Dark viscous liquid began to seep from his pores pooling around him in a sticky mess.
Hours passed before Chen Zhe’s eyelids fluttered open. Groggy and disoriented, he became immediately aware of the sticky black sludge coating his body.
“That’s not going to work, kid.” the skull said its voice from a distance yet somehow close.
Startled by the sudden reminder of the skull’s presence, Chen Zhe froze. “What do you mean? How do I get rid of this?”
“Use your qi, boy.” the skull said this time in the tone of an old man. “Burn it off.
Despite his reluctance to take advice from the bizarre being, Chen Zhe closed his eyes and focused. To his surprise, he felt a newfound reservoir of energy within him.
Chen Zhe let out a long breath marveling at how much sharper his senses had become. The rustle of leaves, the faint growls of beasts prowling outside the cave everything was suddenly clearer and even sharper.
“Don’t get too comfortable, kiddo” the skull interrupted now speaking like a teenager. “You’ve inherited the Scarlet Demon’s legacy but it’s not just about fancy tricks and heightened senses.
“The what realm?” Chen Zhe asked narrowing his eyes suspiciously. He wasn’t sure if he should take the skull seriously or fling it off the nearest cliff.
“You’re hopeless.” the skull now sounding like a child. “Don’t they teach you anything these days? Fine, I’ll explain. But listen carefully because I won’t repeat myself. Well, I might. Or maybe I’ll just make it up as I go.
Chen Zhe pinched the bridge of his nose. “What is wrong with you? Why do you sound different every time you speak?”
The skull chuckled this time in the voice of an elder. “Ah, you’ve noticed just a minor side effect of living so long in this form and being made into this form, I’m afraid.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
Chen Zhe stared speechless. “What... what even is that, then?”
The skull ignored him pressing on.
Chen Zhe nodded. “Barely. I’ve only heard bits and pieces from my friends. Tian Lou’s at Early Qi Condensation and Tian Lan is at the peak of Awakening.
“Well, there’s a lot more after that.” the skull said as a fact. “After Nascent Soul, there''s Divine Transformation realm. There might be even more realms after that anyhow, That’s where you’ll help me reconstruct my glorious beautiful body.
Chen Zhe blinked. “Wait... I’ve already advanced to Qi Condensation?”
“Congratulations.” the skull said now like a child. “You’re officially not as useless as you were yesterday.”
Chen Zhe groaned shaking his head.
With a resigned sigh, he stuffed the skull into his bag. He hesitated before stepping out of the cave wary of the savage beasts that had chased him earlier. But to his surprise, the creatures seemed to have fled entirely.
Chen Zhe emerged from the Warces Mountain and looked around his surroundings. His enhanced senses made it easy to track Tian Lou and the others.
As he walked, the skull began its tales. “The Scarlet Demon wasn’t always a legend, you know. He started as a lowly disciple in the demonic cult nothing special.
“Sounds relatable.” Chen Zhe muttered.
“Oh, but he didn’t stay that way. Unlike you and me.” the skull said its tone shifting to that of a teen. “He clawed his way to the top defeating his peers one by one.
Chen Zhe frowned.
“That’s the demonic cult for you.” the skull said darkly. “But the Scarlet Demon didn’t give up. He rebuilt his strength creating his own path outside the constraints of both the demonic and righteous factions and now through you, his legacy lives on.”
“Great.” Chen Zhe said dryly.
“Oh, there’s plenty of pressure.” the skull now sounding like an teacher. “But don’t worry. I’ll guide you. Unless I decide not to or you get caught being his inheritor...Fibbity kibbity dibbity do.”
Chen Zhe sighed deeply. “I’m starting to think inheriting this ‘legacy’ might be more trouble than it’s worth.”
“Haha that''s too late to back out now” the skull said cheerfully. “Welcome to your destiny.”