Hao Xuan was taken aback upon seeing the clump of red sand in his hand. If the token was broken, where did the dragon ago?

"Can you hear me?

"

He spoke out loud, softly.

*Beep*

"Of course I can,

" Baracus responded swiftly, making Hao Xuan shake his head.

"Not you, um, b-black dragon?

" he called out awkwardly. It felt weird calling it that. She was a dragon and was black, hence that was her name? But a second later another familiar voice came into his ears.

"I am here, squishy human.

"

He let out a breath of relief but then frowned.

"Why am I squishy?

"

"I don't know. Why are you squishy?

"

"What?

"

"What?

"

"....

"

After a short, awkward pause, Hao Xuan asked for her name.

"What do I call you then? What's your name?

"

She scoffed, the derision obvious from her tone.

"You are physically incapable of pronouncing my name, human. But other mortals call me Níðhöggr.

"

".....Nidhora...?

" Hao Xuan repeated, incorrectly. That's what it sounded like to him but his was a much simpler pronunciation.

She jeered upon hearing the name as if she was expecting it.

"See? You cannot even say something simple like this yet you want to speak my real name? Your little body of flesh would explode from divine pressure!

"

"Well, better than nothing I guess,

" Hao Xuan shrugged, taking her comment as a passing remark.

"So where are you? How are you talking to me?

"

"In your meridian. I can stay here and slowly recover, as well as give you guidance and help if you so desire, for a price of course.

"

Hao Xuan quickly closed his eyes and one by one inspected his meridians until he felt something inside the meridian on the forehead. He couldn't actually see what was inside it but only got a strong feeling that it was full or 'occupied.'

"Is this where you're staying?

"

"Yes.

"

"What is it like in there?

"

"Meridians are what allowed mere mortals to walk the same path as us. Their uses and applications are limitless but they are also shrouded in mystery. Until you are able to 'observe' your meridians by yourself, I can't tell you anything.

"

".....okay...I guess...

" Hao Xuan expected some kind of bull** answer like this so he didn't bother asking about it again. There were more pressing matters at hand.

"I can feel a burning Qi inside my body, what do I do with it? It needs to 'look'' like I'm a contractor so I have to use your power like one.

"

There was another bout of silence. Hao Xuan didn't bother repeating himself and simply waited for her to sort out her own thoughts and answer. And as expected, about five minutes later she gave a solution.

"Contractors borrow the powers of their contracted creature. Under normal circuumstances they are not able to summon them in this world like beastmasters or the summoners. They basically become beast hybrids, half of each, which allows them to use their own cultivation as well as their contract's. Give me control of your body for a moment and I will give you the most optimized version of my power that you can bear.

"

Hao Xuan didn't need to think about the matter at all. This was one of the relatively rare occasions where he could shine.

"Alright but remember,

"'Don't do anything harmful'

". It wouldn't end well for either of us,

" he ordered using the constitution's power. Even if she had some wicked thoughts, there was no way she would be able to act on them now.

It was already midday when he returned to the city and barely any time had passed since then. He closed the blinds, activated a few defensive and soundproof formations before sitting cross-legged on the floor.

"Go ahead,

" he mumbled while relaxing his body.

"It might be a little painful. Don't resist or do anything to disrupt the process. Just endure it,

" Nidhora warned.

Hao Xuan sniggered while murmuring under his breath,

"Of course it's going to be painful. When has anything been BUT painful? Just do it,

" he closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing.

The blob of burning Qi he was feeling in his abdomen started swirling on its own. From the meridian on the forehead, a black substance started leaking out.

It slowly spread out in every direction, entering every single organ, blood vessel, and cell. It surrounded them completely. When that was done it started seeping out of EVERY single orifice and covered the exterior of his body as well.

The word 'painful' wasn't enough to describe what he was feeling right now. The black substance, whatever it was, was like molten lava. Hao Xuan felt like he was being burned alive from inside out.

And the worst part was that the pain didn't subside. It continued to get worse and worse. He tried his best to endure but couldn't help and but let out a few forceful grunts.

He was always good at enduring pain but this was on a whole new level.

The muscles on his arms and abdomen ripped from clenching too hard. His jawbone actually cracked.

"Relax, breathe out,

" Nidhora's voice sounded inside his head but before he could even do anything, another wave of pain hit his senses like a truck.

"AHH!

" he fell on his back, writhing in pain. His body contorted into unholy positions. It looked like he was being twisted by an invisible hand but it was all due to his own muscles contracting as they had never done before.

He trashed about the room, breaking everything in reach.. Thankfully the formations were there otherwise his screams would have drawn a crowd.