The sect didn't mind them that much. Another day passed by and Overseer Xu dismissed them. Something like this occurred frequently in the Demonic Lands, life and death were a constant occurrence . No one could care less that a few missed or died as cultivators.

The three of them gave a brief thanks and left. The twins, Tian Lou and Tian Lan, decided to head back to their village to regain strength before the next exploration. Their aim was simple to grow stronger and grab more opportunities in the future.

Tian Lou turned to Chen Zhe as they began walking.

"Brother Chen, next time we go exploring. You should come with us too. We made it out alive this time but I'd rather not risk my life without reliable allies in the future."

Chen Zhe nodded but remained quiet. There was too much on his mind. Before everything else, he had to head back home. He had to see his family but even more importantly, he had to decide what was next. The idea of remaining in the village did not feel right anymore. He has now killed some people and taken a fearful man's inheritance and in doing so, he may very well have attracted forces stronger than he can think. Should someone come after him for revenge, then he had better be ready to do something.

As they walked, the skull inside his bag suddenly chuckled, its voice slipping into the tone of an aged scholar. "Boy, you must understand… strength invites trouble. The stronger you become the more vultures circle above your head. You must be careful."

Chen Zhe sighed. "I know that already." After completely passing out of the Dark Valley Sect territory has made Chen Zhe feel a little better.

The skull shifted its tone to that of an excited child. “Then why not try to join a sect? You’ll get stronger faster. You’ll meet strong people. and and maybe ... just maybe... you won’t die so soon.”

Chen Zhe shook his head. “No sect would accept someone walking around with a talking skull in their bag and if anyone learns about my inheritance, I’ll be hunted down.”

The skull cackled louder this time like dry bones rattling in the wind. "Oh, what a dilemma. A lone wanderer carrying the will of the Scarlet Demon caught between destiny and secrecy but let me tell you something, little one… the world does not care about your problems. It always only respects power."

Chen Zhe furrowed his brow. "I know that very well."

The skull let out an exaggerated sigh, followed by a wheezing laugh. "You sound like an old man now, brat. What happened to your youthful arrogance? Your reckless abandon? Your thirst for destruction? Ah, wait… maybe that was me. My memories are a mess... somewhere between a storm and a madhouse. Did I ever tell you about the time I bit a man’s nose off? Ah, those good old days!!?"

Chen Zhe grimaced. "You don't even have a mouth."

"Details, details. I had one once and let me tell you, it was quite the mouth. Sharp teeth black as night and a voice that could charm demons or send them screaming. But now, all I have is this bony exterior left to rot in the darkness of your torn bag. I deserve better. A Body. A Skin. A handful of skulls."

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"Skulls?"

"Yes. Lovely, floating skulls with gleaming white teeth and hypnotic eyes. Ah, if only I had my magic, I'd summon them immediately." The skull sighed wistfully then cackled again. "But alas, I am stuck here with you. A fate crueler than death."

Chen Zhe rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long journey.

They came over some mountain ranges, over trails lined up with common beasts. Earlier, those creatures would pose a real problem for him to deal with but now he could hardly spend a glance at them. As he thought over that, that was when this happened.

The skull laughed. "Ah, I recall that first time the Scarlet Devil realized his power exceeded those wretched weaklings of the earth. He laughed so hard that he nearly choked on his own demonic flame. Good times, I suppose… or was it bad times? My memory is like a spinning wheel: always turning but never stopping at the right place."

"But let me tell you boy, power is only fun if you use it. What's the point of growing stronger if you keep hiding? Why not just set a village on fire? Or rip out a heart or two? A little carnage never hurt anyone… except the ones it hurt but they don’t matter!" The skull laughed madly, the sound bouncing inside the bag like a trapped ghost."

Chen Zhe shook his head. "You really are becoming more insane."

"Oh oh Ah , you hurt me but listen, boy, you need to decide soon. Will you be a rabbit always running or a wolf feasting on the flesh of your enemies? The Scarlet Devil didn’t hesitate neither should you. Don't be a rabbit like I once was."

Chen Zhe remained silent. He had a family to think about. How was he going to convince them to leave with him without scaring them? If he just told them to go, they would not move. He needed a good reason, something that made sense and would not attract attention.

As they continued forward, an eerie fog began to settle on the path ahead. The skull suddenly whispered, its voice different this time serious, almost nostalgic.

"Boy… something is out here be careful."

Chen Zhe stopped. He could feel it too. A strange pressure in the air like a storm waiting to break. The wind shifted carrying with it the scent of something foul like blood, rot and something else he couldn’t quite name.

The skull hummed. "Ah, how delightful. The scent of old grudges and fresh blood. Perhaps this journey won't be so dull after all."

Chen Zhe narrowed his eyes and reached for his weapon. Whatever was ahead, it wasn’t friendly and from the way the skull was humming like a satisfied beast, it wasn’t going to be easy either.

His way home had only just begun and already something is in his way. He clenched his fists. It was time to prove whether he was truly ready to walk this path or if he was just another lost soul, fated to be swallowed by the darkness.

The skull giggled. "Oh, what fun we're going to have."