AZI Volume 4 Chapter 11

Night falls, and—

"…"

Having observed the work speed of the Ashen River Hall up to this point, while making estimates on how long they would take to empty the oasis's surface, Long Hua eventually settles on a plan.

"Have you made your decision, master?"

"I have."

Despite answering as such, there is still a hint of hesitation in Long Hua's eyes.

"…"

"…?"

Seeing Tian Cheng spreading her arms apart, Long Hua can't help but ask—

"What are you doing?"

"Don't all men feel a bit more motivated after being hugged by a woman, master? I may be a doll, but appearance wise, I'm not too different from a human right now."

...…

Within the dreamscape, the Tai Xuan Emperor looks at the scene with a smug expression on her face.

"Surnamed *, since you clearly have something against my main account, I can only attempt to raise your affection through my alt."

...…

"Maybe after this is all over."

"I see."

Having her vessel lower its arms, the Tai Xuan Emperor says—

(The cultivation of that Lone Dog Incantation, did it result in you being left in an everlasting soft state? Don't you think it'd be best to visit the doctors aft-?)

"Piss off!"

Heaving a sigh, Long Hua turns to Tian Cheng, and says—

"Wait outside, make sure no one disturbs me."

"Understood. Also… What story shall I weave for the others, if they ask?"

At this point, it would be strange if Ye Chen and the others didn't raise a question or two about their relationship, and contemplating this, Long Hua's first thought is to drag someone else's name through the mud with him.

"Tell them…"

...…

"Hey, Yu Ji, what sort of relationship does that surnamed Long have with the maid?"

Towards Ye Chen's question, Yu Ji shrugs her shoulders, and replies—

"She and surnamed Long met while I was out cold, so I only know her as someone who doesn't talk much. I won't know anything about the time after I got separated from them."

"Hmm."

An expression of thought appears on Ye Chen's face after hearing this from Yu Ji, as he remarks—

"They seem awfully close to one another, and surnamed Long—as far as I can tell, he isn't someone who would trust his back to someone random."

"Maybe it's the suspension bridge effect? They did have to deal with the duo in black together."

Towards Li Xue's input, Ye Chen frowns, and says—

"You've been watching too many dramas. That effect can't be that great in real life."

Raising an eye, Li Xue replies—

"Aren't men all supposed to be dreamers?"

"Yeah, in times of leisure, sure, but this is hardly it."

"Why don't you just ask her directly?"

Saying this, Qing Yue gestures at Long Hua's tent, where Tian Cheng has exited out of, and is standing in front of the entrance with her eyes shut.

"Hmm, feels like a breach of privacy."

"The fact that you're this curious about the matter is already considered a breach of privacy. Why stick your nose into some place it doesn't belong?"

In response to Li Xue's question, Ye Chen answers—

"She seems subservient towards surnamed Long, I figured that knowing their relationship might help with narrowing down surnamed Long's identity."

"Being able a hire a maid means he should have come from a rich family, right? But then… How many rich families are there—that are willing to keep a Sinner around, as a family member?"

In response to Li Xue's words, Yu Ji raises a sigh, as she recalled her own family, and mutters—

"Not very many, clearly…"

Glancing at Yu Ji apologetically, for bringing up a sore topic, Li Xue decides to end this conversation, as she says—

"In any case, I'd recommend you just wait for him to come clear on his own. He'll have to eventually, since it will probably be more convenient for him then."

Accepting Li Xue's advice, Ye Chen turns his attention to the Ashen River Hall.

"Meats ready!"

"Bring them over!"

"Along with the beer."

"…"

Looking at the other side—which is having a barbecue, Ye Chen can't help but compare his own meal to theirs. Despite having had five meals earlier, he still feels rather hungry—due to the aftermath effects of Partial-Apotheosis.

Noticing this, Qing Yue says—

"Captain, it's unsightly to look at the other side like that…"

"…I'm heading off to bed."

Having said this, Ye Chen begins to set up his tent. While acting solo, he had his own series of hostile encounters—which resulted in him acquiring a storage pouch.

...…

Inside of his tent, Long Hua has just finished setting up a spirit Qi containment magic array, while also reinforcing the sound containing barrier.

"…"

Seating himself in lotus posture, and staring at his supposed Relic—that takes on the form of twin serpents, Long Hua draws in a deep breath of air.

"…"

Peering into the eyes of these serpents, he can seemingly see an unclear figure staring back at him with a smile of amusement.

(If I can't get rid of this curse, then… Rather than letting it devour me, I'll be the one to devour it.)

Clearing away his last bit of doubt, Long Hua says—

"You asked me if I wanted an evolution, let's begin then."

As the serpents raise a hiss, they move forth, and pierce their poisonous fangs into Long Hua's neck.

...…

Out in the vast voids of space, where celestial bodies are one's sole company—

"…"

The bare-footed man—who is dressed in a black scale-patterned set of robes over a white layer, smiles.

"Then, allow me to bear witness to whether or not you are capable of such a feat, my masterpiece."

Raising his right hand, the man—

*Pah!* snaps his fingers.

And rather quickly, the soundwave created by this snap covers more than a thousand kilometers of distance until it eventually reaches Long Hua's ears.

"I should prepare for my masterpiece a proper testing ground, so that it may tame its new fangs and claws."