribe a special mark upon the corpse, the key to controlling the puppet.

Though the creation of these puppets was unspeakably gruesome, there was one undeniable advantage: anyone, whether ordinary person or cultivator, could control them. All it took was an item called a Spirit Seal. Place a spirit stone within the seal, and the puppet would obey.

How Wang Chao had come to possess such a wicked thing was a mystery. But after Bai Lian’s warning, Yue Qi realized this was no simple foe. With spells proving ineffective, he had little choice but to face it head-on.

With its clothing burned away, the puppet had lost its aura of mystery and now charged directly at Yue Qi. With the Windwalking Spell doubled under his feet, Yue Qi’s speed was impressive, but the puppet seemed tireless, pursuing him relentlessly at a constant pace!

“What a troublesome thing…” Yue Qi thought, retreating a few steps. Sword in hand, he formed a seal and unleashed both the Windwalking and Earth-moving Spells, aiming straight for the puppet’s eyes.

His intention was clear—blind the puppet first. After all, puppets lacked spiritual sense; if its eyes were ruined, surely it would be unable to locate him.

Yet his plan was foiled. The puppet, seeing the spells flying toward it, did something shockingly human—it closed its eyes!

The spells struck as if against steel, merely stirring up clouds of dust, but causing no real harm…

A sudden commotion sounded behind Yue Qi—several zombies appeared near Bai Lian. She could no longer look after Yue Qi; with a flash of her sword, she rushed to meet the threat.

“Damn!” Seeing Bai Lian entangled, Yue Qi’s temper flared. But then he noticed something unexpected—the puppet, perhaps blinded by the dust, stood dazed, no longer charging at him.

He glanced back. Bai Lian was already beset by five zombies. Though her skills had improved recently, she was clearly struggling. Yue Qi hesitated only a moment, gritted his teeth, and flicked several small fireballs at the zombies attacking Bai Lian.

The fireballs ignited the zombies instantly, burning them to ashes… Relieved to see Bai Lian unharmed, Yue Qi barely had time to breathe before the puppet regained its senses and charged at him once more.

There was no time to call Bai Lian back. Yue Qi faced the puppet alone. His sword met its palms with a crisp clang, and he felt a sharp pain at the base of his thumb.

“What monstrous strength…” Yue Qi winced, switching the sword to his left hand while his right trembled behind his back.

Direct confrontation was futile, and spells had no effect. Yue Qi felt utterly powerless, as if punching into cotton—his strength was wasted.

“What should I do…” Anxious, he realized that since leaving his sect, he’d never faced such peril. Zombies were easy enough; as long as his stamina held, they posed no real threat. But this time was different. He had exhausted all his techniques, yet the puppet remained unscathed.

“Brother Qi! Seize the Spirit Seal from Wang Chao!” Bai Lian’s shout jolted him. Of course! Why hadn’t he thought of it? Capture Wang Chao, and the puppet, no matter how ferocious, would fall under his control…

Sensing Yue Qi’s intent, the puppet’s attacks became even more frenzied. Wang Chao and his men retreated to a safer distance, beyond the reach of Yue Qi’s spells.

“Damn!” In a moment of distraction, the puppet seized its chance and landed a brutal kick to Yue Qi’s abdomen. A surge of force rose up, and he nearly spat blood, but forcibly swallowed it so as not to worry Bai Lian.

“Are you alright, Brother Qi?!” Bai Lian’s worried voice called out, but seeing Yue Qi ignore her, she bit her lip and stayed put, helpless.

“Hey, boss, did you see that woman over there?” one of Wang Chao’s lackeys leered at Bai Lian, his eyes full of lust.

“What’s the rush! Once we finish off that brat, the woman will be ours for the taking. Haven’t you ever seen the world?” Wang Chao had certainly noticed Bai Lian. He’d heard his brother had fallen out with Yue Qi over some woman and privately cursed him for his recklessness. But seeing the culprit now, Wang Chao felt that for a night with her, he’d trade the whole city of Qingzhou.

The lackey grumbled but kept his eyes fixed on Bai Lian, burning with desire.

“Ugh!” Yue Qi was struck again by the puppet, this time unable to withstand it—blood sprayed from his lips. The puppet’s combat prowess far surpassed his own; in life, it must have been a master martial artist. Yue Qi realized their abilities were in entirely different leagues. Only his agility and sharp senses had kept him alive so far, but even so, he was nearly at his limit.

“I can’t keep this up…” Yue Qi’s gaze locked on Wang Chao and his men behind the puppet, but the puppet was simply too powerful. Even if he dodged its attacks, he had no opening for another spell.

“There’s only one way left…” Gritting his teeth, he steeled himself and charged straight at the puppet.

Though it was unclear what Yue Qi intended, the puppet showed no reaction, merely raising its arms in defense, ready for his assault.

But Yue Qi had no intention of striking its vital points. Suddenly, several small thunderballs shot from his hand, and he rolled away to the side!

“What’s he doing?” Wang Chao wondered, just as the thunderballs exploded one after another against the puppet, forcing it back step by step. Though the blasts did no real harm, the puppet staggered, nearly losing its balance.

Suddenly, Yue Qi spun and darted straight toward Wang Chao. No matter how swift the puppet, it was now ten meters away—and Yue Qi was even faster!

“Scatter!” Wang Chao shouted. His men, well-trained, immediately fled in all directions.

“Think you can escape?!” Yue Qi’s lips curled in a cold smile. As he ran, he muttered an incantation, seemingly preparing a second-tier spell.

“Run!” Strangely, Wang Chao stood his ground, calmly watching Yue Qi approach, as if convinced his defenses would hold.

“Flame Dance!” Yue Qi roared. From his palms, several fire serpents shot toward Wang Chao and his men! Though smaller than an ordinary Flame Dance, the compressed fire snakes radiated tremendous power.

“So he managed it!” Bai Lian’s heart soared—this was the very technique she had taught Yue Qi, condensing spiritual energy with mental force. She hadn’t expected him to succeed with a second-tier spell today.

With a series of wet thuds, the fire serpents pierced through Wang Chao’s men, who, though scattered, were all struck down without exception.

“Bang!” But when the flames reached Wang Chao himself, there was a muffled explosion. He staggered back, blood trickling from his lips—a clear sign the impact had been severe.

“Is that all you’ve got?! You can’t kill me! Mark my words—by this time next year, you’ll be dead!” Wang Chao, wild-eyed and crazed, screamed as if possessed, heedless of his fallen men.

“You think it ends here?” Yue Qi’s soft laugh dripped with contempt as he stared coldly at Wang Chao…