Unlike what Liu Buli had imagined, perhaps because he had previously appeared quite capable, the parasites of the cultivation world did not dare to easily lay hands on him.
In short, for a period of time afterwards, his days were peaceful and stable. Besides practicing his arts, refining pills, or deepening his bond with Lu Wuming, he truly encountered no other troublesome matters.
Time flew by, seasons changed, winter snow melted, and summer winds warmed again.
More than a year passed just like this.
As he had been told before, when Ao Lie’s injuries had mostly healed, Yun Xiang left the sect with him.
The two traveled extensively, occasionally sending letters back.
Neither of them were particularly talkative, and their letters were rather dry, merely recounting their travel experiences.
However, what surprised Liu Buli slightly was that Yun Xiang’s painting skills were far better than he had anticipated. Thus, when they encountered scenery that words could not adequately describe, Yun Xiang would paint it and send it back to the Dan Sect along with his letters.
Over time, occasionally reading the letters sent by Yun Xiang and his companion became one of Liu Buli’s daily hobbies.
While he was looking at these things, Lu Wuming would hold him in his arms and look with him.
He himself had little interest in the content, but every time he saw his Shizun engrossed, he would find it quite interesting.
One day, as the two were leaning together and looking at a letter, Lu Wuming gazed down at Liu Buli and couldn't help but say, "Shizun, if you like the outside world, just tell Wuming, and we can go see it together."
"Alright, then when we have time, we'll go out and explore together," Liu Buli said, counting on his fingers. "I want to go to the snow mountains, and I want to go to the seaside, and to the desert and the Miao territory. There are so many places I want to go, can you accompany me to all of them?"
Lu Wuming took the hand that Liu Buli was using to count and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. Then, with a determined gaze, he made a promise, saying, "Wherever Shizun wishes to go, I am willing to accompany you."
Liu Buli immediately smiled with delight.
He was about to say something more when the door was pushed open from the outside. The way the door was knocked, three times with a light, moderate rhythm, was something Liu Buli had long become accustomed to.
He casually responded, and saw the Grand Elder push the door open and enter.
Since his relationship with Lu Wuming was already common knowledge, Liu Buli never bothered to conceal anything within their sect.
Now, lying in Lu Wuming's arms, he gestured with his chin towards the Grand Elder and asked, "Didn't you just report on sect matters to me today? Why are you here again? Has something else come up?"
The Grand Elder shook his head. "It's nothing major. Someone sent a gift to the Sect Master, and I've brought it to you."
Hearing the word "gift," Liu Buli was momentarily stunned.
After all, Yun Xiang and the others' letters had only just arrived today. If a gift were to follow so closely, it seemed unlikely.
As for Shen Muzhi, if he were to give Liu Buli anything, he would likely deliver it himself. He certainly wouldn't bother with a proxy delivery. Given their close relationship, even a visit to see him could be considered a casual outing.
Beyond that, Liu Buli couldn't think of any other friends who would send him a gift.
The Grand Elder had been with him for so many years, and observing his thoughts from his expressions had become second nature.
Seeing Liu Buli's troubled look, the Grand Elder immediately showed a look of vigilance. He said, "Sect Master, I also find that gift somewhat strange. Could it be something sent to harm you? If so, I'll arrange for it to be destroyed immediately. Rest assured, I..."
Liu Buli waved his hand, interrupting the Grand Elder.
He said, "Bring the item here for me to see first. Even if it needs to be destroyed, that's a decision I'll make after I've examined it."
After speaking, he glanced at the Grand Elder's still worried expression and said with a wry smile, "Don't worry, your Sect Master isn't that weak. Even if they sent me a hidden weapon, I wouldn't be easily harmed."
Since he had said so, the Grand Elder naturally wouldn't try to stop him any further.
He obediently brought in a wooden box from outside. The box was about half a person's height and was tightly wrapped all around, making it impossible to tell what was inside.
Liu Buli raised an eyebrow with a single glance.
Lu Wuming even stepped forward proactively, gathered spiritual energy around himself to form a barrier, then took a deep breath before opening the box.
When the contents were revealed, not only Liu Buli, but even Lu Wuming, who was generally uninterested in anything, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
Inside the box was an exquisitely crafted puppet.
The puppet resembled a young boy, with a beautiful appearance and wearing exquisite and lovely clothing.
Next to the puppet was a letter. Lu Wuming opened it and handed one of the pages to Liu Buli.
Liu Buli looked down. It was the method for controlling the puppet.
Much like ordinary puppetry, one could transform their spiritual energy into fine threads, inject them into the puppet's body, and then make the puppet move according to their will.
The one they were given had no special abilities; it was merely pretty to look at, and its control was limited to moving its limbs.
The letter had no signature.
Liu Buli couldn't imagine who could create such an intricate item.
So, narrowing his eyes, he simply reached out to Lu Wuming and said, "Give me the other letter. That's the one truly meant for me, isn't it?"
Lu Wuming was very reluctant.
However, since Liu Buli had asked, he could only obediently hand over the letter.
Upon reading its contents, Liu Buli was astonished.
He had never expected that the person who sent him the puppet was Li Qingcheng.
According to Li Qingcheng's account, after their separation in the secret realm, her luck had been quite good. She had met a very kind old man who taught her the method of puppet making.
She felt that humans had disappointed her and she no longer wished to have much contact with them.
Therefore, in the future, she intended to specialize in making puppets and establish a sect solely for puppets. She believed she would feel natural and relaxed living amongst those puppets every day. The one sent to Liu Buli was her latest proud creation.
The sect was still under construction, and its tentative name was Shenji Pavilion.
Liu Buli's eyes lit up as he read to the end.
But before he could express his thoughts, Lu Wuming decisively refused, saying, "I'm not going to that woman's sect, and they're just puppets, what's there to see? Shizun, don't even think about it."