Bai Tian felt a surge of emotion. This was the effect he desired: cunning and immensely talented, the ability to transform living beings, and a certain degree of obedience.
How could a normal creature exhibit such rapid growth?
Despite consuming precious materials, he profited immensely from Mark alone.
As for aiding Mark's growth, it proved challenging for him as a creator. After all, Mark was already a typical creature. Without the backdoor he had left open, the white epidemic could have spiraled out of control, much like Fiya.
The path to legend is arduous. Mark's current approach requires him to frequently change hosts to gradually ascend the legendary ranks.
Perhaps after thousands of hosts, he could transcend to a taboo level and wield god-like power.
However, this would be a long journey.
There are only two ways to expedite this process: First, completing the original source. If the white epidemic returns all extracted energy to Mark, he would achieve completion, unlocking greater possibilities.
Second, creating many brothers and sisters for him.
Silkworms tend to spy on one another. When two or more silkworms emerge in the same realm, they instinctively seek to consume each other to enhance their own abilities.
Just like raising a demon, utilizing his extraordinary potential to elect and evolve a decoy king with superior strength.
The white epidemic had promised Mark potential for advancement. Brothers and sisters could continue to cause disruptions in the abyss.
The power of silkworms need not be constrained; aligned with their characteristics, they will ultimately remain in their respective worlds.
When the abyss's movements draw the attention of the Lord of the Divine Abyss, a new silkworm will emerge.
The white epidemic sensed that Mark would soon attract the attention of these beings.
But that posed no issue; they were inherently expendable.
If any consumable could reach the taboo level, it would be true blood money.
With these thoughts, Bai Yi happily placed a molded incense before his nose, inhaling deeply before setting it down to add more ingredients.
Before long, prompted by the panel, the white epidemic exited the laboratory.
He needed to locate that spectacle, and pulling it would require Mark's assistance. Mark was currently being pursued, surrounded by numerous abyss lords.
If the abyss channel could be briefly opened, some abyss creatures that couldn't enter Hia might come through, allowing the legends there to exert summoning power.
As long as the summoning power manifested, the soul of the saint could forcibly draw that thing into the abyss channel.
The space fluctuated and shimmered as the white epidemic swiftly navigated eastward through the subspace.
Such a vicious spectacle was usually rife with chaos. With the current strength of his soul, the white epidemic could appear once every 3,000 kilometers, enabling him to sense the entirety of this continent without blind spots.
Thanks to the spatial skills bestowed by Jiansheng and Yuan Tang, the white epidemic could now traverse up to 5,000 kilometers, albeit at the cost of some skill points.
As he continued to travel, the distance between the white epidemic and Dongwu City rapidly increased.
When the gap stretched to over 300,000 kilometers, an unsettling premonition gripped Bai Yi, as if some force were watching him.
He scanned his surroundings. This was a barren wasteland, easily visible to the horizon, where small settlements established by intelligent creatures dotted the landscape.
After a moment's contemplation, Bai Yi chose to disregard the sensation of being spied upon and continued his journey through the space.
Mountains and rivers rushed past as the white epidemic distanced himself from Tobu City, swiftly entering an area untouched except by legends.
Buzz~
The metamorphic areas began to stir. These areas had not participated in the conflict of Dongwu City, and four or five lords had achieved legendary status, with many more at the gold level.
However, the white epidemic paid them no mind, pressing onward to a more remote region. As he approached 700,000 kilometers from Dongwu City, he neared the ocean, where legendary mutant lords were on the verge of breaking into double digits.
When the white epidemic shuttled another 3,000 kilometers, hum~
A green glow suddenly erupted around him.
Touch~
A sound reverberated at the soul level.
A figure with a green, translucent body and a ferocious visage struck fiercely against him, only to be repelled by his spiritual defense shield, crashing to the ground.
The spiritual shield was a defense mechanism for spiritual transformation. While it offered no protection against curses or poison, it effectively countered spiritual assaults.
Bai Yi remained silent. "Underworld?"
"How is this possible?" The legendary ghost's eyes were wide with disbelief as he stared at this race, astonished that its parasitic life had been thwarted.
After a brief silence, Bai Yi grinned. "My two 'friends' really excel at gift-giving."
The ghost felt a wave of dread wash over him, as if his green body instinctively wanted to flee.
Mental Stagnation!
Buzz~
With a holy spirit level of 140 points, the activation of mental stagnation was formidable.
The third-order legendary ghost froze instantly, unable to move.
The thin tendrils of Bai Yi's soul began to extend toward the ghost, enveloping it in a terrifying mental grip.
Fear filled the ghost's eyes, but as a third-order legend, its attribute points typically hovered around 900.
In contrast, the holy spirit of the white epidemic, when measured by ordinary standards, reached an astonishing 1,400. The disparity of over 30 points would crush its defenses.
Now the gap was 500—what could it do?
Even if Puson or Charles were present, they would be overwhelmed by the white epidemic's tremendous spiritual power.
As the roots of the soul slowly wrapped around the ghost's body, it was gradually drawn toward the white epidemic.
The pace was neither fast nor slow, but the third-order legend felt a profound fear of death.
It had never anticipated that this race, merely a golden top, could suppress a third-order legend so effortlessly.
[Tell me your purpose.]
Bai Yi's eyes gradually turned white, the mark of a saint beginning to swirl within them.
[Name: Soul Comfort.]
Attribute: Active Skill · Saint.
Effect: The power of the soul can eliminate all negative emotions, instilling a sense of warmth.
Usage Requirements: Spirit 300+
Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Introduction: Peace is precious; sometimes, violence isn't necessary. — Marty Radner.
Buzz~
As the white light in the white epidemic's eyes intensified, the fear in the third-order legend's gaze swiftly gave way to calm.
[Ancient God.]
A faint fluctuation of the soul emerged, answering Bai Yi's inquiry. The brilliance in Bai Yi's eyes surged as his formidable soul roots began to invade the ghost's mind.
Following this fluctuation, he penetrated its consciousness.
Buzz~
The mark of the saint in the white epidemic's eyes spun faster and faster.
As the terrifying soul power continued to manifest, the final effect of [Soul Comfort] activated. The third-level legend, who once required a mechanical trial, lost itself temporarily.
Mental stagnation dissipated.
Soul roots recycled.
The mark of the saint in Bai Yi's eyes faded.
"Who sent you? How long have you been here?" Bai Yi inquired with a smile.
This was the power of the saint. At level 74, he forcibly erased the consciousness of the third-order legend, demonstrating the essence of the soul comfort skill.
Peace is invaluable, but to foster peace among others, one must first crush their power.
"Wang, one year. Ancient God Power Exchange Channel."
The voice was dull and disembodied, its tone fragmented, as if struggling to articulate its thoughts.
Bai Yi smiled gently, his tone reminiscent of a caring older brother. "Don't rush. Speak slowly. Let's discuss the power and faith of the ancient god first."
As he spoke, he retrieved an instrument from the demon dimension, reaching out to grasp the ghost's green, ethereal body and placing it beneath the device.
"There is an ancient god who traded to eliminate you, acquiring divine power and opening the channel to Hia."
The ghost's face twisted in pain, as if wrestling with an internal struggle.
Bai Yi's eyes narrowed in assessment.
"It's alright. It's not betrayal; the ancient god cannot enter Hia. Tell me, where is the channel?"
"It's hidden beneath the sea. No one can discover it. We must wait for it to open to consume the Dawn Federation."
As he spoke, the ghost's expression grew increasingly pained. Bai Yi manipulated the instrument, and the mark of the saint in his eyes reappeared.
Soul Comfort!
"Relax, it may sting a bit, but it's all for the underworld's sake. Just bear with it."
Bai Yi's voice was soothing, and the legendary ghost's expression began to ease.
But with the instrument buzzing, the ghost suddenly opened its eyes, meeting the gaze of the white epidemic filled with the mark of the saint.
Anger, confusion, peace, pain—all these emotions flickered across the face of the third-order legend.
Yet, the nearly 500-point disparity in mental power was too vast for it to break free from this consciousness, even as the white epidemic extracted its essence!
Once the attributes of the saint are unrestrained, with every level gained and each growth spurt, his stats would vastly outstrip others.
Thus, although the white epidemic stood atop the gold tier, anyone who regarded him as merely a golden being was signing their own death warrant.
As the ghost's breath grew shallower, the pain and anger in its eyes diminished, replaced by confusion. Its thoughts dwindled to: it hurts, but it's so peaceful. The world is beautiful; it's better not to struggle.
"That's how you are. It's natural to feel weak. Can you tell me about the current underworld?" Bai Yi took a vial filled with underworld energy from the instrument and tossed it into the demon dimension. He extended a hand as magical energy began to form alchemical engravings one by one.
"The theme of the underworld is always war against outsiders."
Bai Yi said gently, "You must be tired, right?"
"Yes, I'm so tired."
"Then take a rest."
"Take a rest? Is that alright?"
"Of course. Don't feel burdened. Go to sleep."
"I'll sleep well."
Buzz~
As the white epidemic murmured, the third-order legend gradually relinquished any resistance, slowly dissipating like a fading soul.
[You killed the third-order legendary ghost. Experience gained: +800,000. Skill points: +5. Attribute points: +5. Additional experience: +800,000.]
At that moment, as the panel chimed, the white epidemic placed two vials of green underworld energy into the demon dimension.
He felt a wave of emotion. This was the first time he had gathered such valuable energy.
The power of the saint was indeed formidable. To bring peace, one could truly render others oblivious—even to the point of being drained to death.
This wave of energy extraction might allow the 2.0 silkworm life to surpass Mark.
However, the white epidemic refrained from immediate production. While crafting miniature machinery, the opportunity for the saint's mark to enter the saint's tomb had refreshed.
Now, he needed to expedite the development of the forbidden area, allowing Luo Ning to predict that the inheritance of the saint encapsulated the essence of the bright side.
The more inheritance he accumulated, regardless of its effectiveness, would yield great improvements.
He glanced eastward, suddenly frowning. Black eyes!
Buzz~
A surge of immense spiritual power erupted, spreading wildly.
Quickly, he raised a hand, and a worker bee darted out from the demon dimension.
The massive Barrett was effortlessly lifted and aimed at a specific point.
Accumulate the Soul!
Buzz~
Behind Bai Yi, a figure identical to him emerged, raising its weapon and aiming ahead.
"Hiss~"
The sound of a sharp intake of breath echoed.
Without hesitation, Bai Yi pulled the trigger decisively.
Simultaneously, the tremendous spiritual power detonated before him, fracturing parts of the space and revealing a creature within.
Boom!
Buzz~
The accumulated soul and Barrett's latest bullets struck in unison, obliterating the creature from the spiritual realm to the physical.
[You killed the Abyss Doll × 1.]
"What a shame," Bai Yi murmured.
It was so close; a common life or that evil cat might have perished.
The soul explosion from his 140-point holy spirit, combined with the current Barrett, propelled the white epidemic forward, ready to use the abandoned domain to erase Puson from existence.
Unfortunately, that entity fled too swiftly.
However, with the self-repair of the damaged space, what the white epidemic sought began to materialize.
The previously normal space gradually darkened.
An area of about 1,000 meters slowly drifted toward the white epidemic.
He gazed with an inscrutable expression. Was he about to be ambushed?
Had the ghost thwarted Puson's ambush?
No, it was the ghost that had drawn the attention of the white epidemic, leading to this moment of oversight.
That sensation of being watched was not emitted by the ghost but was universal.
Bai Yi breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, he was not alone in his growth; he was simply the highest. Given the chance, these two would inevitably perish.
Perhaps he could temporarily set aside the sea clan's appearance and eliminate Puson first? That old trickster was becoming increasingly cunning.
With these thoughts, the white epidemic began to summon Mark.
End of Chapter