The Dawn of the New World

"I think that's because it was a different kind of ability. The Puer had an extra limb on its back that was responsible for all the work. When I absorbed it, the flower pattern was formed on my brain as a result which allowed me to do something similar, albeit in a much more horrific and painful way."

"Meaning the puer's ability was a physical one while this demon's ability was purely spiritual in comparison...it would have to be since it was going through those vessels like they were nothing," he added.

"That's why rather than affecting my body it changed something in my Mind Palace. And-" Hao Xuan paused monetarily to consider the true meaning behind the words he was about to say.

"-And I think it did more than that...more than just give me another ability. The lectern feels different and the oval symbol with the branches is doing something that I have never felt before. It has something to do with the ruby, I can feel it."

"Earlier when I was holding it there was an invisible barrier around the ruby. If I can get another one and destroy the barrier to break it from the inside out...I have a feeling something different will happen."

But soon Hao Xuan shook his head in annoyance, "It's hard to put into words because all I have to go on is a gut feeling that there is more or something new still left to discover. The only thing I know for sure is that 'Devouring' more demons is the way to do it."

*Beep*

"A reasonable outcome considering the circumstances," Baracus agreed with his speculations, "Given the name of the physique, it is only natural to assume that absorbing additional 'demon souls' will unlock a previously never-seen-before attribute. Perhaps something that will even aid in your future endeavors."

"Hah, that will be the day!" Hao Xuan jeered at the very idea that things will become any easier for him, "But I guess we'll see what happens won't we? I should go meet him now."

But just as he was about to go back into the cave something clicked inside his head. It felt like he was changing channels on the radio and suddenly came across an unexpected broadcast.

"There is another response!" he quickly closed his eyes to see the vision of a prison cell.

He was looking at it from the outside, checking to make sure the person inside was still alive. He waited around for a few seconds and upon seeing some movement in the dark he quickly turned around and left in a hurry. That's where it ended.

Hao Xuan looked to the far west with a furrowed brow, "Who was that inside the cell? I could not tell whose eyes I was watching through either, only that it was very far from here," he was more than a little impressed by this revelation, "I didn't know it had this much range, maybe this ability isn't so bad...once I learn to control it better."

After taking a few moments to make sure it wasn't about to happen again Hao Xuan returned to the stone gateway with haste. The creature was nowhere to be seen which alleviated many of his concerns.

If it didn't leave on its own he wouldn't really be able to do anything to it from here, not that he had any idea where to begin if the opportunity presented itself.

He stood in front of the doorway and closed his eyes while reaching out with one hand to touch the barely discernable sheet of Yin Qi that separated both worlds.

In his mind Hao Xuan visualized 'Ashura of the Six paths' true form and sure enough, his consciousness was pulled in seconds later.

He found himself standing in the same sea of grey clouds but this time there was no improbably large demonic life form waiting for him. Instead, it was a humanoid figure barely over 3 meters in length.

He also resembled a human for the most part with a dark skin tone. The only difference were the two extra pairs of arms.

"You...look different," Hao Xuan commented on the obvious change.

Ashura of the Six Paths smiled, "This is what I looked like before I started cultivating. After I became a god and established my divinity I created my second body. That's the one you saw last time you were here."

Hao Xuan nodded silently, "You...look well? I thought something might have happened since I was so late. I didn't mean to but something happened."

"Yeah, I thought something might have happened. That's why I left a separate portion of my will just in case, and it's a good thing I did."

"Why?"

Ashura of the Six Paths gestured towards the ground and the clouds parted to reveal the harsh truth.