The Dawn of the New World

Hao Xuan felt his heart sink.

'I knew it. Not only did they use me but also made sure I would never be able to do much of anything with it in case I went rogue. But what is it exactly? Is the physique not complete?'

But despite the shocking revelation Hao Xuan did not let it show. It was of utmost importance that Dai Zhi thought that he still had the upper hand.

'I can't be too aggressive. If he sees me as a threat he won't talk. I need to give him something...'

Forcing a smile, Hao Xuan gave a slow and deliberate nod.

"Hmm, is that right? But what makes you so sure that I won't be able to break through to the next physique realm? Nothing is for certain."

Dai Zhi's brow furrowed lightly in doubt, "You don't know, do you?"

Hao Xuan allowed a crack to form in his confident demeanor as he kept up with the act.

"O-Of course I know! You think I would come to you if I didn't!?" he stuttered on purpose.

Dai Zhi laughed inwardly, overjoyed upon confirming his suspicions. But he still pretended to let Hao Xuan have the advantage, thinking he could overturn it at any point.

"Ah, my mistake. Since you are clever enough to figure this out it is only natural that you came to the other conclusion as well. Yes, there is indeed something missing. Or would it be better to say that something is 'needed' from the outside?"

He kept a close eye on Hao Xuan's constantly changing expressions and Hao Xuan made sure to keep dropping some hints as Dai Zhi continued his explanation.

"The Immortal Devouring Demon Physique, as you very well know, is one of the ten forbidden physiques of the known worlds. At any time only one person is able to cultivate them but more than that, there are stringent requirements that their hosts must fulfill."

"You, a mere mortal, were simply born in a unique position to cultivate it. And only after breaking through to the next realm can you truly claim to have made the physique yours."

"Many have tried before you but very few were able to endure its side effects for long. I am sure you must have felt it by now, all the pain and suffering your victims endured?"

Hao Xuan didn't have to think for long to understand exactly what he was referring to. He had a very recent experience with it.

"I see that you know what I am talking about. What you have experienced so far is nothing. It will only get worse and worse the more you use the physique's abilities until you yourself are lost within its chasms. One might say that is the true test of its host's willpower, to see how long they survive. Sooner or later they all fall."

He tried to stifle a laugh but it was obvious that he believed Hao Xuan to be utterly incapable of such a feat. He cleared his throat and quickly continued, looking at him with a vicious grin.

"Do you know what happens when the host fails a tribulation for the Immortal Devouring Demon Physique?"

Hao Xuan shook his head slowly.

"They aren't simply killed in the process. The demon instead devours THEM and they become a part of it forever, becoming the next physique demon and evolving into an even stronger form. The last person that was able to cultivate your physique had managed to surpass the realm of the True Gods. Do you understand now?"

"Each successive physique demon is leagues ahead of the last, and the previous host was the most powerful one yet. To win against that, it is simply not possible for someone in your position. At least not without something like this," he said rubbing the cross hanging from his ear lobe.

"A divine artifact?" Hao Xuan recounted.

"Not just a 'Divine Artifact' but one with an Immortal Weapon Spirit, something truly priceless."

Hao Xuan had only ever heard of an immortal soul spirit before in myths and legends. Not once in all the lives that he had lived through did he come across one.

"Are you telling me that the cross you have has an Immortal Weapon Spirit?"

Dai Zhi nodded proudly, "Indeed. But I won't lie to you, it is not something I personally own. It is only in my possession temporarily because I asked for it specifically after three decades of hard work under the Academy."

"So you could use it and break through to the next physique realm?"

"Precisely. I have been preparing for this exact moment since before you were even born."

Hao Xuan went silent, nodding his head in understanding a moment later.

"Looks like I have gotten everything I can this time around," he mumbled.

"If you understand your situation just let me ha-"

Before Dai Zhi could finish his sentence a small explosion sounded within Hao Xuan's body and his head fell off completely.