Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 981, The Mysterious Octopus Monster

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silavin

“A mysterious figure?” Hearing this, Yu Zi Yu raised an eyebrow, his face showing a hint of interest. He was really interested in meeting the individual who could even make Ling Er refer to them as ‘mysterious.’

“I believe once Master meets them, you’ll be surprised.” With a subtle curve of her lips, Ling Er clapped her hands lightly.

*Clap, clap, clap…* As the sound of her applause echoed, a figure slowly emerged from the grand hall’s entrance in the distance.

A faint, purple radiance enveloped its entire body. Its arms, resembling scythes, were long and razor-sharp. Though it stood only as tall as an average person, it emanated an indescribable aura of terror—like a predator at the pinnacle of the food chain, sending chills down one’s spine.

It was none other than Zi Lian, the foremost assassin among Yu Zi Yu’s seven elite Shadow Assassins, and his most trusted confidant.

However, before Yu Zi Yu’s departure, he had entrusted the Seven Shadow Assassins to the Empress—Ling Er.

Hence, it was not surprising that Yu Zi Yu had not seen them immediately upon his return.

Now that Ling Er had returned, they naturally followed suit.

“Master…” An icy voice reverberated through the grand hall as Zi Lian immediately knelt before Yu Zi Yu, who sat high on his throne.

“Zi Lian, it has been a while.”

“En…” Nodding slightly, Zi Lian allowed the corner of his lips to curve upward ever so faintly.

Yet, just moments later…

*Rip…* With a sharp slicing sound, Zi Lian used his right scythe-like arm to slash through Space itself.

From the fissure he created, a purple-hued realm gradually emerged—a strange and twisted world where light and shadow blurred, and time seemed to flow in reverse.

This was none other than the back side of the universe—the Void Space.

Now, standing before the rift, Zi Lian let out a cold snort, and shouted, “Come out. My Master is here.”

He paused briefly before issuing a rare warning, “If you dare show the slightest disrespect towards Master, I will devour you instantly…”

“Oh my, how dare I?” A voice suddenly echoed from the depths of the Void Space, carrying a mix of feigned fear and playful mockery.

The next moment, under Yu Zi Yu’s curious gaze, a shadowy figure began to take shape within the Void Space. The shadow was not particularly large, only about ten meters tall.

However, as soon as it appeared, Yu Zi Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly. A strange sensation washed over him—the unsettling feeling of being watched.

“What audacity!?,” Yu Zi Yu mused inwardly, a faint smile gracing his lips. He subtly tapped the armrest of his throne.

*Tap…* The sound was crisp and soft, barely noticeable. Yet, it resonated like a drumbeat deep within the mind.

In the next instant, the creature within the depths of the Void Space gazed at Yu Zi Yu with horror-filled eyes, and spurted. A streak of its very essence spilled from its body, its aura rapidly weakening as though it had suffered a grievous wound.

“H-how is this possible?” The voice of the mysterious entity trembled with disbelief.

“Even I can’t comprehend this… I can’t… This…This is unbelievable… absolutely unbelievable…” The voice grew more frantic, spiraling into madness.

Amidst the rising hysteria, Yu Zi Yu could faintly discern an undertone of excitement—an almost fanatical fervor buried within the chaotic words.

In a daze, it was as though he had stumbled upon a rare treasure.

But at that moment…

“You wretched creature…” Amidst a roar filled with fury, a flash of violet light suddenly streaked across the air.

The next instant, Zi Lian’s figure abruptly disappeared into the depths of the Void Space.

And then…

*Boooooom…* With a deafening explosion, a figure was flung out of the Void Space in a miserable state.

Upon closer inspection, the figure was covered in wounds. Countless scythe-like slash marks had sliced through its body.

It was only then that Yu Zi Yu got a clear look at the figure.

It resembled an octopus, but its body was an eerie shade of violet. The most striking feature, however, was the enormous single eye that took up nearly half of its body.

This pulsating eye flickered erratically, and even in its heavily injured state, it could not hide the madness and fervor burning deep within.

“So, there truly exists something I cannot decipher?” Its increasingly deranged voice echoed in the hall as it lay crumpled on the floor, its singular eye fixated on Yu Zi Yu once more.

At the same time, a violet beam, as thick as a barrel, shot out violently from its eye.

“Interesting…” With a faint chuckle, Yu Zi Yu, who had already discerned the essence of this creature, leaned back on his throne, unbothered.

But just then, as if sensing something, Ling Er’s panicked voice rang out from nearby, “Master, be careful!”

Without hesitation, Ling Er stepped forward, shielding Yu Zi Yu with her body.

She was no stranger to this violet beam. She had once witnessed a Tier-4 Transcendent being slowly disintegrated under its power, reduced to nothingness.

This violet beam was, without a doubt, terrifying to the extreme.

Now, seeing Yu Zi Yu sitting calmly on his throne, not even attempting to dodge, how could she not panic?

Yet, just as Ling Er stood before him, Yu Zi Yu’s reassuring voice sounded in her ear, “Do not worry, he cannot harm me.”

As he spoke, a gentle force pushed Ling Er aside.

And in the next instant…

*Boooooom…* With a resounding boom, the barrel-thick violet beam struck Yu Zi Yu directly.

“Hahaha… You didn’t even try to dodge…” The Violet Octopus appeared stunned, his tone laced with surprise.

But after a moment, as if realizing something, his voice took on a fervent edge, “Good, good… This is perfect… Soon, very soon, I will uncover your essence… Very soon…”

His increasingly frenzied voice became almost incoherent.

Meanwhile, the violet beam enveloping Yu Zi Yu intensified, rapidly expanding to a width of three meters, completely engulfing his figure.

“You truly want to see my essence, don’t you?” With a playful smirk, Yu Zi Yu rested his chin on one hand, staring at the Violet Octopus as if watching a clown perform.

However, he could feel a profound, mysterious power acting upon his body.

Under this power’s influence, even Yu Zi Yu’s true form—his Elf Form, simulated using his Innate Talent—Absolute Evolution was beginning to falter.

“If you’re so eager to see it, then I’ll show you…” For the first time in a while, Yu Zi Yu let out a hearty laugh, but the next moment, his tone quickly turned icy, “Just don’t regret it…”