Chapter 93: (Feng) Phoenix
Chapter 93: (Feng) Phoenix
In an instant, coldness enveloped my body, making me shiver madly in cold. That split-second moment where I removed the Qi energy that I wrapped on my hand, the Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf managed to take advantage of that moment, invading my mind and automatically fusing with my soul.
At the time I realized what was going on, I was already in a barren land, filled to the brim with ice. A hazy smoke left my lips as I exhaled. The surroundings were an unfamiliar place for me and I didn't know how I got there, the only thing I know was that I was probably in the domain of the Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf.
Wait... if I was in the domain of this Spirit Beast, then does that mean this Spirit Beast is actually stronger than Gold Rank?!
"How dare a mere human call me a Gold Rank. Do you know who I am, human?" A voice from behind me growled as I felt an incredible amount of pressure weighing down on me.
Fear was instilled within me as I slowly turned around. Certainly, whatever it is behind me held greater power than someone in the Ancient Realm. They may be in the Peak Ancient Realm or Lower Dao Realm.
However, to my surprise, what greeted me was not a human. In fact, it was the same Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf that I merged with.
"You are currently in my domain. Here, the time flow is much slower compared to the outside world, which makes negotiation a bit more interesting." The Evolved Ice Wolf Fang spoke with great mockery. I could tell that it was smirking at me although I couldn't quite clearly see its mouth.
"Why did you bring me here? Didn't I already successfully fused with you... well, it was a bit of an accident but nevertheless... " I shrugged. Albeit the pressure I was receiving, I was trying too hard to maintain my composure as the Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf glared at me with great intensity.
I just noticed that the Fanged Ice Wolf was furrier than I thought it would be, and it had ice crystals revolving around its body. As for its eyes, it was heterochromatic one of its eyes is blue and the other one is white.
"So you're telling me that you fused with me by accident?! I, the great ruler of the Ice Wolves, fused with a cultivator that didn't even want me?!" The Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf exclaimed as it circled around me.
"It's all right, you know. Accidents happen." I said in consolation. I didn't know why it was angry when fusing with someone is a great honor when it comes to Spirit Beasts. "Although I didn't want this. I know that you'll be very useful in the near future. You can just call me in your domain if you have any problems." I told him. "I know that the cultivator is the only one who could cancel the fusion at any time but just to let you know, I need all the power I could get right now."
"For sure, if I didn't have any domain, you would've never fused with me. How were you able to accidentally fuse with me anyways? As far as I know, only those in the Transcendence Realm or higher could fuse with me since I'm stronger than them. Wait, are you lying at my face right now?! There's no way you could've fused with me that easily, much less accidentally!"
"I wasn't kidding! Your Qi energy just so happened to come in contact with mine and then this happened. Wait, are you telling me you're stronger than Transcendence Realm Cultivators? What's your rank right now?"
"If you were to ask me... I've reached the Titanium rank a few decades ago." The Spirit Beast said. "In all my years of staying in the human world, this was the first time someone fused with me. I hope you will treat me well from now on. Spirit Beasts have feelings as well, you know."
"All right, all right!" I reassured the Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf as I went nearer towards it. "It's also my first time fusing with a Spirit Beast so, it's a pleasure to be working with you as well."
Swoooooosh!
And just like that, I was out of the Evolved Fanged Ice Wolf's domain. It was a bit unsure of fusing with me but just like any other spirit beasts, once fused with someone, it can't actually retaliate against its master. For now, I'll do my best to coexist with it until I could completely fuse with it and use its inherent abilities.
"Kiiiiiehhhk!" The Screecher Baby called out to me once again.
I glared at it, but just as I was going to make it shut up, I realized that I've wasted enough time as it is. For now, I roughly have an hour left before the Rush Hour happens.
"Let's go um... Feng." I called out after thinking about it. "How about it, a fitting name right? Just like how a phoenix gets a rebirth in the myths, you've been given a rebirth to have another chance at life. Well, you're just my subordinate though but at least you're not technically dead yet."
The Screecher Baby looked at me with delight as it hopped up and down. It was still crawling on all fours so it looked a bit cute.
"Now that that's over with. I guess we have to go." I called out.
<Congratulations, you have successfully named your Rare Zombie>
<Rare Zombie will now be called Feng from this point onwards>
With a grin on my face, I started going upwards where the Screecher Baby and I descended from. Since I don't have anything else to do here except cut the connection between the Forsaken Tree and the Qi Energy Ball below it, I decided to go up.
And just when things were bound to get better, it took a turn for the worst.
That's right, the effect of the pill which weakens the pressure received from the Forsaken Tree has worn off!
In a split second, my body instinctively crumbled down as the pressure bore down on me with full force. As someone in the Immortal Realm, I would've had a chance to stand up against it. However, having three Qi Cores was not exactly helpful at this point in time. No matter how hard I attempted to stand up, concentrating on stabilizing my three Qi Cores was already beyond my limit. And adding to that, I was still in my Berserk Mode so my three Qi Cores were more erratic than usual.
"Yongrui, we have to get out of here." Hui-ying advised. I could tell that her voice was unsure and panicky but she was trying hard not to show it in her manner of speech.
"Can you lessen the pain for me, we all know what's going to happen after this, right? I have to remain conscious for as long as I can. If I fall into unconsciousness, I might forever remain a mindless rabid human." I told her as I gritted my teeth.
By now, I could feel that my innards were already becoming a jumbled mess as the pressure increased by the second. Blood gushed out of my mouth and ears, and my eyes were starting to feel like they're going to pop out of my sockets. I don't know how long I'd be able to remain conscious but one thing's for sure I might lose consciousness at any moment now.
<Congratulations, you've learned the skill Anaesthesia>
<Skill: Anaesthesia pain reduction, fifty percent>
<Would you like to activate your new skill?>
<Yes/No>
"Thanks, Hui-ying, how convenient," I said as I forced a smile on my face.
"Make sure you don't die, Yongrui. My life's also in your hands." Hui-ying hoped.
"Hopefully not, it would be a waste if I die here when I haven't even finished my mission," I answered.
<Losing consciousness>
<Automatic Qi Condensation has activated>
<Due to the amount of Qi Energy in the proximity, player will be forced to break through>
<Requesting permission for forced breakthrough: Failure to comply will result in death>
<Yes/No>
'Well, it's not like I've got that much of a choice here, do I?' I thought to myself as I drifted into a half-conscious state. "Of course, I'll choose yes."
Suddenly, an enormous amount of Qi Energy surged through my body as the Qi Energy Ball right above me was absorbed by my Qi Cores. Since the Qi Energy Ball was hundreds of times larger than my three Qi Cores, the amount of Qi Energy in it was more than enough to make me feel like countless bees stung every pore on my body. With crippling pain, I struggled to keep my consciousness as I cultivated three of my Qi Cores at once. I assumed that if even one of them was left behind in cultivation, the little control I have over them would go haywire.
"Well, this isn't your regular breakthrough, all right." I gritted my teeth as I sat down. and continuously absorbed the Qi Energy Ball, transferring it to my three Qi Cores which I don't even know the use of yet.
But my consciousness was short-lived. After just thirty seconds of absorbing the Qi Energy Ball all to myself, my body shut down as it couldn't in take any more Qi Energy.
And just when I was about to lose all hope, the Screecher Baby beside me started sitting down in a cultivating position. And... it seems like it started cultivating with me as well!