"How did the puppet get in here?" Li Yuebai asked.
"What's wrong, host?"
"Obviously, the other two are living animals, but the puppet is lifeless and cannot move." Li Yuebai shrugged in his heart: "If I want to transform into one of them... at least I have to choose one that can move, right?"
"That's wrong, host. Have you forgotten that this is a world of cultivation? In a world of cultivation, many mysterious changes can happen. Even puppets can move after being cast with a spell."
"How big is the puppet?"
“You can choose the size you want.”
"Then I'll choose a doll. As for the size... as long as a finger, it will be enough and easy to hide." Li Yuebai made a prompt decision without much hesitation.
Although rabbits are cute and adorable, and snakes are interesting, Li Yuebai does not want to be distracted by playing an animal, nor does he want to have to deal with natural enemies all the time. As expected, puppets are more in line with the style of the world of cultivation.
After a puff of white smoke and a slight sound, the transformation was complete.
The whole world suddenly became tall and empty - the table legs that seemed to have no end in sight like towering ancient trees, huge pieces of paper scattered on the ground, everything seemed fresh and strange.
The ground is made of polished jade and is very smooth, so smooth that you can see your own reflection in it.
Li Yuebai looked down and found that his appearance was not bad - a small doll made of white silk, with white clothes with dark patterns, a round face, two obsidian eyes, and a handful of silk thread for hair, which was very delicate.
He walked around the inner room and then slipped out through the crack in the door.
Even in the world of cultivating immortals, a little puppet walking around by itself would be very conspicuous, so Li Yuebai did not dare to be too ostentatious. He always paid attention to the movements around him and only walked around in and out of the Auspicious Hall.
After turning around, he found that this auspicious hall seemed to be missing a lot of things than before.
Originally, the place was luxuriously furnished, with famous swords hanging on the walls, famous herbs, fairy stones, and various treasures on the desk. However, now, everything has become empty and there is nothing left.
After a little thought, Li Yuebai understood that Yu Tianji was facing a financial crisis.
It is not easy to be the Immortal Lord. In order to resist the Demon Cult, one has to deploy troops, prepare talismans, and magical instruments... All of these are highly consumable items. Therefore, after such a defensive battle, Yu Tianji's small treasury was quickly used up.
However, in order to put on a grand enough display to welcome the various major immortal sects, it would not be possible without money and treasures. Therefore, Yu Tianji must have gone out this time to raise money.
After a while, the sounds of footsteps and voices came from a distance.
Li Yuebai hurriedly found a curtain and hid himself inside.
I saw Yu Tianji sitting crookedly on a flying sword, followed by several young monks who rushed into the door in a domineering manner.
"Master, the Ji family really doesn't take you seriously!" A young monk said angrily, "Their caves are filled with treasures, but they are unwilling to give even a little bit to Kunlun's future!"
"Yes, it seems that the Ji family does not regard you as the Immortal Lord at all. Maybe they are secretly trying to support Lord Tianliu!" These young monks have close relations with Yu Tianji, so they naturally speak directly.
"Hey? What nonsense are you talking about?" Yu Tianji took out a fan and pointed at the first cultivator who spoke: "No matter how many treasures the Ji family has, they all belong to them. If you just want to grab them casually, aren't you treating me as a robber?"
"But you are the Immortal Lord, and you should enjoy the offerings of the monks..." the young monk argued unconvinced.
"Okay, there's no need to argue anymore. The Ji family is a thousand-year-old immortal cultivation family, so naturally they have more face. You can't say bad things. If I find out, I will definitely teach you a lesson. Now is the time when Kunlun is in a state of chaos and waiting to be revived. It's not the time to be busy with internal strife." Yu Tianji narrowed his eyes and smiled, "You are tired too, go back and rest first, and we will discuss it another day."
The young monks murmured a few words of dissatisfaction and then retreated.
Li Yuebai quietly hid behind the curtain, keeping silent.
However, the curtain was soon drawn open and Yu Tianji's face, magnified several times, appeared in front of him.
“…”
"Hey, Lady Mu, so you were hiding here. It took me a long time to find you." Yu Tianji smiled and stretched out a hand, picked up Li Yuebai lightly, and held him in the palm of his hand.
"...The Immortal Lord clearly consulted the system before he knew that I was hiding here." Li Yuebai replied.
"So what? The system is so useful, it would be a waste not to ask." Yu Tianji immediately admitted shamelessly: "But I also saw that the curtain was different from when I left, as if someone had moved it, so I asked the system."
"The Immortal Master has sharp ears and sharp eyes. I am ashamed to be inferior to him."
"Speaking of which, how did Lady Mu become like this?" Yu Tianji moved his hands shamelessly, pinching her hair, poking her face, pulling her clothes, and having a lot of fun: "The warm and soft jade is really lovely. I understand why female cultivators like this kind of gadget. If possible, I really want to put Master Mu next to my pillow and sleep with her every night. Isn't it wonderful?"
"..." Li Yuebai let him pinch him expressionlessly, secretly laughing at how childish this kid was.
Yu Tianji couldn't have enough fun, and in the end he lifted Li Yuebai up and kissed him on the cheek.
"Master Immortal, isn't Kunlun financially in deficit? How come you don't look worried at all?" Li Yuebai pushed his face away expressionlessly.
"What is Xu Kong afraid of? Don't we have the Ji family?" Yu Tianji didn't care at all.
"In the original story, the Ji family is loyal to Yu Tianliu and will not give you any support. They even often try to take away your power and treasures through Ji Yao." Li Yuebai said, "Just now you must have brought people to meet with the Ji family. I guessed the result. They believe that you will soon be overthrown by Yu Tianliu when he returns. Therefore, they keep making excuses and talking about other things, but they are unwilling to give you the treasures."
"Yes, that's true." Yu Tianji pretended to be sad. "Then why don't you come and help me, Master Mu? How do you think we can solve this problem?"
"You, stop playing around." Li Yuebai smiled helplessly: "Don't you have a plan already? Are you going to implement it right away?"
"Master Mu has figured it out? What is my countermeasure?"
"Your weapon is Su Xu." Li Yuebai said, "When it comes to persuasion, maneuvering with long sleeves, using the power of others to bully others, and ruthless plundering... no one can beat Su Xu. As long as you give him some power, he can help you to clean up the Ji family and plunder the treasures from the Ji family's pockets."
"Hmm..." Yu Tianji suddenly put his index finger in front of his lips and whispered, "Someone is coming."
With this move, he looked just like a bad student in class.
Li Yuebai didn't have time to complain about him, and immediately stayed quietly in Yu Tianji's hand, not moving at all.
In the distance, footsteps and laughter could be heard, as well as the voice of the guards outside announcing: "Master, Master Su is here!"
Su Xu.
Li Yuebai didn't dare to take it lightly, and his body became a little stiff from the tension.
Yu Tianji smiled, turned his wrist, and put him into his sleeve.
Yu Tianji was still wearing his usual wide-sleeved robe, which was dark red with pockets inside. Li Yuebai was thrown into the pocket, and he felt a little suffocated and a little funny - Yu Tianji was such a daring kid. Of course, his sense of security was also multiplied - hiding in such a place, even if outsiders had sharp eyes, they would not be able to find him.
"My Lord." Su Xu bowed respectfully and walked into the hall. "I wonder why my Lord has summoned me?"
Yu Tianji asked him to sit down as if nothing had happened, ordered the waiter to bring tea, and asked him about daily affairs in a casual manner. After a while, he dismissed the attendants, closed the palace door, and faced Su Xu alone.
"My Lord, I would like to ask you a question. How is the health of the Master of Ceremonies? Is he getting better?" Su Xu asked respectfully with his eyes lowered.
The last time he came to the Auspicious Palace to pay homage to the Immortal Lord, he discussed Mu Qingning's health with the Immortal Lord and brought people to visit and treat him. So this time, he also wanted to ask about Mu Qingning's recent situation. There was no suspicion of exceeding his authority in asking such a question. On the contrary, it showed that he was thorough in doing things and was a good person.
In fact, Su Xu became suspicious as soon as he stepped into the Auspicious Hall.
There is a corridor behind the Jixiang Hall, leading to the inner room where Mu Qingning was recuperating. But now, the corridor is silent. There is no sign of the miracle doctor, no smell of medicine or cinnabar, and no sound. Could it be that Mu Qingning has been moved somewhere else?
Yu Tianji sighed deeply, his eyes slightly red, and he looked sad. He said, "I have sent someone to take him to Nuanxue Cave for resettlement."
The Nuanxue Cave is a cave deep in the Kunlun Immortal Mountain. It is filled with strange rocks and is surrounded by exotic fragrances, making it very suitable for cultivating true qi. It is the place where the immortal masters of all generations have practiced in seclusion. It is guarded by special people and ordinary cultivators are not allowed to approach. Even some high-level immortal masters are not allowed to enter. For thousands of years, when the immortal masters felt weak, they would go into the Nuanxue Cave to recuperate.
However, no matter how magical the cave is, it is just a cave. It cannot bring people back to life. It can only allow people to barely survive.
Only the Immortal Lord could enter the Warm Snow Cave. Now Yu Tianji actually sent Mu Qingning in for the first time. This was enough to show how much he valued Mu Qingning. At the same time, it also showed that Mu Qingning was not far from death.
Su Xu was secretly delighted, but his face was full of concern, and his voice was sincere: "You value me so much, which shows that the Immortal Lord loves and cherishes talents. It is really a great fortune for Kunlun."
No one knew that Yu Tianji, while pretending to be heartbroken, stretched out a finger under the table and poked the little puppet in his sleeve.
Li Yuebai was originally quiet, but was startled by his poke.
This naughty kid really loves to seek death and never stops for a moment.
…
Su Xu comforted the Immortal Lord for a long time before finally getting to the point.
"Master Su, this time, I have an important task to hand over to you." Yu Tianji said after taking a sip of tea.
"I am willing to sacrifice my life for the Immortal Lord and die with no regrets." Su Xu's voice was loud and clear.
"Why do you have to say such unlucky words? Is it that my way of cherishing talents is to let you die?" Yu Tianji shook his head and sighed: "Although this mission is difficult, it is not dangerous. It only requires the wisdom of Master Su."
"Then I will definitely try my best, but I don't know what the mission is?" Su Xu said.
"Master Su, let me ask you a question first. Tell me, after defeating the Demon Cult, where is Kunlun's biggest enemy?" Yu Tianji asked.
"Enemy...Kunlun has always been on good terms with other immortal sects. The biggest enemy is probably still the Demon Sect." Su Xu said cautiously.
"That's wrong." Yu Tianji opened a gold-sprinkled folding fan, fanned himself, and then covered his lips with the fan and whispered, "The biggest enemy is within Kunlun."
"..."Su Xu was speechless.
On the surface, he was shocked by the Immortal Lord's words, but in fact, he was filled with ecstasy deep in his heart.
Sure enough, after defeating the foreign enemies, the next step is to eliminate dissidents!
Su Xu was a typical person who was good at fighting outside but not inside. Fighting against the Demon Cult on the battlefield was definitely not his strong point, but he had been secretly studying the intrigues and mutual betrayals within Kunlun and had quite some experience.
Moreover, he himself had several mortal enemies in Kunlun Fairy Mountain, and he hoped every day that one day he would be in power and take the opportunity to eliminate those mortal enemies.
If Yu Tianji really wants to eliminate dissidents within Kunlun, then Su Xu can not only show his skills and play political games, but also take the opportunity to eliminate his enemies. It is simply the best thing.
"There are some immortal cultivation families who have never supported me to be the immortal master. Now that I have taken over, they are still confused and do not obey my orders." Yu Tianji sighed, "Master Su, have you seen this?"
"The Immortal Lord is referring to... the Ji family?" Su Xu lowered his head and thought for a moment, then slowly gave an answer.
The Ji family is very powerful and has been intermarrying with the Yu family, which controls Kunlun, for generations. Every wife of the immortal master is a daughter of the Ji family. Even Yu Tianliu's mother is a legitimate daughter of the Ji family.
Yu Tianji's mother was just an unknown female cultivator from another family.
Therefore, the Ji family naturally supported Yu Tianliu and hated Yu Tianji.
How could Su Xu not know all this?
“My Kunlun just repelled the Demon Cult, and we have a lot of work to do. We are also about to receive visiting immortal sects. Money and treasures are needed everywhere, but Pavilion Master Su has also seen the situation in my palace.” Yu Tianji smiled helplessly and pointed to the empty Auspicious Palace.
"The Ji family actually dared to be disrespectful to the Immortal Lord and disloyal to Kunlun. Even though they are masters of immortal cultivation, their behavior is despicable..." Su Xu sighed.
He has no friendship with the Ji family. If you must say, there are some conflicts between them. Therefore, he will definitely not stand on the side of the Ji family.
"So, after thinking about it, I think the best option is to let you handle this matter." Yu Tianji reached his hand into his sleeve and teased Li Yuebai for a while before slowly taking out a jade token and handing it to Su Xu.
Su Xu took it with both hands, took a closer look, and was surprised and delighted - this jade token was of a very high level, almost second to none. As long as this jade token was shown, no one would dare to obey.
"Don't cause any casualties. The rest is up to you." Yu Tianji said lightly.