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

Chapter 84 Reunion after a long absence

The sword flashed like a meteor, landing on a patch of overgrown grass.

As the light faded, Su Chunyi, Chen Ye, and Mo Suixin stepped out from the dazzling sword light.

The two girls were shocked when Chen Ye told them that he had encountered a red-banded snake with exposed bones, and they immediately took Chen Ye to the scene to see what was going on.

Having experienced flying on a sword once again, Chen Ye couldn't help but say to the black whirlwind on his shoulder, "Learn from this, and quickly comprehend the innate divine power that helps me block the wind."

Black Whirlwind tilted his head, looking as if he didn't understand.

Chen Ye rolled his eyes at his pet. This guy was very clever and knew how to pretend he didn't understand.

But we need to get down to business now; we'll train this guy slowly when we get back.

Chen Ye looked around and then said, "That's right, this is the place. I encountered three strange snakes with exposed bones here."

Chen Ye released the Black Whirlwind and ordered, "Reenact the previous scene."

Black Whirlwind croaked a few times, then flew past Chen Ye and disappeared into the grass.

In no time, it rolled out of the grass and flew out, transforming into a huge creature.

Through Black Whirlwind's energetic performance, Mo Suixin and Su Chunyi roughly understood everything that had happened before.

After a thorough search of the surrounding area, they quickly found footprints and traces of snakes crawling around.

Mo Suixin stared at the messy footprints and said with a worried expression, "Judging from the number of footprints, it seems that there were quite a few people present at the time."

Chen Ye pondered, "There are quite a few of them, but judging from the traces, they scattered in different directions, probably acting separately. It will be difficult to capture them all. But speaking of which, what kind of monster is this Red-banded Serpent? Why are you all so nervous?"

Mo Suixin explained, "To be honest, I've only heard a little about it. As far as I know, this Crimson Serpent is most likely related to the Crimson Serpent Demon Lord of yesteryear. Legend has it that this Demon Lord was extremely obsessed with raising snakes, and in his time, almost every disciple under his tutelage kept a Crimson Serpent. I've heard that the Crimson Serpent is incredibly venomous, impervious to swords and blades, and is an extremely troublesome spirit beast."

"But later, the Crimson Serpent Demon Lord died and his sect was completely wiped out by the righteous path. Logically speaking, the Crimson Serpent should have been extinct as well."

Chen Ye frowned and asked again, "I've heard that Hundred Seas Valley was once the dumping ground for corpses by the Crimson Serpent Demon Sect. Could it be that this place is like another Green Coffin Mountain?"

When the Demon Lord Wujiu was assassinated, his remains were buried in Qingguan Mountain, and the seal has been guarded by the Burning Incense Sect ever since.

If the corpse of that Crimson Serpent Demon Lord is also buried here, then perhaps that is the true target of the mastermind behind the scenes.

Resurrecting a demon lord sounds unlikely, but if successful, the entire Hundred Seas Valley would probably be reduced to ruins.

Hearing Chen Ye's question, Su Chunyi shook her head and said, "No way. The Crimson Serpent Demon Lord was killed by the combined forces of the five major sects. His body turned to ashes on the spot, leaving nothing behind. This Hundred Seas Valley was just a place to pile up corpses back then, not a treasure trove. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any contingency plans left behind by the Demonic Sect."

"That's strange. Since this place is not the ruins of the Demon Sect and there are no important things left, why would the person behind it choose to cause trouble in Hundred Seas Valley? They can't possibly kill everyone with just a few Crimson Serpents."

Chen Ye had witnessed the Red-Striped Serpent's abilities; it was indeed tough, but otherwise unremarkable.

Even if a creature has the best teeth and the most potent venom, it's useless if it can't bite someone.

Once exposed, they will be besieged by the five major sects. Let alone a few snakes, even thousands or tens of thousands of snakes would hardly have any impact.

Mo Suixin couldn't figure it out either. He tried to divine the outcome, but it was all a blur, and he couldn't see the specific hexagram.

"I need to report this matter to my master. You two shall take your leave now. If you have any news, you may come to the Incense Burning Sect's headquarters to find me at any time."

Mo Suixin hurriedly threw out a Bagua mirror, which grew in the wind and quickly became about ten feet in size, carrying Mo Suixin as they flew back.

Chen Ye watched Mo Suixin leave, then turned to Su Chunyi and asked, "Miss Su, what are your plans next?"

Su Chun smiled and said, "I'll listen to you."

"I?"

Chen Ye was utterly astonished. Why would he be asked to make such a crucial decision?
He knew very little about the Crimson Serpent Demon Sect, so he had no good advice to offer.

Su Chunyi seemed to see through Chen Ye's thoughts and explained earnestly, "Sir, you should know that I have never been good at dealing with such complicated matters. If a red snake appears in front of me, I can simply draw my sword and kill it. But to ask me to strategize and plan how to deal with the mastermind behind the scenes, I really do not have such ability, so I can only beg you to teach me."

Chen Ye looked at Su Chun with eyes full of expectation and trust, and had no choice but to think it over seriously.

After a moment, Chen Ye said to Su Chunyi, "The most important thing right now is to stabilize the situation to prevent chaos and allow the mastermind behind it all to take advantage of the confusion. As long as Hundred Seas Valley remains orderly, the more they try to make a move, the easier it will be for them to be exposed."

"We don't know the mastermind's real target, but this red-banded snake must be the key, so we just need to treat the symptoms."

"Miss Su, please report this matter to the Qinghe Sword Sect immediately. Issue a warning in the name of the Qinghe Sword Sect, informing all cultivators in Baihai Valley not to go out casually and to avoid acting alone to prevent attacks by the Red-banded Serpent. Any discoveries or bites must be reported immediately. Furthermore, we must unite with the five major sects to prepare as many antidotes and snake-repelling pills as possible. At the same time, organize two patrol teams. One team will be specifically responsible for tracking the mastermind and the Red-banded Serpent. Presumably, someone from one of the five major sects is skilled in tracking and knows how to deal with the Red-banded Serpent. The other patrol team will be responsible for identifying all cultivators bitten by the Red-banded Serpent, isolating and guarding them properly to prevent further trouble..."

Having worked in many emergency response-related jobs in his previous life, Chen Ye handled these matters with ease and clarity.

Su Chun carefully noted it down and prepared to make the arrangements according to Chen Ye's instructions.

It was so good to have someone help with these things. Su Chunyi felt much more relaxed. She just had to wait for the person behind the scenes to appear so she could kill him with a single sword strike.

After listening to Chen Ye's instructions, Su Chunyi asked again, "Sir, why don't you come with me to the Qinghe Sword Sect's headquarters? If Baihai Valley falls into chaos, only the headquarters of the five major sects can guarantee safety, and we can look after each other."

Chen Ye thought about it and agreed. He then said to Su Chunyi, "I'll first inform a few friends to prepare, and then I'll go to the Qinghe Sword Sect's headquarters to find you."

Su Chun nodded and rode the sword light into the sky.

Chen Ye mounted the Black Whirlwind and sped off toward the cave dwelling of Fu Lu Shou.

He had only recently arrived at Baihai Valley, and Fu Lu Shou were his only friends. At such a critical moment, he should personally inform them to seek refuge.

The black whirlwind flew as fast as ever, the howling wind raging in his ears, making Chen Ye's cheeks sting.

But this time was different; at least he wasn't just sitting around doing nothing.

While there was still some time, Chen Ye took out the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Previously, because Mo Suixin was around, Chen Ye didn't want to reveal too many secrets. Now that he was alone, he could finally clear up the doubts in his heart.

Upon closer inspection, although the Ten Thousand Souls Banner looked almost the same as before, Chen Ye knew it was completely different once he held it in his hand.

First of all, the feel is much better. Before, it really felt like a stick, and it felt floaty when I shook it. But now it feels like holding a sword, with the weight distribution just right.

Besides that, there's the material. The Ten Thousand Souls Banner is still black and white, but upon closer inspection, you'll find many new silk threads sewn into the fabric. Chen Ye couldn't distinguish the material of these threads, but they gave the eerie Ten Thousand Souls Banner a more upright and righteous feel.

But this change is a bit superfluous. Who cares about the feel of the Myriad Souls Banner when it hits someone? That's not how this magic weapon is used.

Chen Ye gripped the Ten Thousand Soul Banner tightly, and called out anxiously, "Master, are you still there?"

His hands were trembling slightly, and his heart was pounding wildly.

It had been a long time since Chen Ye had felt this tense. Even when facing a powerful enemy whose cultivation far surpassed his own, Chen Ye was able to handle the situation calmly. But after only a short wait, Chen Ye's palms were already sweating.

Last time they parted, Chen Ye could comfort himself by saying it was unavoidable and that he could stop thinking about Mo Ci when they couldn't see each other. Now that the Ten Thousand Soul Banner has returned to his hands, Chen Ye is terrified.

He was afraid of not getting a response, afraid that Mo Ci would disappear forever.

After an unknown amount of time, Mo Ci's voice came from the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, which was fluttering in the strong wind: "You wicked disciple, how many times have I told you not to be sentimental? Why are you crying?"

Chen Ye grinned, wiped his slightly reddened eyes, and then said to Mo Ci, "Master, you did this on purpose! You waited for me to make a fool of myself before you spoke."

"Hahaha, you wicked disciple, you've finally met your match!"

Mo Ci burst into triumphant laughter.

Chen Ye wiped away his still wet eyes, not bothering to argue with this disrespectful old man, and asked curiously, "Master, how did you manage to escape? Did you go to Qinghe and not get caught and refined?"

Mo Ci replied, "What else can we do but play dead? There are so many yin spirits in this Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and many of them are already broken and have lost their minds. I'll blend in and not say anything, and let Yang Chongguang talk to the people from the Qinghe Sword Sect. That's how we get away with it."

"Truly worthy of being called an old... shrewd and calculating senior!"

Chen Ye almost betrayed his master and ancestors again when he opened his mouth.

Mo Ci snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "You wretched disciple are quite something. I see you're living a good life, almost enjoying the blessings of having two wives. It's a pity, your master won't live to see the day you break through your pure yang body."

Chen Ye quickly said, "Master, don't be afraid. I've had an idea for your soul ailment for a long time. Just now, Miss Su even passed on to me the improved version of the secret technique that the Qinghe Sword Sect had developed. With your disciple's skills, I can cure you in a few days."

The Qinghe Sword Sect is truly formidable. Even with the evil cursed spirit child's soul already shattered, they were still able to save him. It shouldn't be difficult for them to resolve Mo Ci's weakened soul.

However, I don't have time right now. I'll study it slowly after I find a place to settle down.

Mo Ci said, "Don't be so quick to brag. I'm afraid I can't even keep up with yourself. The Crimson Serpent in Hundred Seas Valley has revived. Tsk tsk... This thing is no ordinary thing. The five major sects are in big trouble this time."

(End of this chapter)