The treasures of the Ancient Lavish Cave had been acquired.

Lan Yu, Nangong Huang, Chu Kuangren, and a few Black Heaven Sect members found a place to sit and chat.

Meanwhile, the others went out in search of any stray treasure that might have been left behind or missed.

"How did you end up becoming the Holy Maiden Sage, Lan Yu?" Chu Kuangren asked curiously.

Lan Yu replied, "After entering the Emperor Road, I found myself in the Holy Light Religion's territory. I met their leader, who noticed I possessed the rare Holy Radiant Physique. Upon discovering this, he brought me back to the Holy Light Religion and taught me the Holy Divine Fire Art. He then proceeded to appoint me as the Holy Maiden Sage."

"Just like that?"

Chu Kuangren frowned.

'Why would the Holy Light Religion simply elect an outsider as their Holy Maiden Sage? Seems like there's something fishy going on around here.'

"I know the whole process seems suspicious, but I had no choice. I was in a foreign land with no one to have my back. Hence, I could only rely on the Holy Light Religion's power to help me understand the situation," Lan Yu explained.

"While cultivating their Holy Divine Fire Art, did the Holy Light Religion Leader tell you anything about the 'Flame Ritual' ?"

Chu Kuangren asked.

"Flame Ritual? I've never heard of it."

Lan Yu shook her head.

"Oh, I see, interesting indeed…" Chu Kuangren chuckled, yet his eyes were ice-cold.

The Flame Ritual was something Chu Kuangren learned after using his Eye of Revelation on Lan Yu.

It was related to the Holy Divine Fire Art that Lan Yu was cultivating.

Unfortunately, this was not good news.

The version of the Holy Divine Fire Art cultivated by Lan Yu was… Incomplete!

However, when he thought back to the Bachelor Sage Bai Tianxing, that same technique he learned was actually the complete version. That fact alone was already intriguing.

"Oh, Holy Light Religion, Holy Light Religion. There was no bad blood between us, yet you plot something behind Lan Yu's back. I hope you won't blame me for what happens next." Chu Kuangren mumbled.

When the Black Heaven Sect members were catching up and reminiscing, Jian Changfeng suddenly sent them a distress message.

Chu Kuangren could not help being slightly surprised.

"What has he gotten himself into this time?"

In a flash, he disappeared.

Meanwhile, Swordsman Mei and Jian Changfeng were being pursued by a group of people. They were not other cultivators. Instead, they were Sword Tribe sky-prides adventuring inside the Forbidden Barren Wasteland.

Both of them were surrounded by the Sword Tribe's sky-prides' sword formation. Despite how powerful she was, Swordsman Mei struggled to break free from it, as her power was suppressed by the formation.

Not to mention Jian Changfeng, who was just doll-sized at that time and possessed barely any combat power.

"How dare you betray the Sword Tribe, Swordsman Mei! You shall be sentenced to death!"

One of the Sword Tribe's sky-pride let out a low cry and swung his sword. His sword qi formed an intertwining web that was hurtling towards them.

It made a great blast!

Swordsman Mei was forced back. Her clothes were ripped by the barrage of sword qi, revealing areas of her snowy-white skin.

Upon seeing that, one of the Sword Tribe's sky-pride could not hide his l.u.s.tful gaze and gulped subconsciously.

Swordsman Mei was disgusted when she noticed that look. "Jian Yunyang, I advise you to let me go right now. Otherwise, I'll make sure you'll die an agonizing death."

"We'll see about that if you ever manage to break free from this sword formation, Swordsman Mei."

Jian Yunyang sneered.

His sword formation was a very powerful one. If those Sword Tribe sky-prides went against Swordsman Mei one on one, they would not stand a chance.

In this case, they were able to fight on equal footing with her due to the sword formation's help.

It had strengthened them.

"D*mn it."

Swordsman Mei was forced back again by another sword qi attack, which inflicted a few more wounds.

"I don't get it, Swordsman Mei. The Sword Tribe has never mistreated you. Why did you betray us?"

"Hmph, things have already escalated this far, I've nothing else to say to the likes of you." Swordsman Mei sneered.

"Is that so, don't blame us for killing you then! Attack!"

Jian Yunyang let out a low cry as he activated the sword formation's most fatal technique.

Countless streaks of sword qi gathered and formed a gigantic sword shadow in the void. It came cras.h.i.+ng down upon Swordsman Mei.

She knew she was not strong enough to block the incoming attack.

However, just when the sword shadow was going to land on Swordsman Mei, a surge of sword qi suddenly appeared and shattered the sword shadow into pieces.

It even caused the magnificent sword formation to fall apart!

All the Sword Tribe's sky-prides were sent flying by the power of that sword qi.

"This power, could it be…"

Jian Yunyang's pupils shrank.

Not daring to stay a moment longer, he turned around and fled.

Before he could, an invisible surge of mind power instantly enveloped the whole area. All the Sword Tribe's sky-prides were pressed to the ground and immobilized.

A white figure soon walked out of the void.

He did not even glance at the Sword Tribe's sky-prides, acting as if they were not even there.

"Greetings, Master."

Swordsman Mei knelt down on one knee upon recognizing who arrived.

All the Sword Tribe's sky-prides were stunned.

'A mighty Sword Tribe sky-pride like her is serving Chu Kuangren as her master?!'

'Is there anything more ridiculous?'

Chu Kuangren said nothing and released a surge of his Spring Breeze Healing Technique.

Swordsman Mei's injuries instantly recovered.

"Now, tell me what happened."

"While looking for treasure and valuable items with Jian Changfeng, we suddenly ran into these Sword Tribe sky-prides. The news of my betrayal had spread to the Sword Tribe, so they decided to pursue and kill me."

"I see." Chu Kuangren nodded slightly. He then looked at the doll-sized Jian Changfeng. "Since we're both here, Jian Changfeng, let's get you a physical body."

"Huh?!"

Upon hearing that, Jian Changfeng was taken aback for a moment but soon became extremely excited. "Master, are you saying that you're going to help restore me to my physical form?"

"Now, choose anyone who interests you among these people."

Chu Kuangren said while he pointed at the Sword Tribe sky-prides immobilized on the ground.

Jian Changfeng walked to Jian Yunyang and said, "I'll choose him then."

Jian Yunyang was still confused at that moment. He had no idea what Chu Kuangren and Jian Changfeng were up to.

However, he had a bad feeling about what they were going to do to him.

/strong>

"After the Sword Daoist, Swordsman Mei and I, the most exceptional sky-pride in the Sword Tribe would be Jian Yunyang here. When he returns to the Sword Tribe, he'll undoubtedly be chosen as the most favored sky-pride in training."

Jian Changfeng explained.

"No wonder you chose him."

Chu Kuangren lifted his arm and used the Spring Breeze Healing Technique again, fully restoring Jian Yunyang to perfect condition.

This made Jian Yunyang even more confused.

'After hurting me, you're now healing me?'

'What is the meaning of this?!'

Then, a black chain appeared in Chu Kuangren's grasp. It had a barbed hook at one end with eerie and dark qi flowing from it.

It was the Soul Retriever.

"Go!"

Chu Kuangren sent forth the Soul Retriever.

With a deafening shriek, Jian Yunyang's soul was wrenched out of his body. His soul became paralyzed, unable to move in the void.

A chill ran down the surrounding Sword Tribe sky-prides' spine. They were extremely frightened upon seeing what had happened.

Even Jian Changfeng could not help shuddering.

Not a second later, he happily leaped into Jian Yunyang's body. The conditions for him to transfer his soul had been fulfilled, it was a perfect and soulless body now!

Puffs of black smoke emanated from the doll-sized Jian Changfeng. It then entered Jian Yunyang's body through his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.

Soon after, Jian Yunyang's eyes blinked open. The body got up to familiarize itself with movement and then knelt before Chu Kuangren. "I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity of rebirth, Master!"

At this point, Jian Yunyang's body belonged to Jian Changfeng.

"Once you return to the Sword Tribe, continue monitoring their movements for me."

"Of course. I will definitely make good use of this new ident.i.ty."

Jian Changfeng glanced at Jian Yunyang's horrified soul beside him and smiled wickedly.

"You… Devil… You must be the devil himself!!"

Jian Yunyang looked at Chu Kuangren and yelled in horror.

'Toying with the soul of others without remorse, who could he possibly be but the devil himself?'