"That was delicious," said God Tuzwu, smacking his lips as he savored the taste.
His appearance changed drastically, no longer resembling a transcendent Divine Inquisitor. His hair turned a bright red, almost like strands of blood floating in the wind.
The laws created from the blood and lives of innocents stretched behind him, forming something akin to a gigantic demonic tail. The Yin of death and the karma around him twisted sinisterly, so dense that everyone could see them clearly.
The smell of blood was so strong that some of the younger people started vomiting, even from a distance. The stench was thick enough to materialize into a bloody halo.
Tuzwu’s new appearance, combined with his terrible deeds, completely shattered his image and reputation. Because of this, many shuddered just looking at him.
Although Kakarotto was authoritarian and ruthless, he always acted openly, with a presence that inspired respect. But this legendary figure they once admired had revealed himself as a heartless villain, with no compassion for the lives of others.
All eyes turned to Kakarotto. Everyone expected him to be the one to put an end to this villain.
At that moment, everyone in the empire who once disliked Kakarotto—perhaps because he had killed members of their clans or because they believed the slander against him—now clenched their fists in anticipation. Both young and old wished to see Tuzwu’s death.
God Tuzwu’s actions had incited the crowd’s fury and could only be described as evil. Only a depraved being would do something like that. If he was capable of destroying his own sect, what would stop him from devouring all the empires to grow stronger? All cultivators felt threatened by that monster.
And that’s why Kakarotto became the last bastion of hope. He was the only one who could bring peace to their minds.
"Please, destroy that monster for the good of the Empire," someone murmured, clasping their hands in prayer. In truth, most of the crowd was doing the same, though they didn’t dare to say it openly out of fear.
Kakarotto, on the other hand, remained standing coldly, with both hands behind his back. No one could read his thoughts.
"Great King Kakarotto, I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds by destroying the sect in your place. I can prove that I was hibernating and didn’t order them to attack you, so please, don’t blame me." God Tuzwu spoke humbly. There was no sign of the anger from before as he tried to gain favor.
The crowd hated this new development, as a truce now seemed possible. Kakarotto might choose not to fight Tuzwu, since the two didn’t have a deep rivalry.
"I don’t need anyone to help me handle my affairs. But it seems you and Vulke plotted together. Now you dare to steal something that’s mine? You’re bold," Kakarotto said slowly.
"I humbly apologize for my disciple’s mistake. He was blind to dare disrespect you. Please, show mercy." God Tuzwu quickly bowed. "I’ll be frank, I planned to claim the three sacred treasures after advancing and stabilizing myself. My disciple was rash when he saw you take the golden box."
"So, there are three of them…" Kakarotto muttered, amused by what he had just heard.
God Tuzwu spoke softly: "Yes, sir. I’ll return what’s rightfully yours, and I’ll personally give you another treasure. I only wish to keep one of the three, if that’s not asking too much."
Everyone could see that God Tuzwu was terrified of Kakarotto, hence his submissive attitude. The spectators were desperate, knowing it wouldn’t be surprising if Kakarotto accepted the offer; anyone in his place would choose that option, as it wasn’t worth the risk of fighting a Divine Inquisitor.
"Hmm… so this whole scheme was orchestrated for the sect to end up confronting Vulke’s heir. Mermeon and Vulke would assist from the shadows, and in the end, you’d be awakened to devour them," Kakarotto said with a cryptic smile.
"Correct. My disciple needed to find someone talented and special to fake his death. That way, chaos would sweep through the empire, and eventually, the clans would contact my sect to overthrow the king. His safety was guaranteed. Vulke worked on this and created a cultivator who would help his heir and prevent him from dying."
Alm and Bruno nodded in agreement. It became clear that the Lord of the Wind helping him escape that time had been part of the plan, even though the Lord of the Wind himself didn’t know he was being manipulated.
The crowd grew more and more astonished by the revelations, especially the members of powerful clans. Some survivors knew their clans had connections with sects from neighboring empires. Indeed, if a new king wasn’t established, they would seek external support.
Everyone sighed. Vulke had done everything perfectly, except for choosing someone like Kakarotto, a favored one of the heavens, as his heir.
"So…" Kakarotto spoke, rubbing his chin. "The reason Vulke lived so long and became so powerful is because he uses this technique? That means he’ll eventually show his claws, won’t he?"
"The brat is, indeed, talented. I gave him my technique, but he altered the law of the rune by himself. He did so knowing he’d have to fight to stabilize his empire, and he killed everyone he could, taking their life forces for himself," God Tuzwu responded calmly.
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"I have nothing to do with that, but he’s still my disciple. Now that I’ve become a complete Divine Inquisitor, I’ll take him with me to the Divine Planet. He’ll have the chance to break through there, and I guarantee he won’t cause you any more trouble."
"So, there really is a planet above all," Kakarotto said, confirming the rumors Maelik had mentioned earlier. "But he had a daughter at that same level before. Why didn’t she take him, if that was possible?"
God Tuzwu couldn’t answer since he had been in hibernation. So, he turned to Vulke and Mermeon, who were standing at a distance.
Vulke let out a heavy sigh: "That child... she’s my daughter... but we’re more like natural enemies than family. She tried to kill me a few times, and I paid her back. Long story short: she always said she was waiting for someone and wouldn’t help me. So, she just advanced and left to find that person on the Divine Planet."
"Of course, I always thought it was nonsense. But when Mermeon found Kakarotto, who came out of nowhere, even he felt a massive threat coming from the kid. That’s when I started to think that maybe the person she was waiting for could be him." Vulke looked Kakarotto directly in the eyes, seriously. "Now I’m sure, you’re not normal. Who are you?"
Vulke’s words shocked everyone around. They’d all heard of Jiuke, King Vulke’s daughter, but they never knew they hated each other, let alone that she was waiting for someone.
"Shut up, brat! You have no right to demand answers; everyone’s got their secrets," roared God Tuzwu before turning back to Kakarotto and bowing. "Forgive his rudeness, sir. If you have no further questions, I’ll be leaving with him now. We won’t take any more of your valuable time."
Alm and Bruno exchanged worried glances. One of their allies had become a Divine Inquisitor. Since Ruri hadn’t reached that level yet, they began to wonder if the others might not have made it either. But what if several of them had, and now they were completely under the Queen’s control? What if their memories had been read, revealing everything about the whale?
Seeing Kakarotto’s cold expression, everyone started to sweat nervously. What if God Tuzwu had more disciples? What if he had left his sinister technique somewhere? The future seemed uncertain, and no one felt safe.
After two seconds of silence, Kakarotto sighed and said, "Don’t leave just yet."
"You have more wisdom to share with me?" God Tuzwu asked humbly.
"One villain recognizes another. Your schemes are too obvious, not because you’re flawed, but because you treat other lives as beneath you, without giving them the respect they deserve. Thinking you’re above the world makes any plan from someone as bloodthirsty as you too predictable. As for me... I’m no saint, and I’ve done things that make your actions look childish in comparison. But... if I let you leave alive, my wife will be disappointed. So attack before I take away that chance from you," Alm said dryly, with Bruno snorting in approval.
Ruri took on her human form and stood beside Kakarotto, her gaze fierce. Even though Alm would never admit it, he clearly wanted to end God Tuzwu, and Ruri was there to support him in his pretense.
God Tuzwu’s expression changed drastically. "You’re joking, sir. You’re heaven’s chosen one, untouchable supreme. You must know the difference between you and the weak. I did all of this without stealing from anyone; I built the sect and then claimed it."
"That doesn’t matter. Everyone has feelings, family, and hope; they deserve to live. No one is born invincible. They were weak, but they could have reached the peak if given time. You’re just an opportunist," Kakarotto said coldly. "I’ve decided to kill you, so no amount of begging matters. Make your move."
"Yes!" Some in the crowd cheered, relieved to see that a truce wouldn’t happen and that Kakarotto was set on killing God Tuzwu. Many now viewed him as a savior because of his decision.
God Tuzwu stepped back and gave a bitter smile. "Sir, there’s no animosity between us. Why fight? If you’re upset about something, I’ll apologize and give you gifts until you’re satisfied."
"Forget about running now," Kakarotto smiled darkly. "I’m not killing you to be some kind of savior or hero. In my wife’s eyes, you deserve death, so I want to kill you now. No need for any other reason."
Ruri looked at him coldly, backing up Alm’s excuse. But inside, she smiled, finding it adorable, knowing Alm wanted to do this for himself.
God Tuzwu glanced at Ruri standing next to Kakarotto and snorted dryly. The crowd eagerly awaited his response. He let out a heavy sigh before his aura became chaotic and violent.
"Your arrogance has blinded you, boy. Now I fully control my power. I didn’t want trouble since I achieved my goal, but if that’s how it is..."