The chilly, dark forest.
A figure wrapped tightly in a gray robe darted swiftly.
What am I to do? The great master has been driven away and is even being targeted by a Forbidden One. I’m desperate for answers...
Bishop Ian was panicking.
He didn’t believe the Master of Grey Mist had been devoured by a Forbidden One. Instead, he thought his master was severely weakened and banished to another world, or had perhaps even returned to the embrace of the River of Chaos.
However, the forest rustled, the sound as urgent as a beaten drum. Threads of gray mist swirled, and whispers rose from the grass, branches, and soil, carrying the call of the Evil Gods.
He saw the familiar gray mist. If his Golden Power hadn’t been extracted and his connection to his master severed, he would have thought this was the Master of Grey Mist descending.
A shroud of gray mist descended as if a large quantity of lime had been dumped. It engulfed the forest around Ian, blocking external detection.
Ian halted, staring at the looming shadow emerging from the gray mist, his body tensing, his scalp feeling as if it might split.
The Forbidden One had come!
This formidable Forbidden One had banished his master and devoured the Divine Eye!
Ever since the bloodmoon calamity began, this Forbidden One had orchestrated events. They drew the Gray Mist Sect, the Life Sect, and the Federation Military into their game, achieving some unspeakable plan.
Perhaps, these calculated schemes were merely their routine sustenance.
Being targeted by a Forbidden One, in the face of absolute power, the weak could only beg for a sliver of mercy lingering from the long passage of time.
A figure in a dark robe concealed Chu Yi’s presence.
He advanced slowly, mimicking the Master of Grey Mist. His voice carried a high-radiation pollution that caused the entire forest to twist.
The gray mist was ubiquitous, blocking everything. Under its cover, he could also lead cultists on a hunt—truly a divine artifact for murder and arson.
Moreover, by holding part of the Authority of the Master of Grey Mist, he could sense Gray Mist Cultists within a certain range.
They were as small as fireflies, and he could listen to the prayers of some cultists.
And Ian, as an Archbishop, still retained some Golden Power. He shone like a light bulb in the night sky.
Chu Yi had almost been watching a big light bulb, swaying and wriggling ahead like a worm.
"Great Lord, please forgive my unintentional offense."
Ian lowered his head, speaking respectfully.
Since this lord hadn’t killed him, it indicated there was still room for negotiation.
No, it meant he had value to be used.
"Ian has been too arrogant! Please, Master, allow me to challenge him one-on-one!"
A gray-robed figure flashed out, respectfully kneeling in Chu Yi’s direction, eyes filled with frenzy.
This was a chance to advance to a formal bishop! Eliminate Ian, perform well before the master, and seize the bishop’s place!
What? Ian was stunned. He looked at the frenzied Asa with an expression of disbelief.
This Forbidden One had not destroyed the Gray Mist Sect but rather... annexed it, masquerading as his master?
But, since the Forbidden One didn’t speak, Ian dared not voice his thoughts.
He was afraid that one careless move might provoke the Forbidden One’s discontent and bring a catastrophe upon himself.
From within the mist, Chu Yi’s voice, like the sound of creeping insects, granted Asa’s request.
He understood causality. Ian was a century-old bishop with a series of life-preserving trump cards; he was quite cunning.
The reason he had managed to deal with two Evil Gods was due to the Deceit Beast evolving—it devoured one and sealed the other.
"Traitor, where do you think you’re going!"
A loud shout, like rolling thunder, reverberated through the gray mist, shaking Ian’s eardrums.
Immediately after, a thick, purple tentacle burst from the ground. It became frenzied, swinging wildly.
It moved as swiftly as lightning, giving Ian no chance to react.
Ian stepped back, dodging Asa’s attack, which was full of openings, and pondered internally.
A duel? Could it be that this Forbidden One, after completing his plan, is seeking some entertainment?
Perhaps, in the eyes of this Forbidden One, he and Asa are just two small worms, weaklings pecking at each other.
The victor could receive a reward casually bestowed by the master.
Ian’s gaze flickered. As an experienced bishop, he understood at once.
His body squirmed. His skin seemed to deflate, his human hide cracking as a frenzied aura billowed out, emitting threads of gray gas.
Upon closer inspection, this gas was composed of tiny insects, flapping their wings in flight.
At that moment, the Doomsday Clock crashed into the center of their conflict. A mass of Twilight Light radiated through the space, plunging it into the time-stop of the Golden Domain.
The gray-white mist began to roll back. Beneath it, a shadow, now close to Ian, swiftly tore away its disguise.
Scarlet flesh twisted insanely, engulfing the gray-white mist formed by the swarm of insects.
Authority of Flesh and Blood—devour!
The legacies of the two Evil Gods were masterfully utilized by Chu Yi.
Moments later, time began to flow again, and Ian emitted a silent wail.
This act of devouring encompassed not only his body but also his soul. All of it was converted into nourishment for the Deceit Beast.
Although Ian misunderstood Chu Yi’s relationship with the Forbidden One, Chu Yi had intended to eliminate him ever since Ian glimpsed the secret of the Ghost Hand. This intention had grown stronger by the day.
Ian was a cunning old schemer, a bishop who had lived for decades, perhaps even a century. Chu Yi didn’t trust him. Only the dead could keep secrets.