Chapter 13: Elders Never Lie

It was over.

Gazing at the hollow expanse of this void, Zoran felt a sudden sense of loneliness. This was the System Space, a realm of absolute freedom.

His true demonic form floated silently in the firmament, yet his eyes betrayed a flicker of melancholy. Carrying the memories of a transmigrator, he had thought he understood everyone perfectly, Shendu included. But in reality, the characters on a television screen were mere archetypes; only by experiencing it firsthand did he realize that everyone was a being of flesh, blood, and soul.

If Shendu hadn't intercepted Jackie, Zoran would have already been cast back into the Netherworld by Uncle or He Xiangu, lost for all eternity.

That old dragon…

A long, weary sigh echoed through the empty heavens. Experience inevitably leaves behind bonds. Even now, Zoran didn't believe Shendu had changed his treacherous nature, but the help he provided was undeniably real. At the very least, the sincerity in that final call of "brother" was no act.

He had always lived by a single principle: to judge a person's true nature, do not look at what they say, look at what they do.

He glanced back; the brilliant golden gateway had long since vanished.

[Host, please select your reward,] an echo resonated within the space.

A row of spectral images flashed before him, the spoils of his victory. When Zoran's gaze passed over one particular item, he locked onto it instantly. With a flick of his finger, he confirmed his choice. In the entire world of Jackie Chan Adventures, there was no reward better than this. There was no need to hesitate!

[Selection confirmed. Reward issued: The Pan'ku Box.]

The legendary artifact, shimmering with a faint blue aura, descended slowly into Zoran's palm. His eyes gleamed. As a System reward, the Noble Magic warding the Pan'ku Box had been stripped away. It hovered silently in his hand, a thing of exquisite mystery.

[The Pan'ku Box - Grants the authority to open Demon Portals in any world to summon projections of the seven Demon Sorcerers. The power of the summoned projection is determined by the status of the demon in their original world; their strength is identical to the current demon's true self. Note: Only one Demon Portal can exist at a time; only one demon projection may be summoned at once.]

This was a peerless treasure, and Zoran was deeply satisfied. However, as he examined it closely, he found that only six demon projections were currently available for summoning.

Tchang Zu the Thunder Demon, Bai Tza the Water Demon, Xiao Fung the Wind Demon, Po Kong the Mountain Demon, Dai Gui the Earth Demon, and Hsi Wu the Sky Demon.

Six projections flickered before him. But one was missing!

"System, where is Shendu, the Fire Demon?" Zoran asked.

"The demon projections summoned by the Pan'ku Box are affected by the strength of the demons in the current timeline..." the System explained. "After assisting the Host in his departure, Shendu was struck by Uncle using Lo Pei's sealing incantation. He has been reverted to a statue and has lost all power. Therefore, his projection cannot be summoned."

Zoran's gaze trembled slightly. That old lizard really had been sealed away again! The glimpse of the sealing spell he caught before leaving had indeed successfully locked Shendu down.

For some reason, a pang of sorrow crossed Zoran's heart. Regardless of anything else, Shendu had met this end because he helped Zoran escape. Now, even his projection was unavailable.

He drew the Pan'ku Box into his form, still harboring many questions. "Why did He Xiangu appear?" That was what interested him most. Logically, the Eight Immortals should have vanished into the river of time long ago.

Zoran understood the World Will empowering Uncle to counter dark forces, as that was the law of the Jackie Chan Adventures universe. Light and Dark, Yin and Yang, move in a cycle. But the sudden manifestation of He Xiangu defied that logic.

[He Xiangu appeared because the Host restored his full strength,] the System clarified.

Zoran's expression shifted. He realized something. "So, if the world is a computer and the demons are viruses, then the Immortals are the real-time anti-virus programs loaded by the system?!"

[Host is clever, the System replied, confirming his suspicion. "[What has happened will happen again. When the Eight Demon Sorcerers reach their zenith, the Eight Immortals will appear. This is the law of the world's hidden side, engraved within the Syllables of Time.]

The Syllables of Time...

Zoran felt a jolt. if any treasure was more precious than the Pan'ku Box, it was that tool of ultimate reality. Everything past, present, and future, events that happened and those that never came to be, are recorded in the Syllables of Time. It is the most powerful object in the canon. Moreover, it possesses a self-correction function; even if one edits the Syllables, history tends to right itself.

"Does that mean there's no way out?" Zoran mused. "Wait... no. If that were truly the case, I should have been sealed by He Xiangu just now."

"Could it be that the rules in the Syllables of Time only record the process? The demons and the Immortals are counterparts, but whether the demons are actually re-sealed remains an unknown variable!"

[Correct.]

"I see." Zoran's heart settled. "I'm going back. I'm going to rescue that old dragon!" Each word was firm and resolute. "Not just Shendu, but my other brothers and sisters as well. This world is so beautiful; why shouldn't they be allowed to see it?"

"Besides... I did give them my word on the very first day I entered the Netherworld."

With the Pan'ku Box in hand and the ability to replicate the demons' strength, Zoran had his leverage. The stronger the other seven Demon Sorcerers became, the more he would benefit.

[Host, please consider carefully. If you return to the world of Jackie Chan Adventures in your true form, He Xiangu will appear the moment you arrive. Even the other seven Immortals may manifest to block you.]

Zoran retracted his Demon Chi, his body flowing with a profound, indescribable aura. He let the corners of his mouth tilt upward. "I think we'll find a way, won't we?"

He gave a calm smile. With the System's presence, the task was highly feasible.

[Since the Host has decided on a goal, the System will activate all functions to hack into different worlds and assist the Host's growth.]

"Excellent."

Zoran's gaze was sharp. The System's function was simple: the ability to travel between different worlds at will. And that was exactly what he needed. He was a man who had already died once and was lucky enough to become Tso Lan, the Moon Demon. He intended to use this chance to carve out a magnificent legacy.

And the first step, naturally, was to clear the world of his origin! But before that, he had to obtain power sufficient to resist his nemeses. Having merged with all of Tso Lan's memories and strength, he knew the power of He Xiangu all too well. Just moments ago, he had nearly been dragged back to the abyss by her hand!

With a thought, another brilliant golden gateway appeared. This was the door to another world. Without hesitation, gravity gently lifted his true form and carried him toward the portal.

He smiled, murmuring to himself:

"My brothers and sisters... an elder never lies. You simply need to wait a little longer."