Ever since he had the chance to learn about this world, Alaric has attempted to answer a question that had bothered him for a long time.

That being that appeared in his mental world with his form, who or what was it?

For the past eight years, he has been searching for answers, day and night, delving into legends and forgotten tales.

At first, he thought it was a heart devil, but quickly rejected the idea; they behaved differently according to what was known about them.

He moved on to other spirits and their mode of operation, but ended with nothing as a classification. This almost led him to frustration.

The level of knowledge in that library only contains knowledge from the mortal to the body refining realm, as knowledge surpassing that directly dealt with laws and rules cannot be accessible to them.

Thinking this limitation stems directly from his fragile life level, he chose to set it aside for the time being.

What he never would have guessed was that this being would present itself so blatantly in front of him. So, on reflex, his muscles coiled before releasing like a spring shooting towards this unknown.

A loud bang echoed through the air as light and air twisted from the release of pure physical force, devastating everything within a kilometer from the point of release.

"Hey, hey, kid, watch it. Are you trying to kill me? I am more useful to you alive than dead, you know. How disrespectful. Didn’t your parents teach you not to harm your elders?"

The voice came again. This time, Alaric spotted the source.

’I didn’t perceive him when he appeared, nor can I do so without looking directly at him. This thing, whatever it may be, is quite powerful. I need to be careful. Thankfully, Tian and Oliveira are around, and they should have heard what just happened.’

But after waiting a few seconds, no one came.

"Give it up, kid. No one is coming." A smile came from that being?

’No, something is wrong.’ His face changed slightly.

" Have you figured it out so soon? Color me impressed." This time, the voice held a hint of admiration.

’I can’t see him, but I know he is there. There is no shape to make out; even the sound it makes when it speaks is something my brain subconsciously assigned a tone to. On a subconscious level, my brain is actively trying to create an image that it believes will properly encompass what this being is, however inaccurate it may be.’ Cold sweat trickled down his neck. ’When I encountered him before, did he take my form or did I subconsciously imagine him as me?’

" This is the first time anyone has figured this out, even among the blessed; you are the first. You seem to be a cut above the rest." The voice came again, still assigned that same tone he chose to comprehend its words.

"What are you? What do you want from me?" Alaric asked while taking careful steps back.

"Boo.." The voice startled him from behind, exactly where he was retreating towards.

It was so close to him, he almost threw another punch. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Kekeke. Ok, I will stop messing with you. As for what I want from you... Mmm." The source of the voice places its hands on his chin? In deep thought before snapping its finger, "Ah, I remember now." Its voice turned frigid. "I wanted you dead, but now... Rejoice, I have come to help you." The voice suddenly sparkled. "Aren’t you feeling happy with my generosity. Why hold back your tears of joy? What? What’s with the long face?" The voice was confused by the deadpan expression Alaric’s face now held.

"Do you take me for a fool? The first time we met, you asked me to kill myself. Now you are telling me you want to help me? Do you think anyone is foolish enough to believe that?" Alaric replied in a measured tone, while his mind worked on ways to escape this situation.

"Hey, don’t blame me for trying to help you at that time. You were practically better off dead. Why stay alive to suffer when you can just end it, and don’t you dare underestimate people, most especially cultivators, when it comes to being foolish. They have a way of surprising you, not that it would be foolish to believe me or anything." The voice stated, almost sounding offended.

Alaric deapaned at that. ’Why can’t I start my journey like every other normal aspirant. I seem to run into final boss characters at the start. Is my luck that bad?

Having come to the conclusion that there was nothing that could be done, he just decided to let things play out. This being seems to be powerless against him in a direct confrontation. All it could do is play tricks on him. It must be

"How do you expect me to trust someone I can’t even see? Being able to interact with you face-to-face might be a good way to start."

"Haha. So you desire to see my great self? Normally, you would be too lowly to even give upon my divine self, but I shall make exceptions today." A conceited voice came this time. "Behold my glorious self." The void in front of Alaric shook, and something flew out from it.

Almost immediately, as though the effect had been stripped bare in a magic show, Alaric’s face twisted in pure disdain.

"Hey, kid, what’s with that ugly look on your face? Don’t be rude. This isn’t my real form. You couldn’t look at me if I truly appeared."

"A snake? How befitting. You took a form that tells people how you are. From the way you spoke earlier, I could tell I wasn’t the only blessed one you approached. How degrading, I wonder how many times you failed, as there is only one usurper and it had nothing to do with you." Alaric said, his face dripping in disdain.

In front of Alaric, a small black snake, no longer than 10 inches, slithered playfully through the air, with small, rugged horns on its head. Its white, beady eyes are fixed on Alaric.

"Ah, I prefer the way you were before. That emotionless kid, who wouldn’t react to any slight. That was talent. So tell me, young man, are you still holding a grudge against me?"

Alaric’s eyes settled, turning half-lid. "I believe I have a pretty good grasp of my emotions, and my current state is better than the way I was back then. And no, I don’t hold a grudge against you; in fact, I should be thanking you." He dropped down, sitting cross-legged on the grass once again before continuing. "You see, back then, I was at my lowest. I wanted it all to end. I was in so much pain, I thought death would be more merciful, but then you showed up, trying to talk me into killing myself, which provoked a rebellious side of me I never thought I had. You gave me a reason to continue living, and I am grateful for that."

An imperceptible twitch, too subtle to catch by normal people, played on the corner of the snake’s mouth, before stopping, but Alaric caught on.

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "It felt like you were trying to encourage me in your own way, so, no, I don’t hold a grudge. You are the reason I made it this far."

"You are quite a hateful kid, but I can tell you weren’t joking about not holding a grudge. For that, I shall tell you a secret."

The snake’s voice grew heavy, with a serious edge. It pointed its tail upwards.

"You are constantly being watched. Don’t think because the heavenly Dao prevents higher beings from harming or interfering with the blessed, they can’t watch or influence those around you."

Alaric’s face turned slightly pale. Of course, he had thought above it himself; this was just confirmation.

’The first time I thought about this was when I read a broken text from the old world, where it was stated that blessed are solitary beings. The author was clearly one who enjoys the company of many, most especially maidens. It stated, ’Woe are the blessed who fight a lonely battle against an unseen enemy, without once knowing the soft embrace of a maiden, nor the chaste beauty of having a companion working beside them. Mayhaps the woeful one is me, for I have dipped my fingers in oil, and tasted of a wine above all others. Mayhaps their Circumstance is in some way a blessing.’ Through that, I could tell that most blessed choose to walk alone, to protect themselves.’

The snake let out a dreary chuckle before stating. "You can already tell what I will say from now. The way you were before you gained a flaw known as emotions was the optimal state for a blessed person to operate in. Sadly, the heavens granted it to you."

"Are you trying to play your stupid games again?" Alaric tilted his head to the side.

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