Chapter 4313: The Curse of the Supreme
Xiao Peng did not leave. Even after bloodline awakening, he still recognized Lin Moyu as his father. He wasn't wrong without Lin Moyu, he never would have escaped the Wanling Pavilion, and even if by chance he had left, he would never have gotten beyond the Lingmiao Domain, where there was no Chaos Qi.
Without Chaos Qi, a Chaos being could not grow even death was possible. For Chaos lifeforms, "years" were measured in tens of millions but still, forever without Chaos Qi meant inevitable doom.
From the day he first saw Lin Moyu, Xiao Peng had already chosen. And regardless of awakening, he did not change his mind.
Seeing his determination, Lin Moyu did not try to send him away.
"Your bloodline seems unusual… will you tell me about it?"
"Of course. My bloodline is indeed unique. Our race is called the Chaos Lone Roc (混沌孤鹏), an ancient and formidable lineage."
Xiao Peng explained the knowledge imprinted from his bloodline, and Lin Moyu was stunned.
The Chaos Lone Roc was a bizarre species: they had no females only males.
Thus, they could not reproduce normally. Instead, when reproduction was necessary, one would condense a life seed of soul and blood essence, planting it inside the body of another Chaos creature. The unwitting host would gestate it unknowingly, only to be devoured completely when the Chaos Lone Roc hatchling broke free.
This was "borrowing a host to be born."
Xiao Peng had been conceived inside a giant python of half step Chaos. That was why he bore some python features. As his bloodline continued awakening, those traces would fade, leaving him fully Roc.
The Wanling Pavilion had captured only the host python, never realizing a Chaos Lone Roc was slumbering within.
Lin Moyu could only sigh. So vast the Chaos… what doesn't exist?
According to Xiao Peng, their kind never used words like "father" or "mother" only "progenitor" and "host."
And yet, thanks to the python host's residual memories mixing into him, he spoke these words calling Lin Moyu father.
Lin Moyu narrowed his eyes. "And your progenitor? What of him?"
If that one came seeking Xiao Peng, better to be prepared.
But Xiao Peng only shook his head.
"Our kind is destined for loneliness. Often, progenitor and host child never meet in a lifetime. I may never see another of my kind."
His gaze dimmed as he spoke.
"But bloodline whispers say this: on our race lies a curse. It came from a Supreme (大尊). We were too powerful once too arrogant. We dared to challenge a Supreme…"
The quiet note lingered in the void.
"We failed. Our race was nearly annihilated. The survivors were shackled with the Supreme's curse. From then on, our people crumbled apart."
Lin Moyu's heart stirred. To challenge a Supreme that meant they had truly rivaled heaven once.
"What form does this curse take?" he pressed.
Xiao Peng tilted his head, eyes searching inherited memory. "It's complicated. I'm not strong enough much remains hidden. But…"
He sighed.
"If we meet another of our race… disaster will strike. Inevitably, one of us must die."
Lin Moyu's face tightened. He knew curses, and yes such was possible. Especially when laid by a Supreme.
"And has your race tried to break it?"
"Of course. The bloodline tells me we have always sought the cure. But the key lies in our Ancestral Land. Only if I evolve to the extreme, fully awaken my lineage, will its location be revealed. Then and only then I may enter it.
"But… I don't know if I can get there. For the moment bloodline awakens, the curse begins. From that time… we have only a hundred thousand years."
Lin Moyu's chest tightened.
For normal Chaos creatures, a hundred thousand years was like a single second never enough to mature to the peak. The curse nearly guaranteed extinction.
The Chaos Lone Roc had survived only by scattering, seeking secrets, and at each approaching death, spawning one more host born descendant, leaving behind hope.
Whoever birthed Xiao Peng was almost surely dead already.
For some reason, Lin Moyu felt pity. To be chained like this to carry a mission written into one's blood. The boy's fate seemed written already.
He reached out, resting his palm against Xiao Peng's great head.
Xiao Peng closed his eyes, leaning into the touch.
"Don't resist," Lin Moyu murmured. "Let me check."
His soul force sank within. Xiao Peng allowed it, even retracting his own strength to make way.
Lin Moyu scoured flesh and spirit. Immediately, he found anomalies.
In Xiao Peng's body glittered countless faint light specks. They clung deeply, fused as though always his.
But Lin Moyu sensed this aura was not his. It came from outside.
He found the same within the soul. Specks of alien brilliance, tangled within his essence.
"So. These are the curse."
"Let's see… can it be erased?"
He knew it was near arrogance, trying to pit himself against the mark of a Supreme. But he could not help himself.
His Death Dao flame slipped forth, brushing a speck.
Instantly it flared dim light, resisting the force. Death's corrosion gnawed but the speck endured, impossibly tough. No matter his effort, it could not fall.
Deep within, he sensed it.
A trembling sliver of horror, far above his level.
There was no mistake. This was the residue of a Supreme's power.
The specks webbed both soul and flesh, spreading slowly. When they fully joined, curse would explode. That would be the end of Xiao Peng.
The only place untouched was his bloodline itself refuge, even from a Supreme.
Lin Moyu scowled, whispering, "This… will not be simple."
Xiao Peng chuckled softly. "Don't fret, Father. A hundred thousand years still. If need be, I die. Till then, I'll see much of Chaos."
But Lin Moyu's eyes gleamed cold.
A hundred thousand years… no. Let's see what becomes of me against a Supreme's curse. Such a challenge… is interesting.
He said lowly, "Bear with me. It may hurt."
"…Oh." Xiao Peng nodded obediently, closing his eyes, bracing for pain.
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