I do not know why Richard chose this moment in particular to reveal the existence of magic to the world. From what I understand, this knowledge was readily available to the public. Yet for some reason, this knowledge disappeared, and everyone thought that there was no magic in the world. There was still the fantasy aspect of novels, games, and videos that people kept implementing, but it was never more than that.
Of course, accidents do happen, and some cultivators appear to the mortals. However, when something like that happens, it is quickly covered up as if nothing transpired at all.
I didn't get the chance to explain to my friends when, suddenly, I felt a burning sensation on my forehead. I know it very well... My Divine Eye. I did not activate it, and I am sure that the incomplete innate ability hasn't been completed now. I could think of only one catalyst for its activation: the fusion with Pangu.
My legs were the first to give out. The pain was too much. Worse than splitting your soul, and worse than the curse the now-dead assassin used to try to kill me. Soon, I couldn't feel my arms or any other body part, for that matter. I think I am screaming right now. I can't really sense what I am doing.
Just as the eye suddenly appeared, it suddenly disappeared as well. But I couldn't see or hear. The pain just stopped. I do not know how much time passed until I regained these basic abilities again.
When I did, Richard was standing above me, murmuring some words that I couldn't make out. It took me a moment to understand that he is chanting a healing spell, which is working because I can feel my strength rapidly coming back. Once I was back to normal, he offered me his hand. I grasped it and got up.
My friends were standing in a circle around me, and only when they saw me stand up did the looks of concern disappear from their faces. Before I could properly thank him, Richard said, "You should not have done that, Orion. Especially when you were on the verge of death."
"I didn't really have much of an option at that time," I smiled wryly. He just shook his head and was about to change the subject when Pangu said, "It isn't really his fault, Richard. I proposed the fusion, not him."
"Is this the Pangu I know? The times really have changed if Pangu is being accountable for something he did," the Lord of Chaos replied, his tone a bit sharp.
Pangu sighed and replied, "I know you don't approve of a lot of the things that I did in the past, but we all change at some point or another. Maybe the company of the lad has changed me for the better."
My teacher and sword were interrupted by one of my friends, who asked in confusion, "Um... Where is the voice coming from?"
"The sword," I calmly replied and pointed at Pangu, who was in the sheath at my hip.
"Whoa! How is this possible?" another asked. I let out a laugh. They saw a lot of impossible things today, but they are still confused about how a sword can talk. It's good that some semblance of normality and innocence is still there. And it gets better when this interruption seemed to have eased the tension between Pangu and Richard.
Richard shook his head again, with a little smile this time, and addressed me, "Return to Tulip, she is worried sick about you."
"Eh? Why? My clone is there," I said, my eyebrows raised. Richard immediately explained that my clone passed out when the Divine Eye suddenly appeared on my forehead. If I were in Tulip's shoes, I would be worried a lot as well.
Richard didn't spare my friends a glance and disappeared. Seeing that, I switched places with my clone and was back in Mount Evergreen.
'Worried sick' was an understatement to Tulip's current state of mind. I tried my best to downplay what happened, but in the end, you can't really make a near-death situation seem trivial.
We camped for another three days just to make sure that I was completely okay. When that was confirmed, we packed our things and started our journey again. We really did underestimate this mountain range's size.
On our way out, I suddenly heard a sound in one of the frozen bushes. How the bushes grew in this environment was beyond me. I approached it, sword in hand and ready for anything. I soon managed to see what was making the sound.
A lion cub with black fur, pointed teeth, and two small wings on the back was growling at me. Pangu suddenly exclaimed, "By the stars! A Winged Lion!"
"Dangerous?" I asked, still not ready to lower my guard.
"Really, Orion, you still ask this type of question? Of course, it is dangerous. When have you ever not run into something that is dangerous?"
"Okay then, do I kill it or not?"
"No! Don't even think about that! Winged Lions went extinct two thousand years ago. It is a miracle that there is a cub in front of our eyes right now."
"I will retreat then. Its parents won't be far from it."
"You don't have to worry about that. The male Winged Lion leaves after siring the child, and the mother dies when it gives birth."
I was speechless. What a sad way to live. But I suppose that is one way to look at it. Other species don't necessarily think that way. Pangu grinned and said, "You are very fortunate. Indeed, very fortunate!"
"Why so?"
"If you tame it, you will have a fearsome beast by your side when it grows. Still, before you do that, I think you should get the permission of the ruler of Mount Evergreen."
Of course, a place like this has a ruler. It makes sense now why we barely encountered any beasts or monsters. I could already feel like this is going to bring a headache. "Who is this ruler?" I asked.
"I am!"
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Updated on 24/8/2025