Shi Guangling finally relaxed after doing all this. He thought to himself, Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise rather than a disaster. It may even cure my son's soul-splitting affliction.
What he had said before—that the soul-splitting affliction would improve once the boy reached the Dao Foundation Stage—had merely been empty words meant to comfort him. He had no idea what changes the affliction would undergo after reaching the Dao Foundation Stage. Moreover, with this affliction, the youth's chances of advancing to the Dao Foundation Stage had been exceedingly slim. Yet for some unknown reason today, the youth's soul had actually begun to merge on its own.
Perhaps the fusion had come too violently and caught the youth completely unprepared, causing him to faint on the spot. Yet although the youth had lost consciousness, the fusion of his soul continued. Without the youth himself guiding it, this was incomparably dangerous. Even though Shi Guangling had given the youth the protective divine talisman, his heart remained filled with unease.
After all, the protective divine talisman could only protect him once, while no one knew how many mishaps might arise during the fusion of souls. It might not be needed even once, or it might be needed a dozen times—either was entirely possible. But if trouble arose twice, the youth would likely face more peril than fortune.
Just as he focused all his attention on the youth, Shi Guangling suddenly sensed something amiss. Turning his head, he saw a Purple Jiao behind him. It opened its mouth and sprayed out a stream of venom.
How could Shi Guangling have imagined that someone would ambush him here? He hurriedly dodged to the side. But the attack had come too suddenly; despite his swift evasion, half his head was still doused in venom,