Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 317 The Confluence of Good and Evil
After the battle of Lietian Mountain, Yin Xiaoshuang suffered some minor injuries.

He handed over the management of the sect to Zhou Lang as before, and prepared to go into seclusion to heal his injuries.

At that time, Zhou Lang mentioned that another disciple in the sect had fallen into inner demons and that Yin Xiaoshuang needed to make a decision.

This is the biggest problem for the Mirage Sect. All of the Mirage Sect's techniques are related to illusion. If one's will is not firm and one cannot distinguish between reality and illusion, then one will suffer the consequences.

Every year, some disciples fall into inner demons, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, and ultimately die and their spiritual path is extinguished.

Yin Xiaoshuang originally intended to handle the situation according to the usual rules: either lock them up and let them live until their lifespan was exhausted, or force them to break through their cultivation realm. If they succeeded, they might be saved; if they failed, they would die in the illusion, which would be a quick and painless endeavor.

However, Zhou Lang offered another suggestion, saying that he had found a way to solve the inner demons once and for all, but it would require the cooperation of the disciples of the Mirage Sect for testing.

Yin Xiaoshuang was quite exhausted after her battle with the Azure Dragon Lord, so she didn't take it too seriously and agreed to let Zhou Lang do the test without asking any questions.

After all, a disciple who has fallen into inner demons is no different from being dead, so it's not unreasonable to try anything as a last resort.

But when Yin Xiaoshuang came out of seclusion, she inquired carefully and found that all the disciples who had fallen into inner demons had disappeared. Yin Xiaoshuang immediately felt something was wrong, so she went to Zhou Lang to ask him.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Lang said expressionlessly, "Sect Leader, give me some more time, and I guarantee that the Mirage Sect will usher in a new turning point."

"The Mirage Faction doesn't need a turning point!"

Yin Xiaoshuang angrily slammed her hand on the white jade table in front of her, shattering it into pieces with a single blow.

“Junior Brother Zhou, I know you’ve always resented me becoming the sect leader. I never intended to compete with you, but I had to obey Master’s orders. If you want power, I’ll grant it to you, but if you want to be the sect leader, you need to give me an explanation. Where have all those disciples who have fallen into demonic possession gone?!”

Zhou Lang sneered, "Senior Sister, you're always like this. You look down on this position of sect leader, yet you've sat in it for 681 years. You say you'll give me power, but you act all disdainful. I've had enough. I don't need you to throw power at me like it's a bone!"
"Under your leadership, the Mirage Sect has declined with each generation, and its disciples have become increasingly scarce. Yet you still cling to the old rules. You refuse to accept those with high talent but poor character? Character can be gradually cultivated, but how do you change talent? Now, even mere rogue cultivators dare to provoke the Mirage Sect."

"The Mirage Sect has lost all face, and all you do is go into seclusion, neglecting all the affairs of the sect, big and small. Do you have any semblance of a sect leader? You should have stepped down long ago!"

Yin Xiaoshuang sensed something was wrong; Zhou Lang looked like he was about to turn on her.
With a clear and melodious phoenix cry, Yin Xiaoshuang summoned the phoenix and looked at Zhou Lang warily.

Yin Xiaoshuang angrily questioned, "Junior brother, are you trying to rebel?!"

Zhou Lang also stood up and used illusion magic to condense a divine beast, namely the Purple Lightning Kui Bull.

“That’s right, Yin Xiaoshuang. If you’re not good at being the sect leader, then let me be the one.”

Now that things have come to this, there is no other choice.

As Yin Xiaoshuang's sleeves billowed, a crimson-gold phoenix roared forth, its wings unfurling like a blazing inferno, each feather scattering dazzling light. In an instant, the surroundings transformed into a sea of ​​fire, the flames engulfing the small building and threatening to reduce Zhou Lang to ashes as well.

Before Zhou Lang's cold laugh could finish, a purple lightning domain exploded around him. The Purple Lightning Kui Bull stomped its single leg on the ground, unleashing a spiderweb of lightning. Its head was raised, and the lightning gathered on its horn pierced straight at Yin Xiaoshuang's chest like a giant spear. In an instant, the surrounding flames were all suppressed by the lightning, as if Yin Xiaoshuang had also fallen into a disadvantageous position.

The phoenix swooped down, its tail feathers whipping out seven streams of fire arrows, but they were shattered by a sudden burst of lightning when it was only three feet away from the Kui Niu. The Kui Niu stomped its single leg, and dozens of purple lightning chains shot up from the ground, coiling like venomous pythons toward the phoenix's claws.

With a clear cry, the firebird spun and slashed, its flames forming a vortex that melted the chains, and the exploding sparks and firework intertwined to create a dazzling rain of light.

The two fought fiercely, but outside the small building, it was as if nothing had happened, and no one could tell whether it was an illusion or reality.

In a brief exchange, Zhou Lang's Kui Niu was already suppressed by the Phoenix, whose claws pierced deep into the Kui Niu's neck, attempting to tear its head off.

Yin Xiaoshuang said angrily, "Zhou Lang, surrender! You are no match for me!"

To this day, Yin Xiaoshuang has not issued any warnings to the public.

The struggle between the sect leader and the deputy sect leader must never be revealed, otherwise it will shake the foundation of the Mirage Sect. Yin Xiaoshuang assumed that Zhou Lang was suddenly affected by his inner demons, and that she would deal with him properly after subduing him.

Just as she gained the upper hand, a seductive melody reached Yin Xiaoshuang's ears.

At first, the words were intermittent and indistinct, like drifting catkins in the wind, but gradually coalesced into a very familiar voice: "Xiao Shuang, put down your burden... It was hard on you to be the sect leader back then. Since your junior brother wants to take over the position, why not let him? For us cultivators, longevity is of utmost importance..."

This is the voice of Yin Xiaoshuang's master, but her master ascended to heaven hundreds of years ago.

Yin Xiaoshuang knew it was fake, but for some reason, even knowing it was fake, she was still affected, her heart softened, and the fire phoenix softened as well.

With a roar, the Kui Niu pierced the fire phoenix's body with its horns, severely injuring the divine bird instead.

Yin Xiaoshuang felt a sharp pain in her chest and forced herself to swallow the blood that was rising in her throat. But the intense pain could not stop the seductive voice in her ear; instead, it made it even harder for her to concentrate.

The techniques of the Mirage Sect are related to willpower; once the mind is lost, the technique will be broken.

The fire phoenix began to crumble and dissipate. Yin Xiaoshuang wanted to take out another protective magic weapon, but Zhou Lang beat her to it. Several iron needles flew out and pierced Yin Xiaoshuang's hands and feet, pinning her firmly to the ground.

Several more talismans flew out and stuck to Yin Xiaoshuang's body.

In an instant, the talisman transformed into bandages made of countless runes, tightly wrapping Yin Xiaoshuang until she was completely unable to move.

Zhou Lang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though he knew Yin Xiaoshuang very well and had prepared various countermeasures, Yin Xiaoshuang was still stronger than him in terms of cultivation. If it weren't for someone's help, he definitely wouldn't be a match for Yin Xiaoshuang.

Now that the dust had settled, the seductive voice said to Zhou Lang, "I thought you were going to kill her directly. What, do you have other ideas about this senior sister?"

Zhou Lang angrily said, "You despicable wretch! I just can't kill her. If Yin Xiaoshuang dies, the whole world will know. Moreover, the four major sects have made an alliance at Lietian Mountain. If they kill each other, they will be punished by the alliance. If I kill her without resolving this matter, won't I be exposed?"

"Hehe, what a despicable act. Sect Leader Zhou, when you came to my Youluozi, did you ever think about whether it was despicable to plot against your own sect leader? I think Yin Xiaoshuang was too lenient with you, otherwise she would have used the sect's formation to suppress you just now. She just thought you were a child throwing a tantrum and wanted to give you a chance."

Zhou Lang scoffed, "That's precisely why she lost. She's too soft-hearted and shouldn't have been the sect leader in the first place."

Youluozi laughed and said, "Good, what a ruthless person you are. I wish you success."

Looking at the sealed Yin Xiaoshuang, Zhou Lang spoke again: "Today, the righteous and demonic factions have joined forces, so we can be considered allies. Are you really not going to help me deal with the Yellow Springs Sect?"

Youluozi replied, "Sect Leader Zhou, I've already said that I need the help of the Yellow Springs Sect, so it's impossible for me to do you this favor. It's not like you're the kind of person who's going to do great things to pick a fight with a small sect."

Zhou Lang replied, "A major matter? The Mirage Sect is my major matter. Anyone who harms the sect is my enemy. Chen Ye of the Yellow Spring Sect has repeatedly insulted my Mirage Sect. How can I remain the sect leader if I don't avenge this? Besides, the Yellow Spring Sect has many secrets. There must be some unspeakable treasures hidden inside. Don't you want them?"

"As for the item you seek from the Void, if the Yellow Springs Sect can do it, do you think my Mirage Sect can't? Wouldn't cooperating with me be more suitable than cooperating with the Yellow Springs Sect?"

Youluozi sighed, "If only it were that simple, Sect Leader Zhou. Don't say I didn't warn you. You know Yin Xiaoshuang well enough, so arranging this ambush was quite thorough. But if you're dealing with the Yellow Springs Sect, then I can only advise you to be careful. Also, deliver what you promised me first, otherwise, I will tell everyone in the world that 'Yin Xiaoshuang was harmed by Zhou Lang,' do you understand?"

Although Zhou Lang didn't understand why Youluozi was so wary of the Yellow Spring Sect, he wouldn't listen to a word he said.

In the end, it's just a small, nouveau riche sect.

Moreover, this time all four major sects will be going to "congratulate" them. At that time, Zhou Lang might not even need to take action himself to cause the Yellow Spring Sect to fall apart.

(End of this chapter)