At Black Empress Clan's shout, everyone present instantly froze, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
The Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo was said to be the physique closest to that of an immortal. Its bearer needed no deliberate cultivation to naturally resonate with the Great Dao, and could comprehend the Laws of Heaven and Earth with effortless ease.
When facing an enemy, its bearer could also enter the "Body and Dao Unite" state at any moment. Every movement naturally drew upon the power of the Great Dao, leaving opponents in the desperate position of "fighting against the entire world." Against those of the same realm, it was practically invincible by nature.
Moreover, the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo had virtually no barriers between cultivation realms. The path of the Great Dao lay wide open before it, making its bearer a true "Darling of the Heavenly Dao."
The legendary Great Emperor Wushi, who swept aside all opposition and treated Life Forbidden Zones like his own backyard, had possessed this physique.
What they found most unbelievable was this:
The "innate" Sacred Body Dao Embryo was a congenital physique. One either possessed it from birth or could never have it.
Yet Ye Hei had not only broken the Laws of Heaven and Earth that prevented a Sacred Body from cultivating and broken through to the Four Extremes Realm, he had also transformed from a Sacred Body into an Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo.
It was utterly absurd—absurdity had opened the door for absurdity, and it had gone all the way home.
Above the Dragon Transformation Pool, Ye Hei stood in midair and clenched his fist. Feeling the surging, sea-like power within him and his indescribable affinity with the Great Dao, he was overcome with excitement.
Before, although he had been a Sacred Body with an invincible physique among those of the same realm, his comprehension of Dao techniques had been weak, and he was easily suppressed by laws.
The Purple Mansion's Innate Dao Embryo had resonated with the Great Dao, but its physical body was frail and its defenses inadequate.
Now, however, he had become an Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo. Both his physical body and his mastery of the laws had reached their peak.
"One Immortal Leaf was all it took to transform me into an Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo."
"It seems Senior Qingxu is not merely someone who surpasses Great Emperors. He's the true immortal of legend!"
Ye Hei sighed inwardly, his reverence for Senior Qingxu growing ever stronger.
After quite some time, everyone present gradually came back to their senses.
Their gazes toward Ye Hei had changed completely. There was envy, jealousy, and heartfelt awe.
Even the Golden-Winged Little Peng King, who had previously clamored to kill Ye Hei, had lost his arrogance.
After all, that was the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo—a supreme physique said to guarantee that its bearer would attain the Great Emperor's Dao.
An Miaoyi, whose wager had paid off, covered her mouth with a soft laugh, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"Haha! Good! Good!"
Jiang Taixu appeared with the Vast Universe Divine Furnace in his hand, a rare, warm smile on his face.
As long as Ye Hei survived, he would surely attain the Great Emperor's Dao one day, and the Human Race would once again usher in a truly glorious age!
As for the astonishing Immortal Leaf, which seemed to defy heaven itself, its origins might have been strange, but no matter how Ye Hei had obtained it, it was his opportunity. Jiang Taixu did not ask about it.
"Thank you for protecting me, senior."
Ye Hei saluted Divine King Jiang. Without his protection, Ye Hei could never have broken through so smoothly.
"Divine King, you said earlier that if Ye Hei succeeded in breaking through, all the younger generation could challenge him. Is that true?"
A clear voice rang out as Xia Jiuyou asked the divine king.
"Of course."
Divine King Jiang nodded. A true powerhouse had to endure trials and tribulations to temper an invincible Dao Heart.
Besides, he truly wanted to see what the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo could do.
The others shared Divine King Jiang's thoughts. They all wanted to see just how extraordinary this legendary physique was.
"Ye Hei, it's even better that you've transformed into an Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo."
"That way, your blood will be even more valuable to me."
Xia Jiuyou spoke to Ye Hei. She was determined to become a Great Emperor, and even facing Ye Hei after his transformation into an Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, she remained completely unafraid.
"Little brat."
Ye Hei smiled at the arrogant Xia Jiuyou, showing a flash of white teeth.
"You're asking for death!"
Xia Jiuyou's expression darkened. But she had heard of the might of the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, so she did not immediately unleash the Nine Nether Immortal Melody.
The immortal melody rang out, shattering metal and stone as it swept across the heavens, like a tsunami stretching to the horizon, wave after wave crashing toward Ye Hei.
"That's... the Nine Nether Immortal Melody!"
The sight sent shock waves through everyone present. They had never expected someone as young as Xia Jiuyou to have mastered such a divine ability.
At its opening, the immortal melody surged forth with a world-shaking slaughtering force, like thousands of troops galloping. The stars and moon dimmed, and the heavens seemed to collapse. Yet as it struck at Ye Hei, its power continued to weaken.
By the time the melody struck Ye Hei, nine-tenths of its power had dissipated. The remaining tenth landed on his perfect body like a gentle breeze, then vanished without a trace.
"Hiss... so this is the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo? The Darling of the Heavenly Dao! Fighting it is like fighting the entire world. It doesn't even have to act—the world itself suppresses its enemy's divine abilities."
Crimson Dragon Daoist drew in a sharp breath, while everyone else was equally astounded.
"The Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo truly is extraordinary."
Xia Jiuyou's expression changed again, but she still refused to concede. She began to unleash the even more powerful Tribulation Crossing Immortal Melody.
"Clang..."
The Tribulation Crossing Immortal Melody rang through the nine heavens, its Dao Sound never ceasing as it resounded across the Starry Sky. It possessed supreme power, capable of erasing all things with form, and was even more terrifying than the Nine Nether Immortal Melody.
With a thought, Ye Hei summoned a Three-Leaf Green Lotus above his head, wreathed in Chaos Qi. Where he stood, the Myriad Laws fell silent.
When Xia Jiuyou's full-power Tribulation Crossing Immortal Melody reached Ye Hei, it was like a mud cow disappearing into the sea, vanishing in an instant without a trace.
Then Ye Hei took a single step and appeared behind Xia Jiuyou. He slapped her hard on the butt.
"Smack..."
The sharp sound rang out, and Xia Jiuyou flew through the air.
Before she could steady herself, Ye Hei appeared behind her again and sent her flying with another slap.
And so Xia Jiuyou was batted back and forth through the air like a ball.
The sight left everyone dumbfounded.
Everyone had witnessed Xia Jiuyou's strength.
They had expected a fierce battle between evenly matched opponents. Instead, Ye Hei was completely dominating her.
Meanwhile, in the Great Ming World, at the central military camp in Yumuchuan.
After swallowing the Immortal Leaf, Zhu Di was full of vigor. Even his gray hair had turned completely black, and he looked thirty years younger.
He felt as though his entire body overflowed with inexhaustible strength. He could tear tigers and leopards apart with his bare hands, draw the strongest Iron-Wound Bow and fire a hundred arrows without tiring, and even lift a cauldron with one hand like the legendary Hegemon King of Western Chu.
"One leaf can make me young again and give me a new life. This truly is a miracle!"
Standing before a bronze mirror, Zhu Di stroked his face, newly firm and youthful. He could not help laughing aloud. The pent-up resentment that had weighed on him for years was gone in an instant!
"Your Majesty, this old subject requests an audience."
Yang Shiqi's voice came from outside the tent.
"Come in!"
In high spirits, Zhu Di sat upright on the imperial bed.
Holding the Abdication Edict in both hands, Yang Shiqi came in and immediately dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Your Majesty, this old subject deserves death..."
Zhu Di had previously intended to abdicate in favor of Zhu Gaoxu to keep the Great Ming Empire from falling into chaos. But after much deliberation, Yang Shiqi had ultimately changed the edict to name the Crown Prince, Zhu Gaochi, as his successor.
He had meant to confess his guilt, but when he looked up, he saw Zhu Di sitting on the imperial bed, smiling at him.
"Your Majesty, you..."
Yang Shiqi froze, scarcely able to believe his eyes.
Not long ago, Zhu Di had been at death's door, with barely a breath left in him.
Now, however, he was vigorous and full of life, looking almost the same age as the good young grandson, Zhu Zhanji.
"The Grassland is still unsettled, and my children and grandchildren are not yet secure. Heaven has not forsaken my Great Ming. It has granted me a new body so I can bring peace once more!"
Zhu Di rose with a smile, patted Yang Shiqi on the shoulder, took the Abdication Edict from him, and casually tossed it into the furnace.
"We won't be needing this for now."
While Yang Shiqi was still wondering whether he was dreaming, Zhu Zhanji rushed into the tent, his face full of anxiety.
"Grandpa..."
"Oirat cavalry are using the snowstorm as cover to charge at our central camp again. Please, Grandpa, avoid their attack for now."
Zhu Zhanji spoke in a rush. Only after he finished did he notice that his grandfather was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Yang Shiqi was kneeling before a young man.
But why did that young man look so familiar?
"I should avoid their attack?"
"Bring me a saber!"
The moment Zhu Di heard the news from Zhu Zhanji, the smile vanished from his face, replaced by a murderous chill.
The shouts of the Oirat cavalry and the heavy, orderly pounding of their hooves could already be heard faintly outside the tent.
Seeing that Zhu Zhanji was still standing there in a daze, Zhu Di, restored to his youth, could wait no longer. He strode out of the camp at once.
"Grandpa..."
After a moment of frantic thought, Zhu Zhanji finally realized that the young man he had just seen was his grandfather, Zhu Di.
He still had no idea what had happened, but worried that something might happen to his grandfather, he hurriedly turned and chased out of the tent.
But when he saw the scene outside, his jaw nearly hit the ground.
"Holy crap!"
"Grandpa charged out carrying a Red-Clad Cannon!"
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