6 Chapter 6 - Romanti Snake

"I see."

I nodded nonchalantly at the explanation about Tang Sect.

"Anyways, what happened to your eyes?" Tang Ya asked curiously.

"... and little brother, your body has grown more robust and taller." Bei Bei also chimed in with another question.

My transformation wasn't something I could see, but I could feel my once-weak constitution become more solid.

It was a transformation brought by the Spirit Energy of the Skydream Ice Worm.

Huo Yuhao grew up as a malnourished child due to his abusive half-family which led to him having a weak body.

'My body... it feels like I could snap a tree in half. As for my eyes...'

Tang Ya's curiosity spilled over, her gaze fixated on my eyes.

It was a valid question, considering the change that had occurred. When we first met, my eyes were a calm shade of blue, but now they glowed with a crimson intensity.

I touched my own eyes as if confirming the changes.

"The spirit energy nourished my body, and my martial soul mutated," I replied, realizing I should keep it a secret.

The experiences, the battles, and the awakening of the Divine Sword, Lucifer, were not easily put into words.

They were far more shocked at my Martial Soul Mutating since the chances of that happening are slim to none, unless a spirit master was born with that trait or was corrupted to turn into an evil spirit master.

"Eh?!" Tang Ya couldn't believe what she had heard.

"Little brother, did your martial soul truly mutate?" Bei Bei asked in doubt.

"Yes, the Spirit Beast that I absorbed resonated with my Martial Soul," I added, trying to maintain my secret.

There was a certain weight to the knowledge I now carried, the Demon King was a power that could not be fathomed by children. 

'I can't trust them. They might mistake the Godhand as an evil cultivator's powers.' The Older Spirit Masters might notice that the power of the Godhand isn't evil. But, as for the younger spirit masters...

There was a possibility that I might be misunderstood as an evil cultivator due to the dark color of my aura, whenever the Godhand was used.

"Wah! That's amazing."

Tang Ya's invitation to join the Tang Sect hung in the air, but my resolve was of course to reject it. 

'I don't want Tang San to notice me just yet. He is someone who is a variable. A being with more power than I could wield in my heyday. I doubt that the past me could've defeated him.'

Of course, not only because Tang San might've been stronger, but it was because of the Divine Realm.

The Necromancer's words reminded me of how the Demon Realm was similar to a Divine Realm.

'He might possibly be my arch-enemy in the future.' 

There were no hard feelings, but the Demon Realm was alien to this world. The Divine Realm might interfere if I ever find a way to rebuild the Demon Realm. 

As for why I needed to rebuild the Demon Realm? It had always been my lifelong dream before I was corrupted.

'I have to prepare myself for the future. The first thing to do... would be to reduce my contacts with the Tang Sect since that Sect usually had connections with the Divine Realm.'

As for my plans of warding off against Tang San, I might need to make some good connections with Tang Wutong or now, her current alias; Wang Dong.

'Perhaps, friends? Or even a lover?' I didn't know how to win over a girl since I had only been stuck in a hospital bed or fighting in wars throughout my life.

Also, Tang Ya didn't have what it takes to restore the Tang Sect.

She would later betray the Sect and join the Holy Ghost Sect, which was aligned with the evil spirit masters' factions.

Tang Ya had already said things about a free scholarship, but I didn't need such an unnecessary thing.

I had the strength and talent to enter the front gate of Shrek Academy.

"Tang Ya... I have to reject your proposal. There is a reason why I can't join a sect right now."

I declined, expressing my unwillingness to join a sect, regardless of its potential benefits. This refusal made Tang Ya nod her head.

"That's too bad! I guess it makes sense. With those abilities, Shrek Academy would allow you to join as an inner disciple. It will only be about time."

She smiled bitterly at the missed opportunity.

Had she tried to invite Huo Yuhao from the beginning? It might've worked since he still did not have the Demon King's memories.

"Hm..." I stood still and thought of an idea.

"You're looking for a Romanti Snake, which is a one-thousand-year ring correct?"

"How did you?" Tang Ya asked with a confused tone.

"My eye mutation allows me to see through the future. I can see both of you fighting a snake, you both suffered damage, especially Bei Bei."

The [Almighty] allows me to change the past, but it also allows me to see the future in exchange for spirit energy.

'3/4th of my Spirit Energy was used... just to see 4 minutes ahead.'

I shook my head and wiped my sweaty neck with my handkerchief.

"W-what?"

"Little Brother, you're not joking are you?" Bei Bei asked.

"It's better if I show you in battle, follow me. I know the location of that snake."

Both of them glanced at each other in doubt but decided to follow me with a look of interest.

Surprisingly, the Romanti Snake was there, laying in a tightly hidden space with bushes surrounding it. 

"Bei Bei! Huo Yuhao was actually right!" Tang Ya's mouth agape glanced at the direction of the Romanti Snake.

"Shh... Xiao- Teacher Xiao Ya. We shouldn't alert the snake..."

"So, do you guys believe me now?" I smiled with a prideful disposition.

"Younger brother... how did you?"

I got nearer the snake, before stopping and facing both of them with my hand waving at them to go near.

"H-hey-! Junior Yuhao, you'll wake up the snake!"

"There's no need to fret. I'll show you my abilities in real time, Senior Bei. For now, attack the Serpent."

Bei Bei nodded and moved with swift determination, closing in on the Romanti Snake as it stirred from its concealed spot.

The air was charged with anticipation as the snake, with its poisonous yellow eyes, unleashed a toxic breath, creating a hazardous atmosphere around it.

Tang Ya and I observed from a safe distance, Bei retaliated with a fiery burst of lightning, invoking a thunderous hand that aimed at the Romanti Snake.

Thunderous Dragon Claw!

The Romanti Snake then replied with a poisonous breath from its mouth.

Boom!

The clash between the lightning and the poisonous breath created a shockwave, sending Bei Bei tumbling backward.

"This spirit beast is more formidable than most other Romanti Snakes... it may take some time, Tang Ya. I need your help." Bei Bei remarked, eyeing the Romanti Snake cautiously.

"Seniors can you both come here?"

Sensing an opportunity to showcase my abilities, I invited them closer. Bei Bei, initially hesitant, reluctantly joined us.

The Romanti Snake, sensing the disturbance, glared with poisonous intent.

I initiated the sharing of my visions, providing Bei Bei and Tang Ya with glimpses of present and future actions.

It had a distance of 120 meters in radius and diameter.

They witnessed multiple scenarios, each leading to different consequences.

Some depicted Bei Bei triumphing with fatigue, while others showed potential setbacks due to unforeseen interferences.

"My goodness!" Tang Ya exclaimed in shock.

"This is what you meant? It's a ridiculous martial soul..."

Amidst the array of possibilities, a perfect scenario emerged – one where Bei Bei swiftly defeated the Romanti Snake in a matter of seconds. The vision laid out a concise path to victory.

"Do what you must," I urged, leaning against a nearby tree with a satisfied smile.

With newfound knowledge and foresight, Bei Bei and Tang Ya exchanged determined nods.

"Xiao Ya, I won't need help anymore."

"I know! Just finish it right away!"

Tang Ya was even more excited at the fact that the Romanti Snake was stronger than the average Romanti Snake, with the martial soul of Huo Yuhao. Defeating a stronger Romanti Snake was no problem.

Bei Bei, fueled by the shared visions, charged toward the Romanti Snake, ready to turn the tides of the battle in his favor.

As Bei Bei closed in on the Romanti Snake, the air crackled with anticipation, and the forest seemed to hold its breath.

The Romanti Snake, now fully alert, hissed menacingly, its poisonous eyes narrowing as it prepared for the incoming assault.

Eat this!

Bei Bei unleashed his martial soul, and his body flickered with lightning, creating an afterimage that left a trail of sparks in the air.

His body transformed with blue scales covering the right side of his chest, emitting a violet-blue light accompanied by a low rumbling sound.

Thousand Year Spirit Ring - 3rd Skill: Lightning Rage

Bei Bei then unleashed his first spirit ring ability with more lightning power.

His thunderous hand now held more distance and speed.

Thunderous Dragon Claw!

The Romanti Snake anxiously spat out a toxic mist that billowed through the air.

Boom!

The mist, a cunning attempt to obscure Bei Bei's vision, danced around like ghostly tendrils seeking their prey.

Undeterred, Bei Bei relied on his instincts, guided by the shared visions' spirit eye, and the future sight from the Almighty he had glimpsed earlier.

He calmly dodged the poisonous mist, moving with the agility of a seasoned warrior.

His movements were a dance, a harmonious blend of speed and precision. Bei Bei then unleashed his second spirit ring.

Vigorous Thunderbolt!

Countless snakes of lightning expanded simultaneously, forming a dense, thunderous web that erupted once more, with a burst of energy, Bei Bei closed the distance between himself and the Romanti Snake in an instant.

Eeek!!!

The snake, unable to react in time, found itself entangled in Bei Bei's lightning-infused fists.

Lightning crackled, and the Romanti Snake convulsed as the electric current surged through its serpentine body.

The battle unfolded like a spectacular display of elemental force of lightning crackling through the air.

The Romanti Snake, though formidable, couldn't defend against Bei Bei's refined combat skills and lightning-enhanced strength.

Each strike from Bei Bei echoed with a resounding crack, and the snake's attempts to retaliate were futile against the onslaught.

His body became a blur of lightning, weaving through the air with unparalleled force.

In a final, decisive strike, Bei Bei unleashed a concentrated burst of lightning energy directly into the brain of the Romanti Snake.

The snake convulsed violently, its body twitching uncontrollably as the lightning surged through its form.

With a thunderous roar, the Romanti Snake succumbed to the overwhelming power of Bei Bei's assault, defeated and it lay on the ground waiting for its death.

The forest, once shrouded in an eerie silence, erupted into the sounds of victory.

Tang Ya, who had been watching in awe, couldn't contain her excitement. "Bei Bei, you're amazing!"

Bei Bei, catching his breath, smiled in acknowledgment. "It was thanks to Brother Huo Yuhao's guidance."

"Xiao Ya. It's now your turn." Tang Ya nods.

She throws a knife at the unconscious Romanti Snake and a purple spirit ring appears from its lifeless corpse.

The Sin of Gluttony called out to me to consume it, but I brushed it off. Since it wasn't for me. And, hunting a Romanti Snake was easy.

I could always just hunt a lot of stronger spirit beasts after I've received my second spirit ring.

"Brother Huo Yuhao."

"You're not calling me younger brother anymore?" I grinned at the approaching Bei Bei who had a troubled look.

"To be honest, brother Huo Yuhao, your demeanor, abilities, and potential are already enough to warrant you respect. You're already considered a genius even in Shrek Academy."

"So, you're only referring to potential?

"?" Bei Bei tilted his head at my eyes.

"Senior, how about we fight to see who is stronger?"

Bei Bei stood in the distance while glancing at me with a look of surprise and wariness at the unexpected proposal.

The aura and crimson eyes exuded an ominous feeling of foreboding. It caused him to become more vigilant as if he was looking at an apex predator.

He felt that the boy in front of him was even stronger than the Strengthened Romanti Snake or even his peers in the Shrek Academy.

"Now, shall we start?"