Soul Banner

Biodata

Power Progression

History

Ling Youdao acquired the Soul Banner inheritance after an encounter involving a Snake Demon near Cloudmist City. He used the banner to command spirits and anchor a formation around the Demon Serpent’s cave. His failing health and unstable True Essence prevented him from sustaining its full power, and the backlash damaged his Heart Meridian 10 11 17.

Before dying, Youdao offered the banner to Luo Fanchen in exchange for caring for Qiuyun. Qiuyun inherited control of it and transmitted its Great Sage Perfected Person Banner Method to Luo. He later gained full control by channeling his Yi Wood True Essence through the banner 12 18 20.

Luo used the banner to preserve Qiuyun’s complete Three Souls and Seven Spirits after her bodily death, then refined her as its self-aware main soul, or Banner Spirit. She subsequently helped operate the artifact and guided its elevation to First-Rank Mid-Grade 20 21 40.

Appearance

The banner bears twisting, blood-red ghost markings and stirs without wind when activated 18 20.

• After its elevation, it is a small, dark-red banner with cloth fine as silk and restrained Soul Power 40.
• With Qiuyun’s help, it can take the inconspicuous shape of an umbrella or expand into a large flying surface 22 23.

Abilities & Skills

Soul collection and refinement

The banner can seize, house, interrogate and refine souls; its Heart Offering, Bone Devouring, Womb Garment and Soul Hooking commands serve these functions 12 18.

• Its main soul can retain awareness and use some of the banner’s powers, but cannot defy the banner’s master 18 19.
• Preserving a person’s complete Three Souls and Seven Spirits is difficult. Losing even one spirit would gravely damage the Soul Essence and end the hope of returning to life 20.
• A Banner Spirit relies on Soul Essences for sustenance. When the banner had none, Qiuyun needed Luo’s essence blood to replenish herself 21.

Formations and spirit command

• Illusion Array creates a disorienting ghostly maze or contains enemies; the banner can anchor its Central Palace 10 38.
• Baleful Spirit Command directs ghosts. Luo used victims’ remnant souls to locate a hidden bandit stockade 18 22.
• Formation patterns can be engraved on the banner. A Spirit-Gathering Formation improved the spiritual energy at Luo’s residence and helped alert him to intruders 18 23.
• Human Face changes appearances; Qiuyun used it to impersonate Ling Leng 18 47.

Combat and flight

• The banner’s wraiths can regroup after being struck down, though the Demon Serpent’s poisonous smoke destroyed some of them outright 10.
• Purple River Chariot refines souls into the banner’s strongest killing move. Luo used it to grievously wound Chang Hao 18 43 44.
• Infused with spiritual energy, the banner can carry Qi Refining cultivators through the air. Qiuyun controlled it during travel, freeing Luo from having to direct it himself 18 22.

Costs and Risks

• The Great Sage Perfected Person Banner Method covers crafting, elevation and commands. Crafting a graded banner requires precious demonic materials and extensive blood-essence sacrifice; each elevation demands further offerings 12 18.
• Its legacy provides no method for dispelling karmic burdens. Luo feared that refining and elevating it could breed inner demons and hinder his Foundation Establishment 18 40.
• The banner can warp its master’s mind and magnify a main soul’s darker impulses. Qiuyun had to resist intense jealousy toward Mo Xue after becoming its Banner Spirit 19 21.
• Heavy use strains both wielder and spirit: Youdao suffered backlash while controlling a formation, and Qiuyun nearly lost control to demonic impulses during the elevation ritual 11 40.