Hao Xuan let out a deep sigh before tapping on his Spirit Band once.

"Baracus, add this to the list as well," he said feebly.

*Beep*

"Confirmed. List updated."

The list Hao Xuan spoke off contained everything of note that was currently wrong with him or that could go wrong in the future, along with all the ways he could possibly die on this excursion.

From the unstable physical and spiritual centers to this, the list had grown quite a bit.

"Anyways," Hao Xuan changed the topic, "What were you saying about this Xue Meng guy?"

Ensis straightened his back slightly and sat upright.

"Yes. He is not a native and arrived from another continent some time ago. I believe the Academy has a couple of such individuals as well although I cannot speak for their strength."

"I have only seen him once and I must say, Master, he is not someone you should even consider taking on right now."

Hao Xuan was leaning back against the rocky surface of the cave with his eyes closed. Upon hearing Ensis's warning, he just smiled.

"Relax, I'm not planning to. But why do you say that? Is he that strong?"

Ensis hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "Yes, and no."

"His strength is definitely nothing to scoff at. If we fought, I could not be certain of coming out of it alive..."

Hao Xuan abruptly opened his eyes and studied his expression. He was serious.

If Ensis, the clone of a God Fiend was saying that he could not even guarantee his own safety, let alone coming out of the fight victorious, then that meant Xue Meng was on a whole another level.

"And? There's more isn't there?" Hao Xuan asked.

Ensis nodded.

"His background and temperament. I believe it is something much more terrible than we could imagine. The few instances that I have seen him interacting with other Protectors, they always looked at him with a mix of fear, respect, and awe that is not very common among the younger generation."

"If I'm not wrong, they all have an idea where he comes from and none of them want to make an enemy out of him for any reason. Even Tian Zheng (CH517) lowered his head in front of him without saying a word."

"He is always alone, comes and goes in silence whenever he wants. Doesn't accept any favors from anyone, especially the rich brats that are always trying to get close to him. He lives a life devoid of any worldly pleasures from what I can tell. I really have no idea what his intentions are or even where he could possibly come from."

Hao Xuan picked up the Lightstone from the ground and moved it in between his fingers, feeling the peculiar coldness emanating from its surface.

"Is it because of the Prison? Or the World Spirit? Or something else entirely? Why are all these people here?" he mumbled in deep thought.

They stayed in the cave for a little more than half an hour talking about everything of interest before Ensis took his leave.

Hao Xuan waited another 20 minutes. He sat near the entrance, looking down at the swaying trees below him.

There was a strong wind accompanied by an occasional mist coming down from the carpet of black clouds above.

Sounds of animals and beasts entered his ears.

Strangely enough, he felt very peaceful at the moment. Sitting above the world, away from everything and everyone.

No worries, no desires. It was just him, living in the moment.

Alas, it was not meant to be.

He let out a woeful sigh.

"You're late," he said out loud, but there was no one there to respond.

Yet a response did come.

"I had to be careful. The leader of the resistance is not a simple man," a voice said followed by the appearance of a silhouette.

Hao Xuan turned his head slightly to the left and his brow shot up in surprise.

The silhouette belonged to a teenager. No older than 15 at most.

He had bright white hair and an expressionless face.

"Is this....you?" Hao Xuan asked uncertainly.

"For the time being," the teen nodded, "I borrowed this body."

Hao Xuan rubbed his temples and stood up.

"Well, that sounds like a hell of a story but could you...change back? Or look like your actual self? This is really off-putting," he asked with an exasperated tone.

Hao Xuan blinked and the boy was gone, in his place stood the same old Gavril Hao Xuan remembered.

"Looks like we need to have a chat about your powers," Hao Xuan said smilingly.

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