The three of them gave a brief thanks and left. The twins, Tian Lou and Tian Lan, decided to head back to their village to regain strength before the next exploration. Their aim was simple to grow stronger and grab more opportunities in the future.


    Tian Lou turned to Chen Zhe as they began walking.


    "Brother Chen, next time we go exploring. You should come with us too. We made it out alive this time but I''d rather not risk my life without reliable allies in the future."


    Chen Zhe nodded but remained quiet. There was too much on his mind. Before everything else, he had to head back home. He had to see his family but even more importantly, he had to decide what was next. The idea of remaining in the village did not feel right anymore.


    As they walked, the skull inside his bag suddenly chuckled, its voice slipping into the tone of an aged scholar.


    Chen Zhe sighed. "I know that already." After completely passing out of the Dark Valley Sect territory has made Chen Zhe feel a little better.


    The skull shifted its tone to that of an excited child.


    Chen Zhe shook his head. “No sect would accept someone walking around with a talking skull in their bag a


    The skull cackled louder this time like dry bones rattling in the wind. "Oh, what a dilemma. A lone wanderer carrying the will of the Scarlet Demon caught between destiny and secrecy


    Chen Zhe furrowed his brow. "I know that very well."


    The skull let out an exaggerated sigh, followed by a wheezing laugh. "You sound like an old man now, brat.


    Chen Zhe grimaced. "You don''t even have a mouth."


    "Details, details. I had one once and let me tell you, it was quite the mouth. Sharp teeth black as night and a voice that could charm demons or send them screaming.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Skulls?"


    "Yes. Lovely, floating skulls with gleaming white teeth and hypnotic eyes.


    Chen Zhe rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long journey.


    They came over some mountain ranges, over trails lined up with common beasts. Earlier, those creatures would pose a real problem for him to deal with but now he could hardly spend a glance at them. As he thought over that, that was when this happened.


    The skull laughed. "Ah, I recall that first time the Scarlet Devil realized his power exceeded those wretched weaklings of the earth. He laughed so hard that he nearly choked on his own demonic flame. Good times, I suppose… or was it bad times?


    "But let me tell you boy, power is only fun if you use it. What''s the point of growing stronger if you keep hiding?


    Chen Zhe shook his head. "You really are becoming more insane."


    "Oh oh Ah , you hurt me but listen, boy, you need to decide soon. Will you be a rabbit always running or a wolf feasting on the flesh of your enemies? The Scarlet Devil didn’t hesitate n


    Chen Zhe remained silent. He had a family to think about. How was he going to convince them to leave with him without scaring them? If he just told them to go, they would not move. He needed a good reason, something that made sense and would not attract attention.


    As they continued forward, an eerie fog began to settle on the path ahead. The skull suddenly whispered, its voice different this time serious, almost nostalgic.


    "Boy… something is out here be careful."


    Chen Zhe stopped. He could feel it too. A strange pressure in the air like a storm waiting to break.


    The skull hummed. "Ah, how delightful. The scent of old grudges and fresh blood. Perhaps this journey won''t be so dull after all."


    Chen Zhe narrowed his eyes and reached for his weapon. Whatever was ahead, it wasn’t friendly and from the way the skull was humming like a satisfied beast, it wasn’t going to be easy either.


    His way home had only just begun and already something is in his way.


    The skull giggled. "Oh, what fun we''re going to have."