Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 327 - 328 - Xiao’s Pondering [2/2]

"Xiao, it’s been a long time"

Said Yumo. Seeing the exceptionally handsome black-haired man standing in front of her with utmost respect, Yumo revealed a sweet smile.

She instinctively jumped down from the large rock and walked slowly toward Xiao, reaching out to pat his head.

Since Yumo looked younger and was significantly shorter than Xiao, the scene was somewhat odd, but Xiao didn’t mind.

He lowered his head to facilitate her touch, and a feeling of happiness emerging in his usually indifferent and emotionless face.

Although he didn’t call Yumo ’mother’ like the other demon kings, Xiao, who had lost his mother at a young age and was raised by Yumo, had long regarded the black-haired girl in front of him as a mother figure. Being cared for by a motherly figure naturally filled him with happiness.

"Yes, Lady Yumo, it’s been many years."

"That’s right. You haven’t visited the forest much, have you? You’ve been busy managing Black Rose family, I suppose?"

"I apologize, Lady Yumo. If I were stronger, I would have saved a lot of time to visit the forest."

"Sigh, you don’t have to apologize, I’m just expressing my thoughts. Besides, your hair... it’s getting whiter..."

When Yumo touched the streak of white hair by Xiao’s ear, her brow furrowed slightly, and a trace of concern emerged in her crimson eyes.

"Xiao, what’s this...?"

Xiao, being an eighth-level Divine Mage, had rejuvenated and significantly extended his lifespan. For such a young Duke to have white hair was against the norm. It was likely a sign of a rapidly declining his life force.

Thinking it over, Yumo could only think of one possibility: the demon lance, Puls.

Therefore, her ruby-red eyes narrowed slightly, a cold and ominous aura instantly appeared in her eyes as her gaze slowly shifted to the strange weapon in her hand that resembled both a staff and a spear - the demon lance, Puls.

"You... absorbed Xiao’s life force again..."

Yumo had never been kind to those who hurt her child.

Feeling the icy stare from Yumo, the lance’s blue gemstone eyes shrank instantly, and the reckless feeling it had while fighting in Xue Tianao earlier vanished, replaced by fear.

[No... no... I didn’t mean to...!]

In an instant, this divine artifact, which had accompanied countless strong warriors and experienced numerous battles, began to tremble. The entire lance twisted in fear, writhing in Yumo’s hand like a snake, trying to escape from the black-haired girl’s grip.

The reason why the Demon Lance Puls feared nothing was primarily that no enemy could destroy him. Even if their owner died in battle, Puls wouldn’t be affected but would be taken away and treasured, considering it was one of the rare artifacts in the world.

However, unlike the others, the black-haired girl appeared indifferent to the identity of his mighty being, and even displayed a hint of disdain. Moreover, Puls could be certain that if the girl before him exerted a little more strength, he would reunite with his former masters in the underworld. Even though the girl had yet to unleash her full power, the pressure she imposed on Puls surpassed that of his initial encounters with ’Sword Demon’ and the Inferno’.

Confronted by the sudden surge of murderous intent from the black-haired girl, the legendary demon spear felt on the verge of tears.

"Oh, ancestors! I didn’t mean to! It’s the nature of my skill! It requires life force in exchange for power! I have no other choice! Moreover, it’s in the contract! I didn’t mean to! I didn’t dare absorb too much of his life force! Furthermore, it was Xiao who asked me to absorb it! He said it would allow him to feign injury and claim that the Chosen One is difficult to fight! I’m innocent!"

In a moment guided by survival instinct, the aggrieved demon spear couldn’t help but scream within its being. It yearned to explain, but due to the contract, only Xiao could communicate with it. No matter how it cried or complained, Yumo couldn’t understand its meaning. The spear’s incessant twisting movements increasingly annoyed Yumo.

Gradually, the beautiful jewel-like eyes overflowed with a dangerous red light, causing Puls, the demon spear, to pale in fear. At that moment, Xiao sighed helplessly from the side.

"Lady Yumo, don’t blame this guy. It absorbed those life forces to protect me. Without it, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against the Chosen One, who had unleashed his divine power restraints. I must admit, that guy was pretty powerful"

"Is that so... *sigh*."

With Xiao’s explanation, the murderous aura in Yumo’s eyes gradually faded, and her tight grip on the demon spear loosened. Seizing the opportunity, the demon spear quickly broke free from Yumo’s hand and flew back to Xiao in terror.

Observing this, Yumo refrained from saying anything else but expressed her concern.

"Since you say so, I won’t hold a grudge against this troublesome spear. However, no matter what, it remains a malevolent object. Xiao, it’s best to use it sparingly."

Hearing this, the fearful demon spear Puls, hidden behind Xiao, couldn’t help but twitch slightly.

And Xiao obediently nodded.

"I understand, Lady Yumo. I won’t use it unless it’s a genuine ’crisis’ like this time."

As he spoke, Xiao cast a meaningful glance at the trembling demon spear behind him.

’It seems to be working quite well.’

Xiao thought to himself.

Due to its unruly nature, the demon spear often disobeys. Even as its master, Xiao occasionally struggles to control it. Thus, from time to time, Xiao brings the demon spear to Yumo, allowing her to intimidate it a little.

Though Xiao doesn’t wish to trouble Yumo, who else in the world possesses the ability to vanquish the demon spear Puls beside her?

Since I’ve already taught this rebellious magical spear a lesson, there’s no need to dwell on this topic anymore.

After putting the fearful and anxious spear back into the spatial ring, he curiously glance at the empty space behind Yumo

"Lady Yumo, is that Miss Yuan’er over there?"

"Hmm?"

Seeing Xiao mention Yuan’er, Yumo’s dissatisfaction instantly disappears at the thought of her new adorable daughter. Pride unconsciously surfaces on her face as she turns to look at the little girl playing with Limo,

"Yes, isn’t she adorable~?"

Faced with Yumo’s ’showing off how cute her kid is’ expression, Xiao smiles slightly, then agrees,

"Indeed, she’s a cute child - pure, lively, full of energy. Her adorable little face must feel nice to pinch."

" Right Right ~"

"Mm."

As Xiao softly agrees, his eyes narrow slightly, looking at the exquisite little girl with deeper meaning.

’This feeling, she is at early stage of eighth-level? Although it’s only early stage, coupled with the robust power of shadow, ordinary middle-eighth-level probably can’t compete with her. Also, this child also has a holy light physical body that has mutated under the influence of shadow energy, her potential is still immense...’

More importantly...

As Xiao watched the little girl happily playing and waving at Lady Yumo, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. His deep, black eyes held a mysterious expression, hinting at emotions that were hard to discern.

’Hmm, although it’s unclear why this child has taken such a liking to mother even after meeting only a few times, her fondness for mother is undoubtedly a good thing. In this way, I can take advantage of mother’s inattention and secretly communicate with her...’

’However...’

Seemingly thinking of something, Xiao frowns slightly. It’s known that anyone who has obtained Yumo’s shadow power and become demon kings is undoubtedly very powerful, but their intelligence varies greatly... I wonder if this Yuan’er is like Limo and Pierre or like Kalina, Liyu and Shuoyue?

’Hmm, maybe I should find an opportunity to test her first’