Void and Departure

"Hmm, you're an interesting one, little beast," said Madam Li, gesturing once more and releasing Fang from the constraints of her Qi.

Fang wondered what she found interesting about him, but had no way of asking, lest he wants to produce another embarrassing sound.

He remembered Corbin's advice and switched the confused look with a smiling one.

Madam Li saw Fang show his canines, and began laughing while petting him slowly. 

Fang didn't immediately understand why she was laughing, but then it hit him―smiling as a panther was akin to barring his teeth at her. 

He wanted to leave this place as soon as possible to avoid further embarrassment, but then he remembered his reason for approaching Madam Li and quickly forgot his discomfort.

Madam Li stopped laughing after a few seconds and attempted to play with Fang by creating balls of qi and tossing them. However, all she received from him was an apathetic look that seemed to say, "Are you serious, woman?"

Seeing his look, her mood soured and said in dissatisfaction, "If you don't want to play, then what are you good at?"

Fang was at his wit's end after hearing her, but the tension was broken by a loud grumble from his stomach, echoing across the garden and shifting the mood.

Instead of complaining, this time he was happy as this was his chance of obtaining a core and starting his cultivation. 

Madam Li did not disappoint, as she looked at Fang knowingly and pulled out a grey sphere the size of her fist.

Corbin promptly commented as soon as Fang eyed the core, 'That is a rank 4 core... you're such a lucky bastard.'

'With this, you can reach peak rank 2, and maybe even early rank 3 if you assimilate all the qi inside,' informed Corbin. 'But it's unlikely an inexperienced brat like you could absorb everything!'

Fang slowly moved forward and reached for the core, his mouth open, revealing his dagger-like teeth.

He stopped paying attention to Corbin as soon as he heard him mention "rank 3". All he wanted was to regain his human body.

Madam Li noticed the greed in Fang's gaze, prompting her to allow him to come closer. She then tossed the core directly into his eagerly waiting mouth. 

Fang lunged for the core while it was still mid air and quickly swallowed it.

He anticipated some reaction, yet all he experienced was a sudden wave of dizziness, accompanied by an irresistible urge to shut his eyes and drift into sleep.

The last thing he heard was Corbin screaming in his mind, 'Why did you swallow the whole thing you greedy bastard?!'

Madam Li supported him as he fell into deep sleep and chuckled to herself, "Hehe, you're such a dummy!" 

A few moments later, she carried Fang to a spare bedroom inside the Temple and left. 

――

Following his untimely urge to sleep, Fang found himself in a void reminiscent of the one he had awoken in after his death on Earth.

"I'm back here, huh?" 

"Indeed." Responded a deep voice in a diplomatic tone.

"Hm? Who are you?"

Fang felt nothing after hearing the voice; he was empty, apathetic, and soulless, much like he had been back when he died.

He had no idea if he was influenced by the void, and honestly, he wasn't in the right state of mind to think of this.

The unknown entity replied after a few seconds, "You can call me Nox."

"Okay, Nox, what do you want from me? In case you didn't notice, I was about to start cultivating." 

"What's the hurry? You fainted from the sudden influx of qi and were about to enter deep sleep anyways." The voice replied, unbothered by his state of mind or manners. 

"Yeah, I did," replied Fang while yawning, "but I honestly prefer peace and quiet over your annoyingly deep voice."

The entity cackled a bit hearing his reasoning, then took on an overbearing tone and said, "Well, Fang, you better break your shackles or you won't get another chance."

Fang got puzzled by his words, but quickly went back to his disinterested and aloof mood. 

He understood the entity speaking to him was powerful, otherwise, he wouldn't be in this cursed void. Yet, for some reason, all he felt was calmness and indifference.

"Sure, whatever that's supposed to mean. Are we finished here? Can you release me so I can get some sleep?" Fang replied, casually resting his now human hands behind his head as if ready to doze off.

Upon hearing Fang's response, the entity emitted a grunt that reverberated through the void, followed by a series of grumbles, and then it disappeared.

"..soules...astard....neve.....change.."

"Ooopf, you kiss yo' mama with that mouth?" Fang retorted, as the void enveloped him and lulled him back into slumber.

――

As Fang slept soundly, his body absorbed the qi from the core. Meanwhile, in the City of Oros, Xue Prefecture, a crowd of people queued up in a spacious courtyard.

Yi Chen addressed the assembled group, delivering a speech that outlined their destination, route, and the potential dangers they might face on their journey.

After 10 minutes had elapsed, Yi Chen finished his speech and proceeded to reveal a boat that fit in the palm of his hand. Some among the audience were visibly intrigued by the sight of the boat, while others couldn't hide their greed for a fleeting moment before masking it.

Infusing his qi into the boat, Yi Chen initiated a rapid expansion process. Within moments, the vessel grew to an impressive height of 20 meters and a width spanning 10 meters, towering over the courtyard.

With a nod and wave of his hand, everyone started embarking.

"Daaaad, wait for meee!" The voice of a young lady suddenly resounded across the courtyard. 

With a sigh, Yi Chen turned around just before stepping into the boat and glanced at his panting daughter. In moments like these, he couldn't help but wish his daughter had less talent. The promise he made to bring her along if she surpassed the Foundation Establishment Stage still weighed heavily on his mind.

'Why can't she be a flower like the other girls her age?' Yi Chen thought to himself, but then he quickly dismissed the notion, reminded of the nature of cultivators.

"Hong'er, did you successfully break through to the peak stage? Please don't tell me you came out of seclusion just to come here, or I'll be furious!" Yi Chen questioned, simultaneously reprimanding her for her rashness.

"No, dad, I broke through last night and was consolidating my advancement," replied Yi Hong. "I can continue while we are traveling, right? After all, we will make a small stop in Shenhong City to stock up on provisions."

"When did yo-"

Yi Chen wanted to question his daughter further, but she brushed past him and boarded the boat without waiting.

"Sigh, I hope she won't cause any trouble," he muttered to himself.