Chapter 84: What I Mean is, Everyone Here is Trash

During the free time on the Loxian ship, Miss Vilyric not only studied music but also took the time to carefully examine the ominous energy of Ya Zi, drawing several conclusions.

Just like that fleeting first glimpse of the moon from the Ancient Spirit Realm, the ominous energy itself does not possess the ability to breed evil demons; it simply serves as a special attribute to intimidate enemies. This result ultimately came about because of the abnormalities occurring in this land.

The concept of “Ominousness,” as represented by Ya Zi, is a source that it inherited from the Ancestor Dragon—something akin to a rule that is not a divine spark but very closely resembles it.

If we were to discuss energy levels and ranks, actually, Ya Zi is slightly inferior to Min Chen, who has already reached the pinnacle of Pseudo-God status and resides in the demigod realm. However, due to the conceptual closeness to laws that it represents, it is able to accomplish things that the latter ordinarily cannot, mastering a power known as “Divine Thought,” which surpasses that of gods.

To explain in easily comprehensible terms, the Nine Sons of the Dragon… are more like avatars of the Ancestor Dragon, external manifestations, but they possess completely independent consciousness.

No matter how marvelous the means, it is impossible to change or erase the ominous energy of Ya Zi, for that is the essence and nature of its existence. But… how about just hiding it?

Similar to dressing a plague-bearing patient in a sealed isolation suit, which neither affects others nor necessitates confinement, allowing for free movement instead.

That would require deceiving the omnipresent laws of the Ancient Spirit Realm, making them classify Ya Zi as a completely different entity.

Speaking of which, this inspiration came from the time Miss Vilyric was at the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons, from the “Deceptive” mask belonging to Summoner Sylvania. After analyzing its principle and conducting numerous experiments and attempts, she finally succeeded in replicating it on Ya Zi.

In the time spent within the pet space, Ya Zi consumed large amounts of Light Element Crystals provided by Vilyric daily. This was partly to replenish energy lost during a thousand years of sealing, and partly to increase the proportion of this element in its body, surpassing its original properties.

Subsequently, by utilizing a morphing tool from the “Illusory World” to alter its appearance, and by covering it with a certain amount of Spiritual Points infused by Vilyric, Ya Zi could be disguised as a Light Element being that possesses original powers but is no longer classified as a child of the Ancestor Dragon.

Although these foreign energies quickly dissipate like a rootless floating weed, maintaining a regular supply allows Ya Zi to operate normally in the outside world.

Of course, the principle of that morphing tool actually changes according to the user’s subconscious preferences and the basic body structure that is relatively compatible, so to say that Ya Zi’s current appearance is entirely unrelated to Vilyric’s subjective wishes… would surely be a lie.

But the Priestess won’t mention this.

Due to numerous secrets involved, Vilyric did not provide detailed explanations to everyone, but simply conveyed her message directly to Ya Zi through their contract. The latter nodded and proactively moved to clear a path for the group.

Passing through what seemed to be an uninhabited courtyard, they officially entered the inner hall of the spirit shrine with an added golden retriever.

Although called the Ground Mouse Gang’s den, the interior still bore a dilapidated appearance, with old beams and corners adorned with white spider webs, straw scattered all over the ground, and a few dirty mats placed at the front, beyond which stood a bronze statue of an adult.

Only this statue was maintained quite well. Although it had accumulated many marks of time, it remained smooth and tidy, clearly being frequently wiped and protected from corrosion.

Everyone’s gaze rose high, and the black-haired girl laughed.

“It seems this is the esteemed honor of the ‘Nine-Pattern Earth Spirit Great Sage.’”

It was a well-dressed, dignified rat spirit.

It wore a gorgeous robe that covered almost its entire body, sporting a mouse head that had inexplicable lack of change, while its limbs displayed a standard human shape. The arms struck some peculiar pose, which appeared as though it once held a long, thin object, now mysteriously absent.

After staring at the statue for a few moments, Vilyric didn’t linger too long. She quickly turned her head to look back towards the courtyard outside and patted the small mole’s weak shoulder.

“Remember, don’t leave my side in a bit, and don’t act rashly. Leave everything to us, understood?”

“Y-yes.”

“Whoosh!”

No sooner had she finished speaking than from the dark corners and even underground of the shrine courtyard, over a hundred demons surged forth, surrounding the few people standing in the inner hall, their weapons brandished, forming a tight encirclement.

Clearly, they had long discovered Vilyric and her companions trespassing in their den, but intentionally chose not to make a show until the latter reached deep inside and fell into their trap.

This is the advantage of terrain-based demons.

“Who are you people? How dare you intrude upon the territory of the Ground Mouse Gang!”

The leader was a demon with a few inches of mouse whiskers, resembling a human but much stronger and taller than Elder Tian Er. It bore a striking resemblance to the latter, holding two spiked short weapons and exuding a bit of menace.

But Miss Vilyric paid no attention to them.

“Who is this guy?”

“He is… the second-in-command of the gang, Deputy Leader Tian Er.”

Noticing a certain little demon providing intel honestly, Tian Er immediately cast a glare at her and scolded furiously.

“Little Mole! You treacherous little thing, how dare you bring outsiders into our Ground Mouse Gang’s den?! I knew something was off about you lately, always looking suspicious… Speak! Where’s Elder Tian San? Hand him over!”

“I-I didn’t betray you…”

After pressing the shoulder of the girl beside her again to signal that there was no need to waste words on meaningless arguments, Vilyric casually glanced at the rat spirit that seemed to adopt an aggressive stance yet occasionally glanced nervously at the large golden retriever beside her, and said calmly.

“Let’s skip the small talk and probes. That Elder Tian San is indeed in our hands. As for why we laid hands on him, and why we came here, I believe you already understand…”

“To be honest, I am not aware of how many among your gang are minions of the Demon-Suppressing Sect, and how many are innocent ones like the Little Mole dragged into this mess, which is why I haven’t struck immediately. But that doesn’t mean I can’t. So you better keep your mouth clean; this is also for your own good.”

As her pointed words fell among the demon crowd, it immediately sparked quite the commotion, not due to someone’s arrogant and dismissive attitude toward the demons but because of the specific keyword she had mentioned.

“Wait! Did you just say that there are members of the Demon-Suppressing Sect?! Is there someone mixed in among our gang from the Demon-Suppressing Sect?!”

“Who the hell is the bastard that sided with the Demon-Suppressing Sect! Get out here!!”

“Brothers, brothers! Don’t lose your heads! This is the other side trying to sow discord; maybe they are the ones who are the thieves from the Demon-Suppressing Sect!”

Watching the Ground Mouse Gang’s demons discussing animatedly and others trying to maintain order, Vilyric narrowed her eyes, letting her gaze drift momentarily without further explanation, instead, she poured fuel onto the fire.

“It seems many of you are indeed unaware… How about this, I’ll give you some time. Those not involved, or merely coerced, immediately lay down your weapons and retreat to the side to wait. I can guarantee your safety. As for the rest… they will all be treated as accomplices of the Demon-Suppressing Sect, and their lives or deaths will be at stake.”

“Oh, and don’t even think about escaping; those who do will also be treated the same way.”

Saying that, the black-haired girl made a box of matches appear as if performing a magic trick. She leisurely took one out and positioned it horizontally in front of her.

“Swish.”

The flickering orange glow wavered, trembling slowly in the breeze, looking as though it could extinguish at any moment.

“Now, the countdown begins ~”

   

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