Chapter 284: Chapter 254: Princess Puff, the Secret of the Blood Ladder!
Rubbing his slightly sore lower back, Chu Yi walked quickly through the side hall.
BOOM!
As his foot landed, a series of sigils activated within the hall.
On the luxurious and intricately designed metal walls, a mass of wriggling blood foam seeped out, transforming into a cage. Countless skulls emerged from it, their soft whispers forming a chilling chorus. A dense, inescapable Mysterious Power surrounded the entire side hall.
If not for the intimate conversation he’d recently shared with the Moon Princess under the moon and amidst the flowers, he would have sworn this was an Evil God’s lair.
Still, they underestimated me, didn’t they?
Chu Yi grabbed the Divine Hand, and a brilliant white light erupted, like an exploding flash grenade!
BOOM!
The blinding holy light, like a writhing sheet of pure white, gnawed away at the seal, accompanied by faint wails.
Soon, it had chewed a large hole through it.
The drug-infused banquet items he had crafted had successfully poisoned and knocked out his fiancée. However, they weren’t potent enough to affect the Dawn Star-peaked Moon Princess, at most rendering her unconscious for only half an hour.
He had to admit, the Moon Princess had yandere potential. She resembled a dashing Female Knight, her slender waist like a willow in the wind, her silver hair fluttering. It was as if a relentless, drifting blizzard descended with her, and the hint of madness she inadvertently revealed made Chu Yi profoundly uneasy.
But, as a weak, rookie Beast Tamer, he could only summon his courage, press onward, and escape the Moon Princess’s clutches.
Very soon, a Moon Seal was broken, and a corner of the ritual formed by Star Chains was destroyed. Chu Yi seized the opening and swiftly retreated from the side hall, making his escape.
If he didn’t flee immediately, his fate would be anything but pleasant once the Moon Princess came to her senses.
Just as he exited the hall, he heard sounds of a dispute nearby.
"It’s been a day! Why hasn’t Chu Yi come out yet? What on earth did you do to him?!"
"AWOO!"
"Have the Moon Princess come out to see me! Do you even know the significance of the Twelve Calamities?!"
"AWOO... YIP?"
Bika, who was perched on Mu Yun’s shoulder while Mu Yun confronted the Ghost Maid, suddenly perked up. The little fox tugged at Mu Yun’s sleeve with his tail, pointing in one direction.
Mu Yun had just pulled up his sleeve, about to force his way in, when he saw a handsome figure approaching.
"Hmm, ah? Chu Yi!"
Chu Yi stopped. He glanced at the clumsy Dragon Maiden—who had her sleeve rolled up, revealing an expanse of fair skin and poorly concealing her delight—and then at the Ghost Maid, whose expression was one of utter astonishment. "No time to explain, follow me," Chu Yi said quickly.
"Ah, okay, okay."
Mu Yun’s mind hadn’t quite caught up, but she instinctively followed Chu Yi.
"Wait, you can’t leave!"
The Ghost Maid tried to stop them, intending to inquire with the Moon Princess, but she received no response.
Oh no, Master!
Ignoring the fleeing Chu Yi, she immediately rushed into the side hall. The great hall, which had been sealed, was a complete mess; many things were destroyed.
She clearly sensed that the ritual array linked within the great hall had been broken.
But these marks... did they look like they were gnawed by a dog?
Her heart set on protecting her master, she trailed a lingering black mist as she hurried to the courtyard. There, she found a delicate figure amidst a sea of pear blossoms, already stirring—much earlier than Chu Yi had anticipated.
A slender Jade Foot, like a piece of carved snow lotus root, dangled over the edge. Her toenails, a translucent crystal pink, stood out vividly against the scattered white pear blossoms, exceptionally bright and clear.
But the drug’s effects still lingered. Her body was soft and weak, her skin glowed with a tender, rosy hue, making her look utterly enticing and alluring.
"Master, are you alright?" Sensing her master’s foul mood, the Ghost Maid cautiously inquired.
The Moon Princess’s beautiful face was cold and aloof, her jade-like cheeks flushed a delicate pink. Her usually indifferent silver eyes had turned frigid.
That audacious fellow, daring to drug me here... How unexpected.
Very well. This serves as a reminder. I’ll go back to the library, consult the Book of Knowledge, and perfect my methods for imprisoning him.
She gnashed her teeth, intending to get up and deal with Puff. However, as she tried to move, her elegant brows furrowed slightly; a wave of soreness washed over her.
The silver lining was that she had gained immensely from this Cultivation session. She would need to enter seclusion for a period to consolidate her gains.
「Thousand-Layered Blood Ladder.」
Emerald clouds, like billowing wolf smoke, churned and roared like wild beasts, their momentum majestic and overwhelming.
Beneath the azure sky, Lias fully absorbed the infusion from the Dream Shattering Blade’s legacy. A potent, sharp intent flowed within her, and the surrounding atmosphere became so fiercely charged that no Alien Race dared to approach.
She had also directly activated her bloodline, transforming into the Blood Race Queen. A scarlet moon hung high in her domain, her power converting into a domineering blade intent.
This was Lias’s Bloodline Domain. In just one day, she had successfully integrated the Dream Shattering Blade into it, achieving complete mastery.
This scene left many Alien Races speechless with shock.
It was rare to see a host with such high compatibility with a Blessed Weapon. Individuals like these, once they matured, invariably became titans of the Dark World, leaders of formidable factions!
"Damn it! Why would a lowly bat like her receive the Divine Blade’s approval?!" Albert gritted his teeth in anger. Such a powerful Blessed Weapon, practically given away! What on earth about that little bat attracted it?
Meanwhile, the Crocodile Gun he coveted showed him no favor. It demanded rare, almost extinct materials and even required him to offer half his Soul to sign an equal contract, with the weapon reserving the right to flee at any time. It was utterly humiliating!
What enraged him most was discovering that this little bat was actually the partner of that ’blood meal’ he despised.
This news further infuriated the pride-wounded Child of Gold, driving him to the brink of madness.
Meanwhile, Avril stayed by Lias’s side, not in a hurry to climb the Blood Ladder.
Perhaps out of boredom, she reached up to her own delicate cheek—so tender it seemed it might break at a touch—cupped her small head, and gave a gentle press.
Instantly, her jet-black hair tilted, and her delicate, beautiful head came off.
Lias: "!!!"
Her Star Eyes widened as she happened to witness this horrifying scene. Even though she had seen her share of gore, nothing could compare to the shock Avril delivered in this moment.
"TEE HEE, did I scare sister?" Cradling the doll-like head, Avril, with her innocent and carefree expression, flashed a mischievous, triumphant smile.
Lias’s pretty face stiffened; she was at a loss for words. But upon closer inspection, she noticed gear-like marks at Avril’s neck.
Does this mean... she’s just a doll?
The implications are terrifying...
Just then, Chu Yi, accompanied by Bika and Mu Yun, emerged from the Moon Princess’s makeshift prison. They returned to the Blood Ladder under the astonished gazes of the numerous Alien Races present.
"That human was in there for a whole day and actually came out? How did the negotiations go?"
"Does this mean he refused the Moon Princess’s offer?"
"He defeated Albert, the Child of Gold! His bloodline must be extraordinary. Even if his ancestors weren’t gods or demons, they couldn’t have been far removed. Truly enviable."
"..."
Chu Yi had no time to listen to the Alien Races’ discussions. He could sense an imminent danger drawing ever closer from the void.
At the same time, even in this Desperate Realm, a sliver of hope for survival existed, provided he didn’t expose the King of Black Robes’ Mighty Power.
Or perhaps, it was a rare, heaven-sent opportunity.
He pondered for a moment, a flicker of understanding in his eyes, and gazed towards the summit of the Thousand-Layered Blood Ladder. A strange, malevolent hall loomed there, like a beast lurking in the shadows, observing him.
So, that’s it.
These divine wills... they’ll never let a ’super-ingredient’ like me escape.
I understand now.
Vaguely, Chu Yi saw through the threads of cause and effect, glimpsing fragments of countless possible futures.
Although they were only fragmented images, every single one showed him overturning the chessboard, slaying the divine wills, and both sides suffering devastating losses!