Chapter 1088: Chapter 57: Cake-Like Lu Li
The edge of the dim underground world is shrouded in mist illuminated by the oil lamp, as tiny elevators crawl along the roots of the World Tree.
Descending into the swamp, Lu Li follows the leisurely Professor Chris, departing from the safety zone around the roots and stepping onto the path between the swamps.
This swamp has nothing to do with gloom; the tranquil mire, resembling butter mixed in, presents a brown-yellow hue, with sparse dead forests scattered around.
The faint glow of outlines beside him dispels the surrounding dangers. Beyond her identity as an Alchemist, Professor Chris is also an excellent Mystic Power Holder.
Nearing two miles from the safety zone, a wooden hut appears at the edge of the swamp.
After passing remnants of tree roots felled nearby, Lu Li and Professor Chris approach the simple wooden hut. Noticing their arrival, the figure inside the hut dons a cloak to welcome the guests.
Cain is among them. These holders have similar temperaments. Paranoia, thinness, an undeniable aura engulfing them, and a hope born from the depths of their souls.
One of the figures lightly bows: "I, Feroz Graham Rode, implore the Exorcist’s assistance."
"Revealing one’s true name signifies absolute trust," Professor Chris gently teaches: "Darling, would you like to know my true name?"
"I know the true names of many, including strangers," Lu Li replies.
"They may trust you; they may hide or alter parts of their names, or they may be insignificant enough to avoid being cursed by the Weirdness... If you’re talking about the Lins Family’s little ones, Bloodline Families will hide crucial middle names, just as you only say your name is Lu Li."
But Lu Li is truly just Lu Li.
Feroz Graham Rode’s lead encourages other holders to follow, or they might have agreed in advance to place enough trust in Lu Li, and they gradually reveal their true names.
A power centered around Lu Li is taking shape.
With all seven holders revealing their true names, Cain respectfully asks, "His Excellency Lu Li, would you prefer the appetizer before the main course?"
"Start with other anomalies first."
Following Cain and the holders, they bypass the simple wooden hut and reach the nearby enclosure.
The anomalies caught by the holders are discarded in the enclosure, mixed with mud, barely alive, and their repugnant aura intermingles.
"His Excellency Lu Li, does using the Homogeneous Item affect plundering humanity?" The older Silver Cross·Sloan, whom Lu Li had seen in books, raises a crossbow with an ominous vertical pupil and asks. After receiving a positive response, he offers it.
This silver crossbow is similarly renowned.
"Wherever you aim, it will shoot."
Lu Li picks up the crossbow and targets the nearest anomaly in the enclosure, pulling the trigger.
A silver glow shoots out, and the dying anomaly indisputably loses breath, a trace of humanity surging into Lu Li’s body.
A new arrow emerges spontaneously, waiting for Lu Li to pull the trigger a second time.
It’s a bloody massacre. It has nothing to do with cruelty; it concerns revenge.
Fourteen anomalies. Besides the prey brought by the holders from outside, a few were captured from the swamp, so Lu Li encountered nothing upon arrival.
Though merely an "appetizer," it still provides Lu Li with the equivalent of two servings of humanity—obtained without amplification from the Doomsday Apocalypse.
Before heading to the main course, Lu Li disperses the two servings of humanity among the holders, retaining only the amplified portion.
The absence of humanity leaves the holders like seven dangerous and hateful Weird Leaders, perpetually emitting an aura of dread and hatred.
Although Lu Li’s supplement can’t fully restore the holders, whose humanity is less than half, the curse aura hated by the world covering them vanishes.
Professor Chris and the holders make this one of the safest places. Amidst it, Lu Li sees the gift prepared by the holders—cocoons a few hundred meters away from the hut.
The cocoons are still alive, slowly pulsating, as if they could hatch at any moment.
"That’s my bound power," Mildred Hampri, former combat skills class professor at the Giant Tree Academy, whispers. "Web Representative."
An ability to control others’ behavior, the cursed title becomes tangible as a holder.
The Evil God they’ve captured is within the cocoon.
Auro Shelotto Qi Papa approaches the cocoon, casting seemingly futile verbal curses—not the power of a cursed title, but the foul words ability from the Divination Department: Whatever is spoken becomes true.
The power and defenses of the bound Evil God are weakened, allowing Lu Li to harvest.
A stream of silver arrows pierces the cocoon, a soul-shaking tide pouring out through the hole, like a sharp shriek. But in the presence of restored holders, the Evil God can do nothing.
The ninth silver arrow flows into the cocoon, granting Lu Li his harvest of the journey—abundant humanity surging into his body.
They seem to witness a sapling grow strong, branches stretching and green leaves extending, forming a towering tree, its shade sheltering everyone.
The once foul soil exudes fragrance, warm sunlight pearl-like spilling through the treetop.
Professor Chris’s large shadow cuddles beside Lu Li, as if pulling him into a embrace.
"Seventeen servings."
This is the true humanity Lu Li can use. After amplification by the Doomsday Apocalypse... thirty-four servings.
Thus, even the holders are momentarily entranced by Lu Li’s transformation.
"Still less than expected," Professor Chris says calmly.
An Evil God should yield more humanity.
"Few followers remain, little power left," Auro Shelotto Qi Papa answers.
The dead Evil God wrapped in the cocoon pollutes the land, and Simon Wood, bestowed the legendary Hunter title, mitigates the pollution.
Lu Li concurrently returns humanity, and unanimously, the holders reject more.
"Recognizing the value of humanity, witnessing the horror abyss, the restored humanity suffices for our prolonged use, while you need it more."
"I have no use for it."
Besides forming resistance against pollution, Lu Li hasn’t yet grasped how to use humanity.
"You don’t understand what your strength symbolizes..." Silver Cross·Sloan says with longing, "Holders no longer as ’Cursed Gifts’ could even counterattack and reclaim lost territories."
And everyone knows the answer they don’t discuss: the final form Lu Li will evolve into by accumulating humanity.
A deity that doesn’t need belief?
Compared to these, the side effect of Lu Li becoming "temptingly attractive" seems negligible.
"As long as you don’t go to the surface and old sewers, darling will be fine," Professor Chris says.
Silver Cross·Sloan expresses equal respect: "With your assurance, I’m relieved."
These holders who once walked in darkness, losing glory, eagerly invite Lu Li to stay. They’ll go hunting for more "food," but Lu Li has other matters.
They have to settle for Lu Li visiting the swamp hut weekly to harvest humanity.
And to bring more abandoned old friends—