The Lingering Shade

Deep within the vast river of spiritual energy, a figure sat cross-legged.

Like an old monk in meditation, his face showed no emotion. He was Xiangliu, the last survivor of the Xiangliu clan that had once journeyed overseas.

His hands and feet were still bound by chains that came from the void. Compared with several months ago, when he had first been trapped here, he had clearly calmed down considerably and no longer roared every day.

Xiangliu's purple brows twitched slightly before he slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was hazy. A trace of confusion flashed through his eyes, then gradually faded.

He gently exhaled, but then frowned and muttered, "Being washed by this pure spiritual energy every day has caused a strange transformation in my demonic power. My state of mind has also grown more peaceful by the day. When I look at things from the past now, it feels as though they happened in another lifetime. If this continues, perhaps the resentment in my heart really will be washed away completely."

"But that isn't what I want!"

"Even if my resentment is washed away and worn down, I still..."

"Hmph! I'll use the cleansing power of this river of spiritual energy to advance further. Then..."

He thought carefully, but soon frowned again and stared ahead. The spiritual energy before him was being violently torn apart, eventually forming a rift.

Within the rift stood a young man dressed in black, in an outfit resembling a traditional Chinese tunic, and wearing a hat.

The man approached with his hands behind his back. He casually surveyed the depths of the river of spiritual energy before finally turning his gaze toward Xiangliu, as though pondering something.

Xiangliu was not merely staring blankly either. He sized up the other man as well. Not