Regarding Master Mu Yu's enthusiasm, Li Jizhou accepted it calmly. As for the matter of the Red Flame Demon Race, Master Mu Yu didn't mention it at all, which was somewhat better than the cunning Wanshu Daoist Venerable.
However, Master Mu Yu, along with a group of Puppet Masters, didn't offer flattering words—there wasn't even a banquet set up.
Fortunately, the matters I entrusted to them before now have results.
"Young friend, barring any surprises, the frog is lurking near Guzhu City. Some of the disciples and grand-disciples mentioned chasing it there three months ago, but that little creature is extremely perceptive, with high mutated attributes, and they couldn't catch it."
Receiving this news, Li Jizhou's brows and eyes showed a smile; in his previous life, the stable development during his early years was very much due to Gua Gua, especially during his secluded cultivation at the Outer Peak of Golden Sun Sect, with Gua Gua and Bai Yi tirelessly refining pills day and night to support his practice.
"I wonder if upon meeting it in this life, it'd still recognize me? Last time, the Gua Gua shed its skin there and has astonishingly advanced to a Tier Four Demon King..." Li Jizhou's heart was filled with endless anticipation.
Having decided on matters here, he took advantage of the false death situation to seek Gua Gua and Bai Yi.
"As for the headquarters of Celestial Punishment, I have already located it; it is right here." With a casual wave of his hand, Master Mu Yu revealed a Water Pattern Map of Qianji City, indicating a specific location at the southern edge of Qianji City.
"Thank you, Master Mu Yu!" Li Jizhou nodded and then took out a bag of Spirit Stones.
"I was nearly assassinated by Celestial Punishment's assassin, almost died, so I want justice. I hope Master and all the seniors can assist, of course, I understand the rules; this time I don't need anyone to make a move, just intimidation." Facing the blunt Puppet Masters, Li Jizhou spoke frankly.
Looking at the number of Spirit Stones Li Jizhou offered, Master Mu Yu frowned. Although the City Lord of Qianji City was his brother-in-law, he couldn't openly do things that tarnished the city's reputation.
Otherwise, other hidden forces in Qianji City might see it and feel uneasy, and leave, resulting in a loss of substantial Spirit Stone income for Qianji City.
"This matter is inappropriate; we can't act directly, but we can rent you puppets and, with these Spirit Stones… renting all our puppets to you for an hour!"
Li Jizhou smiled slightly, nodded contentedly; what he wanted was the puppets.
"Then I'll trouble everyone to control the puppets into my Storage Ring, awaiting my command at all times!"
Master Mu Yu didn't hesitate, immediately distributing the Spirit Stones to those present.
"Certainly!" Getting the Spirit Stones, everyone immediately did as Li Jizhou said.
Some gave seven or eight puppets, others three or five, but each took out their life-bound puppet anyway. As they were still controlling the puppets, they weren't afraid of them flying away.
Instantly, over a hundred puppets entered Li Jizhou's Storage Ring one after another.
Duke Zhen silently watched Li Jizhou interact with this notoriously difficult group of Puppet Masters, his eyes wide as copper bells.
Could Spirit Stones really buy these blunt ones?
It didn't seem so; as far as he knew, several had tried using Spirit Stones to buy these Puppet Masters, and none succeeded.
Li Jizhou noticed Duke Zhen's expression, inwardly laughing, guessing his thoughts.
In this resource-driven cultivation world, Spirit Stones, as a core resource, are certainly effective.
If sometimes ineffective, it can only prove that the Spirit Stones given were insufficient.
Although Li Jizhou only gave ten thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones this time, the puppet trade he initiated continuously generates massive Spirit Stone income.
Naturally, this could sway the Puppet Masters.
Bidding farewell to the Puppet Masters, Li Jizhou, Duke Zhen, and Hong Luan arrived at the location designated by Master Mu Yu.
This area was in the southern city of Qianji, mainly on the outskirts, sparsely populated, with numerous solitary courtyard buildings shrouded in various Arrays.
Standing outside a luxurious four-entrance courtyard, inside was enveloped by Arrays, making it impossible to judge whether the seen was illusionary or real, Li Jizhou narrowed his eyes as several pressures descended. Without Duke Zhen's protection, they couldn't even stand steadily.
"Knock on the door!" Li Jizhou gestured toward Hong Luan with his chin.
Given her Divine Soul perception, this Array was at least Middle Level Tier Five, completely beyond her ability to unravel; if she were alone, she definitely wouldn't dare provoke it.
But with Duke Zhen by her side, along with numerous High-Tier puppets in Li Jizhou's Storage Ring, she felt no worry, advancing to knock on the door knocker.
"Who goes there? Why have you come?" Following the door knocker's sound, a dignified voice resonated.
Hong Luan turned her gaze to Li Jizhou.
Li Jizhou spoke casually, "The master of Celestial Punishment is here, won't you come to meet the driver?"
His voice was light, without emotional fluctuation.
However, this voice resembled a thunderclap.
"Bold!" Instantly, multiple angry shouts emanated from within the courtyard.
Soon, the courtyard gate swung open, Array activated, releasing several forceful pressures.
Duke Zhen slightly frowned, about to reveal his power to intimidate, when suddenly he saw Li Jizhou's right hand slowly raised.
The Celestial Punishment Order in his hand glowed brilliantly.
The several pressures rushing out from the courtyard instantly froze upon seeing the Celestial Punishment Order.
"The Celestial Punishment Order?"
"Who exactly are you?"
"Where did you obtain this item?"
Almost immediately, several people spoke up in questioning.
Li Jizhou no longer spoke, calmly stepping into the courtyard.
As the trio entered, the door swiftly closed, accompanied by the Array's closure.
It was then Li Jizhou saw the courtyard's true appearance.
A nine-story tower stood impressively in the central courtyard of the four-entrance complex.
Meanwhile, nineteen individuals appeared before him.
The expressions of disbelief lingered on their faces. A majority of them fixated intensely on the Celestial Punishment Order in Li Jizhou's hand, while others kept carefully appraising him.
"Indeed, only a small Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
"Tier Four later stage half-demon; that person alone remains inscrutable, likely at least the Late Stage of Divinity Transformation."
"Hmm, even if he's a Refining Void Divine Monarch, coming here alone while trapped in our complex Array, he's doomed!"
They communicated through Divine Sense, exchanging information.
At last, they agreed: unquestionably a Foundation Establishment novice!
"A mere Foundation Establishment novice dares hold our master's Celestial Punishment Order, unaware of his impending doom?" The leader stepped forward, eyes fierce.
"The bearer of this item, they are the master of Celestial Punishment, an edict of the Blood Evil Celestial Venerable, how can you not recognize?" Li Jizhou responded calmly.
"Hmm? You even know such secrets about Celestial Punishment? Who exactly are you?" The crowd's expressions changed again.
"From today, I am the master of Celestial Punishment!" Li Jizhou surveyed everyone present, his demeanor effortless.
"Hahaha... A Foundation Establishment novice actually wants to be our master?"
"Regardless of how you've uncovered secrets of Celestial Punishment, or how you've obtained the Celestial Punishment Order, today, you're destined to die!" Unable to contain themselves, the crowd burst into laughter.
Li Jizhou slightly raised his brow, "You all refuse to obey the Celestial Venerable's edict?"
"Hmph, the Celestial Venerable's edict we do revere, yet the one bearing the Celestial Punishment Order requires one more condition to be master." With that, the speaker turned to the nine-story tower behind them.
"That is, they must ascend the tower from the first floor to the ninth!"
"Do you know what lies on each floor of our Celestial Punishment Tower?"
Just as that speaker, with a sinister smile, prepared to reveal something to make Li Jizhou feel trepidation,
Li Jizhou shook his head with a smile, "I don't need to know!"
"Because I don't need to abide by the Celestial Venerable's edict!"
With Li Jizhou's words, the entire scene erupted in anger.
However, before they could react, receiving Li Jizhou's signal, Duke Zhen suddenly discarded all disguises, unleashing the majestic aura of the Refining Void Divine Monarch.
Following immediately, High-Tier puppets poured out from Li Jizhou's Storage Ring...