Chapter Twenty-Seven: Gao Yi Transforms

Xiuming’s eyes flickered. Was it possible that Gao Yi had acquired crucial intelligence, and Tao Tao believed the interests on his side were so great they outweighed the advantage of their small alliance? This advantage wasn’t just the possession of food—it was the corpses. Yes, Black Moon, there was something in that book that stirred Tao Tao’s desire, and even Guo Zhengxiang’s disappearance was connected to her.

Yet today’s events left Xiuming uncertain. He and Cui Kaixuan had been locked up, almost certainly by Gao Yi’s hand, but why then were they released? And why was Fei Xin inexplicably left behind, unconscious? Was this some act of anonymous charity?

After several hours, Fei Xin’s complexion returned to a healthy flush, but she still did not wake.

This waiting could not go on. Xiuming called Cui Kaixuan over.

Seeing Xiuming, Cui Kaixuan’s face was stern. “The head is gone.”

“The head?” Xiuming was startled. “The one in the warehouse?”

“Yes. Let’s talk in Fei Xin’s room. How is she now?”

“Her color is much improved, but she hasn’t woken.”

They entered Fei Xin’s room. Cui Kaixuan glanced at her, then sat to the side, muttering under his breath. Xiuming vaguely heard him counting—one, two.

Lately, this fellow had become mysterious and eccentric. Xiuming knew that Cui Kaixuan would tell him whatever he could, so he didn’t press for answers.

Right. Cui Kaixuan had once said there were things he could not speak of. Why couldn’t they be spoken? There were crests here, and if whispered, the ghost woman surely couldn’t hear. So, this secrecy must mean something else.

Regarding his own discoveries, Cui Kaixuan couldn’t speak, nor would he allow Xiuming to. Why? The whole process felt like a game of charades, where one could only guess the truth from the other’s actions…

At that moment, Fei Xin stirred.

Xiuming touched her forehead. “Fei Xin, Fei Xin?”

She moved her head faintly, then slipped back into a deep sleep.

…

In the dim light, two figures gnawed at their meal, the sounds of chewing and swallowing filling the air.

“Hehe… This demon’s head… Once I eat it, the ghost woman… hehehe…”

Gao Yi’s clothes were tattered and blood-caked, with scabs covering his body. The blood smeared on his face made him look truly savage.

Cradling the head, Gao Yi was overcome with excitement.

“With my already powerful body, and this… who could possibly be my equal in this world!”

Crunch! Gao Yi suddenly bit into the head’s eye, chewed forcefully, swallowed, then tore into the other eye, ravenously gnawing at all parts.

When only the shriveled brain remained, Gao Yi hesitated, then bit down.

Bitter…

Gulp… After swallowing everything, Gao Yi wiped his mouth. A violent wave of nausea swept over him, as if urging him to vomit up this unnatural meal.

He clamped his mouth shut, forcing himself to keep it down, swallowing repeatedly.

Soon, a scorching heat began in his abdomen, spreading throughout his body.

Unbearable… So hard to endure… Gao Yi felt his heart pounding wildly, then collapsed with a thud, his body convulsing, breathing so rapid his lungs seemed ready to burst, his chest about to explode, blood surging as if death itself hovered at the threshold.

Tao Tao glanced at Gao Yi, coldly continuing to gnaw at the corpse.

To her, it seemed she might soon have more food.

“Help… Help me…” Gao Yi reached tremblingly toward Tao Tao.

She picked up Guo Zhengxiang’s corpse and shifted it farther away.

Since she’d begun eating corpses, Tao Tao had found her strength increased dramatically, and her appetite grew ever larger. She could now easily carry Guo Zhengxiang’s body alone.

“It hurts!” Gao Yi tore at his clothes, rolling on the ground, his body feeling as if scalded in boiling oil, the inner heat now a maddening agitation ravaging him from within. He could neither live nor die, finally losing control and collapsing flat.

Tao Tao licked her lips with satisfaction.

“Hm? Worthless.” Seeing Gao Yi motionless, Tao Tao approached.

He lay completely still. Tao Tao checked his breath—barely detectable.

“Dead?” Tao Tao scoffed, turning away.

Just as she turned, Gao Yi’s eyes suddenly snapped open, shining with a red light. The darkness around him seemed daylight to his eyes; moreover, he could see a white flame flickering within Tao Tao’s body—instinct told him this was her soul.

“This sensation…” Gao Yi smiled. “How wonderful.” His entire body felt indescribably invigorated, as if reborn, overflowing with boundless energy. If he could eat human flesh, nothing could stand in his way!

As Tao Tao was about to leave, she felt her ankle seized, her vision blurred, and she was thrown onto the table.

A powerful force tore at her clothing, then her legs were forcibly spread…

Gao Yi’s relentless thrusts, the ecstasy of rebirth made him feel omnipotent.

“Gao… Gao Yi, are you all right now?” Tao Tao turned her head.

His eyes had turned red, just like the demon’s.

“Are you still Gao Yi?” Tao Tao asked, trembling.

“Behold my grandeur now—I feel as if I’ve become a god!” Gao Yi flipped Tao Tao onto her stomach, gripping her waist and thrusting forcefully.

“You!” Tao Tao realized Gao Yi’s strength was now terrifying, far greater than before. Even though her own power had grown, she was utterly helpless. Moreover, Gao Yi’s body was transforming.

“You feel it too, don’t you? Ha ha ha, this power intoxicates me…” Gao Yi’s mouth sprouted long, protruding fangs, overlapping and growing ever longer. His hair fell out in clumps, his eyes bulged and protruded, just like the head from the warehouse.

His physique swelled, bursting his ragged clothes.

“So comfortable, so exhilarating!”

“It was meant for Fei Xin, but since we failed, you shall be my sacrifice for godhood! Then even the ghost woman will not be my foe!”

“No!” Tao Tao screamed in terror.

…

Clang, clang, clang…

Xiuming looked up at Cui Kaixuan.

“The clock has struck four times now.”

Cui Kaixuan nodded. “Let’s go see. Take this.”

From his sleeve, he produced two iron pipes half a meter long, one end sharpened to a deadly point. The bleeding capacity of these was astonishing.

“Just in case.” Cui Kaixuan handed one to Xiuming.

He nodded, gripping it tightly.

They hid Fei Xin behind the bed, covering her with some things, then stepped outside.

The moment they opened the door, a roar echoed from somewhere unknown.

“Careful,” Cui Kaixuan cautioned, moving forward, his face tense.

Xiuming followed close behind.