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

Chapter 392 The Forbidden Technique of the Mirage Welcomes Guests to Fengdu
Mirage Sect, Tranquil Heart Hall.

The atmosphere inside the hall was as oppressive as a stagnant pool.

Zhou Lang's face was dark as he looked at the five Tongxuan Realm disciples in front of him, whom he had just "redeemed" with a large sum of money. The anger in his heart almost burned away his reason.

"Nonsense! Foolish!"

He slammed his palm on the jade table beside him, and the hard jade table was instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

"Who gave you the audacity to disobey my orders and descend the mountain to provoke trouble?! Now you've been captured and are prisoners, making the Mirage Sect lose all face along with you!"

The five disciples were all wounded in spirit and their auras were weak. They lowered their heads, their hearts filled with resentment and anger, but at this moment, they couldn't even utter a word of rebuttal.

It is a fact that I was outmatched and captured.

It is a fact that they have lost face and brought shame upon their sect.

In the end, it was the vice sect leader, who had secretly rebelled against them, who used the sect's most valuable treasure to redeem them, leaving the five who considered themselves the chosen ones of heaven ashamed and unable to lift their heads.

"Get back inside and reflect on your mistakes! No one is to step out of the cave again without my order!" Zhou Lang roared.

The five men, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, hastily bowed and left the main hall in a disheveled state.

As the palace doors closed again, the anger on Zhou Lang's face slowly faded, replaced by a deeper, more intense brutality.

He took a deep breath and turned to walk deeper into the main hall. Passing through several hidden barriers, he arrived at the door of a completely sealed meditation room.

He made a hand seal, and the stone door slid open silently.

The quiet room was empty except for a giant "cocoon" made of countless golden runes floating in the center. The runes shimmered with spiritual light, radiating a powerful sealing force.

Within the gaps of the silkworm cocoon, one could vaguely see a graceful figure bound and unable to move—it was none other than Yin Xiaoshuang, the true leader of the Mirage Sect.

Upon hearing the sound of the stone door opening, the figure inside the "cocoon" stirred slightly.

Yin Xiaoshuang's voice came from beneath the talisman's restraints, weak yet carrying undisguised sarcasm: "What? You're back so soon? What new ideas have those demons come up with to torture me this time?"

Upon hearing this, a flash of anger crossed Zhou Lang's eyes, and he hissed, "I never intended to torture you!"

"Is that so?" Yin Xiaoshuang sneered. "Imprisoning me here, letting the restrictions erode my body and soul day and night, consuming my spiritual energy and lifespan, isn't that torture?"

Zhou Lang clenched his fists and retorted, "If you don't try to struggle, this restriction won't hurt you, but have you ever had a single day of peace?"

From the day Yin Xiaoshuang discovered that he had murdered the disciples of the Mirage Sect, Zhou Lang sealed her away here.

He had originally hoped to have a good talk with this senior sister and perhaps change her mind. After all, they had known each other for hundreds of years, and their friendship carried great weight; otherwise, Yin Xiaoshuang wouldn't have been so soft-hearted as to be betrayed by Zhou Lang.

Unfortunately, Yin Xiaoshuang not only refused to compromise, but also continued to fight against the seal despite her own injuries, forcing Zhou Lang to reinforce the seal every day.

Every time he met Yin Xiaoshuang, he would be subjected to her sarcastic remarks.

If that were all, it would be fine, since he now holds great power and the Mirage Sect is already under his control.

Zhou Lang originally thought that as long as he seized power, he could realize his grand ambitions step by step. But he never expected that before he could even make a move, Youluozi would seize his weakness and use it to blackmail him.

Not long ago, Youluozi gave him an order, requiring him to cooperate with a little devil named Ye Chen in "acting" a play.

Left with no other choice, Zhou Lang could only send out the Mirage Sect disciple he hated most as a scapegoat. He originally thought that the death of an insignificant person would be enough to satisfy Youluozi.

But that wasn't enough. The Demonic Sect was determined to make the Mirage Sect lose completely to Ye Chen, and all the disciples in the Profound Realm had to be defeated by Ye Chen.

How could Zhou Lang accept such conditions? He had gone so far as to seal Yin Xiaoshuang away in order to revitalize the Mirage Sect and make it the true number one sect in the world. How could he accept such humiliation?

However, Zhou Lang did not dare to actually kill Ye Chen and completely break with the Demonic Sect, so he could only order his disciples not to avenge Yu Xing.

I thought that if I delayed for a while, things might turn around.

Who would have thought that the disciples would disobey orders and go to attack that little devil? What angered Zhou Lang even more was that the five of them lost to the little devil and were captured alive.

This time, the Mirage Faction not only lost face, but was also ripped off by that little devil.

This humiliation made Zhou Lang's resentment almost overflow!

Seemingly sensing his barely suppressed anger, Yin Xiaoshuang, inside the cocoon, mocked again: "Judging from your appearance, you've probably been terribly harmed by the Demonic Sect. Heh, I told you long ago, 'Trying to get something out of a tiger's skin will never end well.' Now you've finally reaped what you sowed."

"Junior brother, you are not cut out to be the sect leader. You might as well release me now. Considering our hundreds of years of friendship, I will at most put you in confinement to reflect on your mistakes, or at least spare your life."

Yin Xiaoshuang's sarcasm was like a red-hot iron, burning Zhou Lang's heart.

"Shut up!"

Zhou Lang suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes filled with murderous intent. He stared intently at the sealed Yin Xiaoshuang and threatened in a hoarse voice, "Yin Xiaoshuang! Are you courting death?!"

"Looking for death?" Inside the cocoon, Yin Xiaoshuang's voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of contempt.

"Do you dare kill me? My natal soul lamp is enshrined in the Ancestral Hall. If I die, the soul lamp will be extinguished, and the entire Mirage Sect will immediately sense it. At that time, will you still be able to hide your crime of colluding with the demonic path to harm the sect leader? We have known each other for hundreds of years, and you actually threaten me with death? Do you really think that I, Yin Xiaoshuang, am afraid of death just because I am a woman?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lang's expression turned even more unpleasant.

Yin Xiaoshuang wasn't just making empty threats; she truly wasn't afraid of death. She would rather die than let Zhou Lang's conspiracy be exposed, as that would at least give the Mirage Sect a glimmer of hope. If Zhou Lang continued to collude with the Demonic Sect, the Mirage Sect would surely be doomed.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Lang suddenly sneered and said to Yin Xiaoshuang, "Kill you?"

He slowly shook his head, approaching the golden cocoon step by step, and said to Yin Xiaoshuang, "No, Senior Sister, why would I kill you? Have you forgotten that my Mirage Sect has a forbidden technique?"

Upon hearing the words "forbidden technique," Yin Xiaoshuang's expression finally changed.

Zhou Lang continued in his seductive voice, "I used this forbidden technique to alter the memories of Qin Ze and the others, making them willingly turn themselves into living corpses to possess the mirage demon deep within the Ruins of Return."

Hearing this, Yin Xiaoshuang's face was filled with rage, and she roared, "Zhou Lang, how could you be so vicious? You're worse than an animal!"

Zhou Lang angrily slapped the sealed cocoon and roared at Yin Xiaoshuang, "What benevolence and morality? It's all about the victor taking all. They are disciples of the Mirage Sect. What's wrong with sacrificing themselves for the sect? Not only them, but as the sect leader, you should also take the lead and set an example."

Yin Xiaoshuang struggled frantically, but the countless talismans on the cocoon flashed continuously, suppressing all the spiritual energy that Yin Xiaoshuang unleashed.

Zhou Lang laughed and said, "Senior sister, don't waste your energy. Your soul is damaged and your spiritual energy is insufficient. You have no room to resist. I have plenty of time. I will gradually erase your memories and make you into the kind of person the Mirage Sect leader should be."

He stared intently at the gap in the cocoon, as if he could already see Yin Xiaoshuang's terrified face, and continued, "At that time, you will forget all of this and willingly cooperate with me. There will be no more barriers between us fellow disciples, which will be a great thing for the Mirage Sect."

Zhou Lang said no more, a strange gray light appearing in his eyes. He slowly raised his hands, and his ten fingers began to form hand seals in an extremely strange and complex manner.

As he moved, it was as if an invisible force had drawn all the light out of the quiet room.

Instead, there was a darkness as thick as ink.

This is a forbidden technique passed down from ancient times by the Mirage Sect. It has been sealed away for countless years, and no one even remembers the name of this forbidden technique anymore.

However, this forbidden technique is the pinnacle of illusion, powerful enough to alter the soul memories of a cultivator in the Void Returning Realm.

Inside the cocoon, Yin Xiaoshuang sensed an unprecedented crisis.

She may not be afraid of death, nor is she afraid of any torture Zhou Lang might inflict on her, but if Zhou Lang were to control her soul, the Mirage Sect would be doomed forever.

"Zhou Lang! You beast!"

Yin Xiaoshuang let out an angry roar. She wanted to destroy her own soul and would rather die than be controlled. However, the seal had already anticipated this. No matter how hard Yin Xiaoshuang tried, all the spiritual energy she had gathered would quickly dissipate, and she couldn't even move a finger.

As darkness fell, Yin Xiaoshuang's curses subsided, and her eyes began to lose their light.

Zhou Lang felt he had touched Yin Xiaoshuang's soul, and the process was much smoother than he had imagined. He had thought it would take ten days to half a month to completely suppress Yin Xiaoshuang's will, but he did not expect her to be defeated so quickly. It seemed that the imprisonment these days had made Yin Xiaoshuang's soul extremely weak.

Zhou Lang immediately began modifying Yin Xiaoshuang's memories. This was a meticulous task; he couldn't turn Yin Xiaoshuang into a puppet devoid of self-awareness. He simply wanted Yin Xiaoshuang to accept his path and become his ally. Soon, news spread from the Mirage Sect that Zhou Lang was so enraged by the capture of his disciples that he nearly suffered a qi deviation and needed to go into seclusion for an extended period. From that day forward, the Mirage Sect would be closed to all visitors, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.

When the Yellow Springs Sect sent out the invitation, they discovered that the Mirage Sect couldn't even get the letter through.

When the news reached the Yellow Springs Sect, the Cloud Peak Immortal Sect's White Cloud Flying Boat had already stopped outside Fengdu City.

This enormous magical artifact, just as its name suggests, resembles a giant white cloud. It flies at incredible speed, but because it is shaped like a white cloud, it will not frighten mortal beings when it travels.

On the flying boat, Yu Shenxing leaned on the railing and looked around. Behind him were several disciples of the Yunlu Immortal Sect who were traveling with him. They were all at the Tongxuan Realm and were all famous on the Tongxuan Ranking.

Ye Chen's challenge to the Mirage Sect had caused such a stir that everyone knew this demon was eyeing the cultivators on the Profound Ranking. Few cultivators were fools, so upon hearing Chen Ye's invitation, these fellow disciples followed Yu Shenxing onto the flying boat without hesitation.

When they saw Fengdu City in the distance, everyone curiously peered out from the ship's side.

Rumor has it that there are more ghosts than people in this city, and it is maintained entirely by the power of incense offerings and prayers. They have never seen such a special sect before. When they saw the orderly giant city, everyone's eyes were filled with undisguised shock and curiosity.

The grandeur of Fengdu City is no less than that of any sect in the world. The incense and prayers of the entire Northern Frontier converge here. Even from afar, one can feel its majestic power, as if it were the abode of gods. Even without ever seeing the true face of the gods, one is still moved to bow down and worship.

Yu Shenxing was even more excited. He finally had the opportunity to see Fengdu City with his own eyes. Perhaps when he returned to Yunlu Immortal Sect, he could persuade his elders to accept the path of Huangquan Sect.

As the city gates slowly opened, Yu Shenxing hurriedly led his fellow disciples off the flying boat, only to find that it was not Chen Ye who came to greet them.

Instead, it was a young cultivator dressed in a dark Taoist robe with a calm demeanor, who was none other than Fang Hao, Chen Ye's eldest disciple.

"Fellow Daoists of the Yunlu Immortal Sect, you have come from afar and must be tired from your journey." Fang Hao stepped forward and bowed to Yu Shenxing and the others.

When they met at the Yunlu Immortal Sect last time, Fang Hao was still a little reserved, after all, his past ties with the Burning Incense Sect were quite a source of gossip. But today, he seemed to have let go of everything from the past and truly become the chief disciple of the Yellow Springs Sect's second generation.

Yu Shenxing could only sigh that Chen Ye had the insight to recognize people and the ability to use them. It was easy to recruit people, but difficult to win their hearts. It was no simple matter to make Fang Hao completely become a member of the Yellow Spring Sect.

After exchanging pleasantries, Yu Shenxing asked curiously, "Where is Sect Leader Chen?"

Given their relationship, Chen Ye should have come to greet them personally.

Fang Hao quickly explained, "My master has important matters to attend to and is not currently in the sect. He has specially instructed his disciple to wait here and receive you on his behalf. I hope you fellow Daoists will understand."

Chen Ye, not here?!

Upon hearing this, not only Yu Shenxing, but also the Yunlu Immortal Sect disciples behind him showed a hint of astonishment on their faces.

Wasn't he the initiator of the conference? How come all the heroes haven't even arrived yet, and he, the host, has already run away?

Yu Shenxing frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed. He knew Chen Ye's character well; he was not the kind of person to be rude without reason. Since he had left, there must be something far more urgent than staying to oversee the sect.

"Fellow Daoist Fang Hao, you're too kind." Yu Shenxing returned the greeting and asked gently, "May I ask what important matter Sect Master Chen is busy with?"

Knowing that Yu Shenxing and Chen Ye were very close, Fang Hao lowered his voice and said solemnly, "Just a few days ago, Master Yuji of the Qinghe Sword Sect came in person. My master discussed important matters with Master Yuji and then left Fengdu City. However, my master instructed that he would return in three to ten days at the shortest and would not miss the date agreed upon with you all."

Yu Shenxing's expression changed immediately. It was actually related to the mysterious Qinghe Sword Sect leader, which meant it was indeed extremely important.

After explaining to Yu Shenxing, Fang Hao said to everyone, "Please stay in Fengdu City for a few days, fellow members of the Yunlu Immortal Sect. My Huangquan Sect will certainly treat you well."

After saying that, he stepped aside to make way and gestured for people to proceed.

Yu Shenxing nodded and led his fellow disciples into Fengdu City.

When he actually walked on the main street of the city, a completely different atmosphere from what he had imagined rushed towards him.

Despite being a city where humans and ghosts coexist, Fengdu City is not eerie or desolate at all; instead, it is bustling with activity.

On the wide streets, pedestrians thronged shoulder to shoulder. Tall, nomadic herders from the northern frontier, clad in animal skins, mingled with people from the Central Plains dressed in silk and carrying folding fans, sometimes haggling over prices, sometimes arguing heatedly. The air was thick with the mingled atmosphere of everyday life, more vibrant and lively than even the most bustling metropolises.

From the city gate to the Yellow Springs Palace, not a single ghost soldier was seen along the way. It seems that the rumor that you can bump into a ghost just by walking a few steps in Fengdu City is just a rumor.

It wasn't until they were almost at the Yellow Springs Palace that Yu Shenxing sensed a faint trace of yin energy emanating from a hidden high platform. The platform was mostly obscured by arrays and trees, making it difficult to see clearly. He could only sense the yin energy emanating from it, which suggested that a ghostly entity must be lurking there.

Yu Shenxing couldn't help but ask curiously, "Fellow Daoist Fang Hao, what is that high platform?"

Fang Hao followed his gaze and explained, "That's the 'Looking-Homeward Terrace,' a place where the souls of the underworld meet their relatives in the mortal world. Although the city of Fengdu is inhabited by both humans and ghosts, the yin energy is ultimately harmful to the living. Therefore, there are rules in the city that forbid the souls of the underworld from contacting mortals on their own. Only by passing through this Looking-Homeward Terrace can they exchange a few more words with their relatives and friends."

"Looking-home Terrace..."

Yu Shenxing murmured these three words repeatedly, feeling a tightness in his chest.

If there were a similar platform for longing for home in the Yunlu Immortal Sect, would it be possible to see Junior Sister Lin again from there?
Yu Shenxing secretly vowed to give righteous cultivators a chance to start over.

My dear brother, you'd better come back soon. I really wish I could just move Fengdu City to the Cloud City of the Yunlu Immortal Sect.

At this very moment, Chen Ye, whom Yu Shenxing had been longing for, was already in the heart of the Central Plains.

Inside a long-abandoned pavilion, two figures sat facing each other around a small table.

A pot of tea sat warm on the table, its steam rising from two simple white porcelain cups, adding to the bleak autumn atmosphere. Sitting opposite Chen Ye was not Daoist Yuji, but a beautiful woman in a pale yellow robe.

It was Su Chunyi, whom we hadn't seen for a long time.

She had just finished her seclusion when she was sent by Master Yuji. When Chen Ye saw her, he was overjoyed and almost thought he was dreaming.

Su Chunyi parted her lips slightly and said to Chen Ye, "...That's the situation. The sect leader will appear in the capital to attract most of the attention of the demonic sect. So, you and I started our investigation from this capital of Yunzhou."

Chen Ye listened quietly, but his gaze wandered somewhat, with most of his attention focused on Su Chunyi. He noticed she had lost some weight since they last met, but her eyes remained as clear and untouched as when they first met. He wondered if her swordsmanship had improved, and whether her secluded cultivation had been too austere.

Once he thought about it, Chen Ye's mind wandered off somewhere else.

It wasn't until Su Chunyi noticed his absent-mindedness that a faint smile appeared on her lips, and she softly reminded him, "If you are not paying attention, sir, then let's discuss this again tomorrow?"

Chen Ye suddenly came to his senses and quickly waved his hand, saying, "No need, no need. In fact, Daoist Yuji had already told me about the plan. The fact that the Qinghe Sword Sect has sent several Nascent Soul Realm disciples to investigate separately shows how important this matter is. I dare not be negligent in the slightest."

Then, Chen Ye changed the subject, asking with a hint of worry, "But isn't the Qinghe Sword Sect afraid of falling into an ambush by the Demonic Sect and being defeated one by one by splitting up their forces by splitting up their troops in this way?"

The Qinghe Sword Sect has sent out all its elites for this trip. The sword immortals that Chen Ye has met, such as Sheng Huai'an and Wang Yichen, have all arrived in the Central Plains, but the land is too vast, so they have to split up.

Before they left, Chen Ye gave each of them a specially made Ten Thousand Souls Banner, which contained a force of elite Yin soldiers. They might not be of much use in battle, but if they could capture those demons alive, they could extract information through torture in hell.

However, since Master Yuji was able to discover the traces of the Demonic Sect, the Demonic Sect could also detect the actions of the Righteous Path. If they were to set up an ambush in advance, there would be danger.

Su Chunyi, however, did not seem worried. She calmly said, "Sir, there is no need to worry. The Qinghe Sword Sect has few disciples, and we are already used to traveling alone. It is only because I am still inexperienced that I need to trouble you to personally guide me."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, as long as we release the message-transmitting flying sword, the sect leader will immediately break through the air and arrive, which is enough to ensure timely support."

Chen Ye wanted to say, "What if we don't even have the chance to launch our flying swords?"

However, he swallowed those words back down.

You can say that to anyone else, but this is the Qinghe Sword Sect.

Even the words of the Flying Lord could not stop Sheng Huai'an's sword. In this world, there is probably no one who can prevent the Qinghe Sword Immortal, who is at the Nascent Soul stage, from releasing his message flying sword.

"In that case, I'm relieved." Chen Ye looked at Su Chunyi and asked with a smile, "Then, Miss Su, where do you plan to investigate first?"

Su Chun said as usual, "I will listen to you, sir."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye smiled even more broadly and said to Su Chunyi, "Most of the secret techniques of the Demonic Sect require the refining of mortals, and the methods are cruel. If we want to investigate their whereabouts, we should start from densely populated places that are also a melting pot of all sorts of people."

Chen Ye paused for a moment, then suggested, "I've heard that Yunzhou has ten scenic spots and is the most bustling and prosperous place. Why don't we travel together... oh no, I mean travel together and investigate it thoroughly?"

(End of this chapter)