The world, like a 3D holographic projection, flickered and dissolved into darkness.
Tang Sui’s gaze swept over the three familiar masks that materialized in the void, a deep emotion swirling in her eyes.
“You… you’ve returned too…”
Seeing the spectral glow in the eyes of the three masks, the emptiness where a part of her heart was missing seemed to be filled, settling into a sense of peace.
The subtle strangeness she had always felt from the masks finally had an explanation.
—They were not inanimate objects, but alive. They were her other halves.
The fox mask’s narrow eyes flickered, and it spoke, “What a long sleep. It’s been ages since I slept so deeply.”
The large flying one snorted, “Considering the abundant power I feel upon waking, I won’t argue with you.”
The ape mask stared at Tang Sui, its voice laced with a hint of gritted teeth, “So, dear little master, shouldn’t you summon my本体 (běntǐ) back from that tent?”
When it lacked consciousness, it didn't know its本体 had become a seal, constantly being dipped in red ink and stamping countless papers.
Now, upon waking, even as a spiritual entity, it felt a damp, mask-like sensation clinging to its entire being, an uncomfortable feeling all over.
“Once we’re out, I definitely will,” Tang Sui agreed, surprisingly agreeable.
Looking at her "lost and found" other halves, her lips parted slightly. “Since you’re awake, then… what about the system…”
From regaining her memories to now, she hadn’t heard its long-awaited mechanical voice.
The three masks fell into a brief, synchronized silence. The ape mask, which had been grumbling moments ago, instantly changed its demeanor and casually replied, “Perhaps it’s still repairing.”
“Repairing?” Tang Sui’s eyes showed a hint of confusion. The fox mask chimed in, “Didn’t you read many system novels in your past life? When the energy supply is insufficient, the system goes dormant, but if it’s ample, it must be undergoing self-repair.”
“But I’ve been in the Slaughter City for over three years. This place is practically the cradle of the demon race. The power here is so abundant, even I, who only started cultivating soul power in the last two years, have broken through to level 57. And I haven’t neglected demon power cultivation either. With such abundant energy, the system shouldn’t still be asleep.”
Tang Sui pursed her lips, a trace of unease on her delicate face. Sudan Novel Network.
In front of the masks, Tang Sui seemed to conform more to her outward appearance, like a toddler still learning to walk. When she didn't understand, she would ask questions, discuss better strategies, and even conceded some decision-making power to the masks.
The farewell scene from three years ago seemed like yesterday, replaying in her mind, clear and suffocating.
The three masks offered no response, remaining silent as cicadas, the spiritual light in their eye sockets flickering erratically.
An unsettling stillness spread through the pitch-black mental space.
Tang Sui’s mood mirrored the deep darkness surrounding her. Unease and panic transformed into oppressive darkness, her nerves stretched taut, mere moments from snapping.
[…I am repairing. Do not worry.]
A faint voice echoed from all directions within the mental space. Tang Sui froze, a surge of bitterness and warmth rising, her vision blurring.
“…Really?”
She was like a child who, having been sent to her room for being willful, went from angrily banging on the door to fearing being truly abandoned. Upon seeing her parents again, she cautiously sought their reassurance, asking if she was still loved and not left behind.
[The power is abundant, but it requires time…]
The mechanical voice faded, as if it were someone struggling to stay awake before finally succumbing to sleep. Yet, Tang Sui felt the last void in her heart being filled, her heart regaining its proper weight.
It was good.
Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, but a faint curve of joy and relief graced Tang Sui’s lips.
She truly wasn’t abandoned.
“…I think you should check the outside world first? Tang San has been free from the influence of demon power for a while now, and he and Hu Liena have already encountered… the clone of that old bat.”
Da Feichu, seeing Tang Sui’s happy expression, spoke in a muffled voice.
Tang Sui blinked, wiping the tears from her face. She circulated her demon power, and the surrounding darkness began to crumble.
As the air grew hot and familiar lava appeared, Tang San and Hu Liena, under the fierce onslaught of the three-headed bat, were seen running and counter-attacking in disarray.
The conversation with the masks might have only lasted a few minutes, but in the outside world, every second was crucial.
Tang Sui, now able to perfectly conceal her aura, hovered in a corner of the void. From above, she witnessed Tang San and Hu Liena working together, narrowly severing the second head of the three-headed bat demon.
She glanced at the hidden location of the Ten-Headed Solar Serpent, still quietly waiting for her signal in the scorching lava. A thoughtful glint appeared in her eyes as she transmitted her voice to the serpent in the lava using the demon race’s unique method.
‘Uncle Snake, proceed at your own pace. But please do not harm that male human soul master among them.’
‘As I said last night, stop the chase game before the exit.’
The Ten-Headed Solar Serpent coiled within the scalding lava, its massive eyes flashing with a scarlet glow. It opened its maw, its red and black forked tongue flicking out. It swallowed countless streams of molten lava as if it were drinking water, completely unharmed.
‘Alright.’
It had been eagerly anticipating the moment it could pummel those two humans above.