Chapter Thirty-Two: The Anti-Human Experiments of the Land of the Setting Sun

When the Blood Demon Eye advanced to Level 3, he found himself able to perceive many new things, such as the flow of energy within bizarre creatures. At first, he had no idea that the Immaculate One was observing from afar, but after the Blood Demon Eye reached Level 3, he could see him clearly.

When the Immaculate One realized that Xiao Zi had noticed him, he quietly departed. Xiao Zi had no intention of pursuing or confronting the Immaculate One head-on; after all, even a dying camel is larger than a horse, and who could truly know the Immaculate One’s current strength?

As the Immaculate One left, he glanced back in Xiao Zi’s direction. “To think he would upgrade at such a time… What an interesting fellow. Still, if I absorb the life essence of just one more D-ranked bizarre creature, I should be able to unleash the Forbidden Domain again. For a D-ranked creature to sense me—this vengeful spirit is truly something else. And that clown, to be able to amplify a human’s fear so many times over, that’s simply unbelievable.”

In the Immaculate One’s eyes, both Xiao Zi and the clown were anomalies among bizarre creatures. One could perceive him at the D rank, the other could magnify human terror. Each was fascinating in their own way, so for now, he decided not to act. He suspected that, should it come to a fight, he might not be able to defeat either of them.

But not acting now didn’t mean he wouldn’t act in the future; he was merely waiting for the arrival of his subordinates from Celestial Well City. Once he absorbed them, his strength would advance further. Then, after devouring these two intriguing beings, he would ascend right there and then.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zi, seeing his objective fulfilled, turned his gaze back to the clown. “Don’t go just yet.”

The clown froze at Xiao Zi’s words, looking at him with confusion.

“Your ability is to induce whatever hallucinations you want in humans, isn’t it?”

The clown nodded.

“In that case, why not team up with me? Let’s cleanse the sins of humanity together.”

As he spoke, Xiao Zi moved to stand beside the clown, red energy surging wildly within him, exuding the aura unique to a D-ranked bizarre creature. In nature, every creature instinctively fears the strong. Though it was uncertain whether bizarre creatures shared this instinct, the clown clearly showed a trace of awe in the face of Xiao Zi’s presence.

“So, you mean I should be your lackey, and together we’ll grow stronger?”

Xiao Zi was surprised to hear the clown speak. “Yes, that’s what I mean. I didn’t expect you could talk.”

The clown replied, “Of course I can talk, but I always thought speech was uniquely human. I’ve simply disdained using it.” He grinned again. “But tell me, why should I follow you as your subordinate when I can get by just fine alone?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll kill you right now.”

Xiao Zi’s form swelled, his energy growing turbulent and violent, clearly ready to fight. The clown, cowed by the oppressive aura, involuntarily took two steps back.

Indeed, in this world, strength reigns supreme.

“Excellent reason. From now on, you’re the boss,” conceded the clown.

Xiao Zi mimicked the clown’s grin and patted him on the shoulder. “A wise man knows when to submit. You’ve made the right choice.”

A thousand divine beasts trampled the clown’s heart. If refusing meant death, was that really a choice?

Thus, Xiao Zi and the clown continued toward Wang Hui’s house. Along the way, Xiao Zi learned why the clown was seeking Teacher Peng, which surprised him.

“By the way, after dying, do bizarre creatures like you retain the memories of your human lives?”

In that hospital, Xiao Zi had encountered many bizarre creatures, most of whom had been humans before death. Those creatures were all dull-witted and foolish—not only did they lack memories of their human days, they couldn’t even communicate. That was why he found the clown’s long journey for revenge so surprising.

“I’m different from other bizarre creatures. I’m artificial.”

“Artificial? You’re serious? Are those humans mad? Creating bizarre creatures to kill themselves?”

“I’m not sure about the details. I just know a little. Apparently, the King of Sunset Country sought immortality, so he tried to become a bizarre creature, establishing secret research bases in many small nations. Judging by their progress, their technology must have matured, even though I, their only successful subject, was discarded as a failure.”

Sunset Country—Xiao Zi knew of it. It was a nation that still maintained a monarchy. But to think their king would go so far as to conduct such experiments… With his limited education, all Xiao Zi could say was, “Damn, that’s wild.”

As they chatted, the clown hailed a taxi.

Once inside, the driver suspected nothing and simply asked, “Where to?”

The clown looked at Xiao Zi, who promptly gave Wang Hui’s address.

Since it was already late at night, the driver decided to entertain himself by sharing some urban legends. “Have you heard? People have been vanishing around here lately, just disappearing without a trace.”

Xiao Zi and the clown remained silent.

“I can tell by your accent you’re not from around here. Let me tell you—this town isn’t as simple as it looks. Someone actually saw a ghost-like thing murder a man in cold blood!” The driver’s tone was chilling, clearly trying to frighten his passengers.

When the back seat stayed silent, the driver assumed he’d succeeded and continued, “Don’t tell anyone, but things have gotten very strange here. People go missing all the time. And you think they’re being kidnapped? Not at all…”

He kept talking all the way to their destination, reluctant to stop. “There are plenty more stories like that. Too bad we’re here. Why don’t you leave me your number? Next time you ride with me, I’ll tell you more.”

But after his offer, no one replied. Glancing back instinctively, he saw the back seat was empty—completely vacant.

The driver froze in terror, staring wordlessly at the two empty seats.

He could have sworn someone had gotten into his car—a perfectly ordinary young man. And the rear door hadn’t opened; there was no way the passenger could have left. Yet, he had vanished into thin air…

Did that mean his passenger wasn’t human?

Even as the thought struck him, he turned to the front passenger seat, where a figure drenched in blood-red was glaring at him, an exaggerated smile stretching across its face.

…