Ghost King didn't seem to have any intention of pressing further after hearing his answer, perhaps because he was certain Lu Wuming couldn't transmit any news from here, or perhaps because he felt it wouldn't matter even if he did.
He let out a light laugh and said, "That's Chu San's innate talent. Just like your talent is to be unkillable, everyone has their own talents. Even if you envy or covet someone else's talent, you'll never be able to learn it."
Lu Wuming shrugged, a hint of dejection appearing on his face. He seemed genuinely displeased about being unable to learn, which made Ghost King's laughter grow louder.
Seeing that Lu Wuming had fallen silent, Ghost King laughed for a while before finally stopping, somewhat bored. He said, "This is the first time you've shown interest in something since you arrived. Since you've found something you're interested in, why not think about the question I posed to you that day? Just tell me what you want. I'll grant you anything you desire."
Lu Wuming scoffed, "I want to learn her innate skills, but you said I can't learn them, didn't you?"
He had expected Ghost King to be rendered speechless by his retort.
To his surprise, after a moment of silence, Ghost King gave him an affirmative answer. He said, "If you truly wish to obtain it, I can indeed help you. However, you must be prepared. Once I fulfill your wish, you will no longer be yourself; you will become her. How about it? Do you want to try? I can guarantee that if you ever wish to return to yourself, you can."
Realizing that the conversation was taking a slightly strange turn, Lu Wuming raised an eyebrow. He let his emotions settle for a moment before asking coldly, "What do you mean by that? I become her? How would that work?"
"It's very simple," Ghost King replied. "Your soul enters her body, replacing her original soul. Then you gain control of that body and become its rightful owner. At that point, wouldn't the innate skills that come with the body belong to you, the owner?"
No wonder he had said he would become her.
From this perspective, Ghost King hadn't lied.
Lu Wuming let out a cold laugh in his mind and asked, "If I agree, what will happen to my own body during the time I become her?"
"I'll store it for you, won't I?" Ghost King said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "When you want to use your own body again, you can come back and switch. This palace is not frequented by anyone anyway. I won't harm your body, so surely you don't distrust me?"
He had hit the nail on the head.
The one person he distrusted the most was this Ghost King, whom he hadn't even seen yet.
However, there was no point in voicing such thoughts. After a moment of silence, Lu Wuming said, "Forget it. That woman is too ugly. Even if her talent is indeed good, I don't want to face others with a fake face all the time. Besides, the condition for transformation is too harsh; without some sort of intimacy, the transformation wouldn't be that similar. I think this ability is somewhat useless and not to my liking."
Hearing his words, Ghost King responded with a light, ambiguous chuckle. Lu Wuming wasn't sure what that laugh signified. However, Ghost King didn't continue to discuss the woman with him, which brought him a slight sense of relief.
Unfortunately, the silence didn't last long. Ghost King asked again, "Besides that woman, what else? I saw you all staring at that sword earlier. Do you really want that sword?"
Lu Wuming knew he was referring to the divine sword that had been corrupted by demonic energy.
From his own perspective, he had no interest in that sword. Whether it was a divine sword or a demonic sword, it was certainly no match for his own claws. There was no doubt about that, and he was very certain.
However, thinking of Liu Buli's expression that day, Lu Wuming knew that his master would definitely want that sword.
But he also knew very well that making a deal with Ghost King was not the right thing to do. So after a moment of silence, Lu Wuming didn't say whether he wanted it or not. Instead, he countered, "If you give me what I want, what will you want in return?"
"Does a father need a reason to give his child a gift?" Ghost King replied with a light laugh. "I told you from the beginning that I brought you to my side with no ulterior motives or schemes. I simply want you to know that you are my son, and I will offer you all the good things. I want to be a qualified father, just as you believe a father should be. Don't you want to experience paternal love? This is an emotion neither of us has ever experienced. If you never experience it in your lifetime, won't you feel disappointed?"
These words sounded plausible, but Lu Wuming didn't believe a word of them.
After all, to him, all other emotions were insignificant. The only thing he was interested in and the only thing he desired was Liu Buli's love. Besides that, he cared about nothing else. Even if it were forced upon him, he wouldn't be happy.
Lu Wuming didn't know how much time had passed. Most of the time, he was either fighting with those numbers or waiting in the great hall for his wounds to heal.
Ghost King would occasionally strike up a conversation with him, but Lu Wuming had no desire to answer most of what he said.
He actually wanted to contact his master.
But he wasn't sure how long it had been since their last contact.
If his master was resting now, would contacting him so suddenly disturb his master's sweet dreams?
Lu Wuming frowned in distress.
He lowered his gaze to the floor beneath him and suddenly his brow furrowed. He reached out and tapped lightly on the floor tiles. After probing with his demonic energy, Lu Wuming couldn't help but widen his eyes.
There was another level beneath this palace?