The atmosphere of the entire Black Stone Plaza was extremely gloomy.
The burning torches around were the only source of light, stretching everyone's shadows to great lengths.
If it were just this, it would be alright.
But the ground of the Black Stone, originally intended as the training ground for the Blood Knight Order, was scribbled with many symbols in blood, twisted and distorted.
These symbols combined together, under the illumination of the torches, emitted a bizarre and eerie atmosphere.
And around.
Were many twisted bodies, both human and Exotic Beast.
These corpses were piled together in clusters, displayed before everyone in a grotesque posture.
Baiyu thought?
This scene in front of him should appear in some alternative art exhibitions.
Because what he saw indeed resembled a work of art.
They were special transplanted plants, likely a special kind of tree.
The corpses were bound to the trees.
Each body was suspended upside down, with blood dripping down, forming a whole with the entire tree.
This...
Baiyu was completely clueless about what kind of strange ritual this was or the effect of handling the corpses this way.
But evidently.
The one performing this ritual must be a Demon with an artistic touch, greatly valuing the sense of ceremony.
"Be careful, I have an uneasy feeling about this place, there must be something else here."
Wulin voiced a reminder.
Just as his words fell, a sudden change occurred.
The surrounding trees suddenly began to close in, grow, and dense branches and leaves formed a green wave, sweeping towards Baiyu and the others.
The corpses on those trees seemed to come alive at that moment, baring their teeth and claws, fiercely biting at everyone.
The world fell into Silence.
Baiyu initially thought that upon encountering such an attack, the two Grandmasters would directly act and instantly break this bizarre Array.
However, reality proved the contrary.
There was no resistance at all; everyone was immediately enveloped and consumed by the green branches and leaves.
Whenever Baiyu had the thought of resistance, a gigantic, emerald-colored ancient tree would appear before his eyes, suppressing such ideas.
This ancient tree stretched endlessly, towering into the clouds, with no sight of where its crown extended.
Its massive trunk stretched beyond sight.
Numerous creatures were active upon the tree, but Baiyu had never seen them before, and each was more bizarre than the most grotesque of mutations.
Baiyu couldn't find the words to describe these things.
No adjective invented by humanity thus far could describe their weirdness.
And when this tree appeared.
All those creatures would turn their gaze towards Baiyu, with hollow eyes reflecting Baiyu's image.
Horrific, terrifying!
This scene could serve as the most terrifying moment in any horror film.
And any normal person seeing it.
Would faint with fear unless they had an exceptionally strong mind.
However.
Faced directly with this scene, Baiyu did not feel any terror or fear, but rather a sense of warmth, comfort, as if returning to the mother's embrace.
Fortunately, at that moment.
The Black Moon, Red Cup, Divine Court, and Light Enlightenment Society marks on his arm grew hot, emanating power.
Baiyu startled awake and pulled himself out of that state.
He looked around, finding himself still in the Black Stone Plaza, yet Jiang Han, Wulin, Grandmaster Long, and Grandmaster Wood were nowhere to be seen.
He was the only one left in the entire Black Stone Plaza.
The flames danced on the walls.
A tremendous sense of loneliness crept up from deep within his heart.
Baiyu knew it was the influence of Extraordinary Power, yet he had no way to handle it; recalling the terrifying scene earlier still left him somewhat frightened, his Spirituality in turmoil.
At least, he needed to calm his emotions to restore normal usage of his Spirituality and expel this feeling.
But.
Before he could recover, a green light suddenly shone from the depths of the darkness.
On the icy, solid black stone ground.
One bright flower after another sprung from the gaps in the stone.
In just a moment.
The place became a sea of flowers, with floral scents everywhere.
The green light drew closer, and Baiyu didn't dare to be careless, staring intently at the light.
There seemed to be a human figure within the green glow.
Due to the intense brightness and the blurriness of the figure itself, Baiyu couldn't see the person's face, gender, or attire.
Ten meters away, the figure halted.
In the silent plaza, a sound of applause echoed.
"Truly worthy of being the successor of Black Moon, it's rare to see someone awaken from the Green Illusion Realm on their own."
The person's voice was gentle, naturally evoking a sense of affection.
Baiyu couldn't discern if it was male or female.
It was too neutral.
It was a completely neutral voice.
"Who are you?"
Baiyu asked instinctively.
"I am the son of the Great Mother, others call me the Green Prince.
As for the human name you prefer.
I have not used such a code for many years.
By the way.
I remember before becoming a successor, others seemed to call me Senpo.
You can call me that too."
The figure shrouded in green light said.
Baiyu silently refrained from replying immediately.
Besides the Named Ones and the Immortal, he now heard a new term, Successor.
The Named Ones were servants, Followers of the Divine Spirit.
Including all sorts of Clan like entities.
The Immortal are the elite among the Named Ones, usually, only those with sufficient power and seniority can serve.
To put it in simple terms.
They are close cronies of the Divine Spirit, the most trusted bunch blessed by the Divine Spirit, granted powers to live eternally.
As for this Successor, Baiyu didn't understand.
"It seems you haven't discovered, you are one of the chosen."
Senpo in the green light said: "Successor, the heir of the Divine Spirit.
You don't yet comprehend how noble this identity is."
Baiyu's heart stirred, he promptly asked: "You say you are the son of the Great Mother; are you in the Red Cup's camp then?"
He had the mark of the Red Cup, considered a peripheral member.
If truly in the same camp.
That might play out as help, like the Butcher last time.
"Red Cup? Hmph, it's merely a despicable thief; I am the son of the Green Mother, the only benevolent mother in the world!"
Senpo's voice showed a bit of emotion.
Baiyu, his hopes dashed, didn't mind.
"Now that you've asked, it's my turn. Let me see how much Black Moon has invested in you."
Senpo didn't explain his intent.
But.
From previous events, it was clear he didn't come with good intentions.
With the words falling, Senpo shot out a beam of green light; Baiyu tried to dodge, but found himself unable to move.
Splush.
The green light entered his body.
Senpo confidently probed, but in the next second, the smile on his face froze.
