Chapter 248
by fanqienovelChapter 248: Troublesome Little Spirits
"Hahaha…"
"Mortals! How amusing!"
"A free feast!"
"Fresh meat!"
…
Devouring mortals seemed rather pathetic to most proper deities.
Why?
Because most gods absorbed "void substance" through their "divine ranks" to generate endless energy. Though they could consume like living beings, this "bloodthirst" among deities appeared barbaric even to the most chaotic Outer Gods and the male Chaos Demon God.
It was like how we view cannibals.
Yet however savage this "flesh-ripping savagery" might be, they were at least eating actual food.
Devouring mortals, however? That was practically eating dirt.
While this "dirt" could offer deities some energy, it wasn’t primarily the mortal’s physical form—it was the fear, despair, and other emotions humans emitted during consumption.
These feelings perfectly suited the etheric worms’ tastes. Consumed in quantity, they could even intoxicate the worms with a peculiar thrill.
For these lowest-tier "deities" who’d abandoned all divine dignity and harbored no ambition, building joy upon mortal despair was utterly natural.
Yet one problem remained…
"Boom…"
The Giant God’s colossal form, mountain-like, blocked the etheric worms’ path.
Etheric liquid surged violently, crashing against the rocky barrier before him!
A few splashes washed over the Giant God, drawing no reaction.
"Tsk, what a bother!"
"Why plant yourself there?!"
"Is guarding those mortals truly worth it?"
From their angle, the etheric worms only saw the Giant God’s profile—dull gray behind that "mountain."
His head faced the opposite direction.
His entire body shifted slightly in unclear motions.
Still…
"He seems preoccupied!"
"Meaning if we don’t provoke him directly, he’ll likely ignore us!"
"So then…"
"Hehe!"
"Haha!"
The etheric worms laughed amidst the waves of the Sea of Ether!
"Splosh!"
"Crash——!"
They dove into the waves of etheric liquid and disappeared from sight.
—-
"Hurry up!"
"Move quickly!"
"Just take the necessary items, don’t bring so many belongings."
"It will slow us down!"
"Quick——!"
Although the "Chosen Warriors" scolded harshly, the retreat went smoothly.
Thanks to Sotiko’s repeated trials, foolish and flawed individuals could not survive in the "Bubble World"; while it was a bit cruel, the God of Evolution believed this.
Both warriors and civilians followed the "Chosen Warriors" in an orderly manner, boarding the ships one by one.
Most people had already resolved to switch their allegiance.
Since Sotiko could not provide what they needed, and the "Giant God" could, why should they follow Sotiko?
However, one thing made them uneasy…
"Boom——rumble——boom——rumble——!"
"Crash——!"
The massive tearing sound, like the sky falling and earth cracking, echoed in the distance.
"Ahhh——ahhh——!"
Along with it came the sound of a massive entity, like a soft, flexible pipe.
That sound was like thunder!
It sent chills down their spines.
"That is…."
Kukukwanquak listened to the sound and raised his head suspiciously.
His eyes widened!
The Ancient Blood Warrior discovered that the fallen body of the Chaos Demon God was actually swaying.
Divine blood flowed down like a waterfall, continuously pouring out.
"The Giant God was tearing apart the divine body of the Chaos Demon God, letting it bleed out…”
"But why!?"
Just as Kukukwanquak pondered the answer…
"Crash……”
The blood of the Chaos Demon God had mixed with the spreading etheric liquid, dyeing it crimson. Yet soon, the "magic restoration" property of the etheric liquid took effect. It continuously restored the already weakened divine blood, returning to its colorless state!
But matters did not end there.
Fresh blood flowed down once more, merging into the etheric liquid…
Thus began another cycle.
Noticing this, Kukukwanquak exclaimed,
"The grace of the Giant God!?"
High-ranking Sotiko Warriors and Priests surrounding Kukukwanquak gathered closer.
They were somewhat puzzled.
Kukukwanquak knelt in reverence, explaining to those nearby:
"Such wisdom the Giant God possesses!"
"He surely knew the etheric liquid held potent decomposition and restoration properties."
"Yet this effect isn’t limitless. If the etheric liquid is finite, it can be neutralized by other substances!"
"The Giant God uses the Chaos Demon God’s ‘divine blood’ to neutralize the etheric liquid, buying precious time for evacuation!"
After this analysis by the Ancient Blood Warrior, those still loyal to Sotiko swiftly changed their stance.
All knelt, praying to the Giant God.
"So that’s it, how thoughtful!"
"To consider such details for us mortals…"
"How rare!"
"How merciful!"
"Great is the Giant God!"
……
Yet at that very moment…
"Boom—!"
"Bang—!"
The earth suddenly ruptured!
Many retreating civilians and their protecting "Giant God Chosen Ones" were violently hurled skyward by the eruptions.
Worse, these "earth explosions" erupted not once but many times!
Throughout the city of the temple, the ground burst open everywhere.
The sky filled with countless flying specks.
Then…
"Ha—!"
"Roar—!"
Creatures with fin limbs and caudal fins—their serpentine bodies elongated like dragons—surged from the shattered ground!
"Damn it!"
"Etheric worms!"
"Those opportunistic scavengers!"
The Sotiko people cursed.
These etheric worms always exploited their ability to slip through "Crystal Walls" into the "Bubble World" to devour mortals. Now with the walls shattered, they naturally seized the chance to plunder!
These creatures possessed the capability to dig and tunnel endlessly through "Primal Mud," making ordinary earth and stone no obstacle.
They cunningly bypassed the three defensive lines erected by the Giant God, infiltrating the city of the temple to unleash carnage!
Chaos erupted everywhere.
Yet Kukukwanquak remained composed, his gaze fixed on where the Giant God stood.
Though obscured by the Chaos Demon God’s corpse—only his mountainous back visible—the Giant God’s divine form radiated a transcendent sense of sacredness. This instantly filled the Ancient Blood Warrior and priests with confidence.
"O Giant God who sacrificed Himself to stem the flood of ether…"
"What will You do now?"
—-
"Ah! Ugh…"
"Curse it… is this truly the end!?"
"Huff… huff…"
A female Sotiko warrior panted heavily, confronting the colossal etheric worm!
She knew this three-hundred-meter-long, dragon-like beast, though massive, was insignificant among etheric worms.
Even the weakest etheric worm could annihilate an elite Ancient Blood warrior like her in an instant.
Her survival until now was merely because this worm toyed with its prey.
It craved witnessing her exhaust herself protecting the children, only to succumb to despair and helplessness.
Despair fueled the etheric worm with greater "energy" and "pleasure."
But now, this "puny" worm had grown bored.
"Hiss…"
Its enormous head reared high, poised for a downward strike!
Yet at that moment…
"Whoosh——!"
A golden light cleaved down from the heavens!