Crossing Swords Again [1]

[April bonus chapter for monthly votes]

"You mean, Holy Emperor... that old thief Holy Emperor not only diverted our mana for his own use, but also... also turned it into some kind of living creature, letting it parasitize our bodies and absorb our strength?" Zhao Xiangshen's eyes were bloodshot, stripped of their initial tranquil harmony and childlike complacency.

Before life and death, few could remain innocent and cheerful.

All of this lay completely beyond their understanding. "Turning mana into a living creature" had directly overturned their knowledge of the Great Dao of life.

Ru Tianqi could not help touching his chest and shoulders, feeling as though venomous gu lurked within his body. Yet he still questioned Wang Qi. "Mr. Wang, could you have made a mistake? We haven't shown those symptoms... that rush of spirit, the mistaken belief that we've comprehended the Dao."

Wang Qi shook his head. "That is the difference between Holy Emperor's methods and mine. I merely obtained the highest-priority control over those people's mana; I did not strip them of their original control. Holy Emperor, however, completely cut off your perception of your mana. So it is perfectly normal that you feel nothing."

"Perfectly normal..." Ru Tianqi felt a chill seep into his heart.

No one wanted a "living creature" dwelling inside their body.

Just imagining an ill-intentioned "enemy" inside oneself was enough to make one shudder.

Ordinary people might even panic helplessly from such fear. The Three Elders had steadied themselves after only a moment of wavering, which showed how exceptional their temperaments were.

Mei Sicheng remained as calm as ever. "Mr. Wang summoned us here. Does it concern the parasitic thing within us?"

"That's right." Wang Qi nodded. "I want to conduct an actual probe of the parasites inside you."

Experimentation was the only