Chapter 161: Nine Demon Banners, Liujia Golden Light Wheel
Chapter 161: Nine Demon Banners, Liujia Golden Light Wheel
With a sweep of his Divine Sense within the Mirage Dragon Thousand Illusions Array, Mu Yuan detected the python housing Hu Zongnan. It seemed Hu Zongnan was not faring well. The python, once plump and robust with gleaming scales, was now frail and thin, resembling a slender loach.
It was likely that without any food for so long, relying only on the spiritual energy within the array, even a Primordial Spirit expert was bound to suffer from hunger!
As soon as Mu Yuan’s Divine Sense appeared, Hu Zongnan saw a savior and yelled loudly, “Young master, you promised to release me soon, but it feels like years have passed, with seasons changing! I’m starving!”
Mu Yuan felt a bit embarrassed. He casually summoned several plump tigers and leopards from outside the array for Hu Zongnan to feast on. The python flipped over, its tongue coiled, and it swallowed a huge tiger whole.
After devouring seven or eight animals, Hu Zongnan finally let out a satisfied belch.
“How do I use that Nether Soul Banner?”
Mu Yuan got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
“That Demon Banner? I don’t know much about it. When I obtained it, I only knew that using Zhenqi to activate it could devour souls and absorb essence and blood. I know nothing else!”
“Really?”
Mu Yuan smirked faintly, staring intently at Hu Zongnan.
Hu Zongnan cried out, “I’ve been trapped here for years! How could I care about that banner anymore? Just let me out, that’s what matters!”
Mu Yuan remained silent, his eyes twinkling with colorful light as he fixed his gaze on Hu Zongnan.
Hu Zongnan gradually felt a sense of pressure. The air around seemed to turn deathly silent in an instant. The colorful light in Mu Yuan’s eyes gradually shifted to a dark golden hue, exuding an aura of emptiness, extinction, and slaughter!
It was the essence of the Heavenly Fiend Child, which Mu Yuan had borrowed.
“Alright, alright! They say there are nine of these Demon Banners: the Soul-Gathering Banner, Underworld Soul Banner, Shadow Soul Banner, Spirit Soul Banner, Nether Soul Banner, Soul-Control Banner, Fetal Soul Banner, Bone Soul Banner, and Blood Soul Banner. There should also be a set of cultivation techniques called ‘Nine Revolutions of the Heavenly Demon.’ In the end, they can merge into a single Heavenly Demon Purgatory Robe. But I’ve never seen any of that!”
“So that’s how it is!”
Mu Yuan thought to himself, “Indeed, Brother Chu has a Soul-Gathering Banner and the Nine Revolutions of the Heavenly Demon technique. Judging by the state of the Nether Soul Banner today, it must have special uses against various Heavenly Demons. But I suppose Hu Zongnan really doesn’t know the methods; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been captured so easily!”
With this thought, he smiled and said, “In that case, I’ll let you out. Don’t let me catch you causing trouble again, or it won’t be so easy next time!”
Hearing this, Hu Zongnan thought it was excellent.
Such instructions clearly indicated Mu Yuan’s genuine intent to release him. He wasn’t annoyed and replied cheerfully, “Don’t worry, young friend. Once I’m out, I’ll surely repent, do good deeds, and accumulate virtue!”
Mu Yuan paid no further attention. He shook Hu Zongnan’s massive body and released him.
“Master, are you really letting him go? You should know that this person has cultivated the Seven Slayers Demonic Smoke and has exterminated countless lives!”
Although the Heavenly Fiend Child had not been around for long, it had always possessed a dim awareness. It had vaguely sensed everything Mu Yuan had experienced.
“No worries, no worries!”
Mu Yuan gave a strange smile.
As soon as Hu Zongnan’s python body emerged from the Black Water Gourd, it let out a roar. Looking around, it found itself in the resplendent imperial palace, surrounded by numerous Cultivators.
Mu Yuan had cleverly placed him right in the center of the square!
No one knew where the python had come from, and they were slightly startled. As the serpent hissed, countless shouts arose: “Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!”
Poor Hu Zongnan had just emerged when he was shocked. In an instant, a dark, ink-like radiance flashed, coiling around his body. He felt a tearing pain throughout his form, followed by a barrage of sword lights and Zhenqi from all directions.
“That despicable little thief…”
Hu Zongnan only had time to shout once before he was completely obliterated!
It turned out the Cultivators had immediately struck to eliminate him.
“Amitabha Buddha!”
Several soft chants of the Buddha’s name floated lightly like mist.
Mu Yuan chuckled softly. The others acted as if nothing had happened.
In the end, four people were selected aside from Mu Yuan and the monk: one man and one woman. The man had an ordinary appearance, but his eyebrows were exceptionally long, glossy, and hung down on both sides like sideburns. The woman had a gentle and soft appearance with an elegant demeanor, but nothing else stood out.
These two were named Mo Huan and Su Yun.
During the earlier battles, Mu Yuan hadn’t paid much attention, but seeing these two seemingly unremarkable individuals persist to the end clearly indicated hidden depths.
However, most of those present favored Mu Yuan and the monk.
Mu Yuan, needless to say, had displayed astonishing Divine Abilities and Magical Power in his life-and-death struggle with Xuan Jia. As for the monk, he had subdued others without fighting, which was exceptionally eerie and hard to fathom.
Often, people would rather face a powerful opponent than someone they cannot figure out.
“These four immortals possess exceptional Magical Power, truly remarkable. There is one final round to determine which two…”
Before Emperor Jianming could finish his sentence, a series of calls echoed from outside the palace, one after another: “Envoy of the Tianlong Kingdom, requesting an audience with Emperor Jianming!”
Before one call faded, another rose, creating a layered effect like rolling thunder echoing from the sky.
“Why so soon?” Everyone was startled.
Fortunately, all reception ceremonies in the Tianyu Kingdom were fully prepared. Emperor Jianming immediately instructed the eldest prince, Zheng Qing, “Take those people and arrange their accommodations. We will meet tomorrow.”
A straightforward man, appearing around thirty years old, stepped forward to accept the command.
With the envoy’s arrival, many matters were set aside. Emperor Jianming paused briefly, unsure how to handle the current situation.
The middle-aged scholar then whispered a few words into the emperor’s ear, quickly stepped down, and shortly returned with two Spiritual Treasures.
One was a slender, elegant sword with shimmering radiance. At a glance, the blade seemed to disappear, leaving only the hilt. Yet, under the sunlight, faint streams of light flowed like clear water. The Cultivators, sharp-eyed, vaguely saw two elegant ancient seal characters on the hilt.
Cheng Ying!
The other was a Starlight Bracelet, dazzling with brilliant light, intricately carved on the outside with dense patterns resembling countless stars, suns, and moons in orbit.
“The four immortals need not decide. I have had two more spiritual artifacts selected for your consideration.”
Emperor Jianming spoke cheerfully and clearly.
“Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk only desires the Buddha Relic.”
The monk spoke softly, yet his tone carried an undeniable authority, as if issuing a command from a high position, weighty and not to be disrespected.
Emperor Jianming was momentarily speechless.
“Since the master has taken a liking to the relic, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. I will take the Cheng Ying sword. Fellow Daoist Mu already possesses a divine sword and likely isn’t interested. Fairy Su Yun does not practice sword techniques and surely won’t contend with me.”
Mo Huan interjected, a lazy smile on his lips, his two white eyebrows lightly trembling.
“I’ll take the Starlight Bracelet.”
Su Yun was straightforward and direct.
In no time, three had made their choices, leaving only the Liujia Golden Light Wheel for Mu Yuan.
“I don’t mind. Among these four items, there’s no real difference to me.”
Mu Yuan was very agreeable. He reached out, and the Liujia Golden Light Wheel on the platform flew through the air into his hand.
The monk chanted softly. The Buddha Relic flew up on its own, and a circle of glazed treasure light appeared behind his head, engulfing the relic. He then sat down quietly.
Mo Huan, seemingly surprised by Mu Yuan’s compliance, shook his head and took the Cheng Ying sword.
Su Yun picked up the Starlight Bracelet and noticed five tiny characters engraved in dark gold on the inside: “Sun, Moon, and Five Stars Bracelet.”
Mu Yuan examined the Liujia Golden Light Wheel. Its edges had sharp corners, and at the center was a golden, radiant pearl shining brilliantly. With the slightest movement, the golden wheel spun rapidly, its six sharp edges emitting golden light like threads.
“Not a bad trinket.”
With the Mysterious Heaven Dragon Ascension, Mu Yuan naturally wasn’t coveting the Liujia Golden Light Wheel’s ability to sever Divine Sense. Still, obtaining it was quite pleasant.
The items presented by the Tianyu royal family, while not top-tier Magical Artifacts or spiritual tools, possessed remarkable functions. Truly superior treasures were reserved for trusted aides or royal descendants with Cultivation talent. Today’s rewards were of moderate quality.
For instance, the Liujia Golden Light Wheel in Mu Yuan’s possession dated back to the founding of Tianyu. A wandering Cultivator who aided Tianyu in its campaigns perished in combat against others.
Although the Liujia Golden Light Mantra was inscribed on the city walls, its power relied on the massive spirit-gathering Rune Formations and the deeply buried spirits of the resentful dead beneath.
The Tianyu royal family lacked the refinement method for the golden wheel and thus generously offered it.
The Talismanic Seals on the city walls, however, required no activation and could respond to threats autonomously.
Mu Yuan returned to his seat. Most people didn’t recognize this golden wheel; without Mo Yue’s reminder, he wouldn’t have known it was called the Liujia Golden Light Wheel.
As for Cheng Ying, its material was excellent, incredibly sharp, and formless, making it unpredictable. Yet, it was merely a mortal weapon, not quite a spiritual tool.
In the eyes of ordinary people, it might be a first-class divine weapon, but to Cultivators, it seemed too simplistic, lacking many marvelous uses.
As for the Sun, Moon, and Five Stars Bracelet and the bone-pill Buddha Relic, they likely had their flaws, not worth mentioning to outsiders.
Mu Yuan, unaware of this, genuinely believed the Tianyu royal family, with its vast resources, was extraordinarily generous to give away such spiritual tools.
He immersed his Divine Sense into the Liujia Golden Light Wheel and found the Magical Artifact had twenty-one layers of Restrictions. However, like the Liujia Golden Light Mantra, these Restrictions specialized in severing Divine Sense. Without the proper refinement method, attempting to penetrate the Restrictions and comprehend its functions with Divine Sense alone was impossible.