CHAPTER 48
The End Of An Arc: Lu Huogui
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•Ω•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
The silver mask had been a makeshift contingency—a flimsy shield to prevent the terrifying figure hovering around Lu Xietong from recognizing him.
But what unfolded from that point onward was nothing short of stunning. Each scene unfolded like a grotesque stage play. Even for someone with his vast experience. From the rise of pseudo-idols to Yan Feitian's crushing defeat, and finally, the entrance of the Soul Stealer and him playing the villain in a twisted test for Yang Jiang.
Throughout it all, Xue Xing hadn't been overly bothered about Lu Xie's safety. He knew she had a backer—a powerful one.
At least… he thought she did.
However, doubt had begun to creep in when nothing happened for a long time. Even when Kuang Luosheng laid his murderous hands on her very soul, the sky remained silent.
Just when Xue Xing had decided to intervene—knowing full well he would regret exposing himself later—a strange phenomenon occurred.
At first, he believed that figure was finally making a move. But he soon discovered that wasn't the case.
A massive silhouette took form in the sky, generating an abnormal suction force that nearly sucked him dry of all the "lean camel fatter than a horse" Qi he had left. The phenomenon ended with the same abruptness it had begun, but not before tearing through the fabric of space and devouring Lu Xie along with it.
Even with his high level of cultivation, he had been powerless before that force. However, amidst the chaos, his sharp eyes had caught a glimpse of something that left him baffled.
The phenomenon had seemingly been triggered by the trauma to her soul, but its fuel source was something else entirely. It was powered by a strange bead that had planted itself at the very core of a black star.
Its power was so dreadful that, for the first time in eons, Xue Xing felt a mix of apprehension and insignificance.
As he was mulling over this, a strange, piercing cry resounded across the horizon. It sounded as though countless babies had been violently awoken or deprived of their mothers for far too long.
This chilling sound was escorted by the onset of ominous green clouds rolling in from the west.
Xue Xing needed no soothsayer to tell him what this was. He was all too familiar with this specific, nauseating pressure.
Lu Xie's backer!
"How timely," he had mocked mentally.
Soon, the chaos ended with the green clouds snatching Kuang Luosheng away as well.
That was when temptation struck him.
Xue Xing had been tempted to approach Lu Xie's backer and investigate the strange phenomenon of the black star. However, he quickly chickened out upon remembering his current state. He was far weaker than the last time they had met; showing his face now would only be begging for a thrashing.
He had swiftly left the place, not bothering with anything else after the ghostly baby chaos had subsided. He knew better than to tangle with the Lu Xie and Backer duo when he wasn't at full strength.
....
>>>>>>>>>>>~^~<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Unknown Pocket Space — Within the Sky Reaching Pagoda
"Sigh... maybe I should have invited him for a chat then. This curiosity is bothering me, and the boredom in this place is the fuel."
Xue Xing sat up on his futon with obvious frustration.
"But I should thank that brat. Clearing the Eleventh Floor saved me from a far nastier backlash."
"Hehehehe!" A mischievous smile spread across his handsome face, faintly revealing a pointy tooth that looked almost fang-like.
"The outside world seems to have gotten a bit more interesting, I should visit it more. Maybe paying such a price isn't a bad deal."
He deliberated mentally, weighing the pros and cons. The pro was temporary freedom; the con was the harsh restrictions on time and distance, which determined the intensity of the backlash and the downgrade in his strength.
Feeling parched, a wooden bowl appeared in his hands without warning, filled with a thick, blood-red liquid. He took a slow sip.
Just as he was deep in thought, space distorted in front of him.
A figure wearing a conical straw hat manifested out of thin air directly across from his futon.
Pffffft!
Xue Xing spat the mouthful of bloody liquid all over the new guest in shock, yelping in surprise like a spooked cat.
"Speak of the devil!" he muttered subconsciously, wiping his mouth.
"I need your help."
The figure declared calmly, ignoring the liquid dripping off him. He reached up and took off his conical straw hat, revealing a debonair and dignified face that was no less handsome than Xue Xing's. However, his eyes were a disturbing shade of green that added an evil, hypnotic charm to his features.
He sat cross-legged on a futon opposite Xue Xing, a deadpan expression plastered on his face.
"What do you want from me this time?" Xue Xing questioned, half-lamenting at fate's cruel joke.
"But wait! How did you even get in here?" Xue Xing added, suddenly remembering the extra restrictions he had placed after their last encounter to prevent "uninvited guests" like this specific man from entering.
"I naturally have my ways." The figure shrugged nonchalantly.
"I see... ways, huh!" Xue Xing stressed, half-believing him.
He sighed and straightened his posture. "This is our second meeting. Don't you think it's appropriate to introduce yourself properly?"
Xue Xing cleared his throat theatrically. "I'm Xue Xing. My background? You don't need to know. My past? That's also naturally none of your concern. If you have any other questions, ask away."
He smirked. "Your turn. Try it." A teasing smile played at the corner of his lip as he gestured by lifting his chin.
"I'm Lu Huogui. I don't care about your past nor present, but your future, that's a different case." Lu Huogui stated dryly.
"Wait..."
Xue Xing's ears picked up a vital clue, and his mind began drawing rapid conclusions. Lu Huogui. Lu Xietong. The green eyes. The protective nature.
"Hold it right there."
Xue Xing leaned forward, eyes wide. "By any chance... are you Lu Xietong's father?!" he asked in shock.
"Hummmm." Huogui nodded absentmindedly, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Suddenly, the words registered.
His head snapped up at an impossible speed, green fire almost spilling from his eyes.
"Mercy! Mercy! I jest!" Xue Xing threw his hands up defensively, retreating slightly. "I can tell you are her brother! Please reel in your temper, Big Brother!"
"I have no brother like you," Huogui stated coldly, the green flames in his eyes receding but the threat remaining.
"If you're done joking around," Huogui added, his voice dropping an octave, "let's get down to business."
---