"Auntie, please get up. This senior is already dead. What remains, though it is indeed his body, is only because he set up a formation before he passed. When someone arrives here, it automatically speaks and performs actions."
"But in truth, he is already dead," Chu Feng said.
"So that's how it is." After hearing Chu Feng's words, Song Xi's mother rose to her feet and turned to look at Song Xi.
Song Xi had already approached the formation, just one step away from entering it.
He was preparing to accept the inheritance.
And from his eyes, one could see a look of eager impatience.
"Son, Mother knows you desire power, that you yearn to grow stronger."
"But being alive means more. That gentleman already told us this inheritance is dangerous. If you go in and can't endure it, pull yourself out immediately — do you understand?" Song Xi's mother said. After all, he was her own child. No matter how much she had prepared herself, she still couldn't help worrying about his safety.
"Mother, don't worry. You know how I am — I won't do anything reckless." Song Xi forced a smile onto his face, seemingly afraid that his mother would fret. But Chu Feng could still tell that Song Xi himself was very nervous. He was afraid too.
However, after saying those words to his mother, Song Xi looked toward Chu Feng and said: "Chu Feng, even though you're younger than me, you've always looked after me like an older brother."
"You not only saved me, but you also saved my mother. I owe you far too much, and there's no way I can ever repay your kindness."
"So I have one request. If I can't endure this inheritance, I hope you'll take my place and accept it."
After saying this, without waiting for Chu Feng to respond, Song Xi stepped directly into the formation.
Hummm—
Once Song Xi entered the formation, the man seated cross-legged at its center shot to his feet. In the next instant, his body scattered outward like a being of pure light.
He merged into the formation.
When his physical body transformed into light and fused with the formation, the great array truly came to life.
"Urrrgh—"
Heart-rending screams poured from Song Xi's mouth the moment the formation activated.
First he dropped to one knee, then quickly collapsed to the ground, rolling in agony. He looked as though he couldn't take it anymore. Song Xi's mother watched with tears welling in her eyes, her hands gripping her clothes so tightly her knuckles went white. She didn't dare make a sound, terrified she might interfere with Song Xi.
Chu Feng was also worried about Song Xi, but he said nothing.
Because Chu Feng could clearly see that the power formed from the black-haired man's body was being channeled into Song Xi's in a gradual, cyclical manner. This infusion was essentially forced — and right now, it was only just the beginning.
If Song Xi couldn't even endure this current pain, there was no way he could withstand what was to come.
"Son, if you can't hold on, pull yourself out! Don't throw away your life for this!" Song Xi's mother finally couldn't hold back any longer. She was still terrified something would happen to him.
Chu Feng, meanwhile, kept his eyes fixed on the changes in the formation and on Song Xi's reactions. He didn't want Song Xi to sacrifice his life for nothing, so in his mind, if Song Xi truly couldn't hold on, he would rush in and pull him out.
But this time, Song Xi seemed to have steeled his resolve. He held on far longer than Chu Feng had expected.
If that was any indication, then even though the pain was indeed unbearable, it seemed Song Xi might actually have a chance to endure it.
However, as time passed, the formation began to undergo changes of its own.
At first it had been white, then it turned gold — both of which were still within the realm of normal.
But now, the formation was filled with a green mist that constantly shifted and morphed. At times it took the shape of ghostly faces, at times of skulls. It was as though countless vengeful spirits lurked within, and the sight was truly terrifying.
"Eggy, did you notice? Something's off about this formation," Chu Feng said.
"Something's definitely off. It seems this so-called expert didn't cultivate the orthodox path of martial cultivation — he practiced some heretical art," the Queen said.
"No wonder he could force an inheritance onto others, and no wonder Song Xi's father went berserk."
"It seems that expert must have been practicing some kind of demonic art," Chu Feng said.