Altair wiped the blood from his hand on Hao Xuan's shirt before walking out the door with hands clasped behind his back. But just before the door closed his voice rang inside Hao Xuan's head one last time.
"I am looking forward to tomorrow's gathering little one, do not disappoint me. Since you already have my bloodline, do not let it go to waste."
*Click*
Hao Xuan collapsed onto the floor as soon as the door closed. One hand was still over his head, right above the flower that had fully bloomed inside his skull.
*Huff*Huff*
His body was still squirming in pain but his mind felt clearer than ever before. It was like the path ahead was previously covered in dense fog but now it was starting to get clearer.
'Those weren't…HIS memories. He was only in them. But who was the one that died? Was it me? Was that a past life? It didn't feel like one…'
This made it close to 20 times that Hao Xuan had now experienced death firsthand. And it didn't get any easier.
There definitely was a strong connection between them. Their meeting, Hao Xuan seeing those things, none it was a coincidence. And what he said at the end was probably the biggest clue.
"Bloodline. He said we had the same bloodline…He…is a Lycan, an old one."
The last thing he saw before the 'flashback' ended was Altair changing forms. Hao Xuan wasn't able to see his complete physical transformation but the appearance was similar. That hideous beastly snout and ugly white eyes filled him with revulsion. (Reference image in authors notes and discord).
Hao Xuan's state of mind was overwhelmed with so many different things happening one after another. He felt tired and sleepy but it wasn't the time now.
At most he would have 8 hours to himself. It wasn't much time but enough for him to come up with a plan.
He dragged his aching body to the bed and sat down cross-legged. The spiritual energy passed through the prime letters still engraved onto his bones one by one, activating them once more.
Hao Xuan held his breath, this was a pivotal part of the plan. With eyes closed, his hands connected and formed a full circle.
And to Hao Xuan's relief, his consciousness was immediately pulled into the Celestial Webway. He floated in the neverending hallways of flame, light, and forethought. His soul feeling that much-needed release from his physical pain.
'It will work If I can come here I can go to other places.'
But where? That was the question. And just as quickly as it popped up, his mind came up with an answer by itself.
He needed time, not only to get even stronger but perhaps even breakthrough to the next realm all at once. And he knew just such a place, where time flowed much slower than the outside world. A few hours in there would be equal to an entire year in there if not more.
But it came with its own dangers as well. Was it worth it taking the risk?
Hao Xuan opened his eyes back in the external world, returning his mind back into his body.
This time he reached out with his soul, calling out to someone.
'Ensis…can you hear me?'
His voice echoed through the void, traveling hundreds of miles away within the blink of an eye.
'Master!' he replied instantly.
'Where are you?'
'I am part of Tian Zheng's entourage, master. We will arrive within half a day.'
'Do you have any news for me?'
'Yes. He is preparing something big, master. Two days ago he issued a call-to-arms for every skilled warrior within his domain but it was kept secret from all the other protectors. Every person that answered was given cultivation resources as a gift and a promise of further payment from his clan once we got back. I believe he is planning something bloody.'
'Alright, good. Stay by his side no matter what,' Hao Xuan said before cutting off the connection.
It was settled then. The answer once again turned out to be a Yes.
Dai Zhi had already created a formidable army and now Tian Zheng was bringing one of his own. Hao Xuan was caught in the middle and since he didn't trust either one of them, the benefits far outweighed the risks.
Hao Xuan let out a deep sigh and stood up. He examined the room to the best of his abilities but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. Dai Zhi could have the room under surveillance but it probably wasn't going to be constant which gave Hao Xuan an opening.
***
Authors Notes:
All images are posted in the Official Discord.
Link: https://discord.gg/AHdSBFQ
___
Reference Image Link: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ae/e2/dd/aee2dddccd2d658b1ed599ec8e0ce30c.jpg
Shortened Image Link (case sensitive) : https://urlzs.com/9GNhx
