Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 49: Not Even a Bit Within Oneʼs Control

”It seems that the Foundation Establishment True Person behind the scenes has finally given up!”

Lu Yang looked up at the sky; it was only because he possessed the Innate Primordial Qi Divine Talisman and had the experience of several lifetimes that he could vaguely sense the changes in fate.

This feeling of a clear Dao heart and boundless freedom was something he hadnʼt experienced in a long time.

”Good, good!”

Discovering that the Foundation Establishment True Person was no longer scheming against him, Lu Yang immediately felt much more relaxed.

What pleased him even more was that another of his projects had made significant progress.

Lu Yang took out the Innate Primordial Qi Myriad Spirits Banner and then summoned his Innate Primordial Qi Incarnation.

The Myriad Spirits Banner was very special; although it contained a mustard seed space, only entities related to the Innate Dao Book, such as the Innate Primordial Qi Incarnation, could enter it.

As the incarnation entered, Lu Yang immediately felt a blur before his eyes.

In the next second, a vast and boundless scroll slowly unfolded before Lu Yangʼs eyes, like a series of comic panels, each depicting a banner spirit.

These images were diverse: some showed mountain villages, others isolated overseas islands, imperial palaces, or celestial palaces in the heavens.

In each image, a banner spirit radiating spiritual light moved about—eating, drinking, playing, or meditating in cultivation—appearing almost lifelike.

Even though he had seen this many times, each viewing still made Lu Yang sigh:

”These images are probably manifestations of the banner spiritsʼ memories from their lifetimes. Letting the banner spirits live within the paintings helps maintain their consciousness and memories. What an incredible magical tool!”

With a thought, Lu Yang changed the scenes within the paintings.

All the banner spirits were gathered in one place, and the original images of mountain villages and such transformed into a massive factory and an assembly line.

At first, the banner spirits seemed a bit dazed.

But soon, as the strongest among them, Liu Xin was the first to regain clarity. He quickly approached Lu Yang and respectfully said, ”Subordinate greets the master.”

”How is the work progressing?”

”Reporting to the master, we have produced 132 Golden Light Talismans, 153 Five Thunder Talismans, and 210 Sword Qi Talismans. Please review them.”

As he finished speaking, Liu Xin presented a thick stack of talismans.

”Well done. However...”

Lu Yang scanned the talismans with his spiritual sense, satisfied, but soon his expression darkened:

”...who allowed them to rest?”

Since exchanging insights on talisman techniques with Fairy Feixia, he had assigned the production of three low-level talismans to the banner spirits within the Myriad Spirits Banner.

Therefore, the banner spirits were supposed to work tirelessly, day and night, year-round, drawing talismans for him. Yet, upon his inspection, he found them all resting.

This was unacceptable! It was outrageous!

As banner spirits, if they dared to rest today, who knows what they might dare to do tomorrow? Such unhealthy tendencies must be nipped in the bud!

Thinking of this, Lu Yang narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice:

”Senior Brother Liu, I am pleased that you can organize the banner spirits to produce so many talismans. However, I am not pleased that you allowed them to rest.”

”Master, this was a necessary measure.”

Liu Xin hurriedly explained: ”Talisman drawing requires living beings to use their mana as the brush and their spiritual wisdom as the ink. However, banner spirits are beings that are seemingly alive but essentially dead.”

”While they possess mana, their spiritual wisdom diminishes with each use.”

”If they continue drawing talismans without rest, they will eventually deplete all their spiritual wisdom, leading to their inexplicable dissipation.”

”So what?”

Lu Yangʼs response left Liu Xin momentarily stunned.

”The Myriad Spirits Banner lacks everything but banner spirits. If they dissipate from exhaustion, thatʼs perfect. I can acquire new ones, which would be more efficient.”

”Oh, and the dissipated banner spirits can be used to feed other banner spirits.”

”If banner spirits can endure hardship, they can endure more hardship.”

”You banner spirits exist solely to work for me. Those that cannot serve me have no value and should dissipate on their own.”

Lu Yang spoke calmly, but Liu Xin listened in terror.

ʼBeast... a beast indeed!ʼ

Observing Lu Yangʼs utilization of the Myriad Spirits Banner, Liu Xin felt that he himself was a great philanthropist, having previously only summoned banner spirits during battles.

Perceiving his emotions, Lu Yang smiled gently: ”Senior Brother Liu, you should understand how fierce the competition among banner spirits is now. Honestly, if it werenʼt for our shared sect background, I wouldnʼt have entrusted you with this task. You should learn to be grateful.”

”Otherwise, think about it: using this banner spirit or that one makes no difference. Why should I choose you?”

”Isnʼt it because weʼre fellow disciples? Iʼve achieved what I have today thanks to you. Rest assured, as long as you work diligently, I wonʼt treat you unfairly.”

Liu Xin: ”...”

While Lu Yang was inspecting the work within the Myriad Spirits Banner, in another secret chamber of the Blood Garment Tower, Yun Miaoqing was experiencing an internal struggle.

”How could this be...”

Her expression was a mix of joy and surprise, and the token around her neck, symbolizing her identity as a disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, was emitting light.

It was a communication light!

By channeling mana into it, one could communicate with the person on the other end. She had never imagined that her token had this function!

But why had no one contacted her before?

In the next moment, Yun Miaoqing heard a familiar voice in her ear: ”Miaoqing? Good, youʼre alive. It seems you still have some fate.”

”You are... sister!?”

Yun Miaoqingʼs beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.

She had previously extended an olive branch to Lu Yang, partly because she believed in his character and partly because she was confident in her own background.

As long as Lu Yang was willing to reform, she could have the Sword Pavilion accept him.

Because her Yun family had once produced a Sword Pavilion Sect Master, a Golden Core True Lord. Although they had declined over time, they remained a prominent family within the Sword Pavilion.

However, she herself was not highly regarded by the family. The one truly valued was her elder sister—Yun Miaozhen, a true disciple of the Sword Pavilion, who cultivated the Taiyi Golden Radiance Pill Book, focused solely on cultivation, even refusing to use pills to accelerate progress, and was among the rare few who had mastered great divine abilities in the late Qi Refining stage.

Describing her as ”Heavenʼs Favored Daughter” was no exaggeration.

Yun Miaoqing and Yun Miaozhen, though sisters with only a one-character difference in their names, had vastly different talents and aptitudes.

”Where are you now?”

The light shimmered, and a cold voice emanated: ”Your fate was insufficient, leading to your misfortune in the Demon Sect. Now that itʼs fulfilled, you should escape the calamity.”

Could she return to the Sword Pavilion?

Yun Miaoqing was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed, and quickly said: ”Iʼm in the Blood Garment Tower at the Skeleton Mountain Market. Sister, are you coming to get me?”

”Blood Garment Tower?”

Yun Miaozhen paused slightly before saying: ”Were you harvested by the Blood Garment Tower Master? So be it. Iʼll kill him for you, and your merit will be complete.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Miaoqing was stunned and quickly said: ”Sister, youʼve misunderstood. Brother Lü may come from the Demon Sect, but heʼs not a villain. On the contrary, he aspires to righteousness and has exceptional talent. I believe itʼs better to persuade him to reform than to kill him; he could be an asset to the righteous path...”

Before she could finish, a sharp rebuke interrupted her.

”Absurd!”

In the next moment, outside the Skeleton Mountain Market, a tall woman in white robes with crane patterns, her beautiful eyes gleaming with sword light and exuding heroic spirit, suddenly crushed the jade talisman in her hand.

Beside her, a middle-aged man frowned and asked: ”What happened?”

”Miaoqing is beyond saving!”

Yun Miaozhen shook her head and sighed: ”She pleads for a demon, likely already entangled in calamity and unable to extricate herself, with no hope of escape.”

”What does Junior Sister plan to do?”

”...Go to the Demon Sectʼs market!”

As she spoke, a nameless fury arose in Yun Miaozhenʼs heart.

Yun Miaoqing was her sister, bearing a seven-part resemblance to her.

Now, having been harvested by a demon, the image was akin to herself being...

At this thought, Yun Miaozhen felt a wave of discomfort and instinctively closed her legs.

Immediately, a trace of killing intent flashed across her delicate face: ”A demon has ensnared my sister. If I donʼt personally slay him, my thoughts will remain unsettled!”