*Gasp*

Hao Xuan came to behind the tree for the second time gasping for a breath of fresh air. He rubbed the back of his head, which felt a little numb strangely.

"Next time...you don't need to blow my entire head off. Just do it quickly and as painlessly as possible. It might just be me but it feels like the pain is starting to follow me back as well."

*Beep*

"That is highly improbable."

"But not impossible?"

"...more empirical data required for an objective a.s.sessment."

"Mhm, that's what I thought. I know very little about this ability but since it came from a demon it would be safe to a.s.sume there are some downsides even if I don't feel them just yet."

"That is highly probable."

"Glad we see eye to eye on this then," Hao Xuan mused while getting ready to jump back over the water stream but Baracus stopped him.

"What is your plan? Retreating is still the best option."

Hao Xuan paused for a moment to actually consider the option and nodded soon after.

"Last run. I will try to get as much information out of him as possible, especially about the method he is going to use to take the physique from me. If there is no chance then...maybe there is nothing I can do for the barbarians right now."

And with that, he lept over the water stream to try his luck for the third time.

***

*Gasp*

"Argh!"

*Beep*

[Incoming Data Stream]

"I know shut it off please, quickly!" Hao Xuan ordered through gritted teeth forcing Baracus to comply.

Only when it looked like he had calmed down a minute later did he continue.

"Elevated heart rates and blood pressure detected. No other abnormalities."

But Hao Xuan was lost in a world of his own. He kept shaking his head back and forth in a trance.

"I was a fool to believe he would be so easy to take care of."

Baracus began a.n.a.lyzing the data he had received for the first time and it showed scenes he could not even interpret. He showed one of the received images to Hao Xuan and asked for details.

"Explanation?"

It was a red world. Everything from the ground, trees, and even the sun and moon in the sky were colored crimson.

Hao Xuan leaned back against the tree letting out a barely audible self-deprecating chuckle.

"I pushed him for a fight using everything at my disposal and forced him to finally reveal his true strength. That image is what his territory looks like."

"Not only is his actual rank in the middle of the Profound Realm but he has made enough progress in his cultivation to combine several laws and the power of his bloodline with the territory of the main law."

"I have only ever seen cultivators of the Saint Realm able to do something of that caliber. He can completely transform his territory and manifest it to a frightening degree in the physical realm. Dai Zhi really is...a genius."

For the first time in a long time Hao Xuan felt inferior to someone. Compared to someone like him Dai Zhi was on another level entirely.

"Even with my superior strength I wasn't able to do much. I cut him in half twice but he regenerated instantly. His control over all forms of vitality has reached such a level that he can probably kill a regular profound realm cultivator with a mere thought."

"Our fighting styles are too different and...he has a total advantage over me. Not only are his energy reserves over ten times more than mine but his control and understanding of his own strengths is also significantly higher."

The memories began replaying in his head as he was talking.

"I chased after him trying my best to close the distance but he didn't need to. Most of his attacks are ranged but even at close range he is a master of the blade. Even though I technically have more experience, he can simply keep running until I run out of energy. It's not even a completion."

Baracus was recording everything Hao Xuan was saying to a.n.a.lyze in detail later.

"Were you able to find out how he plans to take over the physique?"

"Un," Hao Xuan nodded somberly, "He said until I break through to the next physique realm and absorb the demon, my bond with the physique is not complete. With his ability to control blood, he can simply take over my body and slowly merge it into his own. Apparently, that's one of the abilities he got from his ancient bloodline."

"....then what do you plan to do? Fighting him again will not yield a different result. It is best to leave th-"

"I am not leaving them behind!" Hao Xuan retorted.

"There is no rational explanation for your attachment to these lower beings. The smart thi-"

"Enough, shut up right now. I don't wanna hear another word from you!"

?