Liu Meng picked up her Sound-Transmitting Moon Token, ready to contact Qin Shuang. But just as she was about to inject her spiritual energy, she suddenly paused.
Something came to mind.
Qin Shuang's Soul Banner still held the soul of Liu Si.
Because the number of summoned avatars kept increasing, Liu Ming's attention had been stretched thin, and he had nearly forgotten about that one avatar's existence.
At present, he was maintaining five avatars simultaneously.
For those tasked with specific missions, he needed to devote considerable focus to controlling them. But for avatars like Liu Si, who only needed to remain in place without doing anything, he had grown somewhat "neglectful."
These avatars were like being left in a dazed, half-distracted state. If something truly happened, Liu Ming would notice, but so long as the outside environment remained unchanged, he didn't pay them much attention.
Perhaps this issue would only improve once his cultivation rose further, strengthening his soul.
Or maybe it was because his main cultivation technique, the Blood Banquet Scripture, was unique—its focus was on tempering the physical body, while its benefits to the soul were minimal. That likely explained why he still struggled to "split his mind six ways."
But that was a matter for the future. For now, Liu Ming realized he could use Liu Si as a hidden piece to probe Qin Shuang's situation.
With that thought, he no longer hesitated. He split off a portion of his mind and sank into the Soul Banner that belonged to Qin Shuang.
Inside the banner's world, Liu Si—who had been wandering aimlessly—suddenly regained his clarity.
He carefully scanned his surroundings. The residence formed within the Soul Banner looked almost the same as before, though there were now a few more blank-faced servants in the courtyard—likely fresh souls Qin Shuang had captured.
Liu Si attempted to extend his divine sense beyond the banner's boundaries, trying to glimpse the outside world.
But an invisible barrier immediately locked him in, keeping his perception confined within the banner.
He wasn't surprised. He had tried many times before, always with the same result. As a soul trapped in the banner, he could only sense what was inside, never outside.
Since that path was sealed, Liu Ming didn't force it. At worst, he could simply reach out to Qin Shuang directly with the Sound-Transmitting Token.
Yet just as Liu Meng began to inject her energy into the token—
Inside the Soul Banner, Liu Si's body shuddered violently!
A terrifying command swept through his entire consciousness, irresistible and absolute.
This was the first time he had ever felt such a thing since regaining his awareness. Until now, he had enjoyed near freedom within the banner—unable to leave, but otherwise unrestricted.
But this sudden command revealed the truth: Qin Shuang did, in fact, hold direct control over him!
Of course, if he resisted with all his might, he might defy it.
But he wasn't ready to reveal himself yet. Without hesitation, he obeyed.
The next instant, his soul body turned into a streak of light and shot out of the Soul Banner!
What greeted him outside froze him on the spot.
A pitch-black shadow, radiating a dreadful aura, floated silently in the air.
Wreathed in swirling demonic energy, its features were obscured. But the oppressive might it exuded surpassed that of any Qi Refinement cultivator Liu Si had ever seen!
Under this suffocating pressure, he felt as though his very soul would be torn apart. Despair and terror surged over him instantly.
If his true body had been here… how could he possibly face such a monster?
But there was no time to think.
The very moment he emerged from the banner, a destructive power erupted from the depths of his soul!
Before Liu Ming could even process what was happening, the cold, mechanical system prompt rang in his mind:
[Your avatar Liu Si has perished][Liu Si cultivated a secret technique and became Qin Shuang's Pure Soul Body, but after she detonated her Soul Banner, Liu Si's soul was annihilated][New Talent Acquired – "Mutual Destruction": When you self-detonate, your explosive power is doubled]
Liu Ming was stunned.
Qin Shuang… what had she encountered?
She had actually chosen to destroy her own Soul Banner without hesitation, sacrificing even the Pure Soul Body within it!
Only one possibility explained such decisiveness—she had been forced into a desperate corner.
And now, the Moon Token he had infused with energy still failed to connect.
Was Qin Shuang still alive? After detonating her banner, had she managed to escape that shadow's pursuit?
He desperately wanted answers. But with Liu Si gone, he had lost his only window into her situation.
Should he go to her aid?
After all, they were allies—at least in name. Qin Shuang had indeed helped him many times. And with the Sect Competition approaching, their cooperation was vital to improving their chances of survival.
But how could he possibly save her?
That black shadow was at least at the late Qi Refinement stage. He couldn't imagine any way to defeat it.
Seek help from Su Meier?At this point, that seemed the only option.
Liu Meng took a deep breath and finally resolved to rush to Su Meier's cave.
But just as she moved—
The Moon Token in her hand, silent all this time, suddenly glimmered with a faint white light.
"Junior Sister…"
A weak voice drifted from the other end. It was Qin Shuang.
"Senior Sister! What happened to you?" Liu Meng blurted in alarm.
Qin Shuang gave a bitter laugh. "I… miscalculated. I was careless. I didn't expect that our alliance would end… with my death."
Liu Meng's brow furrowed tightly. She had never imagined things had grown so grave.
"Don't panic, Senior Sister! I'll beg Master to save you right away!"
But Qin Shuang immediately refused.
"It's too late. Even Master has been delayed. I never thought Su Zhaoqiang would be so vicious—he even used his favorite concubine as bait, just to stall Master for a few moments, long enough to send assassins after me."
"Heh…" Another bitter laugh escaped her lips. "That concubine was the one I personally captured, yet I never realized she was a trap. I warned you to be cautious, yet I fell first…"
Su Zhaoqiang?
His favorite concubine?
Liu Meng instantly guessed—this must be the brother Su Meier had spoken of. And that concubine… surely the vacant-eyed woman she had seen in Su Meier's cave before.
So it was she who had delayed Su Meier?
"What should I do? How can I save you?" Liu Meng asked anxiously, but no answer came to mind.
"There's no saving me," Qin Shuang said, her tone strangely calm. "Though I forced my attacker back, he poisoned me. Within moments, the toxin will erupt, and I'll be dead before I can find an antidote."
Liu Meng's heart reeled. She couldn't believe it. To her, Qin Shuang had always been mysterious, cunning, untouchable—how could she die so easily?
Unless… she was faking it?
But just as that thought flashed through her mind, Qin Shuang spoke again:
"Junior Sister, tell me the True Explanation of Severing the Three Corpses and Condensing the Dao. Let me cultivate it."
"Since I'm about to die anyway, rather than let my soul dissipate, I'd rather transform myself into a Pure Soul Body… to aid you."
Liu Meng froze.
Why would Qin Shuang choose this?
Then, for the first time, Qin Shuang's voice carried a steely, unshakable resolve.
"Liu Meng, I have a feeling… you will walk farther than I ever could. Much farther."
"You must live. You must grow stronger."
"And then… avenge me!"