The Abyss Walker brought up his right hand and rested his head on it while looking at Hao Xuan in levity.

"Do you know who 'I' am?"

Hao Xuan shook his head so he continued.

"They call me the Abyss Walker. But you, little one, can call me Master Altair."

[Hi, my name is Altair! Is this your first time in the shattered realms?]

When Hao Xuan heard the name Altair another voice superimposed on it and sounded within his head. It belonged to the Abyss Walker but not the one sitting in front of him. The tone was much gentler, almost like it was another person entirely.

And then an image flashed in front of his eyes followed by a small scene playing out. He was back in the caravan standing in front of the flutist as he greeted him.

"Argh!"

Another wave of sharp pain made him flinch. But it wasn't too intense this time so he was able to tell where it was coming from. From that little flower-shaped organ in his brain that was related to the time ability. It was the source of this problem.

And Hao Xuan also finally realized what he was seeing. It wasn't another timeline but another time period. He was seeing the past instead of the future, the Abyss Walker's past. It was forcefully drawing him in, every meaningful word triggering a sort of flashback.

"Alta...ir..." Hao Xuan repeated trying to memorize the words when he heard the sound of clothes ruffling.

He looked up and saw him standing half a meter away.

"Have we met before, boy? Your eyes, they remind of someone..." he leaned forward and gently caressed Hao Xuan's face before forcefully pulling him up.

Hao Xuan could only follow along like a helpless lamb. He was powerless here. His only option was to play along. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva to wet his aching throat before answering.

"We have never met before."

"I know. But these eyes of yours, so...unique, so....hateful. I have only ever seen one other pair like that."

"Who...whose...?"

Hao Xuan stared into his eyes unflinchingly as he asked, making Altair smirk.

This time it was his expression that triggered it, another glimpse of the past.

The word turned completely dark around them. Hao Xuan was a few meters away from Altair floating in the air. No, not floating.

He looked down and saw a giant black spear with strange markings embedded in his body. It had pinned him to the wall of some half-destroyed structure, a lighthouse perhaps judging from the debris?

The spear had markings of chains that were moving across Hao Xuan's skin, keeping him locked in place.

Altair had the same smirk on his face. Behind him were tens of other human silhouettes but Hao Xuan couldn't clearly see their faces. They were moving their hands back and forth making weird gestures while chanting loudly.

Altair took a step forward, "Your luck has finally run out, old friend."

Hao Xuan chuckled. He raised his only remaining hand grabbed the spear, tightening his grip around it. He tried to pull it out but after only moving a couple of centimeters sparks of bright blue lightning erupted from the spear and sent his hand flying off into the distance.

Altair watched on with a wide grin, reaping no small amount of pleasure from Hao Xuan's pain as he struggled to break free.

"Buhahahaha! Did you see that? The seal derived from the marrow of the 124 Demon Monarchs and then reinforced by the Heavenly Thunder from Mount Olympus itself. Even if you were at full strength there was no way you could escape from it, let alone now. HAHAHA!"

He started laughing like a madman as the space started twisting and turning around him but the very next moment it all came to an abrupt stop.

Altair took a few more measured steps forward, coming just close enough to be able to clearly see Hao Xuan's face but still be just out of arms reach. His twisted expression barely made him look human at all as he hungrily eyed Hao Xuan.

"I feel like I should thank you, brother. With your death, I will finally be set free. It has been a LONG time coming, don't you think?

Hao Xuan tried to speak up but when he opened his mouth only blood and a searing heat came out.

Altair saw that and knew he had all but won. He finally threw caution to the wind and came even closer, leaning in to smell the delightful scent of all the fresh blood that was running down Hao Xuan's clothes.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in through his nose, relishing every moment of it. His voice lowered enough that only Hao Xuan could hear it now.

"Do you remember when we first met? What you promised me back then? I will be sure to repay it in full. You didn't REALLY think you could them from me, did you?" he whispered the last sentence right into his ear.

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