CHAPTER 349: CHAPTER349-EDWARD’S PLAN

On Edward’s face,a faint expression of recollection surfaced.

Memories long buried rose once more.

Back in those days, he had only just stepped into the demigod rank.And Luna—who would one day become the Moon Goddess—was nothing more than a fragile young awakener.

Edward had originally intended to kill her.To feast on her fresh, youthful essence, savoring the taste of a maiden’s blood and soul.

But at that very moment, an unexpected guest appeared.A figure whose arrival changed everything.

That intruder saved Luna and, in doing so, nearly destroyed Edward outright.

Had it not been for the intervention of the god to whom Edward was devoted, he would have perished then and there.

The memory still clung to him even now, years later.It was something he could not erase, a scar branded into his heart.

Even so, Edward had no intention of dwelling on it.This was neither the time nor the place to lose himself in the past.

Turning his gaze toward Fleshheart, he said with mocking calmness:

"Pitiful wretch, it seems you still haven’t understood.You’re occupying a place you should never have claimed."

"In truth, with your strength, you could have lived on peacefully.You could have survived, unharmed, minding your own existence."

"But the moment you seized this land, everything changed."

"Let me put it bluntly—you have already become a pawn in someone else’s game."

All around Edward, countless fleshy tendrils writhed and twisted, forming a dense barrier around him.Fleshheart had woven them into an impenetrable screen of meat and sinew.

And yet, despite that, he did not strike.

Killing a mere demigod like Edward should not have been difficult.Especially not for someone like Fleshheart.

After all, Fleshheart had already reached the very peak of the Fake God rank.He was but a single step away from transcending into true godhood.

In comparison, Edward’s power was pitifully small.The gulf between them was as vast as heaven and earth.

But Edward behaved as though there were no threat at all.He did not flinch.He did not tremble.

Instead, his smile only widened as he continued to speak.

"Pitiful one, perhaps you haven’t heard.Not long ago, within the land of origin, something remarkable happened."

"A sudden surge of faith erupted.Countless Infinite Divine Temples appeared all at once.

And His Majesty Crossbridge gained an ocean of followers overnight."

"All of this, mind you, happened in the span of just two days."

"You rarely leave this continent, I know.But even you must have heard whispers.

For years, Crossbridge’s faith has been buried deep, hidden from the world."

"Other than that day, have you ever once heard anyone call upon the name of His Majesty Crossbridge?"

"And yet today, suddenly, he emerges into the open!"

Edward’s words left Fleshheart in silence.The tide of his mind power rippled faintly, betraying the calculations running through him.

Edward pressed on mercilessly.

"The reason I’ve come to find you is simple.I believe that with only your own strength, you cannot survive what is coming."

"To tell you the truth—my ascension ritual lacks only one final step."

"I must slay a being who holds the position of a first devotee.But you know as well as I do, most first devotees are terrifyingly powerful.Slaying one is no easy task."

"Yet according to my information...the first devotee of His Majesty Crossbridge is only level 200."

Edward’s eyes gleamed with a predatory light.

"For me, this is a perfect opportunity!"

"Beyond that, I must also unleash ten great disasters.But you know as well as I do—with my strength, that is hardly an obstacle."

Fleshheart’s mountainous body quivered slightly,his thoughts rippling outward in waves of psychic energy.

He was weighing Edward’s words.Trying to discern truth from deception.

After a brief moment of consideration,he asked hesitantly:

"This may be your ascension ritual...but what does it have to do with me?"

Before Edward could answer,the skies suddenly split apart.

A blazing meteor tore through the firmament, streaking downward in a pillar of fire.

In the blink of an eye, it crashed into the Flesh Continent, carving out a deep, gaping crater.

From the smoldering pit emerged a colossal figure—a body like that of a giant, thick with muscle and towering like a mountain.

Another god’s devotee had arrived.

"Pitiful creature, we meet again."

The newcomer’s voice was calm, but it carried the weight of thunder.

Fleshheart’s tendrils shuddered violently.That word—pitiful creature—ignited a storm of fury within him.

"Dean. Why are you here?"

His tone was cold and unwelcoming, laced with hostility.

But Dean’s face remained serene, almost indifferent.

"Why am I here?" Dean chuckled.

"Pitiful one, do you not realize that this land has drawn the eyes of all the gods?"

"If that is the case, then why should I not come?"

"But more importantly—"Dean’s lips curved into a faint smirk.

"I must say, your courage astounds me.

You actually dared to seize half of the land of origin,a place even we do not dare touch."

"It seems you’ve been living quite comfortably these years, haven’t you?"

Dean raised one massive hand and casually patted one of Fleshheart’s writhing tentacles.

"But tell me, do you truly believe you can keep living this comfortably forever?"

Fleshheart sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

"You muscle-bound fool. You think you can put on airs before me?"

"Dean, do you think I don’t know your background?Your so-called strength is nothing special."

Yet Dean showed no anger.His expression remained calm, his voice steady.

"Pitiful creature, do you still not understand?

We are all growing.We are all evolving."

"You should already be able to sense my current strength, shouldn’t you?"

At these words, Fleshheart’s entire form stiffened.Caution flickered across his grotesque features.

"Dean... you intend to fight me?"

"Do not forget whose domain this is!"

Dean’s smile grew colder.He studied Fleshheart with playful eyes.

"Pitiful one, do you really think I can’t see through your bluff?"

"If you were uninjured, I would indeed stand no chance against you.

But after taking Aurelia’s strike head-on,do you truly think you are still my equal?"

As he spoke, Dean’s body began to shift.

Muscles bulged.Bones groaned.In the span of a breath, his form expanded until he towered over a hundred meters tall.

Every fiber of his being radiated raw, explosive power.

Seeing this, Fleshheart’s vigilance skyrocketed.

Because Dean’s words were true.

He had suffered grievous wounds from Aurelia’s attack.And he had further drained himself repairing the scars across the Flesh Continent.

If a battle broke out now, it would be brutally difficult to win.

But then, just as the clash seemed inevitable, Dean suddenly smiled warmly.

"Pitiful one—no, Fleshheart, my old friend.I didn’t come here to fight you."

"Have you forgotten?Our true goals are the same."

"Isn’t it the continent of myriad races, lying just over there?"

"Fleshheart, you’ve already been drawn into the game.Why not embrace it fully?

Why not put your existence to proper use?"

"The millennium Apocalypse has already begun.The rules of this world are loosening.

So why don’t we join forces?"

"Together, we can seize the land of origin.

When that time comes, no matter who seeks godhood,they will have no choice but to beg for our permission."

Edward stepped forward then, nodding in agreement.

"Yes, that’s right. Fleshheart, the three of us should unite."

"With our combined strength, there is nothing we cannot achieve."

"Do not forget—this moment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."