Wu Ren suddenly recalled how, before his departure, Luo Zhong had patted him on the shoulder. He knew that was where the problem lay.
He had been careless.
Though they seemed to be master and disciple, Luo Zhong had never once interacted with the disciples below before. Such a gesture had been abnormal. He should have realized it. Since this man had lent him the treasure that stabilized the Dao, how could he possibly have taken no precautions?
He had assumed the precaution lay within the treasure itself. Thus, when he had first gone to Origin Xia, he had not dared play any tricks, and had even genuinely fought Origin Xia for opportunities. Only later, after receiving Origin Xia's help and confirming there was no problem with the treasure, had he relaxed. Yet he had never expected Luo Zhong's method to act directly upon him.
He could now determine that what remained within his body was likely a strand of spiritual qi refined by Luo Zhong, condensed with Luo Zhong's memories, consciousness, and cultivation.
In principle, so long as this spiritual qi existed, Luo Zhong could use sufficient chaos qi to reconstruct his original body. Moreover, this spiritual qi could coexist with anything tainted by chaos qi. Therefore, it was now likely trying to seize his body—or rather, transform his entire being toward Luo Zhong. When that happened, he himself would vanish completely.
Yet while he was assessing the situation, after only that brief delay, a human face had surfaced from his shoulder, gradually taking on the form of Luo Zhong's head.
He knew he had to resolve this swiftly. He had yet to glimpse the higher realm—how could he be willing to fall here?
At this moment, he dared not use his magical power, fearing it would instead hasten