Chapter 473: The Urgent Qi Yuan, an Ultra-Grand Plan Takes Shape!

Chapter 473: Qi Yuan’s Urgency, the Superb Great Plan Takes Shape!

The phantom of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner was personally arranged by the Banner Lord.

Layer upon layer of barriers made it difficult for the Human Imperial Hall Envoy to enter.

Even if he forced his way in, he would be detected and suppressed at the first moment.

Thus, the Yang God Venerables at Ghost Pass would have been forewarned and would not have been slain by the Human Imperial Hall Envoy’s incursion.

But who would have thought these barriers and warnings were useless? Only after the Human Imperial Hall Envoy slew a Principle-Realm Yang God Venerable did the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner belatedly raise the alarm, and they discovered the envoy had secretly infiltrated.

In the end, the envoy slew another unlucky Yang God and departed with flair—one could say… Ghost Imperial Heaven was utterly humiliated.

How could they deal with such a slippery Human Imperial Hall Envoy?

The Taihuang Palace Envoy was fraught with worry: “This Ghost Pass is no longer safe.”

He scanned his surroundings, feeling that every stretch of void was fraught with danger, as if the Human Imperial Hall Envoy might appear at any moment.

To be honest, he now wished to return to Taihuang Palace.

The other Yang God Venerables, hidden in the vicinity, dared not reveal themselves, only their ethereal voices drifting through.

“Since even the phantom of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner is useless!”

“We remain here like lambs awaiting slaughter!”

These Yang God Venerables, lofty and glorious all their lives, had never been so terrified as they were today.

That Human Imperial Hall Envoy was simply inhuman.

An ordinary Great-Principle Yang God, even with his strength, would not dare rashly infiltrate the core region of a Six-Heaven Holy Land, for fear of being trapped and sealed.

At this moment, the Human Imperial Hall Envoy, through slaughter, had struck such fear into the Yang God Venerables of Ghost Imperial Heaven that their blood ran cold.

How long had it passed? The Human Imperial Hall Envoy had already slain nine Yang God Venerables, among them Feng Shuai of Black Demon Abyss and a Principle-Realm Yang God.

That was a Principle-Realm Yang God, yet he was effortlessly slain!

Did this not mean that, aside from the Great-Principle, all other Yang Gods of Ghost Imperial Heaven could not even protect themselves?

Qi Yuan alone had crushed Ghost Imperial Heaven into terror.

Just then, a cold, vast voice resounded.

“The flaw in the phantom of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, I have now discerned.

This time, it is my oversight!”

The voice of the Ghost Imperial Heaven Banner Lord fell, yet his figure remained seated in Ghost Imperial Heaven.

For experts of their realm, the true body would never casually leave the Holy Land.

For instance, the White Dragon Abyss Lord that Qi Yuan had met some time ago was not the true body of the White Dragon Abyss Lord either.

Upon hearing the Banner Lord’s words, many Yang God Venerables did not trust them as they had the first time.

To be honest, they all harbored some doubt.

Of course, their emotional intelligence was no lower than Qi Yuan’s; even if they doubted, they would not speak out directly and embarrass the Banner Lord.

The Banner Lord had admitted his mistake—what else could be done?

The fallen Yang God Venerables could only be deemed unlucky, could they not?

“The clans and kin of the Yang God Venerables who have fallen in recent days shall enjoy first-class treatment in my Ghost Imperial Heaven.

I will leave a portion of the Yang God’s legacy within these clans.”

This time, the Banner Lord had truly paid a heavy price.

If he did not offer consolation, the boiling resentment within Ghost Imperial Heaven would be hard for even him to suppress.

“The Banner Lord is benevolent!” The Yang God Venerables of Ghost Imperial Heaven were slightly surprised.

Such consolation had never occurred in Ghost Imperial Heaven.

Ghost Imperial Heaven was a bona fide evil sect; when a Yang God Venerable fell, his accumulated resources would be instantly devoured.

“The flaw in the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, I now know where it lies, and I have personally repaired it,” the Banner Lord said calmly.

The Yang God Venerables present forced smiles onto their faces: “We thank the Banner Lord for his trouble.”

Of course, they dared not say more.

Many Yang God Venerables turned their gazes toward the Taihuang Palace Envoy.

Seeing this, the Taihuang Palace Envoy shuddered and quickly said, “Banner Lord, would you be willing to check again? Are there any other flaws? If there is still a loophole, and that Human Imperial Hall Envoy breaks in again…”

The other Yang God Venerables dared not speak, but the Taihuang Palace Envoy did.

In the void, there was a moment of silence. After a few breaths, amid everyone’s waiting, the vast voice came again.

“This time, I shall have one-third of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner’s true body descend here to protect you all!”

This time, he truly paid a heavy price.

Previously, he had sent phantoms and avatars, which, though powerful, would not greatly harm the true body of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner even if lost.

Now, he was sending the true body of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner.

Hearing this, the other Yang God Venerables felt greatly reassured.

“Thank you, Banner Lord!”

At this moment, their hearts were free of worry.

With one-third of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner’s true body descending, the safety of Ghost Pass was nearly on par with Ghost Imperial Heaven.

Of course, it still fell far short of Ghost Imperial Heaven.

After all, Ghost Imperial Heaven was not only guarded by the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner but also by other miraculous treasures, together forming a stable defense.

…

Within Demon Pass, the clamor of voices rose.

Bing Jian, Zi Yuan Daxue, Zi Yuan Xiaolu, and other prodigies wore expressions of anxiety.

At this moment, they gathered together in silence.

Now, they could only be spectators, unable to control their own fate.

From the deep palace ahead, the clamor of Yang God Venerables arguing rang unceasingly.

Zi Yuan Daxue spread her hands, a look of helplessness in her eyes: “Well, the Linya Slough hasn’t even started yet, and with this scene, our Black Demon Abyss is about to split apart!”

News had come that the Abyss Lord had yielded and conceded to Taihuang Palace.

This shocked many Yang God Venerables and caught these prodigies off guard.

“Retreating before battle—this time, our Black Demon Abyss has taken a huge loss!” one prodigy could not help but say.

“Alas, let us not misinterpret the Abyss Lord too harshly. What he did was surely for the greater good.

Better to avoid war than to start one recklessly!

Otherwise, when the time comes, how many of our divisions will have to die in battle?” another prodigy said earnestly.

He harbored no objections to submitting to the Taihuang Palace.

"Does submitting mean there is no fight left? If that happens, won't we just become the dogs of the Taihuang Palace, biting whomever they order us to?" An Xunlu spoke with clear displeasure.

"By following the Taihuang Palace, at least we stand to emerge as winners of the Linya Molt. What becomes of those who oppose them?" the other person cross-examined sharply.

At this point, Bing Jian suddenly spoke up, "Would the Taihuang Palace truly accept a mere submission? Could it really be that simple?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the expressions of the chosen prodigies stiffened, a dark premonition creeping into their hearts.

Given the tyrannical nature of the Taihuang Palace, how could they so easily accept the surrender of the Black Demon Abyss?

After all, within the Black Demon Abyss, several tribes still held long-standing grudges against the Taihuang Palace.

"Do not harbor malicious speculations about baseless matters that have yet to unfold. I believe the venerable Abyss Master will prioritize the greater good and will not abandon any of our tribes!" the young cultivator retorted.

Just then, a lazy voice floated through the air as a handsome man clad in a blood-red robe manifested: "Even if the Abyss Master backs down, the matter of the Taihuang Palace plundering my private property is far from over!"

The newcomer was, naturally, Qi Yuan.

"What exactly did the Taihuang Palace steal from you?" An Xunlu could not help but ask.

Qi Yuan did not bother to reply, finding An Xunlu's constant nagging entirely too tedious.

At that moment, Ziyuan Daxue turned her gaze toward Qi Yuan: "Blood Robe, where on earth have you been lately? I wanted to treat you to those delicious Ziyuantian mushrooms I just cultivated, but you were nowhere to be found."

"A secret," Qi Yuan murmured, casting a brief glance at Ziyuan Xiaolu.

Ziyuan Xiaolu's fair face flushed crimson instantly, her heart fluttering violently like a startled fawn.

She alone knew that Senior Brother Blood Robes had ventured to the Tiankun Mystic Realm; even Senior Sister Daxue was kept in the dark.

She felt a sweet sense of favored grace blossoming within her heart.

"Alas, our Black Demon Abyss has truly fallen from grace. This grand expanse cannot even compare to a single Envoy of the Human Emperor Hall.

Facing Gui Yutian alone, he dared to stride forth unaccompanied, slaughtering Yang Gods like dogs. Yet our Black Demon Abyss..." Sister Horns sighed, suddenly darting a glance at Qi Yuan. "Truth be told, you bear a certain resemblance to that Envoy of the Human Emperor Hall."

Qi Yuan's heart tightened slightly, a wave of vigilance rising within him.

Could it be that his disguise was unable to deceive even someone as scatterbrained as Sister Horns?

"In what way do we look alike?" Qi Yuan asked, unable to resist.

"Equally lawless," Ziyuan Daxue laughed.

Her meaning was crystal clear; Blood Robe spoke every day of how that prominent figure from the Taihuang Palace was his mortal foe, whom he must suppress.

Such audacity was certainly no less than that of the Human Emperor Hall's Envoy.

"I shall await your good tidings, then I can become your concubine!" Ziyuan Daxue said, winking mischievously at Qi Yuan.

Hearing this, Ziyuan Xiaolu, who stood nearby, grew rather anxious.

How could Ziyuan Daxue just claim the position of concubine?

What was she to do then?

Before she could fashion the proper words to speak, An Xunlu's biting voice cut in: "The Envoy of the Human Emperor Hall truly went to the Ghost Pass to slay Yang Gods. What right does Blood Robe have to be compared to such an esteemed figure? He is nothing but talk!"

"Hey, An Xunlu, how can you slander a man's innocence out of thin air? You have never even kissed me, so how do you know my lips are so skilled?" Qi Yuan retorted in dissatisfaction.

An Xunlu gasped in fury, completely choked up and rendered utterly speechless.

Just then, a thought struck Qi Yuan, and he suddenly inquired, "Is Hei Jian's tongue just as sharp?"

An Xunlu's face flushed a deep scarlet, though a strange, secret delight blossomed in her heart. "What... what utter nonsense are you spouting!"

Qi Yuan stretched lazily and cast an eye over Bing Jian, a hint of surprise registering in his gaze. "Why are you concealing your true strength?"

Bing Jian, who had been sitting as steady as a mountain, experienced a slight shift in expression. "How did you find out?"

Soon after, the realization dawned upon him.

The Ancestral Blood Scripture he had recently cultivated was a gift from Blood Robe, and since he had only just ascended to the realm of a Yang God Heavenly Venerate, his aura remained unstable; it was only natural for Blood Robe to notice.

Bing Jian made no attempt to deny it, transmitting his voice faintly: "Junior Brother Blood Robe, you must help me keep this a secret. Doing this is actually, hehe, to make a stunning debut when the time comes!"

Having broken through to the realm of a Yang God Heavenly Venerate, Bing Jian indulged his tongue, addressing him as Junior Brother Blood Robe.

If he did not say it now, it would be too late once Blood Robe also attained the status of a Yang God Heavenly Venerate.

"My lips are sealed, rest assured," Qi Yuan replied via voice transmission.

Bing Jian continued, a smug look coloring his eyes: "Once the Linya Molt begins, the Taihuang Palace will commence its inspection of the heavens. By standard logic, no matter how deeply a Yang God hides, starlight will invade their body. When that happens, tsk tsk..."

When that time came, he would gather three or five close friends for a reunion.

Suddenly, brilliant starlight would burst forth from his body in cascading waves.

His friends would be left utterly stunned and speechless.

He would then casually brush his sleeve and say nonchalantly, "Oh, I had no idea I had inadvertently broken through to the realm of a Yang God Heavenly Venerate."

These scenarios had played out in his mind countless times, all in anticipation of the heavenly inspection that would leave everyone dumbfounded.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan immediately sensed a looming threat.

Lately, his right eyelid had been twitching occasionally; could it be... because of this very thing?

"Will every single Yang God be forced to reveal their form?" Qi Yuan asked anxiously.

"The heavenly inspection is controlled by the will of the Immortal Realm. So long as a Yang God has breathed the air of the Sixth Heaven, there is naturally no way to hide."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan grew deeply worried. "Is it too late to exhale all the air right now?"

Bing Jian glanced at Qi Yuan with a look of slight surprise. "Could it be that you have stepped into the realm of a Yang God Heavenly Venerate?"

"No, not yet," Qi Yuan replied honestly.

Hearing this, Bing Jian let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, before the Linya Molt commenced, he would still be the most "brilliant" young lad around.

"If you are not a Yang God, the inspection naturally will not find you."

"But... what if there is a Purple Mansion cultivator who possesses a stellar projection in the Star Realm identical to that of a Yang God? Would he be detected by the inspection?" Qi Yuan pressed on.

He was growing rather anxious.

"This..." Bing Jian found himself utterly bewildered by the question. He desperately wanted to crack open Blood Robe's head and say, Junior Brother Blood Robe, why don't you think carefully about what on earth you are asking?

What did he mean by a Purple Mansion cultivator possessing the stellar projection of a Yang God?

"Cough, cough... perhaps, maybe, it is possible?" After pondering for a moment, Bing Jian finally replied, "If this Purple Mansion cultivator possesses the combat power of a Yang God, then he cannot escape the inspection of the heavens."

Within the Sixth Heaven, there also existed some terrifying entities who lacked stellar projections yet still possessed combat power comparable to a Yang God Heavenly Venerate.

During the inspection of the heavens, the starlight would likewise cast its glow upon these dreadful beings.

"Can one avoid it by hiding within a mystic realm?" Qi Yuan inquired.

"No."

"I am doomed," Qi Yuan muttered, a heavy sense of impending crisis suddenly gripping him.

Severing the voice transmission, he fell into deep thought, his mind trembling.

After an unknown passage of time, Qi Yuan spoke in a low, somber voice: "The Taihuang Palace goes entirely too far. Not only do they plunder my private property, but they also violate my privacy. They truly have no respect for a Purple Mansion cultivator like me!"

"If even the Purple Mansion Sister doesn't take you seriously," Ziyuan Daxue laughed heartily.

Qi Yuan paid no heed, struck by a thought: "No, it's going to rain. I have to go home and take in the laundry."

With that, he hurried away.

He needed to set his clever mind to work, figuring out how to deal with the inspection of the myriad heavens.

For now, his raw strength was far too lacking compared to the Taihuang Palace.

There were too many people here, hindering the operation of his clever mind.

The Blood Robe came and went in haste, drawing the attention of many prodigies.

Bingjian gazed at the Blood Robe's retreating figure, lost in thought: "Was there something wrong with what I said... or perhaps..."

Suddenly, a mysterious guess arose in his heart.

Could it be that the Blood Robe had a Yang God Venerable hidden by his side?

Or maybe...

...

In his cave dwelling, Qi Yuan was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan.

"In my early years, I knew the hardships of the world!"

"I shouldn't have gone to bed early last night; otherwise, I wouldn't have heard this thunderbolt!"

"Alas, the game still needs time to load. If not, I'd just dive into the game—could that Taihuang Palace fellow come in and hit me?"

"It seems the great plan is not yet complete. I need to devise an even greater plan!"

Qi Yuan pondered.

His clever mind spun wildly.

He was already mulling over the details of the super-great plan.

After about half an hour, Qi Yuan let out a sigh of relief.

"The super-great plan is complete. Indeed, when a man is pushed to the brink, his potential is limitless!"

Qi Yuan murmured.

Just then, the space around him suddenly froze.

Qi Yuan knew that the old man Ziyuan Zu, who loved to play with small-scale time stops, had arrived again.

"Old man, you're here?"

Bolstered by the confidence of the super-great plan, Qi Yuan regained his composure.

Ziyuan Zu was not tall or imposing; in height alone, he was no match for Qi Yuan.

He looked at Qi Yuan with a complex expression: "You must know that the Abyss Lord has submitted to the Taihuang Palace."

"Mm." Qi Yuan nodded.

If before he had been somewhat worried,

now, with the super-great plan in place, he was much calmer.

"Alas, the waters here run deep. This time, during the Linya Molt, our Black Demon Abyss... I fear many great principles will fall in battle." Ziyuan Zu sighed.

"Old man, you're a good person. It won't be you who falls."

Hearing this, Ziyuan Zu's face rarely showed a smile.

Still, he looked at Qi Yuan and said, "Are you really not going to get the White Dragon Abyss Lord pregnant? If you did, I'd bring the Ziyuan Heaven to pledge allegiance to you two lovebirds, and not suffer this foul air in the Black Demon Abyss!"

Ziyuan Zu's purpose in coming was to persuade Qi Yuan once more.

If before he had sensed a whiff of conspiracy,

now the conspiracy had descended directly.

Several ancestors of the Black Demon Abyss felt they could barely protect themselves.

Ziyuan Zu also felt the shadow of dark clouds looming.

"Old man, that White Dragon Abyss Lord makes anyone she looks at pregnant.

If I fell in love with her, I'd inevitably share deep gazes with her. If I got pregnant... how would I give birth?

Don't bring this up again. And you, a junior, meddling in the affairs of your elder—it's an inversion of heaven's order!" Qi Yuan said.

Ziyuan Zu didn't mind Qi Yuan's words. He thought for a moment and said slowly, "After we withdraw from the Ghost Pass, you stay put in the Ziyuan Heaven and don't go anywhere."

The Ziyuan Heaven was his stronghold, the place where his combat power was greatest.

"Old man, you're too timid. This time at the Linya Molt, I've got your back!" Qi Yuan said, thumping his chest with confidence.

"You rascal..." Ziyuan Zu smiled. "It's enough that you have the heart."

Then, remembering something, he added, "Try not to communicate with the Black Sword during this time. If the Abyss Lord summons you, just don't go. Contact me if there's trouble!"

The conspiracy from before now seemed clear.

Either the Black Sword or the Abyss Lord was the mastermind behind the scenes.

Or perhaps both could be.

"Alright."

Qi Yuan said.

Ziyuan Zu left, leaving Qi Yuan alone in the cave dwelling.

"Before executing the super-great plan, I need to refine the Human Sovereign Banner.

The Taihuang Palace has more than one strong expert. The super-great plan is one-time use and can hardly be reused. I need to boost my strength."

Qi Yuan looked outward, his gaze falling on the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, his eyes calm.

"Alas, I'm still too weak now. If I were stronger, I'd charge straight into the Ghost Control Heaven's lair—that would be a real haul!"

Qi Yuan mused.

The Linya Molt was imminent, and the inspection of the myriad heavens was fast approaching.

He could no longer waste time.

"This Banner Lord's avatar has been hiding in the Ghost Pass. It seems I can't go in and slaughter this time; I'll have to just steal the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner."

This disappointed Qi Yuan.

If he had more patience before, he might have waited for the Banner Lord to leave before entering.

But now, he needed to save time and quickly enhance his strength. Forging an offensive creation-grade exotic treasure was the true path.

He hesitated no longer and vanished.

About half a day later.

In the Ghost Pass, dark clouds spread.

Ghost Crime Venerable, Ghost Yuan Venerable, and a host of great principles lurked hidden in the void.

This time, the Banner Lord not only brought out the very essence of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner but also devised a plan to gravely wound the Envoy of the Human Sovereign Hall.

This time, the Banner Lord deliberately left a flaw within the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, awaiting only the Envoy’s infiltration—then these Great Principles would join the Banner Lord in a thunderous strike to slay him!

Though they could not kill the Envoy of the Human Sovereign Hall, nor seal him away, to inflict grave injury was still a gain.

Otherwise, where would the face of their Ghost Imperial Heaven be placed?

Would not the other sacred lands of the Sixth Heaven mock them at will?

“He comes!” Suddenly, the Creation Divine Artifact in Ghost Sin Venerable’s hand rippled.

This time, all their attention and every arrangement were fixed on the flaw left by the Banner Lord.

Thus, the moment the Envoy of the Human Sovereign Hall appeared, they detected him at once.

Though they saw no figure, they knew he had arrived.

“Hmph, this time, we shall send him back gravely wounded!”

“How could we of Ghost Imperial Heaven suffer the same loss thrice!”

Ghost Sin and Ghost Origin Venerables bristled with fury, murderous intent seething in their hearts.

Just then, one of the Great Principles spoke: “If our scheme fails, and he breaks into Ghost Pass again, what then?”

Worry etched his face.

This Envoy of the Human Sovereign Hall was too uncanny, too inscrutable—anything could happen with him.

“With the Banner Lord acting in person, once he enters, he will surely suffer a thunderous blow!”

“The Yang Spirit Venerables of Ghost Pass are now all gathered in one place; even if he enters, he cannot slay them—no need to fear!”

The three Great Principles transmitted their voices.

As for the Banner Lord’s avatar, it lurked in the void, not a trace of aura leaking out.

Suddenly, Ghost Sin Venerable narrowed his eyes: “He has reached the flaw’s location!”

Ghost Origin Venerable’s nerves tightened: “Once he enters, we shall…”

They grew impatient.

Yet the Envoy of the Human Sovereign Hall stood still at the flaw, showing no intention of entering.

This made Ghost Sin and Ghost Origin Venerables hesitate.

“Could he have discovered our setup?” Ghost Sin Venerable wondered.

“Impossible—he will only think he has keen insight!” Ghost Origin Venerable replied, anxiously watching through the Creation Divine Artifact.

“It seems he will linger long at this flaw, confirming no danger before entering.”

“Yes, this is a battle of patience!”

The three Great Principles lay low, silent, watching the movements of the Creation Divine Artifact.

In their view, the Envoy would surely probe for a long time before stepping in.

Yet… before a hundred breaths had passed.

Suddenly, a voice brimming with joy echoed through Ghost Pass.

“Thank you for nature’s bounty—what a fine Human Sovereign Banner!”

As the words fell, under the horrified gaze of the three Great Principles, the offensive Creation Divine Artifact that suppressed Ghost Imperial Heaven, the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, began to tremble violently at that very moment.

The three Great Principles present were stunned, disbelief written on their faces.

Or rather, this scene had never even crossed their minds.

For there, a third of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner was seized by the Envoy of the Human Sovereign Hall with a single grab, vanishing without a trace.

At this sight, Ghost Pass quaked.

The three Great Principles were utterly at a loss.

A furious, desperate roar erupted at that instant.

“How dare you, you brat!”

A terrifying strike descended in that same moment, stirring endless winds and clouds.

Clearly, the voice’s owner was seething with rage and panic.

“Sayonara to you!”

Qi Yuan’s form vanished once more, and with it, the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner.

On this day, the Sixth Heaven shook!

The offensive Creation Divine Artifact of Ghost Imperial Heaven, the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, had a third of it stolen!

This was an offensive Creation Divine Artifact, the very foundation of a sacred land!

(The chapter ends)