Chapter 35: Cruel World
Chapter 35: Cruel World
Chapter 35: Cruel World
Three months ago, aboard the Sacred Land of the Five Elements ship, which was sailing through the forest, the atmosphere on the vessel was tense and filled with silence. Only five disciples had returned from the hidden realm, and one of them, Hu Xin, the Sacred Son of the Five Elements, was still recovering in his private chamber.
While Hu Xin was meditating to heal his injuries, a dark and malevolent spirit suddenly surged toward him, catching him off guard. The spirit, imbued with wickedness, attempted to seize control of his body immediately.
"Submit your body to me!" the spirit whispered maliciously, echoing in the Sacred Son's mind.
Hu Xin struggled, trying to call upon the divine power he had cultivated, but it was in vain. There was no response, no light to aid him. At that moment, he began to accept his impending fate.
But then, a beam of light appeared in the darkness. A man with superhuman speed surged in, using powerful force to strike the malevolent spirit. This man was none other than Xiao Chen, who had arrived just in time to save Hu Xin.
The evil spirit was struck down and dispersed into the air, but it did not vanish completely. Instead, it was absorbed by the Sacred Son. The dark power was immediately absorbed into his body.
"Are you alright?" Xiao Chen asked with concern upon seeing the Sacred Son panting heavily.
The Sacred Son struggled to regain his composure and responded, "I'm fine. Thank you, Junior Brother... I need some time to recover. Could you please leave for now?"
Xiao Chen nodded understandingly and gradually left the room, allowing Hu Xin to rest and regain his strength. The room remained silent and serene, with Hu Xin wearing a sinister smile on his face.
Hu Xin had never anticipated that he would be able to turn this crisis into an opportunity. When the evil spirit was absorbed, he unexpectedly gained the memories and emperor-level skills of the spirit.
The skills he acquired were unique; they allowed him to cultivate power in tandem with others, enhancing his own strength. As he contemplated various plans and possibilities to utilize the newfound knowledge, a voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
"Kid, you've absorbed everything of mine. You should repay me!" The voice was cunning and filled with malice.
Hu Xin flinched slightly, his shock causing him to attempt to expel the spirit from his body immediately. However, no matter how much he used his skills or divine power, he could not succeed. The spirit laughed softly.
"It won't work because you and I have merged into one! You only have one choice: to create a new body for me, and I will leave. Do you agree?" The spirit's voice carried a tone of smugness.
Hu Xin was silent for a moment, with numerous thoughts racing through his mind. He did not want to seek help from the Sacred Land of the Five Elements. His greed and desire to keep the opportunity for himself led him to make a quick decision.
"Alright, I agree," Hu Xin gritted his teeth and responded. The evil spirit within him laughed loudly with satisfaction.
"Excellent, kid! I hope our cooperation will go well," the spirit replied contentedly, its laughter echoing in his mind.
Hu Xin felt increasing anxiety, but it was overshadowed by his greed and curiosity. The excitement of merging with this spirit made him feel exhilarated. He still needed to find a way to control and utilize the new power, but he knew it would not be easy, and the outcome could change his fate forever.
Suddenly, the door to Hu Xin's room opened, and an elder entered with a solemn expression, his face filled with concern. "Are you alright, Sacred Son?" he asked gently.
Hu Xin tried to suppress his excitement and tension, responding confidently, "I'm fine now. Please don't worry."
Hu Xin stood in the shadows, observing them with a complex gaze. The words of Xiao Chen's siblings seemed to pierce his heart. He could sense the purity and hope in the eyes of the two children, and a twinge of guilt formed in his heart... but he quickly brushed it aside.
Hu Xin glanced at them briefly before asking the spirit in his head, "There doesn't seem to be anything special about them."
The spirit's raspy voice replied, "You don't understand. If it weren't for someone with emperor-level perceptiveness, you'd never find their special bodies... Don't worry about it. Just take their bodies."
Seeing Hu Xin hesitate, the spirit's voice rang out again, "Don't hesitate. Remember, they are just a stepping stone to your strength... Just do as I say."
Hu Xin clenched his fists, his face growing serious. "I need to become stronger... to defeat and expel you from my body."
The spirit laughed softly, "Of course, kid... I look forward to seeing your bravery."
Hu Xin smirked, and the sense of morality in his heart faded away. Even though Xiao Chen had once saved his life, he no longer cared. What he wanted was strength and to rid himself of this spirit. His eyes shone with determination. He had made up his mind; he would not let this opportunity slip away. "For strength... I am willing to do anything," he whispered to himself.
After returning to the Sacred Land of the Five Elements, over the past three months, Hu Xin had taken every opportunity to get close to and befriend Xiao Chen, as well as his younger siblings. Hu Xin often brought small gifts or treats for the two children, who were delighted and felt as if they had gained an additional older brother.
When Hu Xin appeared, Xiao Chen's siblings eagerly ran to him with joy. Hu Xin smiled and gently patted their heads. "How are you doing?" he asked warmly.
"Big Brother Hu Xin!" Xiao Yan said cheerfully, "I've missed you!"
"I missed you too!" Xiao Yue added quickly.
Xiao Chen came in and saw the scene, smiling. "Big Brother Hu Xin, you're truly loved by my siblings."
Hu Xin chuckled softly, "I enjoy being with them. They're really adorable and bright."
They chatted and played together happily. Later, Hu Xin invited Xiao Chen to accompany him on a mission to the northern lands. He explained that the mission involved hunting beasts that had invaded the northern continent. Although Xiao Chen was surprised that someone of Hu Xin's level would personally undertake this mission, he didn't question it much. He patted his siblings and asked, "Is there anything you want while I'm away?"
Xiao Yan smiled and replied, "I'd like to have some delicious meat, Big Brother!"
"I want some sweet round pastries!" Xiao Yue added with a cheerful voice.
Xiao Chen smiled gently and patted their heads. "Alright, I'll bring some back for both of you."
The two children smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Big Brother!"
Xiao Chen then turned to Hu Xin, "We're ready. Let's go."
The two set off for the dimensional gate to cross into the northern lands. Along the way, they chatted happily, and Hu Xin was very friendly and amiable. Xiao Chen felt a genuine warmth.
However, as soon as they crossed the dimensional gate into the northern lands, an elder from the Sacred Land of the Five Elements suddenly appeared, rushing toward Hu Xin at great speed.
Hu Xin looked slightly tense before turning to Xiao Chen. "Junior Brother Xiao, I must apologize. Something has come up at the Sacred Land. I need to go back to handle it. Please wait here; I'll return as soon as possible."
Xiao Chen, still somewhat confused by the situation, nodded, "Alright, I'll wait here."
Hu Xin looked at Xiao Chen with a profound gaze, smiled slightly, and then turned and disappeared.
Once Hu Xin vanished, Xiao Chen began to sense that something was wrong. The breeze around seemed off, and he looked around with suspicion. He thought to himself, "Why did the elder come to find Big Brother Hu Xin here? And why did he have to leave in such a hurry?"
But suddenly, his feelings of unease subsided. He tried not to overthink it. "Perhaps it's an internal matter of the Sacred Land... I probably shouldn't interfere." He stopped thinking and immediately went to find gifts for his siblings.
Before long, the amulets Xiao Chen had given to his younger siblings began to emit a strong alert signal. The alarm quickened his heartbeat, and he felt imminent danger approaching rapidly. Xiao Chen hurried to the dimensional gate, but at that moment, the elder from the Sacred Land of the Five Elements who had been looking for Hu Xin appeared and attacked him violently.
"You evil beast spy! You've sneaked into our Sacred Land of the Five Elements. What are you trying to do?!" the elder shouted, rushing toward Xiao Chen with great speed.
Xiao Chen tried to evade the attack and shouted back, "I'm not a spy! Please let me use the dimensional gate. I need to hurry and help my family!"
But the elder ignored his explanation and continued attacking. The two fought fiercely. Xiao Chen tried to avoid direct confrontation, knowing he had to reach the dimensional gate and return to his siblings.
Meanwhile, at Xiao Chen's residence, Hu Xin entered with a retinue of his father's followers, who were high-ranking elders of the Sacred Land of the Five Elements. He instructed his followers to create an energy masking formation.
The two children were shocked to see Hu Xin returning unusually early. Xiao Yan ran up to him and asked with concern.
"Why did Big Brother Hu Xin come back so soon?"
But Hu Xin ignored him. He struck Xiao Yan forcefully, sending him crashing into a tree. Xiao Yan cried out in pain, his eyes filled with disbelief and confusion.
The elder sighed in relief, "In that case, I'll take my leave." He said, bowing slightly before exiting the room.
Hu Xin sat down and began to cultivate his new power once again. Just then, the spirit's voice within him spoke up again, "I've found something interesting that's suitable for you to cultivate and devour its abilities... and I've found a new body that's perfect for me."
Hu Xin frowned, asking with curiosity, "Where is it?"
"Go outside," the spirit said with a cunning tone.
Hu Xin quickly got up and left the room. What he saw made him stop in his tracks. Three people were chatting happily and warmly outside the ship's deck: Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yue.
Xiao Chen sat in the middle, smiling at his siblings as they shared their dreams and ambitions. Xiao Chen's younger brother spoke gently but with determination.
"Big Brother, when I grow up, I will make this world peaceful, with no more fighting," he said, his eyes shining brightly.
Xiao Chen's younger sister nodded in agreement and added with a bright voice, "I also want to make this world happy. I will build a city where ordinary people can live happily and safely."
Xiao Chen laughed softly and reached out to pat his sister's head, "You're really something... If you have such grand dreams, I will help you achieve them. I promise."
Xiao Yue looked at the scene in shock and asked, "Why, Big Brother Hu Xin?"
Hu Xin did not respond and immediately used his power to render Xiao Yue unconscious.
Xiao Yan, who was badly injured, sensed the impending danger. He quickly gathered his energy and used the alarm amulet his brother had given him. The signal was sent out, but Hu Xin was unable to stop it in time.
Hu Xin smiled slightly with indifference as he saw the signal being sent out. He raised his hand and created an energy formation to envelop Xiao Yan.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the air, "Well done, little one!" It was the voice of the spirit inside Hu Xin, and it immediately surged forth, attempting to possess Xiao Yan's body.
After some time had passed, Hu Xin's expression began to show signs of displeasure. He turned to the spirit and said, "How long are you going to take?! I don't have all day to wait for you!"
The spirit laughed coldly, "This body has a mental power I didn't expect... It's stronger than any I've encountered before. I need more time!"
Hu Xin narrowed his eyes and said, "Hurry up and finish it. I don't want to wait any longer."
The spirit reluctantly nodded and increased its power to possess the struggling Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan felt the cold seeping into his body but refused to give up. He fought to maintain his consciousness.
Hu Xin, waiting calmly for the spirit to take over Xiao Yan's body, thought about the additional power he would gain from Xiao Yue's body. He laughed maniacally and walked over to the unconscious Xiao Yue, feeling a sense of triumph as he neared his victory.
Suddenly, a powerful aura appeared and shattered all the protective formations Hu Xin had set up, causing his face to turn pale in shock. "How is this possible?" Hu Xin thought to himself. "There shouldn't be any powerful beings left in the Sacred Land of the Five Elements... Almost all of them joined the forces of thirty emperor-level powers to attack the Dark Forest. The remaining ones should be those who are not strong and uninterested in internal conflicts within the sect, right?"
He turned to look at the source of the powerful aura and was confronted with a sight that made his heart stop. Xiao Chen stood there, looking menacing, with a stone sword in hand and eyes blazing with anger.
Xiao Chen shouted furiously, "You've betrayed my trust! You deceived me! You've harmed my younger brother and sister... You're a devil! I will kill you!"
Hu Xin tried to suppress his fear. Knowing he couldn't fight Xiao Chen alone, he immediately used the spirit left by his father—a semi-emperor-level spirit with immense power. Hu Xin's body trembled slightly as the spirit's power surged out from him.
Xiao Chen disregarded the power of the semi-emperor-level spirit and charged at it immediately. His face was filled with rage. "I will destroy you completely!"
The semi-emperor-level spirit laughed loudly and said, "You little brat, how dare you harm my son? Die!"
As soon as those words were uttered, the semi-emperor-level spirit lunged at Xiao Chen with incredible speed. Xiao Chen tried to evade and defend himself, but the attacks were faster and more severe than anticipated. Xiao Chen's arm was struck so hard that it broke, but the mysterious power within the stone sword he held allowed him to continue standing despite the pain.
Seeing this, Hu Xin sneered. "Haha! Let me see how long you can last. How long can you endure with just this foolish stone sword!"
Xiao Chen gritted his teeth. The pain coursing through his arm did not deter him. He glared at Hu Xin and spoke with a voice full of strength, "Do you think I will give up just because you're more powerful? I once trusted you, but you betrayed my trust! I will do everything in my power to eliminate you!"
The semi-emperor-level spirit attacked again, this time with even greater force. But Xiao Chen used the power of the stone sword to its fullest. His broken arm trembled slightly, but he continued to fight. The pressure within him increased with every swing of his sword.
Xiao Chen knew this battle was not easy, but he refused to retreat. He understood that this fight was not just for his own survival, but to protect his beloved younger siblings!
"I will not surrender!" Xiao Chen roared, his hand tightly gripping the stone sword, readying himself for the next attack. All the power within him was unleashed in a fierce battle with no end in sight...
Xiao Chen gripped the stone sword tightly, his eyes filled with determination. He charged at the semi-emperor-level spirit with the anger burning in his heart. The stone sword, seemingly peculiar, shone brightly, surprising and slightly unsettling the semi-emperor-level spirit.
"Do you think you can defeat me with this strange stone sword?" The semi-emperor-level spirit laughed scornfully, but suddenly Xiao Chen lunged forward, bringing down the stone sword with an irresistible force. The semi-emperor-level spirit tried to dodge, but Xiao Chen did not let the opportunity slip. The stone sword struck the spirit's body with tremendous force and precision.
A deafening explosion sounded. The semi-emperor-level spirit was knocked back, screaming in pain, but it refused to give up. It unleashed all its power in a relentless assault on Xiao Chen. The torrent of immense energy crashed into him, but Xiao Chen continued to fight. His broken arm trembled, but he refused to back down.
Every time the spirit attacked, Xiao Chen's stone sword countered the strikes. His eyes were filled with determination, and even the pain could not deter him. Finally, with the last of his strength, Xiao Chen leaped forward and drove the stone sword down into the semi-emperor-level spirit's core.
The sound of a deafening scream echoed throughout the area as the semi-emperor-level spirit dissipated into the air. Xiao Chen breathed heavily but felt an unwavering determination within his heart.
Seeing this, Hu Xin could not afford to let the enemy rest. He quickly charged at Xiao Chen, intending to kill him and end the matter. But Xiao Chen, despite his severe injuries, maintained his stance and turned to strike Hu Xin without hesitation. The sword, glowing intensely, pierced through Hu Xin's body.
Hu Xin fell to the ground, blood pouring from his wounds. He looked at Xiao Chen with anger and shock, murmuring, "How is this possible..." before his life faded away.
Immediately, Xiao Chen rushed to the bodies of Xiao Yan and Xiao Yue lying on the ground. The spirit that was attempting to possess Xiao Yan screamed in pain, "Please! Have mercy!" But it was too late. Xiao Chen struck the spirit with the stone sword, turning it to ashes and making it disappear.
He quickly reached out and touched the foreheads of Xiao Yan and Xiao Yue to assess their injuries. Both still had faint breaths, but their conditions were critical, especially Xiao Yan, whose spirit seemed on the brink of vanishing. Xiao Chen hurriedly lifted them into his arms. Just then, a powerful aura appeared with a thunderous voice.
"You have killed the Holy Son! You're a spy, aren't you? Surrender immediately!" The voice of the Grand Saint of the Sacred Land of the Five Elements boomed across the area.
Xiao Chen realized immediately that no one could help him now, and there was no way he could stay in the Sacred Land of the Five Elements any longer. As a mere disciple with little fame, he did not waste time thinking. He quickly carried Xiao Yan and Xiao Yue in his arms, regardless of the possibility of injury, and turned to flee.
The Grand Saint who had arrived saw Xiao Chen opening a teleportation formation and immediately attacked him. A powerful force surged toward Xiao Chen. He felt the impending attack, turned around, and tried to deflect it with the stone sword, but the teleportation formation was destroyed immediately.
The explosion echoed as the walls of energy clashed in the air. Xiao Chen breathed heavily, realizing that he was gravely injured. He needed to escape with his siblings as quickly as possible. He decided to use all his remaining power to activate the teleportation formation again.
But before he could step through the teleportation gate, the Grand Saint attacked once more. The force slammed into him with tremendous power. Xiao Chen gritted his teeth, knowing there was no escape from this attack. But he refused to let anyone harm his younger brother and sister any further!
"I will protect you... no matter what happens!" Xiao Chen roared as the attack struck him...
The teleportation formation activated just as the Grand Saint's attack was about to hit. Xiao Chen gritted his teeth and stepped through the portal with Xiao Yan and Xiao Yue in his arms. The three of them were transported to a forest in an unknown location. As soon as they appeared at their destination, Xiao Chen collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily and covered in wounds. But he paid no attention to himself; his eyes were fixed on his younger brother and sister.
Seeing that they still had faint breaths but were gravely injured, Xiao Chen felt a sharp pang in his heart. The pain in his own body disappeared when he saw their condition. "No... No... You mustn't be hurt!" he said softly, his voice trembling as he quickly pulled out healing medicine from his storage bag. His trembling hands applied the medicine to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yue's wounds.
The blood flowing from his own body seemed insignificant now. He did everything he could to treat his brother and sister, but before he could apply the medicine everywhere, the sound of a flying sword echoed. He turned to see a blinding light approaching rapidly.
The sword shot straight at him, but his weakened and pain-racked body was too slow to dodge. Despair filled his heart, but he clenched his teeth to try to avoid a fatal blow. Then, suddenly, the sound of the sword stopped. When he opened his eyes, what he saw nearly shattered his heart.
Xiao Yue, his younger sister, had used her fragile body to shield him from the incoming sword. The sword pierced through her, blood soaking the ground. She smiled weakly, looking at him with tender eyes. "Brother... Remember the promise we made to Mother... That we would protect each other... But you... You've done so much for us already... Let me be the one... to protect you..."
Xiao Chen felt as though his heart was being crushed into pieces. "No! Xiao Yue!... Don't say that!... I'm still okay..." he shouted, trying to stop the blood flowing from his sister. But he knew he didn't have much time left. Tears welled up in his eyes.
Xiao Yan, whose consciousness was barely hanging on, looked at his sister, covered in blood. He cried out in sorrow and despair. "Sister Yue... No... Sister Yue... I'm sorry... Brother..."
Xiao Yue's voice grew weaker but she still spoke, "I know... You will always... protect us... But this time... let me be the one... Am I... good enough... Hehe..." Her gentle smile remained on her face even though her eyes were starting to blur.
Xiao Chen sobbed and held Xiao Yue tightly, desperately trying to staunch the wounds. "Xiao Yue... Don't say anything more... I'm sorry... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..."
Suddenly, the sound of a flying sword came again. Disciples from the Sacred Land of the Five Elements had arrived. "You killed the Holy Son! You're a spy from the Dark Forest! You must be executed!" they shouted as their flying swords charged at him once more. Xiao Chen knew he had no choice.
"We must escape... I won't let anyone touch you ever again!" Xiao Chen said resolutely, as he held his brother and sister tightly and tried to find a way to flee. He knew that this escape might be their last chance...
Xiao Chen dragged his injured and broken body, each step causing excruciating pain. But he ran with all his might, carrying his brother and sister. The sound of a raging river came from below. Suddenly, the enemy attacked him with overwhelming force. The bridge he was running on collapsed immediately, and he felt himself being dragged into the turbulent river.
Xiao Chen fell into the water with his siblings, the fierce current spinning him in an uncontrollable direction. Sharp rocks and floating debris battered his body, but he continued to hold onto Xiao Yan and Xiao Yue tightly. Even as his hands were cut and bruised, he insisted, "I will... not... let go... ever..."
The pursuers stopped on the cliff, staring in shock at the river where he had vanished. But suddenly, their screams began, one after another, as they were eliminated without resistance. The only sounds were the swishing of weapons through the air and their bodies falling without a fight.
Soon, Xiao Chen opened his eyes. His body ached all over, but he ignored his own pain. The first thing he did was check on his siblings in his arms. Seeing them lying still and unresponsive, his eyes widened in emptiness and despair.
His heart felt as though it was being torn apart. He tried to take out healing medicine with trembling hands. "No... No! Don't be like this... Please... respond... respond to this useless brother... I beg you... someone... help us... Please... save my siblings..." he pleaded, tears streaming down his cheeks as he desperately administered the medicine to them.
"This world... why... I haven't done anything wrong... Please... don't take my siblings... from me... Please... don't tear them away..." His voice screamed in despair and pain, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Xiao Chen's cries were met with nothing but the silence of the forest surrounding him. His brother and sister remained cold and unresponsive, as if their lives had truly been taken away.
The overwhelming pain and destruction in his heart seemed to shatter his very being. Xiao Chen screamed through his tears, but in the moment of utter despair, his body began to shine.