Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

At the center of the dazzling light, the Soul Refining Banner began to undergo an astonishing transformation!

First, there was the banner! The banner, originally about three feet long, expanded and stretched wildly as if inflated! One foot, two feet, three feet... ten feet! In the end, the banner grew to a full ten feet square (about three meters by three meters), like a huge blood-red flag, fluttering wildly in the invisible energy storm!

The crimson patterns on the banner were not simply enlarged, but completely reorganized and evolved. The originally relatively scattered and ferocious patterns of a hundred ghosts became more complex and intricate, with countless ghostly figures overlapping to form a grander and more eerie "Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts." In the picture, there were howling demons with blue faces and fangs, weeping women in white robes, patrolling underworld messengers like ox-headed and horse-faced demons, and ghostly flames flickering among skulls... The ghosts were all different in form, yet they were arranged according to some mysterious trajectory, subtly conforming to the rhythm of the heavens, exuding an eerie beauty and majesty amidst their ferocity. Countless fine, dark golden patterns, like blood vessels and meridians, emerged from the edges of the banner, connecting with the central image of a hundred ghosts, making the entire banner seem to come alive, breathing slowly.

Next came the banner pole! The original ebony color rapidly deepened, turning a profound dark red, like congealed blood. The dragon scale patterns already present on the pole's surface were now fully revealed; each "dragon scale" was clearly visible, gleaming with a metallic dark gold luster, densely arranged, extending all the way to the top of the pole. The previously inconspicuous skull decoration at the top had also swelled, two clusters of eerie green soul fire igniting in their eye sockets, burning silently, gazing down.

The entire Soul Refining Banner exuded a complex aura, a mixture of bloodlust, majesty, antiquity, evil, and vastness. The dramatic increase in size brought about a fundamental sublimation!

The surging flow of information, like a river bursting its banks, rushed into He Damin's soul and consciousness:

[The Soul Refining Banner has successfully advanced for the fourth time!]

[Basic Enhancement]:

The banner's essence has been enhanced: its capacity and efficiency in absorbing, refining, and storing souls have increased fivefold. Resistance to soul power attacks has been significantly increased.

Soul Feedback Enhancement: The effect of [Soul Devouring Feedback] is improved, resulting in more and purer soul power being fed back.

Domain Expansion: The effective range of the [Soul Banner Domain] has been expanded to a radius of one hundred zhang (approximately three hundred meters)!

[New/Enhanced Abilities]:

【Netherworld Chains - Soul-Eating Thunderfire】: The Netherworld Chains have evolved once again! The chain itself is now more solid and resilient, and in addition to the Soul-Eating Yin Fire, its surface is now surrounded by fine, dark blue lightning—Soul-Eating Thunderfire! The thunderfire possesses the dual characteristics of Yin Fire burning the soul and Yang Thunder dispelling evil, greatly increasing damage to spirits. It also has a strong penetrating and destructive effect on physical targets (such as enchanted armor and energy shields), and can cause a small area of ​​lightning paralysis.

[Soul Banner Domain - Underworld Illusion]: The domain effect has been greatly enhanced! [Wail of Vengeful Spirits] has been upgraded to [Elegy of the Underworld], with a stronger mental impact and the ability to weave a realistic death illusion, making those trapped feel as if they are experiencing hellish tortures such as being torn apart by knives and fire, and having their tendons ripped off. Those with weak wills will suffer a direct mental breakdown or even have their souls shattered. The effect of [Soul-Capturing Maze] has been deepened, and it can interfere with the sense of direction and time of enemies within the range to a certain extent.

[Night Parade of One Hundred Demons - Command of the Demon Generals]: The maximum number of summoned demonic phantoms has been increased to one hundred! Furthermore, the time it takes for the phantoms to materialize is extended, and their strength is increased. A new "Demon General" unit has been added—it consumes more soul power to summon powerful demon generals with strength equivalent to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator (up to three can exist simultaneously). These generals possess simple intelligence, can execute more complex combat commands, and lead ordinary demonic phantoms in battle.

[Soul Banner Projection - Reality-Illusion Conversion]: Projection ability upgraded! The differentiated soul banner phantoms are more stable and can last longer. A new "Reality-Illusion Conversion" feature has been added—after the soul power infusion reaches a certain level, the projection can briefly transform into a semi-solid entity, possessing a small portion (about one-tenth) of the original's power. This can be used to set up more powerful temporary barriers or as a one-time killing trap.

[Unlock Ability: Blood Soul Soldier]: Consumes a large amount of soul power and life essence (blood beads) to create a materialized "Blood Soul Soldier." The soldier's form is fixed (e.g., a sword-wielding skeleton soldier, a bow-wielding vengeful spirit), possessing characteristics between the ethereal and the physical. Both physical and spiritual attacks can inflict damage, and they are impervious to ordinary swords; only energy attacks or methods targeting the soul are effective against them. The soldier's strength is equivalent to a well-trained martial artist, capable of independently performing tasks such as guarding, patrolling, and simple assassinations. Their existence time depends on the amount of soul power consumed. (Currently, the maximum number of soldiers that can be maintained simultaneously is ten.)

[Unlock Ability: Soul Link]: Select a target with a clear soul imprint (requires close contact or possession of their personal belongings, flesh, hair, etc.) and expend soul power to cast this technique. Upon success, as long as the target is within the Soul Refining Banner's domain (currently a maximum of one hundred feet), their approximate location and intense emotional fluctuations (such as fear, murderous intent, or ecstasy) will be vaguely sensed by the Soul Refining Banner. This technique is ineffective if the target is outside the domain or if the target possesses strong shielding abilities. This is a tracking and enemy-finding technique.

The vast flow of information gradually subsided. He Damin's soul stood before the newly renovated, terrifyingly large Soul Refining Banner, feeling the immense power and profound spirituality emanating from the banner, far surpassing anything he had ever experienced before.

Fourth advancement!

The resulting improvements are comprehensive and transformative. The expanded scope, enhanced abilities, and especially the unlocking of the new abilities [Blood Soul Soldier] and [Soul Ties], greatly enrich his tactical options. The Soldier can handle some mundane tasks such as guarding, reconnaissance, and even assisting in attacks; Soul Ties provides him with new possibilities for tracking specific targets (such as... Yoshiko Kawashima).

"Tens of thousands of soul power is enough to support high-intensity combat and cultivation for a long time." He Damin's gaze swept over the star-like pure soul power spots. "The most urgent task is to absorb some soul power, consolidate the origin of the soul, and adapt to the new abilities of the Soul Refining Banner."

Without further hesitation, his soul opened its arms. The Soul Refining Banner trembled slightly, and the pure soul power stored within it, like a galaxy drawn to the light, began to separate into strands of soft light that flowed into his soul.

A cool, pure, and vast energy surged in. He Damin could clearly feel his soul body becoming more solid and transparent at a visible speed. His soul core was rotating faster, its volume was slowly increasing, and both the total amount and quality of his soul power were steadily improving. The consumption and weakness caused by splitting into a hundred clones were quickly replenished, and even more so.

At the same time, he began his initial attempts to control the advanced Soul Refining Banner. With a slight thought, a ghostly chain, coiled with eerie blue lightning, silently extended. Wherever the chain passed, the air crackled softly, and faint flashes of lightning rippled through it. With another thought, ten more solidified and clearly defined phantom ghosts shrieked as they darted through the hazy space, their ferocious aura overwhelming...

Time has no meaning in the Yin-Yang space. When He Damin had initially adapted to the new changes of the Soul Refining Banner and stabilized his soul's origin at a new level, he felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and power.

The soul returns to the physical body.

Inside the east courtyard, He Damin slowly opened his eyes. Outside the window, the sky was still pitch black, but the first crowing of a rooster could be faintly heard in the distance, announcing the end of the long night.

In the depths of his eyes, a flash of blood-gold light and azure arcs of electricity seemed to appear and disappear, before returning to his usual calm and profound gaze. But his overall demeanor seemed even more reserved, and even more dangerous. It was as if a monstrous tsunami was about to erupt beneath the calm surface of the sea.

He opened his palm, his mind stirring slightly. Above his palm, a miniature version of the Soul Refining Banner, emitting a faint blood-red light, quietly appeared. Although it was only a projection, it already carried a chilling pressure.

"Kawashima Yoshiko..." He Damin murmured to himself, his fingers clenching lightly, and the illusory image dissipated. "No matter where you hide, next time, you will not have the chance to use the jade pendant again."

The Soul Refining Banner has advanced four times, resulting in a dramatic increase in its power. The operation to hunt down Japanese troops in North China can now be more efficient and daring. And the net to find that venomous snake can be tightened even further.

He looked out the window at the gradually brightening east, his eyes showing no trace of drowsiness, only a calm and serene killing intent, and a faint anticipation for the impending, even more intense clash...