The moon shone brightly, and the stars were sparse.
The enormous Blood-flesh Mother Tree writhed slowly, its entire form composed of countless skulls and flesh, stretching wantonly in the night.
The branches were dense, hung with human-skinned skulls. They rustled with the movement of the leaves, swaying like ripe fruit and bursting forth with strange laughter.
At that moment, a mass of gray mist writhed and shot out from under the Mother Tree. Countless skeletal branches pursued it, only to halt in the next instant.
"Blood, living beings..."
"So hungry! Eat, eat, eat..."
"I shall brew your flesh and blood into fine wine, use your skull as a cup, and peel off your skin for a mat! Come back!"
The heads on the branches, both old and young, emitted screams.
A mournful whimper escaped someone.
Glancing at the cancerous Blood-flesh Mother Tree that exuded an aura of calamity, fear, and corruption, Princess Gu Guan shivered, silently following the black-robed figure.
Eventually, the gray mist rolled and drifted to an isolated section of the city wall. Chu Yi then withdrew the mist and sat back to watch the drama unfold.
What a joke. Surely no one seriously thought he’d run away after extorting them for Divinity, right?
How could he miss the epic showdown between the Moon Princess and the Tentacle Monster?
Once both sides were exhausted, he would ambush them. First, he’d unleash the Divine Eye for rampant destruction, then launch a sneak attack, and finally, evolve the Soul-Calling Banner. With so many souls as nourishment, it would be a feast!
He was going to win big, truly win big!
For Master Chu, not profiting was a loss.
You could always trust Master Chu!
Chu Yi interrupted Princess Gu Guan, gesturing for her to sit.
Princess Gu Guan was startled and cautiously glanced at Chu Yi.
Then, she took out a luxurious cushion—made from the genuine leather of some unknown Pet Beast—laid it on the ground, and respectfully said, "Senior, please sit first."
Chu Yi was very pleased with the attitude of this suspected Succubus Princess and sat down heavily. The lower part of his black robe hung over the city wall, slowly writhing as if tentacles were inside.
At this, Princess Gu Guan breathed a sigh of relief. She lifted her skirt and her perky rear settled on the other side, revealing two slender, delicate legs. Their ivory-like skin gleamed with a soft white luster in the night.
Chu Yi glanced over. The curve of her calves was delicate and exquisitely beautiful. Her Jade Feet were encased in boots, their color a mystery, though he imagined a tender pink.
Bringing Princess Gu Guan along signified not only a transaction but also establishing contact with the Alien Race.
She came from the Enchanting Demon Royal Court, an Alien Princess of high status, capable of bringing potential benefits.
"You should know, I like things of value."
"So, what can you bring me?" Chu Yi said indifferently, his gaze shifting from her calves—as fair and tender as freshly peeled spring bamboo shoots—to the distant Blood-flesh Mother Tree.
The vast, dense forest had already occupied the outer perimeter of the Royal City. Writhing tendons were clumped on the city walls, grotesque and bloody, sprouting one swollen tumor after another, creating a powerful visual impact.
Upon hearing this, Princess Gu Guan immediately retrieved a sachet. She was just taking out a piece of Gold material when, in the next moment, a tentacle snatched it away.
She was momentarily stunned, her purple eyes fixed on the forbidden presence that had absorbed the sachet into its black robe, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.
"This is mine," Chu Yi stated, appearing indifferent, without a trace of guilt. His demeanor was identical to when he had extorted the clown.
Quickly hand over the protection fee.
Princess Gu Guan was speechless.
She tried hard to widen her purple eyes, a layer of misty tears welling up as she said aggrievedly, "Senior, my... my personal undergarments are also in there. C-Could you please return it to me first?"
As she spoke, she nearly bit her lip, her small hand nervously clenching the corner of her skirt.
For her, Cultivation resources were not lacking. However, the thought of her intimate garments being seen by him—even if he was a forbidden entity—inexplicably gave her a sense of shame, as if her entire body had been exposed.
Chu Yi was taken aback.
What? Such good fortune?
He mentally cleared his throat. Ahem. I am the King of Black Robes, an ancient forbidden one from ages long past. I’ve long abandoned human emotions; it’s impossible for me to be interested in a little girl’s clothing.
Thus, he offered no explanation and pretended not to hear, still gazing at the distant scenery, waiting for the fighting parties to descend into a bloody mess before finding an opportune moment to intervene.
Seeing the forbidden one’s indifferent attitude, Princess Gu Guan wanted to speak but hesitated. A peculiar glint flashed in her purple eyes, and an unnatural blush crept onto her cheeks.
How could he do this...?
Taking a girl’s intimate garments...
Even a forbidden being shouldn’t do such a thing, right?
But, being at his mercy, she had no choice but to lower her head.
Suddenly, Chu Yi rose. He noticed that the branches of the Mother Tree were retracting, gathering towards the center, as a majestic aura erupted from deep within the dense forest.
Countless crimson eyes opened one after another, as if awakened by an ancient presence.
"Things are getting interesting now," Chu Yi said, squinting. His figure drifted into mid-air. Beneath him, the black robe resembled a tangled blob of ink, which quickly writhed and twisted, gradually taking on a blood-red hue.
Divine Eye, I choose you!
A sound like a fierce beast’s roar echoed out, accompanied by a wave of spreading, corrupting radiation.
The skeletal branches collected by the Mother Tree, seemingly corroded by another Evil God’s Favored, uncontrollably grew thick fur.
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!
Amidst a cringe-inducing chewing sound, skull after skull, bone after bone, countless skeletal fragments—all seemed to come alive. They began to crawl across the ground, scurrying around chaotically.
The grand and towering Bone Mountain Mother Tree shuddered. The human-skin Demons hanging from it wailed as mouths and eyes sprouted all over their bodies, and they began to devour one another.
This was the true Authority of Flesh and Blood: Devour!
And above, an incredibly huge scarlet eyeball was released. Having been confined for a day and a night, it was aggrieved and irate, seeking revenge on Chu Yi.
However, Chu Yi had long since used the power of the gray mist to hide in a corner, watching the show.
It failed to find its target momentarily, but its rage needed an outlet, and the Desire Mother Tree became that target.
Among the Evil God’s Favored, meetings always descended into chaotic carnage. Only by devouring the other could one restore its own power.
The Divine Eye immediately attacked. Its flesh writhed like a jellyfish, expanding into a sky-covering mass of suckers. Rings of sharp teeth lined it, and the sheer force of its presence whipped up a Category 5 hurricane as it lunged to swallow the Desire Mother Tree whole.
Only then did the Desire Mother Tree realize the presence of another Evil God’s Favored. Before it could react, the Divine Eye enveloped it, its teeth biting down viciously. The suckers ground against it, quickly tearing off a large piece of flesh, which it swiftly swallowed.
Instantly, a chilling chewing sound reverberated through the air.
The Desire Mother Tree was not to be outdone. It emitted a grotesque infant’s wail as its branches morphed into sharp fangs and claws, swiftly entangling the Divine Eye. They tore bloody gashes into each other, locked in a chaotic struggle.
Witnessing this scene, the survivors were dumbfounded. Soon, however, someone realized that the Divine Eye seemed to be enslaved by the King of Black Robes...
This forbidden presence... has it actually tamed an Evil God’s Favored?!