Liu Buli could be sure that Lu Wuming was absolutely not joking when he said that.
The puppets made by Tan Wu were definitely good things. And judging by the exquisite craftsmanship, a lot of effort had been put into them.
It would be a terrible waste to destroy such things without reason.
Liu Buli himself was never one to waste someone's good intentions, so he would absolutely not do such a thing.
Since that was the case, the matter of Tan Wu giving him a puppet had essentially died before it even began.
However, the puppet technique was truly too formidable. Liu Buli hesitated for a moment, then struggled to beg Lu Wuming, "Wuming, if you don't want others around me, why don't you make a puppet for me yourself? Make it look like you, and then teach me the puppet technique. I'll only use the puppet you make for me, and then there won't be any problems, right?"
Liu Buli thought his idea was flawless. Lu Wuming was jealous of others, but he couldn't be jealous of himself, could he?
However, the reality proved that he had underestimated his little disciple. Upon hearing his suggestion, Lu Wuming let out a cold laugh and said without hesitation, "Besides myself, even something that looks exactly like me, whether it's human or any other object, is another existence and has nothing to do with me. Since it's not me, it doesn't deserve to exist by Shizun's side. If Shizun is truly this interested in puppets, then Wuming doesn't mind if you string me up with spiritual threads and use me as a puppet. I wouldn't care."
He said it with extreme calmness. From his tone and demeanor, Liu Buli could tell that this seemingly joking response was spoken with absolute seriousness.
The smile on his face immediately stiffened. Liu Buli coughed lightly and said, "Wuming, this is a bit inappropriate. Shizun just wants to become stronger, nothing else. I have no intention of straying, so you don't need to be so defensive."
Lu Wuming glanced at him, not bothering to reply.
Shizun himself had told him this. Although he had only said it once or twice, he remembered it clearly to this day.
Shizun said he liked men with strong possessiveness.
Lu Wuming had thus transformed himself into his current state according to Shizun's preference. His possessiveness had long since reached its peak, and since it had reached its peak, how could he possibly allow such a thing to happen now?
Thinking this, the light in his eyes deepened.
In the end, Lu Wuming simply raised his hand and gently pressed Liu Buli's head. Then, in a voice only they could hear, he whispered into Liu Buli's ear, "There are many ways to become stronger. Since Shizun wishes it, Wuming should naturally comply. When we return, I will help Shizun become stronger. By then, Shizun, don't cry out that it's too intense and refuse me."
As his voice faded, Lu Wuming released Liu Buli.
He nodded towards Liu Buli, adopting an expression that allowed Liu Buli to act however he pleased. He seemed genuinely unconcerned about Liu Buli learning the puppet technique, his expression unusually calm.
However, despite his words, Liu Buli knew very well that this was merely the calmness that followed a threat.
Knowing that his words had reached that point, Liu Buli dared not mention learning it again. That was why Lu Wuming had put on this act, his maliciousness reaching its peak.
Fiercely glaring at Lu Wuming, Liu Buli ultimately did not dare to clamor about his interest anymore.
Unlike him, You Siqi, standing beside him, dared to voice his desires and was indeed very interested in this. However, his cultivation was too low, and even if he learned it, it would be meaningless. Thus, the two could only gaze enviously at the puppets, their hearts full of curiosity, but their desires had to end there.
Unlike Lu Wuming, Shen Muzhi clearly doted on You Siqi immensely. He wished he could move all the good things in the world before You Siqi, even if those good things made him jealous.
So, seeing what You Siqi was thinking, Shen Muzhi proactively suggested, "Siqi, if you like it, I can learn it for you. Believe me, my learning ability is quite good, so..."
"I know, if you want to learn, you can definitely learn it. But forget it, it's not interesting," You Siqi shook his head, his expression full of helplessness. He said, "I'm interested in this because I think it's cool. But if this coolness isn't achieved by myself, it doesn't seem to have any meaning. It's useless even if you learn it; for me, it's still like watching someone else's puppet show. Without the feeling of personal involvement, let's forget it, it's not interesting."
Hearing his words, Shen Muzhi couldn't help but laugh. Since You Siqi had come to terms with it himself, there was indeed nothing more to say.
The puppet dreams of the two modern people came to an end before they even began. Liu Buli was still immersed in his sorrow, while You Siqi had quickly comforted himself and returned to normal.
Smiling again towards Tan Wu, You Siqi said, "Fellow Daoist Tan, shall we cooperate next? I'll tell you the general direction, and you can try it with the puppets. If we're lucky, we might be able to detect a safe path that doesn't require breaking any mechanisms."