Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 22: Chapter 21: Qi Refinement Layer 2!

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit withdrew its gaze and focused on the Zheng Family.

Two elders of the Zheng Family were persuading Zheng Jian.

Zheng Jian was a young cultivator with a gem shaped like a pupil in the center of his forehead headband.

At that moment, Zheng Jian shook his head resolutely, “No, I have decided to cultivate the **Five Elements Qi Regulation Art**! No one can stop me.”

An elder sighed, “Zheng Jian, you are the most outstanding of our generation in the Zheng Family. You possess the innate talent of **Piercing Heart Insight**, which perfectly complements our family’s cultivation techniques. Switching to another technique would truly waste such exceptional talent.”

Zheng Jian shook his head, “It is precisely the **Piercing Heart Insight** that tells me I must cultivate this technique as soon as possible; it will greatly benefit my path!”

The elder shook his head, “The family records also contain ancestors with **Piercing Heart Insight**. While this talent indeed gives cultivators astonishing intuition, it doesn’t mean it is always correct. There are many recorded instances of intuitive mistakes. Zheng Jian, you must not overly rely on this talent.”

Zheng Jian shook his head, “I have never encountered a situation where my intuition was wrong. This time, I still choose to trust my intuition. Elders, thank you for your concern, but there is no need to persuade me further.”

The elder sighed and took a step back, “In that case, Zheng Jian, let someone from the branch family cultivate this technique first, and see how it goes.”

Zheng Jian laughed loudly, “There is no need to bring that up! What is the main line and what is the branch line? Are you suggesting the branch line should take the risk instead? That would make me too cowardly and weak as the main line.”

“Precisely because I am a member of the main line of the Zheng Family, I should lead by example and move forward bravely. Otherwise, what right does the main line have to govern the family?”

“Elders, my decision is made.”

The two elders sighed deeply, feeling both worried and gratified.

One of them said, “Very well. This **Jade Slip** is for you.”

“It was personally bestowed by Lord Zheng Shuanggou upon learning of your situation.”

“Inside the **Jade Slip** is an artifact refining technique called the **Life-Ending Flying Hook**.”

Zheng Jian was puzzled, “I’m about to dissipate my mana, I need to race against time. How can I refine artifacts at this critical juncture?”

The elder smiled, “No rush, take a good look at it first.”

Zheng Jian then placed the **Jade Slip** on his forehead and activated his **Divine Sense** to explore it.

Soon, he was filled with joy.

“Amazing.”

“This artifact refining secret technique is powerful but has disadvantages. First, it must be paired with our family’s cultivation techniques. Second, each hook refined permanently reduces a layer of the cultivator’s mana. Refining too many will continuously lower the cultivator’s maximum mana, which can never be recovered.”

“But for me right now, it’s perfect.”

“Since my mana is to be dissipated anyway, I might as well make use of it and refine it into the **Life-Ending Flying Hook**. This will not only accelerate the dissipation process but also create a powerful protective artifact.”

“Thank you, Ancestor Zheng Shuanggou, and thank you, elders!”

One elder stroked his beard, while the other smiled.

“This is what you deserve.”

“You are truly a worthy descendant of the Zheng Family. We hope you succeed in everything this time!”

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit watched Zheng Jian for a moment before shifting its gaze towards the Ning Family.

The Ning Family Clan Leader and several elders were secretly discussing and finalizing the candidates.

The newly drafted list was circulating among them.

The Academy Elder frowned, “This list is inappropriate.”

“The **Five Elements Qi Regulation Art**, although derived from the **Dharma Transmission Bell** of the **Immortal Palace**, currently has only three layers. Transitioning to this technique has unpredictable prospects and is unlikely to be voluntary.”

“Now, if we forcibly assign personnel, it will undoubtedly cause grievances.”

“This list is heavily skewed towards the branch line, with very few from the main line. If made public, it will not be acceptable.”