"Tsk tsk, a mere Outer Sect Martial Artist actually managed to detect my presence. How interesting. It seems youâre hiding quite a few secrets! No wonder that Inner Sect Disciple at the Martial Master Realm was played to death by you, kid," the elderly Soul Body cackled, the sound exceptionally eerie.
"You are... the Burning Heaven Elder?" Ye Qingchen asked. The elderâs aura was extremely similar to the residual aura on the male corpse inside the Burning Heaven Cave Mansion. Ye Qingchenâs mind raced, and he couldnât help but connect the two.
In life, the Burning Heaven Elder was a Martial Spirit expert, so his Soul Power must be immense. Coupled with long-term nourishment from Elixirs, itâs not impossible for his soul to persist even after death!
The elderly Soul Body stroked his long green beard and nodded with satisfaction. "Indeed, it is I. Hahaha, after so many years, I have finally found a good vessel! Not only do your martial and alchemical talents meet my standards for possession, but more importantly, your appearance is very much to my liking."
Ye Qingchenâs face paled in shock. The Burning Heaven Elderâs Soul Power was incredibly strong. If he tried to possess him, Ye Qingchen would hardly stand a chance.
In the next instant, the Burning Heaven Elder unleashed a powerful wave of Soul Power, enveloping Ye Qingchen completely. Ye Qingchenâs body trembled as he tried to break free, but he found himself unable to mobilize his Spiritual Power. He immediately activated his Willow Wood Martial Soul. Three willow branches shot out, only to pass straight through the Burning Heaven Elder!
No good! The attack is ineffective!
A sense of impending doom washed over Ye Qingchen.
"Kid, save your strength. I have been planning for a long time to lure you all here!" the elder gloated. "These poisonous gases and monsters are all my precious treasures. It wasnât easy for them to herd you here step by step!"
The Burning Heaven Elder was immensely proud. This had been his plot from the very beginning. He had previously attempted to possess Inner Sect Disciples of the Qingyun Sect, but they had cultivated for many years and their Soul Power was too strong. The attempt backfired, and he was nearly annihilated. Thus, he had no choice but to target the weaker Outer Sect Disciples, deliberately setting conditions for entering the Secret Realm. This was also why it was mandatory for an Outer Sect Disciple to participate in this Secret Realm mission.
"No, thatâs not right. If your Soul Body is still alive, where is Su Lingguâs?" Ye Qingchen asked, a flicker of surprise in his heart.
If the Burning Heaven Elderâs Soul Body exists, then logically, Su Lingguâs should also be around. If her Soul Body is still here, the two of them are sure to continue their fight, which means my chances of escaping would be greatly increased!
"Shut up! Donât you dare mention that slutâs name to me!" Upon hearing the name Su Linggu, the Burning Heaven Elder became extremely agitated. A hint of deep resentment flashed in his eyes as he became lost in memory.
In the Heaven Desolate Continent, it was perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. As a Martial Spirit expert with a long lifespan, how could he not take on several? But that wretched woman, Su Linggu, actually resented him for seeking out other women. She launched a sneak attack during one of their intimate moments. Caught completely off guard, he, a mighty Martial Spirit expert, ended up perishing along with that slut! Fortunately, his Soul Body was strong, leaving him a slim chance to be reborn through possession.
Seizing the moment while the Burning Heaven Elder was lost in his memories, Ye Qingchenâs sea of consciousness trembled. He instantly activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, continuously scanning the Soul Power that bound him, searching for the weakest point to break through. Upon close observation, however, he found that the Soul Power enveloping him was flawless.
This is bad. Am I really going to be possessed?!
Ye Qingchenâs mouth twitched as intense panic surged through him.
At that moment, the Burning Heaven Elder snapped out of his reminiscence. He cackled strangely, "Su Linggu, you slut, you never would have expected this, would you? Today, I, Fen Tian, will be reborn through possession! Hahaha!"
The Burning Heaven Elder floated over to Ye Qingchen and placed a hand on his head.
WHOOSH!
His entire Soul Body plunged through the space between Ye Qingchenâs eyebrows, entering his mind. Ye Qingchenâs eyes bulged as a sharp, piercing pain erupted in his brain. Impatient, the Burning Heaven Elder didnât hesitate, plunging deeper toward Ye Qingchenâs sea of consciousness. His powerful Soul Power relentlessly assaulted it.
BOOM!
"Hahaha! Not bad, not bad at all! It really is a Seven-Star Willow Wood Martial Soul! With this, I can advance even further!" The Burning Heaven Elder, thrilled to have broken through Ye Qingchenâs sea of consciousness, poured out his Soul Power, intending to envelop the Seven-Star Willow Wood Martial Soul.
"Bastard!" Ye Qingchen cried out.
"Give up! You canât stop me!" the Burning Heaven Elder laughed triumphantly.
BUZZ...
Suddenly, a massive tremor originated from the depths of the sea of consciousness. The powerful vibration sent the Burning Heaven Elderâs Soul Body drifting about.
What? Whatâs happening?
The Burning Heaven Elder was bewildered. At the same time, the Dual Pupil Martial Soul manifested. A streak of black Soul Power shot out, bursting with an intense force as it charged toward the elder at high speed.
Not good! This kid has two Martial Souls!
the Burning Heaven Elder realized in horror. At that moment, only one thought remained in his mind:
Escape! I have to escape now!
The Burning Heaven Elder flew rapidly toward the point where he had first entered the sea of consciousness. Meanwhile, the Willow Wood Martial Soul, as if sensing the Dual Pupil Martial Soulâs call, also unleashed an astonishing amount of Soul Power, forming a barrier that blocked the elderâs escape route!
"NO! No, no, this canât be real!" Seeing his path blocked, the Burning Heaven Elder panicked and scrambled about frantically.
BOOM!
The Dual Pupil Martial Soulâs Soul Power instantly slammed into the Burning Heaven Elder. He let out a pitiful scream, and his entire Soul Body transformed into streams of pure power of the soul, which merged into the Dual Pupil Martial Soul.
Ye Qingchen quickly checked himself and found that not only was the Dual Pupil Martial Soul unharmed, but its Martial Soul Force had been enhanced. His range of perception had at least doubled! Furthermore, he had also acquired the Burning Heaven Elderâs legacy.
Looking astonished, Ye Qingchen never would have expected such a turn of events. "Is this a blessing in disguise?"
He shook his head, not dwelling on it further; Hong Yan and Wang Qiang were still waiting for him. After sitting cross-legged to regulate his breathing for a while, Ye Qingchen took out a porcelain bottle containing a Breakthrough Pill.
As he swallowed the pill, he activated the Divine Wood Art. Natureâs spiritual energy gathered around him at an extreme speed, surging into his Dantian. A quarter of an hour later, Ye Qingchenâs Dantian trembled violently with a loud bang. Immense Spiritual Energy burst forth and rushed through his meridians, expanding them to more than double their original size and drastically accelerating the circulation of Spiritual Energy throughout his body. Ye Qingchenâs aura soared continuously. Then, his entire demeanor changed. He had, without a doubt, broken through to the Martial Master Realm.
Ye Qingchenâs lips curved into a slight smile. "Have I finally broken through?"
He stood and casually struck out with his palm, forcing back a significant portion of the surrounding mist. He marveled, "So this is the strength of a Martial Master? Itâs truly powerful!"
Without lingering, Ye Qingchen left the poisonous fog and dashed in the direction of Hong Yan and Wang Qiang.
ăOutside the Stone Gateă
The battle was fierce.
Zhuo Bufan was the first to notice a figure rapidly approaching from within the fog, and his heart instantly filled with joy. It seemed Chen Hui had returned. Although he took a while, he thankfully wasnât too late.
Overjoyed, Zhuo Bufan shouted excitedly toward the figure in the mist, "Chen Hui, youâre back just in time! Help me kill this Wang Qiang!"