C23 The Origin of the Evil Spirit

After studying the fragmented 'Spirit Seeds' for quite some time, Xia Yi still couldn't pinpoint what set them apart from the regular ones. However, he was sure of one thing: the 'Spirit Seeds' had been restored and were indeed functional.

This conclusion was reached once Xia Yi identified the true nature of the white, fleshy orb beside the 'Spirit Seeds'. The realization struck him with astonishment. He would have never guessed that the adorable, plump white orb before him was the 'evil spirit' from the Spirit Gathering Tower.

The moment he recognized the familiar voice, there was no doubt in his mind—it was the 'evil spirit'. That grating voice was something he'd never forget for as long as he lived.

"What the hell kind of 'Spirit Seeds' are these? Why is it that when I try to consume them, I get violently repelled instead?" The white orb quivered, lashing out at Xia Yi as he drew closer.

Hearing this, Xia Yi was taken aback but couldn't help chuckling. He shot back without mincing words.

"So you can't handle my 'Spirit Seeds', and now you're blaming them for being too tough? How does that make any sense? Should I perhaps soften them up and spoon-feed them to you?"

"Damn it! No 'Spirit Seeds' should be able to resist my consumption. What kind of counterfeit cultivation are you practicing?" The white orb was visibly enraged, almost as if it had a mouth ready to gobble Xia Yi up.

Xia Yi was about to tease the 'evil spirit' when he suddenly recalled his experience in the Spirit Gathering Tower. Both the Flying Sickle Cat and the Golden Armored Crocodile had attempted to 'possess' him, only to be repelled by the 'Spirit Seeds', which even weakened their powers. At the time, they were clueless about what had happened.

Could his 'Spirit Seeds' inherently possess a unique quality that repelled both 'martial spirits' and 'evil spirits'? Could they even launch an attack on them? Xia Yi pondered silently.

Meanwhile, the 'evil spirit', seeing Xia Yi's silence, kept up its rant.

"Kid, hand over your true 'Spirit Seeds' now. I might just spare your life if you do. Otherwise, once I regain some strength, I'll make sure to annihilate you along with your 'Spirit Seeds'!"

Xia Yi's train of thought was disrupted by the 'evil spirit', and with a flick of his hand, he said impatiently, "Go away, I don't have time for you right now!"

It was an instinctive gesture, yet it set off a storm in his mind. The once gentle, flowing light suddenly shifted, violently churning within his consciousness and ensnaring the 'evil spirit' with force.

The white orb floated as if tossed into the sky, and Xia Yi's ears were filled with the 'evil spirit's piercing shrieks.

Distracted by the commotion, Xia Yi looked up at the white orb and asked with curiosity, "If you're so powerful, why the screams?"

The 'evil spirit' remained silent, only after a lengthy pause did it emit a feeble sound, "What kind of crap is this 'spirit seed' that it can attack me?"

Hearing this, Xia Yi realized his 'spirit seed' was far from ordinary. While other warriors' 'spirit seeds' stood no chance against the 'evil spirit', his own could overpower it without resistance. His 'spirit seed' was exceptionally potent.

Xia Yi drifted closer to the 'evil spirit', circling it for a thorough examination. It was indeed just a meatball, covered in white fur.

"Reveal your true form," Xia Yi commanded, arms crossed and tone composed.

"Think you can command me? Bah!" Despite its weakened state, the 'evil spirit' retorted defiantly.

"Still putting up a tough front," Xia Yi scoffed, eyeing the white orb with a relaxed demeanor. "Wasn't the previous lesson enough for you?"

The 'evil spirit' remained silent, offering no reply.

After a long wait with no sign of submission from the 'evil spirit', Xia Yi resignedly waved his hand once more.

Another surge, like a tidal wave, erupted in his consciousness, propelling the white orb even higher into the air.

This time, the 'evil spirit' noticeably shrank in size. If before it was as large as a month-old puppy, now it was no bigger than a newborn.

"How about it? Care for another round?" Xia Yi taunted as he hovered in front of the 'evil spirit'.

This time, the 'evil spirit' didn't keep quiet but instead conceded defeat in a voice as tiny as a mosquito's.

"Then reveal your true form," Xia Yi commanded once again.

The 'evil spirit' realized it had no other option. Engaging in another bout of 'shockwaves' might not leave it alive. It seemed Xia Yi's 'spirit seed' was the bane of both 'warrior spirits' and 'evil spirits'. The 'evil spirit' had to rely on cunning rather than brute force.

The white, fleshy orb began to squirm slowly, the transformation taking an unusually long time. Only after a quarter of an hour did the 'evil spirit' finally show itself.

Xia Yi stared at the palm-sized monkey, so astonished that he was speechless for quite a while.

The 'evil spirit' monkey before him was covered in snow-white fur, with the exception of its fiery red feet, which were strikingly beautiful.

Noticing Xia Yi's curious gaze and the lack of fear, the 'evil spirit' opened its mouth and let out a defiant roar.

Regrettably, the 'evil spirit' was no bigger than a young pup at this point, making its roar far from threatening and almost laughable.

"Is this your real form, an ape?" Xia Yi disregarded the 'evil spirit's' protests and reached out to pick it up.

The 'evil spirit' paused, surprised by Xia Yi's forward approach, and suddenly leaped up, biting down on Xia Yi's palm.

A sharp pain shot through his hand, and Xia Yi, in anger, flicked his finger at the 'evil spirit', sending it flying.

Xia Yi watched as the 'evil spirit' hurtled away at high speed, briefly worried he might have flicked it out of existence. But in the next moment, the 'evil spirit' came to a halt midair, as if suspended by an invisible force.

Delighted by this turn of events, Xia Yi used his will to draw the 'evil spirit' back to him.

This time, the 'evil spirit' wasn't harmed by the 'spirit seed' and bore no physical injuries. However, the encounter had dealt a significant blow to its morale.

The indignity of being flicked away by a mere finger was an insult it hadn't endured in centuries.

"Have you learned your lesson?"

The 'evil spirit' gave a quiet nod.

Xia Yi watched the subdued 'evil spirit' with a smirk, feeling a sense of pride in having tamed such a fierce entity.

"What is your original form? You appear to be no ordinary being," Xia Yi inquired.

Perking up at the mention of its true form, the 'evil spirit' responded, "I am the Crimson Bane from Oaklin Hill. I was ambushed and met my demise, thereafter concealing myself within the white jade of the mountain. Oaklin Hill is known for its white jade, and the Dragonflight Cloister, in their efforts to construct the Spirit Gathering Tower, unwittingly excavated the white jade that was my refuge and used it in the construction. Consequently, I became bound to the Spirit Gathering Tower, where I have remained for centuries."

Xia Yi was taken aback.

Crimson Bane?

Wow, that's one formidable creature.