Meng Zhao carefully sensed himself. His body had undergone no particular changes, exactly as it had been before taking the Worm Pill. Even the agony of flames burning through his body just now seemed like nothing more than an illusion, having caused him no harm whatsoever.
Yet in his subjective perception, Meng Zhao vaguely sensed that he truly had changed. Not physically, but in something akin to his soul—or rather, his Innate Talent.
"The Human-Form Worm has an arcane origin. It is said to be born from the essence of heaven and earth, merely manifesting in the form of an insect. Once it merges with a human body, it becomes formless and intangible. Its reputation is indeed well deserved."
Just as Meng Zhao was about to examine himself more closely, a tremor suddenly stirred deep within his soul. The phantom of an Eclosion Worm flashed through the depths of his eyes, making him shudder as if struck by lightning.
Meng Zhao's mouth gaped open in a rare display as he let out a long yawn. His eyelids seemed burdened by boulders weighing a thousand jin, nearly impossible to lift, while glistening tears faintly shimmered in his bleary eyes.
His mind was a muddled haze. He could not remember where he was, what he was meant to do, or even who he was. His body swayed from side to side, his head lolling unsteadily. With a thud, he toppled headfirst onto the stone bed and, propping himself up, began to snore deeply.
Flood Dragon Little Nine followed Meng Zhao day and night. Sensing nothing abnormal in Meng Zhao's body, it let him be, yet still coiled around him, wrapping him within its body to keep outsiders from disturbing him.
After roughly two hours, Meng Zhao's breathing changed from rapid and heavy