In an instant, countless ancient divine patterns appeared on Luo Chuan's skin, flowing rapidly like living things, exuding an ancient and domineering aura.
Although the fifty-foot-tall Ancient God's body was slightly inferior in size to the hundred-foot-tall Guardian Spirit phantom, the aura emanating from it caused the Guardian Spirit phantom to suddenly freeze in its tracks, and for the first time, a look of horror appeared in its eyes.
"This is... the aura of Ancient God?!"
Luo Chuan didn't give him much time to react. In his Ancient God Body, he slowly raised his right hand and struck out with his palm.
This palm strike contained no fancy moves, only the purest and most extreme Ancient God Power.
The golden palm print, carrying the power to tear apart heaven and earth, collided violently with the giant golden palm of the Guardian Spirit phantom!
"Boom!"
In an instant, a deafening roar, as if the heavens and earth were splitting apart, exploded.
Two terrifying forces collided violently in mid-air, creating a massive energy shockwave that spread wildly in all directions.
The black stone gate trembled violently, and the runes on the steps lit up, barely managing to withstand the shockwave and avoid being shattered.
The golden giant hand of the Guardian Spirit phantom cracked inch by inch under Luo Chuan's Ancient God's palm strike, just like fragile glass, and shattered instantly.
Immediately afterwards, the hundred-foot-tall phantom of the soul, under the backlash of the Ancient God Power, seemed to have suffered a severe blow. Its entire body trembled violently, the golden light on its body quickly dimmed, and more and more cracks appeared on the imperial robe.
Luo Chuan's figure blurred, and he instantly appeared in front of the Guardian Spirit's phantom. He reached out with his left hand and grabbed the other's neck.
The Ancient God Power flowed continuously into the Guardian Spirit's phantom body, not to destroy it, but to extinguish its obsession.
"You think you can stop me with just this remnant of your soul? You're like an ant trying to shake a tree—you're overestimating yourself!"
Luo Chuan's voice was like the whisper of Ancient God, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
The Guardian Spirit phantom was held firmly in Luo Chuan's hand, unable to move at all. As it felt the domineering Ancient God Power within its body and the irresistible aura emanating from Luo Chuan, the anger in its eyes gradually faded, replaced by endless awe and relief.
"The legacy of the Ancient God... So that's how it is. So the destined one that the Immortal Emperor spoke of is actually the successor of the Ancient God..."
The Guardian Spirit's illusory form murmured to itself, the golden light around it gradually softening, its hundred-foot-tall body slowly shrinking until it finally transformed into a faint soul flame, drifting into Luo Chuan's palm.
"My obsession runs deep, and I have offended you greatly. I beg the Immortal's forgiveness."
The soul flame flickered slightly, and a respectful voice emanated from it, saying, "This is the pass token for the third trial. Please accept it, Immortal. The fourth trial Illusion Trial set up by the Immortal Emperor. Immortal must guard his true heart in order to pass."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Soul Flame transformed into a crystal-clear Soul Token, which landed in Luo Chuan's palm. The black stone door then slowly opened inward, revealing a passage leading to an unknown space.
Luo Chuan's figure swayed, the Ancient God Body quietly dissipated, and he returned to his original appearance. Then, he put away the Soul Token and stepped into the passage.
The scene before my eyes suddenly changed.
No longer is it a gloomy ancient forest, nor a cold stone gate; in its place is a landscape of green mountains and clear waters, filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
The warm sunshine felt wonderful on my skin, and the distant chimes of bells and the sounds of children playing could be heard.
Luo Chuan looked down at his hands, which had become small and delicate, full of childlike innocence.
His figure had shrunk to about three feet tall, and he was wearing a faded gray Daoist robe, the attire of a menial disciple of the Hengyue Sect.
Luo Chuan's mind was blank; his previous memories seemed to be sealed by a thick fog, leaving only one thought:
His name is Luo Chuan, he is three years old, and he is a disciple who was just brought back to the sect by Yuqing True Person of the Hengyue Sect.
Not far away, a handsome young man dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, with a gentle demeanor, was slowly walking towards him.
The young man held a string of candied hawthorns in his hand, a gentle smile on his face; he was none other than Yuqing True Person.
"Slow down, be careful not to fall."
Yuqing True Person walked up to Luo Chuan, handed him the candied hawthorn, and spoke in a voice so gentle it was almost sweet.
Luo Chuan looked at the Yuqing True Person before him and subconsciously frowned. For some reason, he felt that the man in front of him was somewhat familiar, but he just couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
Yuqing True Person, with one hand behind his back, looked in the direction before him and calmly said, "Let's go. I'll take you to the Ancestral Hall. From today onwards, you will be the patriarch of my Hengyue Sect."
"Although you are only three years old, you are exceptionally talented. Breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm stage will be a piece of cake for you in the future, and you might even be able to step into the ethereal Spirit Severing Realm."
Clutching the candied hawthorn skewers still warm from the sugar frosting, Luo Chuan, her small body held by Yuqing True Person's hand, stepped up the layers of bluestone steps of the Hengyue Sect.
A gentle breeze rustled through the mountains, the pine trees whispered in the wind, and the hem of a Daoist robe fluttered in the breeze. The body of a three-year-old child was innocent and soft, his memories sealed away deep within his soul, leaving only this warm and genuine human world before him.
The Ancestral Hall is located atop the main peak of the Hengyue Sect. Its vermilion gates are wide open, and incense smoke curls inside. In the center are the ancestral tablets of past masters, creating a simple and solemn atmosphere without feeling oppressive.
Yuqing True Person knelt down, gently smoothing the wrinkles in Luo Chuan's clothes, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "Junior Brother, from this day forward, you will be the youngest disciple of my Hengyue Sect."
"Before our master passed away, he specifically instructed me to take on disciples on his behalf. From now on, you will be the only junior brother of Yuqing Sect, and everyone in the sect will respect you."
Luo Chuan tilted her head back, blinked her bright black eyes, and nodded vaguely with a sweet hawthorn in her mouth.
Yuqing True Person led him into the Ancestral Hall, where several figures were already waiting.
Seated at the head of the table was a middle-aged man of average appearance and ruddy complexion, dressed in a bright yellow Daoist robe. His eyes exuded the majesty of a sect leader. He was none other than True Person Huanglong, the Hengyue Sect.
True Person Huanglong, whose cultivation had reached the Mid Foundation Establishment Realm, was one of the top experts in the entire Hengyue Sect. At this moment, however, his gaze toward Luo Chuan was completely unpretentious, filled only with gentleness and affection.
"Ancestor, is this the child with the Innate Dao Body that the Progenitor spoke of?" True Person Huanglong spoke slowly, his voice deep yet kind.
Yuqing True Person, with one hand behind his back, nodded slightly. "That's right, he is Luo Chuan. Today, he pays his respects at the Ancestral Hall and formally joins my Hengyue Sect."
Luo Chuan imitated Yuqing True Person's mannerisms, clumsily bending his small body, looking adorable, which made everyone in the hall smile slightly.
True Person Huanglong smiled and raised his hand, a gentle spiritual energy lifting Luo Chuan: "No need for formalities. Since you are the disciple personally chosen by my master, you are the treasure of my Hengyue Sect."