“Boss, this is the Soul-Summoning Banner!” Stout handed the banner to Billy after coming out of the storeroom.
“How do you use it?” Billy asked the soul that had brought them here as he took the Soul-Summoning Banner.
“You need to recognize it as your master with a drop of blood,” the soul said, sending a stream of information about the banner’s usage into Billy’s mind.
“Boss, should we give it a try?” Azure Dragon asked Billy.
“Alright,” Billy nodded and dropped a bit of blood onto the Soul-Summoning Banner.
Following the instructions in his mind, he activated the Soul-Summoning Banner. It floated into the air and began to spin faster and faster.
Soon, a fierce wind blew, lightning flashed, and the sky darkened visibly. Ghostly figures appeared all around, numbering in the tens of thousands.
The atmosphere grew eerie and chilling as these souls emerged, filling the air with a dense, sinister aura.
“This is exaggerated. Why are there so many?” Judge remarked.
“The Shadow Embrace Sect has committed countless atrocities. This is just a fraction of their victims,” Master Mystery replied.
“Alright,” Judge nodded.
“Boss, can you control them?” Casey asked.
“I should be able to,” Billy replied, his eyes narrowing as he unleashed his Psychic Power.
Immediately, some of the souls rushed towards the remaining members of the Shadow Embrace Sect.
“Spare us!” came the desperate cries.
“Not bad,” Billy said after a while, storing the Soul-Summoning Banner in his storage ring. He then turned to Master Mystery, “Master, shall we head to your temple?”
“Follow me,” Master Mystery said, leading them away.
Half an hour later, they arrived at a modest estate in the southern part of Boundless Ruin City and entered a circular building.
In the center of the hall was a large compass-like model about ten yards in diameter. Surrounding it were pillars of light supporting a semi-transparent canvas depicting a star domain map.
“Master, do you know why we came to find you?” White Tiger asked Master Mystery.
“What do you think?” Master Mystery responded. “If I couldn’t figure that out, I wouldn’t be called Master Mystery!”
“Can you really figure it out?” Soul Chaser asked curiously. “Then tell us why we’re here.”
“You’re looking for someone,” Master Mystery replied.
“You really know?” Soul Chaser was surprised, and White Tiger and the others showed astonished expressions.
“Of course,” Master Mystery said, turning to Billy. “You helped me destroy the Shadow Embrace Sect; I’ll help you this once, but only this once.”
“Thank you,” Billy nodded.
“Give me the portraits of the people you’re looking for,” Master Mystery continued.
“Alright,” Billy responded, waving his hand to suspend the portraits of the old master and Chester in mid-air.
“Step back,” Master Mystery instructed after examining the portraits.
As he spoke, he focused his Psychic Power into the light pillars. Billy and his group stepped back to a safe distance.
An ancient aura filled the hall as the compass and light pillars began to rotate. Components on the compass moved rhythmically like a mechanical structure set into motion by an external force.
Billy and his group observed as images on the canvas above shifted continuously, showing different star domains.
As time passed, Master Mystery’s expression grew tense, and his aura became unstable. After another two minutes, his reaction became more intense. His face turned pale, sweat soaked his back, and large beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His body trembled uncontrollably, and his aura fluctuated wildly.
“What’s happening?” Judge asked.
“Who knows?” Ian Blade shrugged.
“Ivy, will he be alright?” Frostblade asked Ivy.
“I’m not sure. Let’s wait and see,” Ivy replied, shaking her head slightly.
Before she finished speaking, a deafening explosion occurred. The compass and light pillars shattered simultaneously, sending powerful shockwaves through the hall.
Master Mystery spat out a mouthful of blood and was thrown against the wall, collapsing to the ground and unable to get up for a while. Billy and his group were also caught off guard by the shockwaves and were thrown to the ground in pain.
“Damn it! What’s going on?” Stout exclaimed as he got up, rubbing his backside. “We’re just looking for someone. Why such a big commotion?”
“Master, are you alright?” Harleen and Ivy approached Master Mystery.
Ignoring them, Master Mystery sat cross-legged on the ground to meditate. Harleen and Ivy did not disturb him further.
After about fifteen minutes, Master Mystery’s aura stabilized. He opened his eyes and stood up.
“Master, what happened?” Azure Dragon asked.
“I knew helping you would bring trouble!” Master Mystery said coldly to Billy after taking a deep breath. He glanced at the wreckage around him with a pained expression; setting up such an array was no easy task.
“What do you mean?” Billy asked.
“Who exactly are you looking for?” Master Mystery paused before continuing. “I’m puzzled how someone with your abilities is connected to such powerful individuals.”
“Master, are you saying that the people we’re looking for are very strong?” White Tiger asked.
“Of course!” Master Mystery snapped at White Tiger. “Otherwise, would my place end up like this?”
His face showed deep apprehension and respect for such powerful beings.
“What?” Stout exclaimed. “Master, did those we’re looking for destroy your place? Where are they?”
He looked around as if expecting to find the old master and Billy’s father hiding somewhere in the room.
“Master, where are they?” Stout pressed on.
“Stout, let the master speak,” Amber interjected before turning to Master Mystery. “Master, do you know where they are?”