Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 1037, The Demon Court’s Scheme

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

“Was Shalira killed in battle or captured?” The soft yet chilling voice echoed through the hall, causing the atmosphere to grow even colder.

The guards from various clans stationed in the hall, along with the powerful experts who had come to report the news, all began to sweat on their foreheads.

Shalira was the Eldest Disciple of the Divine Tree, one of the Three Gods of the Demon Court.

She was also hailed as the ‘Successor of the next generation of the Demon Court.’ Her status was unparalleled. And now, such an important figure had gone missing.

This…

This was a colossal disaster. Even the guards and the messenger could hardly believe it.

A silence pervaded the air, as bitter expressions took over the faces of everyone.

Not long after…

“All of you, withdraw.” Heaving a long sigh, Nine Tails dismissed everyone, including the guards stationed in the hall.

Only the core members of the Demon Court remained: Sarcosuchus, Brewmaster, Old Tenth, Dai Er, Ling Er, Little White, and Qing Gang.

These individuals were the core members of the Demon Court and Yu Zi Yu’s trusted confidants.

As for Metal Devourer and Spirit Turtle, while they were high-ranking members of the Demon Court, they were not part of the innermost circle.

Such distinctions of closeness and trust existed in every Force.

…

Glancing at the gathered individuals, Nine Tails waved a paw.

The clanking sounds of chains crawling the ground filled the air as countless silver-white chains emerged from the Void, weaving around the entire hall.

A sealed space was created, enclosing the hall and preventing any outside surveillance. Only within this sealed space could secrets remain true secrets.

“Is Shalira truly missing?” Dropping a sudden question, a thoughtful expression appeared on Golden Monkey’s face.

He believed that given Shalira’s strength, even if she could not hold her ground, she should have been able to escape.

“She is indeed missing,” confirmed Nine Tails with a slight nod, “countless witnesses saw Shalira swallowed by a Void Rift. This is an irrefutable fact.”

As Nine Tails finished speaking, the fists of those in the hall clenched involuntarily.

A few even showed a flicker of killing intent on their faces.

The Void Space was unquestionably their enemy.

Aside from the Void Armys under their Master’s command, all other Void Armys were enemies of the Demon Court.

An invasion by Void Creatures was unsurprising, but this time, their Master’s Disciple and the Demon Court’s future leader had gone missing. This was a blood feud that would not end until and unless one side was completely annihilated.

Sensing the rising anger in the room, Nine Tails’s lips curled into a faintly amused smile.

“There’s no need to panic, everyone.” As she spoke, Nine Tails’s Spiritual Energy rippled, causing the air to shimmer with waves.

Moments later, an image appeared.

In the scene, on a strange planet, Shalira stood quietly in the air, her thin, translucent wings folded behind her. Behind her stretched a seemingly endless Zerg army, their numbers too vast to count.

In the distance, violet whirlpools churned, and shadowy figures emerged from them—greedy, bloodthirsty, grotesque, and horrifying.

These were true monsters of Void Space. If one observed closely, within the depths of one of the violet whirlpools, a small silhouette could be seen.

With elongated scythe-like claws crossed over its chest, it stood as though surveying the battlefield. Its thin, delicate wings, similar to Shalira’s, folded and spread slightly, resembling a cloak fluttering in the wind.

“Well?” Amidst confusion and suspicion, Golden Monkey froze momentarily, seemingly realizing something.

With a sly chuckle, Nine Tails explained straightaway,  “This is the last image transmitted from that planet… and that silhouette, you all know him already. It is Zi Lian.”

As Nine Tails elaborated, the rage burning inside the core members of the Demon Court slowly faded away, replaced by an air of relief and traces of joy on their faces.

They were now confident that Shalira did not die in battle.

After all, Zi Lian was one of their own.

However, just as their emotions began to rise, Nine Tails’s expression turned serious as she cautioned, “Still, I advise you all to consider Shalira as missing for now.”

Continuing, Nine Tails explained, “Since Zi Lian led the Void creatures in this invasion, it suggests that this was orchestrated by Master… Yet, with the Master in slumber and Lord Star God also in deep sleep, this means the Master will not intervene in these matters… What’s more important is that Master did not inform us in advance about Zi Lian’s assault on the Demon Court. I believe you all understand what this means, right?”

Quietly listening, Golden Monkey, Ling Er, and the others fell into silence.

After a brief moment, as if realizing something, Ling Er’s lips curled into a smile as she chuckled softly, “So, Master wants us to treat Zi Lian’s invasion as if it were from a true enemy, doesn’t he?”

“Seems to be the case…” Golden Monkey nodded his acknowledgement, speculating, “Currently, Void Creatures have been appearing not only near us but also along the borders of other Major Forces. And now, Zi Lian’s army is attacking our borders… The reason is likely to avoid suspicion. To be in line with Master’s plan, we need to treat Zi Lian as an enemy. Otherwise, if we reveal even the slightest clue, it could ruin the Master’s plan entirely.”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions turned serious.

Everyone present here was all sharp and perceptive. Or rather, those who had ascended to the pinnacle of power were far from fools.

As their thoughts churned, they naturally grasped the deeper implications of their Master’s intentions.

…

As time passed, the group slowly digested the profound revelation.

Shortly after, Empress Ling Er lightly tapped her finger on the armrest and, with piqued curiosity, asked, “If we treat Zi Lian as a true enemy… and now that one of the Disciples of the Demon Court’s Three Gods has either been captured or killed, how would the Demon Court respond?”

“Naturally, it would erupt in fury, and even rally other Forces to launch a joint offensive against the Void Clan.” Golden Monkey replied earnestly, with a faint smile.

“Indeed.” Nodding in agreement, Nine Tails confirmed the sentiment.

Then, as if reminded of something, Nine Tails cautioned, “Everyone, this concerns Master’s grand plan. It’s best if you forget the ‘fact’ that Zi Lian is one of our own. If you can’t forget about it, or if you fear you might accidentally reveal something, then seal a portion of your memories. I trust that for everyone here, this won’t be difficult.”