Golden light, like a thread of gold, entered Shen Siyuan's forehead before he could react.
Ordinary people might not notice anything abnormal, thinking it was just a trick of the eye.
But Shen Siyuan had devoured the Jiuyou Demon Lord's soul and given birth to Divine Sense.
Under the illumination of Divine Sense, he discovered a golden thread within his Sea of Consciousness.
To most people, its nature would be unclear, but Shen Siyuan, with the memories of the Jiuyou Demon Lord, knew it was Merit.
Yet this Merit had been obtained far too easily.
Helping Dou Dou fulfill her wish was enough to receive Merit? Could she be some extraordinary child of heaven and earth?
Shen Siyuan knew that could not be the case; although Tao Guangsha's family was somewhat wealthy, they were just an ordinary family, and with Dou Dou drowned at sea, she was unlikely to be someone saddled with great fortune.
Even in the Great Wilderness, it was extremely difficult to acquire Merit. It wasn't just a matter of possessing great fortune but also making significant contributions to the world.
In the vast memory of the Jiuyou Demon Lord, only one Human Race saint, who had meritorious teachings, was endowed with Merit. Updates are released by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
Other than that, hardly anyone received Merit. Though legends speak of times ancient when Merit descended from the heavens, as the rules of the world grew more perfected, it became increasingly difficult to obtain.
Yet Shen Siyuan, by simply helping Dou Dou fulfill her desire, had performed at most a good deed, but unexpectedly obtained a thread of Merit, which could only mean the rules of heaven and earth were different here.
Merit was a good thing, capable of enhancing a person's fortune and aiding in cultivation.
Even if this world was murky without any Spiritual Energy, with Merit, he could resume the path of cultivation. In essence, Merit was a panacea, a substitute for any requirement in any place.
Although it was only a thread, if he continued to do good deeds, accumulating them like building a sand tower, it could eventually put him on a path of transcendence.
But after all, it was a different world, and Merit was obtained so simply, it was unclear if this Merit was the same as that Merit.
With this thought, he summoned the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.
Then, his Divine Sense extended towards the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, the golden thread touching the banner.
The once immobile banner face suddenly fluttered in a violent wind, a golden streak flitting across the purple surface, adding a touch of opulence.
Shen Siyuan was overjoyed to see that this thread of Merit could actually be used to repair the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, although it was somewhat scant.
Shen Siyuan's Divine Sense wrapped around the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, where a peculiar area was faintly visible, hazy and indistinct.
The Ten Thousand Soul Banner was the treasured artifact of the Netherworld Sect, an Ancient Demon Sect, and later came into the possession of the Jiuyou Demon Lord, establishing his title of Demon Lord.
With its extraordinary origins, it contained Nine Layers of Restrictions, and what Shen Siyuan saw was the first spatial layer.
This space was not for the Jiuyou Demon Lord's Storage Space but a haven for capturing ghosts.
Dou Dou patted his leg as Shen Siyuan stood there in a daze.
Returning to his senses, Shen Siyuan looked at Dou Dou and gently shook the Ten Thousand Soul Banner in his hand.
An invisible force drew Dou Dou into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.
Upon the banner's surface, ripples of eerie blue spread, like those on water.
Shen Siyuan's intention was not to erase memory or repair the Soul Banner, but to draw Dou Dou into the banner for his command.
This method caused no harm to Dou Dou as long as Shen Siyuan did not act maliciously.
In fact, it had many benefits for Dou Dou.
Once on the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, unless annihilated in an instant, her soul would be preserved, and due to the banner's power, she would be endowed with several Divine Skills.
After all, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was also a weapon for attack; it captured dead souls to command against enemies.
But most of these captured souls were ordinary people, with many others being mere soldiers. If they were simply used as tools against enemies, they would be no more than cannon fodder.
However, as a top Demon Path Magical Treasure, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was not so simple. The captured ghosts were also endowed with special abilities such as Netherworld Fire, Yin Wind, Soldier Armor Fighting Technique, Concealment and Killing, and more.
Of course, there were disadvantages as well; once a ghost entered the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, it would be branded. Unless the Banner Master actively erased the brand, they would be bound to serve the Banner Master for life after life, acting as eyes and ears, countering enemies, and absorbing damage.
Shen Siyuan shook the Ten Thousand Soul Banner in his hand again, and Dou Dou was immediately released.
Dou Dou's eyes widened as she looked at herself, her whole body radiating a ghostly blue glow, her hair flaming like fire.
"I seem to be pretty awesome now," she said proudly.
Before Shen Siyuan could even speak, she turned into a gust of yin wind and whooshed through the air, leaving Shen Siyuan gaping in amazement.
Is she really that powerful? He began to think that dying might not be so bad after all.
But as soon as the little tyke disappeared from sight, Shen Siyuan shook the Ten Thousand Soul Banner in his hand.
Wrapped in the yin wind and soaring through the sky, Dou Dou was immediately drawn back by an invisible force, instantly returning to Shen Siyuan's side.
"Potato~ Potato, I've become so powerful now," said Dou Dou, clenching her little fists, her chubby little face full of pride.
"Oh right, you're Potato," Dou Dou seemed to remember something.
"Shouldn't it be Banner Master?"
"I think it's time for a spanking."
"Hehe, Potato Potato, I can fly and I can even burst into flames..."
Dou Dou looked up to the sky, howling twice, then flames began to rise all over her body.
This was the Netherworld Fire, unique to the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, capable of scorching a person's soul with immense power.
"Playing with fire is dangerous, try to play with fire less in daily life," Shen Siyuan warned.
As the Banner Master, his words are the law, and naturally, Dou Dou would obediently listen.
"Let me tell you, I can also do this..."
Dou Dou said, hands on hips, head tilted back, puffing out her chubby little belly.
"And then what? Show off your big belly?"
"You can see me, right?" asked Dou Dou.
"Nonsense, I've always been able to see you."
"That makes sense." Dou Dou realized.
"If I do this, mommy and daddy can see me, everybody can see me," Dou Dou said proudly.
"Hold on, hide yourself first," Shen Siyuan quickly looked around, relieved that it was night and there weren't many people around.
He also realized that ghosts on the Ten Thousand Soul Banner have the ability to become visible and be seen by ordinary people.
But right now, Dou Dou's body was emanating blue light, and her hair was like blazing flames, clearly not something normal people should see.
"Ah, this won't work, that won't work... Potato Potato, you sound like my dad..."
Dou Dou frowned, looking like a mischievous little sprite.
"You listen to me, learn to control the flames on you before anything else."
Dou Dou crisply responded.
Clearly, after the soul was taken into the Soul Banner, not only was she endowed with powers but also some knowledge was infused into her, otherwise, the little thing would not be able to use her abilities so proficiently and would not call him Banner Master.
Shen Siyuan thought for a moment, shook the Ten Thousand Soul Banner in his hand again, and took her back into the banner to prevent her from running around everywhere.