Chapter 1169: Gluttony

Raven Shark's Decaying Particles descended from above.

The move was quite formidable with a large range. However, it was slow to initiate. The particles had to rush out of Raven Shark’s body first before attacking the target at the speed of wind. Powerful enemies wouldn’t have given him the chance. It would be easy for them to escape.

Anticipating this limitation, Raven Shark had released his Decaying Particles before the battle began, storing them in his Dimensional Storage until the perfect moment to unleash them, compensating for their slow deployment.

Lust, now engulfed by the Decaying Particles, recognized the threat—a slow-acting poison that would steadily erode her vitality and energy. Facing attacks from multiple directions, she finally realized she had gravely underestimated her opponents. Growing serious, the swirling blood mist converged into a bright red orb no larger than a ping-pong ball.

“Ahh!” The sphere emitted a terrifying scream. Powerful crimson energy rippled outward, dispersing the surrounding Decaying Particles. Simultaneously, the purple lasers dimmed, twisted, and then exploded as if superheated by the red light.

They dissolved into pink bubbles once more.

This was the corrupting influence of Lust's desires; no living entity could resist it.

Though the purple lasers weren't alive, they contained water elements infused with White Dew's energy. This made them susceptible to corruption, which in turn reflected back upon White Dew herself.

White Dew's face flushed crimson as her body burned with desires—not natural impulses but twisted, insidious energy corruption.

With a frustrated grimace, White Dew severed her connection to the water elements. The deadly formation dissolved into misty droplets before dissipating entirely.

“Hahaha! Hahahaha!”

Lust reverted to her blood demon form, her laughter both exhilarated and hysterical. “Come, rejoice, jubilate. Embrace the grace of the Maker and become nothing once more...”

Her laughter ceased abruptly.

Lust realized the space around her had transformed into a prison of energy—a forcefield!

Below, she discovered Vermilion Bird standing with arms outstretched, eyes flickering with brilliant blue light.

Her companions' attacks had won Vermilion Bird precious time, allowing her energy to lock onto Lust in a relatively stable state and create a domain.

To ensure the domain's strength and integrity, Vermilion Bird had employed Equivalent Exchange to triple her energy output. This was Team Vermilion Bird's ultimate killing move.

“Welcome to...” Blood trickled from the corner of Vermilion Bird's mouth as she cracked a smile.

“The Strange Realm.”

...

Anliang Market, midnight.

“Stop!” Dead Pig shouted.

Gregor immediately stepped on the brake.

Dead Pig opened the car door and got out with difficulty. The others quickly filed out of the car after him.

They stood in the clearing at the front entrance of Anliang Market, confronted by an unfamiliar monstrosity. As large as an artificial mountain, it took the form of a massive maw filled with crooked fangs. The teeth dripped with a viscous crimson fluid like a salivating predator.

Within the open maw sat a tongue-shaped throne, still unclaimed.

“It’s Gluttony.” The elements were so obvious that Dead Pig recognized them immediately after their previous encounter.

Gregor had already turned on the radio to make a report. “Team Mischievous Monkey! The Throne of Gluttony was in the Anliang Market. The monster itself had yet to show.”

Lovely Lamb felt intimidated but mustered enough courage to study the throne. Dead Pig took a step forward, shielding Lovely Lamb and others while scanning for threats.

Then arrived the Three Double-Hours of Heavenly Tribulation.

The four awakeners experienced a moment of strange detachment. Colors drained from the world, leaving only black, white, and gray. The few pedestrians on the street vanished as well.

Simultaneously, an elderly man in black training clothes appeared on the Throne of Gluttony. It was Liu Tao.

Their hearts constricted at the sight.

“Hey, hey?” Gregor realized that the radio transmitter had lost its signal.

Dead Pig quickly surveyed their altered surroundings and concluded, “This is the death monster’s domain?”

Liu Tao slowly looked up at the monochrome world, then examined his withered hands. He retained his colors, but the white, mist-like moonlight seemed to be gradually draining them away.

Gregor noticed Liu Tao’s reaction keenly. He cracked a smile. “It seems that the other side is stunned, too. This is probably not his domain.”

“It’s the Heavenly Way,” Mischievous Monkey said. “We’ve entered a battlefield of the Heavenly Way’s making.”

“Ha, this feels like a formal match.” Gregor masked his nervousness beneath a relaxed expression.

Liu Tao quickly accepted the situation. His gaze slowly moved down to Mischievous Monkey’s face. “Here you are, Little Stone.”

Mischievous Monkey said like he was returning home, “Yeah, I’m back.”

“Good. That’s good...” Liu Tao nodded slightly, repeating the words with quiet satisfaction.

The two faced each other in silence, as if no further words were necessary.

“Then let’s get started.” Liu Tao extended his left hand toward the four awakeners.

Mischievous Monkey silently assumed a fighting stance.

“Wait!”

Seeing the fight about to break out, Gregor suddenly shouted, “There’s something I’d like to confirm first.”

Liu Tao wordlessly looked at Gregor.

“Are you going to kill us,” Gregor asked, “Or eat us?”

“Is there a difference?” Liu Tao countered.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

“Of course there is a difference. Killing is killing. Eating is eating.”

“Won’t both lead to death?” Liu Tao asked.

“No, no, no,” Gregor said seriously. “Killing will kill instantly, while eating may not. It may not even lead to death. Do you know black bears? They don’t kill their prey first. They prefer consuming their victims alive, so some prey might survive for quite a while. Some have even managed to call for emergency help while being devoured. They end up losing limbs but escape with their lives...”

Gregor chuckled. “So I’m wondering: are you going to kill us, or eat us?”

Liu Tao smiled. “There’s no point in dwelling on that. I will eat you.”

“So you may not kill us,” Gregor insisted.

“No, you will die,” Liu Tao said.

“We may not die immediately,” Gregor insisted once more.

After a pause, Liu Tao realized that Gregor was intentionally misinterpreting him.

However, he did hesitate for a moment because of Gregor’s words. Although the hesitation was brief and absurd, it did happen, as if he had signed a contract. Then, a rule-based energy took effect on him. Although it was slight, it did influence him.

Liu Tao fell silent, unwilling to engage in further verbal exchange. He raised his hand once more.

Two tall walls erupted from the ground on either side of Liu Tao, rising twenty meters high. Then they began to close inward. Within seconds, they formed a massive tunnel with Liu Tao at its center.

During this transformation, Liu Tao hadn't remained passive. He raised both hands and launched ranged attacks at the four humans.

Four phantom maws emerged from nowhere and devoured the space where they had stood, leaving strange, blurry black voids.

Dead Pig had leaped away just in time with Lovely Lamb secured in his arms. Gregor and Mischievous Monkey had sprung in another direction.

Liu Tao adjusted his stance, closing his teeth-filled fingers.

Two rows of obsidian teeth descended upon Gregor and Mischievous Monkey from above and below, poised to devour them whole.

Clack

. The teeth bit together.