Chapter 18: 18. The Skin Master is not inferior to the Talisman Master Gourd Valley. Shapeshifting wolves, whose consciousness was invaded by ghosts, turned red-eyed, tearing frantically at fresh flesh. You tear off a piece of thigh, I snatch away a head, red blood splatters, staining the yellow earth, and the head’s face quickly turns into a bloody mess, with the nose, eyes, and ears indistinct, bones exposed, unrecognizable. These people, just before yesterday, were "disciples with potential" in the Tannery, vaguely holding a higher status, yet just failing one test, they became the dinner of the shapeshifting wolves. Evil beasts and demon beasts differ. Evil beasts are ordinary wild beasts invaded by ghosts. Demon beasts, like cultivators, have entered the realm. This place seems quite close to the core of the Earth Demon; hence, even though night has not fallen, the ground glows with a faint red hue, which... is the reason for the formation of shapeshifting wolves. At this moment, although other servants have met a tragic end, Xu Changjun remains unharmed. Though he has not yet mastered Sword Flight, his ten veins inside are filled with Profound Qi, so while running, not even an evil beast can catch up, leaving him unperturbed. "I never thought that just to hide my power, I’d be forced to undertake such a dangerous mission. It’s really unlucky. However, this mission obviously intends for me to die... Forget it, the mission is considered a failure; better return to the Sword Sect first and report the situation here to the sect." Xu Changjun remained calm. He turned around, changed his path, heading in another direction, but hadn’t gone far when the sky suddenly darkened. Xu Changjun quickly looked up, only to see a shadow elephant grow with the wind, in an instant several zhang high, falling from the sky, crashing into him with a powerful stomp. An unimaginably exaggerated force transmitted from the shadow elephant’s foot. ’Who’s there? How is it possible?!!’ Fear flashed in Xu Changjun’s pupils as he felt the Profound Qi throughout his body shatter like frail wood, his flesh torn apart. In almost an instant, he lost all perception. Bam!! The broken flesh crashed into the yellow earth of the valley, partially embedded in the cracked ground covered by the red hue. A middle-aged man in a white robe descended from the sky, landing beside the shadow elephant. This was none other than the Peak Master of South Bamboo Peak—Cheng Danqing. But at this moment, Cheng Danqing’s expression was very odd, far from the demeanor of a mentor on the mountaintop, emanating an unspeakable eeriness, a chilling gloom. If Zhang Yin were here, he would find his master’s appearance so unfamiliar now. Cheng Danqing’s mind stirred, and the shadow elephant curled up Xu Changjun’s corpse, sending it deeper into the Gourd Valley where the Evil Qi was thicker. The shadows along the way also hid many ghosts. However, none of those ghosts attacked Cheng Danqing. ... ... "Junior Sister Qi, Junior Brother Song, in conclusion, our South Bamboo Peak has only two tasks now. One is to follow the arrangement of the senior disciple and go to the northwest of our Puppet Sect to the Qingxi Market to purchase demon beast skin. The Qingxi Market isn’t in our Puppet Sect’s realm; it’s a market where loose cultivators gather. Only such a market can continuously supply a large quantity of demon beast skin. The other is to stay with me at South Bamboo Peak, making shadow puppets from demon beast skin. This task is quite tedious, no different from previous servant duties, hardly encountering the outside world, and even less able to gain experience." Alas, but all tasks must be done, right?" How will you choose?" After imparting the complete version of the "Profound Qi Guiding Technique," Zhang Yin began assigning tasks. Song Yan felt a silent disapproval in his heart, thinking Senior Brother Zhang was too dramatic; clearly, the safe tasks were unnecessarily concealed and criticized harshly. If he hadn’t previously heard Wang Susu’s words, he might have hesitated. He discreetly glanced at Qi Yao beside him. Lady Qi’s apricot eyes widened as if contemplating. Song Yan had actually noticed Qi Yao’s peculiarity early on. After all, which servant would know so much about cultivation? Which servant would use a "secret code" method to connect with one’s Furnace? Which servant mourned in the Tannery half a day after their own Furnace died tragically? And which Demon Sect disciple would feel so outraged after hearing him say "very moisturized"? Lady Qi was most likely genuinely a good person, perhaps even that "foolish cannon fodder little spy" from the Nanwu Sword Sect. Song Yan did not resent good people, so he opened his mouth, intending to ask Senior Brother Zhang a question like "Is going to the Qingxi Market dangerous" to make Lady Qi realize "Your infiltration plan has not even begun; if you go to a place like that grinder, where identities are indistinguishable, can you still return alive?" He opened his mouth. But before he could speak. Qi Yao already said, "Senior Brother, I want to go to Qingxi Market to buy demon beast skin." "Good!" Zhang Yin praised and then turned to Song Yan, "Junior Brother also wants to go to Qingxi Market, right?" Song Yan waved his hand and said, "No, no, senior brother, I’m planning to make Demon Beast Shadow Puppets." "It’s very tedious," Zhang Yin said with a frown. Song Yan replied, "No matter how tedious, someone has to do it." "Doing this won’t help with training," Zhang Yin advised earnestly. Song Yan said, "To be honest, senior brother, I... genuinely love this line of work. As the saying goes, love the work you do." After he finished speaking, he added, "By the way, senior brother, Qingxi Market..." Zhang Yin snorted, interrupting him, and said, "That’s enough for today. All of you, go cultivate and adapt. Missions start in three months." After saying so, he drifted away, making the decision final. In the stone building, only two people were left. Qi Yao turned to leave as well. Song Yan said quietly, "Miss Qi, Qingxi Market is dangerous." Qi Yao turned her head to look at him and asked, "How do you know?" "Intuition." As Song Yan spoke, he also walked outside. When he reached the doorway, he added, "Going to plead with Brother Zhang now, there’s still time." "No need," Qi Yao replied. She was about to send out some information, how could she miss such a good opportunity? ... ... Becoming an Official Disciple on South Bamboo Peak has quite a few benefits. Monthly fixed Contribution Points: 10 points. Monthly fixed Cultivation Elixir: 1 Little Profound Spirit Pill. Each successful creation of a Low-Level Demon Beast Shadow Puppet: 10 points. Entitled to a cave mansion on the edge of the Profound Vein’s residual branch. Entitled to benefits like a "Furnace" provided by the Sect. And as your cultivation time increases, you can also choose techniques to cultivate, including the unique Basic Secret Technique of the Shadow Puppet Sect — Skin Control Technique. The Official Disciple Song Yan saw previously in the Tannery was riding a Shadow Puppet two-headed wolf, scaling steep cliffs and summoning a Shadow Puppet to transport corpses — that was the Skin Control Technique. He wasn’t in a rush because he knew he should have another six years. Three months passed in the blink of an eye, during which time, besides putting on a show of cultivation, Song Yan genuinely practiced "love the work you do" by going to the Chores Room daily to make shadow puppets from beast skins. Zhang Yin initially thought he was just all talk, but after witnessing Song Yan’s three-month consistency, he was truly shocked... He had never seen an Official Disciple go to the Chores Room to do their former work during the "rest period." After three months, Zhang Yin even patted Song Yan on the shoulder, surprised yet warmly asked, "Kid, do you really like skin making?" Song Yan replied, "This might be my lifelong passion." Zhang Yin clicked his tongue for a while and repeatedly said, "How rare, how rare. I’ve seen many disciples come out of the Chores Room, and they all want to vomit at the sight of beast skins, but you..." He paused and continued, "However, skin making isn’t just a hobby, it’s also about Talent. You know about those who draw talismans, right? Let me tell you, real skin making is a deeper craft than drawing talismans. The value of a Skin Master to the Sect far surpasses that of a Talisman Master. If you not only enjoy it but also have Talent, then senior brother... might be able to recommend you a little, let you try. If you succeed, it could be another opportunity for advancement." Song Yan solemnly said, "Then shouldn’t I also help with senior brother’s beast skins?" Zhang Yin was taken aback. Song Yan softly said, "The Contribution Points that should be senior brother’s will remain yours." "Oh~~~" Zhang Yin suddenly realized, staring wide-eyed at this exceptionally capable junior brother, said, "Too late, too late! Let’s go, junior brother, let’s not say more. Try making a Demon Beast Shadow Puppet first. Although I’m just a skilled worker, I can still teach you a few things." Song Yan nodded and followed Zhang Yin into a cave mansion for skin making. Zhang Yin led the way, followed by him. Zhang Yin’s words made him understand the existence of the "Skin Master." Clearly, a "Skin Master" didn’t just make simple skins but could also create truly mobile, lethal, and magic battle-capable shadow puppets. This was a "technical craft." Song Yan was a bit tempted.