"ZHEN WU." The shout startled the entire forest.
Birds screeched and flew away. The whole forest shook for a moment before returning to calm.
In the middle of the forest, a young man emitted a terrifying aura that instantly destroyed the trees and rocks around him.
The young man's eyes opened, blood streaming down his cheeks. His eyes were blood red with hatred as he slowly rose to his feet. He dragged his half-paralyzed body, covered in bloody wounds.
His jaw tightened, a hoarse voice coming from his lips. "I will kill you!"
However, in contrast to his determined and resolute eyes, his body could not hold out any longer. His vision began to blur, and a moment later, the young man fell unconscious.
He did not know how much time had passed before he opened his eyes. His head throbbed with pain, the pain bringing him back to consciousness.
"Where am I?" The young man's gaze swept around him.
Ignoring the pain, the young man leaned his back against a tree trunk. The moonlight illuminated part of the forest, while the rest was covered by leaves and branches.
The young man massaged his temples, then stopped moving when he saw his hands. His pupils dilated, and he hurriedly felt his face and body. "This isn't my body!"
The young man closed his eyes, checking his dantian. Then he opened his eyes again and exhaled deeply. "This body is just an ordinary human. The bones are about 17 years old, but..."
The young man observed his arms, "they're too thin for a child of this age."
"I don't know who you are or what your name is, but from now on, you are me. Emperor of Heaven – Ye Yan." After saying that, Ye Yan closed his eyes again.
Ye Yan channeled Qi into his meridians. Instantly, all the wounds closed and stopped bleeding.
"Hufft..." Ye Yan sighed softly. "The external wounds have healed, but the internal injuries are too severe to be healed this way."
"This child must have suffered before his death," Ye Yan muttered. "I will avenge you, don't worry. Consider this payment for your body."
Ye Yan stood up, his steps unsteady. He gritted his teeth, the cold air piercing his skin, making him shiver. But he did not give up, continuing to walk forward. Before stopping at the riverbank.
Slowly, Ye Yan took off all his clothes, then breathed a sigh of relief after feeling the cold water wash over his skin. "For now, let's heal these wounds first."
Ye Yan looked down, staring at the reflection of his new face. This face was dry and thin. His chin was sharp with sunken cheeks and tired eyes.
"Your life isn't easy. In your next life, I hope you get a better one." Ye Yan sighed, feeling sorry for the original owner.
Ye Yan closed his eyes, letting the wind ruffle his hair. The river water reflected the moon, but the silence of the night did not make Ye Yan complacent.
He could feel a curious gaze on his back. Even though he knew the gaze was purely curious, Ye Yan did not lower his guard.
His previous bitter experience was a painful lesson for him. Ye Yan did not want to die because he trusted someone too much again.
This time, he was determined not to let anyone take advantage of him. He would be the one to take advantage of them.
Ye Yan channeled his Qi into a leaf, then threw it at the gaze. He could feel the gaze disappear instantly.
"Annoying rat." His eyes flashed coldly. "Forget it, dealing with him is just a waste of time."
Ye Yan got up and put his clothes back on, then walked away. Moving away from the river, he clicked his tongue in annoyance, realizing that the gaze was still following him.
"Come out!" Ye Yan said coldly.
Not far from him, a pair of eyes peered out from behind a tree, looking uncertainly at Ye Yan. Instinctively, Ye Yan released the Qi energy he had gathered in his hands.
"You...?" Ye Yan's voice trembled, his eyes widening in surprise.
The figure approached, then stopped a few steps away from Ye Yan. It tilted its face, its eyes shining innocently. The figure asked hesitantly. "Why are you in my body?"
"Who are you?" Ye Yan regained his composure, gathering his strength again. Ready to attack when the figure made a move.
Two identical bodies stared at each other. One with full alertness, the other with undisguised curiosity and interest.
"My name is Ye Mu. Grandpa Chen often calls me Mumu. I live over there." The figure—Ye Mu—pointed westward from where they stood.
Ye Yan's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he glanced in that direction. Then he returned his gaze to Ye Mu. The soul, the young man in front of him, was just a soul that would soon perish if left alone.
Ye Mu approached cautiously, his eyes sparkling. He watched Ye Yan's movements. "Brother, how did you get in?"
Moreover, the strange connection between that soul and his new body convinced Ye Yan that Ye Mu was indeed the original owner.
Ye Yan did not answer, and Ye Mu's body began to fade. Ye Yan knew that if he was left any longer, this child would perish. He turned around, his feet traversing the forest as if searching for something.
Although he didn't understand what Ye Yan was doing, Ye Mu still followed him, his big round eyes looking confused. Every now and then he would tilt his head, filled with curiosity.
"Come here," said Ye Yan.
Ye Mu pointed at himself and blinked. "Me?"
Ye Yan rolled his eyes. "Who else but you, hurry up!"
With a small jump, Ye Mu arrived beside Ye Yan. "I'm here, I'm here."
"Brother, are you finally going to tell me how to enter my body?" said Ye Mu excitedly.
The dead sparrow lay in Ye Yan's palm. "Touch this."
Ye Mu blinked curiously but didn't ask any questions, smiling brightly and foolishly as he touched the sparrow.
"Brother!" Ye Mu's panicked scream echoed loudly. He could feel his body being pulled in, the weightless and painful feeling terrifying him.
"Focus! Don't resist," Ye Yan snapped.
As Ye Mu's soul entered the bird, a gray-colored power followed. It guided the young man's soul and stabilized it.
Ye Yan's face paled, using his power was too much of a burden on this body. But he didn't stop, ignoring Ye Mu's screams. Ye Yan continued to channel his power, only stopping after Ye Mu had merged with the bird.
"Hufft..." Ye Yan sighed wearily, cold sweat pouring down and soaking his clothes, making them stick tightly to his body, forming the contours of his body.
Ye Yan leaned her body against a tree trunk. The pain pierced her dantian, turning Ye Yan's lips white.
"That hurts, your brother is so cruel— Eh?" Ye Mu's complaint stopped, his eyes widening in amazement. The sparrow flapped its wings as if testing something. "Brother, brother. I have wings!"
Ye Yan rubbed the bridge of his nose, his head throbbing painfully at Ye Mu's excited chatter. "Be quiet, go find something to eat."
"Okay." The sparrow nodded eagerly, seeing Ye Yan's exhaustion and pale face.
Ye Yan sighed softly, closing his eyes for a moment. Then he watched Ye Mu walk with his little legs and occasionally flap his wings, trying to fly, only to end up falling.
Seeing Ye Mu keep repeating the same movement, a faint smile appeared on Ye Yan's pale face without him realizing it.
"How could that stupid kid die?" he muttered. "Judging from his wounds, he was clearly killed. Who did it?"