Initializing Scenario
The scaly shell holding Nidhora's soul shard collapsed the moment he came to. It melted in the blink of an eye and was absorbed into the ground soon after, leaving Hao Xuan standing alone in the valley.
He let out a deep breath and replied after a brief moment, carefully choosing his words.
"I'm...just a little tired. It's fine."
Baracus realized something was up and pushed for answers, "A cultivator's spiritual energy is directly affected by their state of mind. A change could mean-"
But Hao Xuan was having none of it and he immediately cut Baracus off.
"Tell me something. When I severed your core back in the lab, I ordered you to tell me the truth no matter what. Isn't that right?"
"...."
"Affirmative."
"So you wouldn't lie to me, right? You wouldn't deceive me?"
"Affirmative. The system's only function is to support the host to the best of its abilities. The main objective is, and always has been, to prioritize the host's physical and mental health."