A sudden realization struck me: these recent chapters haven't been scandalous, but rather a bit pure, perhaps even virtuous. Is this why I’m not getting any 'monthly tickets'?

Do you really need me to turn completely unscrupulous before you’re satisfied? One hundred thousand a pop—come on with those monthly tickets!

... Enlightenment—Dùnwù—this term originated in Buddhism, a method of Zen practice meaning: through correct cultivation, one swiftly grasps the essence of the Dharma, perhaps even achieving instant Buddhahood.

But how much time does this enlightenment truly span? An instant!

However, beyond Buddhist doctrine, Dùnwù encompasses other breakthroughs, such as instantaneous leaps or breakthroughs in thought, especially in creative cognition where sudden enlightenment is truly terrifying. If this thought process is tied to power, then enlightenment can usher in a qualitative leap in strength.

If one was human before enlightenment, they might become a god afterward; if one was merely the earth, they might ascend to heaven! Lin Luo’s current situation is analogous to Dùnwù.

Or perhaps slightly different, because Dùnwù often implies a transition from nothingness to existence, whereas Lin Luo already possessed strength, only to have it rendered void by external interference. Yet, this very external force was suddenly punctured by an unexpected flash of inspiration, allowing the ceaseless flow of power to erupt from his body uncontrollably.

Mortal Tier Initial… Mortal Tier Mid-Stage… Mortal Tier High-Stage… Mortal Tier Peak… Spirit Tier Initial… Spirit Tier Mid-Stage… Spirit Tier High-Stage… Spirit Tier Peak… Earth Tier Initial… Earth Tier Mid-Stage… Earth Tier High-Stage… Earth Tier Peak! In a mere moment, Lin Luo transformed from a zero-combat-power scrub into an Earth Tier Peak powerhouse!

Although he hadn't fully recovered to his true zenith, the sheer magnitude of this recovered strength filled him with exhilarating surprise. Bang!

A sharp sound echoed as the door flew open. Qiqi stood there, gazing at Lin Luo with palpable relief, “You’re back?” Xiao Xiao hadn't noticed Lin Luo’s transformation and paid little mind to the change, but the sound of the opening door compelled her to lift her head.

Then she froze, for the Qiqi standing before her was no longer the palm-sized miniature, but a stunning young woman of normal human stature. She instantly felt it was marvelous, like the sense of a single day in the mountains translating to a thousand years in the outside world.

In just this short while, Little Martial Mother had grown up—what was she to do now? While in shock, Xiao Xiao’s mind wandered uncontrollably, though she herself couldn't grasp the nature of her own stray thoughts.

Qiqi shared an immensely tight bond with Lin Luo; although Qiqi’s strengthening didn't automatically mean Lin Luo would improve, if Lin Luo’s realm suddenly surged, Qiqi was inevitably affected. Thus, following Lin Luo’s enlightenment, Qiqi naturally leaped several levels in succession, instantly reaching Earth Tier Peak, even regaining her normal body shape.

This was precisely why she appeared so quickly. Earth Tier Peak strength was child’s play for Qiqi.

Let alone a simple recovery, even if someone went from being ordinary to Earth Tier Peak through Dùnwù, it wouldn't warrant a frown from her. After all, within the Time Travelers' Corps, Yiren, ranked fourth, had jumped directly from a delicate princess with no power to lift a chicken to a Half-Step Heaven Tier mighty being through sudden realization.

Her advancement speed was terrifyingly faster than anyone else’s, and yet, even she had to respectfully call Qiqi "Elder Sister." But this time, the matter concerned Lin Luo, and thus concerned her own well-being. As the saying goes, concern clouds judgment; even the perpetually composed Qiqi displayed a trace of agitation now.

Lin Luo offered no words, merely nodding with a smile. Yet, anyone could see that beneath that composed smile lay an undeniable surge of inner joy and satisfaction—perhaps even greater than the feeling of transitioning from virginity to manhood.

The recovery of strength was secondary. While he was happy, what truly delighted him was something else… Previously, he had harbored doubts about whether his path into the Way of the Puppet was correct, driven only by internal impulse.

But now, he understood: this path was right. Despite recovering partial strength, he still couldn't recall exactly what he had forgotten.

However, there was no need to worry excessively. He had mastered all the techniques of the Divine Artisan and reached the current pinnacle of the Puppeteer arts.

This brought his strength back to Earth Tier Peak. Since the path was correct, it meant that as long as he continued down it, a day would eventually come when he would be completely restored.

What's the use of rushing? With a good mindset, everything would fall into place.

A moment later, Lin Luo let go of his present joy and his expectation for the future, his expression becoming deeply respectful as he bowed formally to the room. Although the recipient of the bow could not see it, he felt this act was necessary.

Without the master of this dwelling, restoring his current strength might have taken until the Year of the Monkey. The master of this place had shown him immense favor; bowing to him was correct both by etiquette and reason.

“Let’s go,” Lin Luo then called out to Xiao Xiao, stepping out first. “Oh,” Xiao Xiao replied, closing the book she held and immediately following.

Her own aptitude was considerable, even brilliant in Lin Luo's eyes, but she was still vastly outmatched by him. Lin Luo had absorbed everything in the room, while Xiao Xiao had barely finished a tenth of it.

Of course, even that tenth had brought about a monumental shift in her capabilities compared to before their arrival. She desperately wished to learn the rest, but when Lin Luo declared they were leaving, she followed without a shred of hesitation.

“You’re leaving already?” Kongque and the other puppets wore expressions of reluctance, especially the youngest ones whose eyes faintly shimmered with unshed tears. During this period, although Lin Luo and Xiao Xiao were engrossed in studying puppet crafting and rarely left that room, the puppets would frequently visit.

After all, it was their Father’s alchemy workshop. Lin Luo was usually buried in study when they entered, only exchanging a few words during mealtimes.

Still, even just watching him in quiet concentration, diligently focused on his work, made them immensely happy, as his earnest demeanor reminded them of their own Father. They loved Lin Luo, and they loved Xiao Xiao.

Even Qiqi, whom they initially disliked, was now held in high affection. Naturally, those they loved, they wished to keep close for as long as possible.

“Yes, we are leaving,” Lin Luo replied truthfully, unsure of what else to say. Regardless, they were destined to depart eventually, a fact he believed the puppets understood.

“Will you come back in the future?” Kongque asked, her voice thick with emotion. “Yes, if the opportunity arises, we will return,” Lin Luo affirmed.

Though he made no explicit promise, that was genuinely what he felt, and he believed Kongque understood his sincerity. Having spent so much time together, Lin Luo was already aware of Kongque’s third unique ability.

There were no lengthy farewells at their departure. Soon, Lin Luo and his two companions were out of the castle.

Although the castle was extraordinarily concealed, surrounded by countless natural traps that would thwart even an equipped traveler forever, Lin Luo took precautions upon leaving. He wiped the castle from the horizon, erasing it from direct sight, and returned it to the Boundary Line, where it existed beyond perceptible vision… Invisible to ordinary folk, cultivators, and alchemists alike.

As long as the 'Enchantment' he set remained unbroken, no one else could ever see it. “Xiao Xiao, come here.” After completing this, Lin Luo looked toward the young girl who had grown slightly taller.

Xiao Xiao stepped forward in response. Without a word, Lin Luo struck her head with an open palm.

The girl seemed to freeze, standing motionless for a moment before finally snapping back to awareness, then cried out with delight, “Thank you, Master!” “Don’t celebrate too soon. How much you learn depends entirely on you,” Lin Luo stated calmly.

That single palm strike had transferred every piece of knowledge regarding puppet crafting he possessed directly into Xiao Xiao’s mind, essentially writing a complete book inside her head. In the future, merely by accessing the book in her mind, she could access those profound and mysterious techniques… Of course, knowing them didn’t guarantee mastery; true learning still rested on her own ability.

It was much like holding the Three Hundred Tang Poems in hand: one can read and comprehend them, yet still fail to write verses that echo through eternity. “Additionally, there are other things I need to teach you, but we’ll discuss those on the road.” The other element Lin Luo intended to impart to Xiao Xiao was, quite simply, power.

Although the Way of the Puppet allows for qualitative leaps in strength through methods akin to Dùnwù upon reaching mastery, this relies too heavily on fortuitous encounters. Xiao Xiao, despite her talent, might never get such a chance for sudden breakthrough.

Therefore, it was best and safest to directly introduce her to the mysterious power and teach her to control it. Whether as a Puppeteer or simply as a human being, one always required some means of self-preservation.

“Where are we going next?” Qiqi asked as the three began walking. Lin Luo furrowed his brow slightly, then responded, “We’ll find a town to rest properly.

Once Xiao Xiao has officially embarked on the mysterious path, we will head for the Blighted Lands.” The Blighted Lands, or, as they are sometimes called, the Zones of Forbidden Life. Legend claimed that countless Divine Artisans entered the Blighted Lands seeking necessities for crafting puppets with true life and souls, but none ever returned.

However, the legend was flawed, for one person had indeed returned from that place: the Divine Artisan who created Kongque and the others. Admittedly, though he returned safely, he failed to retrieve anything from the Blighted Lands.

Yet, even that feat alone ensured that after his death, the puppets he created possessed life and soul. Undoubtedly, something beyond imagination resided within those Blighted Lands.

In that room, Lin Luo had not only learned the skills of the Divine Artisan but also found the map leading to the Blighted Lands. Memorizing that map into his mind, this became his next objective.