A number of cultivators had gathered around, mostly those wielding spears or skilled in spear techniques. They stared intently at the stone hall, but no one dared to make a move. Clearly, although this spear-wielding puppet was not as powerful as the Tribulation Transcending puppet outside the hall, it was far more difficult to deal with—in the art of spear techniques, even the slightest mistake could lead to disastrous consequences, and a single careless move could result in injury from the spear's force.
Among the crowd, several gazes quietly fell upon Xiao Chen, filled with scrutiny and apprehension. Some recognized him—a rising prodigy from the Southern Region, renowned for his spear skills, who had once defeated an elder of the Xuan Tian Sect with a single spear thrust. However, Xiao Chen was a low-key individual, and few dared to point it out in public, exchanging glances only in private.
Just then, a series of clanging sounds came, accompanied by slightly flamboyant footsteps, and a figure walked out from the end of the fork in the road.
The newcomer was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with gold thread and adorned with pearls at the hem. He walked with a swaying gait, and on each of his ten fingers was a ring—the rings were made of different materials, including jade, black iron, and animal bone, but without exception, they were all inlaid with colorful diamonds the size of pigeon eggs. Sunlight refracted through the diamonds, creating a seven-colored halo, illuminating the path he walked, making him a veritable walking treasure trove.
"Wow, who is this? Wearing their entire fortune on their clothes?"
"Judging by their demeanor... could they be from Jubaoyuan?"
"Ten diamond rings! My God, the 'blood diamond' on that crimson gold ring is said to be worth half a small town in the Southern Region!"
The crowd instantly stirred, all eyes drawn to the young man—not because of his cultivation level (mid-stage Mahayana), but because of the overwhelming "wealth" emanating from him, so extravagant it was blinding.
Hearing the discussion, the young man stopped, slightly raised his chin, revealing a face that was somewhat childish yet full of arrogance, and said in a somewhat boastful tone: "That's right, it is your young master Qian, Qian Duoduo!"
"As expected, he's the young master of Jubaoyuan!" someone exclaimed.
Jubaoyuan, the most prestigious merchant guild on this continent, monopolizes over 70% of the trade in spiritual materials and magical artifacts. It is incredibly wealthy, and it is rumored that even powerful cultivators at the Dao Inquiry Realm have to show them some respect—after all, what cultivation doesn't cost money? And Jubaoyuan has no shortage of money.
Qian Duoduo glanced smugly at everyone's reactions, walked to the front of the stone hall, glanced at the puppet holding the gun, and curled her lip: "That's it?"
He didn't take the puppet at the peak of the Mahayana stage seriously at all. He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a chain.
The chain was jet black, covered with the character "困" (trapped) and inlaid with tiny star stones at its links. As soon as it appeared, it exuded a powerful pressure that suppressed the soul—it was the "Heaven-Binding Lock"!
"Hiss—Heavenly Binding Lock!"
"I heard that only a powerful cultivator at the Dao Inquiry Realm can refine this thing. It's specially designed to imprison cultivators at the Mahayana and Tribulation Transcending Realms. Once it's locked, unless one's cultivation level far exceeds the level of the chains, they simply can't break free!"
"Jubaoyuan is really rich! They just throw away such a treasure like that?"
The surrounding cultivators gasped, their gazes shifting from surprise to astonishment as they looked at Qian Duoduo—this wasn't dealing with puppets, it was flaunting wealth!
Qian Duoduo was satisfied with everyone's reaction. With a flick of his finger, the Binding Sky Lock unfolded with a "whoosh," wrapping around the puppet as if it had come to life. Although the spear-wielding puppet possessed intelligence, it did not understand the principle that "wealth can move the gods." It thrust its spear forward with fierce momentum, but the Binding Sky Lock nimbly dodged it, instantly binding its limbs and the spear shaft.
"Buzz!"
The runes on the Heaven-Binding Lock lit up, and black light surged into the puppet's body. The puppet's movements instantly slowed down, its spear momentum collapsed, and finally, with a "clang," it was tightly bound and fixed in place, the red light in its eyes gradually dimming.
The whole process took no more than three breaths.
Qian Duoduo clapped his hands, as if he were just dusting off some dirt: "Done."
He turned to the stunned crowd, grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth: "Don't just stand there, come in and take a look."
Someone hesitated and said, "Young Master Qian, this is the inheritance of the way of the gun, you..." The implication was that you are a young master of a chamber of commerce who does not practice the way of the gun, so what are you doing here?
Qian Duoduo raised an eyebrow and said confidently, "I can come whenever I want. Who cares what kind of path it is, as long as there are treasures inside, right?" He shook the diamond ring on his finger. "Go in and rely on your own abilities. Whoever gets it gets it. I won't steal your gun-wielding inheritance. I'll just see if there's anything valuable inside."
He was frank and generous enough—he broke the puppet with the Heaven-Binding Lock, but instead of keeping it for himself, he invited everyone to join him. This not only did him a favor, but also allowed him to use everyone's strength to explore the way. His plan was quite clever.
The cultivators in the crowd exchanged glances, all tempted. With Qian Duoduo, this "mobile treasure trove," around, they might be able to snag some bargains he wouldn't normally consider. Even if they didn't get the inheritance, it would be good to become acquainted with him.
"Thank you very much, Young Master Qian!"
"We would be impolite to refuse!"
Everyone thanked him and crowded around Qian Duoduo as they walked towards the stone hall.
Qian Duoduo, on the other hand, was cautious. After all, there was bound to be danger in a place like this. So, no one noticed that Qian Duoduo's pace slowed down, as if he was surveying the surroundings. In reality, he was slowly urging everyone to go ahead.
Xiao Chen looked at the gun-wielding puppet that was tightly bound, then at Qian Duoduo's arrogant back, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
This Qian Duoduo is quite a remarkable person.
He didn't rush to follow, but instead walked to the bound puppet and carefully observed the puppet's spear shaft and the spear thrust it had just made—although the puppet was bound, the principles of spear fighting were still there, and it was worth studying carefully.
The crowd gradually poured into the stone hall, leaving only Xiao Chen and the bound puppet in front of it.
The wind blew across the gunshot marks on the stone wall, making a "whooshing" sound, like the whispers of ancient gun spirits.
Xiao Chen reached out, his fingertips gently brushing against the tip of the puppet's spear, feeling the lingering sharpness, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes.
These gun emplacements might be more interesting than he thought.
He withdrew his hand, turned around, and walked towards the stone hall.
Xiao Chen did not stop walking, but he had become more vigilant.
If something goes wrong and Master has to come to the rescue again, what will become of my reputation as the eldest disciple? Seriously!
In this chaotic ruin, you might find yourself watching the spectacle unfold, not knowing when it will be your turn to take the stage.
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