"Let me guess, you will give me some ultimate training method that will allow me to cultivate to a high level and then with the power, I am going to give you my undying loyalty?" now rolling on the ground laughing, Tommy couldn't believe what was happening.

The shadowy figure just watched Tommy ridicule it as it was wondering if it truly made a mistake showing itself to such an ignorant and weak cultivator.

"How does it feel to need to rely on someone else for your safety?" after several minutes, the shadowy figure began to ask Tommy more questions. This time, it was not going to try to convince him to do anything, rather, it wanted to understand Tommy's thinking.

Hearing the question, Tommy stood back up and wiped some of the tears that formed in his eyes away. Unsure how to answer, Tommy could only start to ponder on what the shadowy figure's words were supposed to mean.

"It would be pretty great to not need to rely on someone else to protect me or my well being. However, you are barking up the wrong tree right now and should go and find someone else." Tommy said after taking some time to come up with an answer.

"There are plenty of stronger cultivators in the city who wouldn't question you at all if you had any type of proof that you were once such a domineering expert. As for me, I am considered the weakest cultivator in the city and am not even worth the time of a joker such as yourself."

While he explained his current situation to the shadowy figure, a sadness appeared in Tommy's eyes and he couldn't help but to feel a little empty inside. Though this adventure would be to meet the minimal requirement to keep his current lifestyle, was it truly enough for him now?

"If you make me your master, I promise you that the pain you are currently feeling will never be felt again. I am unable to promise you that there will always be a stronger opponent out there for you to face, but what I can promise you, is if you follow my instructions, that you will have nothing to fear any longer."

Understanding that it hit a nerve, the shadowy figure tried to continue explaining itself to Tommy. However, after falling into his cold and dark place in his mind once again, Tommy couldn't be reached as he started to walk again towards the village.

"He will be back. It is not normal for a weak cultivator to have such a darkness inside of them. One day, he will seek me out once again, and I will be waiting here patiently." the shadowy figure thought to itself as it allowed Tommy to walk away.