Zhao Bei's trace of Divine Sense was also released by Xu Hei, merging into his body, and he completely transformed into Zhao Bei's appearance.

Xu Hei was not someone who acted impulsively or out of anger. If he were to directly confront the sect and demand Zhao Nanqi's whereabouts, not only would he be unaware of Zhao Nanqi's methods after reaching the Divine Transformation stage, but the sect would also not stand idly by and watch two Divine Transformation cultivators fight to the death.

At this critical juncture, even without much thought, it was clear that the Divine Puppet Sect would certainly prevent any internal strife.

Moreover, Xu Hei did not know Zhao Nanqi's location. What if Zhao Nanqi got wind of his return and fled?

Xu Hei would not let Zhao Nanqi live; he had already marked him as a target that must be eliminated. His greatest advantage now was that no one knew he had returned and had become a Divine Transformation cultivator.

"Do you recognize this person?" Xu Hei pointed to his own face.

"Yes! Zhao Bei, he joined the Divine Puppet Sect in the same batch as me. He became a core disciple before turning thirty and was known as one of the Divine Transformation seeds," Wang Yimao quickly nodded.

Xu Hei said leisurely, "Tell me about this person's deeds."

Wang Yimao, being shrewd and perceptive, seemed to have figured something out and quickly said, "Zhao Bei is talented but arrogant. Relying on his status, he went around burning, killing, looting, and seizing treasures. Countless sects have suffered because of him; he is notorious..."

Wang Yimao could see that this person had likely provoked Xu Hei and had been dealt with by him, so he seized the opportunity to speak ill of Zhao Bei.

Xu Hei listened casually; he was merely gathering information to ensure his disguise as Zhao Bei would not be exposed, nothing more.

He now had three plans.

The first was to storm the sect and force Zhao Nanqi to show himself for a battle, which was the least favorable option.

The second was to ignore it, pretend not to care, and wait for an opportunity to strike, which was the moderate option.

The third was to disguise himself as a core disciple, wait for Zhao Nanqi to appear, and then launch a surprise attack, which was the best option.

Xu Hei temporarily decided to execute the third plan.

Wang Yimao's eyes darted around, and he hesitated before saying, "If the senior wishes to find Elder Zhao, perhaps you could wait a few days until the sect's envoy arrives at the Sea Star. On that day, all the high-ranking members will gather at the sect square to observe, and Elder Zhao will surely be there."

Xu Hei gave Wang Yimao a surprised look and said, "Did I ask you to speak?"

"This humble one deserves to die!"

Wang Yimao quickly slapped himself.

…………

Three days later.

At the Divine Puppet Sect's square, many figures were seated cross-legged.

Sect Master Daoist Sparrow and Grand Elder Night Owl sat at the front, followed by a group of core disciples, totaling sixteen, and more than thirty Elemental Infant stage elders at Great Perfection.

However, the Grand Elders and other Ancestors did not appear.

At this moment, a large transparent light screen was set up at the front of the square, displaying an image of a massive sea-blue planet, with the view gradually zooming in.

This was the image transmitted by the scouting puppet.

"In one hour, our sect's envoy will enter the storm layer of the Sea Star and make contact with the people of this planet," Daoist Sparrow said.

Everyone focused on the light screen in front of them. The scouting puppet sent by the sect was refined from the corpse of an Ancestor, reaching the level of a fifth-tier puppet.

Three hundred and fifty thousand years ago, they had done the same.

For this generation of disciples, this was a historic moment.

Xu Hei also sat cross-legged among the crowd, watching the light screen with furrowed brows.

"Zhao Nanqi still hasn't appeared."

Xu Hei looked around but still saw no sign of Zhao Nanqi, not even an Ancestor.

However, this was understandable. The Grand Elders of the Divine Puppet Sect were the sect's hidden strength and could not be easily revealed.

"Hmph, I don't believe you can hide forever," a cold glint flashed in Xu Hei's eyes.

…………

In the forbidden area of the Divine Puppet Sect.

Four figures sat on separate mountain peaks, the current four Ancestors of the Divine Puppet Sect: Ji Wuya, Shen Le, and the newly promoted Zhao Nanqi and Qin Xuanji.

Zhao Nanqi still had the same kind smile, his demeanor unchanged, but he looked countless years older, with most of his hair turned white, as if he had truly lived for thousands of years.

This was, of course, intentional on Zhao Nanqi's part, to make himself appear more mature. The other Ancestors were the same; no one knew their true ages.

"Recently, I've been feeling uneasy and restless. I wonder if it's because the Sea Star is approaching."

Zhao Nanqi smiled, but his heart was extremely uneasy.

As a Divine Transformation cultivator, it was impossible to feel uneasy without reason; there must be a cause! Zhao Nanqi couldn't figure it out and could only attribute it to the Sea Star, as such a major event made everyone anxious.

"Although the Sea Star is dangerous, it also presents a great opportunity!"

"Once I visit the Sea Star and extract the so-called ancient emperor's essence, it will surely allow that insect to transform! That damned insect has consumed so many of my resources, it should break through by now."

A trace of fervor flashed in Zhao Nanqi's eyes.

Over the years, he had been searching for Xu Hei's whereabouts. Although he hadn't found Xu Hei, the treasures in Xu Hei's cave dwelling had earned him a fortune.

Those ancient Spirit Medicines, each with a long history and considerable value, were beneficial even to Divine Transformation cultivators. He wasn't stingy and gifted each Ancestor a plant to build good relations.

Besides the Spirit Medicines, there was also a spirit insect that contained the bloodline of an ancient exotic species. With proper cultivation, it could become a great asset in the future.

By then, producing tens of millions or even billions of Spirit-Eating Ants and releasing them all at once could even devour a Divine Transformation cultivator.

The only downside was the enormous cost of cultivation.

It was practically a bottomless pit for Spirit Stones, unaffordable for Elemental Infant cultivators. Only after he broke through to Divine Transformation could he afford to raise such a creature.

He really didn't know where Xu Hei had gotten so many Spirit Stones.

Over the years, he had been searching for traces of Xu Hei, but stopped five years ago because Xu Hei's soul lamp had extinguished, indicating that he had died in some unknown corner.

This left Zhao Nanqi feeling uninterested.

"It's here!" Qin Xuanji reminded.

Everyone immediately focused their attention on the sky's light screen. From the puppet's perspective, it had already entered the storm layer.

…………

Above the Sea Star.

A humanoid puppet made entirely of black gold rapidly approached from space, penetrating the cloud layer. All around was pitch black, with roaring lightning flashing by. This was the outermost storm layer of the Sea Star.

Suddenly, countless Formation patterns emerged from all directions, forming a vast Formation that instantly immobilized the black gold puppet.

This caused all observers' hearts to sink.

Three hundred and fifty thousand years ago, there were no experts in Formation on the Sea Star.

"Fellow Daoists of the Sea Star, I am Pu Dachun, the twentieth-generation Ancestor of the Divine Puppet Sect, here to pay my respects!"

The black gold puppet's voice boomed like thunder, echoing far and wide.