He spoke, leaving Xu Nuo bewildered by the zombie's actions. However, since the zombie insisted, Xu Nuo wouldn't miss the chance to kill it.
Swiftly, he moved his steps, setting up a formation around the zombie. He intended to use this method to see what the zombie was plotting, so his movements were deliberate, arranging the most complex Nine-Turn Evil-Eliminating Formation.
He figured that since the zombie had learned some skills from the old man, it would recognize the formation and understand that it was certain death once activated. If the zombie intended to resist, now was the time.
Throughout the process, Xu Nuo remained vigilant, noticing the zombie's eyes following him but not making any hostile moves.
Instead of detecting any killing intent from the zombie, he sensed a deep, inextricable sadness emanating from it.
This feeling made Xu Nuo uncomfortable, halting his intention to attack. He asked, "There are many masters in this world capable of killing you. Why choose me? Or do you have another trap waiting for me? What did the old man tell you about me? Why did he send you to find me? Where is he now? How is he doing? What is your true purpose? This is your last chance. Speak, and I might consider sparing you."
Park Su's sadness deepened as he listened. "I would never set a trap for you. I'm not the old man's disciple. My master is the best master in the world, and I love him dearly.
However, one day, I lost him. I became a zombie against my will, losing the chance to be with him. Alive, I might eventually be controlled by other zombies and harm those I don't wish to harm.
I might even be forced to hurt my master one day. Rather than let that happen, I'd prefer to leave first. This world shouldn't have a zombie like me. I'm ready. Do it!"
Xu Nuo hadn't expected to hear such words from a zombie. He thought, perhaps the zombie truly loved his master, who might be the old man's other disciple.
Considering the circumstances, the zombie before him could indeed be his junior disciple. Yet, he knew the zombie spoke the truth. Even if it didn't wish to harm humans, encountering a higher-level zombie would result in it being controlled and causing harm.
Since the zombie saw death as a release, Xu Nuo didn't mind aiding it. However, one thing puzzled him, "If you care so much for your master, why summon me here to die by my hand? Shouldn't you wish to die by your master's hand?"
My master is you, Park Su thought but didn't voice. Instead, he replied with resignation, "My master holds you in the highest regard. He speaks of you most often. I don't want him to kill me because it would grieve him. If it were my master, he likely couldn't bring himself to do it.
After all, we've been together for so long, and he's been so kind to me. Seeing me like this would make him feel guilty, and I would feel I failed to protect myself, disappointing him. It's better to die by the hand of the one he cares for most."
Park Su mused that if he had turned into a zombie in his past life, Xu Nuo would have been saddened. He couldn't guarantee Xu Nuo wouldn't strike him, but he hoped Xu Nuo would care enough to spare him, even as a zombie.
In this world, he had to voice his hopes. Though this Xu Nuo wasn't the one he knew, speaking to him felt like the real Xu Nuo would do the same.
Xu Nuo, considering Park Su's words, found them reasonable and nodded, "I understand. If that's the case, I can see his perspective.
Though I've never taken a disciple, if I had one in this apocalypse, I wouldn't want them to become a zombie. If I truly cared for my disciple, I couldn't bear to kill them. Since that's the case, I'll grant your wish. This formation is the Nine-Turn Evil-Eliminating Formation, complex and powerful. Once activated, there's no turning back. In an instant, you'll be reduced to ashes. Are you ready?"
Park Su gazed into Xu Nuo's cold, chilling eyes, suddenly missing the warmth of his slanted, gentle gaze.
This Xu Nuo looked at him like a stranger. He longed to see that familiar gaze one last time before dying.
He sighed deeply, wondering what his other self was like in that world and if Xu Nuo would remember him. "I've been ready for two months. Just ensure my ring's contents are kept safe and given to my mother at the right time. Then you can proceed."
Xu Nuo nodded, "Rest assured, I will." He began forming the seals to activate the formation.
During this process, Park Su stood quietly, his sadness deepening, mingled with emotions Xu Nuo couldn't decipher.
Xu Nuo's hands hesitated momentarily, feeling reluctant. He frowned, knowing this wasn't a good sign. Despite being fellow disciples, Park Su was now a zombie, seeking death.
He reminded himself that he was fulfilling Park Su's wish, with no reason for hesitation. Resolving his thoughts, he quickened his movements.
The formation soon activated, surrounding them with glowing circles. Park Su was all too familiar with this sight, having watched zombies turn to ash within these circles.
Now, standing inside, he would become that pile of ash. Though this Xu Nuo wasn't his Xu Nuo, he couldn't help but whisper as the light enveloped him, "Xu Nuo, I truly like you and will miss you."
In the next moment, Park Su was reduced to a pile of ash, leaving behind a seventh-level zombie crystal nucleus. Xu Nuo, standing outside the formation, felt dazed. Had he heard correctly?
He slowly approached the formation, picking up the crystal nucleus, feeling its unprecedented heat. In the past, he would have absorbed it immediately, given the rarity of a seventh-level zombie crystal nucleus.
Each appearance of the crystal nuclei had always come at a high cost, but this time, he obtained it effortlessly. Reflecting on Park Su's final glance, he felt a strange impulse and placed the crystal nucleus into his spatial ring. He then leaped onto the tree to retrieve the ring that Park Su had left. To his surprise, the ring's design closely resembled his own; it was indeed one of the first spatial rings he had created.
Xu Nuo took out the letter Park Su had mentioned. Upon reading it, he found nothing extraordinary, no specific requests, not even a mention of the master Park Su had spoken of. Instead, it contained instructions to take care of himself and a detailed list of the rewards for killing him.
Though seemingly ordinary, the letter conveyed a sense of care that made Xu Nuo uncomfortable. It had been so long since anyone had shown concern for him, and now that someone did, it turned out to be a zombie—one he had just destroyed.
Xu Nuo left the forest with the letter, knowing that only time would reveal how deeply Park Su had affected him.
Meanwhile, as the white light engulfed Park Su, he felt nothing. In the next instant, he opened his eyes, perplexed. Had Xu Nuo spared him? He examined his hands, now normal in color. As he pondered, Green Ivy's cheerful voice rang in his dantian, "Park Su, you're finally awake! I've been searching your consciousness for days and couldn't find you. We were so scared; I thought I'd be doomed with you!"
Summoning Green Ivy out, Park Su saw its familiar blue form and realized he had returned. His life in the other world had ended. But where was he now? The surroundings were unfamiliar. Just as he sat up to ask Green Ivy, the door opened.
Xu Nuo stood at the entrance, momentarily stunned. He quickly approached, gripping Park Su's shoulders and examining him, "You're awake! Finally! Are you feeling alright? Do you need a doctor?"
Feeling the pain in his shoulders, Park Su confirmed his existence and Xu Nuo's genuine concern. Despite the surreal feeling, he noticed the change in Xu Nuo. Moments ago, Xu Nuo had coldly killed him, but now his eyes were filled with worry. The most shocking was Xu Nuo's gaunt appearance and stubble, indicating a long period of neglect—uncharacteristic of his usually meticulous self.
"What's happened to you? How long have I been asleep? Where are we?" Park Su asked, bewildered.
Xu Nuo patiently replied, "I'll explain everything shortly. First, tell me, do you feel any discomfort? Is your mind clear?"
Seeing Xu Nuo's anxious expression, Park Su quickly reassured him, "I feel fine, and my mind is clear."
Xu Nuo sighed in relief, his grip loosening slightly but not letting go, gently helping him lie down.