"Sorry, but I'll be taking your body."
Elder Yan spoke, his form ethereal yet radiating a terrifying pressure that was difficult to describe. It only covered a space within a three-zhang radius, but where the pressure spread, the void itself twisted.
This was a manifestation only possible when one's cultivation reached an extremely profound level—the ability to casually distort the void, even shatter it and ascend on the spot.
Even the legendary Martial God experts did not possess such an ability.
Under this pressure, the void twisted, space solidified, and Ye Chen was completely unable to move, forced to watch everything unfold.
If not for Elder Yan's intent, under this pressure, Ye Chen would have been instantly annihilated, body and soul.
Ye Chen's pupils contracted. This level of power was definitely the Void-Restricting technique of a Heavenly God realm expert or above. In other words, even in his current state as a primordial spirit, Elder Yan's strength was no less than that of a peerless Heavenly God realm expert.
For the first time, his expression changed, because he was no longer the supreme and invincible Qian Yue of his past life, but merely at the seventh level of the Houtian realm.
Facing an Elder Yan comparable to the Heavenly God realm, even with his awakened past life memories, he had no way to cope.
The gap between Houtian and Heavenly God was too vast, like the difference between heaven and earth, not to be mentioned in the same breath.
His rich combat experience was utterly ineffective against such a massive disparity.
For the first time, a bitter smile appeared on Ye Chen's face. Looking at the mysterious Elder Yan standing in the void, he felt a despair he hadn't experienced for countless years welling up in his heart.
Had he only been reborn for four months, only to die again?
He truly had the urge to curse. This experience was too damn frustrating.
"Little fellow, don't worry. Since I'm taking over your body, I won't treat your family and friends poorly," Elder Yan said, then his entire form began to emit clusters of hazy, radiant light, divine brilliance flowing, dazzling and colorful. He walked towards Ye Chen, his entire being completely merging into Ye Chen's body.
Boom—
Ye Chen clearly felt an immensely powerful primordial spirit force enter his body, vast and immense like an ocean, filling his limbs and bones, rapidly beginning to take control of his body, completely carrying out the possession.
To this, he could only feel despair and helplessness, powerless.
Because this force was too powerful and grand, deep as an abyss and vast as the sea, boundless and endless, far surpassing his own by who knew how many times. Even if Ye Ao, the number one expert of Luo Feng City, were to come, he would be nothing more than an ant.
In his past life, he naturally wouldn't have feared it. Unfortunately, now... the time since his awakening was too short, only four or five months, insufficient for him to truly grow strong.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so helpless, possessing all the memories of his past life yet powerless.
Suddenly, the corner of his mouth lifted in a bitter arc. Was the hard-won chance of rebirth he had just obtained about to vanish like this?
He was extremely unwilling, yet there was nothing he could do, all because his own power was too insignificant...
Ye Chen silently closed his eyes, no longer resisting, and unable to resist, waiting for the moment Elder Yan successfully possessed him. Images flashed through his mind, from both his past and present lives...
But the next moment, to everyone's astonishment, that powerful primordial spirit force receded like a tide.
Thump—
With just a dull thud, Elder Yan was ejected from Ye Chen's body, landing three zhang away.
This scene left both of them momentarily stunned, staring at each other in confusion.
Especially Elder Yan. Just a moment ago, he had largely gained control of Ye Chen's Innate Sacred Body, but at that very moment, a mysterious force emerged, directly ejecting him.
"What's going on?"
Elder Yan was both shocked and suspicious. Gritting his teeth, he charged into Ye Chen's body again, but... he was ejected once more.
Unbelieving, he continuously charged towards Ye Chen, attempting to possess him, but failed four times in a row.
"How is this possible?" Elder Yan was utterly shocked. He felt as if there was an invisible wall on Ye Chen's body, isolating everything, preventing him from entering the youth's body.
Ye Chen was initially puzzled too, but feeling the warmth at the center of his brow, he immediately understood—it must be the effect of the Moon Mark.
This mysterious mark that had accompanied him through his past and present lives prevented even the mysterious old man within the black ancient ring from possessing his body.
Stroking the faintly glowing Moon Mark, Ye Chen suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Although he didn't know the origin of the Moon Mark, he understood that with it, he feared no one's possession attempt.
Even if the other party was far stronger than him.
Although this Elder Yan possessed absolute power comparable to the Heavenly God realm, unfortunately, it was limited to primordial spirit power. And coincidentally, primordial spirit power couldn't affect him, being restrained by the Moon Mark.
Looking at the dumbfounded Elder Yan, Ye Chen suddenly gave a teasing smile, sat down on a chair, crossed his legs, and said leisurely, "Old sir, what's wrong? Tired? Don't worry, I'll just sit here and let you try again and again until you succeed in possessing me."
Elder Yan, of course, understood Ye Chen's mocking intent, but could only offer a bitter smile and shake his head. It seemed this Innate Sacred Body was beyond his reach.
Although with his power he could possess other bodies, ordinary sacred bodies were beneath his notice and couldn't withstand the immense power of his ethereal form. Only an Innate Sacred Body could bear it, even if weakened. Once its bloodline was revived, it could definitely support him.
Because the Battle Sacred Body was one of the strongest combat physiques in all the realms.
Elder Yan sighed lightly, smiled at Ye Chen, and said, "Sorry, my apologies. I was too impulsive just now."
After all, he was an old monster who had seen too much of the world and viewed many things with detachment. Knowing success was impossible, he no longer clung to false hope and directly admitted and apologized.
"And then?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. He wouldn't let the matter go so easily. After all, he had almost lost his life.
Elder Yan said irritably, "You brat, I'm not possessing you anymore. Do you still expect me to bow and apologize?"
"Oh?" Ye Chen let out an 'oh,' holding the black ancient ring in his hand, a half-smile on his lips. "Old sir, leaving aside the fact that you can't possess my body, I just remembered something interesting and really want to do it."
"What thing?" Elder Yan's heart gave a sudden jump. For some reason, seeing this youth's smile always gave him a bad premonition.
"You tell me—" He played with the black ancient ring in his hand, smiling teasingly. "If I were to go to the latrine and accidentally drop this ring into the pit, what do you think would happen?"
"I @#￥%…&*"
Elder Yan was first dumbfounded for a good while, then even an old fossil like him who had lived who knew how many years couldn't help but curse out loud upon hearing Ye Chen's words.
The black ancient ring was his dwelling place, capable of housing his primordial spirit, his home. If his home fell into a latrine pit, sinking into those disgusting yellow and white substances, even if it caused him no real harm, the psychological impact would be immense, especially for someone of his stature.
Those who reached his level of cultivation were proud and not to be defiled. If the ancient ring really fell into a latrine pit, he'd probably feel like dying.
"Brat, if you dare do that, I'll kill you on the spot."
Elder Yan threatened fiercely. If not for his power being unable to harm Ye Chen, how could he tolerate this brat chirping away in front of him? He'd have slapped him into nothingness long ago.
"Hehe, old sir, don't curse. That's not good morals. I was just speaking hypothetically. But you should know, people make mistakes. If it falls in, it's not my fault, right?" Ye Chen chuckled, quite satisfied with the old fellow's reaction. Who told this old guy almost possessed the body he had worked so hard to obtain through rebirth?
If he didn't get some proper revenge, he'd feel very displeased.
After a long while, Elder Yan finally couldn't hold back, his expression angry, gritting his teeth as he spat out a sentence: "Brat, you're ruthless. State your demand."
Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled knowingly, no longer teasing Elder Yan, and said simply and directly, "Very simple. Protect me on my path for ten years."
"Impossible." Elder Yan was equally direct, looking down at Ye Chen from on high. "Why should I protect you on your path?"
"Because the ancient ring you reside in is in my hands. You probably don't want this ring to be 'very accidentally' dropped into a latrine pit, do you?" Ye Chen emphasized the words "very accidentally" heavily.
Threat!
A blatant threat!
Elder Yan looked at the grinning Ye Chen, really wanting to slap him to death, but he held back, took a deep breath, and said, "One year!"
"Ten years," Ye Chen insisted. "Not a year less."
"One year," Elder Yan was equally firm. "At worst, we die together."
"Fine, then you can live in the latrine pit." Ye Chen stood up and turned to walk towards the latrine, making Elder Yan gnash his teeth in frustration. This damn brat was deliberately forcing him to agree.
But he had to agree. If he really came out of a latrine pit, how could he live with himself?
"Fine, I agree," Elder Yan said through gritted teeth.
"Please swear a Heavenly Dao oath," Ye Chen demanded.
The so-called Heavenly Dao oath was a vow made under the constraints of the Heavenly Dao. Once violated, one would suffer backlash from the Heavenly Dao's operational rules.
Even truly powerful existences could withstand the Heavenly Dao backlash, but the consequences would be far from pleasant.
Ye Chen believed that even a super expert like Elder Yan would suffer greatly, perhaps even be annihilated, if subjected to the backlash of a Heavenly Dao oath.
"Heavenly Dao oath? Are you crazy? I can't swear such an oath." Although he didn't know how Ye Chen knew about Heavenly Dao oaths, he couldn't swear one, as it would bind him.
Ye Chen shrugged. "Old sir, forgive me for not trusting your word. A Heavenly Dao oath is the most effective. Since you're willing to agree, you shouldn't fear the backlash of a Heavenly Dao oath. Or are you treating your promise as mere wind past your ears?"
"You... you're something else." Elder Yan was so angry his teeth itched, but helplessly, he had to swear the Heavenly Dao oath.
Afterwards, he snorted coldly. "Brat, although I'm willing to protect you on your path for ten years, you won't be able to reach the true pinnacle of power. Although the Innate Sacred Body is one of the top-tier strongest physiques in the myriad realms, you must understand one thing: without the correct cultivation method, this physique is like a waste body. You probably won't achieve much in this lifetime."
"Are you talking about the Battle Saint Art?" Ye Chen said.
Elder Yan looked at Ye Chen with surprise. "I didn't expect you to know about the Battle Saint Art. Correct, the Battle Sacred Body is hailed as one of the strongest combat physiques in all realms, but only the Battle Saint Art passed down by the lineage of the Battle Saint can fully revive and strengthen your sacred body bloodline. Without this cultivation technique, the Innate Sacred Body will instead become a shackle limiting your progress."
"But you must understand, obtaining this inheritance is extremely difficult, almost impossible, unless you can find a Battle Saint. However, each generation's Battle Saint is an invincible figure across the myriad realms. The myriad realms are vast beyond measure; it's not something you can find just because you want to."
"What a pity for this Innate Sacred Body, rare across the ages..."
Even though he didn't think much of Ye Chen, Elder Yan felt quite regretful about the Innate Sacred Body, because theoretically, this physique shouldn't exist, but once it does, it would surely shock the world.
Unfortunately, it required the Battle Saint Art to revive the bloodline; otherwise, the bloodline would be a shackle.
But Ye Chen suddenly smiled. "Who says I don't have the Battle Saint Art..."
The youth's light words instantly shocked Elder Yan...