Chapter 101: Return in Triumph

"How did you use my power?" Yunzhi asked, looking at Lu Yang, a little confused. Given Lu Yang's experience, she didn't think he was qualified to learn such a profound and difficult spell as the Divine Descent Art.

"Uh... I just happened to acquire a set of Pictogram Fist techniques."

"While practicing, I thought to myself: Pictogram Fist is a martial art where you imitate a subject to gain their advantages. So why should I limit myself to imitating animals? Humans can also be imitated."

"Among everyone I know, you, Senior Sister, are the strongest. So I imitated you and gained your power."

Yunzhi: "..."

From a young age, she had mastered spells and was considered a magical prodigy. She could learn any spell just by seeing it once, correct its flaws, and make it even more perfect. She had also deduced many long-lost spells, such as the Divine Descent Art.

But she had never seen a case like Lu Yang's.

"Even if I share a trace of my power with you, it's not something you can handle right now. Don't use this martial art lightly."

Lu Yang understood what Senior Sister meant: handle your difficulties yourself; don't call her unless it's truly necessary.

"And you, leave Lu Yang's body."

Immortal Fairy, uncharacteristically resolute, shook her head and refused: "I cannot leave him."

"Hmm?" Yunzhi's voice rose two octaves. Seeing the situation was turning unfavorable, Immortal Fairy quickly added an explanation.

"I've just been revived, and my immortal soul is fragile. I need a host body. Lu Yang called out my name, which revived me, and this created a special karma between us. This karma forces me to reside within his body. Only when this special karma fades and my immortal soul strengthens can I leave his spiritual world."

Lu Yang mused, "Is it similar to a ten-month pregnancy?"

Immortal Fairy retorted angrily, "Can't you think of a more appropriate example!"

Lu Yang spread his hands; his imagination was lacking, and he couldn't think of a better example.

"I could also directly shatter your immortal soul and then revive you myself." Senior Sister's gaze fell upon Immortal Fairy, who felt immense pressure.

"That won't work. Where did you learn my name? From Lu Yang. Essentially, Lu Yang still revived me, so your method won't be effective."

Yunzhi fell silent for a moment, then formed a hand seal with one hand, sending a golden mark into Lu Yang's spiritual space, where it faded and disappeared.

"This is..."

"That's a divine soul mark I left. If you make any move against him, this mark will activate, shattering your immortal soul. Then you can just hope some other fool correctly recites your name in three hundred thousand years." The warning was evident.

Immortal Fairy shivered.

"Actually, you don't need to be so wary of me. Once my immortal soul recovers, I can directly reshape my immortal body; I don't need to possess anyone. Besides, I need to sleep to recover my strength, and I don't know when I'll wake up."

As she spoke, Immortal Fairy yawned.

"Immortals get sleepy too?" Lu Yang asked, surprised.

Immortal Fairy yawned continuously: "It's because I used most of my power during our recent confrontation..."

As she spoke, Immortal Fairy's eyelids drooped, and she fell asleep: "Good night. Don't wake me until the end of the world."

Yunzhi confirmed that Immortal Fairy was truly asleep, then left the spiritual space and appeared in her divine soul form.

"Senior Sister, you've worked hard!" Meng Jingzhou greeted her with unprecedented politeness.

"Hello, Senior Sister." Mang Gu was as honest as ever. Although he hadn't done anything wrong, for some reason, he was always afraid when he saw Senior Sister.

"Do not tell anyone about the Immortal Fairy's revival."

"Yes!" both shouted in unison.

Old Ma also whinnied.

"Also, don't goof off on the way. Return to Dao Seeking Sect immediately!" Yunzhi left this instruction, and her divine soul transformed into a streak of light, returning to Dao Seeking Sect to continue her meeting.

The three put away their playful spirits and quickly got into the carriage to leave.

"Huh? Why are we so fast?" Meng Jingzhou could see the scenery outside the carriage window. He noticed the landscape was changing rapidly, ten times faster than before!

Old Ma, abandoning its usual sluggish pace, galloped furiously, using spatial magic to shuttle through space. Its speed was incredible; what was originally a journey of several days was now completed in less than half a day to Dao Seeking Sect.

Old Ma knew that Yunzhi's last instruction, "Return to Dao Seeking Sect immediately," wasn't meant for the three of them, but for itself.

"Haha, Dao Seeking Sect, I'm back!" Meng Jingzhou laughed heartily, spreading his arms wide, feeling as if he had returned home in glory.

The three of them had endured humiliation, toiled like beasts in the Demonic Sect, and painstakingly pretended to be villains—all for what? To earn contribution points and show off their accomplishments!

Therefore, the first thing the three did upon returning to the sect was to go to the Mission Hall to exchange their contribution points.

They walked into the Mission Hall with their heads held high, swaggering confidently as if they owned the place, like three large crabs fresh out of the water.

Inside the Mission Hall, the walls were covered with missions gathered from various places. Senior brothers and sisters were all looking for suitable tasks.

Lu Yang noticed that the mission to find the Nascent Soul stage winged fierce tiger was still on the wall, indicating that Daoist Li Hong from Shanhaiguan had not yet found his beloved pet.

The mission concerning the suspected discovery of a grotto-heaven in Kunwu Mountain had been taken down, suggesting that the exploration was complete.

There were also new missions, such as dispatching people to eliminate traces of Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivators found in a certain area, forming teams to explore ancient ruins discovered elsewhere, or mediating a divorce dispute between two powerful cultivators.

The senior brother on duty at the front desk saw their amusing walking style and teased, "Have you three junior brothers saved the world?"

Lu Yang humbly replied, "More or less. We completed a confidential mission and need to report to the Grand Elder."

The front desk senior brother's expression became serious. Completing a confidential mission was a grave matter beyond his authority, and no one dared to joke about it. "The Grand Elder is currently in a meeting in the Deliberation Hall. Senior Brother Dai is overseeing the Mission Hall in his stead. How about you three report to him?"

The meeting in the Deliberation Hall had been going on for most of the day and still hadn't concluded.

The Mission Hall was located on Reward and Punishment Peak, the mountain presided over by the Grand Elder. When the Grand Elder was absent, Dai Bufan was responsible for all matters on Reward and Punishment Peak.

"Please trouble Senior Brother to inform him."

Upon hearing the junior brother's message, Dai Bufan was puzzled. He didn't recall assigning any confidential missions to Lu Yang and the others. Could it have been arranged by their master? No, that didn't seem right; their master always informed him of such arrangements.

He suppressed his confusion and said, "Let them in."

"Yes."

The three were invited into the Mission Hall's core area. Dai Bufan was lying on a chair, poring over files—reports gathered from various regions, some of which contained potential missions.

Dai Bufan put down the files and picked up his teacup, which contained freshly picked Enlightenment Tea. "Tell me, what have you all been up to?"

Mang Gu, showing off his limited vocabulary, stated concisely, "We defected to the Demonic Sect."

"Pfft—"

Meng Jingzhou glared at Mang Gu, then explained to Dai Bufan, "Don't listen to Mang Gu's nonsense. We merely joined the Demonic Sect."