Chapter 523 Subjective Initiative

Seeing the arriving Vermilion Bird and Sun Ruowei.

Shangguan Huanling couldn't hold back her grievances any longer.

Tears immediately welled up and fell.

"Vermilion Bird, I—"

But Vermilion Bird brusquely interrupted her.

"Are you dead set on entering the Soul Banner?"

She'd come to realize that the Sixth Heaven was Shangguan Huanling's limit. From now on, Shangguan Huanling would need massive amounts of resources. Each breakthrough would require several times more, and in this world, aside from Lu Ye, no one could possibly help her gather so much.

If everyone else ascended, leaving Shangguan Huanling alone in the Sixth Heaven, with her mental capacity, who knows what mess she'd create?

She was different from Yue Hongling.

Yue Hongling was independent and of sound mind.

Shangguan Huanling, however, had serious mental limitations.

Thus, placing her in the Human Emperor Banner and keeping her close might actually be the best solution.

In her past life, though Shangguan Huanling had never achieved Dao Fruit condensation, she had still been an Emperor. The growth of her cultivation would naturally nourish her soul, strengthening it.

Even if she were absorbed into the Soul Banner, her mind wouldn't deteriorate rapidly.

With Lu Ye's rapid cultivation progress, it might only take a few thousand years for him to return to the Celestial Lord realm, and within twenty thousand, he could possibly attain sainthood.

Once Lu Ye became a saint, no one would ever pose a threat to him again. How he decided to handle Shangguan Huanling would then be entirely up to him.

Yet what terrified Vermilion Bird was that despite Shangguan Huanling’s constant misbehavior—her fixation on betraying Lu Ye—he had never once appeared.

How could a man allow such a thing to happen?

What did that imply?

Shangguan Huanling gazed vacantly at the Soul Banner.

She wanted to enter Lu Ye’s Soul Banner—so she could stay by his side as a spirit.

Not Vermilion Bird’s!

What use was entering Vermilion Bird’s Soul Banner?

"Vermilion Bird, I don’t want to enter your Soul Banner," Shangguan Huanling said.

"But Lu Ye’s Soul Banner won’t take you!"

"Think about it—with your current cultivation, you can’t even sit still, let alone focus on training. How will you ever ascend? If you can’t ascend, how will you follow in Lu Ye’s footsteps? Since you’re set on entering a Soul Banner, mine works just fine."

"If I cultivate fast enough, even if you can’t be with Lu Ye, at least you’ll reach the same Heaven as him. Otherwise, you’ll be trapped in the Sixth Heaven indefinitely."

"Your cultivation is slow, and you have no hope of surviving the trials."

"Entering the Soul Banner now is your only option!"

After Vermilion Bird's analysis, Shangguan Huanling paused in surprise.

Hmm?

That actually makes sense!

How come she hadn’t considered that?

Vermilion Bird was definitely capable of ascending—if even one of the Four Celestial Spirits couldn’t ascend, then the countless geniuses of the world would be nothing in comparison.

If she entered Vermilion Bird’s Soul Banner and let Vermilion Bird take her along during ascension, she wouldn’t have to toil through cultivation anymore. She could still stay close enough to Brother Lu Ye.

Shangguan Huanling only thought for a second.

"Alright, then I’ll enter your Soul Banner."

Sun Ruowei had remained silent the entire time, but now that Shangguan Huanling had agreed to enter Vermilion Bird’s Soul Banner, she couldn’t help but facepalm.

She’s a lost cause!

Absolutely hopeless!

At this moment, Sun Ruowei didn’t even know how to react.

Vermilion Bird’s mouth also twitched in irritation.

Told you!

See what I mean?!

It was just that simple. With just a few words, Shangguan Huanling had agreed to enter the Soul Banner as easily as accepting a dinner invite.

Furious, Vermilion Bird hurled the Soul Banner onto the ground, her chest heaving violently as a shaking finger jabbed at Shangguan Huanling.

"Vermilion Bird, don’t be angry. I already agreed to enter the Soul Banner."

That single sentence pushed Vermilion Bird’s already frayed temper past its limit. Her fist came crashing down toward Shangguan Huanling’s face.

Shangguan Huanling instantly burst into a crimson streak.

Her reaction was pure reflex—zero hesitation.

*“Don’t you dare run!”*

Vermilion Bird grew even angrier, lunging after her in a rage.

Sun Ruowei had no choice but to chase after them.

***

Lu Ye shook his head ruefully. Vermilion Bird had gone too easy on her—she hadn’t sealed Shangguan Huanling away.

But he estimated that, by the latest, by the time he ascended, Shangguan Huanling would have already entered Vermilion Bird’s Soul Banner.

Because Shangguan Huanling truly stood zero chance of ascending on her own.

She would never withstand the heavenly trial.

There were just two paths to the Seventh Heaven.

First, the Dark Upheaval begins, and a Celestial Lord makes a final desperate struggle, succeeding or dying trying.

At that time, this Celestial Lord will recklessly challenge the Great Sage of the Nine Heavens. Though he will be slain by the Great Sage, he will significantly weaken the lingering authority of the Great Sage's divine edicts.

Above the Sixth Heaven, including the Sixth Heaven itself, the boundaries will no longer be clearly defined.

The strong may descend briefly, while the weak may ascend with the aid of the strong.

The second method is the current one—Shangguan Huanling transforms into a wraith, enters the Soul Banner, and strives to remain conscious within it, watching Lu.