Apotheosis

When the four Other Shore creatures were killed, four blood dots simultaneously appeared within the Eternal Scroll Painting.

The moment those dots formed, the Other Shore creatures standing under the painting felt a sense of cautiousness creep under their skin.

They all knew that once a dot appeared, it could only mean that someone had died. However, they couldn't discern who it was or which race it came from.

With the forming of the dots came an uneasy sense of foreboding. It had been less than four hours since the warriors had entered the Eternal Scroll Painting, and a death rarely ever occurred on the first page.

As everyone stared at the dots intently, a sudden ray of blood light erupted from each one.

Woosh! Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!

They all watched as the four beams of light headed to the north, illuminating four Three Purities Stones.

Standing beside the stones were members of the Dull Blood race.

The Dull Blood race was well known within Stage Thirty-two of the Other Shore. Their expressions darkened when they realized what the rays of blood light meant.

Those warriors that had died were incredibly talented, all trained by the Dull Blood race. It was nearly incomprehensible that they had died in less than four hours after entering the Eternal Scroll Painting.

"What on earth could have happened in the Eternal Scroll Painting?"

"They should be on the first page. Why?"

Their questions went unanswered.

Those of the Dull Blood race were struggling with the feelings of sadness and puzzlement while the other races of the Other Shore felt a keen sense of relief. It didn't matter what happened in the Eternal Scroll Painting as long as the dead were not of their own race.

An overwhelming amount of Worm Tapirs had been released into the Eternal Scroll Painting though, so how could the other Other Shore creatures be spared the same fate?

It was not long after the first four deaths that two more blood dots marred the surface of the Eternal Scroll Painting.

As they watched the circles form, their hearts rose to their throats, choking them.

"What is going on in there?"

"Since when was the first page of the Eternal Scroll Painting this dangerous?"

"I can't believe it! Another two people have died..."

They all watched with bated breath as the rays of light fell over another race on the Other Shore. Each face of the Other Shore race turned sullen.

"It had to be an accident!"

"Dying on the first page may be rare, but it has happened throughout hist

d of Heaven, didn't you say that there would be no danger on the first page?"

The Primeval Lord of Heaven looked just as surprised as Zen was. He thought for a moment before speaking, "Perhaps it is an exceptional case. Some of the Other Shore creatures are quite weak."

"Everyone here has achieved a Myriad Tribulations Body though. How could such an Other Shore creature lose to a beast in the scroll painting?" Zen questioned, doubting what had been said.

Nodding his head, the Primeval Lord of Heaven couldn't help but agree. "Perhaps some beasts that shouldn't appear on the first page have appeared. It's a very small chance that it happens, but still possible."

If that were true, then Zen would need to be careful.

While the Primeval Lord of Heaven and Zen were analyzing the situation, three Other Shore creatures suddenly rushed over from afar. They had been able to kill a beast before Zen earlier.

Zen looked at them a little closer, and realized they were screaming for help as they ran from something.

The Primeval Lord of Heaven noticed what was chasing them before Zen did.

"It's a Worm Tapir! On the first page? Zen, run!" he called to Zen in warning.

"A Worm Tapir?"

Zen hesitated, but he could hear the urgency in the Primeval Lord of Heaven's voice.

He could see a black silhouette appear and disappear behind the Other Shore creatures, as if it were riding waves.

It was moving incredibly fast, taking no time at all to reach the three Other Shore creatures.

When the black silhouette crashed over the top of them, they were ripped apart at the middle. Their blood spurted out in all directions creating a grotesque, abstract image.