CHAPTER 8: A Souls Promise

Zhiyun watched the group from the shadows as they entered the lair. They moved cautiously, their eyes darting around as if searching for something.

"Boss, this place is way too quiet," one of the mercenaries muttered, breaking the tense silence.

"Yeah. Where's the monster? And what about the kid? Shouldn't there be… I don't know, some remains ?" another asked, glancing around nervously.

"Maybe the brat got eaten, and the monster wandered off," a man with a ponytail suggested, though his tone lacked certainty.

"But then why does the place look like this? Look at these claw marks and scorch marks on the walls," a thin mercenary added, running his fingers over a deep groove in the stone.

The leader, a tall man with sharp features, stayed silent as he examined the surroundings. His expression grew serious. Something about the situation clearly unsettled him.

'None of this makes sense. No monster, no kid, and these marks… What happened here?'

"Stay sharp!" the leader finally barked, his voice cutting through the unease. "The monster could still be nearby. But remember, our main goal is the crystal lily. Keep your focus and your eyes open."

The group nodded, gripping their weapons as they fanned out to search the area.

Zhiyun stayed hidden, observing them with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. His initial plan was straightforward, kill them all and use their souls to strengthen his own.

But as he watched, a thought struck him he had no knowledge of this world's current state. These people, insignificant as they seemed, could provide the information he might needed as he paved his way back to the celestial realm.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, he dismissed his original plan. As much as he disliked delaying his soul nourishment, acting recklessly without understanding the rules of this realm could prove fatal. Even though he had begun cultivating again, he was still at the bottom of the power hierarchy.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Zhiyun turned his sharp gaze back to the mercenaries and recall what he know about the realms.

Originally there are 4 realms:

1. Mortal Realm – The lowest plane, inhabited by mortals and cultivators striving for immortality. Lifespans could reach up to 1,500 years if youre a cultivator but around 80 to 150 if you are not.

2. Immortal Realm – A realm for those who had formed their souls. Lifespans extended to 5,000 years, along with far greater power.

3. Celestial Realm and Netherworld – The domain of gods and powerful beings who had survived the Tribulation of Ascension. Lifespans stretched to a million years. This was where Zhiyun once ruled before his downfall.

4. Deviant Realm – A mysterious and unknown dimension inhabited by protectors of the cosmos. Their powers were beyond comprehension, and even in his prime, Zhiyun knew little about them.

'I need to confirm if the rules of this world are the same as what I remember and who govern this mortal realm.

His eyes glinted with sharp intent as he studied the group. 'I'll keep a few of them alive for now. They might prove useful.'

Decided to set his plan into motion, Zhiyun moved to the perfect spot to meet the group. With exceptional agility and stealth, even the sharpest mercenary failed to notice his presence.

In no time, he reached the edge of a waterfall.

Positioning himself carefully, he let half of his body soak in the water while the upper half rested on the rocky ground.

His face appeared pale and lifeless as he gently leaned it to the side, playing the part of a helpless victim.

Footsteps grew louder, echoing as the mercenaries approached his area.

'They're here. Heh.' Zhiyun's lips twitched in amusement, though he kept his eyes closed to maintain his façade.

"Boss! Look! It's the kid!" one of the mercenaries shouted, pointing toward Zhiyun.

The leader barely spared the boy a glance, his face indifferent. "Is he still alive?"

"I'm not sure, boss. Want me to check?"

"No. Leave him. He's of no use to us."

Zhiyun smirked ever so slightly behind his closed eyes.

'I wouldn't be so sure about that.'

Suddenly, the thin man from earlier sprinted toward the group, sweat dripping from his furrowed brow as he panted heavily.

"B-Boss!" he gasped, trying to catch his breath.

"Speak."

"We went to the other side and saw the monster!" he exclaimed, causing a ripple of panic among the group.

"W-What?! We need to get out of here! Run!" The leader's voice trembled slightly as he turned and bolted toward the dense forest.

"Wait, boss! Wait! We don't have to!"

The burly leader stopped mid-step, glaring at the thin man with a look that screamed, 'Do you have a death wish?'

The thin man immediately straightened, frantically waving his hands. "No, no! I mea it's dead! The monster is dead! Its head… it's completely smashed, splattered everywhere!" He said with an exaggerated gestures, meant to illustrate his point and mde him look ridiculous.

The leader's expression darkened as he marched back and smacked the thin man hard on his bald head. The mercenary winced, his scalp glowing red from the blow.

"You idiot! Why didn't you start with that?!"

"I-I was going to, but you—"

"Shut up!" the leader cut him off, his patience wearing thin. "What else did you find?"

"Uh… nothing else, boss. We searched every corner, but there's no sign of the crystal lily."

"Impossible!" the leader growled, his eyes narrowing. "Who could've taken it? Only the boy and the monster were in here!" His gaze drifted to the seemingly unconscious Zhiyun, floating lifelessly in the pool

"Search him," he barked. Two men immediately stepped forward and began patting Zhiyun down.

"Boss, there's nothing in his pockets except for this… junk ring," one of the men said, tossing the ring toward their leader.

Zhiyun cracked his eyes open slightly, just enough to see the thin man throw the ring to the leader, who snatched it out of the air and slipped it into his pocket.

"What is this trash? Just a worthless piece of metal with a cheap stone," the leader muttered dismissively. He then waved at his men.

"Bring the boy. We'll interrogate him once he wakes up."

"But boss," one of the men whined, wrinkling his nose in disgust, "he's just a slave! I don't want his dirt on me!"

"Stop complaining and do as I say!" the leader snapped before turning and storming off.

The two men groaned in frustration, slumping in defeat and annoyance, they decided to look for materials that may help them carry the boy.

After a few minutes, Zhiyun felt his body being lifted and secured into a makeshift sling. The mercenaries hoisted him into a hanging blanket, ready to transport him outside.

'Now this is more like I it,' Zhiyun thought smugly, finding amusement in the situation.

Being carried leisurely for hours while plotting his next move wasn't something Zhiyun would have chosen, but it wasn't so bad either.

After five long hours of walking, the group finally exited the cave. They were greeted by the impending nightfall and decided to set up camp nearby.

As the group assembled their tents, Zhiyun felt a hard thump on his back as the two men carrying him deliberately dropped him on the ground beside his tent.

A vein bulged on his forehead, a clear sign of his fury at their disrespect.

Bottling up his emotions, Zhiyun let out a deep breath and opened his eyes.

'Haste makes waste,' he reminded himself, calming his anger.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps gathering in front of him. Peeking through the thin curtain of his tent, he scanned his surroundings. From what he could tell, his tent was located near the central firepit, surrounded by everyone else's tents.

"It seems they don't plan on letting me go not that I would leave without having my feast," he muttered to himself with a smirk.

Zhiyun watched as the mercenaries gathered around the fire, eating and chatting.

"Boss, what should we do? The client's going to be furious if we don't deliver that herb this week," the ponytailed mercenary said while biting into a piece of bread.

"We can't afford to mess with them. They're part of one of the big sects in Yan City," another chimed in

Soon, the group's chatter grew louder as everyone voiced their worries. Sensing the rising tension, the burly leader stood up and bellowed, "Everybody, calm down!"

The group immediately fell silent, turning their attention to him.

"We still have time to locate the flower," the leader said confidently. "Besides, we have a more important mission to focus on."

Zhiyun perked up at that, his curiosity piqued.

'Another mission? Could it involve a treasure I can take?' he thought, smirking.

The leader continued, "Before we came here, I received two missions. The first was to retrieve the crystal lily from the cave monster."

He paused, a dark grin spreading across his face.

"The second is to capture the young masters of the Heavenly Concise Sect dead or alive."

'Heavenly Concise Sect? Why does that sound familiar?' Zhiyun wondered as a sudden, sharp pain shot through his head. His hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

'What's happening? Is the qi inside me still unstable?'

His thoughts were interrupted by one of the mercenaries speaking up.

"But, boss, isn't that dangerous? The Heavenly Concise Sect is one of the middle-ranking sects in Yan City. Kidnapping their young masters could bring a lot of trouble," the man said, his voice tinged with fear.

"Exactly, boss. Their father is the sect leader a Golden Core stage cultivator, no less!" added the ponytailed man, his face pale with worry.

The leader nodded. "That's true."

"Then why did you accept the mission, boss? It's not like you to be reckless," one of the men asked.

The leader's grin widened. "I wouldn't have taken it if the request hadn't come directly from the sect itself."

His revelation left the group stunned.

'So this is their special mission? Killing rich brats from a prestigious sect?' Zhiyun thought, feeling his boredom creeping back in.

"Should I kill them now? They don't seem to have any useful intel for me," he muttered to himself, contemplating their fate.

His thoughts were interrupted by loud laughter from the group.

"Boss, this is amazing! If the Heavenly Concise Sect is backing us, we'll have nothing to fear from other sects!"

"Exactly! They'll protect us even if we fail the flower mission!" another mercenary shouted, his excitement palpable.

"So, boss, where are these young masters hiding?"

The leader's expression turned serious. "According to the intel, they're taking refuge in an old temple at Albester Peak. They only have four guards, all at the Qi Transformation stage, with the strongest at Level 2."

"There are ten of us, all at the Qi Condensation stage. Will that be enough?" one of the men asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.

Don't worry. We have our methods. Besides…" The leader's grin turned predatory. "Aren't you all excited to see the beauty of the young mistress?"

His words sent a wave of lecherous smiles through the group, their eyes gleaming with vile anticipation.

"They say her beauty is like that of a lily delicate, refreshing, with skin as smooth as porcelain," one of the men said, his voice dripping with lust.

Zhiyun watched their disgusting display, his face emotionless. "Cultivators driven by temptation will never learn the ways of the Dao," he muttered coldly.

"What's her name again?" one of the mercenaries asked.

"Brother, have you been living under a rock? She's the eldest daughter of the Heavenly Concise Sect Wu Meina!"

The moment Zhiyun heard that name, a sharp pain shot through his chest. His body began trembling uncontrollably, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as his breathing became uneven.

The sound of his fall caught the attention of the mercenaries outside. The man with a ponytail rushed into the tent and delivered a harsh kick to his side.

"Boss! The kid's awake, but he doesn't look good," the man shouted.

Zhiyun's mind began to fade, the voices around him turning into faint, muffled echoes.

'Damn it… What's happening to me?' he thought.

As his consciousness slipped away, darkness engulfed him entirely.

—————

Zhiyun opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by an endless black void. The ground beneath him reflected his old appearance his long, dark hair cascading down his back, and his piercing silver eyes staring back at him.

It had been millennia since he last took a proper look at himself. (Bruh know he's hot)

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft male voice

"Please help me," it said.

Zhiyun turned toward the voice and saw a familiar figurethe boy whose body he had possessed.

"Now this is amusing," Zhiyun remarked coldly, his gaze fixed on the boy with detached interest.

"Please help me," the boy repeated, his face blank, and his pale teal-green eyes empty, like a lifeless fish.

The boy began walking toward Zhiyun, repeating the same words over and over. Zhiyun stood motionless, watching him approach with an impassive expression.

When the boy finally stood before him, he lifted his head and stared directly into Zhiyun's eyes. "Please help me," he repeated.

Before Zhiyun could respond, a blinding beam of light shot from the boy's forehead, striking Zhiyun and sending him crashing onto his back.

A flood of memories surged into Zhiyun's mind.

The boy's name was also Zhiyun, a coincidence he couldn't ignore. The mortal Zhiyun had been an orphan, destined to die of hunger in the streets.

One fateful day, he saw a ten-year-old girl being kidnapped by thugs in a remote corner of the slums.

Determined to give his life meaning, he intervened and managed to help her escape, though he was stabbed in the process.

Unexpectedly, the girl's family found him and saved him. That girl was Wu Meina, a young mistress of the prominent Wu Family, known as the leaders of the Heavenly Concise Sect, one of the six major sects in Yan City.

From that day, mortal Zhiyun became Wu Meina's servant.

The memory shifted to another scene. Zhiyun saw the boy and the Wu siblings fleeing with ten bodyguards two mortals, seven Core Transformation cultivators, and one Golden Core-stage expert who bore a strong resemblance to the siblings.

They were being pursued by ten hooded figures, seven in the Core Transformation stage and three in the Radiant stage. The assassins wore plain brown robes with green hoods, exuding an air of menace.

The Golden Core-stage man stopped abruptly, drawing his weapon and motioning for the group to keep moving.

"Father! What are you doing?!" Wu Meina cried, her jade-green eyes brimming with tears. Her long, disheveled chocolate-brown hair spilled over her shoulders as she reached for him desperately.

"Miss, you must keep going! We'll stay and assist the sect master. Don't worry nothing will happen to him unless they walk over our corpses first!" one of the guards assured her with a smile.

"Meina stop! Li Cheng! Take your sister and get to safety!" the man commanded.

The boy, Li Cheng, nodded reluctantly. His chocolate-brown hair fell over his deep ocean-blue eyes, concealing the tears threatening to spill as he grabbed his sister and forced her to flee.

The scene shifted again, and this time Zhiyun found himself observing the mortal boy running through a familiar forest.

"From the looks of this terrain, this is where he dies," Zhiyun muttered, recognizing the trees and the clearing where the assassins would eventually catch up.

As he expected, the scene unfolded just as he remembered. Mortal Zhiyun was struck by multiple arrows and fell into the dark lake.

"You're loyal to a fault," Zhiyun muttered softly, his gaze lingering on the boy. "If only all beings shared such devotion, I might not be in this situation."

He watched as mortal Zhiyun's body sank into the darkness, his life slipping away.

Just when Zhiyun thought it was over, the boy's eyes opened. He pulled out a slip of paper from his chest and began muttering an incantation. Though Zhiyun couldn't hear the words, he recognized the chant instantly.

Upon finishing the incantation, the boy tore the slip apart. A radiant glow of golden and silver hues enveloped him, and the light began to extend outward.

Golden chains materialized and wrapped themselves around Zhiyun's arms, legs, neck, and torso, binding his soul.

Zhiyun's eyes narrowed at the sight, his fury barely contained.

But as he looked into the boy's face, his anger faltered. The mortal Zhiyun gazed at him with an expression that struck a chord, sadness, fear, and guilt mingling in his teal-green eyes. It was as if he was silently apologizing for what he had done.

Zhiyun froze, taken aback by the boy's emotions. For a moment, the Demon Emperor felt something he hadn't experienced in millennia, pity.

"So that's why… Out of all people, it had to be you I possessed," he muttered bitterly, a hollow chuckle escaping his lips.

His chuckle grew louder, spiraling into hysterical laughter that echoed in the void.

Looking up, his dark expression twisted further, veins bulging across his neck and forehead.

"To think I would survive… but at what cost? My soul is now shackled to ensure the safety of those brats," he muttered through clenched teeth.

His gaze shifted back to the boy.

"In exchange for selling your soul to oblivion and letting me possess your body, I will ensure your masters safety, right?" he asked coldly.

The boy's soul nodded silently.

"Then our deal ends here," Zhiyun declared.

The golden chains disintegrated into specks of light and pierced into Zhiyun's chest, forming two golden spiritual swords embedded in his demonic heart, a safety measure to ensure he fulfilled the contract.

As the boy's soul drifted away, it smiled faintly, filled with gratitude.

Zhiyun clenched his fists, his voice low and seething with bitterness. "You gave up everything for their sake… How foolish."

———

Zhiyun awoke, seated on a log near a campfire. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the dull pain in his chest. The sensation confirmed his return to reality.

Around him, the mercenaries were drinking and laughing, their raucous behavior grating on his nerves. His silver eyes glinted with malice as a dark smile crept onto his face.

"It seems my plans will have to wait until I deal with this," he muttered to himself.

One of the mercenaries noticed him and shouted, "Boss! The kid's awake!"

The leader, with a commanding presence, approached Zhiyun, towering over his small frame.

"Tell us what you know about the crystal lily," the man demanded, pointing a sword at Zhiyun's face.

Zhiyun stared at him blankly before his lips curled into an unsettling smile.

"Would you like to hear a story?" he asked, his tone calm and chilling