"Does my Soul Mark have such an ability? Does that mean as long as I don’t die, those I’ve marked will also be immortal?" Zhang Chen asked in astonishment.
It’s known that his Soul Mark skill is a truly defiant technique; as long as he doesn’t die, the soul mark will never dissipate. Doesn’t that mean the other person will also be immortal?
"Theoretically, yes." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen pondered, "It seems I should upgrade my Soul Mark skill. If I manage to control a group of entities at the Dao Fruit level as my subordinates, won’t I be undefeatable against gods or Buddhas?"
Zhang Chen had a bold idea.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon seemed to see through Zhang Chen’s thoughts and couldn’t help but feel a shiver down his spine. Countless beings died in the End of Dharma Tribulation back then. If this kid achieves his goal now, who could challenge him in the future?
"Kill!"
At this moment, a shout awakened Zhang Chen. Following the familiar scream, Zhang Chen looked over to see Xie Lingyun clad in armor, his blade flashing as he fought fiercely with someone.
At this time, a dagger had penetrated the joint of Xie Lingyun’s left leg through a gap in his armor, causing Xie Lingyun’s movements to falter.
And the one fighting Xie Lingyun was the Armored Warrior meant to protect her.
The original protector, under the influence of the Ba Snake’s spirit, had turned into a deadly assassin.
Not only were the Armored Warriors chasing after Xie Lingyun, but they were also constantly killing each other.
Seeing Xie Lingyun in grave danger, Zhang Chen’s expression changed, and without thinking, he charged directly into the crowd.
"Are you courting death?! Right now, fleeing is the best option for you. Otherwise, you’ll be infected by the Ba Snake’s aura, and you’ll join the battle until you’re slain and become its sustenance." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon was shocked to see Zhang Chen rush towards Xie Lingyun.
"Xie Lingyun cannot die! She is my biggest support right now. If Xie Lingyun dies, I won’t be able to stay at Huangli Temple, and Zhang Xiaohua will not let it go." Zhang Chen stepped forward resolutely, surrounded by the flowing True God Golden Light, firmly protecting him.
With the emergence of the True God Golden Light, Zhang Chen could sense a strange fluctuation in the void, gnawing at his light. Although the True God Golden Light repelled all heresies, it still struggled against this venom-like force, delaying its invasion but not preventing its eventual triumph.
"So even the True God Golden Light is powerless against this force?" Zhang Chen was slightly disappointed but remained undeterred, for he was prepared.
Using the Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing skill, Zhang Chen saw the world turn black and white. A chain appeared, dark and inscribed with mysterious runes, one end attached to Zhang Chen and the other linked to the Ba Snake’s body.
Standing in that monochrome world, Zhang Chen grasped the chain tightly and yanked it hard. Though it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, Zhang Chen ultimately moved it.
He pulled out a wisp of the Ba Snake’s remnant spirit from its body.
The iron law of Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing: Once the skill is activated, the opponent cannot harm Zhang Chen.
The gray mist swirled before Zhang Chen, its green eyes restless and angry, emitting hissing sounds like a snake’s cries, revealing its fury at Zhang Chen.
Yet it was just a remnant soul, and Zhang Chen had no fear of it.
The Ba Snake snapped at Zhang Chen, its bite threatening to consume all existence, aiming to drag Zhang Chen’s soul from his body. But when it came within three feet of Zhang Chen, the Law of Cause and Effect activated, and a mysterious force dissipated the snake’s soul attack.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon, seeing this, couldn’t help but twitch, his eyes filled with helplessness. ’What kind of damned Divine Technique is this? It’s utterly unreasonable!’
This scene was reminiscent of when he had been restrained in the past by Zhang Chen.
"A mere remnant soul dares to act recklessly before me?" Zhang Chen sneered, then disregarded the Ba Snake’s remnant spirit and turned to the endangered Xie Lingyun in the distance.
Even though the Ba Snake’s soul was unable to harm Zhang Chen, it could still confuse others with its powers.
"I just need to immobilize Xie Lingyun and use the Invisibility Rune to take her away, then the matter will be resolved." Zhang Chen thought secretly.
With that in mind, Zhang Chen walked leisurely toward Xie Lingyun amid the chaos.
While everyone was ordinary, Zhang Chen’s Invisibility Technique was especially effective, and no one noticed him.
Zhang Chen avoided the fighting, reaching Xie Lingyun, who gained new wounds, even bleeding from her throat where a blade had missed severing it by a fraction.
Holding both the Body-Stabilizing Rune and Invisibility Rune, Zhang Chen reached Xie Lingyun, applying them immediately and embracing her to narrowly evade three slashing blades.
The Ba Snake’s remnant spirit observed Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun, its malicious green eyes glinting before lunging at Xie Lingyun.
Try as I might, I can’t handle you, but I can deal with her, right?
Unfazed, Zhang Chen swung his robe, engulfing Xie Lingyun within.
The historically wide garments easily enveloped someone when loosened.
Wrapped by Zhang Chen’s robe, Xie Lingyun witnessed a change in the Law of Cause and Effect, the Ba Snake’s spirit passing harmlessly through Zhang Chen when it came near.
’Hiss~ hiss~ hiss~’ The Ba Snake hissed furiously, circling, but unable to affect Zhang Chen in the slightest.
Zhang Chen smugly glanced at the Ba Snake, then at the snake eggs on its body, eyes gleaming desirously, and he moved towards the Ba Snake with Xie Lingyun in his arms.
Sensing a foreboding sense of unease, the Ba Snake couldn’t prevent Zhang Chen from getting closer despite its efforts.
Standing before the Ba Snake, Zhang Chen eyed the vibrant red snake eggs like alluring fruits, his greed evident. Making his way was difficult with Xie Lingyun in his arms, but the Innate Mosquito’s elongated proboscis served its purpose, piercing one of the snake eggs.
With a swift thrust, he absorbed the boundless essence into his body.
The Ba Snake’s eggs, small in appearance, held a magnificent essence inside, inundating Zhang Chen’s being like a vast ocean.
Realizing Zhang Chen’s intention, the Ba Snake’s remnant spirit was astounded, but with no direct means to halt the two-legged beast, it helplessly pondered a solution, bringing about a new change in the scene.