Seizing the Body

He lowered his head to look at the pile of bones on the ground, now reduced to powder, then glanced at the Seven Orifice Insect sleeping amid the ashes:

"You Exotic Insect, it seems you have already completed your metamorphosis.

"You entered this Secret Realm to absorb the remaining power of my refined bones, didn't you?"

Li Xiao's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. He nodded calmly.

"This junior indeed came for that purpose. I hope Senior can forgive me."

The Black Shadow fell silent for a moment, its gaze sweeping back and forth over Li Xiao several times.

It did not press further about the Exotic Insect, nor did it continue pursuing the matter of the Sword Sect Inheritance. Instead, it changed the subject, its tone carrying a trace of nostalgic sighing.

"Tell me about the current situation.

"I have been trapped in this Secret Realm for far too long. The world outside has already become unfamiliar."

Li Xiao inwardly let out a slight sigh of relief. After weighing his words, he gave a half-truthful account of the current state of the world.

He did not deliberately conceal too much, yet neither did he reveal all his cards. Truth and falsehood mingled together, substance and illusion half and half.

After listening, the Black Shadow remained silent for a long while. In the end, it let out a low sigh, its voice filled with melancholy.

"I never expected... the Jing Kingdom, once so powerful, to have already perished.

"Such is the time, such is fate."

Its gaze settled on Li Xiao once more.

"Junior, I see that you are extraordinarily gifted and possess uncommon Fortune and Destiny. You and I may be said to be fated.

"I wish to take you as my disciple. What do you say?"

Li