Chapter 32: The Gift of the Soul

"The soul of Mad Caesar," Senior Brother and Zhong Kui spoke in unison.

Ou Xiaolu said nothing, simply leading the way ahead. Though this alternate space was vast, it was cut off from outside eyes; they could run however they pleased.

Along the journey, Ou Xiaolu noticed that the sky here was blue, the earth green, and those graffiti transformed into strange-looking life forms. These beings bore no hostility, but each was imbued with intelligence; with every new arrival, the space seemed to brim with greater vitality.

With nothing to hinder them, the three soon arrived before Mad Caesar's soul. In truth, Ou Xiaolu still did not know this person's real name, always referring to him as Mad Caesar. Upon seeing his soul, Ou Xiaolu realized that even nicknames could be misleading. The soul appeared to be around thirty, dressed in a suit, looking refined and scholarly—not at all like someone who would race cars at midnight or casually graffiti on the streets.

Before Ou Xiaolu could speak, the man said, "I know you. You were the one who awakened me."

Ou Xiaolu froze, then understood; he must be referring to the mark Ou Xiaolu had left upon the BOSS.

"It's nothing, I..." Ou Xiaolu hesitated, forgetting the words he'd prepared.

Senior Brother stepped forward, asking, "You just regained consciousness. Do you know what has happened?"

The man nodded. "From the moment I fell, I was aware. My parents both graduated from the Stone Creek campus, and on their graduation day, I was born.

No one ever knew—since that day, my fate was set.

When I turned eighteen, I found a passion for speed, frequenting racetracks at night. Every twist, every stretch of road exhilarated me.

But there was one thing I couldn't understand: after every race, I would return to Stone Creek campus seeking peace.

At twenty-five, my reckless driving earned me the name Mad Caesar. That same year, my left hand was broken by someone.

Strangely, in that instant, I felt a sense of relief, as if I'd laid down an important burden.

Afterwards, I planned to leave Xinxiang, but a persistent urge drew me back to Stone Creek campus one last time. Unexpectedly, I joined the art department.

There, I studied for three years, thinking it was fine to become a decent artist. Then, one day, I found the person who broke my hand within the campus.

That day, I was consumed by murderous intent; a thought arose—I would sacrifice my enemy's blood. I spent the day graffitiing everywhere I could.

When I reached the final piece, I suddenly felt it wasn't me anymore, but everything was already beyond control.

Fortunately, I hadn't finished the last stroke—the one meant for my enemy, at the designated spot.

So, after finishing my art, I simply collapsed, refusing to think or act any further.

It was then I understood—I had been chosen by Stone Creek campus. The midnight races from the start were meant to draw Xinxiang's earth energy into the campus.

The graffiti served the same purpose, responding to the campus's lack of earth energy, leading to plans for a blood sacrifice.

Twice, I stalled the campus's growth at the last step, which made it deeply dissatisfied with me, sealing my soul entirely within the graffiti.

If not for your inadvertent action, perhaps I would still be asleep.

But because of your action, you've provoked its response; now, it's growing mad, desperate to transform into a human."

Hearing his story, Ou Xiaolu and his companions gained a general understanding of the enemy they faced.

The man continued, "What you must confront is comprised fifty percent of Stone Creek campus's own earth power, thirty percent of my personality, and twenty percent from various other sources.

If you intend to defeat it, it's not going to be easy."

Ou Xiaolu and Senior Brother exchanged glances, uncertain why he had said this.

Then, the man suddenly said, "Take this."

They looked and saw his body changing, gradually turning into a faint blue light.

"Take it, take this and destroy that thing."

As he spoke, the blue light split into four, settling on the ground.

The sight left Ou Xiaolu and his companions dumbfounded; after all this conversation, was this the outcome? Was he offering himself or granting them equipment?

The three exchanged another look, and Senior Brother stepped forward first, seizing a cluster of blue light. In his hand, it transformed into a three-pronged, double-edged blade.

"You should try as well. He has turned his soul into weapons capable of restraining that thing; the form of the weapon depends on your own habits."

Ou Xiaolu stepped forward and picked up a cluster of blue light. Just as Senior Brother said, it transformed in his hand into a long sword—one that perfectly suited Ou Xiaolu's style, feeling exceptionally comfortable.

Zhong Kui also grabbed a cluster of blue light, which turned into a clawed iron chain in his hand. Satisfied, Zhong Kui nodded, his gaze falling upon the last cluster.

"Since this soul can see the three of us, it's unlikely he'd leave behind something extra for no reason," Ou Xiaolu remarked, picking up the final cluster.

In his hand, it became a vial of medicine.

Senior Brother examined the vial closely. "I sense chaos within, as if its contents are struggling to devour or repel something."

Ou Xiaolu considered, then sent a communication describing the situation and Senior Brother's assessment.

After seven or eight minutes, the boy's judgment was relayed back through the former archbishop's cross.

"The final item should be medicine targeting the earth vein. The soul mentioned earlier: our opponent consists of fifty percent its own power, thirty percent his personality, and twenty percent miscellaneous sources. This medicine was likely created for such circumstances. When you encounter the earth vein, inject it immediately—it should weaken its strength."