Chapter 103: The Devil’s Shadow and Dragon’s Gaze

In the midst of the ancient Star Dou Forest, an abysmal, near-auspicious quiet filled the air, punctuated by distant, eerie howls of unheard animals and the soft whisper of leaves that rustled in the wind. But today, that calm was disrupted as Er Ming, the Azure Bull Python, sensed an ominous disturbance coursed through the forest—a menacing presence. The previously calm air crackled with tempestuous power, every beat causing shudders among the vegetation, as if a scythe slicing through space. Automatically, Er Ming's giant form tensed, his sinuous neck turning to gaze in the direction of the turmoil. "Da Ming, something's wrong. It's coming from the direction of Tang Yan," Er Ming's thunderous voice boomed, deep and urgent, echoing through the dense, humid air. To his side, the Titan Giant Ape Da Ming scrunched up his brow, golden eyes narrowing with fear. "Let's go," he thundered, commanding, and they both charged into the forest, their huge bodies shaking the ground violently with every stride. Upon approaching the clearing, the sight of Tang Yan greeting them at the edge caught Er Ming's eye, his chest bare to the weather. But his bare chest was not what captivated Er Ming and Da Ming—it was the tattoos that disfigured his body. On his right arm, a devil holding a scythe seemed to grasp him, its blood-red strokes throbbing menacingly, and darkness seemed to bleed out of the blade, as if shadows themselves lived. On his left arm, a magnificent purple dragon unfurled, its scales shimmering with a silent, heavy power that felt both alluring and deadly. Da Ming's massive chest rose and fell with deep breaths filled with unease. "Er Ming… those tattoos…" he trailed off, struggling to comprehend the significance. Er Ming tightened his coils, a visceral twinge of dread lancing through him. "They're… the same. Like that man…"

That man. A ghost from their past, his very presence had torqued their hearts with an ingrained fear—a person they could not help but remember, whose eyes glowed purple and scarlet, ready to squash their souls with just a single look. And yet, out of their fear, the sense of responsibility and care for Tang Yan urged them to move closer. "He seems hurt… we have to bring him to the core," Da Ming determined, his voice firm. They handled Tang Yan's lifeless frame with care suitable for their gargantuan stature and carried him deep into the Star Dou Great Forest's interior—a holiest of sanctums few would ever tread upon. At the center, there was a moment of wordless communication between Da Ming and Er Ming before they combined their powerful Mental and Spirit might, channeling it to scan Tang Yan's status. The instant they did that, the tattoos violently reacted. "ARGH—!" Da Ming bellowed from his throat, a noise so mighty that it echoed between the trees, loosening loose branches from their treetop abodes. Er Ming winced, a stinging ache going through his mind, as if a million unseen knives had sliced at his very being. It was too familiar—a recollection of that past horror, the one with scarlet-purple eyes that haunted their memories. But with the fear, something deeper rushed through their minds: the atmosphere that surrounded Tang Yan now—a combination of brutal capability and a melancholy yearning, as if he pined for something forever lost. Abruptly, Tang Yan moved, drawing in coarsely. He grasped his forehead with a shaking hand, seated cross-legged on the forest floor. His eyes seemed far away and unfocused, yet tidal waves of power ebbed from him, swelling and steadying like a wave in the sea. In their minds, a rusty memory came alive with haunting clarity: the man standing before them, darkness shrouding him, except for the piercing sheen of his scarlet-purple eyes and that ominous voice echoing still: "I'll help when it's necessary." They had left those words hanging in the air like a dense fog. Even before the brothers could bring their thoughts out, silvery light started shimmering, clustering itself into a slim figure. Her silver locks shone like the moonlight, lighting up the earth below: Gu Yuena. "Da Ming, Er Ming," she said, her voice calm but tinged with a fierce intensity. "What happened here?" The two soul beasts bowed their heads in deference, the gravity of the situation weighing upon them. Er Ming was the first to find the courage to speak, his voice low and respectful. "We experienced violent fluctuations and came to discover Tang Yan… he has changed. His tattoos are identical to that man's. We tried to probe, but…" Gu Yuena's violet eyes furrowed with contemplation. "A Space-Time rift possibly. It looks like Yan'er has changed the past… even outside our comprehension." "Should we inform Di Tian?" Da Ming asked with caution. "There's no need," Gu Yuena said, her tone calmer. "And that fellow… I think it must have been Yan'er himself. Did he respond when you came near?" Er Ming faltered, his scales shuddering with unuttered tension. "Once only, when questioned as to who he was… he said: 'I'll assist when needed.'" A faint, unusual smile played on the lips of Gu Yuena—so brief it was hard to believe it happened. "No need to be afraid. Obey his orders, guard his name… and just wait." With her radiant presence disappearing into the silver illumination, she trailed off, saying softly, "Besides… he calls me 'Mom.'" And as she went away, silence reappeared in the age-old forest. Tang Yan knelt by a calm pool, gazing at his own image, struggling against the burden of the new tattoos that weighed more than steel, their dormant energy pulsating just beneath the surface. But before he could sink deeper into contemplation, a searing agony pierced his brain like burning needles. His breath caught; he almost lost his footing. "System! What's going on?!" he bellowed through gritted teeth. System: "Host's Spirit power is being swamped by a torrent of information. Spirit cultivation is urgently advised on the spot." "Tch…" Tang Yan breathed out, taking a deep breath to calm his pounding heart. He sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to block out the world, and started to delve within himself. In the depths of his mind, the voice of the system sounded playful. "This is the price of regaining both knowledge and physical experience. Your soul wasn't adequately prepared." "So. if I cure this headache, I'll gain access to the knowledge?" he asked. System: "Not all of it. You need Higher Spirit power to open it up. As your Spirit strength increases, pieces will become clearer—piece by piece." Tang Yan clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Always with the mysterious answers, eh?" System: "Host, you are haunted by the truth…" 

Seven days of silence went by, interrupted only by the faint rustling of leaves and remote roars. Tang Yan meditated, tolerated pain, and heard the taunting voice in his mind. Gradually, the oppressive headache softened and then disappeared.

In its stead was a keen lucidity, as if he were viewing the world through an exquisitely honed blade. Tang Yan stood, rolling his shoulders and feeling power wrap and tighten around him.

Before him, Da Ming and Er Ming waited for him. A small smile played on Tang Yan's lips—barely. In the depths of his black eyes, mirth danced behind his combativeness, undiscovered by anyone else.

"Well then. let's see what this new power can do," he said.