Jiang Yan had just wanted to ask what this thing was for and why it had appeared here, but a strange and inexplicable sense of dread pulled his gaze back to the sky that was still collapsing. He saw that as the players poured in their strength, the golden web grew far tougher, yet the collapse of the dungeon remained irreversible, and chunks of data glowing a ghostly blue continued to fall from the sky. As more and larger data blocks fell, the golden web holding up the sky gradually tightened. The threads, under extreme pressure, grew thinner and thinner, lighter and lighter in color. It was clear it was reaching its limit. “No…” Jiang Yan instinctively looked toward the [Divine System] on his personal system panel. It was a primal instinct embedded in his DNA, prompting him to draw on the players’ power of belief. At this moment, the players floating beneath the golden web were arguing in the flurry of falling rose petals about why Jiang Yan, who should have already become par...
Ten minutes later, Mo Tuo appeared, dragging a massive sheep back to Gu Zhan's side.
Irritated, he piled up some nearby wood and shot Gu Zhan a glance.
Gu Zhan cast a light magic spell, igniting the wood. Mo Tuo casually tossed the sheep near the fire.
Gu Zhan coughed heavily.
Mo Tuo immediately pulled the sheep away and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Gu Zhan replied, "Have you ever seen a human eat an entire roasted sheep raw?"
Mo Tuo: "…"
He dragged the sheep toward the stream again.
Gu Zhan added, "Go downstream. I don’t want to see the blood."
Mo Tuo: "…" This human was getting more and more unreasonable!
Had he forgotten that Mo Tuo’s ultimate goal was to turn him into a monster? Why was he now catching sheep for him? Why was he helping roast it?
And now he even had to go downstream!
The more Mo Tuo thought about it, the angrier he became, so he dragged the sheep farther away.
Gu Zhan sat on the makeshift wooden bed the monster had just built. Watching the creature storm off with visible annoyance but still obediently heading further downstream, he couldn’t help but smile.
The monster wanted to corrupt a human but didn’t realize it was already being domesticated.
After a while, Mo Tuo returned with the processed sheep.
He’d done an immaculate job. The hide and bones were gone, the meat was cut into large chunks, and the blood had been washed away in the stream, leaving only the well-marbled portions.
Gu Zhan was genuinely hungry. When Mo Tuo brought the food back, he didn’t bother putting on airs. He stood up and began preparing the meat.
At first, Mo Tuo stayed nearby, observing. Realizing he wasn’t needed, he turned and disappeared into the forest.
A while later, he came back carrying a bundle of brightly colored fruits.
Gu Zhan glanced at him, surprised. Who would have thought the monster actually had good instincts?
He tilted his head, motioning for Mo Tuo to wash them in the stream. Mo Tuo obediently carried the fruits off to clean them.
Before long, he was back.
Meanwhile, the meat sizzling on the stone slab released a rich aroma that filled the forest.
Mo Tuo sniffed the air and wrinkled his nose. "What are these things you humans eat?"
"Food," Gu Zhan replied flatly. He held out a hand, and Mo Tuo placed a green fruit into it.
Gu Zhan cut the fruit open, tasted it, and found it slightly sour.
He spread the juice over the roasting lamb, then, confirming it was cooked, removed the stone slab and began eating small bites directly from it.
Mo Tuo placed the fruit on a clean stone, crouching nearby, watching Gu Zhan intently.
When he wasn’t being obstinate, he resembled a big dog. Gu Zhan glanced at him a couple of times, feeling a bit sorry for him. He pushed a piece of lamb he couldn’t finish toward Mo Tuo and said, "Try some."
Mo Tuo frowned in disdain.
He wasn’t human; eating such things was of no use to him.
But the aroma of the meat was irresistible.
After hesitating for a moment, Mo Tuo leaned in to take a sniff.
Gu Zhan suddenly laughed. "If you want to eat, just eat. It’s not poisoned."
His laughter lightened the mood considerably.
Mo Tuo clicked his tongue and moved to sit beside Gu Zhan.
Even so, he refused to eat with his hands. Instead, he flicked out a few slender wind blades, cutting the lamb into bite-sized pieces. A tiny tendril stealthily emerged, picking up the meat from the stone slab and delivering it to his mouth.
Though it provided him no sustenance, it lifted his spirits.
Satisfied, Mo Tuo narrowed his eyes. Humans really knew how to enjoy life.
"Why don’t you want to become a monster? You don’t resemble a human at all," Mo Tuo asked, breaking the silence after their meal.
Mo Tuo seemed genuinely puzzled. “In your human world, isn’t it true that only couples in confirmed relationships can do such things? You seduced me, yet you’re unwilling to give me any status. Using human terms, isn’t that immoral?”
“Who told you that?” Gu Zhan had already finished eating and was wiping his hands and mouth clean with a handkerchief.
He grabbed the hem of Mo Tuo’s clothes, pushed him down onto the soft grass, and gazed contentedly at the handsome face of the monster. “Am I not your god’s first believer?”
For some reason, Mo Tuo suddenly felt a bit melancholic.
He wasn’t talking about matters in this “instance.”
But not understanding human relationships very well, he could only mutter one sentence.
“Gu Zhan, you’re truly wicked.”
“Hmm.” Gu Zhan replied, “But we humans don’t sneak attack others at night without their consent.”
Mo Tuo defended himself. “I didn’t do anything. I hunted for you and even prepared your food.”
Gu Zhan ignored his defense and said, “Well, now that I’m full, I could agree.”
“What?”
The monster, who had been grumbling just moments ago, suddenly widened his eyes.
This creature, who lacked any moral restraint, became instantly excited when he heard something that piqued his interest.
However, Gu Zhan pushed him back down and said, “Take it slow. I’m just an ordinary human. I can’t handle all your tricks.”
Mo Tuo pouted, dissatisfied, and held Gu Zhan by the waist. “So, tell me again, why won’t you turn into a monster?”
“There’s no reason,” Gu Zhan replied nonchalantly. “It’s almost dawn. Before the sun rises, I want to sleep.”
He paused briefly and added, “Your time is limited. If you have more nonsense to say, say it now.”
Mo Tuo suddenly had nothing left to say.
Humans had a hundred ways to silence monsters.
Monsters were powerless against them.
Once again, the pitch-black tendrils shrouded them. Under their cover, neither moonlight nor starlight could reach.
---
The next morning, when Gu Zhan woke up, Mo Tuo was already gone. All that remained was a loose tendril draped across his collarbone.
As Gu Zhan sat up, the tendril lazily coiled itself, forming an oddly shaped necklace around his neck.
He touched the necklace thoughtfully and surveyed the area. It seemed Mo Tuo had tidied up before leaving the night before.
The obstructing logs had been cleared, the remnants of last night’s meal were cleaned up, and his soiled outer robe had been washed and hung on a nearby branch.
Not bad.
Gu Zhan slowly got up and put on the robe.
Some of the fruit from yesterday was still there, and there was meat left over, though it wasn’t ideal for storage. Gu Zhan roasted a little more to eat and left the rest for any passing animals.
He packed up the remaining fruit to eat later.
Following the sun’s path, he traveled for another day. Along the way, he encountered several bizarre-looking beasts, but the “necklace” around his neck dealt with them effortlessly.
On the second night, Gu Zhan found a tree branch to sleep on. When he woke the following morning, he discovered two fish placed on a nearby rock.
Although the person who left them didn’t appear, Gu Zhan had no doubt who it was.
Raising an eyebrow, he roasted the fish.
Instances like this often made things difficult for players, but it seemed Gu Zhan had found a shortcut to completion.
---
On the third day, Gu Zhan finally reached the forest’s edge.
Outside the forest, the Holy Court had set up a magical barrier. From afar, he could see the faintly glowing shield covering the forest's boundary.
They had instructed him to leave the forest alone but hadn’t specified the exit point. Presumably, leaving at any point would suffice.
Gu Zhan approached and touched the barrier with his hand.
Unlike the usual warmth he felt when basking in sunlight, the barrier now burned uncomfortably, almost unbearably.
The barrier itself seemed stunned. How could a creature so steeped in darkness dare to touch it?
From the spot where Gu Zhan’s palm made contact, waves of light rippled outward, quickly spreading across the entire shield.
Moments later, the pegasus that had once brought Gu Zhan to the forest descended from the sky.
The elders emerged from the carriage, locking eyes with Gu Zhan through the barrier.
They appeared surprised he had survived, but their relief was short-lived. Someone quickly noticed something wrong with Gu Zhan.
He had been completely tainted by darkness.
There were two ways to leave the Dark Forest: divine protection from the Goddess of Light, or complete assimilation by darkness.
“How could this be…” The elders, visibly shaken, seemed at a loss for what to do.
Gu Zhan glanced at the barrier obstructing his way. He tapped the “necklace” on his neck, and the black tendril roused from its slumber. It slithered along Gu Zhan’s shoulder to his hand.
The moment the tendril touched the barrier, it opened a hole.
Moments later, the entire barrier shattered.
There was nothing left to stop Gu Zhan. He stepped out of the Dark Forest.
As he approached the elders, they looked at him with unmistakable terror.
Gu Zhan raised an eyebrow and said, “I’ve fulfilled the agreement and left the forest. Will you now honor your promise and take me back to the Holy Court?”
“You… You’re a monster tainted by darkness!” one elder exclaimed in horror, stepping back as though preparing to attack.
The tendril necklace around Gu Zhan’s neck sensed the danger. It expanded rapidly, resembling a massive serpent that coiled around Gu Zhan protectively.
The elders panicked. Spells of various colors flew toward Gu Zhan.
But before they could reach him, the dark gate behind him opened abruptly.
Mo Tuo emerged, stepping out from the gate. He didn’t touch the ground but immediately pulled Gu Zhan into an embrace from behind.
The tendrils on Gu Zhan’s body transformed into a dense black mist, enveloping both of them.
Mo Tuo raised his head, his expression half-smiling, half-menacing, as he stared down the elders.
“What were you planning to do to my believer?”
The elders' expressions twisted into sheer terror.
“It’s… it’s the Evil God!”
“He summoned the Evil God!!”
“The Holy Son has been defiled! Run!”
In their panic, they didn’t even finish casting their spells. They turned and fled, tripping over themselves in their haste.
Even the pegasus pulling their carriage were affected, rearing and stamping anxiously.
Gu Zhan hadn’t expected Mo Tuo to appear at this moment.
He pried apart the dark tendrils wrapped tightly around him and walked over to the pegasus. With a swift motion, he untied their reins, granting them freedom.
The pegasus soared into the sky, while the elders scattered like frightened birds.
Mo Tuo didn’t give chase. Instead, he remained rooted in place, his displeasure evident as he watched Gu Zhan.
“Why did you break free from me? Do you dislike my presence?”
Gu Zhan didn’t turn to look at him and replied flatly, “You’re overthinking it.”
“I’m not overthinking it.”
Mo Tuo strode up to Gu Zhan, forcibly turning his body to face him. Staring directly into Gu Zhan’s eyes, he said gloomily, “Didn’t you ask me to help you deal with your troubles?”
Gu Zhan kept his head lowered, avoiding Mo Tuo’s gaze.
What Mo Tuo didn’t realize was that Gu Zhan’s eyes held a trace of mirth.
When Mo Tuo finally voiced his grievance, Gu Zhan couldn’t hold back anymore.
He looked up at Mo Tuo, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then, standing on tiptoe, he pressed a light kiss to the corner of Mo Tuo’s mouth. Without another word, he turned and started walking in the direction the elders had fled.
Mo Tuo instantly reverted to a loyal dog, metaphorical tail wagging, as he trailed behind Gu Zhan.
“You’re still planning to go back? They probably won’t accept you anymore.”
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