"It seems that Foundation Establishment Daoist Master behind the scenes has finally given up!"
Lu Yang raised his head to look at the sky. It was only because he possessed the Innate Primordial-Unity Qi Divine Talisman and had the experience of several lifetimes that he could vaguely sense the change in his fate.
It had truly been a long time since he had felt this kind of clarity in his Dao heart, like a vast ocean and a boundless sky.
"Good, very good."
Discovering that the Foundation Establishment Daoist Master was no longer plotting against him, Lu Yang instantly felt much more relaxed. What satisfied him even more was that another one of his projects had also made great progress. Lu Yang took out the Innate Primordial Qi Myriad Spirits Banner, then summoned his Innate Primordial Qi clone.
The Myriad Spirits Banner was very special. Although it contained a pocket dimension, only things related to the Innate Dao Scripture, such as the Innate Primordial Qi clone, could enter it. The clone entered, and Lu Yang's vision blurred for a moment.
The next second, a vast and boundless scroll slowly unfurled before Lu Yang's eyes. It was like a series of connected paintings, and within each painting was a banner spirit. These portraits each had their own merits.
Some depicted mountain landscapes with homes, some showed isolated islands overseas, some were imperial palaces and forbidden cities, and some were heavenly courts and immortal palaces. Within these portraits, a banner spirit brimming with spiritual light was moving about, either eating, drinking, and making merry, or sitting in meditation to cultivate. They looked just like living people.
Although he had seen it many times, each viewing still made Lu Yang sigh in admiration.
"These portraits are likely formed from the banner spirits' memories from when they were alive. Making the banner spirits live within the paintings to keep their consciousness and memories from scattering... what a powerful magical artifact!"
With a thought from Lu Yang, the scene within the paintings instantly changed. All the banner spirits were gathered in one place. The original scenes of landscapes and homes turned into a huge factory with an assembly line.
At first, the banner spirits were a bit dazed. But soon, as the strongest among the banner spirits, Liu Xin was the first to regain his clarity. He quickly walked up to Lu Yang and said respectfully, "This subordinate greets the master."
"How is the work going?"
"Reporting to the master, we have produced one hundred thirty-two Golden Light Talismans, one hundred fifty-three Five Thunders Talismans, and two hundred ten Sword Qi Talismans. Please inspect them, master."
As his voice fell, Liu Xin held up a thick stack of talismans and presented it.
"Well done, but..."
Lu Yang swept his spiritual sense over them and put the talismans away with satisfaction, but his face quickly turned grim.
"... Who allowed you to let them go back and rest?"
Ever since he had exchanged knowledge on talisman arts with Fairy Feixia, he had handed over the production of three low-level talismans to the banner spirits within the Myriad Spirits Banner. Therefore, the banner spirits were supposed to be drawing talismans for him day and night, all year round without rest.
But he had just come in to inspect and found everyone resting. How could this be? This was defying the heavens!
As a banner spirit, if you dare to rest today, I can't even imagine what you'll dare to do tomorrow! This kind of unhealthy trend must be nipped in the bud!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Liu, I am very happy that you were able to organize the banner spirits to draw so many talismans, but I am very displeased that you let them all go to rest."
"Reporting to the master, this subordinate had no choice."
Hearing this, Liu Xin hurriedly explained, "The art of drawing talismans requires a living person to use magical power as the brush and spiritual wisdom as the ink. However, banner spirits are beings that seem alive but are in fact dead."
"Although they have magical power, their spiritual wisdom is depleted with each use."
"If they draw talismans for a long time without being allowed to sleep and recuperate, they will one day exhaust all their spiritual wisdom, which will eventually cause them to dissipate for no reason."
"So what?"
Lu Yang's response stunned Liu Xin.
"The one thing the Myriad Spirits Banner doesn't lack is banner spirits. If they get so tired they dissipate for no reason, that's perfect. I'll just go get a new one to bring back, which will be more efficient."
"Oh right, the dissipated banner spirits can also be used to feed other banner spirits."
"Since banner spirits can endure hardship, they can endure even more hardship."
"You banner spirits were born to work for me. A banner spirit that cannot work for me has no value in existing. Just let them dissipate on their own."
Lu Yang spoke in a calm tone, but Liu Xin listened with a terrified heart.
'Beast... You beast!'
Looking at how Lu Yang utilized the Myriad Spirits Banner, Liu Xin felt he himself was a great philanthropist by comparison, having previously only summoned the banner spirits during fights. Lu Yang keenly sensed his emotions and smiled gently.
"Senior Brother Liu, I trust you understand how fierce the competition among banner spirits is now. To be honest, if not for the bit of fellowship we share as fellow disciples, I wouldn't have put you in full charge of this matter. You should learn to be grateful."
"Otherwise, think about it. Using this banner spirit is the same as using that banner spirit. Why would I use you?"
"Isn't it because we are fellow disciples? And I owe much of my success today to you. Don't worry, as long as you work diligently, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."
Liu Xin: "..." At the same time Lu Yang was inspecting the work in the Myriad Spirits Banner, in another secret chamber within the Blood-Robed Pavilion, Yun Miaoqing was caught in a fierce internal struggle.
"How can this be..."
Her expression was an unreadable mix of joy and alarm. Around her neck, the token symbolizing her status as a disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion was emitting a glow. This was a communication spiritual light!
As long as she circulated her magical power to make contact with it, she could communicate with the person on the other side of the spiritual light. It was just that she had never expected her token to have this function! But why had no one contacted her before?
The next second, Yun Miaoqing heard a familiar voice ring in her ear.
"Miaoqing? Very good, you are not dead. It seems you still have some fate left."
"You are... Older Sister!?"
Yun Miaoqing's beautiful eyes widened, revealing a look of astonishment. The reason she had extended an olive branch to Lu Yang before was, on one hand, her belief in his character, and on the other hand, her complete confidence in her own background.
As long as Lu Yang was willing to forsake evil and return to the righteous path, she could have the Sword Pavilion accept him. This was because her Yun family had once produced a Sword Pavilion Sect Master, a Golden Core True Monarch. Although they had declined now, they were still a major immortal clan within the Sword Pavilion.
However, she herself was not valued by the family. The one who was truly valued was her older sister—Yun Miaozhen, a True Disciple of the Sword Pavilion. She cultivated the Supreme Golden Flower Pill Scripture, devoted herself to ascetic cultivation, and even refused to consume medicinal pills to rush her progress.
She was one of the very few True Disciples to have cultivated a Great Divine Ability while still in the late stage of the Qi Refining Realm. To describe her as a "favored daughter of heaven" would not be an exaggeration at all. Yun Miaoqing, Yun Miaozhen.
Although their names differed by only one character and they were blood sisters, their talent and aptitude were as different as the clouds and the mud.
"Where are you now?"
The spiritual light shimmered as a cold, clear voice emerged from it.
"Your innate fate was insufficient, which is why you met with the calamity of falling into a Demonic Sect. Now that it is complete, you should escape this tribulation."
I can go back to the Sword Pavilion? Yun Miaoqing was stunned for a moment, then an endless joy welled up inside her. She quickly said, "I'm in the Blood-Robed Pavilion at the Skull Mountain Market.
Sister, are you coming to get me?"
"The Blood-Robed Pavilion?"
Yun Miaozhen paused slightly, then said, "Did that Blood-Robed Pavilion Master take advantage of you?
Very well.
I will slay him for you, and that will count as the completion of your merit." At these words, Yun Miaoqing froze. She quickly said, "Sister, you've misunderstood.
Although Daoist Brother Lu comes from a Demonic Sect, he is not a wicked person. On the contrary, his heart yearns for the righteous path, and his talent is exceptional. I feel that rather than killing him, it would be better to persuade him to forsake evil and return to the righteous path.
He could be a great help to the righteous cause..." Before Yun Miaoqing could finish her words, a soft rebuke cut her off.
"Absurd!"
The next second, outside the Skull Mountain Market, a tall woman in a white robe and crane-feather cloak, her beautiful eyes containing sword light, looking heroic and valiant, suddenly crushed a jade talisman in her hand. Beside the woman, a middle-aged man frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Miaoqing is already beyond saving!"
Yun Miaozhen shook her head and sighed.
"She is pleading for a Demon. I'm afraid she has fallen so deep into her calamity that she cannot extricate herself. There is no longer any hope of escaping this tribulation..."
"Then what does Junior Sister plan to do?"
"... Go to the Demonic Sect's market!"
As her voice fell, a nameless fire of anger suddenly rose in Yun Miaozhen's heart. Yun Miaoqing was her blood sister, and their faces were seventy percent similar... Thinking of this, Yun Miaozhen felt uncomfortable all over and subconsciously brought her legs together.
Immediately after, a flash of killing intent crossed her exquisite, pretty face.
"That Demon has bewitched my sister. If I do not slay him with my own hands, my thoughts will not be clear!"