Kapitel 11: Yan

"In the presence of the Oath binding Gu," Hei Jiao recited, motioning to be followed.

"In the presence of the Oath binding Gu,"

Hei Jiao continued, smiling as the latter followed, "I, Yan, swear upon the Longevity Heaven to remain loyal to the Hei Tribe. I pledge to stand by their side through life and death."

Fang Huo, or 'Yan' from now on, felt a strange sensation in his chest. Was it really so easy to let go of the name that had accompanied him forever? The answer was both no and yes.

No, because of the memories of his past. Yes, because he wasn't always going to be the Fang Huo of his past. To survive, he needed to become someone new.

He had to become The Yan.

"I, Yan, swear upon the Longevity Heaven to remain loyal to the Hei Tribe. I pledge to stand by their side through life and death."

Hei Jiao paused for a brief moment and delivered the last part in a grave voice, "May my soul be erased to oblivion should I betray this oath, never to find peace again."

Yan, sighing inwardly, recited the last part with determination on his face, "May my soul be erased to oblivion should I betray this oath, never to find peace again."

After he uttered the entire oath, the Oath Binding Gu flashed in a dark black light.

PSSSH—!

Suddenly, the snake-like Gu in his hand came alive, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight at the center of Yan's forehead, disappearing and leaving behind only a black curved symbol in its place.

Huff, huff.

Immediately, for an instant, Yan felt as if he were being squeezed by a large snake. It passed as quickly as it came, leaving him huffing and puffing.

"Ahhh!" Pain! Unbearable pain assaulted his forehead as the symbol released streaks of smoke before calming down.

Thud.

Yan knelt on the floor, devoid of energy.

"Hehehe, Welcome to our Hei Tribe, Yan." Hei Jiao let out a happy laugh and came to support Yan. It was normal for someone to be tired after supplying their primeval essence into a Rank 5 Gu. He looked at the symbol and felt amused.

Normally, the Dao Mark would not be visible on the body and would vanish after merging with the soul of the user. Rarely did they culminate and form into a Dao Mark physically. While rare, it brought many benefits upon birth.

"Yan brat, you're really lucky!"

Yan, tiredly looking at Hei Jiao, didn't even have the strength to remain conscious at this moment. The only reason he was able to stay awake was because of his pure willpower to not fall unconscious and defenseless.

"What does Sir Hei Jiao mean?"

Hei Jiao shook his head and replied, "First, meditate and recover here. I'll visit the fourth layer of the Pagoda and tell you about it later."

Hei Jiao paused in his steps as he remembered something. "Here, take this primeval stone. Ah, and you can take all three Gu Worms I suggested earlier. Take that as a gift from the Tribe."

He smiled faintly and climbed the stairs leading to the Fourth Layer. Yan watched with tired eyes until he disappeared from sight.

After a few minutes to make sure he had really left, Yan collapsed on the floor with heavy breaths. He gritted his teeth and roared inside his head heavily,

"Deactivate, Boundary Gu."

Half an hour passed, and the pain subsided a little. His primeval essence had completely recovered with the help of the Primeval Stone.

'I'll really become a vegetable if I keep on using the Immortal Gu without Immortal Essence,' he sighed with relief.

'Fortunately, this thing saved me from becoming a slave, at least entirely.' Yan felt his mind relax with immense relief. After all, who would like to live their life as a slave?

The Oath Binding Gu is an Information Path Gu Worm and a one-time consumable Gu. After its use, it will transform into Information Path Dao Marks and attach itself to the soul of the target.

But, at the final moment when it was about to enter his soul, Yan activated the Boundary Gu, which entirely blocked the Dao Marks. After an intense battle between the two forces, the Dao Marks couldn't enter his soul no matter how hard they tried and settled for the body by gathering into a single Information Path Mark.

While he wasn't free to act out of the benefits of the Hei Tribe now, he could still plot and drown them to Hell if needed. Because of the Information Path Mark existing in his body, he would only face backlash physically if he acted with his body, like fighting or killing a fellow tribesman.

'Heh, damned bastards, I'll not forget this.'

After two more hours, Hei Jiao returned, grinning from ear to ear. Yan had already taken the three Gu Worms in a container and was ready to leave the place.

"Hahaha, let's go, brat!" Hei Jiao laughed faintly. Yan nodded without objection.

The duo soon departed from the Base and returned the same route they came.

On the way, Yan asked Hei Jiao about the thing he mentioned regarding the Mark.

Hei Jiao nodded at him and replied with a sagely demeanor, "It's simple. That Mark will amplify your information-type Gu worms and methods. Normally, each individual's soul will have a maximum capacity of Dao Marks applicable. So, what's left over will be absorbed by the body. In return, it will become a passive support just like an Extreme Physique."

Yan looked at Hei Jiao in a new light. He had never thought this talkative old bastard was knowledgeable. In reality, all of this was explained to Hei Jiao by the Information Path Immortal during the two hours. He was just a pawn being used to control another pawn.

Three hours later, two Lava Crocodiles entered the Fiery Lava Pit carrying Yan and Hei Jiao. They soon entered the East where camps were laid.

Yan and Hei Jiao dismounted the steeds and walked to Hei Jiao's personal Gu House, a Mushroom Gu House.

Hei Jiao passed a tied cloth to Yan and said, "Here, there are ten Primeval Stones inside. You can take a week to refine your Vital Gu and the other Gu worms. After that, meet me here. I'll give you tasks."

"Thank you, Sir Hei Jiao." Yan bowed and followed the attendant of Hei Jiao who brought him to his camp.