Chapter 18: Three Paths

For Xu Mingsong, there was an ultimate goal: to save the world.

The “message from the future” was a persistent shadow in his mind. Since last night, one event after another had unfolded, leaving him little time to think except during the dull moments of interrogation—should he just report it to the authorities? But after much consideration, he felt that might not be reliable.

He quickly dismissed the foolish idea of running into the street shouting, “The world is ending!”

He needed to see if this group was trustworthy, but before that, he intended to have a conversation with Ming.

This little cat was his most trusted “inheritance” so far.

Ming furrowed her brows. “Do you play secondary games?”

“Of course, didn’t I tell you before?” Xu Mingsong nodded and curiously countered, “Aren’t we talking about saving the world? Why bring this up now?”

Her frown eased. “The game you play—does it happen to be called—”

“Stop right there! What do you mean by that?” Xu Mingsong was furious. Before she could finish, he already felt insulted.

“Your meaning is that in the future you know, you scored 686 on the college entrance exam, and a year later, Winter City is destroyed. Tens of millions freeze to death in the snow, and you die like a stray dog on the roadside. I might be related to that future you, maybe even tied to that so-called 'inheritance'?”

Xu Mingsong nodded.

Ming gazed at him with a complex look.

Xu Mingsong felt uneasy. “You don’t believe me?”

“Come on, I’m being so sincere with you. Don’t make me a fool from the start!”

Unexpectedly, Ming nodded slightly. “I do believe you.”

She thought to herself, how could she not? His explanation cleared up many doubts.

What she saw wasn’t false—it had really happened!

This kid had been kicked to death like a stray dog by the bugfall—and then came back to life?

Then who exactly was she?

A superpower bestowed after experiencing “the future,” sent back to the past as “inheritance” to save the world?

Then why the hell did she have her memories sealed?

Ming pondered deeply, feeling lost.

Xu Mingsong was curious how well she accepted it and pressed further, but she immediately changed the topic, vaguely saying, “So you’re troubled about whether to report this intel to that organization… called ‘Xing Yao,’ right?”

“That’s right.”

Thanks to his upbringing by Old Xu and Ms. Yi, Xu Mingsong prided himself on having a fairly upright worldview. As a young man basking in the spring breeze, he had always trusted the authorities.

After all, despite some recent bureaucratic abstractions in the city, overall things were improving steadily. People like Old Xu, born decades earlier, were grateful for the city’s governance. “It used to be chaotic; now it’s good,” was often his refrain.

So upon hearing the “world’s end” message, Xu Mingsong’s first reaction was to report it!

No blame there.

Even now, having stepped through the door to a new world, he had no clues, no direction, no investigation leads.

Future me! You only gave me memories of the disaster day!

And those of my own death.

Where’s the starting clue? The investigative process? Do I even have a chance to stop the disaster in its cradle?

Currently, the most reasonable plan he could devise was to leverage official power to investigate.

By himself?

Might as well forget it.

Xu Mingsong calmly said, “One must believe in the strength of the collective.”

“You’re dreaming,” Ming rolled her eyes, spreading open the newbie manual and pointing out the description of great demons.

Xu Mingsong focused and saw phrases like “City XX wiped out overnight”—bloody case studies.

He gasped sharply.

“Forget what I said earlier. Pretend I never said it.”

This worldview of personal heroic power was bleak.

Demolishing cities, destroying worlds at the drop of a hat—could they consider the feelings of innocent working people? They’ve spent most of their lives studying, commuting one moment, and the next—game over! How painful that would be!

Xu Mingsong sighed deeply, then suddenly realized: “Do you think there might be ‘prophets’ or similar superpowers? If we report to the authorities, maybe they can find clues about that little dragon faster!”

“Anything’s possible in this strange world…” Ming glanced at him. “But you have to be sure the authorities can be trusted, and you need evidence. Or find a way to detach yourself from the ‘future.’ You can’t just tell them you have information from the future and that I’m still inside you… what do you think would happen?”

Xu Mingsong fell silent.

If he revealed everything, it would require explaining so much.

Including Ming inside him, and that bizarre ritual from last night…

And then there was the official stance on “demon blood technology”…

“We need to think…” he muttered, feeling troubled.

Ming straightened her back. “I have an idea.”

He looked at her. “What’s your plan, strategist?”

“Get stronger,” she said.

Xu Mingsong stared, captivated.

Ming spoke slowly:

“Putting your hope in others is a foolish act.”

“I think, instead of hoping the authorities will protect you, you should do everything in your power to become stronger in this year.”

She stepped forward, standing before the silent youth, looking up at him.

“Think about it. Our energy is limited. Rather than wasting it chasing confusing leads, it’s better to fight with all you’ve got… Maybe you didn’t catch that, so I’ll say it again—”

“Survival of the fittest, winner takes all.”

“We’ve already stepped into the demon world. Intrigue, trickery, deception, betrayal, crooked paths… in the demon world, these are just shameful things!”

Her tone was resolute as she uttered such fierce words.

The reflection of the white cat appeared in Xu Mingsong’s eyes, those sapphire pupils piercing deep into his soul.

He felt his heart quicken.

A faint thrill—he found himself agreeing with Ming’s words, embracing the demon world’s brutal law.

His blood rejoiced at this naked, cruel, savage principle.

What scheming and deceit? What evil spirits?

Kill!

Damn it! Why bother with all that nonsense? If you’re strong enough to crush or even insult the whole world, why care about so-called wisdom?

“Why bother with all that?” she snorted disdainfully but then recalled the fragmented memories and lowered her head in dejection.

Ah, that’s the fate of those not strong enough…

She softly said, “To get stronger, you can’t rely on others or external things.”

“You must become strong enough to protect yourself, strong enough to protect your family, strong enough to carry out your will unhindered… Your future is yours to guard, not anyone else’s.”

This was Ming’s advice.

“Are we still doing this righteous and passionate stuff?”

The little cat had grand ambitions.

But Ming was serious: “Direction is crucial. It’s a matter of priorities.”

Her analogy was like a game: the game seeded clues about the coming disaster a year later, but this cat’s attitude was casual, checking clues as they appeared, and otherwise grinding—grinding, surviving, leveling up!

“Actions tied to ‘investigations’ easily become time-wasting, leading to emptiness and loss—the worst self-exhaustion… Tell me, which path do you want to take?”

“I can’t promise you’ll definitely defeat that little dragon. But if you choose this path, at least you hold the initiative. Win or lose, you’ll know where you stand. The worst is a valiant fight—not just sitting around whining about the world ending but finding no leads and waiting for death.”

Having said this much, was there any other choice?

Xu Mingsong felt a surge of heroic spirit: “I’m with you! Let’s do this!”

Old Chinese blood ran in him, filled with the spirit of “leveling up.”

To say a cliché that’s a bit silly: “My fate is mine, not heaven’s!”

Waiting for others to save you?

Why not climb up yourself?

Climb high enough, reach the summit, and you won’t need saving!

“Destroying Winter City… even starting is a great demon.”

“A year, great demon, tsk…”

“Abstract, but no other choice. I’ll help you. Though I don’t remember much, I’m your cheat code for getting stronger—I have some recollections of this path… hmm, plus these books, and you still have Xing Yao, right? About their treasury, I have a few trivial ideas…”

Xu Mingsong finally had some footing.

It was a bit cheesy, but maybe a youth’s spirit had to blaze like that. Even he had to admit—Ming’s proposal matched a small secret thrill deep inside.

“But—” Xu Mingsong added quietly, “I think Ming Jie is pretty decent. I want to find a chance to check her out, maybe give her a hint or something…”

Ming shook her head helplessly, muttering about how he still seemed a bit pathetic, but on reflection, maybe that was just his nature.

“Let me lead you through the basics first. I’ll introduce you to the elements. We have a lot to do later, and digesting demon blood will take plenty of time…”

Ming jumped onto the bed, opening the newbie manual and began explaining.

“According to elements, we roughly divide into four main factions: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire. The rest fall into another category…”

The manual’s guide emphasized “systems” as the core.

All demons and awakeners were classified according to the ancestral method into the “Five Elements.” They harnessed the elements of the world through willpower, stamina, even life force.

Each faction specialized in certain fields.

For example, demons and awakeners of the Fire faction typically had basic fire-control abilities or fire resistance, varying by individual and strengthening with ability growth—that was the basis for Fire.

Since it was foundational, there were specialized talents and unique techniques, detailed and resembling descriptions of “superpowers” Xu Mingsong had seen—when a group of awakeners fought, the spectacle was as dazzling as a superpower brawl.

That was the potential awakeners sought to unlock.

After the system, the methods of advancement stunned Xu Mingsong.

He gaped: “They transplant organs?”

Only now did Xu Mingsong realize how different he was from the “postnatal awakeners” in Xing Yao.

The staff of Xing Yao, including Yuan Jing, Ji Lin, even Xia Zhuyi, had undergone “pure blood technology” transplanting demon limbs or organs, surviving rejection to gain demon-like abilities.

To advance further, there was a shortcut: transplant more organs.

Xu Mingsong skimmed through the records; even with official “pure blood” organs, most people spent their lives honing a single ability.

Each additional transplanted organ or limb increased the risk of loss of control exponentially. Stuffing more into the chest might make one stronger, but the person would likely go mad first.

“This is totally different from me…”

Xu Mingsong felt confused for the first time.

He directly realized the difference between himself and Xing Yao’s staff. No wonder Xia Zhuyi and Yuan Jing branded him a “polluter”…

These were completely unrelated paths. Even Xu Mingsong couldn’t imagine how to do “organ transplants” without backing.

But the problem was, he wasn’t a polluter either!

Awakeners and illegal awakeners formed one track, officially called the “pure blood path.”

Self-awakeners and polluters formed another, also called the “pure blood path.”

But he was neither!

It was like the world only had answers A and B, and he chose “and,” then the background music played “No sleep, no hair~”…

“They don’t use alchemy or rituals…”

Ming’s head throbbed slightly.

She complained, “This is nothing like what I remember.”

Xu Mingsong recalled his ritual of consuming bone and flesh, then imagined these people lying on sterile operating tables, under surgical lights illuminating every corner, doctors in white coats solemnly performing organ transplants…

It felt like a primitive man suddenly encountering the internet, shocked.

He was still wielding a wooden club when a soldier suddenly jumped out of the bushes, stunning him.

He truly thought “rituals” were necessary!

Xu Mingsong cleared his throat. “Ming, your method sounds kind of evil…”

“Since ancient times, it’s always been this way!” Ming retorted.

After saying this, she fell silent herself.

It’s the times changing, technology advancing.

Xu Mingsong’s scalp tingled.

Ming cleared her throat: “I looked it up. Even illegal awakeners differ from proper ones only technically; they also undergo surgeries to replace limbs or organs, just lacking ‘pure blood’ technology, leading to high mortality and loss-of-control rates.”

“As for the ‘demon blood path’…” Ming’s face showed confusion. “The manual doesn’t mention it.”

“Could it be outdated technology, phased out?” Xu Mingsong guessed.

“Impossible!” Ming jumped as if her tail was stepped on, her face flushed. “That path points straight to the source! The root! The way to mastering all things! It’s not like those shallow organ transplants… Those pampered flowers who abandoned rituals! I could never accept their purity!”

“Purity?” Xu Mingsong vaguely caught the key point.

Ming shouted, “The purity of demon blood!”

Xu Mingsong: “…”

Thanks for that.

Meaning—that they have more human components, and I have more demon components, right?

She declared loudly: “Pursuing the power of demon blood is touching taboos. Without that awareness… Hmph! Already tainted by taboo, yet timid and unambitious, focused on self-preservation—I don’t believe such cowardly paths achieve greatness!”

“Besides, don’t you know? The real rulers—the pure blood families, beneath their splendor lie corpses everywhere. Every self-awakened demon-blooded person is formed from generations of blood and bone. If pure blood tech was truly supreme, would these families be so foolish to maintain traditions?”

Ming sneered, “Heh, that pure blood tech probably isn’t even available to ordinary staff!”

She seemed to have found a plausible logic.

Quite reasonable.

Xu Mingsong admitted he was momentarily convinced.

“In any case, the path is right. Trust me, your cheat code for getting stronger. As long as you keep going, you won’t lose to others!”

She quickened her speech, unwilling to linger on such a headache-inducing topic.

This demon blood path—let’s call it the third path.

The pure blood path, the pure-blood path, and the demon blood path.

The pure blood path involved staff transplanting demon organs, with advancement tied to surgeries and thus linked to Xing Yao—say, to transplant a second demon organ, you’d need application and approval…

But it had an advantage: the source of the organs.

They hunted demons and if no private transplant demands existed, their trophies could be submitted to the treasury, which was accessible to all staff who could exchange for organs at a cost.

The pure-blood path didn’t need these organs.

Self-awakeners, whether natural or polluted, drew power from demon blood, generally developing potential properly… though the methods were more esoteric.

This also explained why polluters easily lost control—their power’s root didn’t belong to them, and digging deep into demon blood’s potential unleashed their beastly nature.

“Troublesome!”

“We don’t need that!”

“If you want to get stronger, just keep being a ‘hunter’!”

Ming’s pupils shifted, sharp vertical slits like a fierce beast.

That meant—kill!

“Hunt those demons, extract their blood and bones… the ritual, advancing continuously from weak to strong, one day mastering everything!”

By the window, the evening breeze was cool, making Xu Mingsong shiver slightly.

Ming’s words were full of killing intent; he could even smell a faint heavy scent of blood.

But this was the way of a rebel general.

Xu Mingsong raised his hand: “Isn’t there a more peaceful way to train?”

This was turning into a path of demons!

Xu Mingsong was now certain—if he were an official in power, this demon blood path would be kicked under the table and gather dust—no, it wouldn’t even deserve dust! He’d declare it forbidden and burn it immediately!

“There is,” Ming curled her lips into a cold smile. “Exploring your own potential, any path can work. Pure blood focuses on organs, pure-blood delves into bloodline… You have demon blood now, so you’re half on the pure-blood path. You can switch midway if you want… I even suspect, if you claim to be pure blood from pollution, Xing Yao wouldn’t suspect a thing.”

“But is there enough time?”

She asked.

“Too slow. Digging, training… how long till results? Months? Years? Decades of steady effort? Look at the leaders in the manual—they’re all in their thirties or forties, accomplished. We can’t wait.”

Xu Mingsong agreed.

He didn’t blame Ming even in hindsight. He had no choice. Whether pure blood or pure-blood, he lacked the conditions. Ming’s appearance kept him safe—otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived even fleeing from five bugfalls until Xia Zhuyi arrived.

He only asked, “But if hunting demons isn’t possible now… what do we do next?”

Ming composed herself. “First, determine your faction, and deal with digesting the bugfall demon blood…”

“You’ve completed the ritual; your body now boils with demon blood. You should be able to sense the elements.”

“No need to wait for their confirmation—we’ll determine it ourselves—”

As she spoke, Ming’s figure gradually became translucent, entering Xu Mingsong’s chest again.

“Close your eyes.” Her voice deepened, hypnotic, irresistible. “Let your soul sink to the deepest place.”

“Logically, the bugfall you consumed belongs to the Wood element. No matter your origin, you should first see Wood-related elements… green light? Vigorous seeds? Sprouts? Whatever, I don’t know much, just be prepared!”

Xu Mingsong closed his eyes. Darkness surrounded him.

But soon, centered where Ming entered his chest, warmth spread. His heart beat, emitting a pale blue light that coursed through his veins, illuminating the darkness.

“What do you see?” Ming’s voice echoed from the darkness. “Those gifted see more elements. Elements gather into images—same faction, some see towering trees, others just a seed sprouting. It depends on the strength of the essence you absorbed…”

But it differed from what Ming said.

He saw—not Wood.

“…Water.”

“Water?” Ming was stunned, her face showing shock.

His breathing grew rapid.

It was water—

Raindrops—

A relentless downpour, as if to drown the world.

The darkness before him brightened, filled with azure light until no gaps remained!

Ming vanished, the bedroom disappeared.

His consciousness plunged into a vast blue ocean. Waves surged, massive crests rising with deafening roars, swallowing the faint azure glow, then roaring like a wild dragon, crashing down upon the world.