Chapter Twenty-One: The Sacred Heart of Wenqu

Hei Yu sat atop the toilet in the bathroom—not for convenience, simply to sit. The Apocalypse System was still on strike. He was messaging Zhong Kui via WeChat on his folding-screen phone. According to Zhong Kui, the phone had been won in a bet by a netizen called Celestial Tianhua. Hei Yu had seen Zhong Kui’s appearance before; he truly resembled the legendary demon hunter. Whether he’d used a face-swapping app or was playing at cosplay, it didn’t matter—Hei Yu couldn’t contact his own system now and had no choice but to seek help from Zhong Kui.

Last time, Zhong Kui had sent him the secret manual for “Thousand-Mile Translocation Technique”—an incredibly powerful skill said to allow one to shift stars at its peak. Ironically, it was learning that very manual which had led Hei Yu to his current predicament, forcing him to beg Zhong Kui for assistance.

If those people really attacked him with their powers, and he had no system to protect him, survival was not guaranteed. Hei Yu had already considered running, but Zhang Wu had warned him, “If the newcomer isn’t present at the welcome banquet, everyone else will dig up the earth to drag him out.”

“There was once a newcomer who fled to the airport. The plane had already taken off, but some unknown ability forcibly dragged him back, seat and all. The seat was sturdy—it’s still stored in the junk room.”

“Running is useless, unless you can sever the bond established on the Oath Stone. Otherwise, don’t expect to escape.”

Hei Yu smiled bitterly.

He sent Zhong Kui a message: “Big Brother Zhong Kui, can you protect me? If you can, I’ll give you this phone.”

Ten minutes passed, and still no reply.

In half an hour, he’d have to attend the welcome banquet; as the sole newcomer, he was already marked. When he entered, two men with mischievous grins followed him in; now they were chatting in the stalls to either side of him.

“I hear there’ll be some really good food tonight.”

“Yeah! I just looked in the kitchen—desserts include donuts and cupcakes.”

“Will there be a fight later?”

“Who knows! Can’t wait, honestly.”

The two bantered back and forth.

Hei Yu kept his head down, waiting for Zhong Kui’s reply.

Finally, Zhong Kui sent three words: “Who are you?”

Damn! Hei Yu was stunned—they’d chatted so well last time.

Right, he’d almost forgotten—last time, Zhong Kui said he wasn’t Celestial Tianhua, and the system had flagged him as a threat and eliminated him. So his memory had been wiped.

Hei Yu felt bitter. Could the system be any more unreliable? Previously, it at least responded; now, it was completely silent.

Hei Yu recalled the last time he’d received a system prompt—it was right after Zhang Wu had rescued him. The system informed him his Demon King skill had reached level two.

Hei Yu had kept asking what benefits came with the second level, but the system stonewalled him ever since.

A system with no manners.

Ding-dong...

The phone chimed—it was Zhong Kui’s reply.

“You want to give me the phone?”

“Yes, just help me out and the phone is yours,” Hei Yu replied helplessly. There were plenty of functions he hadn’t explored yet; so far, he’d only played with the Storage Ring app.

“Got it. How do you want me to help?”

“There are people here who want to beat me up. Is there a way you can protect me from harm?”

“If they’re already beating you, and you have time to send me WeChat messages, they can’t be that strong!” Zhong Kui replied.

Hei Yu wiped an imaginary bead of sweat from his brow. Was Zhong Kui’s reading comprehension faulty?

“Not yet—they’re preparing to beat me.”

“Oh, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Hei Yu was speechless.

“I have a method that can turn you into energy. When they attack you, it’ll rebound onto them.”

Hei Yu felt Zhong Kui was reliable, though giving up the phone felt a steep price.

“Perfect, that’s exactly what I need.”

“Alright, I’ll send it over now.”

Buzz~

As before, a thread-bound manual appeared out of nowhere in Hei Yu’s hand. This time, he was mentally prepared and not startled.

On the cover, written in calligraphy, was “Universal Attack Rebound Compendium.”

Hei Yu opened the first page to start practicing, but the page instantly disintegrated into dust in his hands.

“What the hell?”

“Young man, the terms must be paid up front, don’t take advantage of my kindness,” Zhong Kui messaged.

“Fine.” Hei Yu considered that this guy was ruthless; if the system hadn’t wiped his memory last time, Hei Yu wouldn’t have survived till now.

Did you think I’d give you the folding-screen phone?

No, I’ll give you this one!

Hei Yu pulled from his pocket a cheap elderly phone he’d bought for a few hundred yuan.

He removed the SIM and memory cards.

Hei Yu: “How do I give you the phone?”

Zhong Kui: “Put it in the Storage Ring app, then send it over.”

Hei Yu did as instructed, and soon the phone was sent.

Zhong Kui: “Ah, received. It’s in good condition. Next time I bet with Tianhua and the others, I’ll use this as the stake.”

The destroyed manual reappeared in Hei Yu’s hand.

Zhong Kui: “If you don’t understand anything, you can ask me. My rates are fair.”

Hei Yu rolled his eyes, but still replied, “OK!”

Hei Yu opened the manual and began to study. This time, the system didn’t leap out to absorb it; clearly, it was dead set on not helping him. Hei Yu had to work it out himself. The manual’s contents weren’t particularly profound; the whole practice was divided into three levels.

The first level was the classic “borrow strength to counter strength.”

The second level was to absorb the opponent’s attack and convert it into one’s own power.

The third level ignored the opponent’s attack altogether; if you hit me, you’re really hitting yourself, and if you don’t, I’ll hit you.

Simple and brutal.

Hei Yu could understand it, but had no idea how to apply it.

Things like “absorb the essence of heaven and earth,” “circulate energy,” “when your energy matches the opponent’s frequency, create resonance...”

He understood each word, but not how to use them.

“Big Brother Zhong Kui, what exactly is the essence of heaven and earth?”

“Come on—not even knowing that? How do you practice cultivation?”

“Just explain, please.”

“Fine, I’ll tell you. The essence of heaven and earth comes in many forms; all things are the result of cosmic creation. Essence means extracting the most vital part, divided into two categories: animal and plant. For animals, refined blood is the essence; for plants, high-purity herbal extracts.”

“Animals can be ordinary, lacking spiritual energy, or spiritual beasts possessing it.