Now, with the large and small Hongyu chessboards in hand and the holy artifact capable of self-destruction, Shui Miao was incredibly powerful.
Without even mentioning other aspects, when it came to puppets, Shui Miao had already reached a level of mastery so profound it bordered on the miraculous, capable of creating forgeries so perfect they were indistinguishable from the real thing. If he could successfully kill the false Celestial Emperor Xuanchizi, and if the Nine-Eyed Demon God puppet could then self-destruct and eliminate the Demon Emperor Wuyanzi, Shui Miao would effectively become a true super overlord, fully capable of ruling both the Immortal and Demon realms through his puppets.
This vision was both fantastical and yet very realistic.
As long as luck was on his side, everything could become reality.
Using the Void-Travel Mirror, the two followed behind the Celestial Mechanism Sage’s puppet, smoothly passing through various checkpoints on their way to the First Heaven.
Shui Miao had studied teleportation formations and uncovered some of their secrets.
When using a formation for teleportation, a receiving point was required. This receiving point could be a portal or simply a stone engraved with special teleportation runes. Therefore, without a pre-established teleportation point, Shui Miao could not directly fly to the First Heaven. During their journey through the various Immortal Realms to reach the First Heaven, Shui Miao had deliberately inscribed teleportation runes onto some unremarkable stones along the way.
Using these rune-inscribed stones for teleportation, transporting one or two people was no problem.
However, transporting a large group of people would require the establishment of a formal teleportation gate.
The heavenly guards stationed at the gates of the various Immortal Realms were both astonished and suspicious upon seeing the Celestial Mechanism Sage pass by. They were amazed that someone as mighty as the Celestial Mechanism Sage would actually travel through the heavenly gates—it was like seeing an emperor walking the streets in ancient times. At the same time, they were puzzled as to why such a formidable figure as the Celestial Mechanist would choose to pass through the heavenly gates at all.
Shui Miao, however, had no interest in the thoughts of these heavenly guards.
Upon arriving at the First Heaven, Shui Miao immediately sensed an overwhelming presence of Imperial Qi!
In the First Heaven, Imperial Qi was as common as spiritual energy in the Immortal Realm or air in the mortal world.
How unfair—how terribly unfair it was!
Ordinary mortals could only breathe polluted air, with even spiritual energy becoming a luxury. Yet here in the First Heaven, boundless Imperial Qi filled the air. If a mortal were to inhale even a trace of this Imperial Qi, they could become a half-immortal!
Feeling the intense Imperial Qi, Shui Miao couldn’t help but feel indignant on behalf of all mortal beings.
By nature, Shui Miao was tempted to smash open the Nine Heavens so mortals could breathe in this Imperial Qi.
Yet, reason always prevailed over impulse.
After experiencing so much, Shui Miao had come to understand that the ancient heavenly court had once been just and compassionate. In those days, immortals had always cared for mortals, and virtuous men and women, after enduring several cycles of reincarnation, had the opportunity to be reborn in the Immortal Realm and attain enlightenment. The reason the current Immortal Realm had become so heartless and indifferent, abandoning mortals to their own fates, was entirely due to the machinations of the false Celestial Emperor from the Demon Realm and the false Celestial Mechanism Sage.
Therefore, Shui Miao wished to help the Immortal Realm restore its former order.
At that moment, Shui Miao and Shui Tianyi followed the puppet of the Celestial Mechanism Sage to Punishment City, the Sage’s official residence.
Punishment City was vast and exuded an aura of sacredness and inviolability.
However, the Sage’s residence was opulent and grand, resembling a royal palace. Inside and out, it had more than ten layers of courtyards. Not to mention anything else, there were over five hundred male and female servants just tending the gardens. The chief steward in charge of managing the estate was an old man with white whiskers, appearing extremely aged. His name was Tian Zhong, a very loyal and reliable old steward.
Seeing his master return, Tian Zhong hurried forward with a beaming smile.
The Celestial Mechanism Sage puppet’s soul was actually a fragment of Shui Miao’s soul, which had absorbed many of the false Celestial Mechanism Sage’s memories. Therefore, Shui Miao knew that the Celestial Mechanism Sage had a gloomy disposition and rarely spoke at home.
“Has anything important happened recently?” the Celestial Mechanism Sage puppet coldly asked the old steward, Tian Zhong, halting his steps.
Tian Zhong promptly responded with a kind and courteous smile: “The Patriarch Xingtian came looking for you, saying he had urgent matters to discuss privately. Other than that, nothing else has happened.”
“Xingtian… Hmph!”
The Celestial Mechanism Sage puppet flicked his sleeve, his manner and tone exactly mirroring the real Sage’s. “He can’t even handle small matters properly. I won’t see him. Oh, Uncle Tian Zhong, let me introduce—this is Shui Miao, my newly sworn younger brother. He will now serve as the deputy governor of Punishment City. And this is Holy Mother Shui Tianyi, my sister, who will also act as my deputy. If Patriarch Xingtian comes again, tell him to consult with these two deputies of mine.”
“Yes, yes, I will certainly do as instructed.”
Tian Zhong hurriedly nodded respectfully toward Shui Miao and Shui Tianyi.
Shui Miao and Shui Tianyi also nodded in return.
Suddenly, the Celestial Mechanism Sage puppet furrowed his brow. “Oh, Uncle Tian Zhong, has there been any movement from my cousin?”
“No, the Celestial Emperor has been in seclusion the entire time, and the other city lords have had no unusual activity either.” Tian Zhong quickly responded, careful not to keep the Sage waiting.
The puppet nodded slightly. “Fine, I’ll go check. You stay here and take good care of my younger siblings. They will be the new masters of this place from now on.”
“Understood!”
Upon hearing this, Tian Zhong was visibly moved, quickly bowing in acknowledgment and nodding respectfully toward Shui Miao and Shui Tianyi.
“Whoosh!”
At Shui Miao’s silent command, the Celestial Mechanism Sage puppet flew off toward the main city to gather intelligence on the false Celestial Emperor.
“Haha! I’ll go take a look around… Hahaha…”
Shui Tianyi was ecstatic. She never imagined she would one day become the deputy governor of Punishment City. In the current heavenly court, aside from the false Celestial Emperor, the Celestial Mechanism Sage was the most powerful figure. Compared to the other city lords, the authority of the deputy governor of Punishment City was no less—perhaps even greater. For Shui Tianyi, reaching such a position felt like a dream come true.
Upon hearing this, Tian Zhong quickly sent out a mental command, summoning a group of female attendants to accompany and guide Shui Tianyi, ensuring that this new deputy governor was properly attended to.
Shui Miao then directly said to Tian Zhong, “Uncle, please send someone to invite Patriarch Xingtian here. I have something to discuss with him.”
“Very well! I’ll send someone right away.” Wanting to test how close the master was with these two new sworn siblings, Tian Zhong cleverly asked, “By the way, Deputy Governor, should we issue the invitation in the name of the City Lord or in your own name?”
“I can represent the City Lord. Just issue the invitation in his name.” You old fellow, you still doubt me? Shui Miao smiled faintly. “Better yet, why don’t you personally go and fetch him, Uncle?”
“Er…”
So their relationship really was that close! Tian Zhong was slightly taken aback, then quickly replied, “Very well, very well. As the Deputy Governor commands, I shall obey.”
“Hurry back!”
With that, Shui Miao turned and strode directly toward the Celestial Mechanism Sage’s private secret chamber.
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