Apotheosis

Streaks of dark-red light flickered in the compound eyes of the insect man.

He shuttled nimbly through the Myriad Spirits City, his heart filled with grief and indignation for his dead companions.

Because the lowly Souls of Light managed to find a couple of corporeal bodies, they wanted to challenge Master Ghost Scorpion. They were merely courting death.

Many ferns covered the northern part of the Myriad Spirits City.

Strange races populated the Other Shore, all of them sorted into classes.

The Tail Insect race lived up north, where several bug-like creatures resided.

When the member of the Tail Insect race came to the northern part of the city, he headed straight into a deep cave. Various small pots hung within the cave walls, in which a variety of strange bugs were kept.

When he reached the very bottom of the cave, a strange fragrance filled the space.

It was the scent of the Fragrant Butterfly race. Master Ghost Scorpion was particularly fond of this fragrance. He always kept several female members of the race close by.

Soon, the insect man reached the end of the path.

A hoarse voice resounded. "Have you collected the Body-strengthening Jade and soul crystal as I asked?"

From within the darkness, a black scorpion rested his tail on the ground. A small hook at the end of his tail reflected a harsh light, making the insect man swallow down his nerves hard.

He had seen how Master Ghost Scorpion punished his subordinate before. The subordinate's skin was merely scratched by the hook before his entire body turned black. He died in the blink of an eye.

The member of the Tail Insect race was feeling anxious about the news he had to bring back. He knew he would undoubtedly piss the Ghost Scorpion off.

"Yes," he replied nervously.

"Haha! I didn't expect the Oneness Sky Palace to endure it." The Ghost Scorpion laughed in the darkness before continuing, "Hand over the jade and soul crystal. I'll have someone else collect them another day."

The Ghost Scorpion hadn't ever acted against the Oneness Sky Palace. The latter was under

Palace belonged to Eastern Emperor Taiyi. Since Elvinia took Zen's side, what else could they say?

But Zen didn't care much about Abdul's attitude. He merely turned to the other disciples and said, "Everyone, you have reached Stage Fourteen. For safety's sake, you can temporarily withdraw from the Other Shore. I will make further plans once Elvinia and I explore this place more thoroughly."

The disciples there were rather discouraged. If they were involved in a fight, they might be trapped by something like the Soul Binding Thread, unable to escape.

"Well then… Zen, Princess Elvinia, be careful!"

"We must leave now."

"…"

And so one after another, the disciples' Souls of Light began to dissipate.

Before withdrawing from the Other Shore, Abdul threw Zen a fierce glare. At last, only Zen, Elvinia, and Dorothy were left.

"Dorothy?" Zen called out.

"I'm here with you," she called back.

"What?" Elvinia said with a frown.

"I didn't say that I wanted to stay with you. I am merely accompanying Zen," Dorothy explained flatly but firmly. Though she had been rather quiet for a while, she couldn't help but throw back a retort.

"You're only risking your life by staying here. You'd better leave." Elvinia was still defiant.

"Oh, really?" A mocking smile appeared on Dorothy's face. "Do you really think you're stronger than me with this corporeal body?"