Chapter 66

"Of course. But, how do I make XB11 into an Apostle?" Inquired Zuyuan while his eyes fixed on the shining bluish ball in front of him. 

~"Just place your hand to the soul and copy every word I'll say next."~ 

His eyebrows twitched for a split second, Zuyuan stared at the ball and thought silently, 'Is this a soul? Isn't a soul to be an intangible object? How can I see it? And it is in the shape of energy?' 

~"Oh, a curious one, aren't you. Well, has your world never mentioned the subject of the soul before?"~ Said the being while she read Zuyuan's mind in a glance. 

"Why do I feel no personal privacy here.." Complained Zuyuan with a wry smile a moment before he wiped it off and answered with a serious expression, "Well, there's no scientific proof for one to see a soul. Even though the mysterious energy such as Qigong that I'm currently using is something that's outside of the imagination realm, but a soul is... " 

~"is that so?"~ Shaking her head, the being continued, ~"Alright, let's get on with this and finish it quickly."~ 

~"Origin, beacon in the heavens, please grant me your audience. Illuminate me so I might exchange my sadness for joy."~ 

"Origin, beacon in the heavens, please grant me your audience. Illuminate me so I might exchange my sadness for joy." Zuyuan copied, with a solemn attitude while he reversed a serious expression. 

~"I request this of you in your almighty name, o fire in our souls. Empower me with your glorious flame."~ 

"I request this of you in your almighty name, o fire in our souls. Empower me with your glorious flame." 

Soon, the light in the energy ball became brighter in seconds as a heavy presence came out of nowhere and descended upon the area. Noticing the aura immediately, Zuyuan instinctually flinched and wanted to assess the surrounding right away. 

~"Ignore it."~ Spoke the being as she continued, ~" Bestow me the privilege, for me to guide this child under the wings of nature."~ 

Heeding the woman's instruction, Zuyuan disregarded the overbearing presence and said, "Bestow me the privilege, for me to guide this child under the wings of nature." 

~"Accept my contract and bind yourself, o Apostle of mine!"~ 

"Accept my contract and bind yourself, o Apostle of mine!" Shouted Zuyuan as well while he saw the soul that belonged to XB11 shake and suddenly fly upwards. 

Then, the energy ball began to morph and let out brighter light than couldn't be compared to before. After one minute passed, the light started to recede as it slowly floated down and landed in front of Zuyuan. 

There, XB11 stood while it raised both of its arms and stared at them quietly. Slightly trembling, XB11 moved its face and stared at Zuyuan while asking in a shocked tone, "Master.. I.." 

"How do you feel?" Inquired Zuyuan while he observed XB11 from head to toe finding nothing different than the previous version of it. 

"I feel great… Usually, there's always some kind of invisible chain connected to me, even though I couldn't see it all. However, this time I feel nothing of the sort." Explained XB11 in amazement. 

"That's good." Sighing in relief, Zuyuan moved his gaze at the being and asked, "So, what will happen to XB11 now? And to me.. Would that mean I have no way to go back to the Sanctuary?" 

Placing her Aube on her faceless cheek, the being answered, ~"Don't worry about that. For that child, he is under my protection, so are you. As for going back to the Sanctuary... " 

Training her words, the being replied while shaking her head, ~"It will be troublesome if you can't get back to that wretched place for me. Someone will be waiting for you there and you can go back to your mission just like how you were doing so far."~

"Then, what's it that I have to do? What do you want from me?" Questioned Zuyuan while he emitted a killing intent for the next words he would say, "And...  What do you mean by the truth? How do I find my father?" 

~"Hmm…"~ Looking at Zuyuan calmly, the being pointed her index finger towards Zuyuan's chest and answered, ~"Let me tell you this, my child. Your existence is nothing more than a side effect that was caused by the System."~

~"Mmm, wait, is it perhaps in fact just something of an unexpected boon instead?"~ Chuckled the being in an amused voice. 

"What do you mean?" 

Walking to Zuyuan's side, the being put both of her hands on the latter's cheeks and whispered softly, as it formed a hole where her mouth was supposed to be and smiled nonchalantly. 

~"Don't you want to know…? Why exactly were you always hated by your mother's family? Why do you always have to be treated like trash as they torture you everyday, Shamed you like you were an arch enemy of theirs? And why, all of those happened just because they hated your father but you were the one to bear the faults?"~

"...." Staying silent, Zuyuan had his eyes staring back at the being and spoke coldly, "What do you want to say?" 

~"You are a plaything, Zuyuan. Kukuku, someone who was there because of a whim and nothing more than an ignorant boy."~ 

"Shut it." Responded Zuyuan with the atmosphere surrounding him becoming chiller in seconds, "What do you know about me?" 

~"Oh, definitely more than you do, hahaha."~ Laughed the being joyfully as she looked at Zuyuan in amusement. 

"Am I a joke to you?"