However, soon, Huo Sining and the others discovered a problem. The "Bai Buzhi" sitting on the sofa, although looking exactly like the real Bai Buzhi, had an expression that remained unchanged and didn’t move at all, resembling a statue in a wax museum.

At first glance, this person appeared completely authentic, but upon closer inspection, the differences were visible. The fake Bai Buzhi had vacant eyes lacking spirit, appearing lifeless. Especially when getting close to touch the skin, one could feel a wooden hardness, utterly different from the fine, warm texture of human skin.

Bai Buzhi seemed to notice the confusion of Huo Sining and the others and accordingly looked at Su Qingqing, saying:

"Based on what Su Qingqing mentioned earlier, the fact that Lu Huairu could appear in Philadelphia and also hold a position in the Magic Capital can only be explained by a possibility: the evil secret technique of our Dao Men, the Puppetry Technique. Furthermore, it’s very likely that Lu Huairu has cultivated it to a stage of Refined to Perfection."

"Puppetry Technique?!"

Upon hearing this term, Huo Sining and Su Qingqing couldn’t help but exclaim. Such a technique, which seemed only to belong in novels or films, actually occurred in real life, and they even encountered it. No wonder Huo Sining and Su Qingqing found it unbelievable, glancing at each other simultaneously and seeing absurdity and disbelief in each other’s eyes.

Yue Shuwen was also greatly surprised, not knowing that Su Qingqing had communicated with that "Lu Huairu" via phone while in Philadelphia. Thus, she was still puzzled as to why Bai Buzhi claimed Lu Huairu had reached a Refined to Perfection level of cultivation.

"Mr. Bai, is Lu Huairu really that skilled? Isn’t he an Appraiser? From the way you speak, it seems he’s actually a Taoist?" Yue Shuwen asked in confusion.

Bai Buzhi nodded: "The Dao Men have long been in decline. In fact, those you frequently encounter nowadays, like fortune tellers or Onmyoji practitioners, basically come from our Dao Men. But these are merely the insignificant, peripheral offshoots of the Dao Men. As the world undergoes rapid changes, Dao Men disciples often remain inconspicuous in bustling cities, unable to sustain themselves solely through Dao Men spells, so they have to seek other professions."

"So I guess that the Lu Huairu you mentioned is also one of our Dao Men. It’s just unclear which sect he belongs to or who his master is."

With a wry smile, Bai Buzhi continued: "As for claiming that Lu Huairu has significant abilities and likely reached the stage of Refined to Perfection, it’s not a baseless alarm but an evident truth."

"You have just witnessed it. Earlier, I used my blood essence as a guide to transform this wooden figure into my likeness, but such a trick can only deceive you momentarily. Upon close observation, you’ll discover the flaws in this fake figure, which indicates my Puppetry Technique is still at the most basic level, far from achieving true realism."

"But Lu Huairu, as Su Qingqing mentioned, can do it. He crossed the Pacific Ocean, controlling his manifestation as a dummy puppet from such a distance. That puppet not only took over his duties at the antique shop, fooling your senior brother who has been with Lu Huairu for years, but even managed to handle phone calls naturally with you."

"To achieve such indistinguishable realism with a puppet, Lu Huairu’s skills must not be underestimated. According to my inference, even if he hasn’t reached the Golden Core Stage, he is likely at the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment, eagerly awaiting a breakthrough."

Huo Sining was shocked: "What is the Golden Core Stage? What is Foundation Establishment?"

Bai Buzhi glanced at Huo Sining, smiling: "It’s obvious you don’t read novels. Golden Core and Foundation Establishment are levels of Dao Men cultivation. The initial level is Qi Cultivation, followed by Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul. When the Nascent Soul Stage is surpassed, if one successfully undergoes the tribulation, one can reach great ascension, also known as becoming a god."

Even Huo Sining couldn’t help but gape. She always thought Bai Buzhi’s talk of immortal cultivation was merely whimsical, never imagining such bizarre events could truly exist.

"Can a person really cultivate to become immortal?" Now, not only Huo Sining, but also Su Qingqing and Yue Shuwen began questioning their understanding of life.

Bai Buzhi nodded and then shook his head: "In theory, it’s possible, but in practice, it’s extremely difficult to achieve, with a success rate of perhaps one in millions or even tens of millions."

Su Qingqing was puzzled: "Why? Didn’t you say that once the Nascent Soul Stage is surpassed and the tribulation is crossed, one can become a god?"

Bai Buzhi couldn’t help but smile wryly: "It’s easy to say, but reaching the Nascent Soul Stage is no trivial matter. Not to mention the tremendous resources required for advancement from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment, if one’s talent is insufficient, an ordinary person’s lifetime might not reach that stage."

"Moreover, the further one cultivates, the more challenging it becomes, especially after reaching the Golden Core Stage. Each progression involves countless hardships and tribulations. Reaching the Nascent Soul Stage could take hundreds or even thousands of years, but humanity’s lifespan is limited. How can one endure such an extensive wait?"

Upon hearing Bai Buzhi’s words, Su Qingqing and the others, initially intrigued and even excited about immortal cultivation, became visibly dejected.

Hundreds or thousands of years—how could one outlast the passage of time? This is simply a futile pursuit, like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey—a task meant to exhaust rather than satisfy.

"What kind of nonsense cultivation method is this? It’s outright deceitful! If it’s unattainable, how did the pioneers of this practice even know that it can lead to immortality? Did they personally experience it and ascend?"

Su Qingqing thought there was a logical issue. If someone truly succeeded in immortal cultivation, it would prove the person has lived for hundreds or thousands of years. But is that possible? Isn’t it too absurd?

Bai Buzhi seemed to perceive Su Qingqing’s thoughts, explaining: "Indeed, successful cases are rare, but I forgot to mention that if one surpasses the Foundation Establishment pinnacle and attains the Nascent Soul Stage, they will retain the appearance from when they initially entered the Nascent Soul Stage. Moreover, their lifespan will extend; the further the progress, the longer they will live."