The Best Candidate for Possession

Under the gaze of the entire assembly, Lu Xinlan rose with a gentle smile.

"Esteemed guests," she began.

"Master Yi Feng is a man of quiet disposition and does not favor such gatherings. Even after our Wanbao Tower's triumph in the grand competition, he remained aloof. I, Xinlan, do not know his current whereabouts, but I presume he seeks solitude in some tranquil retreat."

At her words,

not a trace of disappointment showed on the faces of the guests. Instead, their expressions brimmed with even deeper reverence.

Shi Tianchuan and the other magnates sighed in admiration.

"Master's bearing is something we can scarcely hope to match," one remarked.

"To depart when the deed is done, leaving neither name nor trace—such conduct is a model for us cultivators!"

"Indeed, indeed. If we could but learn a fraction of such serenity, it would benefit us immeasurably in the years to come!"

"To Master Yi Feng!"

In their minds, they etched the image of a figure untouched by worldly concerns, and as one, they raised their cups in toast.

Whether it was the three great magnates, the familiar faces from Sunlight Island who had once known Yi Feng, or even the rival lords of Black Island—figures who had previously stood at odds—all now found themselves drawn closer, their eyes alight with shared awe and longing.

Laughter passed between them, a cathartic release of past grievances. Tempered by the trials of war and catastrophe, and now witness to Master Yi Feng's transcendent grace, many felt their spirits elevated.

Even Lu Shuyao seemed transformed.

Rising with newfound poise, her eyes shimmering with emotion, she took her seat without a trace of reservation. Hearing the praises sung of Yi Feng filled her with more joy than anything else, and she basked in the warmth of this unprecedented camaraderie, her heart lighter than ever before.

This Master had shattered the chains of fate binding the Seventy-Two Islands of the East Sea, achieving what none had dared dream—yet he remained as composed as ever.

Such demeanor was the mark of a true cultivator.

Fame and fortune were but passing clouds; grudges and affections, mere trifles to be dismissed with a smile.

As Lu Shuyao sipped her wine, a profound clarity washed over her. It was as if she had cast aside all burdens, and for the first time, she truly savored the rich bouquet of the aged vintage.

The chorus of reverent praise around her set her heart fluttering like a startled deer.

Once,

as the lofty young mistress of Wanbao Tower, she had fixated on power—both a product of her privileged birth and a desperate struggle against the oppression of the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk.

She had believed that authority might spare her from the fate of the Celestial Maiden, never imagining that such a cruel destiny could be overturned.

Until now.

The fearsome Heavenly Dragon Merfolk had been routed by the mere presence of Master Yi Feng, and the unimaginable fate that loomed over her had dissolved in an instant!

Such a miraculous feat bordered on divine intervention—worthy of being hailed as a deity of the East Sea!

Master Yi Feng was truly a celestial being descended to the mortal realm.

The more she dwelled on it, the deeper her reverence grew, and the faster her heart raced. His resolute and heroic visage played ceaselessly in her mind, filling her with an indescribable sweetness.

Even after the banquet concluded,

as she retired to her quiet courtyard, the joy in her heart surpassed anything she had ever known.

Lost in contemplation of the moonlight,

Lu Shuyao suddenly felt her spirit expand, her being purified as if she had ascended to an ineffable state. Unconsciously, her divine consciousness manifested and separated from her body!

Her spirit hovered midair, gazing in astonishment at her own physical form. Feeling the warmth of her jade-like hands, her eyes trembled with wonder.

"The Great Perfection of the Heavenly Soul Art!"

"To think that clarity of heart could lead to such enlightenment!"

Her divine consciousness danced with elation, and her excitement swelled.

"Meeting Master Yi Feng has been an immeasurable blessing..."

As gratitude welled within her,

Lu Shuyao found herself missing Yi Feng more and more. Unable to resist, her divine consciousness soared into the clouds, standing beneath the bright moon as she searched for any trace of Master Yi Feng.

The entire island's nightscape lay beneath her gaze.

This novel perspective felt distinctly different from before—not only could she clearly see everything she normally observed, but she could also sense the presence of other souls.

Gliding freely through the clouds, Lu Shuyao was filled with wonder.

Yet, despite her prolonged search, she found no sign of Yi Feng.

Even after passing over the grand hall of Black Island, she still came up empty-handed.

"If I were to send a message through my soul’s power… would Master Yi despise me…?"

Her murmur had barely left her lips when her body stiffened.

The ornate hall beneath her feet showed no abnormalities, but the nearby Saintess’s side palace exuded a chilling aura that sent shivers down her spine—far stranger than any soul she had ever encountered.

It was a sensation of icy darkness!

Gazing down at the smallest side palace, Lu Shuyao’s soul form frowned in alarm.

"The one residing here should be the Fourth Saintess, Lu Caiwei…"

"This outsider Saintess was supposedly of righteous origins. She shouldn’t possess such dark soul energy."

The more she thought about it, the more curious she became.

Her translucent soul descended silently, treading lightly past the carved railings as she approached the illuminated chamber.

Before she could take more than a few steps, a hoarse, sinister laughter reached her ears.

"Keke…"

"This lord has long said that Shi Tianchuan was never the best candidate. His cultivation is indeed impressive, but far from peak-level. Such second-rate trash isn’t even worth possessing!"

"Now, you should finally believe this lord’s words, shouldn’t you?"

Possessing the Island Lord?!

The shocking words made Lu Shuyao’s soul freeze in place!

Even stranger was the voice’s overwhelming darkness—the closer she got, the more frigid the air became, utterly unlike the souls of the tens of thousands of humans on the island.

Why did Lu Caiwei’s chamber harbor such a malevolent presence?!

Her heart pounding, she crept closer, peering through the intricately carved wooden screen.

After a careful search, she realized the exquisitely decorated chamber held no one else—only Lu Caiwei, sitting alone before her vanity, a sinister smile on her face.

That raspy voice spoke again, emerging from Lu Caiwei’s own body!

"Back then, this lord advised you to wait precisely because your awakening was progressing swiftly. Trash like Shi Tianchuan was no longer worth possessing!"

"Now, it seems this lord’s instincts were correct. A far more suitable candidate has appeared!"

Lu Caiwei combed her hair leisurely, cold light flickering in her eyes.

"Indeed."

"You’re absolutely right."

"Shi Tianchuan’s cultivation is far too lacking. That man called Yi Feng… he is truly unfathomable. He is the perfect vessel for possession!"

The hoarse laughter returned, dripping with icy hunger and impatience.

"Keke…"

"You’ve grown clever, and your judgment has improved greatly. This lord is most pleased!"

"Rest assured, the demonic race’s possession arts are peerless—no mere human could resist them. You and I share one body, two souls. Once the possession succeeds, both our cultivations will soar, though you will benefit even more. This lord would never harm you!"

By now, Lu Shuyao’s soul had turned deathly pale.

Having mastered the Heavenly Soul Arts, she understood instantly—the conversation she was hearing was a dialogue between two consciousnesses.

The presence within Lu Caiwei… was a demon?!

As a human cultivator, she had actually offered herself to the demons and even conspired with them, plotting to seize Yi Feng's body?!

This shocking secret was accidentally uncovered.

Lu Shuyao was so terrified she dared not make a sound. She immediately fled into the sky, racing back toward her true form!

"Who's there?"

Yet the moment she began her escape, a sharp voice rang out.

It was clear—she had been discovered.

Panicked, Lu Shuyao desperately tried to flee.

But behind her, a shadowy black hand shot out from the darkness, relentlessly pursuing her. In an instant, it closed the distance to mere yards!