Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 119 I Picked Up a Magical Treasure Spirit

Chen Ye carefully examined the white shadow in front of him. On the surface, it was not much different from a ghost, but under the nourishment of the sweet dew, it gradually solidified into a solid body.

It was still just a white blob, and its true form was not clearly visible.

Chen Ye asked, "What exactly are you?"

The white figure quickly replied, "My benefactor, I am the spirit of that mirage pearl. I was originally a mirage that lived for many years in the Void. I was captured by the villains of the Mirage Sect, who used my body to refine a magical artifact and sealed my soul within it. I have been enslaved by the Mirage Sect for a hundred years, and today I almost lost both my soul and my spirit. I am so grateful for your help..."

The white figure spoke at length, which surprised Chen Ye.

There are celestial ruins in the deep sea, and celestial ruins contain mirages. That sounds like a monster.

Does the Mirage Sect also use the method of killing demons to obtain their core essence?

Chen Ye thought about it and it didn't seem wrong. He also used wild beasts to refine blood pills, so he wasn't any more noble than the Mirage Sect.

Unexpectedly, Mo Ci said, "Don't listen to his nonsense. The mirage demon doesn't have such rationality. He is a spirit of the artifact. Although he was born from the body of the mirage demon, he is not a born soul. He was probably created by the Mirage Sect using a secret method."

Mo Ci explained it to Chen Ye in detail.

This monster usually refers to non-human races that have broken through the limits of lifespan.

Like the Black Whirlwind raised by Chen Ye, which is said to have the bloodline of a spirit beast, it is actually a monster. Those that are tamed are spirit beasts, while those that cannot be controlled by humans are monsters.

The mirage demon is a relatively well-known type, mainly because each disciple of the Mirage Tower Sect possesses a mirage pearl, leading to a great deal of related information circulating in the world.

According to legend, the mirage is just a kind of deep-sea shellfish. Only the mirages in the Ruins of Return can break through their lifespan and become monsters. Only mirage monsters can produce mirage pearls that can be used to refine treasures.

But shellfish themselves have little intelligence, and even if they become monsters, they only have instincts.

The white figure before them, however, was articulate and spoke like an ordinary person, so it was definitely not the soul of the mirage demon itself.

According to Mo Ci's deduction, the spirit of this artifact should be related to the crafting technique.

The Mirage Sect retained some of the Mirage Demon's instincts, then added spiritual essence to it, gradually enhancing its intelligence, until it finally became what it is today.

Mo Ci said excitedly, "A magic weapon with a spirit will have its power increased tenfold. This thing is valuable; selling it can at least get you a top-quality magic weapon."

Bai Ying quickly said, "No, my benefactor, please don't sell me out! I'm useful to you, I'm of great use to you!"

Chen Ye asked, "Why are you panicking? Being enslaved by me is almost the same as being enslaved by someone else, isn't it?"

They are all magical artifacts and spirits; it doesn't matter much who they fall into. This white figure seems determined to be the only one, so it probably has some other motive.

Bai Ying quickly said, "Of course it's different. My benefactor saved my life, and I'm willing to work for you. If I were bought by someone else, wouldn't I still be enslaved? You made the Mirage Sect lose face and saved my life, which is a double favor to me. Isn't it only natural for me to work for you? Although it may seem the same to others, it's different to me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye thought to himself that the spirit was quite talkative and couldn't help but laugh, "You seem to care quite a bit about personal feelings."

Bai Ying immediately replied, "Of course! Anyone who has been enslaved for a hundred years would yearn for freedom. Staying by my benefactor's side, I can at least say it's an act of repaying a debt of gratitude."

Chen Ye asked, "Then what use are you?"

Bai Ying said anxiously, "The reason that Mirage Sect disciple lost is because I bewitched him during the duel. In any case, I have helped you, my benefactor, to some extent, don't you agree?"

Chen Ye exclaimed in surprise, "So it was you! You're the reason for his inner demons? A demonic artifact that devours its master—I'm afraid I dare not keep you alive."

Bai Ying explained, "The Mirage Sect enslaved me for a hundred years. What's wrong with me taking a small revenge? His inner demons are his own fault for his lack of willpower. How can you blame me? Besides, my benefactor, don't worry. My body is now destroyed, and I'm powerless to use illusions."

"So it's useless?"

Chen Ye looked uninterested, which frightened the white figure, who said, "But I know many of the Mirage Sect's spells, and I can teach them to you, my benefactor. During today's battle, I noticed that your methods of controlling the spirits were somewhat crude. I understand this aspect, and I can teach you."

Chen Ye asked in confusion, "Aren't you skilled in illusion magic? You also know about military formations?"

"Of course I understand. Illusion techniques often involve creating countless clones. If you don't know how to deploy them, the illusions will just rush around aimlessly, wasting spiritual energy. The Mirage Sect created me precisely to control illusion arrays and reduce many troubles. Putting aside other matters, if you keep me by your side, I guarantee your Myriad Soul Banner will become even more powerful. Oh, and by the way, I'm not only skilled in illusion techniques, but also in breaking them. If you encounter members of the Mirage Sect in the future, I guarantee they won't be able to perform even a third of their skill."

The white figure spoke so quickly and urgently that Chen Ye's ears ached a little, but if what he said was true, it seemed to actually be of some use.

"In that case, you may take refuge in the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls for the time being."

Since it's a free magical artifact spirit, I'll keep it for now and decide whether to sell it later.

However, he had to keep a close eye on him. Chen Ye didn't want to end up like Qin Ze, being devoured by the white shadow and ultimately plagued by inner demons.

The white-clad figure said with profuse gratitude, "Thank you so much, benefactor."

Chen Ye then asked, "What's your name?"

Bai Ying remained silent for a moment, then said helplessly, "I have no name. The Mirage Sect refined me into a magical artifact, calling me Mirage Pearl, but never giving me a name. Why don't you, my benefactor, bestow a name upon me?"

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "Think of your own name."

Last time, when Chen Ye named Black Whirlwind, the little crow turned into a fierce bird of Liangshan. Its muscular body and menacing appearance made Chen Ye regret his decision.

The spirit of this magical artifact is not yet familiar with it, so Chen Ye should not bear the consequences.

Bai Ying said with some regret, "Then... I'll think about it carefully."

After everything was finished, before dawn, he returned to his cave.

Although tonight's events were full of twists and turns, I unexpectedly obtained a treasure, so I was really lucky.

Chen Ye was in a good mood and fell asleep happily, but unexpectedly, the red serpent once again invaded his dream.

Seeing this, Chen Ye couldn't help but say to the Crimson Serpent, "My Lord, can't you just let me get a good night's sleep?"

The Crimson Serpent remained calm and nonchalant, saying, "Now, the news of your victory over the Mirage Sect disciples is widely known in Hundred Seas Valley. You should now believe what I said before: that you can help me deal with those monks from the Nirvana Sect. The previous agreement still stands. If you agree to help me, I will teach you a superior body-refining technique."

Chen Ye asked in confusion, "Lord, does your Hundred Seas Valley actually have spies? Otherwise, how could your information be so readily available?"

The Crimson Serpent glanced coldly at Chen Ye and said, "This matter is none of your concern."

These old devils are indeed cunning and shrewd. Perhaps there are still some Red Serpent lairs that haven't been completely cleared out. I'll have to talk to the Qinghe Sword Sect about this and have them check again to prevent another Red Serpent disaster.

The Crimson Serpent urged, "Stop beating around the bush, just tell me if you agree or not."

"Your Excellency seems a bit anxious. The only person I defeated today was Qin Ze, who was only at the Gang Sha Realm. The monks you mentioned have three at the Tong Xuan Realm, which is a whole realm higher than me."

The Crimson Serpent comforted him, "There's no difference. After the Gang Sha Body Refinement, it only makes the flesh and blood tougher, less prone to injury, increases lifespan, and increases the spiritual energy within the body. You are exceptionally talented, and the spiritual energy within your body is much higher than others. Ordinary Gang Sha Realm cultivators are no match for you. As for the Tong Xuan Realm, it's about the same; it's just that the innate divine abilities they comprehend vary in strength."

"If we don't mention this supernatural ability, even a Transcendent Realm cultivator wouldn't be that difficult to deal with. You are no longer the same person you used to be, so stop treating yourself like an ant."

Chen Ye sensed something was wrong. Why did the Crimson Serpent seem so impatient today? Could it be that his plan had encountered some unexpected changes?
After thinking for a moment, Chen Ye tentatively said, "Then, Venerable One, could you first pass on this superior body refining technique to me? Once I have mastered it, I will help you eliminate those demons of the Nirvana Sect. Wouldn't that be more reliable?"

The Crimson Serpent's vertical pupils shrank to pinpoints as it stared intently at Chen Ye, as if it hadn't expected him to be so shameless.

But Chen Ye remained calm; he wasn't the one in a hurry.

After an unknown amount of time in the dream, the Crimson Serpent sighed helplessly, "You are clever, I lost my composure. Let's each take a step back. I will now teach you a superior body-refining technique, but you must set off for Luoyan Town within ten days."

"Luoyan Town? Where is that?"

"This is a remote border region in the north, where the two countries meet, and it is thousands of miles away from here."

Chen Ye pondered for a moment, then said, "Okay, I agree."

(End of this chapter)