Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 343 Endurance and Speed

Upon careful observation, a clue was indeed discovered. The previously illusory surface of the divine soul was covered by a layer of almost transparent gauze.

This is the magical artifact he found in the Ruins of Return, which can automatically adapt to changes in his body.

When in human form, it is a long robe; when transformed into a dragon's body, it becomes a layer of fine dragon scales; now that Chen Ye is in the form of a divine soul, this magical artifact has also transformed into a gauze robe, just like a divine soul, which he wears.

Because it was completely integrated with his soul, he had not noticed it before. Who would have thought that this magic weapon could adapt to the form of his soul and change its appearance on its own?

The fact that this magical artifact was detected meant that Chen Ye's physical body had not been lost, but had simply changed appearance.

"Is this Eight-Nine Arcane Art really capable of transforming anything, even turning the physical body into a divine soul?"

This guess was so outrageous that Chen Ye couldn't believe it.

The physical body and the soul are two completely different things. If we had to use an analogy, the physical body is the magnet, while the soul is the magnetic field. Although they are one, the magnet is matter, while the magnetic field is energy.

In some extreme cases, even if the magnet is destroyed, the magnetic field may still exist for a moment, or if the magnet is broken, the magnetic field may become chaotic.

The souls of mortals are like this. After the physical body dies, they either vanish into thin air, or if they are lucky, they can last for a while. However, most of them will become delirious due to the collapse of the physical body. If they do not vanish, they will become evil ghosts or vengeful spirits.

Only when a cultivator's soul is strong enough can they temporarily detach from their physical body to maintain their individuality.

But now that Chen Ye's physical body has transformed into the nature of a divine soul, what does that mean?
Chen Ye couldn't figure it out, so he could only try circulating his profound energy. His illusory spirit gradually solidified and instantly returned to his physical body, quickly landing on the ground.

The transformation of the soul into a physical body proceeded without the slightest problem.

"I wasn't wrong. The Eight-Nine Arcane Arts can even transform into a divine soul. If I want to possess someone, wouldn't I just be able to pounce on them without even needing to change my physical body? No, I should prepare a few life-saving methods first. In a critical moment, I can transform into a divine soul and escape directly, avoiding many restrictions targeting the physical body..."

Chen Ye never expected that he could break through in this way by accident.

However, this method of cultivation has completely deviated from the original, and Chen Ye will have to figure out how to cultivate from now on on his own, as there is no longer anything to refer to.

"Sigh, I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I should have asked my master for advice now."

Chen Ye shook his head, his body once again turning into an illusion, and then drifted out of the underground palace like a gust of wind.

Given the current special circumstances, we should consult the patriarch first.

When Chen Ye passed through the gate of the underground palace in his divine soul form, there was no hindrance whatsoever. The feeling was extremely wondrous, and Chen Ye didn't know how to describe it; it was simply novel and interesting.

However, each time Chen Ye passed through the physical body, he could sense that his soul was damaged. Although the incense and prayers would immediately replenish it, Chen Ye dared not be reckless and returned to the Yellow Springs Palace in his physical form.

At this moment, the sky over Fengdu City was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.

Chen Ye glanced at the official documents on the desk. Fortunately, this seclusion had not lasted more than a month.

After spending several days comprehending the Great Law of Transformation, Chen Ye spent the rest of his time eliminating various distracting thoughts from his soul. Now, he felt refreshed and had fewer worries, and his thinking was much easier.

Looking at the table full of official documents, Chen Ye actually had an urge to "handle them personally".

However, he decisively dismissed the idea. After being a hands-off manager for so long, if he suddenly became determined to improve himself, his subordinates would not be able to adapt.

So Chen Ye simply flipped through them, circling the less important documents and letting his subordinates handle them, leaving the more important ones aside for the time being. Then he pressed a small array on the corner of the platform, which would then notify everyone of his exit from seclusion.

This was specially made by Pang Duoduo at Chen Ye's request.

To make things easier, Chen Ye referenced the design of his office from his previous life, and each floor of the Yellow Springs Palace had this kind of communication array, which could also be used for direct phantom communication when necessary.

Qu Heng quickly received Chen Ye's message and arrived at the thirty-third floor. When he looked at Chen Ye, he exclaimed in surprise, "You brat, what did you cultivate during your seclusion?" Chen Ye asked in confusion, "Grandmaster, you discovered it? How could you discover this?"

Chen Ye is currently in his physical body state, and he feels no different from before. His cultivation level has not actually improved. This Transformation of Freedom technique does not increase spiritual energy or improve realm; it is simply a matter of enlightenment.

Qu Heng can even sense this?

Qu Heng pondered for a moment, then said, "You seem to have... let go of a lot."

After much thought, only this word, imbued with Buddhist connotations, can describe it.

He let go, he let go of his obsession, he let go of his resentment, he let go of the bitterness he had experienced... It was precisely because these emotions were the sustenance of the Crimson Dragon Buddha that Qu Heng was able to keenly sense Chen Ye's changes.

Chen Ye said nonchalantly, "I just cleared away some distracting thoughts."

Qu Heng immediately showed a disgusted expression and couldn't help but say sarcastically, "Cleared some distracting thoughts. These words make even this old demon want to pick up a butcher's knife. Do you know how difficult it is to clear distracting thoughts from the soul? How many people have cultivated to the point of Dao Integration, yet their souls are still full of distracting thoughts?"

"You even have your grandmaster's?"

Qu Heng laughed and said, "I follow the path of demonic cultivation. Have you ever heard of any demon who wants to give up their desires of greed, anger, and ignorance?"

Chen Ye suddenly remembered that when he first started cultivating, he asked Mo Ci a question about mind and nature. At that time, Mo Ci said that cultivation level had nothing to do with this thing.

If you really want to say something, all you need is a strong will. It doesn't matter if you're righteous or demonic, greedy or aloof. As long as you keep cultivating steadfastly, where you end up depends entirely on your talent and luck.

Qu Heng continued to inquire, "What exactly did you practice in the underground palace? This method of severing afflictions is quite extraordinary. I didn't see you master the technique for dissolving the five poisons in the 'Collection of the Scripture of Righteous Conduct of Blessings' before."

Chen Ye then explained his Transformation Technique to Qu Heng. Qu Heng was both shocked and furious upon hearing it, roaring, "You brat, do you want to die?! Your mind is divided! Do you know that this will turn you into a madman?!"

Chen Ye confidently replied, "Grandmaster, why make such a fuss? I personally test every level of the Hellish Divine Power I've mastered. My will is unwavering, far surpassing that of ordinary people. Even with my mind divided, I'm confident I can guarantee my safety and will not suffer from qi deviation."

Qu Heng opened his mouth after hearing this, but could not refute it.

Even now, Qu Heng can still recall their first meeting. He used a dream technique to immerse Chen Ye in a deep void, making him experience aging and despair, and then tempted him with the promise of immortality. But in the end, Chen Ye remained true to himself, even asking in return, "You can grant me immortality, and you can take it back, can't you?"

This kid is indeed no ordinary person; only someone with such a steadfast will could cultivate the Great Law of Transformation into Others in this way.

But Qu Heng put on a stern face and shouted, "I don't care if your will is firm enough. Now you are the sect leader of the Yellow Springs Sect, so act like a sect leader! You bear the life and death of the entire Northern Frontier on your shoulders. If I find out that you are acting recklessly again, I will let you taste what the cruel torture passed down by the Crimson Serpent Demon Lord is like. This kind of thing is not something that can be avoided just because you are virtuous."

Seeing that Qu Heng was truly angry, Chen Ye quickly said, "I was wrong, I know I was wrong. This was truly an accident. How could I have known that the Great Dharma Assembly of Other Transformation was so miraculous? I was just trying it out casually. I really won't dare to do it again next time. But since I've already practiced it, Grandmaster, what do you suggest I do to continue my cultivation?"

"This 'Transformation into Freedom' technique can no longer be used recklessly!" Qu Heng added fiercely, then pondered for a moment before saying to Chen Ye, "I've never seen anything like this before, and the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts doesn't record any cultivation method for transforming into a divine soul. You're truly unprecedented... Oh well, since things are already in chaos, let's just try anything."

"Since you can transform your physical body into a divine soul, just treat it as normal cultivation of the divine soul leaving the body. Cultivate this realm as you normally would. Strengthen your divine soul, practice the relevant spells, and then see when you reach the realm where your divine soul is undamaged, that will be considered as having cultivated to the Divine Transformation Realm."

Chen Ye sensed something was off; the words sounded rather casual.

However, Qu Heng was in a bad mood, and Chen Ye didn't want to provoke him, so he asked, "Then, what should I practice at this stage?"

Qu Heng suddenly revealed a meaningful smile and said to Chen Ye, "That's simple. The most important things in cultivating the soul are two: first, being able to withstand the strain, and second, being able to run fast. My good grand-disciple, your grandmaster will practice with you today."

Chen Ye felt a chill run down his spine and asked in a low voice, "How about we practice running faster first?"

Qu Heng shook his head and said, "No, we'll train together. I'm about to make my move. You either have to be able to withstand it, or you have to be able to run fast!"

A dragon's roar resounded, and the Crimson Dragon Buddha appeared, its tail lashing fiercely at Chen Ye.

(End of this chapter)