Hunter watched, a warmth spreading through him, as He Xiangu spoke to her pet komodo dragon with a tenderness that belied her otherwise stern facade. "Be a good boy while I'm gone, Slaidei. It'll just be for a couple of days, and I'll be back before you know it." Her fingers gently scratched under the lizard's chin, causing its eyes to blissfully close. In her other hand, she absentmindedly twirled a scroll, as if its presence was merely to occupy her restless fingers.

While He Xiangu was engrossed in her heartfelt farewell, Hunter seized the moment to glance at the notifications he'd been neglecting. At least two alerts had popped up during the chaos of the battlefield, and another while he was negotiating with the Demon Emperor. Checking them at those moments would have been akin to signing his own death warrant.

A smirk creased his lips as he checked his status before opening the first notification:

[Name: Leocedes “Hunter”

Age: 18

Clan: Filo

Class: Primary – Ranger. Secondary – Fighter.

Path: Holly and Horse

Element Type: Primary – Earth. Secondary – Wind.

Energy Type: Granted – Chi. Earned – Aether.

Chi Cultivation: Peak Star Refiner.

Specialization: Beast Tamer

Titles Earned: Phantom Pilferer of Death Island. Handy-man.]

[Health: 90/100

Chi: 10/10

Aether: 10/10

Stamina: 10/10

Physical: 43

Mental: 41

Weapons Mastery: 32

Armor Mastery: 5]

Hunter grinned at his progress. Peak Star Refiner, the final tier before breaking through to the Founder Stage. His chi pool had not only expanded, but to his astonishment, he could now see additional stats that were previously accessible only within the tower. Unlike other cultivators caught in the broken system, he could identify weapons with unparalleled clarity and delve into stats with greater detail.

Checking his notifications, he saw that his increase in Mental, Physical, and Weapons Mastery was due to the challenges he’d faced since he’d arrived in He Xiangu’s timeline. He’d had to think on his feet to survive on the battlefield and adapt what he knew about fighting with a spear to the glaive. His fast thinking to prove himself useful to the Demon Emperor pretty much saved his life.

His focus shattered when a loud thumping jolted him back to reality. Slaidei's eyes popped open, thumping his hind leg in contentment as He Xiangu continued her affectionate ministrations across his head, neck, and shoulders.

Curiosity piqued, Hunter gestured towards the scroll in her hand. "Ever wonder where your father acquired that from?"

He Xiangu's expression instantly hardened, her gaze sharpening. "There's a long list of suspects. The cultivation sects are notorious for pitting one another in endless conflicts. They're all detestable assholes."

Her eyes narrowed further, suspicion lacing her tone. "And what about you? I caught that distant look in your eyes. What were you thinking about?"

Hunter could have woven a web of lies, but telling the truth was the best way to earn He Xiangu’s trust, especially since she herself valued brutal honesty. "I have access to all the details of my cultivation progress," he began, carefully choosing his words. "Much like how your scroll contains clues to the mask's whereabouts, I receive information directly into my mind—updates on my health, chi progression, stamina, and so much more."

Her eyes sparkled, a mix of intrigue and respect evident. "I thought you were just unusually lucky, but now I'm wondering if you're actually a cat in disguise."

Laughing at the comparison, Hunter asked, "And why's that?"

She tilted her head, observing him as if he were a complex riddle waiting to be solved. Her gaze was piercing, yet a soft smile played at the edges of her lips. "You seem to possess nine lives, arriving on a battlefield, stark naked and without a single weapon. And yet, here you stand, alive and well. I doubt you comprehend just how close my father came to extinguishing your very essence the moment his eyes fell upon you."

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Attempting to mask his surprise, Hunter replied lightly, "Curious about how many lives I've got left?"

Her gaze was a blend of amusement and warning. "I can't decide if you're recklessly brave or just reckless. Either way, you have a peculiar talent for dancing with death."

As Hunter moved closer, his gaze fell on the contented komodo, his aether core subtly resonating with the creature. "May I?" he asked, pausing just before touching the lizard.

With a nod from He Xiangu, who resumed spinning the scroll, Hunter gently stroked Slaidei's back. The komodo's hind leg thumped even faster, clearly enjoying the attention. "It might seem like I'm courting death, but luck's been on my side. And cultivating... it has its perks, as I've tried to explain. It's not about bravery or recklessness, it's about protecting those we care about." He nodded towards Slaidei, hinting at He Xiangu’s own protective instincts.

He Xiangu's continuous petting of her Komodo's back, while her focused gaze remained on Hunter, spoke volumes. "You barely know me to make such an assumption. And to say cultivation has its perks... that's a massive understatement, especially in my world. The so-called righteous sects hoard all the best resources," she noted, her tone held more than a hint of accusation. The Komodo, blissfully unaware of the tension, simply let its tongue loll out, enjoying the moment.

"Seems like you still don't trust me," Hunter ventured, trying to read her expression.

"I don't," she admitted, holding his gaze with an intensity that made him momentarily reconsider his approach. "And more fool you if you think you can charm your way into my good graces so easily...boy." Despite her harsh words, Hunter detected a slight waver in her conviction. He clung to that, hoping it was a sign of her inner conflict rather than outright dismissal.

Determined to earn her respect, Hunter shared more about his background. "Back home, we didn't follow the orthodox sects. My parents were caretakers of our city, ensuring everyone had the chance to cultivate and grow stronger. Chi pills and healing medicines were accessible to all who worked for them, but they always encouraged gradual progress in cultivation."

He Xiangu's skepticism was palpable, her eyebrow arching in a challenge. "That all sounds idyllic. But are you suggesting that in your realm, no one ever opposed your parents or challenged their rule? If that's the case, it sounds more like a forced utopia, where autonomy is but a dream—another form of bondage."

Hunter felt a surge of anger at her words, a tumult of emotion threatening to break free. "Life was far from easy," he countered, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Yes, there were those who opposed my parents, some quite vocally, others through more clandestine means. Ultimately, my parents sacrificed everything they had for the good of the city." Memories of his uncle's betrayal surfaced, a bitter reminder of how greed had corrupted what once was noble. The thought that his sister Jo had been sold into servitude by this very uncle, under the guise of familial loyalty, only deepened his resentment. Yet, confronting He Xiangu with harsh words would serve no purpose; it might even alienate her further. So, he swallowed his anger, choosing his words with care.

"Let's leave discussions of sects and their politics behind. They're part of your world, not mine," Hunter suggested, attempting to steer the conversation toward a more neutral topic. "What I offer within the tower surpasses anything you've encountered before. Once your quest is complete, why not visit it? There's no obligation to stay if it's not to your liking. Remember, only I am bound by a contract with Claude, the god I mentioned earlier."

He Xiangu's response was laced with skepticism. "And if I decide not to stay? How exactly am I supposed to return home? Fly? My speed is considerable, but leaping through realms is beyond me." Her tone was challenging, pushing Hunter to reassure her.

"Don't worry, you won't be stranded. Returning home will be as simple as passing through one of your own portals," Hunter assured her, although internally, he was scrambling. The possibility of her refusal, once faced with the reality of the tower, was something he hadn't fully considered.

He Xiangu seemed to ponder his assurances for a moment before giving Slaidei one last affectionate pat. Hunter stepped back, allowing her the space to bid her pet a proper farewell.

Shifting the topic, Hunter asked about the origins of the trader who had intended to sell Slaidei. "Was the person local, or...?"

"No, he wasn't from around here," He Xiangu disclosed. "Slaidei was taken from his family to be sold on the black market."

Hunter’s jaw clenched, his mind racing with questions about the Underworld dealings that led to Slaidei’s intended fate. “They must be a rarity if he was set to be sold on the black market.”

“Oh, no, they’re not rare if you know where to find them.” He Xiangu inclined her head, eyes glinting with mischievous intrigue. “We’ll be heading right through their breeding grounds. To go around them would add a week to the journey, even if we were using the dark horses. As much as I don’t mind having you around, a week with you is…” She paused, glancing towards the main palace.

Hunter raised a brow. “More enlightening than you could imagine.”

He Xiangu frowned. “No. It’s more than my father would expect. He’s an impatient man.” She snapped her fingers, her pet komodo dragon bowing as she turned down the hall.

Stretching his interlocked hands, Hunter groaned, mumbling to himself as he glanced at her pet. “And she thinks I’m more patient than him?”

Its tongue extended, flicking towards his boots. Hunter leapt out of the way and jogged toward He Xiangu.

In a short distance they returned to the portal exit, its purple hue more vibrant within the realm of the Underworld. The same demon guardian, hunched low, puffed out his chest as they approached.

He Xiangu unrolled the scroll and tapped it with a finger. “We’re going to the Forbidden Shadow Caverns. The closest you can portal us should be the Black Pits.”

Grunting, flakes of ash fell from the demon guardian’s mouth like he’d been chewing on a twig. “You can land there. But this one.” His gaze shifted toward Hunter. “Good luck; you’ll need it.”

Hunter smirked. He’d had plenty of luck, and only if that Lucky Rabbit’s Paw had crossed time and space with him, he would have already returned with Bravo. “I make my own luck.”

The demon guardian cackled, waving a charred, scaly hand in front of the portal.

Hunter winked at the demon and stepped through the violet flames with confidence, He Xiangu beside him displaying a grin.

The world around Hunter whirled, vision dimming in and out until his shoulder hit hard, jagged rock. He winced, sucking in a quick breath and gagged with instant regret as the rotten egg smell caught in his throat. Rolling over, he muffled his mouth and nose with his elbow.

“Move it!” He Xiangu nudged his side, and he leapt to his feet. Pebbles shook as the vibrations surrounded them. She stood, her sword readied as the rumbling echo reached his ears.

Activating his Earth and Wind chi, his eyes locked onto the plate-sized hooves parting the steaming pocket rising from the rocky ground.

He gritted his teeth. “Oh, great,...there’s already monsters.”