Suppressing his growing desire for a Level 9 ability, Yu Zi Yu narrowed his gaze at the two women nearby, who were slowly regaining consciousness.
"What a pity."As his words fell, an inexplicable force enveloped them.
A moment later, their bodies trembled slightly, as if resisting.
"It's useless."Laughing softly, Yu Zi Yu waved a branch. Moments later, a Peregrine Falcon descended from the sky.
"Don't disappoint me, Fal I."His gentle branch brushed the raptor's head. Through the mist, he used his strengthened mental influence — this was the first time he gave a direct command to the largest of the Peregrine Falcons.
Fal I… not a bad name. The others will be Fal II, Fal III… simple, straightforward. I like it.Yu Zi Yu couldn't help but laugh inwardly.I wonder… once they gain true intelligence, will they blame me for giving them such stupid names?
At the canyon's exit…
Two raggedly dressed girls staggered out of the mist, supporting each other.
"Sis… what happened?"He Ling Er clutched her aching head. Fragmented flashes of memory flickered in her mind like broken glass.
"It looks like… we fell off a cliff. Luckily, we didn't die."He Qing Er rubbed her temples. Something was wrong — she felt she had witnessed something unbelievable. Something her mind refused to grasp.
But this wasn't the time to think about it.
Taking her sister's hand, she whispered, "Let's go back first. These… fragments in my head aren't giving me a good feeling."
"Mm…"He Ling Er nodded, tightening her torn clothes that barely concealed her curves, and followed her sister down the mountain path.
High above them, hidden among dense clouds, a Peregrine Falcon circled silently.
Screech!Its sharp cry echoed faintly. Its cold eyes remained locked on the sisters below.
Midnight – The Village
At the foot of the mountain, an old man stood outside his home, staring into the dark wilderness with deep worry etched across his face.
"Haaaa…"The Village Chief set down his smoking pipe and sighed helplessly.
"How many times have I told those girls not to go deep into the mountains!? Why don't they ever listen?"
Old Li beside him slapped his thigh in frustration."I swear, I don't know what's wrong with them! With the way things are now… A few days ago, I saw a green snake as thick as a millstone. Scared me half to death! I wouldn't go near those mountains again. Yet those girls keep wandering deeper!"
"They still haven't come back… I fear something terrible has happened…"Another elder added anxiously.
"Should we… call the police?" someone suggested cautiously.
"Call the police?"The Village Chief took a long drag from his pipe. He hesitated, his face growing grim. Finally, he exhaled deeply.
"I suppose… we—"
Before he could finish, an excited shout erupted from the distance:
"Village Chief! They're back! The girls are back!"
"What!?"The Village Chief shot up from his chair, pushing through the crowd and rushing toward the village entrance.
At the village entrance…
Two figures emerged from the darkness, limping and leaning on each other.
Before they reached the crowd, their voices rang out:
"Grandpa! We're back!"
"That's good… that's good…"He lifted his hand toward them, relief washing over his face.
But then—
Screech!A sharp cry split the night. A black shadow flashed across the sky.
A Peregrine Falcon.Its wingspan stretched nearly two meters.
In its talons, it carried a thick green snake — except its body was ink-black.
A Mutant Green Snake.
Its venom was so potent that even Yu Zi Yu treated it with caution.
Now, the falcon loosened its grip.
The snake fell silently into the darkness below, like a severed kite.
A few seconds later…
"Ahhh—!"
"No—!"
Two screams pierced the night.
The villagers watched in horror as the girls collapsed mid-path.
"My angels!"The Village Chief dropped his pipe and ran toward them, followed by a dozen villagers.
Back in the mountains…
"This should be foolproof, right?"Yu Zi Yu gazed at the night sky and sighed faintly.
He had gone to considerable lengths to eliminate these two threats without raising suspicion.
He used Hallucinogen to alter their memories temporarily. For several days, they would be unable to recall anything about him. Even if questioned, they wouldn't mention him.
Then, he instructed Fal I to carry the Mutant Green Snake and await the perfect moment. When the girls encountered other humans… the raptor would drop the snake.
The mutated serpent would become the true instrument of their deaths.
Whether it escaped afterward or was killed by the enraged villagers didn't matter.
Everyone saw the same thing:
A Mutant Green Snake attacked the girls.
No one would suspect a willow tree.
It was the perfect crime.
To ensure the snake targeted them, Yu Zi Yu even smeared a small amount of his Life Essence on their bodies.
With such temptation nearby, the snake naturally lunged at them the instant it landed.
By the time a night passed, the Life Essence would fade completely — leaving no trace.
Yu Zi Yu smiled slightly, pleased with his own caution.