Chapter 44: Playing with Fire

Chapter 44: Playing with Fire

With a violent tremor, the "Shadow Fox" finally vented the fire within.

"Child, this is all the love I have for you. Take it all in."

Wiping away the unknown liquid from the corner of Wang Si's mouth, the "Shadow Fox" gently caressed his cheek with a look of "loving" affection.

Closing her eyes and opening them again, the "Shadow Fox" regained her composure.

Glancing at Wang Si, who was lying on the ground with steady breathing, the "Shadow Fox" averted her gaze and took a deep breath.

Fishing out the soul bone from the hot spring, the "Shadow Fox" needed only a glance to determine that it could be directly absorbed.

Although it wasn't a ten-thousand-year soul bone, a four-thousand-year soul bone was still quite ancient.

As the "Shadow Fox" began absorbing the soul bone, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Why did it feel so easy to absorb this soul bone?

"Warning: This soul bone does not belong to you. If you insist on absorbing it, the owner of this soul bone will have the right to enslave you."

As the "Shadow Fox" absorbed the soul bone, a voice she had never heard before echoed in her mind.

"Enslavement? Does absorbing this soul bone mean I'll be enslaved by its owner?" The "Shadow Fox" asked, perplexed.

"Correct. If you persist in absorbing the soul bone, you will be enslaved," the voice replied.

Although unsure of the owner of the voice, the "Shadow Fox" laughed upon hearing this.

"That's hilarious! Can someone really be enslaved by absorbing a soul bone? Does that mean all the soul masters on the continent who absorb soul bones are enslaved too?" The "Shadow Fox" couldn't help but laugh out loud, though the joke wasn't very amusing.

However, the voice didn't respond this time, which the "Shadow Fox" found rather boring.

Nevertheless, having just completed a task and indulged in some self-release, the "Shadow Fox" felt like chatting with someone. So, she asked, "Can you tell me who will enslave me if I absorb this soul bone?"

The voice responded to her question.

"Owner of the soul bone: Wang Si."

Hearing this answer, the "Shadow Fox" was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Wang Si? That little unlucky brat who I've enslaved wants to enslave me now?"

The voice remained silent, ignoring the "Shadow Fox"'s ridicule.

Unbothered by the lack of response, the "Shadow Fox" continued to absorb the soul bone.

"Ding! This soul bone does not belong to you. Forcibly absorbing it will result in forced enslavement."

The voice returned with another warning.

The "Shadow Fox" found this interaction intriguing, as she had never heard such a voice before. It sounded like the friction of heavy metal, a novel and peculiar sound.

Having been ignored twice, the "Shadow Fox" knew how to continue the conversation.

"Didn't you just say that if I agreed to be enslaved, I could absorb the soul bone? If I agree to be enslaved now, will I not be forcibly enslaved?" The "Shadow Fox" asked tentatively.

"Correct," the voice concurred.

"You're really stingy with your words, aren't you?" the "Shadow Fox" teased, unable to resist goading her mysterious companion further.

"If I agree, I'll be enslaved, but if I don't agree, I'll still be enslaved. What's the difference?" she continued.

"If you submit to enslavement willingly, you will retain your own thoughts. If you are forcibly enslaved, your thoughts will be erased," the voice explained.

Hearing this, the "Shadow Fox" rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Retain my thoughts, erase my thoughts... That's wishful thinking."

"I've absorbed soul bones twice before. Why didn't I receive any warnings then?" she asked.

"You absorbed ownerless soul bones, hence the lack of warnings," the voice clarified.

"What's the difference between a soul bone with an owner and one without?" the "Shadow Fox" inquired.

"... ..."

The "Shadow Fox" continued her interrogation, absorbing the soul bone as she conversed with the voice.

"Warning: If you do not agree to be enslaved, forced enslavement will be enacted."

As the "Shadow Fox" posed another question, instead of an answer, she received a warning in response.

Instinctively, the "Shadow Fox" prepared to refuse, but she felt a pair of small hands grasp hers from behind.

The "Shadow Fox" was taken aback. "He woke up so quickly."

Then she smiled, amused by the little rascal's antics. "Already causing trouble as soon as he wakes up."

"Do you want to be enslaved by me?" Wang Si's childish voice whispered in the "Shadow Fox"'s ear.

Hearing Wang Si's voice, the "Shadow Fox" was momentarily surprised before letting out a soft laugh.

"Don't be mischievous. I'm busy right now," the "Shadow Fox" commanded. Her sixth soul skill involved imprinting her mark on another's soul when they were unprepared.

Obediently, Wang Si loosened his grip as instructed.

Previously, the "Shadow Fox" could have been certain that Wang Si wouldn't have let go. He had taken advantage of her immobility while absorbing the soul ring, and now he was at it again.

"Little rascal, if you were to enslave me, what would you make me do?"

"Shadow Fox" posed a question to Wang Si, as the mysterious voice in her head kept warning her.

"I would, of course, want to do some fun things with you," Wang Si replied with a mischievous smile.

Hearing his response, "Shadow Fox" couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. She then continued, "So, you only want to do fun things? Nothing else?"

"Nope, I'm all about having fun," Wang Si said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sensing "Shadow Fox"'s emotions, Wang Si took a step forward and once again wrapped his arms around her from behind.

This time, "Shadow Fox" didn't refuse. She simply closed her eyes in contentment.

"You little brat, if all you want to do is have fun with me, then I'll gladly let you enslave me," "Shadow Fox" teased playfully.

"You little scamp, I may be willing to be enslaved by you, but don't disturb me when I'm busy," "Shadow Fox" added, her tone light and playful.

Instead of a response from Wang Si, "Shadow Fox" felt a powerful jolt that shook her entire being.

As "Shadow Fox" fell, Wang Si immediately leaned down and extended his tongue to lick her.

If anyone familiar with Wang Si were present, they would have noticed that his eyes seemed a bit clearer than usual.

......

Soul Spirit Space—a realm akin to a spiritual ocean, inherent to the soul template.

Snow River Clear Lake, who had been observing the situation, stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Beside him, Xue Qinghe fidgeted nervously, his eyes darting around but always returning to the "live broadcast."

"Xue brother, if you want to watch, just watch openly. There's no need to be sneaky about it," Wang Si said, noticing Xue Qinghe's furtive glances.

Hearing Wang Si's remark, Xue Qinghe coughed awkwardly and straightened up.

Slap!

The "live broadcast" ended abruptly.

Xue Qinghe blinked at the now-blackened screen, then shot a slightly resentful glance at Wang Si, as if to say, "I wasn't done watching. Why did you turn it off?"

Soon, a two-meter-tall, flame-coated husky—no, a Fierce Flame Lion—appeared in the Soul Spirit Space.

The lion, still in the midst of its "licking" motion, suddenly realized something was amiss: it now had four legs instead of two.

The Fierce Flame Lion pranced about excitedly, its four legs moving in different directions.

Xue Qinghe could only shake his head and sigh. This was not how the lion had been on its first day.

As Wang Si prepared to leave, Xue Qinghe quickly spoke up.

"Wang brother, when will you let me out of here? It's so boring with just this silly lion for company."

Wang Si glanced at Xue Qinghe, then at the lion with its four legs going every which way, and shook his head gently.

"I will let you out, but not for the next two years," Wang Si said.

Xue Qinghe could only respond with a helpless pout, adding, "At least bring me some books. It's so dull here."

Wang Si didn't reply and simply disappeared.

The space fell silent once more.

There was nothing left but a lion that resembled a goofy husky.

"No scolding from Father Emperor, no nagging from Mother Empress, no flattery from the ministers...

I never dared to imagine such a life, yet now that it's here, I find myself unaccustomed to it."

Xue Qinghe stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The lion, exhausted from its antics, plopped down next to Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe reached out and gently rubbed the lion's head, then noticed what appeared to be a tattoo-like mark on its neck.

Seeing this mark, Xue Qinghe sighed. "Poor dog, you don't even know that you went out to take a bullet for someone."

He also felt a sense of relief. "At least there's this lion here. Otherwise, I would have been the one dragged out to take that bullet!"

As he continued to ruffle the lion's fur, Xue Qinghe's thoughts drifted further: He was acutely aware that he was dead.

Xue Qinghe wondered how his death had brought him to this place, speculating that it had something to do with Wang Si's secret.

He could never have imagined that the boy he had lived with for three years held such a significant secret.

But now that he knew, it meant that he had to stand with "Wang Si" on the same side.

Xue Qinghe had his grievances, of course, but what could he do?

Wang Si had surely endured his own grievances when dealing with Xue Qinghe, so what reason did he have to complain?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end