Chapter 960: Chapter 960

Every detail was so intricately detailed and explained. At this moment, the female Emperor finally revealed the youthful exuberance and liveliness that a young woman should have.

It seemed that only in front of Zhao Douan would she show such an expression.

Zhao Douan listened intently, his face occasionally showing reactions of shock, surprise, and curiosity, and he asked questions, fully engaging emotionally.

Finally, he said, "What a wondrous world this is."

Xu Zhenguan nodded with lingering interest and said, "Unfortunately, I originally wanted to bring back a few poems from that world to show you, but the time to linger there had ended. However, no matter, after you have rested and recuperated, we can experiment again."

"..." Zhao Douan was silent, secretly deciding that for the next experiment, he would not enter the painting, letting the Empress’s expectations fall short, thus demonstrating that not every cultivation together could reveal the symbol of Zhang Hui.

In this way, reducing the frequency with which the Empress entered for exploration.

However, Zhao Douan had already decided that he would enter more frequently in the future, and once he discovered something and confirmed certain matters, he would be frank with her, no longer existing in the identity of Zhang Hui. After all, he never intended to conceal it for long.

"However, I’m not without gains; I suspect this painting of the human world might have been intentionally left by the Grand Ancestor Emperor. Combining it with the star of disaster that streaked across the sky last time, I have some guesses that perhaps this world in the painting is the treasure left by the Grand Ancestor to deal with calamities," said Xu Zhenguan calming down.

Disaster star... Zhao Douan felt a stir in his heart; this was indeed a possibility.

"Alright, there will be no progress on this matter for now; the Human Immortal Realm is distant, and the urgent task now is to quell the rebellion." Xu Zhenguan understood the importance and said, "Since you have returned this time, I just happen to have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Zhao Douan asked in confusion.

Xu Zhenguan glanced around and said, "Let’s talk back in the Imperial Study."

The two left the Martial Arts Hall and returned to Yangxin Hall.

As soon as Xu Zhenguan entered the courtyard, an elder female official approached, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Gongshu Tianyuan from the Heavenly Master Mansion seeks an audience. I have him waiting at the study door."

Zhao Douan, floating in the air in soul form, was taken aback, feeling a stir in his heart:

Last night, Zhang Yan Yi promised to arrange a body for him; could it have already arrived?

Xu Zhenguan’s eyes also brightened, and he nodded slightly, stepping forward. As the three of them rounded the corridor, they saw a line of female officials standing with their heads bowed outside the study.

A little chubby man in wrinkled priest robe was squatting idly at the door, blankly staring.

Beside him stood a wooden box the size of a coffin, its lid sealed, unknown what was inside. Fresh chapters posted on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽

"Your Majesty?" Gongshu Tianyuan stood up, first bowing formally, and then when he spotted Zhao Douan floating behind the Empress, a faint glow flickered in his eyes, his spirit uplifted, showing joy: "Zhao..."

Zhao Douan hurriedly gestured for him not to speak out.

Gongshu Tianyuan shivered, quickly restraining any odd expressions, and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, Gongshu, by order of the Heavenly Master, has brought what Your Majesty requires."

Xu Zhenguan gently murmured an acknowledgment, his expression cold as he said, "Come in and speak."

He immediately crossed the study’s threshold first.

Soon, the three entered the study, and Gongshu Tianyuan cheekily shut the door, revealing a bright smile, and bowed towards Zhao Douan:

"Brother Zhao, it’s been some time since we last met; I heard in the Capital about your victory upfront. Little did I expect you would return through the Divine Travel Secret Technique. If not for the Master’s order to get you a vessel for possession, I would still be in the dark."

Zhao Douan also smiled warmly, "I’ve troubled Brother Gongshu once again."

The two were old acquaintances, and Gongshu Tianyuan, being a magician, was accustomed to divine travel and did not question how it was done, only guessing it was a secret royal technique—some things should not be asked, and thus he didn’t ask.

Xu Zhenguan’s gaze was cold, restoring his commanding demeanor: "What did the Heavenly Master send, present it at once."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Gongshu Tianyuan was very afraid of the Empress, immediately restraining his smile and solemnly placing the ’coffin’ on the ground with a bang.

With a bend, the chubby hand deftly unlocked the clasp.

The coffin-sized box lid was opened, and Zhao Douan stretched his neck to look inside, then froze.

Inside the box lay a "person" dressed in a light azure long robe, seemingly asleep!

Xu Zhenguan’s expression turned odd: "This is..."

Gongshu Tianyuan introduced with pride: "Your Majesty, Brother Zhao, don’t be surprised. This is not a living person but a bionic puppet I’ve crafted using the Artisan God’s secret techniques after years of meticulous research. Unlike traditional wooden, stone, or metal substitute puppets, this substitute puppet’s appearance and texture are indistinguishable from a real person. It can even speak and eat... An array is engraved inside, connecting to the Sun Stone, and when placed in sunlight, it can gather mana..."

"This is still a prototype, the first shell I created. Initially, its appearance was undecided, but upon hearing Brother Zhao needed it, I molded it overnight to resemble Brother Zhao’s visage..."

After speaking, Little Fatty looked over expectantly, seemingly seeking praise.

Zhao Douan silently gazed at the puppet in the box with its disproportionate features, uneven eyes, a sunken nose, and bright red lips: "...Molded very well, next time don’t bother molding."

He turned to Xu Zhenguan, saying: "Your Majesty, I find floating quite fine."

Xu Zhenguan eyed the puppet’s crude face with dislike, pondering: "Though unique, it is somewhat..."

Gongshu Tianyuan chuckled awkwardly, explaining: "This puppet’s appearance is just the initial version. Once Brother Zhao embodies it, it can self-adapt to the visage of his divine soul."

Zhao Douan, half-believing and half-doubting, tried lying inside.

As he embodied it, beams of light from the array flowed across the puppet’s new skin, and gradually, the crude features indeed changed, after some dozens of breaths, almost indistinguishable from Zhao Douan’s own visage.

The tightly shut eyelids suddenly opened, and the lifeless gray eyes gradually gained vitality.

Zhao Douan slowly sat up from the "coffin," clumsily controlling the substitute puppet, opened his mouth and said: "This... thing..."

Gongshu Tianyuan smilingly reminded: "The first embodiment is bound to feel uncomfortable; after about one cup of tea, you’ll grow accustomed."

Sure enough, after one cup of tea, Zhao Douan stepped out completely from the coffin, feeling this body become nimble. Though it’s not as good as the real body, he was quite pleased.

"Your Majesty, this puppet body is indeed quite good."

Zhao Douan felt a bit surprised, marveling at the magicians’ methods in this world.

Yet, thinking that even Xuan Yin, the old bald monk, could cultivate a "half-step Celestial" "Magic God" substitute number.

The Heavenly Master Mansion crafting a puppet shell similar to a human body wasn’t unexpected.

Xu Zhenguan also seemed very satisfied, a smile appearing on his face: "Thus, if you were to walk and conduct affairs in the capital, it would be much easier."

Zhao Douan felt delighted too, although his divine soul couldn’t stray far from the mural, this puppet could only operate near the inner city of the Capital, but it was enough:

"With this body, I can essentially be active simultaneously inside the Capital and outside its walls..."

Gongshu Tianyuan admired his work, smiling broadly, suddenly pulling a sheet of paper from his sleeve and handing it over, eagerly saying: "Brother Zhao, this paper records various... uh, ’data’ about the puppet body. When used ordinarily, if you have any insights, you can jot them down in the corresponding grids on the paper. I will check them periodically and make adjustments, striving for further improvement in the future..."

This feeling of an evaluation report—what’s it about... Zhao Douan reluctantly accepted it.

Gongshu Tianyuan, perceptive, departed promptly after completing his task.

When the man had left.

Zhao Douan walked two laps inside the study, noticing the Empress was staring intently at him.

"Earlier Your Majesty mentioned wanting to discuss something with me?" he curiously asked.

Xu Zhenguan came back to her senses, nodding gently, with keen interest saying: "Indeed there is a matter in the imperial court. Initially, I only wanted to hear your thoughts, but now that you have a mobile substitute, perhaps you can do more than just offer strategies."

Zhao Douan was stirred, pulling over a chair to sit, wondering: "What has happened exactly?"

In the court, Li Yanfu has fallen, and now the empress seized the opportunity to promote many young officials, expanding the Imperial Faction. In theory, such would be a flourishing and vibrant situation.

Xu Zhenguan pulled out a folded document from the desk and handed it to him: "This was sent last time by Ma Yan. You’ll understand once you read it."

Sent by Lord? Zhao Douan doubtfully took it, opened it, scanned the tightly written document, gradually his expression changed.

Upon raising his head again, he stared at the empress’s fair brows and eyes, solemnly stating: "Mr. Yuan... colluding with the rebel king?!"

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