In a pitch-black, pitch-dark void, an agile figure darted through the shadows, moving as effortlessly as if on flat ground in a space utterly devoid of light.
Despite his swift movements, the dripping blood and his increasingly sluggish pace made it clear that he could not hold out much longer.
Briefly shaking off his pursuers once again, Hei Xiazi leaned against a rock to rest.
"I never thought that after wandering for so long, retribution would finally catch up to the Blind Man," Hei Xiazi said with a hint of self-mockery as he felt his body heat slowly draining away.
"Beep. Greetings, Host Hei Xiazi. I am the 003 Wisdom Brain."
A cold, mechanical voice echoed.
"Who are you?" Hei Xiazi slowly propped himself up, scanning his surroundings with vigilance.
"I am the 003 Wisdom Brain. Pleased to meet you for the first time." A ball of light materialized within the darkness.
"Oh? The 003 Wisdom Brain? What do you want?"
Even though Hei Xiazi was currently at a disadvantage, he still maintained an air of nonchalant ease, as if the entity before him were merely an ordinary person.
The 003 Wisdom Brain was quite satisfied with Hei Xiazi's reaction upon seeing it. It needed someone unflappable, someone worthy of becoming the host to its 003 designation.
Having reviewed Hei Xiazi's file and knowing him to be cautious, 003 took the initiative to explain the reason for its appearance. "It was the bloodline within your body that summoned me, which is why I appeared."
"Oh? How come the Blind Man didn't know there was a bloodline in my body?"
Hei Xiazi curled his lips into a cynical, enigmatic smile as he spoke in deep puzzlement. The eyes hidden behind his dark glasses flickered with wave after wave of coldness, as if determined to go all out and destroy the glowing orb at the first sign of hostility.
"It is like this. It is quite normal that you do not know. According to my understanding, the spiritual energy of this Dharma-ending age has completely dissipated, many ancient spirit beasts have perished, and very few bloodlines remain," 003 explained as it browsed the information of this world.
"Then what is this in me?"
"You are a descendant of the Manchu nobility. Your mother came from the Ulanara Clan, which supplied offerings to an ancient spirit beast during its most glorious era."
Hearing this, Hei Xiazi already believed it six-tenths. After all, not many people knew his true background, let alone such fine details.
"So you're here to collect my corpse?" Despite his terrifyingly pale complexion, Hei Xiazi calmly pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
"No. I was entrusted by him to bind with you."
"Oh? Why should I believe you won't harm me? After all, the number of people who want the Blind Man dead is too numerous to count."
003 twitched the corner of its metaphorical mouth; so he did know he was punchable.
"Then would you like to see him?"
003 did not waste words. It held deep respect for this spirit beast that had survived for thousands of years, and would therefore provide assistance within its capabilities.
"What?" Hei Xiazi was taken aback. Was it what he thought?
Without giving Hei Xiazi time to react, 003 executed a series of operations to activate the bloodline within him.
"Awoo—" A completely crimson Pixiu suddenly sprang back to life, regaining its vitality.
"Senior, you only have five minutes." With that, 003 withdrew, leaving them plenty of space.
"You—who are you?"
Everything before his eyes subverted Hei Xiazi's understanding. Despite having lived for so long, this was the first time he had ever witnessed such a bizarre event.
"Hello, child. I am called Ling, the last surviving Pixiu still in existence." Ling was extremely gentle toward his sole surviving bloodline.
"A Pixiu? No wonder I love money so much." Hei Xiazi muttered the last sentence very quietly.
Yet he was facing an ancient spirit beast. Although this spirit beast was scarred and nearing the twilight of its years, its strength could still not be ignored, and naturally it heard his mumbling.
Ling was not angry. To him, Hei Xiazi was still a cub. Even though, by human reckoning, this cub was already over a hundred years old, in the long lifespan of a beast, a hundred years was hardly worth mentioning.
"I sensed you were in danger, but it was inconvenient for me to rescue you directly. That is why I summoned 003. In the days to come, it will assist you and will never betray you."
Though Ling had been slumbering within Hei Xiazi's body all along, he was still aware of certain things; the very reason Hei Xiazi was in such a sorry state this time was due to the betrayal of others.
"Then what price will you pay for summoning it?" Hei Xiazi was no child. Having weathered the ways of the world, he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
"None at all. I will merely fall into slumber once more. You are the one truly making the transaction with it, and I believe you will handle everything well." Ling did not excessively interfere in these matters; all he could do was provide an opportunity.
"Alright, I will handle everything. Rest assured." Ling gave Hei Xiazi the feel of an erudite and amiable elder, bringing a long-absent warmth to the lonely man.
"Mm. Time is up. We will meet again, child." Ling finally stroked Hei Xiazi's head, his gentle voice giving the man an indescribable feeling.
"We will meet again, Old Ancestor," Hei Xiazi silently vowed to himself.
"Finished talking? Can we bind now?" 003 spoke up once more.
"We can. What do I need to do?" Having learned from the Old Ancestor that this 003 Wisdom Brain was here to help him, Hei Xiazi dropped his coyness.
"Just sign this agreement." 003 materialized an agreement and handed it to you.
"I never expected you guys to be so keeping up with the times." Hei Xiazi took the agreement and began to read it.
"Of course. As times progress, we must keep pace with the times," 003 said proudly. Their system was, after all, the most advanced and developed.
"Alright, signed. Now let's talk business." Hei Xiazi never engaged in losing ventures.
"Mm, what would you like to discuss?" 003 remained quite accommodating toward its newly signed host.
"What can you bring me by signing with you?" There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests—this maxim was engraved deep in the Blind Man's bones.
"I can help you remove the ghost attached to your body and cure your eye affliction." 003 had read Hei Xiazi's file and knew him to be cautious and slow to trust others.
"Oh? Then what do you want from me?"
No one knew how much money Hei Xiazi had squandered trying to cure his eyes. That was why people in the underworld always said that as long as the money was right, Hei Xiazi would be there—it was simply because all his money went toward treating his eyes, and even then, it was often not enough.
"I need you to help me complete missions to gain energy so I can forge a physical body."
"A physical body? You can turn into a human too?" Looking at the glowing orb before him, he truly could not imagine what it would look like with a physical body.
"Yes, but it requires a massive amount of energy points, which is why I chose you to help me." 003 made no attempt to conceal its purpose; in its view, the two of them were already in the same boat.
"Alright. But how do I perform these missions?" Hei Xiazi did not refuse. A mutually beneficial deal like this was no loss.
"I will issue them randomly. You just wait for notification, and I will inform you of the plot trajectory of this world."
"Then what about all these injuries I have right now? Surely I won't just walk out and get killed immediately?" Hei Xiazi pulled out a handkerchief and fake-cried.
"I will heal your injuries and adjust your physical statistics to their peak condition. That will be beneficial for your missions."
"Then many thanks to our Little San," Hei Xiazi drawled deliberately, making his tone so unctuous it could give someone goosebumps.
What the hell was Little San? 003 paused in the middle of operating. "My name is 003, not Little San," it solemnly corrected its new host regarding its name.
Would the Blind Man listen, though? If he listened, he wouldn't be Hei Xiazi.
"Understood, Little San." Still the same address.
Furious, 003 unilaterally blocked its host.