(OLD/NOT CANON) Immortal Ascension Tower

Chapter 7 - Big Brother Shows The Way

"Fellow disciple! Fellow disciple! There's a snake on your shoulder! Watch out!"

Hearing the boy's panicked yell, Cheng Hao had to think fast.

'This guy... Is he a friend or an enemy? Karma thread... Snake... Hide... Snake... Danger... Snake... Dangerous Snake... A snake is dangerous!'

Cheng Hao sucked a breath in and... Suddenly turned around the snake flying with a palm "Eeeeeek, snake!"

Fury and bewilderment raged across Goldy's face as it began to curse at Cheng Hao in his mind.

Of course he understood what the boy was trying to do, but he couldn't help but frown at the palm full of killing intent that he had thrown at him.

The boy actually didn't hold back in the least... 'Damn Cheng Hao... I will screw you over once I have the chance! (Yes ISSTH references... Ah, I loved that parrot... Have faith in lord fifth!)'

Cheng Hao was panting, acting shocked and terrified, he turned and bowed to the young man in front of him.

"Cheng Hao thanks fellow Disciple for his aid, may I know Disciple's name and what business he has with this humble Disciple?"

Although Cheng Hao's face was full of gratitude he had already secretly grasped the golden hairpin in his hand, ready to strike at the minimum notice of any danger.

Shocked to see such courtesy from Cheng Hao, the young boy didn't hesitate to bow and respond as humbly as possible "This disciple is called Xiao Li, First Master of the Xiao family!"

Cheng Hao suddenly felt a tingling pain in his head, as if he had forgotten something important but quickly disregarded it.

Xiao Li continued "I was assigned to hut 5742 from elder Lao, to live alongside brother Cheng Hao in his stay in the Sixth Ring!" Xiao Li bowed even more "Please treat me well!"

"To live... Together with me?" A thought suddenly flashed across his mind and he grabbed the young boy's shoulder so firmly that the other almost let out a scream.

When the youth lifted his head though, Xiao Li saw that Cheng Hao had actually closed his eyes, a solemn expression that somehow didn't look strange in the least even on his childish lineaments. The young Xiao Clan member hesitated at first but then decided to trust the boy and let him keep going.

...

Just as Cheng Hao closed his eyes, a strand of his consciousness separated from his body and flew towards the child's. As soon as it touched him though, a huge amount of pressure appeared, as if a huge hammer had begun to hit his body nonstop.

Cheng Hao shuddered and spit out a mouthful of blood but he kept going: after getting past the first wave of attacks with his reborn soul, stronger than the norm, he couldn't help but feel astonished as he saw what was lying in the child's consciousness, hidden from prying eyes...

'So that is why I had that sensation, this one might be a descendant of that Xiao Lan! Just like him, he has potential... With this, you are indeed worthy to travel alongside me as brothers...'

The boy smiled as he opened his eyes. He stared deeply into the other child's pupils, searching for something to confirm his theory with.

After the space of a few breaths Cheng Hao let his hand go and instead held it in front of him.

"I am Cheng Hao, and here and now I propose you this. I shall call you brother and as a brother I will act. As a brother I won't hesitate to walk over seas of fire to come to you. I won't hesitate to block arrows with my body if it means that they won't harm you. I won't hesitate to give my life to save yours. I will call you brother and you shall also call me brother, from now on we will be brothers!"