Chapter 32 Wen Rongxin: I’m About to Be Possessed (Please Add to Favorites)

Apart from crafting the components themselves, a puppeteer must also have some knowledge of inscribing runes, spellcraft, mechanisms, and the like… Drawing talismans and calculating spells posed no problem for him; the challenge lay in the intricacies of the mechanical parts. If even a single component was imprecise, the entire puppet would collapse with ease, or might not even be assembled at all.

Li Guanxuan laid out the spiritwood, blueprints, ruler, carving tools, talisman brush, and cinnabar mixed with spiritual blood, then closed his eyes to fully absorb the techniques of puppetcraft swirling in his mind. These were the essentials of the art, which had surged into his thoughts automatically after refining celestial energy. With careful study and practice, he would soon master the basics.

Half an hour later, Li Guanxuan began following the instructions on the blueprint. He first marked approximate measurements on the spiritwood with the ruler, then used his tools to carve out the shapes. After verifying the sizes were correct, he proceeded to craft the next wooden bone. When all the required components were finished, he double-checked their precision before picking up the talisman brush, dipping it in the cinnabar, and inscribing intricate patterns upon the bones.

This step was simple for Li Guanxuan, as he had been a talisman artist from the start. These seemingly complex patterns were nothing to him; after all, high-grade first-tier talismans had even more elaborate lines.

Once the patterns were complete, the next step was assembly. As long as the bones, joints, and organs were crafted to precise standards, the assembly should proceed without issue. Any minor error, however, would instantly destroy the painstakingly drawn patterns and force him to remake every component.

Li Guanxuan studied the pieces, seated cross-legged, and let his spiritual sense transform each item in his mind, assembling them with utmost care. Any mistake could still be corrected at this stage. But once actual assembly began, there would be no turning back: he would have to continually channel his energy to activate the runes and sustain their operation, allowing the bones, joints, and organs to fuse perfectly.

However…

Li Guanxuan soon discovered a glaring flaw. He could use celestial energy to simulate the parts and complete the assembly within the darkness of his mind-space! This way, he would waste no materials, immediately spot any errors, and make timely corrections.

“No more talking—it’s time to enjoy the breeze and the moonlight first!”

Yet, when Li Guanxuan pushed open the cultivation room door, expecting night to have already fallen, he was surprised to find a clear sky and dazzling sunlight, so bright he had to raise his arm to shield his eyes.

Once he’d adjusted, Li Guanxuan realized Qin Jiyue was not at home. Only Wen Rongxin was sitting cross-legged in a distant courtyard, face still pale and drawn as she meditated.

Seeing this, Li Guanxuan’s heart skipped a beat. He hurried over and asked in a low voice, “My dear, what’s wrong? Has something happened?”

At his words, Wen Rongxin slowly opened her eyes. Her large, almond-shaped eyes shimmered with tears, which rolled down her delicate cheeks in glistening beads as she sobbed, unable to speak.

Li Guanxuan’s heart sank. Had something truly terrible happened?

“My love, please calm down and don’t worry. Whatever difficulty you’re facing, tell me. Only then can I help you find a solution.” He sat down cross-legged across from her, patiently and gently saying, “Don’t be afraid. As long as I am here, no matter how great the trouble, I will handle it for you. Take your time, steady your emotions, and tell me what’s happened. It’s all right.”

“H-husband… I… I think I’m about to… about to be possessed,” Wen Rongxin choked out.

Possessed?

Li Guanxuan’s eyes went wide. Which reckless old wretch dared try to seize his woman’s body?

His expression hardened. “Don’t be afraid. You’re still in control of your mind, which means you hold the advantage. Tell me, who is inside your body? I’ll negotiate with them.”

If someone was about to possess her, they were likely looking for a suitable host. As she was only at the initial stage of body refinement, the intruder shouldn’t be too fixated on Wen Rongxin. If he could find them a proper vessel, the problem could be resolved. Yet this had already crossed Li Guanxuan’s bottom line. In his mind, as long as the intruder left Wen Rongxin, he would spare no effort to destroy that wretch, erasing their soul from existence.

“It’s… not a person…” Wen Rongxin sobbed. “It’s… it’s a flower.”

“A… a flower?” Li Guanxuan was utterly dumbfounded, then asked quietly, “Is the flower a fluffy sphere? Not inside your body, but rather in a dark space?”

Wen Rongxin paused, her sobs ceasing as she nodded slowly.

At her confirmation, Li Guanxuan let out a long sigh of relief. He picked her up in his arms and carried her toward the main house.

“Let’s go inside—I’ll explain everything. But remember, this is a top secret. You must not tell anyone, or it could bring disaster upon us. Do you understand?” He kept his voice low, so only Wen Rongxin could hear.

Resting in her beloved’s embrace, Wen Rongxin’s eyes were still full of doubt, her long lashes beaded with tears, but she nodded gently.

Once inside, after sealing the room with a protective talisman, Li Guanxuan finally explained, “The flower within you is called a Velvet Blossom. It fell from the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree… The Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree was once the treasured tree of Joyous Mountain’s sect and is also known as the Mimosa Spirit Tree.”

“I-I know about that,” Wen Rongxin whispered. “I heard it disappeared many years ago.”

“Yes, the tree vanished, but apparently the flower remained.” Li Guanxuan nodded with a smile. “Qin Jiyue joined Falling Moon Valley to search for the tree at its former home. In the end, she didn’t find the tree, only this Velvet Blossom.”

Now Wen Rongxin understood. No wonder, no matter how she tried, her sister insisted on going to Falling Moon Valley.

“The effect of this Velvet Blossom,” Li Guanxuan explained leisurely, “is that when you and your beloved do what lovers do, the blossom will emit a burst of pure energy afterward—that is, celestial energy. Celestial energy contains not only the spiritual power needed for cultivation, but also significant vitality. As long as you refine this celestial energy, you can achieve immortality.”

“Immortality?” Wen Rongxin gasped, unable to hide her astonishment. With this Velvet Blossom, did that mean she could live forever? Was it the same for her sister?

“Yes, and the Velvet Blossom also grants feedback to one’s partner. As long as I continue to cultivate with you, I too can attain immortality,” Li Guanxuan said, then grew grave. “But you must remember what I’ve told you. No one else can know—not even Qin Jiyue!”

“Why not?”

“Just trust me.”

Seeing that Li Guanxuan was not joking, Wen Rongxin nodded earnestly. To her, Li Guanxuan was her entire world, and she trusted him unconditionally.

Li Guanxuan then grinned. “So, my love, why don’t we let the sun climb high and see if the Velvet Blossom truly releases celestial energy?”

“It’s still daytime… Let’s wait for nightfall,” she stammered.

“But broad daylight is perfect!”

“…”