As dawn painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson, the sun slowly dipped beneath the horizon, casting a tapestry of vibrant colors across the canyon.
The battle from earlier had shaken the entire valley, and even now, the echoes of its violence had yet to fully fade. In the distance, a thick stench of blood still lingered in the air.
Yet at this moment, Yu Zi Yu felt something unexpected.
Anticipation.
His status screen had undergone a complete overhaul.
Race: Mutant Willow TreeTitle: Tree DemonLife: 0.4/200 YearsEvolution Points: 149(Can be obtained by absorbing unknown energy, refining sunlight, or preying on animals and plants.)
Rank: Tier-1(You have undergone a metamorphosis in the hierarchy of life and evolved into a powerful existence.)
Innate Skill:Superb Regeneration – A terrifying plant-exclusive talent that greatly accelerates recovery. Even fragile parts like branches can regenerate instantly with sufficient internal energy. (Can evolve)
Unique Abilities:• Mutated Branches (50) – Flexible as arms, swift as the wind. (Can evolve)• Mutated Roots (9) – Terrifying roots resembling black pythons, able to strangle anything. (Can evolve)• Life Essence – A spiritual elixir nurtured within the body. It can accelerate the evolution of other species and has strong healing effects.(Caution: Excessive use will damage your own foundation.)
Compared to the beginning, his status screen was now several times richer.
More importantly, his Evolution Points had reached an astonishing 150.
This was enough to advance his strength once again. But that wasn't what thrilled him most.
What truly surprised him was a new discovery:
He could choose his direction of evolution.
He could now select the abilities he wanted—tailor his growth—sharpen specific weapons for the future.
Examples included:
Shroud of Mist (Active) – Releases dense fog capable of covering several kilometers or more, allowing him to hide his presence.
Hallucinogen (Active) – Imbues the mist and branches with hallucinatory effects that can deceive animals and even Humans to a certain degree.
Both abilities were exceptional. Both were perfect for lying low. Without hesitation, he prepared to activate them.
"Yes," Yu Zi Yu replied calmly.
The moment he confirmed, his body trembled violently. A warm current surged through him, followed by a flood of mysterious information in his mind.
So that's how it works?
Excited, he stirred his branches.
Rustle…
Countless leaves trembled as faint mist began to rise. It wasn't dense—more like mountain fog—but it gently wrapped around his trunk like a magical veil.
At the same time, he activated Hallucinogen.
This ability allowed him to distort perception—an unexpected trait for a willow tree, though plants using chemical defenses was nothing new.
Still, the idea of casting illusions felt surreal.
Smiling inwardly, Yu Zi Yu concealed his aura and observed quietly.
Screech!
A Peregrine Falcon that had been feasting alongside the Red Fox suddenly stiffened. Spreading its wings, it scanned its surroundings warily.
The other falcons followed suit. Even the Red Fox paused mid-bite, unease flashing in its eyes.
Their master had vanished.
Tap… tap… tap…
The cautious fox crept forward, its eyes suddenly bursting with red brilliance. A heartbeat later, it let out a joyful cry and lunged.
"Impressive. I didn't expect you to see through my fog."Laughing lightly, Yu Zi Yu used a branch to gently deflect the excited fox and dissolve the hallucinations.
Joyful screeches echoed moments later as the eight falcons swooped down.
Not long after, a soft groan caught Yu Zi Yu's attention.
One of the two women bound by his branches was stirring, the tension fading from her brow.
"She's waking up…" he murmured, a sense of unease and anticipation rising within him.
But first—he had something to test.
Mist swirled around the woman as he directed Hallucinogen toward her. Fog was the perfect medium, and now creating it was effortless—almost automatic, like photosynthesis.
Soon, the dense fog engulfed the canyon and the surrounding mountains.
This sparked an idea.
A terrifying, ambitious idea.
He would strengthen Shroud of Mist and Hallucinogen further…And create the world's first forbidden zone.
The Valley of Mist.
A place where outsiders—Human or beast—were forbidden.A place where trespassers would never return.
If coexistence was impossible, then non-interference would suffice.And if even that failed…
Yu Zi Yu would rally the beasts and ignite a true race war.His existence deserved a foothold.
Of course, the future depended on Humanity's choices.
As for whether Humans would rise in the Era of Transcendents…
He had no doubts.
Intelligence was the sharpest weapon.Human civilization possessed terrifying high-tech tools—bombs that even he couldn't withstand yet. Unless a true champion emerged who could face Humanity head-on, their status as the dominant species would remain unshakable.
Even in the new age.