CHAPTER 6

c6 - The Great Wilderness

Meanwhile, Ye Chuan, still deep within Xinsheng Land, remained unaware of the upheaval occurring in the Baixu Mutant Lands. He continued his relentless hunt, preying upon newly born Hollows, his spiritual pressure and physical form growing steadily with each victory.

A snake-like Hollow, approximately four meters long, had coiled itself tightly around a pig-shaped Hollow, constricting with immense force.

Crack!

A muffled snap echoed through the air as the pig-like Hollow's bones shattered, leaving it limp and lifeless. Before the snake-like Hollow could savor its victory, the sand beneath them trembled violently. A massive white centipede tail, adorned with dark golden lightning patterns, burst from the ground.

Boom!

With a powerful strike, the snake-like Hollow was slammed deep into the sand, disappearing beneath the surface.

Hiss!

Writhing in pain, the snake-like Hollow struggled to rise.

"Oh? A mere newborn, yet still conscious after my tail whip?" Ye Chuan's massive form emerged from the sand, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. Despite his admiration, he did not hesitate. Lightning crackled around his limbs as he brought his centipede tail down once more.

Sizzle!

A harsh electric current surged through the air. The scent of charred flesh filled Ye Chuan's senses as he observed the now-blackened snake-like Hollow. He sighed.

"Seems like I overcooked this one."

Still, he had no complaints. He grabbed the burnt Hollow and devoured it in a single gulp. Turning his gaze to the pig-like Hollow's corpse, he wasted no time, swallowing it whole as well.

"A snake catches a pig, and Ye Chuan feasts on both."

Satisfied, he patted his abdomen. Two months had passed since his rebirth into this world. He had fully adapted to the life of Hueco Mundo, though he occasionally longed for the entertainment and luxuries of his past human life. And, of course, the company of beautiful women.

"Does human civilization still exist in this world? If I evolve into a higher-class Hollow, perhaps I can return to society..."

He quickly shook off the thought.

"No point dwelling on it. In this unknown timeline, my only option is to grow stronger."

Adjusting his mindset, he prepared to resume hunting when a disturbance ahead caught his attention.

"What's happening over there?"

Activating his concealment abilities, he submerged beneath the sand, gliding swiftly toward the source of the noise.

Whimper! Bark! Bark!

A small, scarred yellow dog Hollow was fleeing from an unseen predator. The poor creature dodged frantically, narrowly avoiding an invisible whip. Suddenly, a massive force sent it tumbling through the air.

"Rhubarb?"

The sight of the yellow dog triggered memories from Ye Chuan's past life. As a child, he had raised a puppy named Rhubarb, his most cherished companion. But one day, Rhubarb had vanished, leaving behind only a blood-stained leash. Ye Chuan had never kept another pet since.

He scrutinized the Hollow-dog more closely. Its dark-white mask and the gaping hole in its abdomen confirmed it was not his Rhubarb.

"Just a newborn Hollow… not my Rhubarb."

The unseen predator had not immediately devoured the dog, instead toying with it. This implied intelligence. Ye Chuan sensed a formidable spiritual pressure—higher than his own. However, he was confident that with a surprise attack, he could turn the tide.

"Let's hit it hard first!"

Raising his right index finger from beneath the sand, he gathered dark-red spiritual energy at the tip.

Fwoosh!

A blazing Cero streaked through the air, barely grazing the yellow dog Hollow's tail. Even that minor contact burned away a portion, leaving behind a blackened wound.

Whimper!

The dog yelped in agony, rolling away.

ROAR!!!

A deafening screech followed. From the shadows, a massive figure emerged—a dark green lizard-like Hollow, towering five meters high and stretching thirty meters in length. In its clawed hands, it gripped two enormous bone spurs. Its blood-red tongue, now severed, dangled uselessly, and its furious gaze locked onto Ye Chuan.

"A lizard? No… a chameleon."

Judging by its spiritual pressure and size, this Hollow was a Gillian-class Menos. One rank higher than Ye Chuan.

Seeing its true form, Ye Chuan felt a wave of relief. The chameleon's primary weapon—its tongue—had been destroyed. Even though it was a Gillian, Ye Chuan was confident in his victory.

"Who dares attack me?! I'll tear you apart!" the chameleon roared.

An intelligent Hollow. Ye Chuan had been searching for one, and here it was. Yet, he had no intention of talking.

Remaining submerged, he maneuvered behind the chameleon's tail. Lightning arced around his limbs as he delivered a swift, electrified strike.

"Bastard! You dare challenge me?! I'll kill you! I'll KILL YOU!"

The chameleon shrieked in rage, but Ye Chuan ignored it. As it convulsed from the lightning, he lunged forward, half his body erupting from the sand. With both fists charged in golden arcs of energy, he unleashed a barrage of punches upon the chameleon's exposed underbelly.

"ORA ORA ORA!"

Each strike tore through its flesh, dark green blood spraying in all directions.

Sizzle!

To his dismay, the chameleon's corrosive blood began burning his fists, slowing his assault. He gritted his teeth.

"Tch. Annoying. But it won't save you."