This statement was made by Pure Yang.
Possession has never been an easy task. Generally speaking, unless it's an absolute last resort, no one willingly chooses possession. Possession means abandoning one's own physical body and taking over another's. In essence, it's like a sparrow occupying a magpie's nest. But even if successful, there will always be a fundamental dissonance. The only body that truly fits one's soul is the one originally nurtured alongside it. Someone else's body will always remain foreign.
To compensate for such hidden flaws requires an enormous price. And even then, no matter how perfect the process, there will always be some imperfection. Nothing beats the original body.
Moreover, the divinity within a Divine Fetus is not something ordinary souls can resist. Only with a soul treasure protecting the soul can one gradually devour the divinity, fully integrate with the Divine Fetus, and truly replace it.
However, the greatest problem lies precisely here—soul treasures are the pinnacle among all artifact categories. They can transcend their quality grade. Even if classified as mere magical artifacts, they rival spiritual treasures in every way.
If it's a soul treasure of spiritual treasure level, it's even more precious—comparable to a Innate Supreme Treasure.
Their numbers are exceedingly rare, and every single piece is a priceless gem.
That's why what Wang chuan proposed—replacing a Demonic Fetus, seizing a Divine Fetus, and then possessing it—is nothing short of reaching for the heavens.
Here, many present were peerless prodigies with vast experiences, yet none dared say they could pull it off. The obstacles were simply too great.
"If the Demonic Fetus can be extracted, I have a treasure called the Tree of Harmonic Purity and Heavenly Sound (Tianyin Wuxie Treasure Tree). It can purify evil and demonic energies. Even an Innate Demonic Fetus can be slowly purified over time. While it may take long, it's safe and stable. As long as there is enough time, even a Demonic Fetus can be purified."
A strange light flickered in Yi Tianxing's eyes. With a wave of his hand, he released the treasure tree. Mystical heavenly music echoed through the void, and all who heard it felt their souls cleansed and elevated. All negative emotions were swept away, replaced by an unparalleled serenity.
"It truly does purify demonic and evil intent. With prolonged exposure to its divine radiance, even an Innate Demonic Fetus can have its demonic nature cleansed—without any influence from the Buddhist sects," Pure Yang said with a smile.
If the Buddhists purified a Demonic Fetus, they would most likely convert it into a Buddha Fetus, replacing demonic nature with Buddhist essence. In doing so, the result would inevitably fall under Buddhist influence—almost a 99% certainty.
But the Tree of Harmonic Purity and Heavenly Sound was different.
Moreover, Dharma did not possess the Great Sun Tathāgata Mantra. Even if he wanted to drive out the demonic nature, he wouldn't be able to.
"May I ask, Emperor, how long would the purification take?" Wangchuan asked, clearly moved.
"Impossible to estimate. Without seeing the Demonic Fetus itself, there's no way to properly assess it," Yi Tianxing replied calmly.
"Very well. Here is the Demonic Fetus."
With a resolute expression, Wangchuan waved his hand. A black glow flashed through the air, revealing a massive, jet-black egg. A potent demonic aura radiated from it—pure, bloodline-deep, and innately wicked. It exuded evil, terror, madness, and defiance. Everything about it felt dangerously lethal.
However, the life force within the egg was faint—barely detectable, as if it could extinguish at any moment.
"It is a Demonic Fetus," Pure Yang remarked. "But it's underdeveloped, nearly dead. Not suitable for possession."
This was clearly a malformed fetus, on the verge of death. Its vitality could vanish at any second.
"I know. It's the only Innate Demonic Fetus I could find. I ask the Emperor—can you purify it and preserve its life force?" Wang chuan asked again.
Undoubtedly, this was yet another enormous challenge.
"To preserve its life force while purifying it is no easy feat. The best way is through Reincarnation Holy Liquid (Lunhui Shengye). This liquid is a supreme treasure, found only in the Underworld, and is incomparably valuable. Though I have a bit left, the question is—what can you offer in exchange?"
Yi Tianxing looked deeply at Wang chuan.
This person, clearly male, radiated a primordial and ancient aura from his bloodline. He was no ordinary being.
"If you can cleanse the demonic nature and preserve its life, I am willing to offer an Innate Spiritual Treasure in exchange," Wang chuan said, without hesitation.
The moment those four words—Innate Spiritual Treasure—left his lips, the entire auction hall grew quiet. Everyone's eyes turned serious.
An Innate Spiritual Treasure was always of staggering value.
"What kind of Innate Spiritual Treasure?" Yi Tianxing asked. If he could get one in exchange for some effort, it would be an incredible deal—a fat sheep offering itself.
"The Starry Ring."
Without hiding anything, Wangchuan took out a ring.
It shimmered with starlight, dazzling and resplendent. The changing light revealed countless phantom images of overlapping rings.
"The Starry Ring is a mother-daughter ring. One master ring, with 365 sub-rings. It can draw stellar power, drastically accelerating cultivation speed—by dozens or even hundreds of times. It can also accumulate true essence and mana rapidly, and has the Stellar Guardian Divine Ability that can block even a great expert's strike."
"The more sub-rings gathered, the stronger the Stellar Guardian becomes. With all 365 sub-rings, it forms a Zhou Tian Stellar Barrier, summoning the power of the stars. Even grand divine beings couldn't break it."
Gasps could be heard across the room.
If this was all true, the value of the Starry Ring was beyond measure. Its power would rival the top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasures.
"This Starry Ring can't possibly be perfect. What's the catch?" Yi Tianxing asked seriously, staring at the artifact.
Such a treasure couldn't be taken out so easily unless it had some limitation. No one would be that foolish.
"Before splitting, there is only the master ring. But the moment it's split, its grade drops. It is no longer an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Instead, it becomes a top-grade magical artifact, depending on how many sub-rings are separated. The ranks are: Seven Stars, Heavenly Gang, Earth Fiend, and Zhou Tian."
"Seven Stars" means 7 sub-rings split off.
"Heavenly Gang" is 36.
"Earth Fiend" is 72.
"Zhou Tian" is all 365.
This division is determined when the master ring is bound to its user.
Seven Stars: sub-rings are peak magical artifacts.
Heavenly Gang: high-grade magical artifacts.
Earth Fiend: mid-grade magical artifacts.
Zhou Tian: low-grade magical artifacts.
However, all sub-rings retain the potential to become Innate Spiritual Treasures—they are Innate embryos. As long as you infuse them with rare materials, their grade can be upgraded over time.
Naturally, this isn't easy.
The Starry Ring requires one material only: Stellar Essence.
It only absorbs and fuses Stellar Essence, and to elevate even one sub-ring to the next level requires a staggering amount. Dozens, even hundreds of rings? That would require an astronomical quantity, enough to bankrupt the wealthiest families.
"Stellar Essence? Where would I get so much of that?"
Those who were interested sighed in disappointment. Even a thumb-sized piece was a rare treasure, a top-tier forging material. Nurturing one or two sub-rings might be possible—but dozens, or hundreds? That was just hopeless.
Thus, the Starry Ring, while dazzling in potential, was ultimately a chicken rib—tasty but not worth the effort if you can't afford it.
"Very well. In exchange for the Starry Ring, I will cleanse the Demonic Fetus and preserve its life force. However, this cannot be done quickly. We shall sign a contract. Once it's completed, it will be returned to you at the next auction. Do you agree?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed. This artifact—was worth it.
"Agreed."
Wang chuan nodded.
A contract appeared in the air. The terms were written clearly. Once signed, the contract forces entered both their bodies.
Yi Tianxing then stored the Demonic Fetus in the Hongmeng Emperor Tower, and began purifying it with the Tree of Harmonic Purity and Heavenly Sound. A single drop of Reincarnation Holy Liquid fell into the fetus, stabilizing its failing life force—and gradually strengthening it.
As for the Starry Ring, it flew toward Yi Tianxing, slipping naturally onto his ring finger. It adjusted perfectly to size.
With a single thought, he chose the number of sub-rings: Zhou Tian's number—365 sub-rings.