Chapter 573: Soul Secret Technique

Lu Ye had known for a long time that his Fourth Senior Brother was famous, but this time, he truly experienced it firsthand.

Strictly speaking, they were now captives. Yet, even so, Li Baxian's arrival drew many cultivators who had long admired him to visit.

In contrast, Tan Sheng and Xia Liang, who had higher cultivation levels than Li Baxian, went unnoticed.

After a prolonged period of chatter, Zhou Yuntian said, "Alright, alright, the Venerable has already implanted a secret technique in them. From now on, they are our own. There will be plenty of opportunities to converse. Everyone, disperse."

The noisy crowd gradually left. Zhou Yuntian closed the door and stood guard quietly. Inside the room, only the steady breathing of the unconscious individuals could be heard.

Various thoughts raced through Lu Ye's mind.

Judging by the Venerable's previous actions and the implications of Zhou Yuntian's words, the Venerable had indeed implanted some secret technique in them.

He likely understood how the Venerable controlled these cultivators: through that unique secret technique.

Recalling his previous sensations, Lu Ye was startled. From what he had just felt, the secret technique the Venerable used was very likely related to the soul. When the Venerable performed it, he felt a certain impact on his mind, and many inexplicable things appeared in his head.

However, because his innate talent tree could burn away anything harmful that invaded his body, he remained unaffected by the technique. This also made it difficult for him to discern its specific effects.

But... a soul secret technique?

Was that even possible?

That was a skill only powerful cultivators in the Divine Sea Realm could employ. Only those who reached the Divine Sea Realm were qualified to delve into matters of the soul.

Everyone possessed a soul, and as one's cultivation grew, so too did their soul. However, before reaching the Divine Sea Realm, cultivators could not actively manipulate soul power, let alone soul secret techniques.

Take Lu Ye, for example. Because he had refined many soul-cleansing waters, his soul was far stronger than that of cultivators at the same level, making his mind more stable. He possessed a natural advantage when facing situations that impacted the mind or soul.

For instance, each time he was killed and expelled from the Mirage Realm, an ordinary Cloud River Realm cultivator would suffer from headaches for a day or two. Yet, Lu Ye would recover quickly.

This was the benefit of a strong soul. Even so, he still couldn't actively tap into his own soul power.

His cultivation realm was still far from that level.

Yet, the Venerable could use a soul secret technique! It was precisely this technique that allowed her to control her many cultivators, inspiring great reverence and even worship from them.

Lu Ye grew increasingly curious about the Venerable's identity.

Could it be that a powerful Divine Sea Realm cultivator had forcefully entered the Cloud River Battlefield?

But that didn't seem right. In the Spirit Stream Battlefield, powerful cultivators could force their way in by expending merit points, but he had never heard of such a thing being possible in the Cloud River Battlefield.

Cultivators who could enter and exit the Cloud River Battlefield had always been limited to the Cloud River Realm.

Furthermore, even if a powerful Divine Sea Realm cultivator did forcibly enter the Cloud River Battlefield, they would be suppressed by the Heavenly Mechanism's balance. Once there, it would be impossible for them to activate a soul secret technique.

And another point: why would a dignified Divine Sea Realm cultivator come all the way here, using a soul secret technique to control a group of Cloud River Realm cultivators? It couldn't be for some childish game.

Thinking this, Lu Ye concluded that the Venerable was most likely not a Divine Sea Realm cultivator.

The more he pondered what he didn't understand, the more questions arose. So, Lu Ye decided to stop thinking about it.

His current situation was awkward. While his talent tree allowed him to negate the effects of the soul secret technique on himself, his Fourth Senior Brother couldn't. Trapped here, though not immediately in danger, the Venerable had gathered so many cultivators under her command that her schemes must be significant. Danger could descend at any moment.

He made up his mind: he absolutely could not reveal that he had nullified the soul secret technique, or it would surely mean death!

He waited quietly.

About an hour later, the others around him gradually woke up and sat upright.

Lu Ye also opened his eyes and sat up straight. Just as he was about to observe his Fourth Senior Brother's reaction and imitate it, a surge of spiritual energy erupted, followed by the clanging of swords. Coupled with the shouts of Tan Sheng and Xia Liang, the scene instantly descended into chaos.

It was Li Baxian who, seeing Tan Sheng and Xia Liang nearby, boldly attacked.

Lu Ye also quickly drew his Panshan Saber, spiritual energy surging around him, and flames coiling around the blade.

"Stop!" Zhou Yuntian, who had been guarding them, changed his expression and dashed forward. With a surge of spiritual energy, his powerful ninth-level cultivation was clearly evident. The four tense figures were simultaneously pushed apart.

Zhou Yuntian's face was filled with anger. He glanced at the four mutually hostile individuals and said coldly, "I don't care what deep grudges you held before, nor which faction you came from. Since you've arrived here, you are now family. All past grievances are to be forgotten."

He had said similar words during his first appearance, but no one had paid attention then. Now, as he repeated them, Lu Ye naturally disregarded them. However, upon observing their expressions, he noticed that both Xia Liang and Tan Sheng across from him showed troubled looks on their pale faces.

He turned his head and saw that even Li Baxian's brows were furrowed.

Zhou Yuntian continued coldly, "The Venerable despises seeing her own people fighting. This is the first time, and since you're unaware of the rules, it's somewhat forgivable. But if you offend again, you will not be spared!" He paused, then declared, "These are the rules set by the Venerable, and everyone must obey them!"

At his words, Tan Sheng and Xia Liang both looked apprehensive, suppressed their auras, and slightly bowed their heads. "Yes," they replied.

Li Baxian also sheathed his flying sword and nodded. "Understood," he said.

The two words "the Venerable" seemed to hold a magical power over them at that moment, making them instantly obedient.

Zhou Yuntian, still stern-faced, said, "Since you understand, then reconcile. I hope you truly can coexist like brothers from now on!"

Xia Liang remained silent for a moment, then cupped his fist towards Lu Ye and Li Baxian, saying, "I apologize for any offenses committed recently. Please forgive us."

Li Baxian politely returned the gesture, "Brother Xia, you exaggerate. There's no need to mention past events. From now on, as we serve under the Venerable, we'll need Brother Xia and Brother Tan's continued care."

"Of course, of course."

Lu Ye stood aside, watching with a heavy heart. Only now did he truly feel the terrifying nature of the soul secret technique. Regardless of what it was, it had completely warped a person's disposition.

Zhou Yuntian's face broke into a smile, and he nodded with satisfaction. "That's more like it. Since you've arrived, you are now family, one family! Come with me; the Venerable wishes to see you. But before that, you must first wash yourselves and change your clothes."

With that, he turned and left.

Lu Ye and the other three quickly followed.

Stepping out of the house, Lu Ye looked around. The area appeared to be a valley, not as picturesque as Huitian Valley and not vast, but it was filled with various buildings and showed signs of many cultivators coming and going.

The valley enjoyed a pleasant climate and was dotted with many peach trees. It was currently the season for peach blossoms, with pink petals in full bloom, filling the air with their fragrance.

As they followed Zhou Yuntian, they occasionally encountered other cultivators who exchanged greetings with Zhou Yuntian, and some curiously observed Lu Ye and his companions.

After a short walk, they arrived at a pond with clear, flowing water that allowed them to see to the bottom.

Under Zhou Yuntian's instruction, the four men stripped and entered the pond to wash themselves.

Lu Ye never imagined that the four individuals who had been fighting to the death earlier would now be happily coexisting in the same pond. Moreover, Li Baxian, Tan Sheng, and Xia Liang were even chatting and laughing as if their previous conflicts had merely been misunderstandings.

Tan Sheng and Xia Liang's injuries were severe. After all, they had been ambushed by an entire pack of wolves. Their survival indicated their immense strength; had they not escaped in time, they would have died in the Spirit Land.

Soon, the four finished washing and redressed. Lu Ye and Li Baxian felt refreshed, but Xia Liang and Tan Sheng's faces remained pale.

The injuries they had sustained earlier would not heal without a period of recovery.

With everything ready, they continued deeper into the valley, led by Zhou Yuntian.

They stopped before a grand hall. A tall, beautiful woman stood quietly at the entrance, her exquisite eyes shining like stars.

Her gaze swept over the four men, quickly settling on Li Baxian. With a slight smile, she asked, "Is he Li Baxian?"

Zhou Yuntian responded with a smile, "Indeed, he is Li Baxian."

The woman looked Li Baxian up and down, then nodded slightly. "He's just as the rumors described," she commented, "dignified and dashing."

Li Baxian bowed with a smile. "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist," he replied.

The woman covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "I thought Li Baxian was arrogant and aloof. It seems I was mistaken. Fellow Daoist Li, I am also a sword cultivator. If you have time, I hope you can offer me much guidance."

Li Baxian said, "I wouldn't presume to offer guidance. Your cultivation far surpasses mine; it should be you guiding me."

The woman was about to say more when Zhou Yuntian lightly coughed. "Junior Sister Yu, the Venerable is waiting for them."

The woman named Yu immediately became serious and stepped aside. "Bring them in," she said.

Zhou Yuntian nodded slightly, led Lu Ye and the others to the front of the hall, and called out, "Zhou Yuntian requests an audience with the Venerable. The newcomers are here."

"Enter!" came the Venerable's uniquely languid voice from within the hall.

Zhou Yuntian then stepped forward, pushed open the doors, and led Lu Ye and the others into the hall.

The moment they entered, a unique, intoxicating fragrance filled their nostrils. The entire hall was decorated in shades of pink, and even within the interior, faint pink wisps of energy seemed to drift, creating a hazy and ambiguous atmosphere.

At the far end of the hall, a low couch was placed horizontally. On it, a graceful figure lay languidly on her side. Several women stood or knelt around her; some gently fanned her with hand fans, others massaged her legs and shoulders, and some peeled berries and offered them to her mouth.