Before Xiao Ning could respond, the void around him shifted. Images began to form—scenes of battles fought and lost, destinies shattered, and souls consumed. Among them was a figure whose story mirrored his own: another villain, felled in combat but spared the total destruction of his essence. Unlike Xiao Ning, this individual had suffered only partial consciousness destruction, making him the perfect candidate for possession.
"This body belongs to Li Feng," the jade book explained. "Once a feared expert, he fell in battle against a rival sect. Though his physical form remains intact, his mind is fractured beyond repair. You may inhabit it, restoring functionality while preserving your own identity."
Without waiting for confirmation, the jade book initiated the transfer. Waves of energy enveloped Xiao Ning, pulling him toward the image of Li Feng. Pain lanced through his being as his consciousness merged with the broken remnants of the other man's soul. Memories clashed and blended, creating a synthesis of two lives intertwined.
Li Feng's memories revealed much about his life. Born in the remote village of Zhentian, located deep within the Outer Worlds, Li Feng had been a Nascent Soul Realm expert who rose to prominence as a leader of the Shadowclaw Sect. Known for his cunning strategies and brutal efficiency, he had earned both respect and fear among his peers.
However, during a raid led by the Azure Dragon Sect, Li Feng had been ambushed and mortally wounded. Though his body survived, his consciousness was destroyed, leaving behind a shell ripe for occupation.
He saw the man's final moments—the Azure Dragon Sect's ambush, A woman scream as Li Feng took a dagger meant for her throat. Pathetic, Xiao Ning thought. Love made fools of even Nascent Soul experts.
When the process completed, Xiao Ning opened his eyes—not in the Celestial Arena, but in a dimly lit chamber carved into the side of a mountain. The air smelled of damp earth and iron, and his new body ached from recent injuries. Still, he was alive—or as close to alive as anyone outside the system could be.
Just as Xiao Ning sat up, groaning softly, a voice startled him from behind.
"Who… who are you? What have you done to Li Feng?"
Turning sharply, Xiao Ning saw a woman standing in the shadows of the cavern. Her features were obscured by the dim light, but her voice carried a mix of authority and sorrow. She held a longsword tightly in her hands, clearly ready to attack.
From Li Fang memories he instantly recognised this woman, She is Mei Lin the original body owner dao companion, also a Nascent Soul Realm expert.
That's why she instantly exposed him without even giving him the chance to talk.
Recovering quickly, Xiao Ning forced his voice to sound calm. " You are correct I am not Li Feng," he admitted. "My name is Xiao Ning—I've taken refuge in this body after my previous one was destroyed."
Xiao Ning's gaze locked onto Mei Lin's sword—its edge trembling with Nascent Soul energy. A lesser cultivator might've swallowed lies of amnesia or divine intervention, but against her razor-sharp spiritual senses, deception was impossible.
This wasn't transmigration. Not reincarnation. The jade book had carved his consciousness into Li Feng's crumbling body like a dagger into rotten wood, severing the original soul's fraying tether to life. Truth, however dangerous, was his only currency here.
Let her rage, he thought. So long as she believes me useful.
The woman stepped forward slightly, revealing more of her face. She appeared middle-aged, with sharp cheekbones and piercing eyes that betrayed years of hardship. Her clothes bore the insignia of the Shadowclaw Sect, marking her as its current leader.
"Destroyed?" she repeated skeptically. "Even you soul?"
"That's indeed the case," Xiao Ning replied bitterly." I have only managed to survive due to my power consciousness."
The woman frowned deeply, lowering her sword slightly. " Survive due to consciousness.... I have never heard something like that before."
"You are just at the Nascent Soul Realm, of course you haven't, " Xiao Ning replied ."For now, let us focus on Li Feng. Although he was irreversiblely dead I owe him—and you—an explanation."
The woman tilted her head, curiosity replacing her initial wariness. "Go on."
"My original self as you can see was far stronger than the Nascent Soul Realm," Xiao Ning admitted. "In fact, I could have crushed someone like you with a single finger."
Mei Lin's grip on her sword tightened once more, her eyes narrowing into slits. "You dare mock me? Even if you truly were some great power in your past life, you're bound to this frail shell now—a Nascent Soul Realm body with a fractured foundation. Don't test my patience."
Xiao Ning raised his hands in placation, though internally he marveled at how quickly the woman cut through his bravado. This was no ordinary cultivator; her sharp mind and unyielding resolve spoke of years spent navigating treacherous waters. He needed to tread carefully.
"Peace," he said, lowering his voice to a respectful tone. "I meant no offense. You're right—I am limited by this body for now. But I assure you, I possess knowledge far beyond what most cultivators can even dream of. If you allow me, I can prove it."
Mei Lin's grip on her sword tightened at Xiao Ning's arrogance, but she didn't lash out. Instead, her piercing gaze seemed to bore into him, as if trying to uncover the truth behind his words. After a moment of tense silence, she spoke.
"Prove it," she demanded. "If you truly possess the strength and knowledge you claim, then show me something—something only a true powerhouse could offer."
Xiao Ning chuckled softly, almost amused by her skepticism. He extended a hand toward her, palm up, and summoned a faint glow from within himself. Slowly, an ancient scroll materialized in midair, its surface etched with intricate patterns that shimmered like stars against the darkness of the cavern.
"This is The Everlasting Nine Suns Sutra," he said, his voice carrying a weight that resonated with authority. "It's a cultivation technique from my previous life—one so advanced that even Divine Enlightenment Realm experts would kill to obtain it. Study it, and you'll see that I speak the truth."
Mei Lin stared at the scroll, her breath catching in her throat. Even from where she stood, she could feel the immense power radiating from it, a force so pure and primal that it made her knees tremble. Her eyes darted back to Xiao Ning, searching for any sign of deceit. But there was none—only confidence and sincerity.
"A cultivation method even Divine Enlightenment Realm masters would slaughter entire dynasties for," she said flatly. "And you offer it freely to a Nascent Soul cultivator with a broken core?"
Xiao Ning's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Consider it an investment. The Everlasting Nine Suns Sutra isn't merely a technique—it's a forge. It will burn away impurities, yes, but first it demands fuel." His gaze dropped meaningfully to the hairline fractures visible along her sword arm, remnants of the Qi Deviation that had shattered her meridians during Li Feng's failed assassination. "How fortunate we both have so much to burn."
The unspoken threat coiled between them. Mei Lin's spiritual sense brushed against the scroll's shimmering surface and recoiled—not from danger, but from revelation. Fragmentary visions flooded her mind: a phoenix carved from dying stars, roots drinking supernovae, nine suns colliding in a silent scream of light. Her damaged dantian ached.
"What do you want in return?" she asked cautiously, lowering her sword completely now.
"A deal," Xiao Ning replied evenly. "I will give you this technique, and more besides, if you agree to two conditions: First, you must swear absolute secrecy about my origins and identity. If word gets out that I am not Li Feng, it could bring disaster upon us both. Second, we shall work together to rebuild the Shadowclaw Sect and avenge Li Feng's death. You seek justice for your dao companion; I owe him a debt for allowing me use of his body. Together, we can achieve these goals."
Mei Lin considered his proposal carefully, weighing the risks and rewards. The promise of such powerful techniques was undeniably tempting, especially given the dire state of the sect. And yet, trusting someone who had essentially stolen another's body wasn't easy. But then again, what choice did she really have? Without help, the Shadowclaw Sect would crumble entirely, and her vengeance would remain unfulfilled.
"Very well," she finally said, stepping closer. "But understand this—I will hold you to your word. If you betray me or the sect, I will hunt you down and ensure your destruction, no matter how strong you claim to be."
Xiao Ning nodded solemnly. "Fair enough. Let us seal this agreement through the Dao System, binding our fates together."
He reached into his newfound sea of consciousness, drawing upon the residual energy left behind by the previous owner. A faint golden light began to emanate from his fingertips, forming a complex rune in the air between them. Mei Lin mirrored the gesture, her own dao affinity responding to the call. As their energies intertwined, the rune solidified into a glowing contract, hovering before them.
"I will keep your secrets," Mei Lin vowed aloud, her voice steady and resolute. "And you will aid mein restoring the sect and avenging Li Feng. This pact is unbreakable unless either party violates its terms."
"As agreed," Xiao Ning confirmed, his tone equally firm. The rune pulsed once, then dissolved into threads of light that vanished into their respective bodies, sealing the contract.
As their Dao vows solidified—Mei Lin studied the man wearing her dead lover's face. There was Li Feng's crooked nose from when she'd broken it during their first spar, Li Feng's scarred lip from the poisoned dagger he'd taken for her. But the way he held himself… No, this was a predator wearing a wolf's pelt, all wrong angles where there should have been familiar curves.
With the deal done, Mei Lin turned her attention back to the scroll still floating in front of Xiao Ning." This technique.. Are you certain it's safe for me to learn?"
Xiao Ning smiled faintly. "It is powerful, yes, but also adaptable. The Everlasting Nine Suns Sutra can be cultivated by anyone, regardless of their elemental affinity or cultivation base. It focuses on harnessing the power of the sun itself, refining it within the body to strengthen one's core and expand their dantian. With proper guidance, you'll find it surprisingly manageable."
He then proceeded to explain the basics of the technique, outlining the initial stages of cultivation and warning her of potential pitfalls. Mei Lin listened intently, her sharp mind absorbing the information with remarkable speed. Occasionally, she would ask a pointed question, testing his knowledge and probing for weaknesses in his explanation.
Each time, Xiao Ning responded calmly and thoroughly, his confidence growing as he witnessed her understanding deepen.
By the time he finished, the first rays of dawn were already painting the sky outside the cavern with hues of orange and gold.
Mei Lin stood there for a moment, digesting everything she had learned.
"That's about everything for now, I wish to cultivate on my own to stabilize this body and recover some strength," Xiao Ning said, suppressing a yawn. "It's been a long journey, and I need time to adjust to my new body."
"Very well, Rest and recover," Mei Lin said, her voice softer than before. "The sect is in turmoil, but we have time to plan our next move. When you are ready, we will discuss the future."
With a respectful nod, she turned and left
the cavern, leaving Xiao Ning alone with his thoughts.
He closed his eyes once more, this time focusing on the unfamiliar energy coursing through his meridians. The body of Li Feng was weak, its foundation riddled with micro-fractures from years of reckless cultivation.
With a thought a line of text appeared in front of his eyes.
[ Name: Li Fang]
[ Life Span: 450/567]
[Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm (disabled)]
[Spirit Root: Dark and Earth Dual Spirit Root (damaged)]
Cultivation Techniques: Shadow Leaf True Scripture ( main), Myriad Shadow Thoughts Art, Shadow Teleportation Technique.....
Examining the standard cultivator's status panel, he narrowed his eyes. All the information appeared unremarkable. Had he been deceived in some way?