Chapter 1149: Chapter 1149: I’m Afraid I Can’t Protect You Much Longer
Cough cough—
Elder Dugu lightly coughed twice, composed himself, and then continued:
"But later, during my closed-door cultivation, I inadvertently thought of this segment and only then realized that the Heavenly Dao never had a process to select powerful puppets!"
"On the contrary... hmm, it seemed rather affectionate in protecting Yang Yan! Yang Yan, am I correct?"
When Elder Dugu spoke these words, he stared at Yang Yan intently, as if he wanted to see through his flesh and glimpse his soul.
Yang Yan’s face showed a hint of embarrassment.
Celestial Dao Puppets, even if they are mere puppets, are not roles that small fry can assume.
They naturally have manifold checkpoints laid down by the Heavenly Dao for self-selection.
Then why was he directly granted such protection and allowed to borrow the power of the Heavenly Dao?
It was because the Heavenly Dao was willing to sacrifice.
There was only one reason, he possessed the Flawless Divine Body!
Yang Yan roughly understood Elder Dugu’s thinking, but still bore a puzzled expression as he asked, "Elder Dugu, even so, how could you be certain that I am the Flawless Divine Body?"
"Haha! Indeed, indeed!"
Elder Dugu did not answer Yang Yan but raised his right hand, pointing at him, and laughed unrestrainedly.
Finally, he suddenly turned around, knelt vehemently towards the high platform, and loudly declared:
"Ancestral Master! The day of Ancient Abyss Sect’s rise depends entirely on the Divine Son! The legendary Flawless Divine Body, which is difficult to encounter once in ten thousand epochs, is within our Ancient Abyss Sect!!"
Divine Body!
Yang Yan is actually the Divine Body?!
All the elders on either side, as well as Lin Zimu and the Sect Leader, displayed expressions of excitement unmatched by their cultivation realms.
The Divine Body!
It truly is the Divine Body!
Only the Ancestral Master pondered for a long time, continuously gazing at Yang Yan, and finally explained to him:
"Besides the legend of the Flawless Divine Body, there is another legend related to it."
"If the Heavenly Dao of any world senses there is a Divine Body within its reach, it will transform a manifestation of itself, expending every effort, whether by temptation or deceit, to bind the Divine Son with the Heavenly Dao."
"Because if the two unite into one, there is a possibility of a new grand path emerging in this world!"
Elder Dugu also looked towards Yang Yan, speaking calmly:
"Were it not just barely being from the Forgotten Land, and the Heavenly Dao having regained its consciousness not long ago with weak power, he would have never let you leave after a hundred thousand years!"
"Disciple..." Yang Yan slightly nodded, yet could not utter a word.
In fact, he himself did not know this physique was so formidable.
But seeing everyone’s expression in the Ancient Abyss Sect now, he felt a bit troubled.
The trees in the forest that are taller than the rest must bend to the wind.
Yang Yan understood this principle well.
In this world, he is merely a young sapling, naturally averse to perishing prematurely!
At a critical moment, the Ancestral Master finally spoke.
"Yang Yan, you are only the Celestial Flood Dragon Saint Body, not a Saint Son, remember this."
Zongming’s words seemed to carry a hypnotic effect, as everyone below the grand hall, except Yang Yan, showed a dazed look in their eyes.
Moments later, everyone’s heads swayed twice and fell asleep.
"Master?"
Seeing everyone suddenly fall into slumber left Yang Yan almost speechless.
Of course, aside from Yang Yan, Sect Leader Lin An on the high platform was not among them.
Zongming smiled warmly: "This is my awakening from a grand dream, which I just recently entered into Great Success."
"When they awaken, they will forget today’s events, with other memories filling the void."
"For example, that Dugu lad, when he awakens, his memory will likely be of being summoned by me, prompting his urgent exit from cultivation."
"As for Lin An..." Zongming looked towards Sect Leader Lin An.
Lin An retained poise, as usual, his demeanor untouched despite the scene.
Since Ancestral Master Zongming wished him to know, there was naturally a reason.
Ancestral Master Zongming nodded satisfactorily before continuing, "Lin An has been by my side for a millennium; he is someone I trust."
Yang Yan smiled knowingly, clasped his hands towards Zongming, and said, "Thank you, Master, for your painstaking efforts to protect your disciple."
Zongming’s appearance was that of an old man, yet typically one would see no wrinkles.
However, at this moment, Yang Yan distinctly noticed a crease upon Zongming’s face.
"Disciple, since establishing the Ancient Abyss Sect, I have journeyed for over nine thousand years."
"For nearly two millennia, I’ve been stalled at the mid-phase of Nascent Soul, unable to advance despite my efforts."
"Cultivators of the Nascent Soul, though having a lifespan beyond ten thousand years, I fear I cannot protect you much longer. Lin An is a junior I hold in high regard."
Yang Yan gazed deeply at his Master, his eyes tinged with melancholy.
So this is how it is!
Everything has been thought through meticulously, right down to arrangements post ascension.
Perhaps this is why Zongming did not erase Lin An’s memory.
But did Yang Yan with Zongming and the Ancient Abyss Sect really have such deep ties?
However, it’s certain that, while it may not have existed before, it surely does now.
At this moment, the people who were previously asleep all opened their eyes one after another.
Everyone’s faces were free of peculiar expressions, as if they noticed nothing amiss.
Zongming looked deeply at Yang Yan once more, then raised his sleeve and loudly announced:
"Dismissed, dismissed! Additionally, inform all sect members, I am about to enter a five-hundred-year death seclusion."
"Yes!"
Lin An rose to receive the order, his eyes touched by sorrow.
The elders each showed expressions of shock.
Ancestral Master, why suddenly the death seclusion?
Perhaps only Lin An among them knew.
Zongming’s cumulative lifespan likely numbered six hundred years at most.
A five-hundred-year seclusion seeking breakthrough, without progress, means no means of contending with time’s passage!
Nascent Soul stage cultivators have lifespans extended to seven thousand years, gaining two thousand more with each minor realm advancement thereafter.
Zongming in mid-phase lived over nine thousand years, already a formidable existence; if no breakthrough occurs after five hundred years, only death remains.
This is why even the consistently calm Lin An showed signs of sadness.
"Disciple receives the order!"
After taking orders under the platform, the elders pair off and exit the grand hall.
And Yang Yan silently leaves alongside Lin Zimu and Elder Dugu.
Elder Dugu apparently forgot about Yang Yan’s Flawless Divine Body, with his mind entirely occupied by the fact that Yang Yan is the Celestial Flood Dragon Saint Body.
Unaware, the journey back was filled with Elder Dugu talking to Yang Yan without interruption.
Insisting had he not suddenly sensed something, leading to an urgent exit from seclusion, he would have taken Yang Yan as a disciple immediately!
His words were filled with regret and remorse.
To be the Master of a Saint Son would be a matter of pride and triumph.
The three unknowingly arrived at Yang Yan’s Butcher Palace.
Yang Yan invited the two inside, where Gu Sheng, who had kept watch over the Butcher Palace for a long time, immediately ran out.
The guy was so excited upon seeing Yang Yan, he could hardly speak, and hurried to dust off Yang Yan’s attire.
