The violent purple and chaotic red light were completely devoured by the Demon Mushroom. In their place emerged a starry night hue, woven from a tapestry of pale white and pitch-black.
It was a success!
A leap in life-form that transcended its species rank!
Originally, Qimeng thought she would be incredibly lucky if this high-stakes gamble of a mutation allowed the little Demon Mushroom to evolve potential on par with the 【Calamity Rank】—the pinnacle of power in human knowledge.
After all, in human common sense, Calamity Rank magical beasts were equivalent to mobile fortresses—monstruous entities that could run rampant across any battlefield.
As a wisp of crimson demonic fire flickered and rose within its body, the feedback Qimeng received left her dazed for a long moment.
It had actually... far exceeded the upper limits of Calamity Rank potential?
This was no ordinary, rank-skipping mutation. It had directly leaped into a rare Phantasmal Beast species!
Furthermore, in terms of species potential, Phantasmal Beasts belonged to the highest tier, the 【Legendary Rank】—a category of magical beasts that existed only in ancient historical records.
The sheer absurdity of it was like a mythical beast straight out of the legends of her previous life suddenly springing into existence right before her eyes!
This little guy was incredibly lucky.
Last night's Crimson Moon had provided a once-in-a-lifetime catalyst for mutation, the beast tide had supplied a massive ocean of life force, and her own unreserved Demon Tree blood had completely purged and reconstructed its genetic makeup. Together, these factors had forged a supreme species destined to reign at the absolute peak.
“Phew... It looks like shedding so much blood was well worth it.”
Feeling the deep sense of submission and dependence bound to her by blood, a smug smile appeared on Qimeng's pale, delicate face.
In this fantasy world, being bestowed a name by a superior was the unwritten ritual for establishing a vassal contract.
“Since you have gained new life through me... I bestow upon you the name 【Crimson Moon Star Crown: Morona】.”
Buzz!
A flash of blue light flared and vanished, locking their spiritual contract into place.
Of course, Qimeng knew that the naming ceremony was merely a formality.
The real bond lay in her Demon Tree blood, which had already completely assimilated the Demon Mushroom from its very roots, turning it into a fiercely loyal vassal incapable of betrayal.
Immediately after, Morona's massive cap rapidly shrank. Spore dust shimmering with crystalline magic light erupted like a shattered galaxy, painting the territory in a dreamlike, ethereal blue.
“M-My Lord... another strange change seems to be happening?!”
Amidst Xiaomi's startled cry, a petite, delicate silhouette began to take shape within the dense starlight.
The light dispersed.
A spirited young girl now stood before Qimeng.
Most eye-catching of all was the exaggeratedly large, dark purple mushroom-cap top hat resting on her head. Its underside was lined with a lace-like, reddish-purple trim, and one side was adorned with a blood-red magic pattern representing the Crimson Moon mark.
Beneath the hat was a mop of fluffy, cherry-blossom pink short hair. From between her flipped-out bangs, a pair of haughty, crimson dead-fish eyes stared coldly at the world.
She wore a sheer, reddish-purple skirt woven from magic, its texture reminiscent of glossy, translucent mushroom slices. Intricate dark patterns wrapped around her long, fair legs.
“Sh-She became a monster girl?!”
Xiaomi was so shocked she forgot to flap her wings.
Hearing the voice, Morona turned her head and swept a glance over Xiaomi with her dead-fish eyes.
She crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and sneered in a haughty, deadpan voice.
“Hmph. A mere low-tier flying microorganism dares look directly at me with such foolish eyes?”
Since she had only just been born, her strength was currently at the Low-tier Novice rank. If they actually came to blows, Xiaomi, who was at the High-tier Novice rank, could easily pin her to the ground and thrash her ten times over.
But that did not diminish the legendary-tier pride that was deeply ingrained in her bones.
Of course, her awkward personality was largely thanks to last night's Crimson Moon.
After all, during her evolution, she had inevitably absorbed some of the demon race's incurable arrogance.
“Listen well, foolish small fry,”
Morona snorted disdainfully.
“My master is destined to become the Demon King who rules the world! And I, Morona, am the ultimate magical beast commanding all creation, second only to my master! As for a tiny winged creature like you, if you know what's good for you, kneel down right now and—”
Smack.
A fair hand descended from above and smacked her mushroom hat.
A literal cap-smack.
“Ow...”
Morona flinched, and her grand, villainous aura instantly shattered into a million pieces.
Clutching her head with both hands, she looked aggrievedly at Qimeng, who was drawing back her hand.
“You've only just been named, and you're already trying to establish your own territory at home? Hmm?”
Qimeng smiled faintly, but the bloodline suppression she exerted manifested as a heavy, tangible mental pressure.
“!!”
Morona's dead-fish eyes went wide.
Under everyone's disbelieving stares, this supposedly supreme magical beast, who had been acting so high and mighty just a second ago, suddenly collapsed like a startled slime.
She slithered down and smoothly wrapped herself around Qimeng's thigh.
“S-Sorry... Master! Morona was only joking. Morona is a very good, obedient child... Please don't hate me, Master!”
She pressed her soft cheek against Qimeng's thigh, rubbing against it clingily. Her proud mushroom hat drooped pitifully, displaying absolute submission.
Xiaomi watched this play out, completely dumbfounded and speechless.
“Where is your dignity?! Where did all that arrogance go?! Besides, you're clearly just a Novice Rank magical beast! Do you want me to beat you up right now?!”
However, the instant Qimeng looked away, Morona poked half her head out from behind her leg, glaring at Xiaomi with eyes that treated her like trash, silently mouthing a threat.
“Keep making noise and I'll kill you, microorganism.”
But the moment Qimeng looked down, she instantly switched back to her tearful, innocent act.
“Master, that winged thing was glaring at me just now... It was so scary...”
Qimeng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Although her new subordinate was arrogant and had a rather wicked personality...
She had to admit, there was a certain satisfaction in having a subordinate who employed such a blatant double standard, obeying only her.
“Y-You... You manipulative green tea mushroom!!”
Xiaomi's face flushed bright red with rage.
Her pride as the first vassal, and her dreams of throwing her weight around under Qimeng's wing, had been thoroughly trampled by this newcomer—and ground into the dirt under her heel!
And to think she had dutifully stood guard over this ungrateful thing for several nights!
The moment she woke up, she repaid that kindness with a ruthless backstab!
“My Lord! Don't let her fool you! She was definitely glaring at me like I was garbage, and she literally mouthed a threat to kill me! I swear I didn't see it wrong! She is far more wicked than you can possibly imagine!”
“Oh, my... Big Sister Bee, how can you slander an innocent girl like that out of thin air?”
Morona clung tightly to Qimeng's thigh, refusing to let go.
Rate on N.U.
