I posted a special chapter yesterday, and in a full day, I only received two monthly tickets, even though we are nearing the end. That really stings. So, here is the third update for today, and I'm already trying to grind out the fourth chapter. Please give me some monthly tickets for encouragement.

Lin Luo had traveled this world for several months, making him quite experienced in many things. However, a profession like 'Puppeteer' was something entirely new to him. He had initially assumed that puppets capable of independent movement were extremely rare entities. Based on what the middle-aged man had just said, he instinctively felt that anyone who could create such puppets must surely be a figure of legend by now. But hearing the man's words now, Lin Luo paused, slightly stunned.

Were real Puppeteers still around? Not just puppeteers like the middle-aged man who could only relay messages, but those who could genuinely bring these miraculous figures to life!

“Of course, they are,” the middle-aged man replied to Lin Luo’s confused expression. “Not only do they exist, but there are quite a few. Just as you mentioned earlier about selling puppets to the wealthy for their collections—many tycoons in high society collect such dolls. Many Puppeteers sell the figures they create to these affluent individuals in exchange for a superior lifestyle, and the rich use these puppets for daily amusement… Moreover, many richer individuals even compare their puppets with others to maintain face, much like boasting over whose mistress is more beautiful.”

The middle-aged man’s tone held a faint trace of sorrow as he spoke this, but he quickly shifted the topic. “However, while Puppeteers exist, every one of them possesses a unique method for crafting their creations. To prevent these methods from circulating, the living environments of Puppeteers are exceptionally secluded. Even the wealthy patrons who interact with them have no idea where they reside; many Puppeteers don't even leave behind a discernible name. This indirectly contributes to their gradual scarcity and obscurity.”

“Take this Puppet City, for example. It was once famous for its Puppeteers, gathering many outstanding artisans. Yet now, it is nothing more than an empty shell… I have stayed here for several days, visiting various places, but…”

He didn't finish the sentence, but from his expression and tone, Lin Luo understood that his hopes had been dashed. If any Puppeteers still remained here, the man would surely have already begged them to extend the lifespan of his own puppets.

“Regarding Puppeteers… are there any who can create puppets with true life?” Lin Luo suddenly, almost compulsively, asked.

“True life?” The middle-aged man was momentarily taken aback.

“Yes, like us humans—not only able to speak and move freely, but also capable of laughing when happy and crying when sad; able to eat, drink, and requiring rest to restore strength; even possessing the human yearning for love and to be loved, having their own life and soul—such a puppet?”

Lin Luo didn't know why he asked this question, but he felt an overwhelming, urgent drive to know everything about it.

“This…” The middle-aged man seemed startled by the question. He remained silent for a long time before gathering his thoughts and shaking his head. “In all my years, this is the first time I’ve heard of a puppet like the one you describe. By your account, that is no longer a puppet but a genuine living being. Even the most powerful Puppeteer couldn’t possibly… Wait a moment!”

Suddenly, his expression shifted as if he remembered something crucial.

“What is it?” Lin Luo’s heart stirred instantly.

“Don’t rush me; let me think carefully.” The middle-aged man waved a hand, signaling Lin Luo to quiet down, then he pinched his chin in deep contemplation. The matter was too significant, and Lin Luo dared not disturb him, waiting patiently.

It wasn't until over ten minutes later that he slapped his hands together suddenly, speaking excitedly to Lin Luo. “Believe it or not, hearing you describe that made me recall something. When I was very young, my grandfather once told me. Although Puppeteers craft their figures for various purposes and employ diverse methods, the most fundamental requirement for creating an excellent puppet is love for the creation. This is because any emotion the puppet displays externally must be channeled from the creator. If the creator feels no affection for the puppet, no matter how brilliant their talent, it’s useless. Therefore, the grandest aspiration of every Puppeteer is to craft a puppet imbued with life and soul, just like a real person!”

“Then, has anyone ever succeeded?” Lin Luo asked impatiently.

The middle-aged man nodded firmly. “Yes! In legend, there were indeed Puppeteers who created living puppets. Such artisans were called Divine Craftsmen. However…” Here, his expression turned regretful again. “…it remains merely a legend; no one in reality has ever seen one, so it’s hard to say if it’s true or false. Furthermore, according to my grandfather, although the Divine Craftsmen created puppets with life, the lifespans of these puppets were exceedingly short—the longest perhaps lasting only a few human lifetimes. The reason was that they failed to manufacture the puppet’s soul.”

“Soul?”

“Yes. For any life form, the soul is the foundation. Something without a soul is merely an empty shell. This is especially true for puppets; the soul is supremely important to them. Only by imbuing a puppet with a true soul can it live normally like a human, perhaps even achieving a lifespan longer than a human’s. Legend says that the Divine Craftsmen, in their quest to create these perfect beings, journeyed deep into the Forbidden Zones of Life, seeking ideal materials. But none succeeded, and consequently, the art of the Divine Craftsmen gradually faded away. In the end, puppets possessing genuine life ceased to appear, leaving behind only this segment of folklore…”

After rushing through his explanation, the middle-aged man noticed that Lin Luo seemed completely absorbed, staring blankly. He patted Lin Luo’s shoulder, worried that the young man might try to emulate those legendary Divine Craftsmen by venturing into the Forbidden Zones of Life and losing his life needlessly. “Young friend, don't dwell on it too much. When I first heard this from my grandfather, I shared your yearning. But upon reflection, the chances that this legend has no basis in fact are greater. It’s best not to take it too seriously. Besides, even if it were true, the Divine Craftsmen are beings far beyond our reach.”

“That’s true,” Lin Luo murmured woodenly.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man finally felt a measure of relief and smiled. “But I truly must thank you. Speaking with you like this has made me realize that for a Puppeteer, the most important thing isn't alchemy, but love for the puppets. Therefore, I feel that even someone as utterly useless as myself might have a chance to extend the lives of these children.”

As he spoke, he lifted the chest on the ground, which was nearly as tall as a person, resting it directly on his shoulders. He called out loudly, “Farewell, young friend. From now on, I will dedicate the remainder of my life to these children… as a father!”

The words were barely out when he strode out the door, moving swiftly.

Watching his retreating figure, Lin Luo couldn't help but look upon him with respect. Although the puppets themselves weren't heavy, the chest was solid wood, and packed inside, besides the dolls, were other tools. It weighed at least four or five hundred pounds, yet the middle-aged man lifted it effortlessly and sprinted away with brisk steps. Putting aside everything else, that sheer strength alone was enough for him to secure a very promising, worry-free life in this world through honest labor. Yet, he abandoned such an existence, choosing instead to wander and make a living performing on the streets, all for the sake of extending the lives of his puppets.

And now, he was about to sacrifice his remaining years entirely for them.

Though he called himself useless, in Lin Luo’s eyes, he was undeniably a great father, at least to those puppets, for his love was magnificent and selfless.

“I hope you succeed; keep going,” Lin Luo said softly, then smiled slightly and turned to leave.

“Young friend!” Suddenly, the middle-aged man’s voice called out again. Lin Luo instinctively turned back to see the man had rushed back to him, balancing the massive wooden trunk with one hand while holding a book of unknown content in the other, which he thrust into Lin Luo’s hands. “This is my thanks to you; please accept it.”

“Eh?” Lin Luo paused slightly. “What is this?”

“It is the puppet-crafting manual passed down through my ancestors,” the middle-aged man stated calmly.

“What! This… I cannot accept it.” Lin Luo hastily tried to return it. As the saying goes, a gentleman acquires wealth through proper means. This ancestral manual was, in the context of the martial world, equivalent to a sect’s foundational scripture used to establish its lineage. How could he accept something so precious?

However, the middle-aged man shook his hand away magnanimously. “It’s nothing. I have long memorized everything within its pages. Although it is an heirloom, my line has long since withered; only I remain. Even keeping it would only serve as a mere memento, having no practical significance. It’s better given to someone who needs it. I believe even my grandfather, knowing what I’m doing, would not fault me.”

“But even so… it wouldn’t be much use to me,” Lin Luo said.

“No, I can see it. People like you, should you choose the path of a Puppeteer, are destined for great achievements, because you possess sufficient love for the puppets. Though this manual lacks extremely advanced knowledge, you have helped me immensely, and this is the only way I can thank you. I hope it will be useful to you… Now, this is truly farewell.”

With that, as if afraid Lin Luo would refuse, he turned and sprinted away again, vanishing in an instant.

Lin Luo shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. Yet, looking at the ancient manual in his hands, his heart felt a subtle stirring of interest.

Whether it was an illusion or not, he vaguely felt that the puppet with life and soul was the key to the thing he was searching for. Although he knew nothing about puppets, he currently lacked any other leads. Therefore, instead of searching blindly, perhaps starting from this avenue would be a worthwhile choice.

“A Puppeteer, huh… It seems I need to work hard myself now,” Lin Luo murmured to himself, already having made up his mind.