"So you mean we're all characters in a book, and our opponent is an incarnation of the author who wrote that book, correct?"
"That's right."
Lin Xi nodded decisively at Electrolux's question.
"I know it sounds fake, but please believe me."
The little gray orb Electrolux had become let out a wry chuckle.
"Silly child, why wouldn't I believe you? I can sense the sincerity in your words. I simply need some time to digest it."
"In that case, how about we deal with the problem with this piece of gold of life first?" Lin Xi relaxed slightly and suggested, "According to that book, this should be very useful to you."
"Hmm, indeed. Even I have rarely seen such a large piece of gold of life."
Electrolux said in agreement:
"Child, relax your body and mind. Your power of fate is too strong. As a remnant soul, I would struggle to take control of you by force."
Power of fate?
Lin Xi tilted his head slightly.
This was the second time he had heard that term since coming to this world.
The first time had been from the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
But back then, for one thing, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion hadn't known he was a transmigrator, and for another, she probably didn't understand how this thing worked herself, so he hadn't asked.
This might be a good opportunity to get a clear answer.
Still, even if he wanted to ask, that could wait. It was better to get down to business first.
So he nodded.
"All right."
Then he slowly relinquished control of his body and mind.
The next second, Lin Xi's eyes suddenly turned gray.
Electrolux had taken over his body.
He glanced at Emiya, gave him a slight nod, then reached toward the Spirit Devouring Fierce Blade.
With his movement, a tiny wisp of gray Qi drifted toward the cursed blade that had killed who knew how many people.
The instant the gray Qi Electrolux released landed on the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, the fierce blade began trembling violently. Hums like shrill, agonized screams rang endlessly from the carving knife. Anyone without a firm will who heard them would probably have their emotions severely affected.
Electrolux's thoughts echoed through Lin Xi's Sea of Consciousness.
"Injecting evil thoughts and curses into gold of life-what an idea the culprit came up with. He merely sensed the immense power within the gold of life, yet had no idea how to unleash its true wonders. Be purified, gold of life. I will restore your original appearance. Cast out all filth and let your purest breath of life bloom."
With his declaration, the color of Lin Xi's eyes changed again. Their former gray gradually became pure white, a flawless white, pure as jade and white as snow. The gray spiritual power instantly became this pure white light of purification as well.
This time, the Spirit Devouring Fierce Blade did more than tremble. As though putting up a dying struggle, intense azure light suddenly erupted from its body. That azure light actually formed a savage face in the air, posed in a frenzied roar, as though it intended to devour the slender white light Electrolux had released instead.
But although the light of purification was exceedingly slender, when it landed on the Spirit Devouring Fierce Blade, it was like boiling oil poured into a mound of snow.
With just that one touch, half the hideous face within the azure light faded. Its previously savage features immediately blurred.
Azure light swirled, still powerful, but under the light of purification, streams of black Qi steamed out of it and vanished. The azure glow on the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife also began growing increasingly pure and gentle.
The entire purification process was brief. Soon, the last wisp of black Qi on the Spirit Devouring Fierce Blade quietly vanished, and the azure light its body emitted became clear and still as water, without a trace of impurity. The carving knife's originally pitch-black body also became something resembling azure crystal.
Electrolux let out a deep sigh.
"To think I have weakened this much. Merely using a little power of purification has left me so exhausted and weak. Lin Xi, are you ready? I'm going to begin fusing it with you."
Lin Xi took a deep breath in his mind.
"Yes, Elder Yi. I'm ready."
He remembered that in the original story, Huo Yuhao had fused with the gold of life by stabbing it into his own head.
To be honest, even knowing nothing would go wrong, something like this still required a little mental preparation.
Electrolux chuckled softly.
"Very good."
Then, controlling Lin Xi's body, he picked up the purified gold of life, aimed it at his forehead, and drove it in hard.
In that instant, Lin Xi's body gave an involuntary, violent shudder.
Pain fierce enough to blank out his mind surged through his brain. He clenched his teeth tightly, desperately keeping himself from crying out.
At this, Electrolux nodded in satisfaction.
Although a spiritual body was free of the physical body's constraints, making it much easier to hold back a scream than while controlling a body, that still wasn't enough to give someone the perseverance to endure such excruciating pain without crying out.
Lin Xi could do this simply because his willpower was strong enough.
Although Electrolux had already decided to help Lin Xi resist Tang San, this display undoubtedly gave him a shot in the arm.
Terrifying vitality washed through Lin Xi's Sea of Consciousness, turning it into a green ocean. The dense breath of life gradually grew viscous, while his Sea of Consciousness itself expanded outward at an astonishing speed.
Gray light flashed, and an old man in white with an aged face appeared in Lin Xi's Sea of Consciousness. It was none other than Electrolux.
With a sweep of his hand, Artoria and Melusine actually appeared in the Sea of Consciousness.
Seeing their surprised and slightly wary gazes, Electrolux explained with a smile:
"Don't be so hostile, young ladies. I merely analyzed Lin Xi's so-called Heroic Spirit Summoning Formula and transferred your existence from the Soul Rings into his Sea of Consciousness. This will only benefit you, not harm you."
Melusine frowned.
"You said you analyzed the Heroic Spirit Summoning Formula?"
That was no small feat. As far as she remembered, only her sovereign could do that.
Electrolux shook his head regretfully.
"Unfortunately, I've only grasped the barest surface. This formula is simply too exquisite. What I've done now is already my limit, but given a few more years, perhaps I'll be able to understand its principles."
He could sense certain similarities between the Heroic Spirit Summoning Formula and his Undead True Magic, yet it was far ahead in terms of its standing. If he could truly master this summoning system, it would bring him a qualitative transformation in every respect.
Douluo Continent's Martial Soul and Soul Ring system, Electrolux's Undead True Magic system, and the Heroic Spirit Summoning system Lin Xi had brought-he looked forward to seeing what sparks would fly when the three came together.