Chapter 593: The Price for Success
Hei Gou's eyes were shining with a golden light, and the amber pupils were cold and unemotional.
There was not even the slightest ripple of emotion to be found upon realizing that a group of experts were seated around him. Instead he moved his head and observed everyone present.
His shape was still the original Celestial Dog shape, but Xue Wei could not help but furrow his brow as he noticed a lot of subtle differences when compared to the original shape that he had displayed before the first mutation.
"Who are you?"
Hei Gou's body quickly transformed into the familiar human shape, but his lips no longer held the perpetual smile, and the happy expression on his face had been wiped out.
Before Xue Wei and the others had the time to answer, Hei Gou asked his second question as he looked at himself with a bit of doubt.
"Who am I? Also, why do you seem familiar?"
These questions were enough to cause Xue Wei and the others a great deal of worry, but they were not rushing to explain to him.
"What is the current rank of your strength?"
The one who took the word first was Bai Tianyi. He looked at Hei Gou with narrowed eyes and observed every little detail that the dog was making, and started forming a theory in his mind.
"I... don't seem to know."
Hei Gou's already furrowed brows turned even more scrunched up. He was clearly feeling physically well, but his mind seemed to be covered by a mist that was impossible to disperse.
"Would you mind if I were to test your strength?"
Bai Tianyi wanted to check the likelihood of his theory being correct and asked politely. Hei Gou hesitated for a moment, but the strange feeling of familiarity made him nod his head.
Bai Tianyi stepped forward and placed two fingers on the black dog's wrist. A wisp of energy entered Hei Gou's flesh and examined the inside of his body.
"His mutation did not fail. He has succeeded in returning to his original bloodline, but the cost of this success is that his memory has been sealed.
"The biggest problem with the various bloodlines is that prior to Lan's rules that made it impossible to breed across races, everyone would try to do so, but after this became impossible, only one dominant bloodline would prevail.
"This does not mean that the ones mixed in from back then did not exist, but they became weaker and had less influence on the descendants.
"The previous mutations that Hei Gou has undergone has all ignited his potential, but many of these mutations were actually not based on his dominant bloodline, the Celestial Dog.
"Now, with this mutation, his bloodline has returned to its origin. All the initial mutations have been dispersed, but the energy from these previous mutations and the energy that was gained this time has caused his bloodline to reach the most optimal version possible.
"Hei Gou has become a true Celestial Dog with the most outstanding potential possible, but the effort that he has spent was too much, and his soul has taken an injury.
"Although it can be healed, it has still caused a few parts of damage, and his memories have been sealed off for now."
Bai Tianyi had expected that this was the case, but he dared not reach a conclusion before he had fully examined Hei Gou's body.
When his wisp of energy entered the Celestial Dog's body, he found that it was exactly as he had guessed, and he spoke clearly and explained everything to them all.
Hei Gou was also listening intently and tried to understand his words. He felt very confused and addled, but this was due to the strange mist that had occupied his mind.
If things were as this child said, then everything would make sense. He could feel his body was bursting with energy, and he was not familiar with this strange feeling of lightness.
However, when he looked at these people, he felt that they were all important to him, but he could not recognize them at all. This strange emotional unbalance was enough to cause him even more discomfort.
"Hei Gou. Your name is Hei Gou."
Although Bai Tianyi had already mentioned this name before, Hei Gou was not familiar with this name, and he felt a sudden feeling of relief as the introduction was made.
"My name is Xue Wei. We have been traveling alongside one another for many years, and I consider you my important friend and even a sworn brother."
"As you have lost your memories, there are some things that I need to explain to you.
"We are currently in a very perilous situation. We have someone scheming behind our backs, and while we are in the light, he is in the dark, so we do not know when he will hunt us down.
"Our future is uncertain and we have no other option than to move forward. The one that this unknown enemy is targeting is me. I have no doubt that you would be ignored if you wish to leave and take the time to clear your mind."
Xue Wei did not wish for Hei Gou to leave them, but he would not force him to wade through danger alongside them now that he had the chance for a new beginning.
Hei Gou could also sense that Xue Wei was mentioning this for his own sake. It was not to force him away, but to give him another option. This selflessness made Hei Gou's heart ache for some unknown reason, and he took a deep breath.
"Although my memories are gone, some things cannot be forgotten. I will not leave."