Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 1079, The Mysterious Shades

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

[But the Heavenly Court, they truly have the audacity, don’t they?] With a cold sneer, Yu Zi Yu’s gaze shifted toward Zi Lian in the distance.

“Master, I will ensure White Tiger and the others’ safety…” As if sensing Yu Zi Yu’s thoughts, Zi Lian assured. Then, his voice grew colder as he continued, “If the opportunity arises, I will eradicate every last invader…”

“En…” Nodding slightly, Yu Zi Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile.

With Zi Lian on the mission, he was at ease.

Back when he led his army to invade the Angel Clan, Zi Lian had fought against two Overlords alone and emerged undefeated.

In the end, he had retreated with only minor injuries, that alone was enough to prove his terrifying strength.

Blessed with the power of ‘Evolution,’ Zi Lian was truly born for battle. Moreover, as a Void Emperor, his abilities were the most unpredictable. No one could fathom his true strength.

Some had even begun calling Zi Lian the ‘Void Hunter,’ claiming that he stood on nearly the same level as Yu Zi Yu’s own incarnation, the Soaring Purple Dragon.

With him heading to the Kadar Star Region, Yu Zi Yu had no concerns.

However, as if remembering something, Yu Zi Yu reminded him, “Slaughtering the invaders is secondary. The top priority is ensuring White Tiger, Bull Demon, and the others’ safety.”

“Understood.” Zi Lian acknowledged the command, keeping it firmly in mind.

White Tiger and Bull Demon were good friends of his. Even without Yu Zi Yu’s reminder, he would have prioritized their safety.

More importantly, Golden Ant was like an Older Brother to him, one who had looked after him many times.

Thinking of this, Zi Lian’s lips curled slightly, revealing a rare smile, though it appeared cold and chilling.

“I wonder… will you be surprised when you see what I’ve become?” murmuring to himself, Zi Lian’s eyes flickered with a hint of anticipation.

Meanwhile, paying no heed to Zi Lian’s thoughts, Yu Zi Yu’s gaze shifted toward a distant corner.

*Boooooom…* Ripples after ripples spread through the air, as several fearsome figures suddenly emerged.

Each of them was leagues beyond Quinn and the others in strength.

More terrifyingly, as their auras interwove, the sky itself seemed to distort, almost as if Gods and Demons were awakening.

These were the experts under Yu Zi Yu’s command who rarely made appearances in public.

Among them was a somewhat familiar figure who rarely showed himself—the Honey Badger. He had embarked on the Dao of War, tempering himself through endless battles. His battle intent was unyielding; only death itself would ultimately make him settle down.

After awakening an exceptionally fearsome ability, the Scars of Glory, he had ascended to the ranks of the true experts.

Though only at Intermediate-Stage of Tier 5, his combat power rivaled a Late-Stage, or even possibly a Peak Tier-5.

All because of his Mark of Glory, a power that granted him immunity to any attack that had once fatally wounded him but failed to kill him.

In other words, the same attack could never harm him twice.

This ability had forged his near-immortal, war-tempered body, an undefeated fighter who had survived a thousand battles.

Apart from Flathead, another figure stood out, one that resembled a True Dragon but had the form of a beast.

He once used to guard the Martial Arts Pavilion in the Heavenly Court’s Secret Realm. He was Ao Yu, a descendant of the Dragon Clan bearing the Bloodline of Chaofeng. A peak Tier 5 True God, with utterly terrifying combat power.

As for the last figure, he wore a robe with one half black and the other white. He resembled Zetsu from Naruto, strange and unsettling. Yet, despite his eerie appearance, his aura was the most terrifying of all.

He was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

After awakening the Bloodline of the Divine Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, he had ascended to the rank of a Lesser Divine Tree. And thanks to Yu Zi Yu’s Ancestral Tree ability, he had been fully awakened and transformed into a Treant.

However, unlike ordinary Treants, his appearance was nearly indistinguishable from a Human—almost 90% alike.

If not for the fact that many of his abilities were Tree-related, one would never guess that his True Form was that of a Divine Tree.

As for his strength, it stood at Peak Tier-5. In fact, he was already approaching the threshold of Half-Step Tier-6.

After the Holy Sixteen Wings voluntarily followed Yu Zi Yu, he too had chosen to submit, becoming the First Chief of Shades.

Now, as Yu Zi Yu looked at these figures, he noticed something peculiar—they had all, at some unknown moment, taken out strange masks and placed them on their faces.

And the instant the masks covered their faces, their auras underwent a huge change.

Their entire bodies were instantly engulfed by a dense mist. The mist churned and swirled violently around them, forming a spiraling storm of mist.

Moments later, as the mist settled, three indistinct Humanoid figures emerged.

Their aura was eerie and undetectable. Their forms were hazy, making it impossible to distinguish it clearly.

The only visible thing was the mask on their faces.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil’s mask was split into black and white. One half appeared to be smiling, and the other half crying.

Ao Yu’s mask resembled a Dragon. Even his codename was ‘Dragon.’

As for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, his codename was Black and White.

…

Shades was the most mysterious unit under Yu Zi Yu’s command, unknown even to his closest subordinates.

Its purpose was to help its members forge through blood and fire.

Within the Shades, there was no hierarchy, no ranks, only codenames.

For now, things were simple.

But in the future, even members wouldn’t know each other’s true identities.

The masks held by Ao Yu, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the others were special Artifacts, crafted by Yu Zi Yu and Brewmaster.

They could not only conceal one’s appearance but also erase one’s aura.

Even Tier-6 Overlords would be unable to see through the identity behind the mask.

And now, the members of Shades were to accompany Zi Lian into the Kadar Star Region for war.

At this point, Yu Zi Yu suddenly turned toward Quinn and the others, chuckling, “It’s not too late to back out now.”

“We will never retreat.” Exchanging glances, Quinn, God Devouring Rat, and the others revealed resolute expressions.

“Very well…” Nodding slightly, Yu Zi Yu spoke, “From this moment on, once you wear the mask, you are nameless and faceless. All you have is one thing, a codename.

From this day forth, you will be shrouded in darkness. Only when I deem you worthy will you return to the light.”

With each word, mist emerged around them, thickening and swirling until, finally, faceless masks materialized before Quinn and the others.

“Put them on. The mask’s appearance will shift according to your will.”

“Understood, Master,” responding in unison, Quinn and the others put their respective masks on.

And then…

*Boom, boom, boom…* With a series of muffled explosions, gray mist emerged from their feet, rising into swirling storms.

Soon, their auras and their figures became completely obscured.

By the time the mist dissipated, the only thing left before Yu Zi Yu were seven masked figures, standing silently in the sky.

Ao Yu, codename—’Dragon.’

Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, codename—’Black and White.’

Boshun, codename—’Heavenly Demon.’

Quinn, codename—’Electra.’