"You don't remember the origin of the tattoo?"
Hearing Xiaoyao's answer, Ye Ling's brow furrowed slightly, and he asked in a deep voice.
From the series of events that had transpired, it was clear that the tattoo on Xiaoyao's body contained significant information.
Being unable to ascertain the origin of Xiaoyao's tattoo meant Ye Ling would miss out on a lot.
However, this was within Ye Ling's expectations. While he was somewhat disappointed by his inability to learn about Xiaoyao's tattoo, it was not entirely unexpected.
Xiaoyao gave a wry smile. "As you must know, you are aware of my current state. Of my three souls and seven spirits, I am left with only one soul and one spirit. My own memories are incomplete. It's already quite remarkable that I can maintain basic sanity."
"Let alone the tattoo on my body, apart from the memories I've shared with you, most of my other memories are also fragmented."
"You're saying you only remember what I asked you?"
Upon hearing Xiaoyao's words, Ye Ling's brow furrowed even tighter as he reconfirmed with Xiaoyao.
Xiaoyao nodded. "Yes... I suppose you could call it luck. If you had asked more questions, I would likely be the same as this tattoo, unable to provide any coherent answers."
Ye Ling said solemnly, "Perhaps this isn't a matter of luck."
Xiaoyao was slightly taken aback. "Not luck? Then what...?"
At this point, Xiaoyao seemed to recall something, his pupils constricting sharply. "My two souls and seven spirits were extracted. Although my memories are incomplete, they can be manipulated. The memories I recall, could it be that..."
Ye Ling replied, "They are memories deliberately left behind by the one who extracted your souls."
"This..."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, a tempest of shock surged within Xiaoyao. He dared not ponder it further.
If the truth was indeed as Ye Ling suggested, then his current predicament of being trapped here was merely a step in someone else's grand design!
And he was merely a pawn used to relay a message!
Suddenly, an endless sorrow welled up in Xiaoyao's heart, and the light in his eyes faded.
Seeing Xiaoyao's current dejected state, Ye Ling also sighed softly, offering comfort. "These are all our speculations. Perhaps it's all just a coincidence."
"Coincidence..." Xiaoyao shook his head and smiled. "Perhaps. But it doesn't matter anymore. Ever since I began my cultivation journey, I've been a chess piece in someone else's game. As long as I'm still useful, shouldn't I feel a little proud?"
Ye Ling silently observed Xiaoyao's current state, a sense of melancholy suddenly arising in his heart. He wasn't sure if it was pity for Xiaoyao or if he saw a reflection of himself in Xiaoyao.
Although he had become the Supreme of Dong Xuan, revered by all living beings, and could decide the fate of billions with a mere flick of his wrist, Ye Ling still had not figured out why he had transmigrated from Earth to the Dong Xuan Continent in the first place.
If it were in the past, Ye Ling could have brushed it off as a coincidence or an accident.
However, now, with the connection between Earth and the Dong Xuan Continent growing ever closer, and with the intricate game slowly involving him, he could no longer deceive himself into believing his transmigration was merely a coincidence.
"Ye Ling, I've finished memorizing the 'Zhou Tian Tai Xuan Jing'!"
At this moment, Feng Ke's voice rang out from behind Ye Ling, pulling him back from his thoughts.
He turned to look, and saw that Feng Ke's entire aura had changed. Her cultivation had even broken through to the seventh rank, her strength soaring like a rocket!
"You..."
Seeing the greatly transformed Feng Ke, Ye Ling was also momentarily stunned.
He knew that having Feng Ke read the 'Zhou Tian Tai Xuan Jing' would be beneficial for her, but he hadn't expected the benefits to be so immense!
Not only had Feng Ke's cultivation reached the seventh rank, but her cultivation foundation had also been solidified to an exceptional degree!
The strength Feng Ke could unleash was far greater than that of an ordinary seventh-rank cultivator. She could even contend with an eighth-rank anomaly, not out of the question.
"Hehe... Do I look different now?" Feng Ke spun around in front of Ye Ling, asking him with a face full of pride.
In truth, she herself was greatly startled by her own transformation.
Just moments ago, as she was reading the 'Zhou Tian Tai Xuan Jing', she suddenly felt as if the scriptures on the stone wall had come alive, constantly leaping into her mind.
Even more astonishingly, each character seemed to possess its own inherent power. With every character she memorized, her cultivation within her body would increase slightly.
It was truly miraculous.
By the time she had memorized the entire cultivation technique, her cultivation had naturally advanced to the seventh rank.
Ye Ling curiously examined Feng Ke for a moment, then infused his spiritual energy into Feng Ke's meridians, confirming that there were no hidden dangers left within her body. Only then did he nod in relief and say with a smile, "Not bad. With your current strength, coupled with your movement techniques, you now possess sufficient self-preservation ability within this ancient ruin. You no longer need me to protect you."
"So, how about it? Want to try exploring on your own?"
Feng Ke repeatedly shook her head. "No! Compared to venturing out on my own, staying by your side allows me to witness more and gain more."
Feng Ke was no fool. She knew that even with her seventh-rank cultivation, she only had enough strength for self-preservation within this ancient ruin.
If she were to explore freely, not only would it be dangerous, but her gains here would also be far less than what she could achieve by following Ye Ling!
For the next period, she only needed to stay with Ye Ling. Even if she didn't acquire any treasures, the knowledge she gained from witnessing things would be enough for her to digest.
Where else could ordinary anomaly cultivators possibly encounter beings like angels and saints?
Moreover, she still needed to follow in her master's footsteps.
Seeing that Feng Ke had refused his suggestion, Ye Ling merely smiled and did not press the matter further.
With Feng Ke's minor interlude, Ye Ling also emerged from his contemplation of Xiaoyao's predicament. He then severed the other two chains binding Xiaoyao, granting him freedom.
Ye Ling said to Xiaoyao, "From now on, you are free. Where you wish to go, whether for revenge or to live in seclusion, is entirely your choice."
Seeing that Ye Ling had truly released him, Xiaoyao looked at Ye Ling with disbelief and asked, "You really intend to let me go just like that?"
"Why else?" Ye Ling raised an eyebrow. "I've learned what I wanted to know. I have no enmity with you. Releasing you fulfills my promise. Why wouldn't I?"
Xiaoyao said, "I thought you would enslave me, like Xuan Xiao."
He was now merely one soul and one spirit, his soul as fragile as a candle in the wind. If Ye Ling wished, he could easily plant a mark within his soul and control him by force!
Furthermore, his cultivation was that of a saint. Once someone took him as a slave, it would be equivalent to gaining a saint-level enforcer!
Such temptation was rarely ignored by anyone in the Three Realms!
He had already prepared himself to become a slave to Ye Ling's slave, but he never expected Ye Ling to actually intend to rescue him!
Xiaoyao cast a meaningful glance at Ye Ling, then bowed respectfully to Ye Ling.
"My lord, for saving my life, Xiaoyao..."
"Is eternally grateful!"