... Just as the Soul Transformation Puppet prepared to pursue downward, the long-lurking Ghost Thorn suddenly appeared behind the puppet, driving its dagger fiercely toward the puppet's heart. However, the dagger had barely pierced three inches when the golden puppet spun around and blasted the Ghost Thorn away with a single punch. Simultaneously, Lei Dong, utilizing the massive cloud of dust and smoke, transformed into a thin, ethereal mist, pushing his Zhou Tian Li An Jue (Cycle Heaven Concealment Art) to its absolute limit, causing himself to vanish entirely in both form and aura.

When the Soul Transformation Puppet recovered from the Ghost Thorn's assault, it was stunned to find that the individual had completely disappeared, leaving no trace whatsoever. Turning back to the assailant whose aura had been as formidable as a Ghost King, it discovered that creature had also vanished. This outcome was entirely unexpected for "it"—a mere cultivator revealing the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm had managed to employ various tricks right before its eyes and still escape. Immediately, "it" let out a sharp screech, and powerful divine sense fluctuations spread out in all directions: "All disciples of the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect, heed my command..."

Following this, from the slightly collapsed Scripture Pavilion entrance, it snatched Elder Xiao out of the air. A quick scan of his person elicited a surprised murmur: "It's a Soul Locking Nail from the Nether Ghost Clan? The one who launched the sneak attack was indeed a Ghost King." Without another word, the ten-foot-tall puppet moved with surprising agility. With a swift hand seal, it pointed a finger toward Elder Xiao's brow, and a beam of golden light illuminated his Violet Mansion, sinking into it. That ominous and terrifying Soul Locking Nail rapidly dissolved into nothingness under the golden radiance.

Elder Xiao instantly regained his freedom, though his aged face was unnaturally pale. Filled with lingering fear and gratitude, he bowed deeply: "This Xiao thanks Elder Li for the rescue. As for my dereliction of duty, I humbly request Elder Li's punishment."

"Elder Xiao need not blame himself," the golden puppet articulated in a soft, human voice, offering comfort. "This villain possessed formidable strength and endless tricks; it was beyond Elder Xiao's capacity to handle. If blame is to be assigned, I, Li, must bear the primary responsibility for failing to prevent a Nascent Soul-level entity from escaping, even when confronting it within my own domain with a Soul Transformation body."

"What?" Elder Xiao, whose spirit felt slightly depleted due to the damage sustained by his Nascent Soul, was utterly shocked. "The villain was so cunning and powerful? Even with Elder Li personally intervening, he still slipped away?"

"Indeed. However, I have already issued orders to fully activate the Mountain Protecting Grand Array, temporarily forbidding anyone from entering or exiting. Once we conduct a thorough sweep, even a villain as sly as a fox will find it impossible to fly away." The golden puppet's voice seemed saturated with confidence.

"Elder Li, do you suspect someone among the guests?" Elder Xiao asked cautiously. "If we fully activate the Grand Array, might we offend too many people over this matter?"

"Hmph. Those present are all allied friends of our Ten Thousand Puppet Sect. If they are unwilling to assist even in this minor matter, what use are such partners? Once we ascertain the culprit is not the thief, we can offer appropriate compensation later." The golden puppet let out a cold snort, a flash of golden light igniting in its exceptionally lively eyes, amplifying its imposing presence. "No matter who it is, anyone who dares trespass into the Scripture Pavilion of the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect and damage priceless texts will pay an immense price to me."

The moment the Soul Transformation level might erupted, Elder Xiao, merely at the initial stage of Nascent Soul, immediately felt the pressure and was deeply impressed by Elder Li's formidable power—the ability to detach his own Nascent Soul and merge it into the Soul Transformation Puppet's body was truly an unprecedented feat.

Meanwhile, on Lei Dong's end, because his life was on the line, he had compressed his aura to the utmost, transforming into a faint black mist. Taking advantage of the dark night and familiar terrain, he swiftly retreated to his own courtyard. Upon reverting to his true form, his face was deathly pale, completely devoid of color, for the 'Emperor Demon Seed' that appeared on his forehead when he finally activated the Jun Lin Tian Xia (Ruler Over the World) realm was now dim and lusterless. A Soul Transformation existence was no mere joke; the disparity in strength compared to the Nascent Soul stage was heaven and earth. Especially since Lei Dong had been ambushed by a Soul Transformation entity from behind; surviving at all was cause for immense pride.

Yet, he had endured two heavy blows, particularly the final, ruthless strike. Despite his utmost defensive efforts, his physical body was nearly annihilated, and his Nascent Soul was on the verge of collapse. The only consolation was that his life was temporarily spared. As for the Ghost Thorn, which had bought him time to retreat, while also suffering some considerable trauma, it was otherwise unharmed.

The immediate priority was to treat his injuries as quickly as possible, at least enough to ensure his external appearance didn't betray the fierce battle he had just fought. Otherwise, he would inevitably draw attention during the forthcoming investigation, and being singled out could lead to the discovery of his slightest clue. Once the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect harbored even a sliver of suspicion toward him, they possessed myriad ways to expose his true nature.

Suddenly, Lei Dong’s brow twitched, and he instinctively hissed softly, "Who is it?" A killing intent flashed in his mind, and he immediately unleashed a Nether Ghost Claw that tore through the air, ensnaring a faint silhouette. Just as he was about to crush the intruder lurking nearby, the person let out a soft whimper.

The sound was intensely familiar, and Lei Dong realized it immediately. He shifted his grasp from crushing to holding, dragging her back with the Ghost Claw, and demanded angrily, his eyes sharp: "Li Chuchu, why are you here?"

Li Chuchu was also momentarily stunned. She had ostensibly planned to leave, but worry for "Gongsun Dong's" inner demons had brought her back. She feared that her earlier provocations might have caused him to fall into a demonic state while meditating late at night, leading to zou huo ru mo (Qi deviation). Thus, with good intentions, she circled back to retrieve the Heart-Calming Jade Pendant her ancestor had given her, intending to deliver it to him.

Who knew that upon her return, after knocking several times, she found he had vanished. At the time, she assumed he had gone out for a stroll due to emotional distress and decided to wait in the courtyard to give him the pendant as a surprise. Fearing gossip if others saw her, she employed the ancestral Breath Concealment Technique and hid within the courtyard grounds.

While the Li family's Breath Concealment Technique was far inferior to Lei Dong’s Zhou Tian Li An Jue in all aspects, it was still considered a high-grade art. Consequently, Lei Dong, shaken and gravely injured, returned in a disheveled state and failed to detect her instantly. Had she not suddenly quickened her breath and heartbeat, revealing her presence, Lei Dong might not have discovered her for some time.

Lei Dong's sharp rebuke snapped the stunned Li Chuchu back to reality. She was nearly suffocated by the grip of the Nether Ghost Claw. A slight struggle yielded no movement. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, and she stared at Lei Dong with disbelief: "Gongsun Dong, I, I truly cannot believe you, you actually..."

Lei Dong’s current appearance was utterly unfavorable: his face was ashen, his eyes fierce and savage, an eerie eye glowed on his brow, his whole body was wreathed in the residual, faint black ghost mist, and the technique he used was a demonic claw. He looked exactly like a sinister figure from the Demonic Path. Although the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect often maintained neutrality, it generally leaned toward the righteous path.

Lei Dong’s eyes flickered uncertainly; he considered silencing her permanently but hesitated. However, he remembered the life-saving Divine Water he needed to acquire for the one whose life or death remained unknown, and his beloved wife was anxiously awaiting his safe return. With a hardening of his heart, just as he prepared to crush her until her soul scattered,

His divine sense swept over the jade pendant tightly clutched in her hand. The faint golden, tranquil aura emanating from it suggested some kind of treasure capable of soothing the spirit and steadying the mind. Immediately, Lei Dong linked this to the earlier mention of inner demons. He slowly withdrew the killing intent in his heart, released the Nether Ghost Claw, and set her down, though he spoke coldly, "Li Chuchu, if you dare make the slightest move, I will kill you as easily as crushing an insect."

"Who exactly are you?" Li Chuchu, after all, was a groomed successor of a major aristocratic clan. Once she steadied herself, although her face remained pale, she regained her composure and questioned Lei Dong sharply, "Having gone to such lengths to infiltrate the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect, what is your scheme?"

"Hmph," Lei Dong gave her a chilling glance. "The more you know, the faster you die. Given our past acquaintance, swallow this Soul Devouring Pill, and we shall pretend nothing happened today. Once I leave the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect, I will naturally give you the antidote." As Lei Dong spoke, he flicked a pill toward her.

Li Chuchu caught it and merely sniffed it, then burst into a laugh. "Gongsun Dong, do you truly take me for some ignorant young lady? Judging by its shape and scent, though its properties are quite potent and will cause considerable pain upon consumption, it is clearly a top-tier pill for aiding breakthroughs. Soul Devouring Pill—you really managed to invent such a name." After this incident, her vigilance toward Lei Dong significantly lessened. At least she now knew he didn't intend to take her life and wasn't some utterly wicked fiend. This somewhat disheveled figure gradually merged in her mind with the formerly humble and gentle Gongsun Dong. However, the current him possessed a trace of exotic charm that the previous one lacked.

Yet, it was precisely this trace of exotic charm that Li Chuchu found herself unable to resist, her heart fluttering suddenly.

At that very moment, Lei Dong could no longer suppress the surging tide of his internal blood and energy. A fresh mouthful of blood erupted from his lips. This was no exaggeration; the puppet's heavy blows were incredibly fierce. Had Lei Dong not possessed numerous potent techniques, he would have been beaten to death. After desperately escaping back here, he had failed to enter meditation for immediate healing, enduring the pain instead.

"Gongsun Dong!" Li Chuchu rushed forward, attempting to steady him.

"Li Chuchu, leave quickly, or don't make me regret killing you!" Lei Dong shouted furiously, flicking his sleeve and throwing her back over ten feet. Honestly, Lei Dong remained deeply conflicted even now; he genuinely feared that if she remained nearby, he might succumb to the urge to eliminate her as a witness.

"Alas, if you must kill, then kill me," Li Chuchu sighed lightly, yet she still flew forward, steadying Lei Dong.

...