Chapter 807: Saint, Buddha, and Demon

"As if that's nothing," Xiao Ling Wa sighed. "Before the soul advances to the Yuan Shen stage, it cannot completely detach from its physical body. The soul is the root of cultivation; without it, the body will naturally wither. Once the body withers, his soul will gradually be eroded in the world, likely turning into a wandering ghost."

"Ah?" Luo Xi was startled and quickly asked Xiao Ling Wa, "What should we do?"

"I really don't know," Xiao Ling Wa coughed dryly.

"How could the soul leave the body?" A hurried voice rang out as Chu Ling Er, who had left earlier, appeared like a phantom. Seeing Ye Chen's soul hovering above the cave chamber, her face turned extremely grim.

"In the end, problems arose." Ji Ning Shuang, who had just departed, returned as well, her expression equally troubled as she gazed at Ye Chen's soul.

Not just them—the figures from various directions of Heng Yue Zong streaked through the sky and landed in front of the cave chamber. In mere moments, the area in front of the chamber was packed with people.

"What's going on?" Gu San Tong lifted his face, narrowing his eyes at Ye Chen's soul, his serious demeanor indicating he wasn't joking.

"It's not the Yuan Shen, yet it can fully detach from the body. How did he manage that?" Tian Zong Lao Zu pondered aloud.

"This matter is probably beyond his control," Zhong Jiang said meaningfully.

"Soul projection is quite troublesome!" The various elders of Heng Yue Zong looked as grave as Gu San Tong.

Hm?

As the group of elders spoke, Ye Chen's soul in the air trembled slightly. He remained in a meditative state, his expression pained, and even his soul distorted with the wind.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, his soul split into two additional forms—one radiating rampant black demonic light, the other enveloped in radiant white Buddhist glow—sitting on either side of his original soul. It was incredibly eerie.

"This..." Everyone present looked shocked.

"Soul projection?" Amid the astonishment, an ethereal yet powerful voice echoed from afar, laced with surprise.

Before the words faded, a majestic figure appeared before the cave chamber. His black hair cascaded like a waterfall, fluttering without wind. His back was as unyielding as a mountain, his entire body wreathed in golden divine light. He exuded an aura of wild dominance, his breath as vast as the sea and his presence as sharp as a blade, exerting immense pressure on all.

"Father!" Bi You from the crowd hurriedly stepped forward and grasped his arm.

"He's the Dao Huang?" Bi You's words stirred up a storm, instantly exciting the scene.

Who was Dao Huang? He was one of the top supreme experts in Da Chu. His fame from the ancient abyss battle in Dong Ling had shaken the world, and legends about him had circulated for centuries. Few had ever seen him in person, so now that this legendary figure stood before them, how could they not be thrilled?

"This junior pays respects to Dao Huang." More than ninety percent of those present cupped their hands in respect. Though they were renowned figures in their own right, in front of Dao Huang, they were still juniors. Only Tian Zong Lao Zu, Zhong Jiang, Gu San Tong, and Wu Ya Dao Ren were from the same era as him.

"Your great name echoes through the ages, and seeing you today proves the world's words true," Tian Zong Lao Zu and the others said, cupping their hands in greeting.

"It's all just empty reputation," Dao Huang replied with a hearty laugh, fully embodying his bold and free-spirited nature.

"Father, please take a look at Ye Chen—his body is still withering," the anxious Bi You said, shaking Dao Huang's arm.

"He's not the one for this; we need your aunt," an ethereal voice sounded again as Zhuge Lao Tou descended from the sky, accompanied by Fu Ling and Du Gu Ao.

Upon seeing them, the usual elders exchanged greetings. Anyone who could travel with Dao Huang was undoubtedly a top-tier expert.

There wasn't much surprise about Fu Ling and Zhuge Lao Tou, but when they saw Du Gu Ao, Gu San Tong scoffed dismissively, as if still annoyed about past events.

However, this wasn't the time for such distractions. Though Gu San Tong was unreliable at times, he wasn't one to cause unnecessary trouble.

"Soul projection with three souls," Fu Ling murmured, stepping forward slightly and gazing in astonishment at Ye Chen's three souls hovering in the air.

"Is there a way to help?" Dao Huang asked, turning to glance at Fu Ling.

"I need someone at the peak of the Heavenly Rank for their soul," Fu Ling said softly. "Is Yu Nu Peak's master Chu Ling here?"

"This junior is." Chu Ling Er hurriedly stepped forward. Among all the experts present, including those at the quasi-Heavenly peak, only she had a soul at the Heavenly Rank peak—even Dao Huang couldn't match her.

Fu Ling first looked at Chu Ling Er in admiration before moving behind her and placing a jade hand on her back. "Use your soul chains to bind his three souls. Leave the rest to me."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ling Er didn't dare delay. She took a deep breath, and divine light flashed from her brow. Three chains formed from soul power shot into the sky, securing Ye Chen's three souls.

"Combine!"

Then, Fu Ling lightly commanded, using Chu Ling Er as a medium to control her runic chains, gradually pulling Ye Chen's demonic soul and Buddhist soul toward the central one.

Everyone held their breath. Fu Ling's techniques were profoundly mysterious, far beyond their soul expertise.

Soon, Ye Chen's three souls collided and slowly merged.

In that moment, his unified soul trembled slightly, still radiating black demonic light, white Buddhist glow, and encircled by golden sacred light—truly Yi Sheng, Yi Mo, and Yi Fo, an eerie sight.

Fu Ling then waved her sleeve to open the stone door, drawing Ye Chen's seated physical body out to sit parallel with his soul in the air.

Afterward, she scanned the area, her gaze finally settling on Yang Ding Tian. "Is the other peak master of Yu Nu Peak, Chu Xuan, not here?"

"In response to the senior, she has not returned to the sect," Yang Ding Tian replied hastily.

Fu Ling frowned slightly, surveying the scene again. Her eyes paused on Bi You for a second before landing on Ji Ning Shuang. "Xuan Ling body, stand before me."

Though puzzled, Ji Ning Shuang stepped forward and stood beside Chu Ling Er.

Fu Ling placed her other jade hand on Ji Ning Shuang's back. "Use your Xuan Ling power to bind his physical body."

Ji Ning Shuang acted swiftly, summoning her Xuan Ling power to form chains that secured Ye Chen's body.

"His soul projected unconsciously, so his soul and body are unconsciously repelling each other," Fu Ling explained. "I need you both to be in sync and keep your minds clear of distractions."

"Understood." Ji Ning Shuang and Chu Ling Er both nodded, took a deep breath, then guided Ye Chen's body and soul closer together.

Under everyone's gaze, Ye Chen's soul and body drew nearer, with the soul inching into the body.

However, as Fu Ling had warned, even though it was his own soul and body, they repelled each other unconsciously. The soul that had just entered began to separate again.

"Keep your minds clear," Fu Ling's soft voice echoed in their ears.

"Again." Ji Ning Shuang and Chu Ling Er took another deep breath and continued guiding Ye Chen's body and soul.

This time, they proceeded slowly and carefully, afraid that any haste might harm his foundation.

The scene fell into complete silence, all eyes fixed on the air, their expressions tense with inexplicable anxiety. For tonight's events had far exceeded their known limits.

Meanwhile, in the grand hall of Tian Xuan Gate, far away in the distance, Fu Ya glanced at the illusory water curtain before him and turned to Dong Huang Tai Xin with confusion. "Holy Master, why would his soul split?"

Dong Huang Tai Xin remained silent, her beautiful eyes flickering with deep meaning as she murmured to herself, "It seems my guess was correct. This young man truly hides a great secret."