With a metallic clang, Warden Wayne set his meteor hammer on the ground, then sat down heavily atop it. Propping his chin up with one hand, he looked at Black Moon with apparent interest.
"Kid, you're one of the Nether Syndicate too, aren't you? Heh, the successor of the Dog Zodiac among the Zodiac Twelve. You look capable, but compared to our era, you're far behind."
Warden Wayne wore a contemptuous expression as he stared at Black Moon.
"That's true. To wield the Ninefold Yin-Yang Technique so skillfully—a forbidden art ranked among the top in the Nether Syndicate—I imagine you were quite formidable in life."
"Of course. Heh, this technique was created by Felix Fan. Even the Nether Syndicate leader at the time feared it. It even alarmed Old Tom. Felix Fan and I are good friends, so he shared its secrets with me. But you, Tooth, you have a Spirit Snake inside you, don't you? I never thought the Serpent Saint among the Zodiac Twelve would fall so far—now consorting with ghosts."
With a whoosh, a long surge of baleful energy burst from my chest, stretching and gradually taking the form of a giant python. Then it shrank down, its crimson eyes fixed on Warden Wayne—the Spirit Snake had appeared.
"Who are you talking about, kid? I walk with Tooth for my own reasons. It was Felix Fan who betrayed us first."
"Heh, whatever happened between you all is none of my concern. I came to this world to serve Master Xavier, so I'll do my duty for her. You all have to come back with me. If you don't want to die, surrender quietly."
I stood up, while Black Moon grinned at Warden Wayne.
"So, great elder, you must've been truly powerful when you were alive."
"That's right."
"Then how did you die? If you were so powerful, why is Felix Fan still alive and you are dead?"
In an instant, Warden Wayne's face changed drastically, turning as red as a pig's liver. He shouted and flew toward us, raising his meteor hammer.
"What do you think, Tooth, this guy...?"
"Too weak."
As I spoke, I floated over with a whoosh, gradually adapting to Warden Wayne's attacks. His strength and speed were formidable, but I could see clearly. With a bang, I dodged the meteor hammer's strike. Suddenly, I saw a hand holding a meteor hammer emerge from Warden Wayne's chest. Startled, I raised Belle, and with a clang, was sent flying backward.
A soft object caught me—it was a round moon. Black Moon laughed heartily and clapped his hands.
"Tooth, hurry up. This nameless nobody didn't even leave a trace in the Nether Syndicate's history. No need to waste words with him."
"Damn it, I'm strong, you know."
The moment Warden Wayne approached, his body split into nine, each wielding a meteor hammer and attacking me. I closed my eyes, gripped Belle, and quietly held my breath.
A surge of killing intent rushed out from deep within me. This was an attack I had always feared and avoided—channeling my killing intent through instinct. The baleful energy would become more tangible; if it was like mud before, with killing intent it became as sharp as steel.
I gripped Belle tightly in both hands, unable to control my killing intent any longer. It surged out, the baleful energy on my skin bubbling like boiling water, enveloping me. Around me, the baleful energy sprayed out like steam.
Meteor hammers crashed down on me. Warden Wayne laughed loudly.
"Looks like you're pretty slow. No wonder I never heard of you even after death."
Black Moon lightly leaped away from my side.
With a roar, a black translucent evil spirit appeared on my back, raising both its hands. I opened my eyes and swung Belle upward with all my strength.
In an instant, baleful energy shot out like blades in all directions. The space around us turned black, the baleful energy cloaking everything like dark mist.
The nine Warden Waynes above me shattered, followed by the sound of thuds. I sheathed Belle, and chunks of meat and meteor hammer fragments fell to the ground.
I gritted my teeth, feeling awful. I couldn't control the killing intent surging in my heart. The chunks of flesh on the ground turned into soft white light and vanished. With a whimper, Warden Wayne's four hands and feet were severed, his body marked with countless blade wounds.
I stared quietly at Warden Wayne, one hand raised as a Desert Eagle quickly formed in my grip. Warden Wayne wept, shaking his head.
The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things and does not contend. It dwells in places that others disdain, and thus is close to the Dao.
An elderly voice sounded. I slowly turned my head and saw Zhou Xue supporting a sickly Li Er, walking toward me.
"You'd better not approach Tooth right now. He can't control his killing intent."
Black Moon spoke as my hand tightened on the trigger, aiming at Warden Wayne.
"Young man, heaviness is the root of lightness, calmness is the ruler of agitation. If you are light, you lose your root; if you are agitated, you lose your ruler."
"What... does that mean?"
My mind was awash in blood-red, but Li Er's words caught my attention. I half-knelt on the ground, quietly watching Li Er.
"Young man, what is your original intention? The violence and baleful energy in you often sway your actions. Remember not to act rashly. Calm as water—not everyone can achieve this, but you must not let your emotions rule you. If you can't do that, remind yourself: you are your own master, no matter your power or status. The self is the master."
[Irrelevant system message skipped.]
I quietly watched Li Er, nearly unable to suppress myself. It was as if a voice kept telling me to destroy everything here. That voice grew clearer—the darkness in my heart, amplifying my killing intent, awakening the malice within the baleful energy.
I knelt on the ground, my mind in turmoil, struggling to restrain myself. I used to be able to control it, but as this darkness deepened, my killing intent became harder and harder to contain.
The killing intent was about to crush me. With a clang, Belle fell to the ground. I propped myself up with both hands. Master Fuyuan once said, no matter the excuse, killing is a grave sin—there are no justifications. I knew this darkness wanted to consume me, looking for a chance. If I let my guard down, I would lose myself completely.
All things are born great. Young man, deep in your soul, there must be something unyielding. Even if you struggle, even if you can't bear it, that enduring core matters more than anything.
"Help me, Celestial Soul."
I shouted, unable to restrain myself any longer. The baleful energy stretched out like tangled roots, staining the ground black. Beneath me, it bubbled like a lake, seeking release.
The black evil spirit on my back grew clearer, its hands gripping my arms tightly, laughing maniacally.
"Celestial Soul, help me."
I shouted again. Then, a sigh echoed in my mind, a creaking sound followed. The evil spirit pressing on my back whimpered, and a bright white sapling sprouted from my back, growing leaves.
I stared in amazement as a voice echoed in my mind. I growled deeply in response.
Instinct... called origin...
The baleful energy that wanted to drag me down began to retract into my body. The black roots shrank back, and the white tree on my back grew larger.
Gradually, the white began to turn black. With a whoosh, all the baleful energy was absorbed into the white tree. Then, the tree, over ten meters tall, turned gray and began to wither. With a creak, it shattered and dispersed into gray particles.
I panted, drenched in sweat, lying on the ground.
"I failed."
I clenched my fist and pounded the ground, feeling bitter and unwilling. My eyes were bleak. Suddenly, a hand pressed to my forehead—it was Li Er.
"Young man, you too are uniquely gifted—a seeker of the Dao. Don't trouble yourself. No matter how things change, everything returns to the Dao. You are learning about yourself, and both sides make up who you are. Don't be afraid, just accept it calmly. Now, I'd like you to do me a favor."
I nodded and thanked him. As I watched Li Er, suddenly my chest grew warm. Zhang Jizheng burst out, knelt before Li Er, and performed the three-kneel nine-bow ritual.
"Disciple Zhang Jizheng greets the Supreme Daoist."
Li Er sighed helplessly and shook his head.
"I'm just an ordinary mortal, don't overdo it. Get up."
Li Er bent down and helped Zhang Jizheng up, coughing violently.
In the sky, my seven ghost souls appeared. Li Er asked us to free the prisoners in this prison. With a wave, my seven ghost souls went in different directions.
"Thank you, young man."
I shook my head.
"The world calls you Laozi. May I ask you a question?"
"Ask, young man."