"I created it by combining millions of miniature cores, each of which can be instantly turned into a functioning puppet," Cai Song explained.

"So, you’re a one-man army — just like me," Dong Lifen commented.

"That’s just the bare minimum used," Cai Song replied. "Everyone knows the core is the fundamental flaw, but with this type, it will be like trying to deal with a million different cores. And as long as one is still operating, the puppet will still be operational."

"But that shouldn’t be the full extent, right? I saw you used my Spirit Particle Technique."

"Yes. Another primary design of the core is my survival," Cai Song said. "In an emergency, they will all fly away in different directions, trying to bring a piece of my soul to safety."

"In that case, you have options. You can program them to run away into the Grand Constructs — that should increase their chances of survival," Yan Liling commented.

"You also need good anti-karma or anti-divination methods to increase the odds of success," Dong Lifen added.

"I’ve taken all of those thoughts into consideration," Cai Song explained.

"You can try to engrave an Escape Ultimate Skill into the miniature puppets," Wang Wei suggested. "Although I don’t expect you to succeed until you reach the Tenth Heaven (100%), it will do wonders for your future primal path."

"That’s a great idea," Cai Song nodded. She liked talking to Wang Wei because he could always inspire her to innovate in her puppetry. The group discussed puppets for a few minutes, bouncing ideas off Cai Song. After a while, Wang Wei grew concerned about the quiet Jun Mengyao.

"What’s wrong with you? And don’t say you’re fine."

Jun Mengyao shifted his body uncomfortably. He opened his mouth and closed it. He swallowed his wine as if he wanted to gain courage from this immortal dew. "I just came from an inheritance site, and the soul remnant who created it said something that has been bothering me for a while."

"Go on."

"He said the destiny of other weapons has been stolen, but the time has come to regain their status. But on that day, I will have to pick a side."

"Stolen destiny? If it’s true, it would explain why Swords and Sabers have such fame and power," Yan Liling analyzed.

"This remnant sounds like it was trying to sow discord between you and the other swordsmen in the clan — especially the ancestor," Dong Lifen commented.

"I thought that as well, but if you think about it logically, it makes sense," Jun Mengyao added. "With the ancestor’s personality, she will not allow swordsmen to lose their position. And not just her. Most swordsmen with a bit of pride and ambition won’t stand by and do nothing. The sect will eventually support her, and I will be left with nothing."

Dong Lifen and Yan Liling gave him a sympathetic look. In such a situation, it is in the sect’s best interest to support the more powerful Yan Hai, so Jun Mengyao’s worries were well-founded. But maybe it’s a good thing he realized the situation he was in and gave up early.

"The way you think is too simple," Wang Wei said. "Destruction was supposed to be the Dao with the highest attack potency or destructive force, but it was overthrown. Do you think destiny alone is enough to change a fundamental rule of the Chaos Universe? The things involved here are probably beyond any of our pay grades — and that’s assuming the information is true at all.

"But if it is, things will still not be as simple as you put it. Things on such a scale can have an adverse effect on the sect, so no, the ancestor will not have the overwhelming support you think. And that’s just from a political standpoint. From a personal point of view, some people might also want their Dao to have such a status, which would reduce her support and cause numerous other issues.

"But if the situation devolved to the point that there might be in-fighting, the council will probably decide to resolve it the old-fashioned way: the strongest get the sect’s support."

"Your words almost alleviate my worries until that last part," Jun Mengyao said with a wry smile.

"If you don’t even have the confidence to face the ancestor, why are you involving yourself in wars about the destiny of Weapon Dao?" Dong Lifen asked.

"She’s right. If your heart wavers by the mere thought of facing such an opponent, then you have no business thinking about the future of Spear Dao," Wang Wei nodded.

"It seems my spiritual training is lacking," Jun Mengyao uttered as the fierce sharpness of a spear flashed in his eyes before retreating. He blamed it on the recent rapid rise in cultivation.

"That’s more like it," Wang Wei smiled. He raised his cup to show his appreciation. Jun Mengyao accepted his praise.

"Let’s not talk about these larger-than-life topics," Yan Liling said. "I noticed the ring on your finger. Did you finally do it?"

"That’s right," Wang Wei beamed from ear to ear as he glanced at his ring. "After years of charming her, I finally updated my status to soon-to-be husband."

"Congratulations." Yan Liling was one of the few people who truly knew or understood the strange nature of Wang Wei’s love life. So, she was glad their story would finally have a happy ending. It’s a shame she couldn’t witness more of it or be a contributing factor to his success.

"Yes, this is great news," Dong Lifen nodded. She still remembers many years ago, when they were weak cultivators in the Divine Altar Realm, when Wang Wei rejected her by explaining what kind of woman he was looking for as a partner. It’s been so long, and many things have happened; their fate has been separated, transformed, and reintertwined. Looking back on that day, she was glad it happened. His decisive rejection, which left no room for ambiguity, allowed her to move on with her life. And when she met the true love of her life, she was in the best state to love again.

"When is the wedding?"

"We haven’t decided yet, but it will be grand."

"That means everybody will have to bleed," Dong Lifen groaned softly. She read about how lavish celebrations usually turned into a competition of displaying wealth, fame, and connections. "I’m glad you told us early. Now, I can start preparing something unique." She didn’t think she could bring something truly precious, so she had to settle for a special gift.

"The more I think about it, the more I become fond of the idea of using rings as a sign of eternal love," Yan Liling remarked. "It’s truly a beautiful thing."

Wang Wei’s lips almost twitched. He remembered how, in his past life, the diamond and wedding industry had propagated the concept of wedding rings worldwide, aiming to make billions of dollars. ’I wonder if I could do the same in the cultivation world?’ After thinking about it briefly, he secretly shook his head.

On Earth, the people did not control the means of production, so they had to buy the rings. But in the cultivation world, even the lowest cultivators can properly make their own ring. ’I could probably include the exchange of rings in our wedding ceremony, which could start a new trend and provide us with some luck and destiny,’ Wang Wei analyzed.

His original plan was to have a Heaven and Earth Wedding, so the chances of influencing the Eternal Ascension World’s culture or zeitgeist are much greater if they can pull it off. So, Wang Wei decided to suggest it to his future wife.

The group conversed and drank for hours until it was time for Cai Song, Dong Lifen, and Jun Mengyao to leave. Before departing, Wang Wei stopped Dong Lifen: "I need you to build the Dream World again, and design it to fit the entire world."

Dong Lifen was surprised by this request: "What about the Void Illusion Realm?"

"That’s exactly why I want you to build it," Wang Wei replied. "I don’t like how Ma Liquiu is buzzing around. So, in case she successfully strips back control from me, or I sell it to her, I will push the Dream World as a replacement."

With the proper marketing, Wang Wei was convinced he could capture a significant share of the Void Illusion Realm’s users, and possibly even replace it as the primary network construct. His confidence stemmed from a myriad of reasons, primarily because of the fundamental designs of the two.

The True Void Illusion Realm was initially designed to siphon soul energy from mortals. Not that Wang Wei won’t do the same for the Dream World, but the way they interacted with both constructs was different. The Dream World was created to facilitate an understanding between mortals and cultivators. Meanwhile, Ma Liquiu’s creation separated the two and did not treat mortals with the same care and attention.

Moreover, the Dream World has functions that the Void Illusion Realm did not have, such as Xin’er — the cultivation world’s first therapist. More importantly, after visiting Earth, Wang Wei had a few more ideas on how he could further enhance the experience for mortals and encourage them to choose his Dream World.