The man who received the letter stares at the situation that is occurring, not knowing what to do. He slowly backs away and runs out of the building with the other employees. “I knew this letter would bring bad luck!” He exclaims as he runs away.

As the green energy infiltrates the ring, an apparition presents itself. “Damn Earth Path cultivators; always interfering in my business.” The apparition says as its form starts to become clear.

“Master Shey!” Siyu yells.

“You’re mine now demon!” Master Shey exclaims. The red aura around his hands began to materialize as chains and with a swing, the chains swept forward to bind the apparition.

“What’s the point in fighting?” The apparition says. The apparition forms into a man holding up his hands. “Just bind me and be done with it; I can’t win against a damn divinator.” He says, giving up the struggle.

The deep red chains wrap around the transparent man and the pressure fades.

“Do with me what you will.” The man says with a sigh.

...

...

“Your name?” Siyu asks with tired eyes.

“Fuck off. I’m not telling you my name. You’re a divinator and this man is a Hell Path by Contract cultivator. Do you think I’m dumb?” The man’s apparition asks, bound in chains.

“Are you the culprit behind the deaths surrounding the messenger?” Siyu continues to ask.

“Yeah, so what?” He says dismissively. “I had to end them; otherwise how am I supposed to regain my body? And I was so close too. If I’m not going to regain my body, then there’s no reason to continue. Although it seems I’ll never get that bastard back for leaving me in this state, you may judge me as you will. ” The man says, admitting defeat. “Damn it feels good to talk to someone.” The man continues to say, stretching his arms in relaxation. “Oy, the kid with the staff. How ‘bout it? Before you end me, let me tell you my story. At least this way, my karma can move forward.” The apparition suggests.

Siyu looks at the apparition. A feeling came over him; he was about to make a decision that much of my future would hinge on. “Tell me,” Siyu says gesturing for him to go on.

“Well, it happened like this...” The man says, crossing the legs of his hovering body and resting his hand on his chin. “About 25 years ago I was a very successful Hell Path by Contract cultivator. I was taking lives here, there, everywhere; and eventually, I became a Grandmaster. I thought my life was set at that point; essentially I was at the peak of cultivation and there weren’t many people who could stop me from fulfilling any of my whimsical wishes. Although they say that the Deity level is the peak of cultivation, there are no official records of a Deity ever existing. Well, I guess there are myths and legends, but that’s probably all bull—”

Siyu raises a hand to stop him before saying, “Oy, apparition. Get to the point.”

The semi-transparent man coughs before continuing. “Anyways, I was pretty much a boss. But one day, as I looked for my next victim, I found a very indecisive stall owner. You see, my Hell Path power works by locking the casual statements of people into contracts. I gauge the casual words and gamble on whether they will go back on it. If they go back on their words, I am given the freedom to take something from them. In this case I just wanted to prank the stall owner but he happened to have pissed me off. This asshole said that all Hell Path cultivators were evil and dirty. So, of course, I was like, fuck this guy; this is the day he dies; you know, like I usually do. But little did I know that it was me who would receive a fucking because this guy was a divinator! This asshole saw me coming from a mile away and set up a trap. He was trying to sell this guy something and was losing out in the negotiation, and I prodded him, saying that there was no way he would sell at such a low price. As I was working on locking the contract, he said, ‘Of course, I would never sell at this price. But if I do, the one who profits the most won’t be you.’ So obviously I was like what the fuck, but at that point the contract had been locked and the stall owner eventually sold the item at that exact price. What a bastard! Anyways, my Hell Path power backlashed and I ended up in this form. **Sigh** Such a bitter life. I wish I could smoke right now. Anyways, from there, my journey continued and I ended up—”

“Stop,” Siyy says, his hand once again raised to stop the apparition's monologue. “Tell me about the stall owner.” He says.

“That fucker? That fucker, well... I’ve found out a few things about him as I wandered around in this form. Not many know of him, but those that do are either sitting on top of this world or are no longer here. His name is Axel the Faded; a Divination Master. **Sigh** Unfortunately I’ll never get a chance to screw that asshole.” The apparition says with disappointment.

Siyu opens his eyes, his attention caught. Axel the Faded or Axel the Spring Seed. He left Siyu his staff. And he left it specifically for the first person in the shop who said a certain set of words. He’s someone who most likely knows who Siyu is. Siyu knew it then; that he was trying to lead Siyu somewhere, but there was no sign of him after that. He also knew then that simply looking for him was also a decision. But at the moment, he didn’t know to what end looking for him was for, so he left it to fate; but now... Now, he needed another sign.