Xiao Ping sank deep into thought, leaning back against the stone chair. He stared intently at the black-covered book on the round table, then raised his eyes to the Entity with a meaningful gaze, searching for an answer to satisfy his curiosity.
When the Entity saw Xiao Ping's knowledge-hungry expression, it slowly tapped the table and said:
"Boy, are you going to finish your questions or not?!"
This time, its tone was not cold but rather annoyed.
Seeing the Entity's irritation, Xiao Ping didn't delay and said:
"Tell me, what kind of world have I been transported to? Also, I want to know if supernatural powers exist? Even though I know you possess cosmic power, I don't think you're the only one!"
Xiao Ping asked the two questions that puzzled him the most, but there was more on his mind. He chose to save them for the next meeting. He felt this wouldn't be his last encounter with the Entity.
The Entity sighed slowly and looked at Xiao Ping, saying:
"Let's just say you've been transported to a world full of mystery, and you must explore it yourself.
As for power wielders like me, there are many, but they hide from ordinary people. However, I doubt many are as powerful as I am."
"Huh?!"
Xiao Ping was stunned before muttering to himself:
"What does he mean by a mysterious world?! This Entity only gives vague and suspicious answers… But! Knowing there are others with supernatural powers is unbelievable! His last sentence suggests he has immense pride… Hmm."
Xiao Ping's expression shifted slightly before returning to normal.
An image flashed in his mind: the corpse of the middle-aged man he had found dead on the bed. He wanted to ask about his identity, as well as the cube and the strange manuscripts he had discovered in his clothes after inspecting them.
But the Entity beat him to it, laughing as it said:
"Kekekeke, I know what you're thinking, human! You want to know who that dead person was, don't you?!"
It paused briefly before adding slyly:
"Hehehe, and don't forget you stole everything from his clothes while he was dead!"
The Entity let out a sinister laugh as it looked at Xiao Ping, whose face was now dripping with nervous sweat.
Hearing this, Xiao Ping defended himself:
"What?! I steal from a dead person's corpse?! No way, man, I'm not like that! My pride wouldn't allow it! I'm innocent!"
Xiao Ping raised both hands to emphasize his defense.
"Yes, yes, very innocent,"
the Entity sneered before continuing:
"You did the right thing. If I were you, I would've done the same. But your insistence on burying the corpse?! That's something I wouldn't do!"
Its tone carried a hint of praise, but the ending clearly conveyed displeasure.
"Say whatever you want about me, I don't care! Don't bother reminding me that my actions were insane! This is who I am: I repay kindness, even if it costs me my life!"
He lowered his head before continuing in a serious tone tinged with faint sorrow:
"That man did something great for me. He left his gun for me to protect myself from animal attacks or bandits in the mountains, so I wanted to repay him. That's all!"
Clap!
A loud clapping sound echoed through the void. Xiao Ping raised his head to see the Entity applauding enthusiastically, though its expression held a hint of mockery at Xiao Ping's words.
"Very good, human. Keep this up, and you might end up dead because of your degenerate way of thinking!"
The clapping ceased, replaced by a tense atmosphere.
"You don't know what kind of world you're in now! This world will crush you because of your pride. Some might think pride is important, but here?! It will only bring you death."
"..."
Xiao Ping's expression remained indifferent to the Entity's words.
It was true that his personality was flawed, but it couldn't be changed overnight. Even though he had seen the villagers as a bunch of hypocrites and scoundrels, and had glimpsed a bit of this world's nature, feeling some disappointment and hatred, his perspective hadn't changed much—perhaps only slightly. So, he still clung to his pride.
"Forget it! Your view of the world will change with time, and you'll regret not taking my warning seriously."
The Entity could only complain about Xiao Ping's attitude but continued:
"You want to know about the things you took from that man, right?!"
"Yes, please!"
Xiao Ping replied quickly, not wasting any time.
After Xiao Ping's words faded into the void, a rough tapping sound echoed on the round table, and the flames above the blood candles flickered.
Suddenly, the space above the table began to ripple slowly, like dewdrops falling into a bucket.
The ripples continued for a moment before several manuscripts appeared before Xiao Ping's eyes. Unlike previous times, he wasn't shocked but remained completely calm.
"Well, what do you say we start with these manuscripts first?"
The Entity clasped its hands, resting its elbows on the table, focusing on the floating papers in front of it.
One of the manuscripts moved, flipping itself over to face the flame of one of the candles… and then caught fire.
"What in the hell are you doing?!"
Xiao Ping shouted, trying to pull it out of the fire.
It was one of the clues that might guide him in this mysterious world, and now it was burning!
Instinctively, Xiao Ping reached out to grab it, but his hand passed right through it. He tried again, but his hand went through it every time, as if it were transparent.
The Entity laughed at Xiao Ping's actions, then said quickly:
"Human, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. There's no use trying to save it; just give up!"
"What the hell are you talking about?! The manuscript is burning, and you're telling me to give up?!"
Xiao Ping yelled at the Entity, slamming his hand on the table again.
"Look at the paper again,"
the Entity said in a cold tone, pointing toward the manuscript.
"What's happening to the paper?!"
Xiao Ping's expression changed.
He saw that the paper had turned to ash, but instead of crumbling and scattering, it began to fly around the blood candles before stopping about six centimeters away. It then transformed into strange symbols floating around the circular table.
The Entity tapped the table again, and the flames of the blood candles rose powerfully, forming a giant ball of dark, black fire.
"This is very dangerous!"
Xiao Ping quickly stepped back, afraid the black flames would burn him. They emitted an extremely powerful pressure.
He could no longer see the Entity, as the giant ball almost completely blocked his view.
But strangely, the ball didn't move from its spot. It continued rotating as it floated in front of him, having swallowed all those strange symbols. Xiao Ping didn't know what they were, but he felt they were very dangerous, strengthening his resolve to uncover their truth and learn the identity of the corpse he had buried.
"Kekekekekeke, how wonderful! To so easily find one of the manuscripts from the Mythical Era… how fantastic!"
The Entity laughed with excitement, shouting enthusiastically.
"The Mythical Era!"
Xiao Ping didn't try to ask about what the Entity had said… but he saw the ball of flames begin to recede and fade.
"There you are!"
This time, the Entity didn't scream but quickly dispersed the flames before looking at Xiao Ping's face, which was filled with doubt, eagerness, and a hint of fear at what he had just witnessed.
The Entity didn't stop staring but raised its voice, addressing Xiao Ping:
"Human, you've found one of the manuscripts from the First Mythical Era, containing the complete power levels, not monopolized by the organizations that hoard the higher tiers!"
"What?! Power levels?!"
Xiao Ping could only question further before asking:
"And why do hidden organizations monopolize the higher levels?"
"Hehehehe…"
the Entity laughed slyly before responding:
"Human, you don't realize that you've found one of the most powerful power levels, hidden within a manuscript that requires special rituals to unveil its contents. You're very lucky to have met me; otherwise, this manuscript's secrets would have remained hidden forever!"
It then continued in a more serious tone:
"You also don't know that there are organizations that monopolize the higher tiers of power levels, do you?! They guard their secrets with utmost importance. And since you're new to this world, it's natural that you know nothing."
"So, let me tell you:
There is a specific power system in this world, and you must follow it step by step… to grow stronger and survive."
~ End of Chapter… To be continued.