Chapter 901 - 688: New-Type Puppet
"Brother Shen..."
Yang Yunqiao suddenly called out softly, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.
She lifted her head, her cheeks already tinged with a faint blush, like the newly bloomed peach blossoms on branches in April.
"Tomorrow is my birthday. There’s a small banquet at home, I wonder if Brother Shen would honor us with your presence?"
Her bright eyes looked over, filled with cautious anticipation, as if sprinkled with starlight, yet carrying a unique bashfulness of a young girl.
Shen Xuan paused slightly.
The light in those eyes dimmed instantly due to his momentary hesitation, a trace of disappointment quietly crossed through.
He remembered how, over the past four years, the young girl before him always stayed quietly, managing affairs neatly without any errors.
That respect and sincerity were not pretentious.
Enough.
For the sake of indulging a young girl’s heart.
"Alright. I will come."
Shen Xuan finally spoke, his tone gentle.
As he finished speaking.
The dimness in Yang Yunqiao’s eyes immediately vanished, lighting up brightly.
She broke into a smile, like spring ice suddenly shattering, sunlight pouring into her eyes, breathtakingly beautiful.
"Wonderful!"
Her voice carried a sense of excitement.
"Tomorrow at noon, in the guest hall of the residence. I’ll have Yun Su guide Brother Shen!"
"Hmm."
Shen Xuan gently responded with a sound, saying no more, turning to step into the Cave Mansion.
Behind him, the array’s flow of light gently rippled, silently closing, separating the inside from the outside into two worlds.
Outside the light curtain, Yang Yunqiao stood dazed for a moment.
She then raised her hands to cover her burning cheeks, feeling the surprising heat of the skin touched by her fingertips.
She lightly stomped her foot, muttering something shyly and happily before turning around, leaving with light footsteps.
The hem of her skirt lifted lightly in the wind, revealing undisguised joy.
...
The next day, Yang Yunqiao’s birthday.
Within the Yang Family residence in Siming Mountain, decorations were everywhere, laughter and chatter filled the air.
Many direct relatives arrived, in the garden, over thirty tables were set for a flowing feast, the aroma of spirit fruit and delicious dishes was pervasive.
Patriarch Yang Shengguang, with his eldest son Yang Yunzhou and youngest son Yang Yun Su, was busy welcoming guests, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
Although Yang Yunqiao was the patriarch’s daughter, her cultivation was still in the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, hence this birthday was not grandiose, just a warm family gathering.
The truly refined banquet was set in the guest hall within the inner courtyard.
Two tables were separately arranged inside the hall.
The main table seated the Yang Family clan elders, whose cultivation mostly ranged from the middle to late stages of Foundation Establishment, forming the true foundation of the family.
At the other table sat Yang Yunqiao’s close friends, several of her cousins, and a few friendly young girls from neighboring cultivation clans.
During the meal, the conversation naturally turned to the well-regarded puppet dogs.
An elderly clan elder with gray hair and beard put down his wine cup, smilingly said, "Yunzhou, that Fellow Daoist Shen is indeed a rare talent. You are familiar with him, why not discuss with him to see if he could refine some more puppet dogs?"
"Exactly."
Another clan elder with a stern face nodded in agreement.
"The grandson of my branch, just yesterday entered the mountains to hunt beasts, all thanks to that puppet dog’s vigilance, it restrained several fierce beasts, allowing him to return unharmed. This item is truly useful to the family’s young members."
Yang Yunzhou, hearing this, promptly stood up and respectfully replied, "Rest assured, Uncle Grandfather. Yunzhou will definitely discuss well with Brother Shen, endeavoring to ask him to put in more effort."
His mind was clear as a mirror.
Brother Shen’s puppet dogs are distinct from others.
They can continuously activate Tier Two Spirit Talismans, with attack power equivalent to thirty percent of an Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
For the Qi Cultivation clan members who often walk on the edge of danger, it’s akin to a formidable weapon.
Not just them, even he himself wanted to prepare a few more for self-defense.
Moreover, the three new puppet dogs brought by his younger brother yesterday, once the "little cannon" on their backs was activated, the power was vaguely close to a full-force strike of an Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This information he kept secret.
Otherwise, these clan elders at the table might pull faces and scramble for them right away.
"Oh?"
A round-faced girl at the table suddenly spoke, leaning closer to Yang Yunqiao, whispering, "Why hasn’t Yun Su returned yet? Wasn’t he going to invite that Brother Shen?"
Though the noon banquet hadn’t officially started, guests typically arrive a bit earlier.
The spot reserved for Shen Xuan by the Yang Family was at the clan elder table, showing their high regard.
Yang Yunqiao sat upright, but her gaze occasionally drifted toward the hall door.
Upon hearing her friend’s inquiry, she pursed her lips, her eyes unusually resolute.
"He will come."
Her voice was low but resolute.
"Since he promised, he will definitely come."
...
Inside the Cave Mansion, Shen Xuan was reading the Intelligence Jade Scroll in his hand.
"In the Cultivation Realm of Qin Country, the five sects reign supreme. The righteous sects are Spirit Control Sect, Myriad Phenomena Daoist Palace, Hidden Sword Pavilion. The Demon Dao consists of Forgetful Sect and Infinite Sect."
"Regardless of righteousness or demon, they each act independently, without alliances, occupying the five best spiritual lands in Qin Country."
"The Bright Flame Sect, which the Yang Family serves, is affiliated with the Spirit Control Sect, guarding the Southern Wilderness frontlines year-round. Every few years, they recruit cultivators to advance into the deep south, gradually encroaching on the Demon Beast territory."
For four years, Yang Yunzhou has been continuously sending intelligence from various places.
While Shen Xuan focused on cultivation, he also often concealed his breath and used invisibility, quietly infiltrating the heart of Qin Country to observe the local customs, familiarizing himself with everything there.
These outings the Yang Family naturally remained unaware of.
Yang Yunzhou’s actions were highly reputable.
With the Yang Family supported by Bright Flame Sect and having wide channels, they spared no effort in gathering any intelligence Shen Xuan needed.
This intelligence was not commonplace.
But with the Yang Family’s strength and status, ultimately they couldn’t touch the core secrets of the five sects.
"Almost there."
Shen Xuan set down the Jade Scroll, thinking to himself.
Four years in hiding, he’s now well-versed in the speech, manners, and clothing habits of Qin Country’s cultivators, capable of disguising seamlessly.