The Fallen Soul

Above, the Mind-Clarifying Mirror remained unresponsive. Mianning listened to Su Yao's words, her expression shifting from a furrowed brow to a calm demeanor, and finally to a radiant smile.

Finally, after a cup of tea, he burst into laughter:

"I believe I have also produced the kind of heroic figure that Brother Jingxuan spoke of!"

Su Yao was taken aback, then said:

"Young master, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."

Mianning shook his head:

"You answered these questions under the Mind-Clarifying Mirror, which made me look good in front of those two. You deserve this praise."

He paused:

"Besides the three things I promised you before, I'll inscribe the calligraphy on some of the halls, pavilions, and towers on this mountain. Also, I carry several sets of formations with me, so I'll set one up on this mountain for you."

After speaking, he went outside the pavilion and immediately took out his desk, writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

He looked at Su Yao:

What is the name of this separate courtyard?

Su Yao replied:

"Because of the large pear orchard at the foot of the mountain, the disciple named it ' Pear Garden '."

Mianning nodded slightly, and the next moment he picked up his brush and began to write.

After a moment, Mianning put down his pen, glanced at Su Yao, and said, "Since your villa is named Pear Garden, I will use that name and inscribe it accordingly. However..." He paused, a half-smile on his face, "Your name ' Pear Garden ' is Supreme Purity. As a villa, it should have some welcoming atmosphere."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao was overjoyed and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"Please give your instructions, young master."

Mianning did not reply, and continued writing.

In a short while, several sheets of Xuan paper had been written.

After putting down his pen, he turned around, put his hands behind his back, looked at Cibi Lake, and casually said:

"The plaque above the mountain gate reads ' Pear Garden,' and the main hall is inscribed with ' Embracing Rosy Clouds,' subtly alluding to your cultivation of Rainbow Clouds. This place is located in Nanzhao, with the mountain's back facing east-southeast, resembling Golden Ao embracing the sun, perfectly matching the meaning of 'the first embrace of the morning clouds.' In addition, the octagonal pavilion and the guest hall each have a couplet."

Su Yao hurriedly stepped forward to examine each one closely. The two characters "Pear Garden" on the mountain gate plaque were written with a relaxed and open style, without any sense of solemnity or looseness, which perfectly matched the tranquility of the mountain villa. The characters "Embracing Rosy Clouds" on the main hall plaque were written with the style of spring mountains just awakening, with strength and vigor in their gentleness.

Let's look at the couplets in the main hall:

The mountain gate does not hinder guests from coming through the clouds;

We must be wary of the cries of cranes in this area.

After reading it, Su Yao was shocked and pondered it several more times.

The first line of the couplet reads, "The mountain gate does not block guests from coming and going." The coming and going of clouds is a natural phenomenon, and the Pear Garden's mountain gate is open, welcoming all who come. This demonstrates the magnanimity of hospitality.

The second line reads, "Beware of the cry of cranes in this place." The cry of cranes can be a clear sound or a warning signal.

The wind howls and cranes cry; even the grass and trees seem like soldiers.

These four characters, placed in the guest hall of the Pear Garden, seem to be a reminder to visitors not to disturb the tranquility of the mountains, but in fact they conceal an unspoken message: If anyone thinks that the Pear Garden can be deceived, or that they can come and go as they please, then they are asking for trouble and bringing shame upon themselves.

Let's look at the two short couplets in the octagonal pavilion.

One is:

"Embracing Rosy Clouds to watch the sunrise, holding the moon in one's arms to listen to the wind."

The other one is:

"A lake of Purple and Green is perfect for brewing wine;"

The surrounding green mountains can serve as a screen.

Su Yao was looking at the two couplets when Mianning said from the side:

"This pavilion is a place for our leisurely conversations; if you attain enlightenment in the future, it will surely be a delightful occasion."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao cupped his hands and said:

"Young master, your generosity is beyond words; I am deeply grateful."

Mianning waved his hand casually and said:

"No need to thank me. I won the bet, and those two will also send me a piece of calligraphy. Under the Mysterious Gate Three Pure Ones Sect, no one dares to bully your villa."

Su Yao thanked him again.

Mianning handed several pieces of calligraphy to Su Yao:

"Frame it nicely."

Su Yao nodded and accepted it.

Then Mianning said:

"As I told you before, I set up a divination for you. I happen to have two divinations with me, one of which is suitable for your mountain."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao quickly expressed his gratitude.

Mianning then took out a talisman, and with a gentle shake of his fingers, the talisman moved without wind, emitting a very faint light.

As the clear light dispersed, more than a dozen yellow figures appeared before Su Yao.

It was not a living person; its armor gleamed like yellow sapphires, its face was blurred, and its gender was indistinguishable. It held various colored banners, a compass, a copper ruler, and a talisman.

Su Yao stared at this scene for a moment, then whispered:

"The Yellow Turban Strongman...?"

Mianning nodded:

"Currently, there is no one Cloud Register Attainment Rank. It is only because there is a Cloud Talisman Law Treasure in the palace that we are able to maintain these dozen or so Yellow Turban Strongman. This time, when Master was giving a sermon to the Immortals, he asked me to bring it out."

After speaking, he first tossed out a Storage Bag, then gently waved his hand.

Opposite them, the dozen or so figures bowed to Mianning and then silently dispersed, each heading towards the foot of Golden Ao Mountain, the mountainside, the back cliff, and the lakeside.

In the blink of an eye, the array stakes were in place, a faint flash of spiritual light appeared, and then disappeared back into the mountain, as if it had never moved.

Su Yao was mesmerized.

Mianning stood to one side with his hands behind his back, speaking in a calm tone:

"Although I am not good at formations, during the Investiture of the Gods, the Biyou Sect set up a Fallen Soul Formation that injured many people. After I, Jade Pure One, obtained the formation, I pondered a few oversights and reorganized the formation principles. I changed the energy flow, the arrangement of positions, and the guidance of energy to make it more in line with the aura of immortals."

After the decoy was laid, no one could spy on Golden Ao Mountain from the Great Void.

After he finished speaking, he added:

"The array's core is set in your cave abode, with the ' Flame Domain Flowing Fire Umbrella ' inside your cave abode and the ' Soul-Dropping Bell ' replica I have on me as the array's Spirit Treasure."

The Soul-Dropping Bell, used to suppress the soul and imprison the spirit, causes those who enter the formation to become confused and have their five senses reversed; the Flame Domain Flowing Fire Umbrella, belonging to the path of Radiant Fire the Fire Virtue Transformation Position and changes constantly, perfectly compensating for the formation's weakness of being trapped but unchanging, and defensive but not offensive.

When the two treasures are combined, the formation will contain the power to trap and imprison the soul, and the wonder of the Radiant Fire. When the enemy enters the formation, everything they see and hear is an illusion, and everything they feel changes with the flow of fire, making it impossible to distinguish east from west or north from south.

Upon entering the formation after completing the Foundation Establishment stage, one's mind becomes hazy and confused within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If Purple Mansion (a powerful spiritual energy center) is presiding over this formation, the Purple Mansion will enter the formation, and within three hours, one's Divine Ability will waver, forcing one to retreat. If one stubbornly resists, the fiery energy will seep into one's bones, resulting in a stagnation of Daoxing and instability in one's realm.

His tone was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter, but to Su Yao, every word carried immense weight.

"Thus, your Pear Garden will have a formidable killing formation. It will not harm anyone, but will only cut off the path of entry; it will not betray the compassion of our path, but will also deter the villains from taking action."

Su Yao bowed again to express his gratitude:

"Your kindness in guarding the Pear Garden is as heavy as a mountain; I, your disciple, will forever remember it."

Seeing this, Mianning laughed and said:

"If you want to thank me, why don't you go and fight for me?"

Su Yao froze upon hearing this, thinking to himself:

The young master's enemy, me...?

Mianning seemed to have seen through Su Yao's thoughts and explained with a smile:

"Don't worry, it's just Foundation Establishment. I had a few words with Jiangzhen before, and we agreed to each find someone from our respective lineages to fight. But most of the lineages under my Jade Pure One Sect that are currently manifest in the world are not good at fighting. The only Golden Court Dao Lineage, now has very few successors."

Su Yao was relieved and replied:

"I wonder when we should go; I'd like to make some arrangements."

Mianning waved his hand:

"Let's leave now. If we win, the demonic seed in your dantian can be removed."

After speaking, he placed a hand on Su Yao's shoulder, and the two of them stepped into the Great Void.