he sudden appearance of the Soul Banner instantly drew everyone's attention.
On the faces of the maidservants, fear and dread deepened. They had never seen Liu Meng wield such an artifact before, but this eerie, sinister banner—just one glance at it made their very souls tremble.
Another ghostly creature? Or… something even more terrifying?
If this Soul Banner had come to attack them as well, then today would truly be their end. Not even the slightest chance of survival would remain.
Yet in the next instant, to their shock, they saw their mistress stretch out her fair, jade-like hand and firmly grasp the banner's shaft!
Buzz—
The moment Liu Meng took hold of it, the Soul Banner did not attack her. Instead, it let out a resonant hum, almost affectionate, as the black mist swirling across its surface twined gently around her fingers like a docile pet.
So… this was the Mistress's Soul Banner?!
All the maidservants could only come to this single conclusion. The despair on their faces instantly gave way to joy.
Could it be… their Mistress still had hidden methods they knew nothing about?
As if sensing the banner's presence, the three ghostly fiends that had been toying with them froze in unison.
"Hiss—!"
The next instant, they shrieked in ear-piercing fury. No longer holding back, they transformed into three streaks of black lightning, lunging at Liu Meng from different directions!
Liu Meng frowned slightly, her hand tightening around the banner.
She didn't know how to use this artifact. When she bound it, it was merely through her avatar Liu Wu dripping blood upon it, forging the contract.
But with the three ghost fiends charging fiercely, she had no time to hesitate. Guided purely by instinct, she poured her spiritual power into the Soul Banner and swung it forward with all her strength!
At once, ripples spread across the banner's dark surface, as if upon water, slowly revealing a vivid scroll painting!
Within the scroll appeared pavilions and courtyards, eaves and ancient beams—the very same old mansion that had once manifested in Luo Feng City through the banner's power.
And standing at its gates was a young man in black armor, a long blade at his side, silently on guard.
The guard's face—was none other than her avatar, Liu Wu!
By this time, the three ghost fiends were already upon her.
But just before their claws—sharp enough to rend stone—could touch Liu Meng, an immense suction force pulled at them!
The banner seemed to spawn an invisible vortex, and before they could even cry out, the three ghosts were dragged violently into the scroll.
Inside the painting, clouds churned and winds roared.
The three fiends materialized within the quiet mansion, confused, glancing about as if they had yet to realize what had happened.
At the gate, Liu Wu's eyes flashed with cold killing intent.
With a firm gesture, the entire mansion came alive!
Boom—
With a thunderous crash, the courtyard gates and every window slammed shut at once. Heavy slabs fell from above, neatly separating the three fiends into different rooms, cutting them off from each other.
The fiends roared and clawed desperately at the wooden doors and paper windows, but strangely, these seemingly fragile barriers held firm against their furious assault!
Liu Wu wasted no time. His figure blurred as he charged into one of the sealed rooms.
Sensing danger, the trapped ghost shrieked and lunged at him, claws bared.
But Liu Wu only let out a cold snort. With a thought, countless black chains burst forth from the room's walls, slithering like venomous serpents, coiling tightly around the fiend.
It struggled violently, but no matter how it thrashed, the endless chains bound it tighter and tighter until it could not move.
Calmly, Liu Wu walked up and pressed his palm against its skull.
"Submit—or die."
His chilling voice echoed in the chamber.
The fiend writhed furiously, letting out defiant howls, refusing to yield.
"Humph!"
Liu Wu struck it mercilessly with his palm. The blow nearly shattered its soul entirely, its dark aura instantly dimming.
At last, it stopped struggling and lowered its head. Slowly, its form shifted—transforming into a fierce black watchdog, a collar of runes around its neck.
The first ghost fiend—subdued!
Nodding with satisfaction, Liu Wu brought his new "watchdog" with him into the next chamber.
With aid at his side, the battle grew easier.
Before even a stick of incense could burn, the other two fiends followed the same fate, subdued and bound within the Soul Banner.
At last, the danger within the cave dwelling was completely resolved.
Liu Meng calmly withdrew the banner, the scroll image fading away until it returned to its plain, pitch-black appearance.
Her expression remained composed, as though she had done nothing remarkable.
But inwardly, her heart brimmed with joy.
Not only had the Soul Banner neutralized a fatal threat, but it had also allowed her to enslave three powerful ghost fiends!
The power of this banner… far exceeded her imagination!
The maidservants, finally snapping out of their earlier shock, now gazed at Liu Meng with fanatical adoration.
"Our Mistress is invincible! Mere ghost fiends are nothing before her!"
"Indeed! To follow Mistress is a blessing beyond measure!"
"Her magic is boundless—her immortal path will surely shine eternally!"
Flattering voices poured out like a tide, drowning the hall.
Liu Meng merely waved her hand dismissively, silencing them.
"Clean this place. Tend to the wounded. As for the dead… see to them yourselves."
Leaving those orders, she turned and walked back alone to the grand hall.
But the thrill of victory did not linger long.
A heavy unease weighed upon her heart like a looming storm cloud.
This attack—could not have been a coincidence.
Someone had clearly schemed against her, aiming for her life.
Who could it be?
A fellow sect member coveting her resources? Or simply a madman thirsting for her death?
In this demonic sect where the strong preyed on the weak, anything was possible.
Though she had survived by fortune this time, who could guarantee the next ambush would not be fiercer—unforeseeable and unavoidable?
To dare violate the sect's iron laws—truly lawless!
No, she could not simply sit and wait for death!
A steely light flickered in Liu Meng's eyes.
She had decided—she must return to Su Meier's dwelling.
After all, she was Su Meier's disciple in name. Now that she had been ambushed within the sect, by reason and by emotion, Su Meier could not ignore it.
Borrowing her master's influence might at least force these hidden enemies to restrain themselves.
More importantly—she needed the method to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining!
Her current strength was still far too weak. Only by advancing swiftly could she truly gain the power to protect herself.
Right now, Su Meier's dwelling was the only place she could possibly obtain what she sought.
With Su Meier's soul imprint still planted within her, Liu Meng still had immense value. Returning there should not be too dangerous.
But before she went, there was one last preparation to make.
After some thought, she sent a voice transmission to one of the maids—a Qi Refining second-stage cultivator:
"Bring me a corpse. Now."