Destiny is ashes

Chapter 1142: Destruction from heaven and earth
On the outskirts of Shenjing, a warehouse in the outer suburbs.

The warehouse itself was unremarkable, just a normal granary, frequented by local farmers and grain transport boats. However, beneath one of the warehouses lay a hidden world.

The underground space was filled with moisture, and at first glance, it was very clean and tidy. Although it looked somewhat like a prison or a slaughterhouse, there was no smell of blood or human remains. There were only bodies that were submerged in glass jars, curled up like infants, breathing slowly.

These human figures are all exceptionally beautiful, with perfect body curves. No matter what your taste, you can choose from them. This level of perfection is unattainable for normal humans.

However, those with a keen eye can see that these bodies are actually man-made.

The skin was made of soft glue, the flesh was made of fiber, and the bones were hollow steel. The entire body was artificial, a puppet designed to mimic a human.

They are not yet started.

Because it has no soul.

"Why hasn't the latest batch of people arrived yet?"

Dan, who was in charge of this matter, frowned, calculating the time and looking at the elevator leading to the ground. He muttered under his breath, "They're way too late. Did something go wrong at the refugee camp? This shipment needs to be sent out urgently. I hope they don't cause any trouble!"

It could be vaguely seen that in several workshop rooms behind him, some puppets had already been activated and were being controlled and examined by other physicians, while others, limp and obviously human, with emaciated and exhausted bodies, were taken away by some people and dragged to the dismantling and decomposition room at the back for processing.

As a master alchemist responsible for infusing puppets with 'soul and intelligence', this alchemist's position wasn't actually that high—why would someone with real skill and status do such a shameless and despicable thing for a powerful family? It was only someone like him, stuck in the middle, with no future path to enlightenment and only able to strive for pleasure in this life, who would choose to compromise.

Danshi didn't really have any special feelings about this job—it was simply a matter of transferring the souls of refugees or children and teenagers bought from other places into puppet bodies—even before the Ascension Path existed, there were similar methods to do this, and they were very familiar with it.

However, it must be said that the Path of Ascension is indeed an incredible, completely new and complete path.

During his years working for the aristocratic families, this alchemist accumulated a wealth of puppetry skills. After coming into contact with the Ascension Path, he even felt that his destiny [Shadow Puppet Master] and martial arts were showing signs of loosening. Clearly, he was quite compatible with the Ascension Path, and if he started cultivating now, he would undoubtedly achieve a breakthrough.

Therefore, he became enthusiastic about the related services.

To be honest, in this Danshi's view, turning these refugees into puppets was not a bad thing—these refugees were already on the verge of death, and he and his companions saved them and gave them a perfect puppet body.

Powerful, resilient, and incomparably beautiful, almost exactly like a human... Even alchemists themselves couldn't afford or use such a puppet body, yet these refugee children could easily possess one. Although they would lose themselves and their freedom as a result, becoming playthings for others... it was still a win in the end!

However, Dan also had a bit of a problem.

However, compared to these puppet bodies, very young souls are sometimes impossible to control perfectly.

It's not really about manipulation skills; it's just that I'm too small to control my body. I'll get used to it in a year or two.

The problem is, which of these puppeteers' owners can wait a year or two? They're all thrill-seekers with no patience. After a year or two, they'll be bored, and the alchemist will definitely suffer a loss.

Dan had a good idea.

"Then why don't I just merge the souls of several children together and stuff them in there!"

This is undoubtedly one approach. Since souls need modification anyway, why not synthesize the memories of these souls, rearrange and modify them, ensure the personality is complete, and then send them over? Although it will take some time, it's definitely feasible.

The only problem is that the souls of the children who were merged had essentially been destroyed. What came back to life was a completely new fusion made up of their fragments.

But nobody cares about that.

Danshi cares about his cultivation and future, riders care about their rewards and wealth, big shots care about whether they can vent their desires and achieve their goals, and some people are truly dedicated to their work, regardless of what the work actually is.

But nobody cares about the suffering of others.

"So you know everything, you understand everything, but you don't care whether other people live or die. You just want to get your job done, and you don't care if it costs lives."

Suddenly, a voice asked this question.

Dan Shi was also moved by the supernatural power and said matter-of-factly, "Of course! Everyone looks out for themselves. Let them live or die as long as it doesn't affect my ability to make money and get off work."

"very good."

Then, the voice spoke, and the alchemist, realizing what was happening, turned his head in astonishment. A young martial artist had already stepped out from his shadow and smashed the alchemist's skull with a crack, causing brain matter to splatter and blood to flow.

"Now you can experience what is called 'divine retribution' and 'death'."

With a single palm strike, Cang Linzu killed the alchemist and stepped out of the shadows, moving about in the underground laboratory.

"Who is it?!" The other pharmacists and guards who were helping out noticed that something was wrong outside. The leading pharmacist seemed to want to peek out to see what was going on, but before he could see anything, a dark shadow was already close in front of him, and it pierced through his heart.

"Ah! Enemies! Enemies!"

"Oh no! Murder!"

Immediately, apart from the guards, the other pharmacists screamed. Some scrambled and crawled, while others hid under a nearby table, fleeing in all directions.

The guards stepped forward, raising their weapons and slashing. Streaks of energy shot out through the air like sword light: "This is the Yuan family workshop in the capital. How can we allow you heretics to run rampant!"

"Who are the heretics and evil spirits?"

Cang Linzu laughed, but it was utterly ruthless. A huge cloud of dust suddenly swelled up around him, swirling and shattering all the sword and blade lights.

Before the guards could even understand what was happening, a hand reached out from the gray mist and crushed the throat of the leading guard captain: "I see..."

The voice was icy cold.

"You are the ones who are."

(End of this chapter)