Chapter 440: The Imperial Soul Banner, Not the Ten Thousand Souls Banner

Chapter 440: The Imperial Soul Banner, Not the Ten Thousand Souls Banner

After Ziyuan Zu's departure, Qiyuan was once again alone in his cave abode.

He reset all the formations, not wanting to be caught off guard by Lao Deng at any moment.

"So, I need to get my hands on an offensive Creation Artifact?" Qiyuan pondered.

"And I need to comprehend the Supreme Principle?"

"Or do I have to fully cultivate the Ancestral Blood Art or advance to the Grand Supreme Enlightenment in the Purple Mansion to rival the power of the Taohuang Palace?"

Qiyuan realized that none of these tasks would be easy.

"I'm too weak. Without the Black Demon Ancestor Blood, it'll take at least seventy years to fully cultivate the Ancestral Blood Art."

Qiyuan felt both responsible and guilty.

On Blue Star, seventy years would be enough for him to retire and receive a pension.

"What about an offensive Creation Artifact?" he wondered.

Qiyuan contemplated.

"The Ten Thousand Souls Banner of Ghost Control Realm has accumulated too much negative karma and needs to be purified through socialist reform! Even Sadako can become a people's Sadako, so why can't the Ten Thousand Souls Banner become my Imperial Soul Banner?"

"If it were a person, I wouldn't bother with the reform, as I respect free will. But for an unconscious Creation Artifact, there's no such concern."

Qiyuan's mind was filled with various thoughts.

"My Imperial Soul Banner, you've suffered," he said.

"It's my fault for being too weak to save you from this predicament earlier."

"Wait for me, I'll come to your rescue!"

Qiyuan had found another reason to become stronger.

"As a person with high emotional intelligence, I should first get to know my Imperial Soul Banner."

With his current strength, he could only endure the situation and couldn't go to the Ghost Control Realm to retrieve the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

However, he had Mona's imitation of the Soul Reaping Banner, which allowed him to glimpse some of its secrets.

Qiyuan took out the Soul Reaping Banner and examined it carefully.

[Soul Reaping Banner: Absorbs the spirits of countless beings, with several loopholes. By changing the nature of the spirits within to that of the Heavenly Dao, its power can be increased by a hundredfold or more. When slaying living beings, it can stimulate their desires and manipulate emotions, further enhancing its power. Kill...]



"Stop, I'm a good person," Qiyuan said.

He cast a spell, and a stream of rain washed into his eyes, as if cleansing them.

He even considered erasing this memory from his mind.

But he feared that doing so might affect his brilliant brain.

Qiyuan had always known that he was an ordinary Blue Star citizen who worked hard and upheld the five thousand years of excellent tradition.

He knew he couldn't resist the temptation and was afraid of straying from the right path, leading to the creation of an enhanced version of the Soul Reaping Banner.

So, he decided to wash his eyes and forget about it.

"It seems I'll have to look at the Soul Reaping Banner and the Mara Well every day from now on to refresh the information."

Each natural day, Qiyuan would see different hidden information with his eyes.

Of course, he could exploit this bug by going to a world with a faster time flow.

However, Qiyuan didn't think it was necessary at the moment.

A month passed by in the blink of an eye.

During this time, the progress of finding the Black Demon Ancestor Blood had been slow, and the few locations he had discovered were now devoid of it.

The cultivation of the Ancestral Blood Art had also come to a halt.

The only good news was that during this month, he had gained a deeper understanding of Creation Artifacts.

He also had a vague idea about modifying the Soul Reaping Banner into the Imperial Soul Banner.

Within the Soul Reaping Banner were countless vengeful spirits, and if he could use his powerful cultivation to enlighten them, perhaps he could transform it into the Imperial Soul Banner.

"So, after successfully refining the Imperial Soul Banner, if I slay my enemies and capture their souls, I'll need to use the Great Forgetting Heart Sutra to brainwash them, to educate and reform them."

After their transformation, he would send them to doctors for treatment, even if they drooled.

"The cultivators in the higher realms are truly amazing."

"The remaining souls will serve in my Imperial Soul Banner."

"Their bodies will become fertilizer in my cave abode."

"The immortal jade and cultivation techniques in their storage bags are mine for the taking!"

"Everyone is frugal and thrifty, just like me."

Qiyuan contemplated.

After some thought, he sent some messages to Jingli.

"Are you going to the Principle Debate Conference?"

As the Principle Debate Conference was about to start, Qiyuan was preparing to set off.

During this time, he had also obtained access to Creation Artifacts through Ziyuan Zu, allowing him to communicate with Jingli.

"I'm in the Demon Abyss and can't go," Jingli replied with disappointment.

"Is your Yue Hua Heavenly Lord going?" Qiyuan asked.

The previous time at the Moon God Palace, the Ling Yue Heavenly Lord had informed Qiyuan that Yue Hua Heavenly Lord would be attending the Principle Debate Conference.

The Moon Token left by his master, Ruan Yixi, was connected to the previous generation's Moon God, Yuan Jun.

If Qiyuan wanted to know about his master, he could only ask Yue Hua Heavenly Lord or Moon God Yuan Jun.

"He's going, and he's already set off," Jingli replied, adding, "Just be careful not to expose your identity."

She was referring to his identity as the Shi Ri Heavenly Lord.

After ending the conversation, Qiyuan turned his attention to the game jade slip.

"As expected, the stronger one's cultivation, the longer it takes to load a new game."

Fortunately, the game had already loaded more than halfway, and he estimated that it wouldn't be long before he could enter.

Qiyuan eagerly anticipated the new game.

And also that strange life form that never spoke but emitted a soundless voice...

Could it be... that he's blind?

Otherwise, why would he be like a mute?

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Qi Yuan once again heard the soundless voice of Mozi.

Within it, he sensed a feeling of joy.

"I have good news for you. In a while, I'll come and play your game. By then, let's see if I can open a window for you with the help of the two Emperors of Swiftness."

As soon as Qi Yuan finished speaking, he regretted it.

It sounded a bit ominous; Chaos opened his window and fell.

"Enough of this, bye-bye."

It was time for him to pack up and head to Black Demon Sky for the Principle Debate Conference.

...

In the grand hall of Black Demon Sky, a clear distinction was made between the inside and outside.

Outside, only fifteen disciples had gathered, and these fifteen were the most talented disciples of the Dark Demon Abyss.

Bingjian, clad in a blue robe, turned his gaze towards the inner hall, his eyes filled with surging battle intent. "I hope that next time, I'll be in the inner hall, not the outer one."

Inside the hall, seated were Yang Shen, including the prodigy Hei Jian.

"If this Principle Debate Conference was held a little later, I might have been sitting inside," Zi Yuan Daxue said.

Among these fifteen disciples, only two were from Ziyuan Heaven: Qi Yuan and Zi Yuan Daxue.

"Equality for all. Niu Jiao Sister, if you want to go in and sit, just go ahead. You can sit wherever you like," Qi Yuan couldn't help but say.

"Can I sit on your big butt?" Zi Yuan Daxue asked with her usual cheeky tone.

Qi Yuan glanced at Zi Yuan Daxue's tall and slender figure and chose to remain silent, silently making a mental note.

"Also, don't call me Niu Jiao Sister anymore!"

"What's wrong?"

"I've changed my name. I'm thinking of calling myself Black Robe or Blood Sword. Which one do you like?"

"Huh?" Qi Yuan was a bit dazed, unable to keep up with Niu Jiao Sister's train of thought.

"Look, our Dark Demon Abyss has two peerless prodigies in the younger generation. One is named Black Sword, and the other is Blood Robe. There's also a third one, Ice Sword, who's just there to make up the numbers. Do you see the connection?" Zi Yuan Daxue asked.

Not far away, Ice Sword gave Zi Yuan Daxue a fleeting glance, wanting to say something but ultimately deciding to act as if nothing had happened.

Zi Yuan Daxue, just like Blood Robe, was someone he shouldn't get involved with, lest he lose face.

"What's the commonality?" Qi Yuan didn't even know he had something in common with Black Sword.

"Black and red are both colors, and sword and robe are both objects.

Is it because your names are so fitting that your talents are so high?"

That's why Zi Yuan Daxue wanted to be called Black Robe or Blood Sword.

"..." Qi Yuan decided to ignore Zi Yuan Daxue, as she was a bit too abstract.

However, Zi Yuan Daxue was very enthusiastic. "Blood Robe, how did you manage to have enough achievements to participate in the Principle Debate Conference? Did you use some connections?"

Zi Yuan Daxue's bold question immediately attracted the attention of many prodigies present.

Blood Robe had joined the Dark Demon Abyss for a relatively short time, so logically, he should have missed this Principle Debate Conference.

When An Xun Lu found out that Blood Robe had secured a spot, she was so angry she couldn't sleep.

"Although you've been very diligent lately, taking on missions every day, it's still not enough, is it?" Zi Yuan Daxue asked curiously.

She asked sincerely.

In a 16191 book, there was no mistake!

If someone else had asked, Qi Yuan would have assumed they were trying to make things difficult for him.

But Zi Yuan Daxue was different; it was reasonable.

After all, Qi Yuan had been in Ziyuan Heaven for so long, and he had discovered that he... had the highest EQ in Ziyuan Heaven.

"It's because I've cultivated the Ancestral Blood Art to a high level," Qi Yuan replied sincerely.

"Relying solely on the Ancestral Blood Art, you'd estimate six or seven layers. But Blood Robe Senior Apprentice Brother has just arrived in Ziyuan Heaven, so could he have reached six or seven layers?"

A male cultivator couldn't help but ask.

After all, Blood Robe had only been in Ziyuan Heaven for about a year.

In that year, Black Sword had only cultivated four layers.

It was still not enough.

"Six or seven layers? You underestimate me. I've already reached eleven layers," Qi Yuan said earnestly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent, and everyone looked at Qi Yuan speechlessly.

Eleven layers?

...

He was quite bold to say that!

Why didn't he claim to be a Principle Master?

In the current Dark Demon Abyss, those who had cultivated the Ancestral Blood Art to eleven layers were probably fewer than twenty.

These twenty people had at least reached the Principle Realm.

No one believed him, treating it as a joke.

"You..." Zi Yuan Daxue smiled, "Hurry up and reach fifteen layers, and I'll wash your butt every day, waiting to be your concubine."

"You shameless woman, don't call yourself Blood Sword, tarnishing my surname!" Qi Yuan was speechless.

For someone like Zi Yuan Daxue, he really had no way to deal with her.

Just then, a voice, rather gloomy, echoed through the hall.

"For this Principle Debate Conference, I, the Venerable Ku Rong, will be the main organizer, and Black Sword will be the deputy.

Since you're all here, follow me!"

An old man with a hunched back and a sinister aura as vast as the sea approached.

"This old man is putting on an act. He's clearly a Venerable, yet he's hunching his back," Zi Yuan Daxue transmitted to Qi Yuan.

"I think he's walking steadily. Weren't you looking for a place to sit? Why not sit on his back?" Qi Yuan said earnestly.

The relationship between Ku Rong Heavenly Venerable's Yinshen Heaven and Ziyuan Heaven wasn't very good.

Yin Soul Heaven, was also on good terms with Taohuang Palace and in conflict with the Moon God Palace.

"Scram, why don't you go and sit?" Ziyuan Snow glared at Qi Yuan.

"I respect my elders," Qi Yuan said via sound transmission.

"That's the funniest joke I've heard today," Ziyuan Snow replied.

Amidst the ongoing conversation, over ten Yang Deity Venerables and ten prodigies simultaneously entered the protective formation.

This formation combined defense, travel, and attack into one, and it could even be used within teleportation formations.

The Dark Demon Abyss relied on this formation for their travels.

At this moment, the Yang Deities closed their eyes to rest, sitting to the side, separated from these young prodigies.

After all, they had all once been prodigies themselves.

Only Black Sword, clad in a white robe and exuding a refined aura, was interacting with the young prodigies, answering their questions.

"The Principle Assembly is not just about the Principle Assembly; there's also the Heaven Rank Discussion Assembly, the Yang Deity Discussion Assembly, the Yin God Discussion Assembly, and other assemblies. These assemblies will all be held before the Principle Assembly."

Black Sword spoke calmly, his voice giving off a refreshing spring breeze-like feeling.

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Currently, he was at the Purple Mansion stage and hadn't decided on how to proceed with the Yin God path.

This was a perfect opportunity to listen and see if he could be inspired by some brilliant idea.

He had already planned to first attend the Yin God Assembly, gain enlightenment on the Yin God path, and then head to the Principle Wall to comprehend the Great Supreme Enlightenment.

A packed itinerary.

"Black Sword Senior Brother, our Dark Demon Abyss clan has powerful bloodlines, but our comprehension is average. If one day we have the chance to go to the Principle Wall and comprehend the lowest level of Principle, what should we do?" asked a sturdy-looking prodigy.

It was clear from his face that he wasn't very bright.

"Then work hard to cultivate to the Principle Realm. Once you reach the Great Supreme Enlightenment, except for the Supreme Principle, the rest of the Principle levels have almost no bearing on combat power." Black Sword spoke calmly, "The Celestial and Yellow grades are the same."

Below the Supreme Principle, all beings are equal.

At the Small Principle Realm, the Celestial, Yellow, Earth, and Heavenly grades of Principle can still influence combat power.

Upon reaching the Great Supreme Enlightenment, it becomes almost negligible, and no one can kill anyone else. Without an attack-type Creation Artifact, one can't even harm the other.

"Black Sword Senior Brother, you have unparalleled talent. You plan to comprehend the Supreme Principle, but what type of Principle do you intend to comprehend?" asked a curious young cultivator.

The other prodigies all showed envy.

Even Bingjian looked at Black Sword with a hint of admiration.

Because Black Sword was the only prodigy in the Dark Demon Abyss with the potential to comprehend the Supreme Principle.

Even Xue Pao, in their eyes, would likely max out at the Great Supreme Enlightenment and be unable to comprehend the Supreme Principle.

"Absolute, an eternal and unchanging law;

Unique, the ultimate unification of all things;

Cycle, an endless rotation, a beginning and an end;

Primordial, the origin of all things, the true source."

Black Sword answered seriously without hiding anything, "The Primordial path places too much emphasis on bloodlines. My bloodline has nothing to do with the Primordial, so I likely won't have a chance with it.

The Cycle path is mysterious and unpredictable. A slight mistake in its construction can lead to death and Dao extinction. In the Sixth Heaven, it seems no one has walked the Cycle path, so there's no reference.

The Unique and Absolute paths are part of the Great Dao, and one must choose one."

Most of those who comprehended the Supreme Principle in the Sixth Heaven chose the Absolute and Unique paths.

The one from Taohuang Palace chose the Unique path.

The Moon God, on the other hand, was a rare Primordial Yin.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan had a sudden thought: "Is there anyone who can comprehend all four at the same time?"

After these words, everyone fell silent, staring at Qi Yuan with a look of disbelief.

Was this even a question? There were countless life forms in the Sixth Heaven, and those who comprehended the Supreme Principle were fewer than two palms' worth.

It was like a male high school student asking his teacher if he could simultaneously win the NBA championship, the women's gymnastics championship, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and the world championship in Go.

Black Sword glanced at Qi Yuan and thought seriously, "In theory... yes."

Indeed, in theory, anything is possible.

Although there were no such cases, it was also unprecedented.

"Huh? Since it's possible in theory, then it's possible.

Oh dear, this is so difficult. How many Supreme Principles should I comprehend? My brilliant brain is going to suffer again!" Qi Yuan sighed, "I'll have to eat an extra egg tonight to supplement my nutrition."

"..."

A moment of silence followed, and everyone looked speechless.

"Why don't you ask Ice Sword brother to lay an egg for you? He has the Ice Phoenix bloodline, so his eggs will be more nutritious." Finally, Ziyuan Snow broke the silence.

"Do you have any culture? You called him Ice Sword brother, and how can a brother lay an egg?" Qi Yuan felt he had scored a point.

This Ziyuan Snow was uncultured; only females could lay eggs, not males.

"It's not that simple. I have a Dao Art that can make men lay eggs!" Ziyuan Snow said.

Bingjian: "..."

He had already tried his best to stay far away from her.

But...

The rest of the people looked at Bingjian, their expressions filled with pity and amusement.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end