The Chosen One Emerges

"This venerable one was also confused—grown adults no longer distinguish between right and wrong.

Truth be told, you weren’t wrong, and neither was I. It’s just... this venerable one is stronger, that’s all.

Weaklings like you exist to be ruled by the strong—that is your purpose in this world!

Hehehe..."

Gu Qingfeng held the Ten Billion Soul Banner in one hand and gripped Duan Wushuang in the other, laughing wildly at the sky, his arrogance and tyranny on full display.

As he watched the countless vengeful spirits wreak havoc below, an indescribable sense of exhilaration surged through him. The pent-up frustration from his cautious and low-profile days in the Cangming Realm was finally swept away.

Now, his strength rivaled that of a Heavenly Monarch, placing him among the top powerhouses of the Greenwood Domain. The sensation of standing at the pinnacle of the world intoxicated him, and the thrill of unrestrained dominance was utterly addictive.

Gu Qingfeng glanced at the helpless disciples of the Peerless Pavilion, estimating that it would still take some time before they were completely overwhelmed. Not wanting to waste a moment, he turned and dragged Duan Wushuang onto the Bone-Blood Vessel.

......

Inside the Peerless Pavilion.

Amidst the hellish scene of rampaging spirits, one young man stood out. His delicate features and resolute gaze contrasted sharply with the chaos around him as he effortlessly fended off the attacking wraiths.

Strangely, despite being only at the Heavenly Origin Peak realm—a level where even Celestial Beings had already fallen—the young man remained unscathed.

His eyes remained calm in the face of danger, only flickering with emotion when he saw Gu Qingfeng take Duan Wushuang aboard the Bone-Blood Vessel. A trace of fury surfaced in his gaze.

At that moment, an aged voice suddenly emanated from the ring on his right hand: "Lin Chen, steady your mind. Do not reveal your killing intent. A powerhouse of his level is acutely sensitive to hostility—you must not stand out."

Lin Chen’s expression twisted into something ferocious. His fists clenched so tightly that his sharp nails dug into his palms, drawing blood, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain.

After a few deep breaths, he regained his composure.

"Good. As expected of my disciple. I know Duan Wushuang showed you kindness by bringing you into the Peerless Pavilion, but recklessness solves nothing. At your current strength, you are no match for that demon."

"Master, with your power, can’t you...?"

The aged voice in the ring sighed. "That demon has mastered three Sacred Physiques, and his strength rivals a Heavenly Monarch. Though I was once a Heavenly Venerable—a being who could have erased him with a wave of my hand in my prime—I was ambushed during the struggle for the Emperor’s Path. My body was destroyed, and my soul suffered grievous wounds.

"Now, having only just awakened, even if I borrow your body, I can only exert the power of a Fifth Tribulation Celestial Being. That is far from enough to deal with him.

"Our only option is to endure. Remember, Lin Chen—patience is the key to vengeance. As long as you live, with my guidance, you will one day slaughter that fiend with your own hands!"

"Master... can I truly do it? Gu Qingfeng has mastered three Sacred Physiques, while I am merely a Mortal Vessel. Even if I cultivate a Sacred Physique in the future, how can a single one contend against three? And I’ve heard he possesses yet another Sacred Physique, though it remains incomplete."

"Lin Chen, never forget—no matter how many Sacred Physiques one possesses, they are still just Sacred Physiques. If your Mortal Vessel cannot defeat him, what of an Immortal Physique?"

"An Immortal Physique?! The legendary constitution only the Heavenly Emperors possess?"

"Precisely. In my past, I once stumbled upon the ancient tomb of the Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor and obtained a technique capable of forging an Immortal Physique—the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art. With this method, even a Mortal Vessel like yours can ascend to the pinnacle!

"Back then, the Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor was also a Mortal Vessel. No one believed he could attain the Emperor’s Throne, yet through sheer will and enlightenment, he created this heaven-defying technique, refined an Immortal Physique, overturned all odds, and ultimately became a Heavenly Emperor!"

Lin Chen’s eyes blazed with excitement. "Incredible! If the Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor could rise from a Mortal Vessel to an Immortal Physique, then with the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art, so can I!"

"I believe in you. Under my guidance, you will perfect the Immortal Physique in this lifetime and ascend as a Heavenly Emperor!"

"Thank you, Master!" Lin Chen exclaimed fervently. "When I become a Heavenly Emperor, I will use my divine power to reconstruct your body and grant you a second life!"

"Your filial piety warms this old man’s heart."

"Master, when will you teach me the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art?"

"Foolish boy, first escape this calamity. Hurry and use the Void-Shattering Forbidden Technique I taught you to flee!"

"Yes, Master! I’ll—"

"Hehehe... Trying to run? Did you ask for this venerable one’s permission?"

A sinister laugh exploded behind Lin Chen like thunder!

His blood ran cold as he whirled around—only to see a pale, ghastly face staring at him from the shadows.

"Gu... Gu Qingfeng!"

"Truly unexpected. While exterminating the Peerless Pavilion, I stumble upon such a delightful surprise. The Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art? A technique to forge an Immortal Physique? Hehehe... Fate truly favors this venerable one!"

"Open your mind! You can’t face him—let me take over!" the ring’s voice urged frantically.

Lin Chen immediately complied, shutting his eyes and surrendering control.

The next instant, his eyes snapped open—his aura utterly transformed.

A terrifying pressure erupted from his body, soaring from the Heavenly Origin realm straight to the Fifth Tribulation Celestial Being level.

Not just his aura, but even his gaze had changed. The youthful determination was replaced by ancient wisdom, as if he had witnessed the vicissitudes of eternity.

"Oh? The legendary ‘Old Grandpa in the Ring’?" Gu Qingfeng mused, intrigued.

He wasn’t the least bit surprised by this development. After all, the stronger one was, the harder they were to kill. Leaving behind a remnant soul was practically standard procedure.

A lingering spirit attaching itself to an artifact and nurturing a disciple for sustenance? Perfectly logical.

It was just rare.

And yet, he’d stumbled upon this unlikely scenario.

Following the usual tropes, wasn’t this Lin Chen kid the so-called "Chosen One"?

Well, whether he was or not—killing him would reveal the truth. If he died, then he obviously wasn’t.

"Youngster, how did you discover me?" "Lin Chen" asked calmly.

"Tsk tsk. Even a former Heavenly Venerable can’t deduce it? How disappointing. Very well, this venerable one shall satisfy your dying curiosity—it was your emotions. Joy.

"Amidst the despair of the Peerless Pavilion, only this fool Lin Chen was ecstatic, brimming with excitement. Such blatant delight was like a beacon in the night—impossible to miss."