Chapter 95: Turning the Tables

Damn it. I knew this old goat was up to no good.

He actually wants to possess me?

Seeing that he couldn't deceive Lin Yun into opening the seal, Ezu decided to simply erase Lin Yun's will instead. But he never imagined that Lin Yun had already seen through his plan.

Of course, Lin Yun couldn't leave now either. He just stood there, staring intently at Ezu, who was still playing dead on the ground.

What to do, what to do? This old thing wants to possess me. If I let my guard down for even a second, it's all over. Lin Yun's head throbbed. He couldn't just stay here in a stalemate with this creature forever, could he?

But just then, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Why is this noble one here?" the voice asked.

Lin Yun rolled his eyes. "Who are you? Why are you talking inside my head? If you've got guts, come out and we'll have a go. Don't tell me you're Ezu. Let me tell you, my willpower is as firm as a rock. You want to possess me? Not a chance! If you're a real man, get up and fight me! Stop playing dead, you damn coward!" Lin Yun unleashed a torrent of words.

"..."

The voice, apparently rendered speechless by Lin Yun's tirade, remained silent for a long time.

"This noble one thought Li Hong was improper enough," the voice finally said. "But you, boy, are even stranger. May I say… that I regret my decision?"

Lin Yun's heart leaped into his throat.

Damn! Damn! Damn!

It's the Chongqing Bird?

"Ahem, so it was Senior Chongqing Bird," Lin Yun said, his tone changing instantly. "I thought it was that sneaky bastard Ezu." As he spoke, he gave the prone form of Ezu a kick.

"Senior, do you have a way to get me out of here?"

The Chongqing Bird mused for a moment. "The Chaos Forbidden Land? Tsk tsk. It seems you've changed quite a bit while I was asleep, boy. But running into Ezu here is not a good thing. What's more, judging by his state, he's planning to possess you?"

The Chongqing Bird didn't sound the least bit concerned. In fact, it sounded like it was enjoying the show, ready to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.

Lin Yun rubbed his nose, a bit embarrassed. He replied via thought transmission, "Senior, please don't needle me. If the Beast Taming Sect wants to get a good result in the Grand Tournament, they can't do it without me! Helping me leave the Ancient Forbidden Land is the most pragmatic choice right now."

The Chongqing Bird snorted. "Are you threatening this noble one?"

Lin Yun gave a weak smile. "While I don't know why you chose me as your master, I imagine it was for the sake of the Beast Taming Sect. Since you and I are on the same side, I hope we can reach a consensus on this matter."

He was neither humble nor arrogant. He wouldn't grovel before the Chongqing Bird just because it was the Sect-Guarding Spirit Beast. What a joke. It wasn't like he had begged it to choose him.

The Chongqing Bird was genuinely surprised by Lin Yun's audacity. As the Sect-Guarding Spirit Beast, any disciple who had ever seen it was always exceptionally respectful. This kid… was interesting.

"You have some nerve, boy," the bird's voice echoed with a hint of amusement. "You are correct. Though I have acknowledged you as my master, I have ways to leave you. But for now, our goals are aligned."

The bird's tone grew solemn. "This sinful beast is not particularly strong, but he is full of cunning tricks. If we don't restrain him, I fear it will be difficult for you to leave this place."

Not particularly strong? Lin Yun thought, glancing down and giving Ezu another kick. He had to admit, the creature was unbelievably crafty. It could yield or stand firm as the situation required. Even being kicked like this, it didn't break character.

"Alright, no need to keep prodding him," the Chongqing Bird said. "Give him an opportunity to possess you. When he does, I will help you suppress him."

Lin Yun coughed. "Like trapping a dog in a corner?"

The Chongqing Bird was speechless for a moment. "That is one way to put it."

Lin Yun was still hesitant. He only had one life. "Are you sure this will work? You said this guy is cunning. What if he sees through our plot?"

"He is indeed cunning, but he is not strong enough," the Chongqing Bird said, annoyed. "Besides, your greatest advantage is me. That creature would never imagine that I am guarding your Spiritual Terrace."

After the bird finished speaking, Lin Yun felt a surge of energy from his arm come to a halt at his Spiritual Terrace, right between his eyebrows. Instantly, his thoughts became much clearer.

"Alright, you can let him in now," the bird said. "Consider yourself lucky, boy. If we succeed in suppressing this creature, you will reap considerable benefits."

Lin Yun didn't understand what the Chongqing Bird meant, but he did as he was told.

"Senior, I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to kill you," Lin Yun sighed, turning as if to leave.

But just then, Ezu, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly shot up. A hand clamped around Lin Yun's neck.

Ezu's icy voice hissed in his ear. "You fool! You should have just obediently infused your Yuan Qi and helped this noble one break the seal! What was all that nonsense for? You brought this on yourself today! I finally found someone with decent strength. How could I possibly let you go? Once I possess your body, I will break the seal and finally be free!"

Ezu cackled as he spoke, as if he could already see himself running free in the grassy fields of the world.

The next moment, he transformed into a black mist and shot into Lin Yun's body through his seven orifices. Finally, the black mist converged in his Spiritual Terrace.

The sensation was bizarre. The instant the black mist invaded his body, Lin Yun lost all control. It was like watching a VR video; he felt as if he were there, but he couldn't do a thing. It was terrifying.

"Haha, so easy! This body is far more useful than I imagined!" 'Lin Yun' roared with laughter.

Because Lin Yun had offered no resistance, Ezu had occupied his body with incredible speed. At this point, even Lin Yun began to worry. Did I just get screwed over by this sneaky bastard, the Chongqing Bird? It's an exotic beast too, after all.

Suddenly, Lin Yun heard another voice.

"Ezu. It's been a long time."

The Chongqing Bird's lazy greeting echoed through the space.

"Hm? Who's speaking?" Ezu was dumbfounded.

But in the next instant, Lin Yun's Spiritual Terrace erupted with ten thousand rays of golden light. Lin Yun's perspective shifted to his own inner world. He saw the black mist trapped there, bound by densely packed chains forged from ancient runes. They had locked the creature down so tightly it couldn't move a muscle.

Ezu struggled for a moment, but it was useless.

"You brat! You dare to trick me?" Ezu roared viciously.

Just then, he saw the form of the Chongqing Bird manifest in the Spiritual Terrace. His expression changed instantly.

"How is this possible? How could a mere Origin Sea cultivator command an exotic beast like the Chongqing Bird?"

Then, he heard a piece of news that was even more explosive.

"Because," the Chongqing Bird declared, its voice ringing with ancient power, "I chose him."