Soul Emperor Awakening

Tong Yulong lay on the ground, his aura almost imperceptible, but he was definitely not dead. Lin Xuan, of course, hadn’t held back. Facing an opponent so much stronger than himself, holding back could have cost him the match.

So he hadn’t held back, unleashing his most damaging attack in a single explosive burst. The power was astounding, nearly the full extent of his current strength. It wasn’t his absolute ultimate technique, however—just a comparatively strong display of his present power.

"Th-this is impossible! It’s over in one move? Boss, don’t scare me, get up!"

"That power... could someone at the Second Layer Essence Pill Stage display that? That’s impossible! This Lin Yunlong must have hidden his Cultivation."

"Damn, even I couldn’t take that power. It’s too Heaven-Defying. You’d need a Cultivation of at least the Eighth or Ninth Layer of the Essence Pill Stage to withstand that... But our Inner Hall Sect won!"

...

The Inner Hall Sect was ecstatic while the Genius Sect was dumbfounded, a stark contrast between the two. Tong Yulong’s entire body looked scorched, a sight that stunned the audience into a long silence. That Lin Xuan’s strength had reached this level in just half a year was completely beyond their expectations.

If Lin Xuan won this match, he would become the number one disciple of the Core Hall, the most Heaven-Defying disciple since Qing Liuyun! His status would skyrocket. This was a future Grand Elder!

’That move, Cane Shatters the Heavens, is too strong. He’s definitely pushed the Lin’s Staff Technique to its absolute limit...’ Lin Feng was shaken to his core, finding Lin Xuan’s performance hard to believe.

The once-blind Young Master had now become the number one disciple of the Core Hall. His talent and Cultivation completely crushed Lin Xue’s—or rather, crushed that of every Core Hall disciple present. In the blink of an eye, he was standing at the pinnacle, looking down on everyone.

Lin Xue was incredibly excited, her beautiful eyes shimmering. "Brother Lin is too strong, he’s really so strong..."

Even Qing Yiyi was stunned by Lin Xuan’s performance. ’If it had been me, I would’ve been instantly defeated by that one move too,’ she thought. The terrifying damage had exploded forth in an instant. It was over so quickly that most people hadn’t even had time to react.

They had been expecting a long, drawn-out battle, but now it was over in the blink of an eye. Many who had been optimistic about Tong Yulong found this outcome difficult to accept.

’This match... did I win?’ Lin Xuan exhaled, regulating the Elemental Power within his body. Using three Martial Arts techniques at once was quite draining, but he was very satisfied with the result.

’This is exactly the effect I wanted—no dragging things out. It’s like at an auction, slamming down the highest bid right away and stunning everyone into silence. Dallying isn’t my style; swift and decisive action is. I only need to be more cautious when facing opponents I’m not sure I can beat.’

He looked up at Qing Deyun, waiting for the Mansion Master’s verdict. ’Surely, I’ve won,’ he thought.

’You little brat!’ Qing Yunfeng seethed. He desperately wanted to rush up and beat Lin Xuan, but with so many people watching, he couldn’t.

Whoever rushed up to help would be declaring their side the loser! If Tong Yulong could still get up, Qing Yunfeng rushing in would be an admission of Tong Yulong’s defeat. Besides, as an Elder, he absolutely could not do such a thing.

Just as Qing Deyun was about to step in to check on Tong Yulong’s condition, a crimson light suddenly radiated from Tong Yulong’s body, enveloping him completely!

"Heh, not bad, kid. Your strength is quite impressive. Let me have a go with you!" Tong Yulong let out a few dry chuckles, then slapped the ground and shot back up to his feet. His entire body was wreathed in red light, which mixed with the golden glow of his Golden Element Body, creating a swirling blend of red and gold. The wounds on the surface of his body actually began to heal!

Although the healing was slow, it was progressing at a speed visible to the naked eye, which was already a terrifying feat. It seemed the red light could heal his body, but his pupils were crimson, and a strange Killing Intent flowed from his eyes, as if he had become a different person.

This sudden turn of events made Qing Deyun halt his advance. As long as Tong Yulong could still fight, it wasn’t a loss.

When Tong Yulong got back up, the members of the Genius Sect immediately cheered, believing Lin Xuan’s attack had had no effect. The Golden Element Body was the Golden Element Body, after all; its Defense Power was far beyond their imagination!

Others might not have known what to make of it, but Lin Xuan stared at Tong Yulong, who was now covered in flowing red light, and said coldly, "Who exactly are you!"

He could see that another soul had taken over Tong Yulong’s body—a complete possession. Control had been handed over to this mysterious entity! This being’s soul was suffused with red light, as if aggregated from pure Evil Qi. It was different from the God of Slaughter’s soul; this soul felt far more terrifying, its Cultivation more astounding!

’When one’s Cultivation reaches a certain level, the soul can leave the body. With certain Martial Arts, one can even seize another person’s flesh. It isn’t a sure thing, though. The compatibility has to be perfect for the possession to succeed, and the original owner’s Spiritual Power must be extremely weak.’

’The Tong Yulong before me hasn’t been permanently possessed, but control of his body has, at least for now, been handed over to this mysterious entity!’

"Heh heh, who am I? I am Tong Yulong. Who else could I be?" Tong Yulong chuckled dryly. With a flick of his hand, a streak of red light shot out and coiled around the Golden Python Scale Snake Spear on the ground, pulling it back into his grasp. "The potential of this body hasn’t been fully unleashed. Let me be the one to unleash it... Your Martial Intent is nothing before me!"

Lin Xuan’s expression turned grave. ’This is definitely not Tong Yulong.’ He could see a mass of red Evil Qi enveloping Tong Yulong—it was clearly a conscious soul, and one capable of controlling others.

’No wonder Tong Yulong has achieved so much. He must have had some kind of fortuitous encounter and come to possess this expert’s soul. Under this expert’s guidance, his Cultivation must have skyrocketed, making up for his lack of experience.’

’This world is full of opportunities; it all depends on whether you have the ability to seize them.’

The others also sensed that something was off about Tong Yulong, but they couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Lin Xuan tightened his grip on the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod, watching the Tong Yulong before him. As the red light grew more intense, a sense of crisis washed over him. He felt as if, facing this Tong Yulong, he could be instantly killed in the next moment.

As his heart sank, his Fifth Layer Soul instantly fused with him. His aura changed dramatically as he entered the Core Formation Stage Realm. He pushed his senses to their absolute limit, watching Tong Yulong’s every move!

Qing Yunfeng’s eyes gleamed, and a cold sneer formed on his lips. ’This time, you’re dead... You’ve drawn out the Demon Evil Monarch!’

If Lin Xuan had heard his words, he would have been absolutely shocked. The Demon Evil Monarch’s status was even higher than the God of Slaughter’s, and he had killed far more people. As for his Cultivation, it had already reached the Peak of the Core Formation Stage, just shy of breaking through to the next level. He was an absolutely Heaven-Defying existence.

Now, he was no longer facing Tong Yulong, but the Demon Evil Monarch!