Chapter 2: Soul Searching Technique

Wang Lin’s gaze immediately fell upon Fang Zhiyi.

Huo Hongfei was the second to notice Fang Zhiyi’s departure. It could be said that Fang Zhiyi was the strongest among all in the War God Hall.

Though both were elders, the difference between them was vast. Fang Zhiyi, finding it troublesome, was content to be a nominal elder, while Huo Hongfei’s strength capped him at the elder rank. The gap between them was like that of earth and sky.

Huo Hongfei was not petty; he revered strength regardless of gender, and Fang Zhiyi happened to be that strength.

Seeing Fang Zhiyi leave, Huo Hongfei respectfully cupped his hands and said, “Farewell, Elder Fang.”

As an elder, Huo Hongfei’s gesture compelled others to follow suit. No one dared remain standing; everyone bowed in unison. Wang Lin, initially caught off guard, knew his current status did not allow him to stand out too much. Though a step behind, he joined the others in bowing.

Yet, Fang Zhiyi’s movements showed no hesitation; she strode away gracefully.

Once she was out of sight, all eyes returned to Wang Lin. Huo Hongguang appraised him carefully, feeling that the boy had changed since returning from the Outer Battlefield.

If Wang Lin were just an ordinary disciple of the War God Hall, it would be one thing, but he was Fang Zhiyi’s sole disciple. As the saying went, whether or not to look at the monk’s face, one must respect the Buddha’s. Wang Lin’s true nature was not for Huo Hongguang to question.

Only Fang Zhiyi held that right.

A flicker passed through Huo Hongguang’s eyes as an idea surfaced. His cultivation was too low to discern much, but Fang Zhiyi, with her Divine Transformation level power, certainly could.

Fang Zhiyi’s earlier attitude puzzled him—she came for Ma Liang but turned and left the moment Wang Lin appeared.

Huo Hongguang said, “Your master is worried about you. You should hurry and catch up.”

Wang Lin’s gaze swept over, having already sensed Fang Zhiyi’s unfathomable strength. Since she was Ma Liang’s master, it was best not to reveal any clues now. After all, his foremost priority was self-preservation.

Wang Lin cupped his fists toward Huo Hongfei and replied, “Understood.”

From Huo Hongfei’s reaction, Wang Lin guessed that suspicion about his identity had already arisen. Among so many eyes and people, he did not want to cause trouble, so he quickened his pace to follow Fang Zhiyi.

Fang Zhiyi’s steps faltered instinctively, but she had already investigated. The body belonged to her disciple Ma Liang, but she knew Ma Liang intimately. The person behind was only wearing Ma Liang’s skin; the soul within was someone else entirely.

She did not expose him on the spot only because she wanted to uncover the truth.

Silently, Wang Lin trailed behind her until they entered a lavishly decorated courtyard. Fang Zhiyi waved her right hand, closing the gate, and Wang Lin suddenly felt an immense pressure pinning him down, rendering him immobile.

Wang Lin was already gravely injured from the Outer Battlefield’s chaos. With difficulty, he had escaped with just a trace of consciousness. Now, under this pressure, he knelt stiffly before Fang Zhiyi.

Fang Zhiyi’s voice was icy. “Where is Ma Liang?”

Sensing her hostility, Wang Lin replied, “Ma Liang has vanished like smoke and clouds.”

Fang Zhiyi narrowed her eyes, danger flashing within them. She exerted a slight force, and Wang Lin’s face turned pale as blood trickled from his lips.

“You dare to usurp my disciple’s body?”

Wang Lin’s hands weakly clawed at the ground, fingertips stained with dirt. His eyes were filled with unwillingness. After all he had been through—barely escaping the Outer Battlefield, barely coming back to life, finally having a chance to avenge Teng Huayuan—he was unwilling to perish here.

Clenching his teeth, he said, “Ma Liang consented. On the Outer Battlefield, during a treasure hunt, he was ambushed and killed. When I met him, he was already dead. He willingly allowed me to usurp his body, in exchange for avenging him. I have kept my promise and killed those two.”

Though still suspicious, Fang Zhiyi’s gaze softened, and her movements eased. She lowered her eyes. “To make sure you speak the truth, I must perform a soul search.”

Soul search was a simple yet cruel immortal technique. Those subjected to it often died instantly, their souls shattered. The best outcome was lifelong dementia.

Wang Lin bit his lip tightly, a twitch at the corner of his mouth. No matter the outcome, he was prepared to endure it.

Noticing Wang Lin’s hesitation, Fang Zhiyi said calmly, “I assure you the soul search will not harm you. But if you refuse now, I will not spare you. Think carefully.” She paused, voice cold. “If the soul search reveals you are lying, I will not spare you either.”

Wang Lin knew her words were true. He had no way out now; for the time being, agreeing was his only choice.

He nodded, eyes dark with conflicted emotions, but ultimately gritted his teeth and said, “Very well. I consent to the soul search.”

Fang Zhiyi, expressionless, nodded once and placed her hand on Wang Lin’s head. Instantly, his body stiffened.

In the world of cultivation, allowing someone to place their hand on one’s head was perilous. Wang Lin suppressed his urge to resist and cooperated with her.

“Relax,” Fang Zhiyi said lightly. “If I hurt you, I take no responsibility.”

Hearing her, Wang Lin gradually relaxed.

They were very close now. A faint, cold plum blossom fragrance wafted from Fang Zhiyi, lingering at Wang Lin’s nostrils. For some reason, his heart trembled.

Fang Zhiyi closed her eyes, her consciousness entering Ma Liang’s mind. She saw clearly everything before Ma Liang’s death—he had truly consented to the body usurpation.

Wang Lin had indeed avenged Ma Liang.

But the soul search revealed not only Ma Liang’s past but also Wang Lin’s own experiences.

Once a mortal, he had struggled to begin the path of cultivation. His first master coveted his treasures and tried to kill him. Pursued by the Teng family, he endured countless hardships to kill them, only to be targeted by Teng Huayuan. His entire family was slaughtered before he died, just before entering the Outer Battlefield.

As a wandering soul on the Outer Battlefield, after successfully usurping Ma Liang’s body, he had endured great trials to return.

A flicker of light passed through Fang Zhiyi’s eyes as she slowly withdrew her hand.