"You say you possess the Battle Saint Art?"
When he asked this, even Elder Yan couldn't help but swallow hard. Though his form was ethereal, he still felt his lips go dry and his mouth parched.
The Battle Saint Art was the inherited cultivation method of the Battle Saint lineage, ranked among the strongest legacies in the myriad realms.
This technique had always been passed down only within the Battle Saint lineage; outsiders could never obtain it. Yet this youth before him seemed to truly possess such a supreme method.
"Perhaps you find it shocking, Elder, and find it hard to believe how I, a mere youth, could possess such a supreme method," Ye Chen said with a faint smile. "Elder, to be honest with you, I am not the sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth you see. Because I—have been reborn through reincarnation."
In a few sentences, he dropped another bombshell of astonishing words.
Elder Yan stared at Ye Chen in shock. It was only after a long moment that he calmed down, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
No wonder this youth always appeared so composed and at ease. It turned out the soul within was not that of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old, but likely one that had existed for millennia, merely inhabiting a young body—something he hadn't been able to discern at first.
The eyes are the windows to the soul. He could see that Ye Chen's eyes were deep and profound, filled with rich worldly experience and shrewd wisdom. This was definitely not the gaze a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth should possess.
How laughable. He had always regarded the youth as an inexperienced youngster, yet the other party was a terrifying existence living a second life. In truth, his understanding of the world was probably not much inferior to his own.
However, he also felt somewhat better about the situation. If he had truly lowered himself to act as a guardian for a mere child, given his status, it would have been quite uncomfortable. But acting as a guardian for the reincarnated body of a super expert was a different matter altogether.
Elder Yan couldn't help but shake his head. "You've hidden yourself quite deeply. This old man couldn't see through it at all."
Ye Chen merely smiled. "You flatter me, Elder. I was merely fortunate enough to succeed in reincarnation."
Though it was just fortune, this fortune made Elder Yan deeply envious. It was far better than his own state—neither fully human nor ghost.
Elder Yan said, "Since you have been reborn, I presume your previous life was a Battle Saint?"
Now that he knew Ye Chen was a reincarnated being, the elder's tone had changed considerably. He no longer regarded him as a junior, but as an equal, addressing him with respect.
Only a true Battle Saint could possess the Battle Saint Art.
And a Battle Saint—what a lofty and unattainable title that was. It had always represented supreme, peerless power, with only one appearing in each generation.
Ye Chen said, "You are correct, Elder. In my previous life, I was indeed a Battle Saint. Due to certain circumstances, I was forced to reincarnate and be reborn."
Even though he had guessed Ye Chen's previous identity, Elder Yan still couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath, feeling even more envious of Ye Chen's luck. "You are truly fortunate. A Battle Saint in your previous life, reborn into a body possessing the Innate Sacred Body in this life. Such a heaven-defying constitution, combined with the Battle Saint Art, will surely lead to boundless glory. Truly enviable."
He had to admit Ye Chen's luck was explosively heaven-defying. To reincarnate and be reborn into an Innate Sacred Body, while also mastering the supreme Battle Saint Art—it was enough to bring the potential of the Innate Sacred Body's bloodline to its absolute peak.
Originally, every generation's Battle Saint, upon growing to maturity, would become a sovereign respected across the myriad realms, standing at the very pinnacle of existence between heaven and earth.
And a bearer of the Innate Sacred Body, cultivating anew with the Battle Saint Art—his future achievements would likely be even greater.
For a moment, it seemed as if he could see a dazzling imperial star rising majestically, standing atop the Nine Heavens, looking down upon the world, overlooking the myriad realms, revered by all under heaven.
But Ye Chen shook his head with a bitter smile. "Elder, to be honest, the Sacred Body bloodline within me has not yet awakened."
Elder Yan was stunned. "Why?"
If even possessing the Battle Saint Art couldn't trigger the awakening of the Sacred Body bloodline, what was the point?
Ye Chen could only say helplessly, "Because the time since my awakening in this life has been too short, and my body is not strong enough. I simply cannot cultivate the Battle Saint Art yet. Otherwise, given the domineering nature of the Battle Saint Art, it would shatter my body in an instant."
Hearing this, Elder Yan sighed silently. Well-traveled and knowledgeable, he naturally understood the domineering reputation of the Battle Saint Art throughout the myriad realms.
If one's physical strength was insufficient, this saintly method would directly and ruthlessly pulverize the body.
Though the Innate Sacred Body was heaven-defying, if the bloodline did not awaken and the physique was not strong enough, even operating the Battle Saint Art—which shared the same origin—would only end in the body being crushed to dust.
"Does the esteemed one have a method to awaken the Sacred Body bloodline?" Elder Yan asked.
Ye Chen smiled. "Elder, you overestimate me. Since your surname is Yan, I shall address you as Elder Yan. In this life, I have only been awakened for a month. The Sacred Body bloodline has not yet awakened. But in time, once I gather sufficient medicinal ingredients, I will refine a pill called the 'Spirit Awakening Pill' to awaken the Sacred Body bloodline within me."
"So you are also an alchemist," Elder Yan said, looking at Ye Chen in surprise. After all, alchemists were rare figures in the world, but using alchemical methods could indeed activate bloodlines.
"Elder Yan, I apologize for threatening you earlier. It was an act of necessity," Ye Chen said, handing over the pitch-black ancient ring with sincere apology.
Elder Yan shook his head. "This old man was also at fault, acting out of greed first. It has nothing to do with you, esteemed one. There is no need for you to apologize. Since you require this old man to act as your guardian for ten years, and I have made a Heavenly Dao oath, I will not go back on my word. You need not worry."
Ye Chen fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Elder Yan, thank you. Though my current cultivation is low and I lack the ability, when I am capable, I will provide you with a powerful body so you may be resurrected."
Elder Yan's ethereal form trembled. A mistiness seemed to appear in his aged eyes as he turned away, only a soft "Mm" escaping in response...
In the following days, Ye Chen refined another ten bottles of Jade God Liquid and entered seclusion for cultivation once more.
But just half a month later, Ye Chen emerged from seclusion.
Because of the previous four months of intensive cultivation using large doses of Jade God Liquid, his body had developed considerable resistance to it. Even if he used several bottles now, the effects had become negligible for him.
Over the half month, he had only used three bottles before stopping, leaving seven bottles of Jade God Liquid unused.
Regarding this, Ye Chen could only shake his head helplessly. Though he knew long-term use of such medicinal liquids would eventually lead to resistance, he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
However, he wasn't overly disheartened. After all, auxiliary cultivation liquids were ultimately external aids. True strength had to be earned through one's own diligent training.
Even so, Elder Yan, who had been watching Ye Chen's cultivation with interest, couldn't help but be surprised. Both the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art and the Human Yuan Body Art were truly famous body refining methods. He hadn't expected both to fall into Ye Chen's possession.
Having stopped his half-month cultivation, Ye Chen also felt he had reached a bottleneck. Further seclusion would be useless, so he planned to go out for a while. By chance, he passed by the clan's training grounds.
The training grounds were vast and open, spanning a full thirty zhang in length and width. It was a square paved with bluestone slabs, currently bustling with people divided into several areas. Groups of the Ye family's younger generation were practicing with loud shouts.
Under the blazing sun, these youths—boys and girls—were sweating profusely as they practiced martial arts under the guidance of the clan's martial instructors, each punch and kick executed with proper form.
This was the training ground for the Ye family's younger generation. All Ye family members under twenty-six years of age had to train here daily, following the instructors' guidance.
Originally, Ye Chen should have been training here under the instructors as well. But back when he was a peerless genius, becoming a Xiantian expert at thirteen, even the instructors on these training grounds couldn't compare. Naturally, he hadn't needed to come here since then.
Though his cultivation was later crippled, he still hadn't come here during that time either. Passing by this place again now, he felt somewhat dazed.
"Listen well, all of you. Both strength and techniques are indispensable. Stance training and fist practice are for increasing strength—they train internal power. Techniques are martial skills. Only when both are well-trained do you have true martial prowess. Otherwise, it's just an empty shell. No matter how great your strength, you won't be able to unleash your true power..."
At the edge of the square, Ye Zhengyang walked back and forth continuously. His voice was loud and full of vigor as he instructed the clan's younger generation in their training.