Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Drifting

”It seems the Foundation-Stage Cultivator pulling strings from the shadows has finally given up.”

Lü Yang lifted his gaze to the sky. Thanks to the Primal Qi Divine Talisman and the experience carried across several lifetimes, he could faintly sense a shift in fate—like clouds parting from his Dao Heart, revealing clear and open heavens. He had not felt such relief in a very long time.

”Good. Very good.”

It wasn’t only that hidden threats had finally loosened their grip—his other plans had taken a great leap forward as well.

He produced the Primal Qi Myriad-Soul Banner and summoned his Primal Qi Avatar.

The banner was peculiar: although it concealed a Space within, only things connected to the Manual of Primal Qi—such as his avatar—were allowed to enter. As soon as the avatar stepped inside, Lü Yang’s sight flickered.

A heartbeat later, what stretched before him was a vast, unfolding scroll—the scenes shifting like panels of an immense comic. In each image dwelled a Banner Spirit. Some lived in rustic villages by the mountain; others frolicked upon distant islands. Some resided in palace labyrinths, others in celestial halls. They ate, drank, played, cultivated—acting almost indistinguishably from living people.

Even after many visits, the sight never failed to draw a whisper of awe from him:

”These paintings must reflect fragments of their past-life memories... Allowing them to live within the art keeps their minds from scattering. A terrifyingly ingenious artifact.”

With a thought, Lü Yang altered the scroll’s scenery.

All Banner Spirits were gathered into a single location. The humble villages vanished, replaced by a colossal factory—an orderly assembly line spanning the horizon.

The Banner Spirits blinked around in confusion.

Quickly, Liu Xin—the strongest among them—regained his clarity and rushed forward, bowing deeply. ”Subordinate greets the Master.”

”How is production?”

”Reporting to Master: one hundred thirty-two Golden Light Talismans, one hundred fifty-three Thunder Talismans, and two hundred ten Sword Qi Talismans have been completed. Please inspect.”

He handed over a thick pile of talismans.

”Not bad. But...”

Lü Yang reviewed them with a sweep of Spiritual Sense, satisfied—until his brow tightened.

”Who gave them permission to rest?”

He had delegated the creation of these three low-tier talismans entirely to the Banner Spirits. They were supposed to be laboring tirelessly. Yet now he found many... relaxing?

Unacceptable.Downright rebellious.

If Banner Spirits dared rest today, what audacity would they show tomorrow? Such rot must be extinguished at the root.

Lü Yang’s voice dropped coldly:

”Senior Brother Liu, organizing production so efficiently pleases me. But allowing them to rest displeases me very much.”

”Master, it was out of necessity,” Liu Xin explained hurriedly. ”To draw talismans, one must wield Qi as brush and spiritual essence as ink. But Banner Spirits—though seemingly alive—are fundamentally dead.”

”Their Qi endures, yet their spiritual essence depletes. Without rest, they will eventually be drained dry and dissipate entirely.”

”And so what?”

Lü Yang’s flat retort stunned Liu Xin.

”The Myriad-Soul Banner lacks nothing more than Banner Spirits. If they burn out, I will simply obtain replacements—profitable replacements.”

”And those that dissolve? They become fodder to strengthen the others.”

”Banner Spirits exist to toil. If they cannot, they have no reason to exist.”

Liu Xin’s heart trembled.

Beast. A complete beast.

Compared to Lü Yang, his previous usage of the Myriad-Soul Banner—summoning them reluctantly in combat—seemed like the height of compassion.

Noticing Liu Xin’s panic, Lü Yang smiled, warm and cordial.

”Senior Brother Liu, you understand the fierce competition among Banner Spirits now. If not for our shared origins, why would I entrust you with authority? You should be grateful.”

”After all—among all these spirits—why should I pick you?”

”I remember the favor you once offered me. Work hard, and I won’t treat you poorly.”

Liu Xin: ”...”

...

While Lü Yang supervised the Banner’s internal workings, Yun Miaqing wrestled with chaos of her own inside a secluded chamber of the Blood Robe Tower.

”How... how is this possible...”

Her expression wavered between joy and disbelief. The disciple token at her neck—emblazoned with the insignia of the Celestial Sword Pavilion—was pulsing with radiant spirit light.

A communication signal.

By channeling Qi into the token, one could speak directly with its counterpart. She had never known hers possessed such a feature.

Why had no one contacted her before?

Then, a familiar voice bloomed in her ears.

”Miaoqing? Good. You’re alive. Seems your fate still holds a thread.”

”S-Sister!?”

Yun Miaqing’s eyes went wide.

Her decision to reach out to Lü Yang had been made with two beliefs: first, that Lü Yang was trustworthy beneath his demonic affiliation; and second, that her family lineage would protect her if needed. If Lü Yang renounced the demonic sect, she could help guide him into the Righteous one.

Her Yun Family once produced a Sect Leader of the Sword Pavilion—a Golden-Core Perfected Lord. Though the family had declined since, they remained a powerful Immortal Clan within the Pavilion.

But she herself was not their pride.

That place belonged to her elder sister—Yun Miaozhen.

A Direct Disciple of the Pavilion, cultivating the Taiyi Golden Core Book. Exceptionally talented. Refusing even Qi Pills to avoid unstable growth. One of the rare few to complete a Legendary Technique at the Late Qi Refining Stage.

A true daughter of Heaven.

Their names differed by only one character, yet their talents stood worlds apart.

”Where are you now?”Yun Miaozhen’s tone was icy calm. ”You encountered tribulation in the demonic sect—that alone proves your destiny insufficient. Now that the calamity has ripened, you must leave.”

”You can... take me back!?”

Yun Miaqing’s heart swelled with relief. ”I’m at the Blood Robe Tower in Skull Mountain Marketplace! Sister, will you come for me?”

”Blood Robe Tower?”

A pause. Then the voice sharpened. ”So you’re being held by the Bloody Master? Very well. I will eliminate him for your sake—perfecting your merit.”

”What? No! Sister, you misunderstand!” Yun Miaqing blurted out, panic rising. ”Brother Lü may be born of the demonic sect, but he is no villain. He seeks the righteous sects. His talent is extraordinary. Instead of killing him—if we can convince him to—”

Her protest was cut short by a cold rebuke:

”Absurd!”

Far outside Skull Mountain Marketplace—

A tall woman in white robes and crane cloak crushed a jade talisman to pieces. Sword light flared between her eyes, her aura sharp enough to cut open the sky.

A middle-aged cultivator beside her frowned. ”What’s wrong?”

”Miaqing is beyond salvation.”

Yun Miaozhen exhaled slowly, gaze hardening.”She now pleads for a demon—she must be trapped in delusion. If she cannot escape the calamity, then she is already lost.”

”What will Senior Sister do?”

”...Go to the demonic sect marketplace.”

An unfamiliar fury stirred beneath her calm façade.

Yun Miaqing was her own blood—her own face reflected seventy percent back at her...

That thought alone filled Yun Miaozhen with a prickling, sour discomfort. She pressed her legs together unconsciously.

A sliver of murderous intent flashed across her flawless features.

”The demon has ensnared my sister’s heart. If I do not personally slay him—my Dao Heart will be tainted.”