The figure neither panicked nor hurried to defend itself. It simply sat down slowly and quietly, gazing out at the churning sea beside Chen An.
In the distance, illusory seagulls flapped their wings and swept across the sky. A thread of evening breeze brushed past from behind, stirring up fine grains of sand.
"Sorry, I chose my words poorly. If I were your enemy, I wouldn't stand by and watch you grow stronger step by step, so don't doubt me."
The pitch-black figure had no expression, yet Chen An could feel it watching him with concern in its eyes.
Its voice was gentle and sincere.
"Chen An, even in your original world, you were always like this."
At the mention of his past, Chen An's suspicions instantly subsided. His expression cooled slightly, and he instinctively avoided the subject.
"Don't talk about the past. It's too boring. I don't like it.
"The person I am now is a Soul Master on the Douluo Continent who came into being through soul beast transformation."
"But you're still you."
The figure's soft words pierced his surface disguise, striking straight at his heart.
"You've never seriously thought about what you actually want to do once you become strong.
"A life without a goal will feel hollow and dull, no matter which world you're in."
Chen An remained calm and answered frankly.
"I don't have any grand ambitions or obsessions. Being able to coast through life in peace is enough. Everything else is such a hassle."
The man and the shadow fell into a mutually understood silence.
Throughout the mental space, only the soft sound of the rising and falling waves remained, washing over the illusory beach again and again.
"Is that so?"
The figure lowered its head slightly, seemingly with more to say, but swallowed