Duan Ling Tian could barely conceal the excitement in his eyes when he looked at Gongsun Xuanyuan.
Gongsun Xuanyuan, who could see Duan Ling Tian’s excitement, asked curiously, “Junior Nephew Duan, have we met before?”
Gongsun Xuanyuan could see the purple-clad young man looking at him as though they had met before. However, he was certain he had not met the purple-clad young man before.
Duan Ling Tian inhaled deeply before he said, “Heavenly Emperor Xuanyuan, what I’m about to say sounds fantastical, but it’s the truth. Although my current physical body comes from the same mundane realm as my master, my soul is from Planet Yan Huang in Yan Huang Realm. Therefore, I… I grew up listening to stories about you…”
Not only Gongsun Xuanyuan and his two true disciples were surprised by this revelation, but even Feng Qing Yang was shocked. This was especially true for Feng Qing Yang; he did not expect his true disciple to have such a past.
Although it was not unheard of for a soul from a mundane realm to travel to another mundane realm and possess the body of someone who was on the brink of death, it was only a rumor that had not been confirmed.
Feng Qing Yang did not doubt his true disciple’s words at all.
“When you were on Planet Yan Huang, were you extraordinary?” Gongsun Xuanyuan asked. Although he had been surprised, he did not seem to have trouble accepting Duan Ling Tian’s words.
“Extraordinary?” Duan Ling Tian pondered on Gongsun Xuanyuan’s question for a moment. He recalled the memories from his past life on earth. Based on his capabilities and his achievements, it was not an exaggeration to say he had been quite distinguished. Nevertheless, he asked, “Heavenly Emperor Xuanyuan, what do you mean by extraordinary?”
“Were you outstanding and stood out from the ordinary?” Gongsun Xuanyuan said.
“I… I don’t know if I can be considered outstanding…” Duan Ling Tian said before he explained his background and the era he came from. He also revealed his achievements and his job on earth before his death.
“If you’re telling the truth, then it’s an understatement to call you extraordinary. You were peerless…” Gongsun Xuanyuan said with a sigh, “I thought you died in the Divine Land and your soul traveled to another mundane realm. I didn’t expect your soul to be able to travel even though you didn’t die in the Divine Land… This only happens if someone is considered peerless…”
Duan Ling Tian did not understand Gongsun Xuanyuan’s words at all. He asked, “Heavenly Emperor Xuanyuan, it seems you know why my soul traveled to another mundane realm after my death?”
Gongsun Xuanyuan’s eyes glinted with excitement as he said, “I’m not 100% sure, but my theory probably isn’t too far off. You have 99 Heavenly Veins, right?”
Not only Gongsun Xuanyuan’s two true disciples were stunned, but Feng Qing Yang was stunned as well.
Feng Qing Yang instinctively turned to look at Duan Ling Tian. He was unaware that Duan Ling Tian possessed 99 Heavenly Veins until now.
“H-how do you know this?” Duan Ling Tian asked, surprised. No one would be able to prove him with their Divine Consciousness unless they were gods. Could there be a god who had probed him earlier and informed Gongsun Xuanyuan about his 99 Heavenly Veins? No, it did not seem likely. After all, his master had left a mark on him. Although the mark could not stop a god from probing him, it could stop the god for a while, and his master would also be alerted.
Gongsun Xuanyuan laughed happily. Then, he said, “Junior Nephew Duan, please wait for a moment, I’ll invite the two old men over before I explain how I guessed you possessed 99 Heavenly Veins after you revealed your soul traveled to a different mundane realm…”
It did not take long before two figures appeared. They were Yu Hao Tian, the Heavenly Emperor of the Jade Emperor Heaven, and Ru Lai, the Temple Master of the Title Temple in the Pavilion Shaft Heaven.
Despite being familiar with the duo, this was Duan Ling Tian’s first time meeting them.
After everyone exchanged greetings with the two newcomers, Gongsun Xuanyuan called out, “Hao Tian, Shi Jia.”
Ru Lai was also known as Shi Jia Mou Ni. Before Gongsun Xuanyuan ascended to the Devata Realm, he had also addressed Ru Lai as Shi Jia. Perhaps, only those from Planet Yan Huang knew Ru Lai’s full name was Shi Jia Mou Ni.
Gongsun Xuanyuan turned to look at Duan Ling Tian and continued to say, “I think Heavenly Emperor Feng’s only true disciple is the Yan Huang Entity from our Planet Yan Huang…”
Duan Ling Tian, Feng Qing Yang, and Gongsun Xuanyuan’s two true disciples were confused by these words.
On the other hand, Yu Hao Tian and Ru Lai did not seem confused. Instead, a hint of surprise could be seen in their eyes as they shifted their gaze to Duan Ling Tian. Earlier, when Gongsun Xuanyuan sent them a message, he had only said he wanted them to meet someone urgently.
“Xuanyuan, are you sure?” Yu Hao Tian asked solemnly.
“There’s no mistake,” Gongsun Xuanyuan said, “His experiences are that of the Yan Huang Entity. Moreover, he has also confirmed that he possesses 99 Heavenly Veins. I didn’t think I’d be able to meet the Yan Huang Entity after so many years have passed. To think, he’s already comparable to a titled Celestial Emperor at such a young age…”
Gongsun Xuanyuan’s eyes shone brightly whenever he looked at Duan Ling Tian after confirming Duan Ling Tian possessed 99 Heavenly Veins; it was as though he was looking at a rare treasure. Duan Ling Tian could not help the chills that ran up his spine when he saw Gongsun Xuanyuan’s burning gaze. He even began to regret revealing the fact that his soul came from Yan Huang Planet in the Yan Huang Realm. He had easily revealed the past since he did not think it was something he had to keep a secret. After all, many strange and wonderful things such as reincarnations and possessions happened in the Devata Realms all the time. He did not expect Gongsun Xuanyuan, Yu Hao Tian, and Ru Lai would find his past shocking. Most importantly, it seemed like the trio was aware of something that he was unaware of. An ominous feeling rose in his heart; he felt it was not good to catch the trio’s attention.
“The Yan Huang Entity…” Ru Lai murmured to himself before he shifted his gaze to Feng Qing Yang and asked, “Heavenly Emperor Feng, I, Ru Lai, have accepted various disciples in my life, but I have yet to accept a true disciple. I want to accept your true disciple as mine; are you willing to part with him?”
Feng Qing Yang glanced at Ru Lai and answered lightly, “You’ll have to ask for disciple’s opinion…”
At the same time, Feng Qing Yang said to Duan Ling Tian through Voice Transmission, “Although I have no idea what the Yan Huang Entity is, there’s no doubt it’s special. Otherwise, they wouldn’t show so much interest. Since Ru Lai has attained godhood, it’s best if you stay away from him for your safety. I’ve heard of many special physiques in the Devata Realms, but I’ve never heard about the Yan Huang Entity. Based on what I know, many Heavenly Emperors and titled Celestial Emperors covet those with special physiques. After all, these people with special physiques would certainly grow to become gods as long as they don’t prematurely. I’ve heard of a rumor in the past about how humans with 99 Heavenly Veins and special physiques have potential comparable to that of a Divine Beast.”
Previously, Feng Qing Yang did not mention this matter to Duan Ling Tian because he was worried Duan Ling Tian would slack off in his cultivation after learning about his high potential of becoming a god. After all, there were many who would not cultivate as diligently after finding out they had high chances of becoming a god.
Feng Qing Yang explained, “I didn’t mention this previously because I was afraid you’d grow complacent…”
“Master, I understand.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. After listening to his master’s words, he knew what he needed to do. Before Ru Lai spoke again, he said, “Temple Master Ru Lai, I, Duan Ling Tian, only acknowledged one master in my life, and he’s my current master, Feng Qing Yang. Even if I encounter gods or supreme powerhouses in the future, I won’t acknowledge them as masters as well…”
Duan Ling Tian did not hesitate to kill all of Ru Lai’s thoughts of accepting him as a disciple.
Ru Lai’s eyes flashed briefly, but his expression remained calm upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s reply. He said, “Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t force you.” Then, he said to Feng Qing Yang, “Heavenly Emperor Feng, 10 years after the end of the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses, I’ll head to the Heavenly Palace of the Solitary Destructive Heaven to challenge you to a duel. If you lose, you’ll have to step down as the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven.” An imperceptible hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes as he spoke.