mó qì yě shì líng qì ， zhǐ bù guò shì yóu xiū mó zhě liàn zhì ， ér suǒ wèi de xiū mó zhě ， nǎi xiū zhēn zhě de yí gè fēn zhī 。
魔器也是灵器，只不过是由修魔者炼制，而所谓的修魔者，乃修真者的一个分支。
Magic artifacts are spiritual artifacts, just that they are refined by cultivators of the Way of Evil. Cultivators of the Way of Evil are a branch of true cultivators.
pǔ tōng xiū shì zhuī qiú xiān dào ， kě xiū zhēn zhī lù ， màn màn yáo zhǎng ， qiě bù bù jīng jí ， xiǎng yào yǒu suǒ chéng jiù ， bì xū fù chū cháng rén nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de nǔ lì 。
普通修士追求仙道，可修真之路，漫漫遥长，且步步荆棘，想要有所成就，必须付出常人难以想象的努力。
Ordinary cultivators pursue immortality, but the path to cultivation is long and fraught with difficulties. To achieve anything, one must make efforts beyond ordinary people's imagination.
zhè yě shì wèi shén me yí gè liǎo bù qǐ de xiū zhēn zhě ， chú le yōng yǒu líng gēn ， hái xū yào yì lì jiān rèn 。
这也是为什么一个了不起的修真者，除了拥有灵根，还需要毅力坚韧。
This is why an outstanding cultivator not only needs a spirit root but also perseverance and resilience. Spirit roots are innate; one cannot choose them. But perseverance is entirely up to oneself. While everyone wants to travel the path of cultivation further, few can endure the hardship and persist with it.
líng gēn nǎi tiān shēng ， wú kě xuǎn zé ， ér zhè yì lì ， jiù quán * zì jǐ le ， suī rán měi yí gè rén dōu xiǎng zài xiū xiān zhī lù shàng zǒu dé gèng yuǎn ， kě néng gòu xīn kǔ nǔ lì ， bìng qiě chí zhī yǐ héng de bì jìng shì shǎo shù 。
灵根乃天生，无可选择，而这毅力，就全*自己了，虽然每一个人都想在修仙之路上走得更远，可能够辛苦努力，并且持之以恒的毕竟是少数。
Many cultivators spend their lives in obscurity not because they lack talent but due to insufficient effort. Some sink into despair while others seek shortcuts.
bù shǎo xiū zhēn zhě yī shēng lù lù wú wéi ， bìng bú shì zī zhì tài chà ， ér shì nǔ lì bù gòu ， yǒu de rén jiù cǐ chén lún ， dàn yě yǒu de rén xiǎng yào qǔ qiǎo 。
不少修真者一生碌碌无为，并不是资质太差，而是努力不够，有的人就此沉沦，但也有的人想要取巧。
It's well-known that cultivators pursue the Way of Heaven, emphasizing gradual progress and solid foundations. However, those who take shortcuts forge techniques that require minimal effort yet yield rapid advancements. In a short time, these techniques attract many cultivators.
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， xiū zhēn zhě zhuī qiú tiān dào ， jiǎng jiū xún xù jiàn jìn ， jī chǔ zhā shí ， dàn nà xiē qǔ qiǎo de rén ， què lìng pì xī jìng ， tā men chuàng zào chū lái de gōng fǎ ， bù xū yào tài duō de nǔ lì ， qiě xiū wèi jìn zhǎn jí kuài ， yī shí jiān ， xiū zhēn zhě men qū zhī ruò wù 。
众所周知，修真者追求天道，讲究循序渐进，基础扎实，但那些取巧的人，却另辟蹊径，他们创造出来的功法，不需要太多的努力，且修为进展极快，一时间，修真者们趋之若鹜。
This is how the earliest practitioners of the Way of Evil emerged!
zhè yě jiù shì zuì chū de xiū mó zhě ！
这也就是最初的修魔者！
However, not everyone was ensnared by them. Many wise individuals noticed that while the techniques of the practitioners of the Way of Evil showed immediate results, they also harbored numerous hidden dangers and flaws.
rán ér bìng fēi rén rén dōu chén nì jìn qù ， bù shǎo cái zhì zhī shì fā xiàn ， xiū mó zhě de gōng fǎ suī rán duǎn qī nèi xiào guǒ míng xiǎn ， dàn què liú xià le bù shǎo yǐn huàn yǔ lòu dòng 。
然而并非人人都沉溺进去，不少才智之士发现，修魔者的功法虽然短期内效果明显，但却留下了不少隐患与漏洞。
As their cultivation deepened, not only did progress slow down but also their minds became unstable, leading to the risk of going mad or succumbing to evil. Furthermore, most of these techniques were cruel and harmful, violating natural order. While true cultivators are not paragons of virtue—upholding the weak prey on the strong and treating ordinary people like ants—they are generally less inclined to kill for no reason.
suí zhe xiū wèi de shēn rù ， bù jǐn sù dù huì zhú jiàn màn xià lái ， ér qiě hái róng yì dào xīn bù wěn ， zǒu huǒ rù mó ， zhè shì qí yī ， qí èr ， zhè xiē gōng fǎ dà duō yīn lì hěn dú ， yǒu shāng tiān hé ， suī rán píng xīn ér lùn ， xiū zhēn zhě yě bú shì shén me hǎo dōng xī ， fèng xíng ruò ròu qiáng shí ， shì fán rén rú lóu yǐ 。
随着修为的深入，不仅速度会逐渐慢下来，而且还容易道心不稳，走火入魔，这是其一，其二，这些功法大多阴厉狠毒，有伤天和，虽然平心而论，修真者也不是什么好东西，奉行弱肉强食，势凡人如蝼蚁。
But those who enjoy random killings among cultivators are rare; even when they do, it's usually driven by greed or some ulterior motive. However, practitioners of the Way of Evil differ. Long-term practice of deviant techniques can corrupt one's character, making them cruel and vicious.
dàn xǐ huān wú yuán wú gù shā rén de xiū zhēn zhě bì jìng bù duō ， jiù suàn shì shā rén qiǎng bǎo ， zǒng yě yǒu yí gè lǐ yóu ， nǎi shì shòu dào le lì yì de qū shǐ ， yǒu suǒ tú ， dàn xiū mó zhě jiù bù yí yàng le ， zhǎng shí jiān xiū liàn guāi lì de gōng fǎ ， xìng gé yě huì biàn dé yīn lì hěn dú 。
但喜欢无缘无故杀人的修真者毕竟不多，就算是杀人抢宝，总也有一个理由，乃是受到了利益的驱使，有所图，但修魔者就不一样了，长时间修炼乖戾的功法，性格也会变得阴厉狠毒。
Killing for pleasure, using human souls to refine magical treasures—such actions leave no room for hesitation.
shā rén wéi lè ， yòng shēng rén hún pò liàn zhì mó bǎo ， tā men de xíng shì ， cái shì zhēn de yì diǎn gù jì yě méi yǒu 。
杀人为乐，用生人魂魄炼制魔宝，他们的行事，才是真的一点顾忌也没有。
While practitioners of the Way of Evil are notorious, true cultivators do not declare war on them. The heavenly realm is selfish; unless provoked, protecting the realm from evil is just a fairy tale meant for children.
xiū mó zhě shēng míng láng jí ， dàn xiū zhēn zhě què yě bìng méi yǒu yǔ tā men shì bù liǎng lì ， xiān jiè zì sī zì lì ， chú fēi rě dào zì jǐ ， fǒu zé chú mó wèi dào chún cuì shì piàn xiǎo hái zi de dōng xī 。
修魔者声名狼藉，但修真者却也并没有与他们誓不两立，仙界自私自利，除非惹到自己，否则除魔卫道纯粹是骗小孩子的东西。
Upon hearing the term "magic artifact," Lin Xuan recalled information about practitioners of the Way of Evil in his mind, feeling surprised. This Ye Tian had entered the valley at the same time as him, and his sect was a legitimate cultivation school. How could he be a practitioner of the Way of Evil?
tīng dào mó qì yī cí ， lín xuān zài nǎo hǎi zhōng huí yì le yī biàn guān yú xiū mó zhě de zī liào ， xīn zhōng àn zì jīng yà ， zhè yè tiān yǔ zì jǐ tóng qī rù gǔ ， běn mén nǎi shì zhèng zōng de xiū zhēn mén pài ， tā zěn me huì shì xiū mó zhě ？
听到魔器一词，林轩在脑海中回忆了一遍关于修魔者的资料，心中按自惊讶，这叶天与自己同期入谷，本门乃是正宗的修真门派，他怎么会是修魔者？
After subduing the three with forbidden techniques, Ye Tian's expression became even more vicious. He sneered, "Brother disciples, blame only your bad luck. This hundred-souls banner I refined has already absorbed eighty-one ordinary human souls. But according to that damned book, for it to reach its full potential, it needs the spirits of three cultivators."
zài shuō yè tiān yòng jìn fǎ jiǔ zhì zhù sān rén yǐ hòu ， liǎn shàng de shén sè yuè fā hěn dú ， lěng xiào dào ：“ sān wèi shī dì ， yào guài zhǐ néng guài nǐ men yùn qì bù hǎo ， wèi xiōng liàn zhì de zhè bǎi hún fān ， yǐ jīng liàn huà le jiǔ jiǔ bā shí yí gè pǔ tōng fán rén de hún pò ， kě wǒ dé dào de nà běn mó shū shàng xiě dé hěn qīng chǔ ， cǐ wù xiǎng yào dà chéng ， hái bì xū yǐ sān gè xiū shì de jīng hún wèi yǐn 。”
再说叶天用禁法酒制住三人以后，脸上的神色越发狠毒，冷笑道：“三位师弟，要怪只能怪你们运气不好，为兄炼制的这百魂幡，已经炼化了九九八十一个普通凡人的魂魄，可我得到的那本魔书上写得很清楚，此物想要大成，还必须以三个修士的精魂为引。”
"Why us?" Song Hu shivered all over; he had heard about the practitioners of the Way of Evil's tales. Being drawn and used in soul refinement was far worse than falling into hell.
“ wèi shén me zhǎo shàng wǒ men ？” sòng hǔ hún shēn chàn dǒu ， xiǎn rán tā yě tīng guò xiū mó zhě de chuán shuō ， bèi chōu hún liàn zhì mó qì ， xià chǎng bēi cǎn yuǎn shèng zhuì rù shí bā céng dì yù 。
“为什么找上我们？”宋虎浑身颤抖，显然他也听过修魔者的传说，被抽魂炼制魔器，下场悲惨远胜坠入十八层地狱。
"Hmph, who made you weaker?" Ye Tian sneered. "If a few elite disciples were lost, the valley would certainly investigate. If they suspected me, I'd be in deep trouble!"
“ hēng ， shuí ràng nǐ men de xiū wèi jiào ruò ne ？” yè tiān lěng xiào kāi kǒu ：“ ruò shì zǒu shī le jǐ gè jīng yīng dì zǐ ， gǔ nèi kěn dìng huì zhuī chá xià qù ， wàn yī huái yí dào wèi xiōng shēn shàng ， wǒ kě jiù chī bù liǎo dōu zhe zǒu ！”
“哼，谁让你们的修为较弱呢？”叶天冷笑开口：“若是走失了几个精英弟子，谷内肯定会追查下去，万一怀疑到为兄身上，我可就吃不了兜着走！”
While true cultivators and practitioners of the Way of Evil are not sworn enemies, practicing forbidden techniques privately by sect members is still taboo. Moreover, using human souls to refine magic artifacts—Ye Tian was no fool; he had to be cautious.
xiū zhēn zhě hé xiū mó zhě suī rán bìng fēi shì bù liǎng lì ， dàn běn mén dì zǐ ， sī xià liàn xí mó dào gōng fǎ bì jìng fàn jì ， hé kuàng hái yòng shēng rén hún pò liàn zhì mó qì ， yè tiān bú shì bái chī ， dāng rán yào xiǎo xīn xíng shì 。
修真者和修魔者虽然并非誓不两立，但本门弟子，私下练习魔道功法毕竟犯忌，何况还用生人魂魄炼制魔器，叶天不是白痴，当然要小心形势。
The Song brothers and that tall youth were unimportant disciples, so their disappearance would not prompt a thorough search by the sect.
ér sòng shì xiōng dì ， yǔ nà gāo shòu shào nián ， dōu shì bù shòu zhòng shì de dì zǐ ， jí shǐ shī zōng ， mén pài yě bú huì guò duō de sōu xún 。
而宋氏兄弟，与那高瘦少年，都是不受重视的弟子，即使失踪，门派也不会过多的搜寻。
However, this was just one reason. Another reason Ye Tian did not reveal was his recent acquisition of a practitioner's technique. His magical power was insufficiently deep. The book clearly stated that stronger cultivator spirits would enhance the banner's power.
dāng rán zhè jǐn jǐn shì yuán yīn zhī yī ， hái yǒu yí gè yè tiān méi yǒu shuō chū lái ， tā dé dào nà běn xiū mó gōng fǎ bù jiǔ ， fǎ lì bù gòu shēn hòu ， suī rán shū shàng shuō dé hěn qīng chǔ ， zuò wèi yǐn zi de xiū zhēn zhě hún pò yuè qiáng ， zhè bǎi hún fān de wēi lì yě jiù yuè dà 。
当然这仅仅是原因之一，还有一个叶天没有说出来，他得到那本修魔功法不久，法力不够深厚，虽然书上说得很清楚，做为引子的修真者魂魄越强，这百魂幡的威力也就越大。
But in practice, he might fail if he tried to refine too powerful souls. To be safe, he chose three weaker low-rank disciples, ensuring both success and avoiding detection by his sect.
kě zhè jǐn jǐn shì lǐ lùn shàng a ， shí jì cāo zuò ， fǎ lì tài qiáng de xiū shì de hún pò tā bù yí dìng néng gòu liàn huà ， fǎn ér róng yì nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō ， yǐ shī bài gào zhōng 。
可这仅仅是理论上啊，实际操作，法力太强的修士的魂魄他不一定能够炼化，反而容易弄巧成拙，以失败告终。
Lin Xuan hid among the bushes, maintaining a calm exterior but harboring murderous intent. Ye Tian had initially targeted him as the goal, but Lin Xuan had avoided the trap.
wèi qiú wěn tuǒ ， gān cuì zhǎo le sān gè fǎ lì jiào ruò de dī jiē dì zǐ ， jì yǒu liàn huà hún pò de bǎ wò ， yòu bù yòng dān xīn mén pài huì fā xiàn zì jǐ de è xíng ， yī jǔ liǎng dé 。
为求稳妥，干脆找了三个法力较弱的低阶弟子，既有炼化魂魄的把握，又不用担心门派会发现自己的恶行，一举两得。
This was unforgivable. However, Lin Xuan would not act now; he would wait for an opportunity later.
lín xuān yǐn shēn guàn mù cóng zhōng ， biǎo miàn bù dòng shēng sè ， dàn xīn zhōng què shā yì àng rán ， zhè ge yè tiān ， qǐ chū shì xiǎng yǐ zì jǐ zuò wéi mù biāo a ， zhǐ bù guò zì jǐ méi yǒu luò rù quān tào 。
林轩隐身灌木丛中，表面不动声色，但心中却杀意盎然，这个叶天，起初是想以自己作为目标啊，只不过自己没有落入圈套。
Even though no real harm was done to him, his mindset meant that he would seek revenge whenever possible.
qí xīn kě zhū ， dāng rán ， lín xuān bú huì xiàn zài dòng shǒu ， bù guò yǐ hòu ……
其心可诛，当然，林轩不会现在动手，不过以后……
Lin Xuan made plans for the future while Ye Tian took out a small black banner from his pocket. Although this place was secluded, it was better to act quickly before any more accidents occurred. He refined their souls first.
suī rán méi yǒu duì zì jǐ zào chéng shí zhì xìng de shāng hài ， dàn jiù píng tā zhè zhǒng xīn tài ， yǒu jī huì zì jǐ yě yào hǎo hǎo de bào fù huí lái 。
虽然没有对自己造成实质性的伤害，但就凭他这种心态，有机会自己也要好好的报复回来。
The hundred-souls banner was only the size of a palm, but as soon as he pulled it out, Lin Xuan felt a heavy aura filled with resentment and horror.
lín xuān zuò zhe rì hòu dǎ suàn ， ér yè tiān yǐ jīng cóng huái lǐ tāo chū le yī zhāng hēi sè de xiǎo fān ， cǐ dì suī rán yǐn mì ， dàn yè cháng mèng duō ， xiān jiāng shǎn sān rén de hún pò liàn zhì le zài shuō 。
林轩做着日后打算，而叶天已经从怀里掏出了一张黑色的小幡，此地虽然隐秘，但夜长梦多，先将闪三人的魂魄炼制了再说。
In contrast, Ye Tian's face lit up in excitement; the more violent the atmosphere, the greater the power of the hundred-souls banner.
nà bǎi hún fān jǐn yǒu bā zhǎng dà xiǎo ， rán ér yī tāo chū lái ， lín xuān jiù gǎn jué dào le nóng zhòng de yīn qì ， chōng mǎn le yuàn hèn ， lìng rén máo gǔ sǒng rán 。
那百魂幡仅有巴掌大小，然而一掏出来，林轩就感觉到了浓重的阴气，充满了怨恨，令人毛骨悚然。
"Senior Brother, spare us. We promise not to say anything when we return."
yǔ zhī xiāng fǎn ， yè tiān què mǎn liǎn xīng fèn ， zhè lì qì yuè zhòng ， bǎi hún fān de wēi lì jiù yuè jīng rén 。
与之相反，叶天却满脸兴奋，这戾气越重，百魂幡的威力就越惊人。
"Yes, we'll help you capture Lin Xuan, that rootless boy, and a few low-rank disciples to refine this magic banner."
“ shī xiōng ， ráo le wǒ men ba ， wǒ men huí qù bǎo zhèng shén me yě bù shuō 。”
“师兄，饶了我们吧，我们回去保证什么也不说。”
...
“ duì ， wǒ men huí qù bāng nǐ jiāng lín xuān ， nà ge méi yǒu líng gēn de xiǎo zi zhuā lái ， zài zhuā liǎng gè dī jiē dì zǐ ， bāng nǐ liàn zhì mó fān 。”
“对，我们回去帮你将林轩，那个没有灵根的小子抓来，再抓两个低阶弟子，帮你炼制魔幡。”
The three begged pitifully, their words filled with the utmost baseness.
……
……
Lin Xuan's face darkened; his last shred of mercy vanished. He silently reminded himself that in the cultivation world, survival of the fittest applied, and cultivators were selfish, enjoying at others' expense. From now on, he would never again show any sympathy, for it would only bring him harm.
sān rén kǔ kǔ āi qiú ， hòu miàn de yán yǔ gèng shì jí jǐn bēi bǐ wú chǐ 。
三人苦苦哀求，后面的言语更是极尽卑鄙无耻。
With a sneer on his lips, Lin Xuan watched from the side; uninvolved, he remained aloof. From this day forward, Lin Xuan would no longer harbor notions of righteousness or evil but at least would not be soft-hearted anymore.
lín xuān de liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī lǚ yīn mái ， xīn zhōng nà yì diǎn diǎn bù rěn yě yān xiāo yún sàn ， àn àn tí xǐng zì jǐ ， xiū zhēn jiè ruò ròu qiáng shí ， xiū zhēn zhě yě zì sī zì lì ， xǐ huān sǔn rén lì jǐ ， yǐ hòu kě qiān wàn bù néng zài cún sī háo tóng qíng zhī xīn ， fǒu zé chī kuī de shì zì jǐ 。
林轩的脸上闪过一缕阴霾，心中那一点点不忍也烟消云散，暗暗提醒自己，修真界弱肉强食，修真者也自私自利，喜欢损人利己，以后可千万不能再存丝毫同情之心，否则吃亏的是自己。
Otherwise, he might end up being bitten by those he saved. Lin Xuan was not foolish enough to act like Guo the Goatherd.
zuǐ jiǎo biān guà zhe lěng xiào ， zài yī páng kàn xì ， shì bù guān jǐ ， gāo gāo guà qǐ ， cóng cǐ yǐ hòu ， lín xuān zài yě bú huì cún shén me zhèng yì xié è zhī niàn ， dāng rán yě bú huì zhǔ dòng zuò huài shì ， dàn zhì shǎo ， zài yě bú huì xīn ruǎn le 。
嘴角边挂着冷笑，在一旁看戏，事不关己，高高挂起，从此以后，林轩再也不会存什么正义邪恶之念，当然也不会主动做坏事，但至少，再也不会心软了。
Lin Xuan would never be soft; Ye Tian certainly wouldn't be either. No matter how much they pleaded, it would not sway him. Let them go?
fǒu zé shuō bù dìng zì jǐ jiù le rén ， hái huì bèi fǎn yǎo yī kǒu ， lín xuān cái bú huì shǎ shǎ de zuò dōng guō xiān shēng 。
否则说不定自己救了人，还会被反咬一口，林轩才不会傻傻的做东郭先生。
Foolish!
lín xuān bú huì xīn ruǎn ， yè tiān jiù gèng bú huì le ， rèn píng sān rén mó pò le zuǐ pí ， yě bié xiǎng ràng tā dòng yáo yī fēn ， fàng tā men huí qù ？
林轩不会心软，叶天就更不会了，任凭三人磨破了嘴皮，也别想让他动摇一分，放他们回去？
To capture more disciples?
kāi wán xiào ！
开玩笑！
That would be unnecessary!
zài zhuā jǐ gè dì zǐ ？
再抓几个弟子？
Who knew if they would report him upon returning to their sect? Even if they kept their promise, he was unwilling to waste effort.
gèng shì duō cǐ yī jǔ ！
更是多此一举！
Using their souls to refine magic artifacts, Ye Tian raised the hundred-souls banner high...
Magic artifacts are spiritual artifacts, just that they are refined by cultivators of the Way of Evil. Cultivators of the Way of Evil are a branch of true cultivators.
Ordinary cultivators pursue immortality, but the path to cultivation is long and fraught with difficulties. To achieve anything, one must make efforts beyond ordinary people's imagination.
This is why an outstanding cultivator not only needs a spirit root but also perseverance and resilience. Spirit roots are innate; one cannot choose them. But perseverance is entirely up to oneself. While everyone wants to travel the path of cultivation further, few can endure the hardship and persist with it.
Many cultivators spend their lives in obscurity not because they lack talent but due to insufficient effort. Some sink into despair while others seek shortcuts.
It's well-known that cultivators pursue the Way of Heaven, emphasizing gradual progress and solid foundations. However, those who take shortcuts forge techniques that require minimal effort yet yield rapid advancements. In a short time, these techniques attract many cultivators.
This is how the earliest practitioners of the Way of Evil emerged!
However, not everyone was ensnared by them. Many wise individuals noticed that while the techniques of the practitioners of the Way of Evil showed immediate results, they also harbored numerous hidden dangers and flaws.
As their cultivation deepened, not only did progress slow down but also their minds became unstable, leading to the risk of going mad or succumbing to evil. Furthermore, most of these techniques were cruel and harmful, violating natural order. While true cultivators are not paragons of virtue—upholding the weak prey on the strong and treating ordinary people like ants—they are generally less inclined to kill for no reason.
But those who enjoy random killings among cultivators are rare; even when they do, it's usually driven by greed or some ulterior motive. However, practitioners of the Way of Evil differ. Long-term practice of deviant techniques can corrupt one's character, making them cruel and vicious.
Killing for pleasure, using human souls to refine magical treasures—such actions leave no room for hesitation.
While practitioners of the Way of Evil are notorious, true cultivators do not declare war on them. The heavenly realm is selfish; unless provoked, protecting the realm from evil is just a fairy tale meant for children.
Upon hearing the term "magic artifact," Lin Xuan recalled information about practitioners of the Way of Evil in his mind, feeling surprised. This Ye Tian had entered the valley at the same time as him, and his sect was a legitimate cultivation school. How could he be a practitioner of the Way of Evil?
After subduing the three with forbidden techniques, Ye Tian's expression became even more vicious. He sneered, "Brother disciples, blame only your bad luck. This hundred-souls banner I refined has already absorbed eighty-one ordinary human souls. But according to that damned book, for it to reach its full potential, it needs the spirits of three cultivators."
"Why us?" Song Hu shivered all over; he had heard about the practitioners of the Way of Evil's tales. Being drawn and used in soul refinement was far worse than falling into hell.
"Hmph, who made you weaker?" Ye Tian sneered. "If a few elite disciples were lost, the valley would certainly investigate. If they suspected me, I'd be in deep trouble!"
While true cultivators and practitioners of the Way of Evil are not sworn enemies, practicing forbidden techniques privately by sect members is still taboo. Moreover, using human souls to refine magic artifacts—Ye Tian was no fool; he had to be cautious.
The Song brothers and that tall youth were unimportant disciples, so their disappearance would not prompt a thorough search by the sect.
However, this was just one reason. Another reason Ye Tian did not reveal was his recent acquisition of a practitioner's technique. His magical power was insufficiently deep. The book clearly stated that stronger cultivator spirits would enhance the banner's power.
But in practice, he might fail if he tried to refine too powerful souls. To be safe, he chose three weaker low-rank disciples, ensuring both success and avoiding detection by his sect.
Lin Xuan hid among the bushes, maintaining a calm exterior but harboring murderous intent. Ye Tian had initially targeted him as the goal, but Lin Xuan had avoided the trap.
This was unforgivable. However, Lin Xuan would not act now; he would wait for an opportunity later.
Even though no real harm was done to him, his mindset meant that he would seek revenge whenever possible.
Lin Xuan made plans for the future while Ye Tian took out a small black banner from his pocket. Although this place was secluded, it was better to act quickly before any more accidents occurred. He refined their souls first.
The hundred-souls banner was only the size of a palm, but as soon as he pulled it out, Lin Xuan felt a heavy aura filled with resentment and horror.
In contrast, Ye Tian's face lit up in excitement; the more violent the atmosphere, the greater the power of the hundred-souls banner.
"Senior Brother, spare us. We promise not to say anything when we return."
"Yes, we'll help you capture Lin Xuan, that rootless boy, and a few low-rank disciples to refine this magic banner."
...
The three begged pitifully, their words filled with the utmost baseness.
Lin Xuan's face darkened; his last shred of mercy vanished. He silently reminded himself that in the cultivation world, survival of the fittest applied, and cultivators were selfish, enjoying at others' expense. From now on, he would never again show any sympathy, for it would only bring him harm.
With a sneer on his lips, Lin Xuan watched from the side; uninvolved, he remained aloof. From this day forward, Lin Xuan would no longer harbor notions of righteousness or evil but at least would not be soft-hearted anymore.
Otherwise, he might end up being bitten by those he saved. Lin Xuan was not foolish enough to act like Guo the Goatherd.
Lin Xuan would never be soft; Ye Tian certainly wouldn't be either. No matter how much they pleaded, it would not sway him. Let them go?
Foolish!
To capture more disciples?
That would be unnecessary!
Who knew if they would report him upon returning to their sect? Even if they kept their promise, he was unwilling to waste effort.
Using their souls to refine magic artifacts, Ye Tian raised the hundred-souls banner high...