After three days of unknown slumber Xiao had finally woken up, the world around was still dull and grey while on a throne not far away Teresa sat humming around, Xiao's body was still, sitting cross-legged, nothing about him felt different, the projections around him had long since faded away, and finally Xiao opened his eyes.
Those deep dark black eyes with a hypnotic white in the middle finally opened, no feelings could be seen inside him, just dark null eye was all that opened up, on doing so Xiao just looked forward, and a few seconds later Xiao started to move his body, small cracking sounds being heard as his bones and body adjusted back.
Taking his time Xiao stood up, looking down at his hand he clenched and unclenched his hand, Xiao took a deep breath, feeling in the air, the blood in his body, the power that was filling him, and the rage that was threatening to burst out,
'My personality was being regressed'
Xiao thought, during his understanding, he had got the time to see the things he did in another view and he got to see many inconsistencies with himself, many actions that felt forced and against his ideas, it was then that he understood that his personality, he himself was a regressing in many things, becoming much more childish and playful.
A lot of the things he did wasn't even making sense now, why did his mother, Yun Lan, take Raena, Valencia's mother as her sworn sister just after a single day? his mother wasn't a trusting person, she was a ruthless woman who won't show her happy side to anyone other than her family, then there is Raena who had lost her faith in the world itself, how had she opened up to Yun Lan?
Now there was a higher question here, why did he just leave at it? Xiao wasn't one to leave things to chance, such a change wasn't something that could be shrugged off, it was something to be looked into, it was a serious question to ponder after, yet he didn't even ask his mother how they became sworn sisters, now that was pure bullshit.
If Xiao dug in deeper there are some actions that were starting to look foolish and stupid, he was now one of the strongest people in the lower heaven, why the hell was he staying with the Yun family, taking in their scorn and dislike for his family? after everything they did to his family why didn't he take revenge?
Xiao thought that just because things were of the past he didn't need revenge, was that truly the case?
No! that wasn't him at all, Xiao wanted to pay them all back, revenge was on his list but then why didn't he make any plans for it? why didn't he just kill everyone off and just moved away? and why was he being so lax? the change in Valencia's attitude was just left away, with the thought of leaving it for the future, why the hell should he do that?
If people left everything to the future, then would anyone grow stronger? Xiao knew at heart that issues if possible should be dealt with then and there, it was only after seeing through himself that he understood what a dangerous path he was walking, just the thought of what would have happened in the future was making him weary and the one he had to deal with the most would be....
'All-Seer, back then when we made the bet, did you know what I showed you?'
[Not completely but I had an inkling]
All-Seer replied,
'When I taunted you, I wasn't just the one acting was it?'
Xiao asked as his expression turned calm,
[Yes]
All-Seer replied in an emotionless voice, making Xiao smile in a ruthless manner,
'Will you tell me why?'
Xiao asked,
[No]
All-Seer replied but Xiao didn't retort, he kept his silence for some time before he asked again,
'Will you bring harm to my family?'
[No, even if I can't reveal everything just know that I am your ally]
All-Seer replied, its choice of words making Xiao smile coldly, his eyes flashing with several thoughts,
'Ally.....huh'
Xiao could read through the inner meaning wrapped around, back then when he moved to take in All-Seer, it was a dumb move, his chance of success was just about 50%, he could have died or he could have lived, it wasn't his choice to gamble with his life on a wimp, especially not after he had gotten the life he desired.
Yet he ended up taking that path anyway, his choice and his feelings, his desire they were somehow being manipulated with, Xiao focused on his hand as he willed something out, thus under his blinking eyes a small red cube manifested, its appearance looking dark and sinister,
'You wish to control me?'
Xiao questioned, during his inner awakening, he had found this within his soul, hidden too deep and well, during the time of his self-awakening he had delved into who he was, his soul and his self and he found this within him, this would have normally being something impossible to take away, as it had fused with his soul,
'If I am not wrong, this was placed on me when I met that so-called god'
Xiao's mind flashed back to his second death, where the 'God' gave him a second chance, if he comes to think of it, his actions from then on were a bit weird, he wasn't completely himself, if it wasn't for the chance of self-awakening and his gift over the power of the soul, this cube would have stuck to him, altering his entire personality without him ever knowing.
But what was affecting Xiao was the thing with his mother, was something done to her? Xiao's mind started to run around with the attitude that his mother was showing, in every way she was normal it was only weird when Valencia was involved,
'Valencia, is it related to her?'
Xiao's mother loved him too much to disrupt his wishes, if he asked for something she would do it without any restrain, yet just the day after he told him not to involve with Valencia and her mother, Xiao's mother ended up being sworn sister with Raena, there's also the sudden insistence from Yun Lan, her innate desire to set him up with Valencia, even after he expressed his distaste.
According to his mother's true behavior, she would have cut Valencia from her heart the moment Xiao spoke that he didn't like Valencia,
'Valencia are you involved in this?'
Xiao questioned but in the end, the answers couldn't be found here, he needed to head back and start to make true countermeasures, it was also time for him to plan out his revenge in the future, there would be a blood bath in the lower realm.
The Xiao right now was different than before, the limiters and controls that were placed on him were removed, and his broken personality of his was now combined into something more,
'Thanks, Reaper'
Xiao thanked the one person that let him change, if it wasn't for this, even he couldn't imagine how he would have ended up, a tool to the one that gave him his 'gifts', in the current situation Xiao couldn't deal with All-Seer, it was a part of him and he couldn't act on it without permission.
The good thing was that due to their bond All-Seer couldn't lie to him or show him false information because during his self-awakening he did something to mess with this ally of his and he is sure that All-Seer had felt it,
'So now you can't let me die right?'
Xiao asked with a thuggish smile,
[You got me good here]
All-Seer replied, how couldn't it when Xiao had made it that if he died that All-Seer would cease to exist, Xiao had enough of being played around with, it was time that he starts to play the same game back.
'I have a lot to deal with.....'
Knowing that his thought, actions, and everything about him were controlled, Xiao was beyond pissed, even more with the fact that he had even thoughts of not using his knowledge so as to not affect the 'plot', why shouldn't he use his advantages for himself? it's not like the 'characters' are his friends or something.
He will take what he wants and he will mess up this 'plot', the ones that controlled him didn't want him to mess with the flow of the true 'story' and Xiao has only one thing to say for those guys...
Fuck Off!!
If he does this that 'guy' might get weaker maybe he might even die but what does that have to do with him? so what if only the 'main character' could only deal with the issues of the future? was he Xiao to obediently place his fate in the hands of some stranger? was he like some obedient dog to run behind the 'plot' and make sure no changes happened?
'Hehehe....you want balance? you want to make sure that I won't go overboard?'
Xiao questioned himself, hoping his words would reach the one that wanted to control him, raising his head he clutched his hand tight, while his eyes narrowed,
'I will make sure to mess up this stupid control of yours, what you will be getting will be beyond what you could have ever thought!'
Xiao vowed, his eyes blazing with revenge in his cold calculative eyes, plans that would later shake the whole of the cosmos were beginning to birth in his mind but before that his eyes turned towards Teresa who was quietly looking at him from her throne, her eyes scanning him, trying to find out anything to be used.
Xiao looked at her, once again the both of them weighing each other out but this time Xiao's eyes weren't clouded over as before, standing straight he walked closer towards her, his small stature causing him to look up at her as she sat on her throne, Xiao could see that Teresa looked much more blurry than before,
"Boy, the thing before wa-"
"Let me stop you right there"
Xiao spoke raising his hand, making Teresa annoyed, making eye contact Xiao placed his hand down as he spoke,
"I know all the excuses that are going to come my way but let's be clear here, we both know how the world works, and what you were going to do was the most natural thing in the world"
Saying till here Xiao turned silent as both of them gazed at each other, soon a smile graced Teresa's face,
"I swear if you weren't in my domain and I know that no lies can be shown here, I would seriously wonder what you are, what kind of life did you go through?"
She asked with a hint of curiosity and admittance, to this Xiao shook his head as he continued,
"My life is mine and whatever I went through is mine, the only reason you even took this disrespect is because of my backing once again that's how it goes, the fear of the unknown is powerful"
"It indeed in"
Teresa said with a smile, seeing this Xiao too smiled,
"Since you tried to kill me I should do that too and you should know I really want to but I know that this is Li Lun's legacy, killing you will affect her path, in this cosmos the only one to teach her path is you"
"True"
Teresa agreed with a chuckle, she patiently waited for Xiao to lead the conversation to where he wanted, how could she not see that the boy was driving the conversation to get something for himself? if she couldn't see such an open play then she had lived in vain,
"So since I can't kill you, I want something else in return"
"What is it?"
Teresa asked, her eyes starting to shine as she gazed at the smile that was now splitting Xiao's face, a smile that was slowly beginning to wrap around her too. Raising his hand Xiao pointed at Teresa, a bloodthirsty smile blooming his face,
"Fight me"
"Oh~I pressure I will be holding back my strength and limiting it to your cultivation?"
Teresa asked with a prideful tone, the choice of being challenged birthing in her inner warrior, something that had just faded back with the loss of challenge in her life,
"It's been some time since I could go all out and fight and right now I am really pissed off, so I need to let off some steam"
Xiao spoke as he stretched his neck, his eyes staring to burn up,
"Being used to let off some steam, sigh.....how far have I fallen?"
? Teresa asked to this an annoying expression came to Xiao's face as he responded,
"Say that after you wipe the smile off your face"
"Ara~what smile~?"
Teresa said as she covered her mouth, her three eyes letting up in mischief,
"Looks like you are really happy to beat me up"
Xiao spoke seeing the radiant aura covering Teresa,
"Don't know what you are talking about"
She spoke after which she her throne disappeared and she landed on the ground, the land under Xiao started to get bigger and stronger, benefitting the fight that was about to take place, Li Lun who was still undergoing her rebirth was moved to a much more relaxing spot,
"Get beat up well, okay?"
Teresa said with a smirk, as a normal-looking bow appeared in her hand, the horn on her head seemingly lighting up, while the third eye on her forehead beamed,
"You are not even hiding it anymore"
Xiao replied as two swords appeared in his hand, ordinary swords of the same length, weight, and breadth, the cloak of death surrounding him became brighter, the red blood words written on them shinning which soon coated his two swords, both of the swords twisting before they became of two colors.
The sword Xiao held in his right hand was coated purple, an elegance, beauty, and pride filling the sword that now looked like a flame, on his left hand his other words became black, destruction, death, and danger being felt from it, holding the swords Xiao smiled,
"Astrid, Persefone, I am depending on you too"
Xiao spoke and to his response both the flames danced around wildly, Astrid was the name that Xiao gave to the purple flame, a name which it loved,
"This is going to be fun"
Teresa spoke and just as she did an arrow arrived an inch behind Xiao's head, a grey arrow burning with the power of void, just before it could reach Xiao his hands moved as he made a double cross behind him, cutting the arrow in two, his two flames destroying the arrow, albeit with some difficulty,
"Have to say, nice flames"
Teresa said as she held her bow on her shoulder, looking relaxed but Xiao wasn't fooled, his eyes narrowed in as he could see her body was tense and ready to move at any sign, she wasn't taking this battle lightly,
'A battle veteran, a cunning strategist, and a realistic fighter'
Within moments Xiao had analyzed Teresa's wide personality and possible fighting styles, the fighting style he had developed back in Ingrid coming back to him.
Among his skills, [Connection] had two sides both passive and active, the passive side making him feel more open and connecting, one that stayed open all the time, making him feel more connected to the people, while the active skill was placing a 'connection' on somebody, just like he did with his sister where he could share her pain, feelings, and suffering.
The rest of the skills were active skills that he needed to activate and for such activation, he needed the energy to sustain them, which Xiao along the road had found was his soul energy,
'Record and Analyze'
Xiao activated his second skill, his soul energy at a slow pace snapping away, soon Xiao started to record everything in his mind while analyzing all future paths that could be taken, his mind taking in all the characteristics of his opponent, and after the fight he would replay the fight within him, seeing what he could have done better,
"You are becoming more and more interesting"
Teresa said with a smile after which hundreds of arrows had already arrived around Xiao inches away for making him a porcupine but instead of fear Xiao smiled,
'This is going to be fun'
Xiao staying straight gazed at the arrows that were fast approaching him, time seemed to slow down as he peered into the hundreds of arrows that were already upon him, a fire lit up from his body within less than a second, the fire burning away all the arrows that wished him harm, it was a mixture of both purple and black.
For with only two of them combining was it possible for the void Qi arrows to be burned, as Xiao continues to awaken his flame a hint of his hair always turns to its color, by now Xiao had very small patches of purple added to his hair, a mixture of white, black and purple dominated his head,
"You're right, this is fun"
Teresa spoke as she blocked the purple-colored sword with the edge of her bow, the purple flame spreading to her, trying to burn her away, she wasn't given time as Xiao's left hand arrived with the flame of death, inching towards her heart, Teresa's eyes narrowed as the third eye on her forehead lit up in grey.
Xiao's senses screamed danger as he disappeared, stopping his attack and arriving back at where he stood, the ground cracked, and his eyes narrowed as he saw the place where he stood disintegrating, becoming nothing but particles,
"Not bad, kid"
Teresa praised as hundreds of such lights started to leave her third eye, their speed faster than one could imagine, to this Xiao smiled as the two flames on his swords hummed in desire, both of the blazing hotter as he moved his hands, deflecting each of the strikes with both his swords, he stood there at his place as both of his swords moved in a fluid motion.
Ting!....Ting!.....Ting!.....Ting!....
A circle-like dorm seemed to form around him as he kept waving the sword, his flames burning away the Qi that dared to harm the one they love, it was rapid as Xiao didn't move an inch not a single ray was capable of passing him as they were all met with his sword and finally after the 30th ray the blasting stopped.
Each of them still stood at a distance apart, their smiles now becoming identical, right now was just a small adjustment, a teasing to see each others beginning,
"Hope you don't disappoint"
Teresa said with a teasing smile as her body started to be covered with strange grey Qi, creating over her a battle-like armor, her horns grew larger, while she too increased a bit in size, beautiful grey wings burst forth from her back, both of them gracefully flapping themselves, a scaly dark tail appeared behind Teresa, the tail filled with spikes while in the end, it stopped with an arrow like symbol, perfect for piercing.
"When I was born all of the void realms trembled"
Teresa spoke, her transformation still taking place as all around her small portals started to open, the grey battle dress tightening around her, while the black color in her third eye on her forehead withdrew away,
"It was a time when war nigh and being born weak was a sin that none could bear"
She spoke with nostalgia, the whole of the realm trembling, the hundreds of portals opening, as bizarre creatures started to walk out of them, all of them having grey skins, a single grey honor grew on their forehead, they had humanoid shape with long nails and a single eyes with a mouth, a mouth so big that it could open up to swallow a single person, teeth filling its mouth to its inside neck,
"I have faced more challenges than you can imagine, walked on corpses of my enemies and friends until my name made even the gods weary"
The beasts as if by instincts started to walk behind Teresa, forming an army of thousands, the wings behind her opened wide, showing its every evolution for death, its ends being razor sharp, fangs started to proud from Teresa's mouth, venom dipping in them,
"In the age of slaughter I was among the three strongest to ever exist, all those that challenged me fading back to death, my powers grew until the realm of the void itself made me its monarch"
Teresa's transformation by now had finished, her long grey hair sharpening into blades that could kill, the grey armory making her deadly yet beautiful, the two horns on her that head looked cute grew with a sharpness to kill with a Peirce,
"They all called me a genius but did they see what I had lost? did they know the betrayal and death I had to go through? did they see how hard I worked to the point of dying to be strong?"
A certain Qi leaving Teresa as it started to infuse into the begins behind her, making them howl out as they started to shake, their body enlarging to about 10 meters tall, strength filling them as their very presence inspired fear, their mouth looking deadlier than ever,
"Massacre was my friends and power was my salvation, I grew till the point that the heavens had to acknowledge who I am, until it had to bestow me a name that trembled the generations to come, I am....
....Void Empress Of Endless End"
Just saying her name, across the real Void realm everything trembled, the commoners, the ruler to the god, each of them felt themselves be suppressed, Teresa smirked pointing her hand towards Xiao,
"I can enter any realm I want and kill, I take realms and destroy them, dry up life and crumble them, I am arrogant? then tell me who are you?"
Teresa asked Xiao who by now pointed both his swords down, his eyes at the beautiful yet deadly woman, whose each body part could kill, behind her stood a humongous army that if unleashed could wipe out life on the lower heaven and Xiao knew that these were just babies she could summon with her powers restricted to his,
'So you wish a battle of identity and power?'
Xiao mused, the talk she did wasn't random, it was the words of pride, each of her sentences was a declaration of who she is, the words representing how much she had worked to get here, it was her arrogance.
In other words, this was a fight with her pride on the line, it was also of one where she had a put on the name she had earned, telling who she truly is, in return Xiao needs to speak for who he really is, and what he is. Basically, she was using this chance to pull out his real backing for if he were to accept this challenge he would be putting in Reaper's name into this.
It was a fight of fate and pride, something which Xiao could refuse but in doing so it would bring down the power of the name that Death held, in reality, it wasn't much to Xiao or Reaper, for Teresa's value was just shit in front of the power that Reaper holds.
The power she built upon will only collapse on itself but Xiao didn't do so, he raised his head as he leveled with the woman in front of him, even more than her scheme what he could see was a true will to battle, a twinkle in her eyes from finding a worthy foe to fight, the third eye now had become completely grey, while her two eyes became filled with slits horizontally and vertically, making a cross.
Xiao had fought many battles, some prideful, some cheap and some deceitful but he had never enjoyed or danced upon his kill, for he knew when he kills he takes away the future of another, Xiao was a villain, someone born from circumstances,
"Your arrogance is well placed, who am I?"
Xiao asked, the skies around the realm turning dark, black never-ending darkness now radiating from him, blasting forth around and behind him, Teresa's momentum took a back seat, as from everywhere Xiao stood to his back turned darker than the abyss, notification of All-Seer passing in front him.
[The First Darkness Born From Death Awakens]
[The Warriors Of Valhalla responds to your plea!]
[The walkers of Death heed your call]
[The 21 lords that reign and guard over death and hell feel the realm of death being challenged]
[The beings Of Death Now Stands Behind Their Prince]
Under Teresa's widening eyes the darkness behind Xiao started to swirl around, a humongous dark palace arose from the darkness, its door having a huge lock on them which started to shake and crack before breaking apart, the huge black door trying its best to open.
[The host currently lacks enough power to pull out all the warriors in Valhalla, just one shall exit]
And just as promised just one did, one that changed the atmosphere.
As the doors of Valhalla opened a single individual burst out from the door, the darkness moving in its wake, a man with thick brown hair that fell over his shoulder, his beard falling to his chest, while his bare chest looked chiseled as it lay bare to the world to feast upon, he was at least 2 meters tall.
He looked human except for his huge size, the man's green eyes possessing wisdom and viciousness, his bottom covered by a tunic, while kept on his shoulder was a huge hammer that was double the man's size.
Surrounded by the darkness that surrounded him he took calm steps towards Xiao, his eyes taking in the enemies that stood before him, each of his steps shaking the grounds he walked on, his weight cracking the very space that held everything, the surroundings shifted and barked to the strength that the man wields as he walked,
"#$%^&*(#$%^&*#$%^&"
Coming close to Xiao the man spoke as he kneeled down, placing the hammer on his shoulder on the ground in respect, just the movement of the hammer causing cracks to spread across the ground, the words he spoke were incomprehensible to Teresa but to Xiao they were smooth and easy to understand,
"Orion meets the prince"
The sight was quite comical to see, the humongous man kneeling to the little boy who didn't even reach the height of the man's knees but Teresa couldn't find it in herself to make fun or laugh, not when the feeling of death was surrounding her, just one glance at the man and she knew she wasn't his match, he could kill her as he desire, at least with her current power locked,
"Arise and fight"
Xiao spoke as he nodded, his words bringing understanding to Orion as he lifted his hammer back to his shoulder, he standing straight behind Xiao, his eyes peering at the enemies that he was to face, Orion once again felt the rush of battle that he had long lost, even in peaceful rest, the warriors of Valhalla dreamed of taking their weapons to battle and after a long time, they once more had somebody to fight and protect.
But this was just the beginning of Xiao's call, the darkness that was behind him started to swirl around before which beings that could threaten all life rose from death, all of them covered with darkness itself as the ones called upon had black and red armor upon them, only their dead dreadful eyes could be seen,
"Prince I am more than enough to take them all on"
Orion said as he gazed at the death walkers that were beginning to appear, hearing this Xiao looked at the army behind Teresa their wild natures being suppressed,
"I know but I just want to flex"
Xiao spoke with a neutral face making Orion flinch, his eyes going to the army in front of him before focusing on the one that was gathering behind him,
"Sigh...children, this is why I didn't have one"
Orion mumbles making Xiao's lips twitch, he couldn't be blamed for this, it was every man's dream to have an army rise behind them to fight, excuse him for living the dream. Just like Teresa, the ones he could summon are limited in power, how could any being that thrives on death be weak? the power of Orion and the ones he summoned were just limited by his own weakness.
Soon an army that surpassed Teresa had formed behind Xiao, their dead eyes looking at the enemy of their prince, the death energy swirling around them, destroying the void Qi into bits, sure void Qi had to power to decimate and destroy but even they had 'death' to them, nothing could escape the cycle of death, not even chaos and balance,
"Who am I?"
Xiao asked back as he pointed both his swords forward, the beings behind him rising in momentum while the army behind Teresa had long since started to tremble, they could feel their death approaching,
"I am the guy that deals with the friends and enemies that you have killed"
Xiao spoke as he slowly started to raise his swords up, his eyes focusing on Teresa whose face had now turned stony,
"I am the guy that the ones you killed fear even in death"
"I am just a prince born from circumstances"
As Xiao spoke his final words the beautiful black crown appeared above his head as both his sword fell down and then the world trembled.
The army behind Xiao moved faster than the enemies could react, in the face of the creatures of death, the creatures of void could only be massacred without fighting back, even with their humongous size and raised power they were killed and pushed aside, Orion just walked through the enemies were within seconds each of the void creatures just turned to pulp.
Under the eyes of Teresa, the army behind her dwindles faster than she could react but even on this she was unharmed, it looked planned as all around her a circle had formed not a single being moving towards her and when her head turned to her side she could see Xiao standing before her at a distance.
The small child was once again looking at her but this time Teresa felt like an ant gazing at a giant,
"Let's make this fun, right?"
Xiao asked as he pointed his swords forward, seeing this Teresa closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. When she opened them again only calmness could be seen in her eyes, as a smile took her face,
"You're right, let's just enjoy"
Saying so the wings on her back flapped as she reached the sky in a second, the bow in her hand shining, while her eyes focused in front, no words were spoken before them as a space tore around Xiao, after which Teresa snapped her fingers causing powerful attacks to burst forth from within these cracks.
Xiao's body flashed as his spiritual power leaked out of him, forming a blue domain around him that was enhanced by his soul energy, making it such that none of the attacks reached him.
'Absorb barrier a Tier 1 world control'
None of the attacks were able to hit Xiao but he didn't relax as he cut his sword to the right, blocking an arrow that appeared,
"Endless Fall Of End"
Teresa's words were heard as Xiao looked above and for the first time he was able to see Teresa using her bow, a single arrow nocked to her bow before she let go, it was as if the sky was lit grey as by the time the arrow touched the barrier millions more of the arrow followed its path and hit upon Xiao, the barrier wasn't even able to hold on for a seconds before breaking apart, hitting Xiao with the arrows and the attack that was arriving at him from space,
"Sizzling Divider Of Beginning"
Xiao called out as his fire Qi burned bright, making his sword shine as his two flames danced with joy, a hint of his death qi combined with his attack, an attack colored with black, purple, and death took part as a surging current surrounded Xiao as he made a slashing motion around him, burning away every attack and even space!
Ting!
His left hand moved as his sword blocked Teresa's tail end that aimed for Xiao's heart, he wasn't even given time to recover from his attack as the sharp edges of Teresa's wings slashed to his eyes, prompting Xiao to raise a wall of fire above him as his other hand was blocked by Teresa's other wing.
But Teresa didn't back down as her wings charred and burned yet her wings reached towards Xiao's eyes,
Splash!
Blood had been drawn.
Blood splashed from Xiao's shoulder, pierced by Teresa's wings but she didn't come out unscathed as a spike rock pillar had grown from the ground and pierced her back.
Worldly control Tier 1: Spikey Rockey
"Huh.....not bad"
Teresa spoke to which Xiao smiled, her void Qi acting up as it disintegrated the rock pillar that had priced her while making a distance as another pillar rose from where she stood,
"Tsk"
Xiao clicked his tongue at the miss, the wound on his shoulder had already begun to heal.
Worldy Control Tier 1: Minor Healing
Focusing his powers on his legs Xiao disappeared as he appeared in front of Teresa wielding down his swords to her neck, which was quickly blocked by her wings, her tail snipping towards his head, due to the size difference just her tail moving towards him as big enough to puncture him whole.
Worldy Control Tier 1: Shift
Just as he cast his position changed as Xiao appeared behind Teresa, the swords making an X on his chest as he waved them forth sending forth a blast that hit Teresa on her back, her body breaking into particles but before he could even react two sharp wing edges were at his neck, while a tail was aimed at his back, Xiao was completely mobilized,
"I was in your grasp from the very beginning?"
Xiao asked, calm even though death could meet him anytime,
"Yes but even then it was a good fight, didn't you already see through it?"
Teresa spoke with an impressed tone making Xiao smile as he responded,
"I did but by that time I was already in your trap"
As he said so Teresa let go of him, her battle form starting to revert back to normal, by now all of the ones that she summoned were already killed,
"I have lost"
Teresa spoke as she looked around her, the army of the dead gazing at her with utmost focus a single order from Xiao and they would all attack her, of course, that was if she was still limiting her powers to his, in this domain she was still a god, though a loss was a loss,
"No, I have lost too, how about we call it a draw?"
Xiao asked as his swords disappeared from his hand as he moved forward for a handshake, he was not at all pissed about his loss, if he could win then would Xiao be surprised. Teresa was someone that had reached the top, she had reached such a position through battles, schemes, and growth.
While Xiao agrees that his battle talent is high, he hadn't reached the level where he could win one of one with a being that had battled for millions of years, thinking so was just plain stupid, the level of planning and ideas a person such as Teresa has is beyond what Xiao could ever dream about but even then he was able to hurt her a bit, that was more than enough to satisfy him,
"Never thought there would come such a day"
Teresa spoke as by now she had returned to her true form, looking beautiful, standing taller than the little boy in front of her, she shook his small hands with a smile,
"It was an entertaining fight"
Teresa spoke,
"Give me time, one day I might kick your ass, one on one"
"Please, dream realistic"
Teresa said with a snort as she took her hand away but Xiao could feel that she herself was anticipating that day, in the one on one fight every action she did to her small movements was done to guide Xiao's level of thought and style, even if Xiao knew about it he could only helplessly play to her rhythm,
'Manh...these guys that live for so long are dangerous'
Xiao mused but he wasn't scared, with his ability to devour the soul, he could easily increase the level of his fighting, it's just that swallowing up the soul of a master doesn't mean that he could immediately use them, he has to take his time to get his body used to the movements, moreover, Xiao hadn't grown completely yet, his optimal power has yet to be reached,
"You can all return"
Xiao commanded and just as he did the darkness started to retreat as it returned to his body, the deathwalkers started to return to the realm of death, and before leaving Orion gave a nod, walking back to Valhalla, waiting for another battle,
"Even I can't understand your background, just who are you?"
Teresa asked with an intriguing tone, Xiao didn't reply, opting not to speak out about it, the crown on his head started to fade as it disappeared, Xiao now was just wearing his cloak of death,
"How long until Li Lun awakens?"
Xiao asked making Teresa pout, shaking her head she spoke,
"Sigh.....kids, she will wake up in about a day, be ready to be surprised"
"Yeah, sure....sure"
Waving his hand off Xiao sat cross-legged on the ground as he started to digest all that he had learned. Seeing that Xiao was diving into himself Teresa didn't say much as her throne returned and she sat on it but just as she did her relaxed expression crumbled apart, as sweat started to leak from her head, her hands and legs too were trembling,
"Damn it! calm down!"
Teresa spoke to herself trying to calm down, she didn't show it but the moment Xiao had released his crown, a supreme pressure of death crushed upon Teresa, memories of a bad past flashing within her mind,
"It's just a similar aura but Xiao isn't related"
Teresa spoke to herself, her manner changing from boy to Xiao, she held herself within, if the boy was related to 'it' she would have killed him, even if it meant her death, exhaling Teresa finally gained her calm, her eyes flashing to her successor,
"Girl you really love someone very very dangerous"
Teresa spoke, only she knew what horrors were flashing through her mind. Meanwhile, Xiao was dealing with himself,
'All-Seer show me all the notifications you are holding back'
Xiao asked and just as he did several notifications started to pass in front of him, it took some time before which he was able to focus on them.
[Host had undergone the awakening of supreme understanding of oneself]
==================
Title: Supreme Understanding Of Oneself
Description: Coming to understating oneself in a way like no other, your faults, the points you consider good, the guilts in your heart, everything was accepted by one.
Advantages:
-->The host shall never be affected by any kind of illusions
-->Host's heart shall never weaver or doubt.
-->Heart Demons shall never find their way to you
-->It's impossible now to manipulate or control the host in any way. Even the charm of Gods shall not sway your heart.
-->Your path towards Godhood has now opened a bit.
-->Every understanding you have right now will be increased by a single level.
-->A unique path only belonging to you can now be walked.
==================
[All of the hosts current law and understanding have now rose]
[All of the host's current laws and understanding have now rose]
Hearing such a message Xiao didn't have much reaction, he had felt the rise in his abilities, his understanding of his flames rose, the laws that obscured him became much more clear, his martial techniques rose, and even his understanding of Omega Asuras Wrath increased, making Xiao understand its depth even more,
'There's a lot for me to digest'
The rise in power he got was humongous, his cultivation might have not increased but his abilities and strength have definitely taken two steps forward but none of this compared to him removing the trap that was placed on him, how would have things ended up if he didn't know? just thinking of this was pissing Xiao off more,
'Omega Asuras Wrath, just what are you?'
Xiao questioned, if he had real control over him, he wouldn't have taken up this cultivation technique, unknown power is far too dangerous, and the mystery behind this technique was too blurry but what had done was done, he couldn't even stop cultivating it as this was a one-way path, there was no going back, not from this technique,
'Wrath of an Asura will burn everything, it is a power capable of taking everything down with it, there is nothing more dangerous than its wrath, as an Asura's fire will make everything crumble'
The words played in Xiao's mind, coming smoothly to him, it was the next path that he had to take but reading the number of materials he requires to move forward almost made Xiao faint,
'Why don't you just rob me?!'
Complain was all he could do, as the greater the power higher will be the cost of wielding it, though if Xiao were to think, he still hasn't tapped into all of his potentials, his mental and soul power was severely lagging behind, consuming souls will give him their techniques and experience but he still has to cultivate all these powers.
Xiao has a wide range of abilities and strength, he was just being held back by himself, even above that he still has his own death army to raise, not an army from the realm of death but one solely belonging to him, an army raised from his kill and power, an army that only answered to him, one that will rise to become his strongest card,
'Should I visit the district of the zombies within the death realm?'
Xiao mused, the zombies that thrive in the realm of death are not to be messed with, they are not much different from humans, any zombie that lives in the death realm is at the peak of their power and had reached the zenith of their evolution,
'Will put that on the do list'
Doing so Xiao had another issue that he was keeping at bay, it was the battle for his evolution, if Xiao were to enter the next realm he is required to go through an evolution challenge, each climb into the next realm requires, so as you increase your standing in the cosmos, slowly climbing from a moral to a God,
'This time it won't be easy'
An evolution challenge is normally bestowed upon by the Heavens itself, the current law keeper of the cosmos, the darling child of the Heavenly Tree, the path of evolution is different in different realms, every being has to do the same, even the ones born to the higher realm will at one point go through an evolution.
It was not just an evolution, it is a common way of gifting you a path to walk on, every being has a limit set upon, and to break that limit evolution and a path needs to be chosen, the path you chose determines your future, in normal cases, a single choice is given but to the talents of the cosmos their path varies.
The point here is that those born at the top might not know when their evolution might start, it is the small price they had to endure for having everything at birth, unlike the ones that have to climb from the bottom.
Each specific individual in the cosmos has its own limit of evolution but that specific number remains unknown, only when you reach the end will you know that you have hit a wall,
'But it would seem that it's a bit different for me'
===============
Host's possible paths of evolution have been studied and confirmed, With the achievements, talents, fate, status, blessing, and growth you have earned until now, a path you can take is now seen, select the path you wish and a befitting trial will be given to you:
-->Option 1: Raging Humanrion Of Fire
-->Option 2: Fate Defying Divider
-->Option 3: Fire and Death Chaoser
-->Option 4: Asura's Wrath Wielder
-->Option 5: Cosmic Divider of Fate
-->Option 6: Sword Of Fire And Death
-->Option 7: Life Holder Of End
-->Option 8: Fledgling Of Chaos And Darkness
-->Option 9: Walker Of All Power
-->Option 10: Bringer Of End
===============
'Wow, this might make a legend to be itched'
Xiao exclaimed as he read the evolution paths he could take, in his past life, he had just one option it being 'Medium Human', just a worthless evolution that was well useless, it has another evolution 'High Human', it couldn't be helped that the ways in which he got stronger weren't that well, even the evolution for those he barely escaped with his life, the list he was looking at even went down, each name becoming terrifying than the other,
'All of their power is humongous, if I chose anyone of them I could go toe to toe with even Origins'
Xiao broadened over the choices, if he chose one then the whole of his body would change according to his evolution, it was a rebirth of the sort, and seeing the choices Xiao has, he was sure that his trial will be hell but even with all of these enticing choices Xiao's eyes always landed on an option not provided by the heavens.
===============
Title: Path Of Unknown
Description: As someone that has lived over death twice, someone of slaughter, someone that can walk many paths, someone deemed as the Prince Of Death, and as someone that has awakened a supreme understanding of himself, the host is capable of creating his own evolutionary path to walk. Capable of evolving to a being that has not ever been seen ever before.
??Host will be the first of his species, a progenitor of the path, a supreme overload of all that wish to follow your evolution. This is a gift that rose due to several situations that shouldn't have taken place. The #$%^&* has given you a chance, a chance to break the norms.
Caution: Choosing such a path would mean that all help from the cosmos itself will be cut off, and the host will be evolving into a being that isn't marked or known, hence the future evolutions will all depend on the host himself. The limit of this evolution lay on the host.
Advantage: You shall be capable of reaching the realm of power blocked to all of creation, a power that is only wielded by the first concepts, a power to affect reality as a whole.
===============
'This is a very risky path'
Xiao was torn on his choice, it was not like he had to choose now for he had no desire to reach the second higher realm but it was always better to get a thought on before itself, the paths he had to choose for his evolution had only reached him now, this was confusing on its own, normally the paths of evolution directly entrees one's mind as you just have to think about it,
'I can't half-ass this, I have to be sure before I choose'
For now, Xiao would read through all of his evolutionary path and then he would choose, this chance of his was too precious to waste on impulse,
'What is the other notification?'
Xiao asked,
[The Void Empress of Endless End as gifted you with...]
'It's quite good'
Xiao thought as he read through the 'gift' that Teresa has given him, if used well it could be a good part of his strength,
'She's a good person to have as an ally'
Xiao pondered over, now that his mind was not clouded over anymore he could think and plan well more.
========================
Gift of the Void Empress Of Endless End
Power: Addition of the attribute of disintegration and destruction.
Description: Thanks to the blessing of Teresa, the host is now capable of adding some of the properties of Void Qi to his attacks, making them much more deadly.
*If the host is near to Li Lun when he uses his blessing, then his powers over void would multiply over ten times
========================
The last part of Xiao's 'gift' was making his lips twitch, he could blatantly see the scheme being cooked here but he didn't reject the blessing, power was power, and he wasn't going to reject it over such a childish reason,
'I have to go through the battle'
Thinking so Xiao took a deep breath as he entered his mindscape, soon the replica of the past battle was formed, as Xiao started to replay the battle that he recorded in his mind, his eyes focusing on each of the movements and issues from the battle, the more he watched the more he shook his head,
'I have been wasteful'
Xiao understood, since it was his first time calling upon his 'subjects' to the real world, Xiao had gotten a bit more excited thus not giving proper instructions in the battle, the army he called upon was his and as its commander, it was his responsibility to make sure that his soldiers fought in an effective way that reduced deaths.
Though in this case, the army he called upon is dead...
'sigh...no use crying over spilled milk'
Thinking so Xiao rebuilt the fight from before, making a similar situation again, this time Xiao wanted to finish the battle sooner and in a more effective manner, back in Ingrid due to his mercenary status he had learned a lot about leading battles, commanding and planning, thus he was effectively able to plan a better fight.
It was much more fluid now since Xiao knew much more about Teresa, thus granting him an edge,
'hum....looks like I will need to swallow up the souls of some great generals'
There were several things he was lacking on and he needs to decrease his weakness bit by bit, as such Xiao went into deep practice, his mind understanding every growth within his power, slowly adjusting to his growth, Xiao within his mindscape started to learn all his power, as such time passed by as a new day began.
Just as it did a deep rumbling shook the realm Xiao was in, thus finally taking him out of his training, still sitting cross-legged Xiao opened his eyes, both of them flashing with different colors, he was now much calmer than before, his presence looked a bit more frightening and dangerous.
The aura that Xiao gave off was a mixture of inconsistencies that took people's attention no matter where he stood, the passive connecting feeling of his was combined with the natural aura of danger and fire given off by his cultivation technique, this was also combined with the natural presence of death, the presence of his status giving him a prideful and a dangerous feel.
Each of these sensations was combined with Xiao, all of them coming together to give him a natural feel that swayed once heart and focus, Xiao's long hair sprawled on his back as he stood up, slowly stretching his body to get its feel back,
'Manh...sitting like this is indeed boring'
Xiao complained as his eyes moved towards the cocoon that held Li Lun, it was shaking and several cracks could be seen in it,
"She will be out soon"
Teresa spoke as she appeared beside Xiao, who nodded his head at her words, his eyes focusing on the girl that would soon be reborn, a girl who after even though brief time will be able to gaze at the world, a girl who will be reborn strong,
"Won't you see her?"
Xiao asked as he saw Teresa's body getting a bit blurry,
"No, something tells me the first thing she wants to see isn't me"
Teresa spoke with a mischievous tone before her entire body disappeared, leaving Xiao facing a cocoon that was descending to the ground, reaching his level as the cracks around it started to spread wide, a subtle grey light leaving the cocoon,
'This will be a mess'
Xiao mused and as he did the cracks filled every edge of the cocoon before it burst open, a vibrant light filling Xiao's face and forcing him to close his eyes, it took a moment before which he was able to open them,
'Thank god she's clothed'
Xiao thought, even though they weren't the same cloth she wore before awakening, it was still clothing but then Xiao's eyes focused on Li Lun herself making him take a deep breath at her change.
The current her didn't look feeble at all, as her body floated above the ground, her black hair had now turned beautiful shinning grey, her body seen through her dress was white and supple, and her face even when ten looked beautiful enough to take anyone's attention, perfect symmetric features, cute pointed nose, red lips.
Right now she didn't arouse any lust but a feeling of awe, Xiao's sure that as she grows her beauty would smite everyone that gazes at her. But within this what caught Xiao's main focus was the third eye on her forehead, right now it was closed along with her other two eyes,
'What's her power now?'
Xiao thought as he peeked into the current her.
===Status===
Name: Li Lun
Title: Pitiful child, Cursed Body, Blind baggage.....etc
Alignment: Neutral
Cultivation: Heaven Core Realm-[Level. 2](Currently Allowed)
Legacy: Void Of Endless End
Bloodline: Void End Monrcah
Physique: Endless Fall Of Void
Heavenly Eye: Void Eye
Affinity: Void, Earth, Chaotic Wind
Power level: Supreme Tier Supreme
Specialties: Realm Destroying Shot, Disintegrating End, void Call
Qi Type: Void Qi, Erath Qi, Chaotic wind Qi
--> Profession :
[Archery]-High realm of mastery
[Void Caller]-the minor realm of mastery
--> Cultivation Manual :
[Realm Tearing Void]-Minor realm of mastery
-->Martial Manual:
[Perfect Shot]-Minor realm of mastery
[Void Steps]-Minor realm of mastery
[Ending Call]-Perfect realm of mastery
[Chaotic Wind Sniff]-Perfect realm of mastery
.
.
.
--> Skills: None
-->Familiars: None
=====
'This is good'
Xiao thought as he gazed at the status of Li Lun, some of the power she had even he didn't know what they meant but he could tell that she had undergone a complete rebirth, strictly speaking, she was no longer human, she had turned into the highest level of void being,
'What's up with her cultivation?'
Xiao asked to All-Seer.
[It's not her true cultivation, it's restricted to this current level]
'Must be Teresa's doing'
While Xiao thought so as Li Lun's body slowly started to descend as she reached the ground, her dainty feet touching the ground, while the grey one-piece dress suited around her, her two eyes started to flutter as they slowly started to open, and the first thing her eyes gazing on being Xiao.
Li Lun who had undergone her rebirth was slowly opening her eyes, during the time she underwent her rebirth, her mind was hazy and lost, she could feel the changes in her body, while its effects, advantages, and disadvantages filled her mind, making her understand who she was becoming.
Information about the cosmos and stuff she never knew about filled her mind, making her understand just how small and powerless she is, this also meant she had understood just how high an opportunity she was receiving, the humongous power filled her body, changing it to fit a Qi that's feared everywhere.
Each of these emotions, information, and desire was overwhelming Li Lun she knew what she would be once this process stops but even in all this a single looming thought dominated her,
'I will be able to see him!'
This thought was burning her mind, body, and soul, Li Lun had seen Xiao before she lost her eyes but she had heard from the talks about how much Xiao had changed after he started cultivating, his looks spread about far and wide, gathering a lot of buzz.
At this moment it wasn't the supreme power that she would receive, it wasn't the prospects of the future and it wasn't about seeing the world, none of these were her main concerns, right now all she desired was to finish her awakening such that she would be able to gaze at Xiao, to know how the person she loved currently looks.
Li Lun had dreamt of the moment ever since she fell in love, her mind had created several prospects of how Xiao will look once he grew up and now the dream she longed for will finally come true.
With severe difficulty Li Lun's trembling eyes started to open, revealing two beautiful amethyst pairs of eyes, they seemed to shine and sparkle, a pair of eyes that just gazing at them would make people desire them.
At first, as Li Lun opened her eyes confusion filled them, different colors assaulting her gaze that she flinched, the unusual world of colors that she had long forgotten about was filling her, making her close her eyes once more,
"Are you okay?"
It was then she felt Xiao's familiar voice around her, her hand moved by instinct as she held his hand, even though her sight had returned, her enhanced natural senses still remained, she could feel his familiar aura, scent, and heartbeat, somehow it had only gotten stronger with her, making her cherish everything she was feeling,
"I-I am fine, just a bit unused to the light"
Li Lun replied,
"Then take your time, I am here to help if you need any"
Xiao said as he held her hand tight, feeling so a stunning smile gracing Li Lun's face as she nodded her head,
"Um, I know"
Saying so she took a deep breath as she once again tried to open her eyes, the colors affecting her once more as she closed them up again but it was better than before, soon bit by bit she started to open her eyes, this time her sight having adjusted, slowly but surely everything was filling her gaze and the thing that came first to her view was the face of a boy that looked familiar yet not,
"Xiao?"
Li Lun spoke in a choked-up voice, as small pools of tears gathered in her eyes, seeing this Xiao smiled wryly as he washed up some of her tears,
"Look at this, you have grown so strong yet you're still a cry baby"
Li Lun's mind went blank as she saw Xiao's smile,
'So handsome!'
Li Lun thought, in truth, Xiao was cuter than handsome right now but to a budding lover, Xiao would look handsome no matter how he was but adding to his true looks? well, that was more than enough to raise Li Lun's heartbeat as a furious blush took her face,
'He's taller than before, his hair is different, his cheeks have sunk and he's amazing!'
All the imagination of Xiao's looks had shattered upon gazing at his real face, imprinting it into her mind, her beautiful gem-like eyes focused on Xiao, scrutinizing everything about him, his face, his hair, his body, she was making sure to remember them all,
"Am I that interesting to gaze upon?"
Xiao asked with amusement, gaining an unconscious answer from Li Lun,
"Yes I can look at you forever"
As soon as she said so her ears that was a bit more pointed even turned red but she didn't deny it as she looked straight into Xiao's eyes that were pulling her in,
'Atta girl! keep attacking his heart, you got this!'
Teresa thought as she gazed at this from above, hidden from sight, she was waving her hands forth as she lamented the fact that she didn't have a beverage to drink as she enjoyed this budding romance.
Meanwhile, Xiao could only gaze at the infatuated Li Lun with a smile, he wasn't going to reject her feelings for he knew he didn't have a way back, he had expected her feelings to fade with time and mostly he didn't want anything to do with her because he feared the challenges that might come his way if he was to accept her love.
But those thoughts had flown out the window the moment he took Yurou to himself and awakened his bloodline, who was he to fear within the cosmos? it should be others who should be fearing him now,
'Though I need to tell her about Yurou'
Although Xiao thought so he didn't speak out, not now anyways, this was the moment that Li Lun was gaining her second lease on life, how could he relate it to the part where her fiance speaks to her about the fact that he already has someone that he loves? yeah, he ain't that stupid,
'Wait, come to think of it, I know what kind of woman she will turn into, then why did I even think of rejecting her love?'
Xiao thought, sure he loves Yurou but he wasn't some saint bastard that thought he can't fall in love with another, everything about Li Lun was perfect and he knows that her love for him is true, so why the hell should he push her away?
'Wait, it would seem that the cube was even making my senses and reasoning dull, how could I have not seen the signs?'
Xiao wasn't dense, he should have known that acting in such a way with Yurou and Li Lun will lead to them developing feelings for him, yet why didn't he see it?
'Wait why do I feel like I am forgetting something...'
Xiao thought as his mind churned back into his life it was then that a supple little figure filled his mind,
'Xuanyin!'
Reaching here Xiao felt his body shudder and his mind shake,
'No, I can't jump to a conclusion yet, even if my actions have made her happy, it shouldn't lead to feelings above that of siblings'
Xiao calmed down over such thoughts, such feelings are very rare to develop, it was to only take place when the person was isolated, had heavy suffering, had feelings repressed, and only has one outlet of freedom...
Reaching till here Xiao's thoughts froze as his mind slow down,
'I'm fucked aren't I?'
The cube that was within Xiao was only guiding certain actions of Xiao and blinding over him, like a cover that was restricting him from understanding some things, it was as if his sharpness and his abilities to see around him had been masked over, hence not all actions Xiao took was out of a control beyond him.
He made a 'connection' with his sister because he indeed wanted to share her pain and get close to her as her brother, he wanted to make up for the useless brother he was, he did talk and help Yurou because he considered her as a good child, an innocent little girl that stuck to his side even when the rest of his family was avoiding him.
He helped Li Lun because he owed her a favor for saving his life, plus after reading through the Heavenly Opposers he understood the life she had lived, it had somehow connected with his thus making him want to help her.
Of course even above this, he did have a hidden intention of getting Li Lun's gratitude, he knew how powerful she will be and what was bad with having a favor of such a woman? but what the cube did was make him unable to realize the effect of many of his actions.
How couldn't his wild and helpful action not make such innocent budding girls, facing despair not fall in love with him? in the depth of despair the one that grants you the light will have a high standing on you, now with Xiao's certain actions it was more probable to say that he was guiding a very dangerous feeling,
'Who am I kidding? with Li Lun I wanted her for myself'
Xiao mused, with his awakening, he had come to understand himself more, he knew what he wanted and the things he had to do to get them,
"Xiao are you okay?"
Suddenly Li Lun called out to him, making him come out of his thoughts as he smiled at her,
"No, I am fine, I was just lost in how beautiful you look now"
His words had an immediate effect as Li Lun had a silly smile on her face as she jumped to him,
"Xiao!"
Calling so her body was now on him as she hugged him, her hands around his chest while her head lovingly stayed on his chest, seeing that Xiao patted her back with his hand,
'If Yurou was to see this she will definitely go on a killing spree'
Xiao chuckled at his thoughts, not at all fearing Yurou's outburst, with the cube removed and he coming to understand himself better, he came to see what kind of girl Yurou had become, with their connection he understood how heavy Yurou's love is and he wasn't off put by it maybe he even liked it a bit?
? Yup Xiao had come to realize something very important, its that.....
....he's crazy...
After going through something Xiao has, you don't come out without your own demons and craze, the cube's main function was to hold those demons and desires at bay but it had backfired spectacular, not only had those 'defects' let free but with a supreme understanding of oneself, Xiao had ventured onto more deadly feelings and growth.
But just as he was patting Li Lun's back she separated her body from him, her hands still holding his chest, her fingers holding onto his clothes while her determined eyes looked deeply into Xiao's, taking a deep breath she slowly started to say,
"Xiao, I love you"
'Damn girl! nice shot!'
Teresa whistled as she watched the one-shot attack of Li Lun's, Teresa clutched her chin as she nodded her head with a satisfied look,
'That's my successor, looks like I will have to alter some of my plans....hehehe'
In this regard Teresa wasn't much sane too, you will lose a screw or two in your head after living in an era of slaughter and death.
While Teresa's mind wandered about Austin gazed at the stunning little girl in front of him, her trembling hands holding onto his shirt, from the tip of her ears to her neck was red, her beautiful gem-like amethyst eyes hazy and blurry, her lips were pursed after her words, while she with trepidation looked at Xiao who was now looking at her with a neutral gaze.
But that didn't last for long, as his hands moved and held over Li Lun's hand on his chest, his eyes gained a sharpness as he gazed at Li Lun,
"Li Lun"
He called out,
"Ye-Yes?"
She replied with nervousness,
"I like you but I don't love you"
He said making Li Lun lose all the color on her face as her knees weakened, she would have fallen off if it weren't for Xiao's support but he wasn't done speaking, holding her tight he continued,
"But I am willing to fall in love with you..."
The last of his words brought the entirety of Li Lun's life back, she who felt that her world was collapsing on itself before which it was raised back up, her body now completely losing strength as she leaned onto Xiao, whose body, heat, and scent were, is and forever will be something that was calming to her.
Seeing the situation of Li Lun Xiao inwardly shook his head,
'Where did my talk of not having entire dependence on one go?'
Even though he thought so he knew that his ideas were baseless, Li Lun was still young, after living a life of failure she had just started to rise from the ashes, as time goes by confidence would find her naturally, upon so she will gain more power and will within her to fight for herself, mere words won't be enough to pull her down.
Xiao didn't want to lie to her about his feelings, when he said he liked her he meant it but the like wasn't actually centered around romance, it was a general like, actually in the past Xiao did have a crush on Li Lun, he could still remember the scene where he saw her fighting against a single humongous army.
Her back stood tall as all those that faced her received only death, in her peak Li Lun had even taken down an entire realm, thus erasing innumerable lives. Though the feelings he had for her had faded a long time ago.
If everything were to go well Xiao and she might be spending a long time together and he didn't want to start such a life with lies and deceit, Li Lun deserved much more than that after everything she had gone through.
Though Xiao was sure that his life will be very rocky, he could already see it, the introduction between them,
'Hey Li Lun, this is my lover! the one before you! yeah I kinda cheated on you'
'Hey Yurou, this is Li Lun, yup, you know my fiancee right? long story short we are still together, and you two will be sister-wives!'
Yeah....Xiao could already see it, an entire realm vanishing but he wasn't backing down, he liked the challenge,
'Come to think of it, there are a lot of powerful girls in trouble at this time, aren't there?'
Such thought hidden from all brought a very very evil smile across Xiao's face, if one was to think he didn't have desires then they were very mistaken if one was to think that his self-awakening had made him better then they were mistaken.
Xiao's a villain through and through, the awakening had just shown him, how much of a villain he really is,
'Wanted to me make me a good guy?.....well then see me spread chaos!'
A ruthless glint filled Xiao's eyes as a wolfish grin that meant a lot suddenly came and went through his face.
'Now isn't the time to get lost in thought'
Pulling himself back together, Xiao smiled charmingly as he spoke,
"Looks like now no one can look down on you now"
As he said so Li Lun nodded her head, her gaze hyper-focused on his face, no matter how much she gazed at it she wasn't getting enough, she wanted to keep looking at his face for eons to come, somehow Li Lun felt that she wouldn't ever get tired of what lay before her,
"Cough....are you two love birds free now?"
Suddenly Teresa spoke as she appeared beside them, her eyes lit with teasing as she looked at the two children with a knowing look,
"Sigh....kids these days, they are moving so fast"
Teresa spoke with an enlightening look, to which Li Lun turned to face Teresa as her arms wrapped around Xiao,
"Mine!"
Li Lun spoke with a confident voice as she puffed up her chest forward, her actions making Xiao smile, leaning into her cuteness,
"My.....my someone is very protective"
Teresa teased again but Li Lun didn't back down as she held onto Xiao tighter, even though much of her hate for Teresa has weakened after gaining power and understanding how big of a chance she's given, there still exists a smidge of dislike for Teresa, her huge amount of hate and pain for what she went through won't be completely erased,
"Since you are so well, why don't the two of you enter the trails?"
"Trails?"
Xiao asked with confusion, masking any thoughts that he as an idea of what was being talked about,
"The two of us can enter?!"
Li Lun asked with an excited voice, as the successor she has clear knowledge of what the trials were and what they could gift, Teresa nodded her head,
"Normally I won't allow it but you're heart's already set, isn't it?"
The last words of Teresa were exceedingly serious, making it such that Li Lun adopted a similar look, her face turned toward Xia as it became one of pure longing and love before which it focused back to Teresa as Li Lun replied,
"I have chosen, I will spend the rest of my life with Xiao"
"If so then good, both of you can enter, plus I have taken a bit of a liking to the kid"
Teresa's words brought a frown to Li Lun's face as her hold on Xiao tightened,
"He's mine!"
? She once again posted might upon her territory, while Xiao who was still acting cluelessly spoke,
"Can someone tell me what these trails are?"
He spoke in a defeated tone, to this Teresa chuckled as she replied,
"It's simple, right now Li Lun has only accepted my inheritance, if she wishes to improve and take upon the treasures I have left behind she has to keep proving her worth"
Upon saying so, Teresa went on to explain, while Xiao nodded his head as if it was the first time he was hearing of such information, basically, these trials were so that Li Lun won't grow complacent or lazy, at each level of her cultivation, is she needed treasures or more help, she would be needed to pass through several of the trails that Teresa has set up,
"I see that seems fair..."
Xiao replied, as he rubbed his chin with his left hand, as his right was still occupied by Li Lun, who was once again back to looking at his face, for a moment he was starting to worry that she might be developing some fetish of gazing at his face, it surely was a bit distracting as her gaze was drilling onto him,
"Xiao, let's go together! I can finally fight as an equal with you!"
Li Lun said excitedly as her hug on her arms tightened more,
'Are you trying to combine with me?'
Xiao thought in his mind but didn't say anything out as he let Li Lun enjoy the current moment,
"Li Lun, come here for a moment, I have something to say to you"
Teresa called out much to the disappointment of Li Lun who unwillingly let go of Xiao's hand as she walked towards Teresa, upon reaching so a transparent dome formed around them both as Xiao saw Teresa speaking to Li Lun with a serious expression,
'Must be important'
But that thought was thrown out of his mind as he saw Li Lun at times gazing towards him with a shy smile while nodding seriously to Teresa,
'What the hell is that woman teaching Li Lun?'
He was starting to get worried about the trials but in the end, he didn't want to back down, the treasures that he could gain were extremely useful for him to just give up, plus the opportunity will help him see how much Li Lun has changed, giving him a glimpse of the powers that lay dormant, soon the super secret talk between the two ended as Li Lun with a serious face came towards him.
Turning to Teresa he could see a satisfied smile on her face, while Li Lun had one of seriousness, one reminiscent of a solder heading to a battlefield,
"Are the two of you ready?"
Teresa asked as the two kids in front of her nodded their heads,
'Don't go all out, try to hold back most of your powers, Li Lun has a lot to grow on'
Suddenly a voice transmission filled Xiao's mind as Teresa's voice was heard, he didn't say anything but the subtle nod that he gave spoke much more than words,
"Good then I wish you luck"
As Teresa said so the two of them dissipated from where they stood, while a sly smile lit Teresa's face, amusement dancing in her eyes as she gazed at the trials that were about to begin,
'The rest I leave with you my successor, hit him hard!'
While she encouraged so, the duo soon opened themselves to a wide martial hall, Xiao gazing up couldn't even see the end of the ceiling, while the hall was extremely large, in front of him stood a huge gate with its doors closed, as they stood there an illusionary figure appeared, nothing about it could be seen, it's eerie voice spreading about,
"Both your first condition is simple, fight and win"
Just as the voice said so the doors started to crack and shake, and the roars of beasts could be heard, Xiao felt a seething pressure upon him as his two swords appeared in his hands, meanwhile Li Lun's eyes narrowed as an exquisite bow appeared in her hands,
"New bow?"
Xiao asked with a smile to which she responded with one,
"It's new"
She said so as her Qi started to rile up, even this entire place was thankfully filled with void Qi helping her stimulate her powers better.
While Xiao who stood beside her felt a more innate connection to the Qi beside him.
[The blessing shall take place]
[Due to the close proximity of the host, the void QI around is more amiable to you, for better effects stay closer to the current target]
[If the host is to increase contact with the target, more advantages will awaken]
'.....'