Rise of the Devil's Soul

It was here that he encountered Fu, an old man whose face bore the marks of time and a life lived in harmony with nature.

Fu was a seasoned fisherman, his hands roughened by years of battling the elements, his eyes sharp and observant, missing nothing.

Fu studied Wu Xie with a gaze as penetrating as the moonlight, breaking the silence with an unexpected proposition.

"Do you want to eat fish, young man?" he asked, his voice as calm as the river before them.

Wu Xie, taken aback by the sudden offer, remained silent, his surprise evident in his wide-eyed expression.

Unfazed by Wu Xie's silence, Fu rose from his spot by the river and started walking towards his humble dwelling, nestled amidst the whispering trees, a little away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Over his shoulder, he threw an invitation, his voice carrying in the cool night air, "If you want to eat a delicious fish, you can follow me, lad."

Wu Xie, his stomach rumbling in agreement, decided to follow the old man. As they walked, the city's cacophony faded into a distant murmur, replaced by the tranquil symphony of nature.

The old man's house, a quaint structure that seemed to be a part of the landscape, stood as a testament to a simpler, slower life.

As Wu Xie was exploring the quaint, rustic house, he couldn't help but marvel at its simplicity. The house, built of weathered wood and thatched roof, was a testament to Fu's humble lifestyle.

The interior was cozy and warm, filled with the rich aroma of aged wood and the faint scent of the surrounding wilderness.

In the heart of this humble abode, the old man, Fu, began to prepare the fish. His hands moved with the practiced ease of a seasoned cook, deftly cleaning and seasoning the fish.

The sizzling sound of the fish cooking over the open fire filled the room, and the mouth-watering aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of the wilderness outside.

Fu turned to Wu Xie, his eyes twinkling with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "How's your stay going on here, young man?" he asked, his voice as calm as the river they had just left.

Wu Xie, taken aback by the sudden question, approached Fu. His brows furrowed in confusion as he asked, "What do you mean by 'my stay here'?" he asked, his voice echoing in the silence of the room.

His eyes, usually filled with humor and mischief, were now serious as he looked at Fu. "Do you know something about me that I don't?" His voice echoed in the room, a note of uncertainty underlying his words.

Fu, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of years, looked at Wu Xie with a knowing gaze. "I can tell by looking at you that you don't belong here," he said.

His words were not accusatory, but rather filled with a sense of understanding. It was as if he could see beyond Wu Xie's physical appearance, into the very essence of his being, recognizing the subtle signs of a soul out of place in this world.

His statement hung in the air, a testament to his keen perception and understanding of the world around him.

Wu Xie, his curiosity piqued, turned to Fu with a questioning gaze. "How did you know I don't belong here?" he asked, his voice echoing in the quiet room.

His question hung in the air, a silent plea for answers in this world of unknowns. The anticipation was palpable, like the calm before a storm, as he awaited Fu's response.

"Do you know how I can return to my world?" Wu Xie continued, his voice barely more than a whisper against the deafening silence. It was like asking for directions in the middle of a desert.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at Fu, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight and a myriad of unspoken questions. His words, filled with hope and desperation, seemed to linger in the air, waiting for an answer that could change everything.

The room was filled with a tense silence, the crackling fire the only sound punctuating the stillness as Wu Xie awaited Fu's response.

Fu chuckled, a sound as deep and comforting as the river's flow. "I'm just an insignificant mortal," he said, his voice filled with a wisdom that belied his humble appearance. "I don't know much about it."

He handed Wu Xie a plate of fish, its aroma tantalizing and inviting. The fish, cooked to perfection, was a testament to Fu's skills as a cook.

Wu Xie accepted the plate, his fingers brushing against Fu's in the process. A sigh escaped his lips, his voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and surprise, turned to Fu. "I thought you may know how I can go back," he said, "But you," he continued, a note of wonder creeping into his voice, "you are the first person who knows that I don't belong here."

His statement, though simple, held a depth of meaning. It was an acknowledgment of his situation, a realization of his displacement from his own world, and a silent plea for help.

Undeterred by Fu's words, Wu Xie shared his plan. His eyes shone with determination as he spoke, "I plan to go for the 'Deity Hidden Stage' and find my way back home." His words, filled with resolve, resonated in the room.

Fu laughed heartily at this, his laughter ringing out in the quiet night. "It's not that easy, kid," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Judging from you, you haven't even started ranking yet, and you're talking about the 'Deity Hidden Stage'."

His words, though laced with humor, held a note of truth, a reminder of the long and arduous journey that lay ahead for Wu Xie.

In the dimly lit kitchen, the flickering flames from the hearth casting long shadows on the walls, Wu Xie turned to Fu, "Old man," he began, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, "you seem very experienced."

"Can you tell me a shortcut, or can you help me get through my mission?."