"This saber, it belongs to you too...?"
Ling Fan stood before the colossal corpse of the Dragon Emperor, a figure as imposing as a towering mountain. He drew out the Emperor Saber Weilong.
As if sensing the presence of the Dragon Emperor's remains, the saber trembled with excitement, almost leaping from his grasp to fly towards the skeletal form.
"You actually obtained it!"
The voice carried a tone of astonishment.
"Indeed, this is my former Imperial Weapon, my personal sword. It accompanied me through countless battles across myriad realms, never tasting defeat! For it to recognize you, it seems you are truly destined for me."
"Very well, give me this saber. It has fallen from its High-grade Emperor Weapon status, no longer at its peak. I will reforge it for you, restoring its former might!"
The voice urged.
"Oh? You can reforge it? That would be excellent! If it can be restored to High-grade Emperor Weapon status, it will be a great aid to me."
Ling Fan nodded.
He casually tossed the saber over. A beam of light enveloped the saber and vanished into the dragon's head.
"Now, you shall begin to receive my inheritance. However, you must completely open your mind and spirit. Only then can I pass it on to you."
The ancient voice spoke to Ling Fan with utmost solemnity.
"Alright."
Ling Fan replied decisively.
He spread his arms wide, simultaneously relaxing his divine sense. His mind shed all defenses, and his entire being fell silent. He had truly opened himself up completely.
"Good! Good! You will surely be able to accept my entire inheritance."
The voice conveyed a hint of excitement. Immediately, a vast consciousness extended from the skeletal remains. In Ling Fan's perception, it was like an endless dark cloud descending upon him.
At first, this consciousness was relatively stable and serene, posing no threat. But the next moment, it turned violently aggressive. With a roar, like a dam bursting, it surged into Ling Fan's body! In an instant, the consciousness flooded Ling Fan's mind and every limb, completely occupying his body.
*Swish!*
When Ling Fan opened his eyes again, his gaze was entirely different. If his previous gaze was like a tranquil ancient well, deep as the sea, his current gaze was filled with madness and a touch of malevolence. He was a completely different person.
"Hahahaha! I have finally achieved my wish! Asura, you thought you could trap me? I have regained my freedom! Everything of yours will become my foundation. The Supreme Ancestral Dragon Seal you forged will become my divine weapon to unify the ten thousand dragon tribes of the Heavenly Dragon Realm, making me invincible!"
Ling Fan let out an evil laugh. He examined his body, marveling, "I must say, this human's talent is truly heaven-defying. The myriad dragon prodigies cannot compare to this individual. Even in the Central Heavenly Realm, he is almost peerless. Now that this body belongs to me, I am the darling of heaven, the pride of all realms!"
He spoke with increasing pride, his laughter growing wilder.
Long Xuan and Lu Rui, hearing his words from a distance, froze on the spot.
"What's happening!" Long Xuan stammered blankly.
Lu Rui's expression changed drastically. "Didn't Fan Lin go to receive that senior's inheritance? This doesn't look like an inheritance at all, it looks more like... soul possession!"
Long Xuan's expression shifted as he heard Lu Rui's words. He murmured, "Originally, that mysterious person intended to possess me... because I possess dragon bloodline. Then Old Fan stepped forward to take my place... Did he see through this mysterious person's intentions long ago? So, to save me, he chose to sacrifice himself!? Ah!!! Old Fan, I've wronged you!"
Long Xuan pounded his chest in guilt. "I'm going to save Old Fan, I'm going to save my brother!" Long Xuan's blood boiled, wishing he could rush forward and face death alongside Ling Fan.
"Don't be rash! If Fan Lin was truly possessed, do you think you could defeat him?" Lu Rui said calmly.
"..."
Long Xuan paused.
"Then what do we do? We can't just stand by and do nothing." Long Xuan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Let's wait for a moment!" Lu Rui advised. She had a feeling that Fan Lin was not as simple as he appeared. If he had seen through the mysterious person's scheme long ago, he could have exposed it directly and retreated without giving the person a chance to possess him. Since he chose this path, perhaps he had a purpose.
"You two, become my servants."
Ling Fan's malevolent gaze fell upon them. Lu Rui and Long Xuan felt a chill run through their bodies, as if they were being stared at by an ancient, ferocious beast. Only now did they feel Ling Fan's terrifying, unimaginable power.
"Who exactly are you!" Lu Rui suppressed her fear and asked.
"Me? I am the Asura Dragon Emperor!" Ling Fan declared proudly.
"No, you are definitely not the Asura Dragon Emperor! Who are you?" Lu Rui retorted.
Ling Fan's sinister smile faded. He said coldly, "You don't need to know. Seeing your decent talent, I'll give you an opportunity to pledge allegiance. Do not make the wrong choice. Quickly allow me to plant a restriction and become my slave!"
As he spoke, he strode towards Long Xuan and Lu Rui. A terrifying pressure, like that of mountains and seas, bore down on them. Long Xuan and Lu Rui were completely defenseless, forced to retreat step by step.
"Old Fan! Old Fan! Wake up! I don't believe you've been possessed by some ancient undead being, wake up quickly!" Long Xuan cried out.
"Heh heh, you can't wake him up. The moment I possessed him, I tore apart and devoured his soul. Give up."
Just then, a faint voice echoed from the void nearby.
"Who said I'm dead."
A figure materialized. It was Ling Fan!
Lu Rui looked at the newly appeared Ling Fan, then at the possessed Ling Fan. With two Ling Fans appearing, they were both bewildered. What was going on? Which one was the real Ling Fan?
"Hmm, why is there another you! Who are you?" The mysterious person stared intently at the newly appeared Ling Fan, asking in a cold voice.
"I am me. Did you think you possessed me? In reality, that was merely my illusion." Ling Fan smiled faintly.
"Hmph! I was actually tricked by you, you deserve to die! But you didn't escape, and you dare to appear before me, so you won't be leaving! It seems it's impossible for me to possess you without harming this body. A few flaws are acceptable; I'll forcibly possess you first, then repair it!"
Ling Fan chuckled. "Forcibly possess me? Do you really think you are the Nine-Tier Heavenly Dragon Emperor Asura? How laughable, you are merely a lowly spirit, and a treacherous one that backstabs its master!"