112: It's better not to enter this cycle of reincarnation!

"The Rebirth Incantation!"

A cry of surprise rang out from the crowd, drawing everyone's attention.

The Late-stage Core Formation Family Disciple's expression stiffened under their gazes, and he quickly explained, "The incantation Han Yu just recited... I once saw a few words about it in an ancient book. It seems to be the legendary Rebirth Incantation, which can send Wandering Souls to Reincarnation..."

"Is that really true?"

"You're probably Han Yu's accomplice!"

"The Rebirth Incantation? How come I've never heard of it?"

"But looking at those three Fellow Daoists, their True Spirits seem to have escaped into the Void Realm..."

For a moment, the Cultivators present were all talking at once.

The looks they directed at Su Ling all held a hint of strangeness.

"After fighting side by side with you all, I, Han, would not go so far as to imprison the Divine Souls of my comrades."

Su Ling looked around, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable power. "Previously, I only used the ten thousand souls banner to collect the remnant souls of Yao Beasts. However, the National War is dangerous; without sufficient strength, one will sooner or later become a Wandering Soul under another's blade. Thus, I resorted to this plan. If you are unwilling to associate with me, I, Han, will leave right now, and we shall have no further dealings."

That incantation was indeed the Rebirth Incantation he had learned from the Soul-Binding Secret Technique.

However, Su Ling also felt a sense of doubt about it.

Because the incantation was far too similar to a Taoist mantra he had accidentally come across in his past life.

"The name of the ten thousand souls banner is surely something you've all heard of. If Fellow Daoist Han only uses this ten thousand souls banner to imprison the remnant souls of the Demon Species and the Divine Souls of enemy Cultivators..."

Luo Xuanxiao took a step forward, his gaze landing on Wen Qingzhu, his tone firm. "Then our safety during our subsequent actions in the Jinhun Realm will only be greatly enhanced."

"It's just a Demonic Path Magic Treasure; there's no need for such a fuss."

Just as the crowd was still hesitating, Fu Yongnian suddenly spoke up.

The old man, whose Lifespan was nearly exhausted, slowly walked to the front of the crowd and nodded at Su Ling. "Fellow Daoist Han's Azure Heaven Thunder Method, like Fellow Daoist Luo's Purple Cloud Divine Thunder, is an extremely hard and yang technique, as majestic as heavenly might. If he were truly an evil heretic, he would have suffered Qi Deviation long ago from practicing such a thunder method; how could he still be standing here talking to us? Besides, if I should unfortunately perish one day, being able to enter this ten thousand souls banner and continue fighting alongside you all—wouldn't that be better than dissipating in this Nether Prison Plane?"

"Elder Fu, do you no longer wish to enter Reincarnation?"

Qi Yan, a Late-stage Core Formation Cultivator who specialized in fire-based arts, gave a cold laugh, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

Cultivators seek longevity throughout their lives; who would be willing to have their Divine Soul imprisoned after death, giving up even the chance of Reincarnation?

"Reincarnation?"

Fu Yongnian sneered and shook his head, his eyes full of disdain. "From ancient times to the present, who has truly seen someone undergo Reincarnation? Even if Reincarnation exists, if the 'Fu Yongnian' of the next life doesn't remember who I am and doesn't understand the Dao I Cultivate, then how is he different from a stranger? We Cultivators have always fought for longevity in this life, to hold our destinies in our own hands!"

"This ethereal Reincarnation—I might as well not enter it!"

These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread through the hearts of the Cultivators present.

The scene instantly fell silent.

Indeed, the path of Cultivation is already a Heaven-Defying act. If one cannot even protect their current life, what is the point of talking about Reincarnation?

Even if one could truly undergo Reincarnation, when would they ever know that 'I' am 'me'?

Su Ling looked at Fu Yongnian with some surprise; this seemingly aged man actually possessed such an open-minded state of heart.

He nodded slightly to Fu Yongnian, a glimmer of genuine respect flashing in his eyes.

In this National War where everyone looked out for themselves, such clarity was far rarer than strength.

"Since that is the case, time is pressing... Those willing to continue fighting alongside Han Yu, take a step forward; otherwise, take a step back!"

Wen Qingzhu's gaze swept across the distant sky as he said in a low voice, "The majority will decide. Everyone, cast your vote!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two figures stepped forward almost simultaneously.

The lingering resonance of purple thunder around Luo Xuanxiao had not yet dissipated, and his footsteps kicked up faint sparks of electricity as they landed.

Fu Yongnian's aged body was slow, but his steps were exceptionally firm.

After the two stepped forward, their gazes met briefly, both seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

Then, they simultaneously curled their lips, as if they had a tacit understanding of each other's choice.

In contrast, Qi Yan and the three Cultivators who had just ambushed Su Ling showed almost no hesitation. They shifted their feet back and stood firmly in place, their eyes filled with wariness toward Su Ling.

Qi Yan even gave a cold snort and turned his gaze away, unwilling to spare Su Ling another glance.

The remaining Cultivators fell into a state of conflict. Some subconsciously gripped their Magic Treasures tighter, their eyes darting between the 'advancing' Luo Xuanxiao and Fu Yongnian, and the 'retreating' Qi Yan.

They were both wary of the ten thousand souls banner's malevolence and unable to forget the power of Su Ling's thunder method on the battlefield, and they were well aware of the dangers of the National War.

Several Cultivators who had fought alongside Su Ling against the Manticore recalled the scene where Su Ling used the Azure Heaven Thunder Method to block the beast's poisonous sting for them, and then glanced at Luo Xuanxiao's upright back.

This Purple Cloud thunder Cultivator had always been arrogant; if Su Ling were truly a source of calamity, he would never have taken a side so easily.

Finally, they gritted their teeth and stepped heavily forward.

With these few leading the way, more than ten others stepped forward one after another.

They of them valued Su Ling's strength, while others trusted the judgment of the two Peak Core Formation experts.

Finally, Wen Qingzhu took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the several Fentian Sect Disciples behind him, and then he took a step forward.

The flames on the crimson flame ring in his hand quickly faded; he had already made his final choice.

Soon, the remaining Cultivators also made their choices.

Excluding the three who had previously perished, out of the fifty-one Core Formation Cultivators, thirty-eight chose to stay by Su Ling's side, while only thirteen were unwilling to associate with him.

"The vote is complete! The minority will follow the majority!"

Wen Qingzhu raised his hand to quiet the crowd's commotion, his voice resonant and powerful. "From this day forward, Han Yu remains our comrade... but at the same time, everyone will monitor him together! If his ten thousand souls banner dares to imprison the Divine Soul of any teammate, no matter when or where, we shall all execute him together!"

"That goes without saying!"

Fu Yongnian laughed heartily and said seriously, "Now is not the time to hesitate. Those from the Yangquan Sect could arrive at any moment. Quickly clean up the battlefield and gather resources; the sooner we move, the better!"

"Move out!"

Wen Qingzhu gave Su Ling one last deep look, which held both a warning and a hint of approval.

Then, with a low shout, he was the first to transform into an orange-red flame, flying toward the distant corpses.

An ownerless storage bracelet appeared in his hand, drawing in the scattered Magic Treasures and Storage Pouches one by one.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Qi Yan said no more; he merely gave Su Ling a cold glance and turned to leave.

"Thank you both for speaking up for me just now."

Once everyone had dispersed to clean up the battlefield, Su Ling walked up to Luo Xuanxiao and Fu Yongnian, cupping his hands in thanks, his tone carrying a sense of genuine gratitude.

If these two hadn't taken the lead in siding with him, there probably wouldn't have been so many people willing to let him stay.

"You helped me before; this time is merely returning the favor. We're even."

Luo Xuanxiao stepped to the side, avoiding Su Ling's bow.

His tone remained indifferent, yet it hid an imperceptible trace of warmth and approval.

Before he had even finished speaking, the purple thunder around him suddenly surged, transforming into a purple flash of lightning that instantly streaked into the distance.

Leaving behind only a faint trail of thunder, he clearly had no desire for further conversation.