The gigantic, ominous black castle was incredibly distant. An ordinary human eye could never perceive it. Kilenc chose to slowly walk and observe his surroundings before heading to the castle. There were two reasons. One, he was in an unprecedentedly good mood. His mind felt completely restored.
The second reason was that he wanted to know who the owner of this castle was, and who had planned to bring him here. Kilenc wasn't afraid, and he always believed that no matter who the other party was, he could handle them. However, due to his long-standing human guise, Kilenc always acted cautiously.
If he knew the identity of the one behind it beforehand, he could plan how to deal with them in advance, couldn't he?
"Perhaps it was Tanha who brought me here," Kilenc murmured softly, indifferently. There was also another possibility: the other party was Lobha. But compared to the percentage probability of Tanha, the likelihood of the other party being Tanha was higher.
Kilenc analyzed and considered everything from the surrounding environment of the path leading to the castle above the clouds. Sexual acts, inappropriate desires, desires for the impossible—those could be considered characteristics of Tanha.
Tanha and Lobha, though both are very similar, to the point some mistake them for the same thing, still have some distinct differences that allow them to be distinguished.
Tanha is craving, desire, intense longing for various things, whether tangible or intangible. For example, the desire for things that bring happiness through the senses, be it sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch. In other words: forms, sounds, scents, flavors, sensations.
The young women who Kilenc transformed into piles of blood perfectly fit this description. They desired to gaze upon his perfect form, yearned for his touch, and so on.
Tanha isn't only the desire for things that bring happiness through the senses. There is also the desire for things one doesn't possess. Some want fame, some want love, some want immortality.
And Lobha? Lobha is the desire for possessions, objects, benefits, or something else, a desire that clings, an overflowing want to possess beyond what is "enough." Simply put, it's selfishness, not knowing what is enough, and not sharing. Examples include wanting money, wanting things that belong to others.
In summary: Tanha is general desire, both physical and mental. Lobha is the desire for objects or benefits.
Therefore, Kilenc didn't completely rule out the second possibility. Though he was very confident that the one behind it was Tanha, the characteristic of building such a towering castle could also align with the nature of Lobha.
That's why, in Kilenc's mind, the one behind it could be both. He didn't waste time thinking too much. Simply creating two plans, one for Tanha and one for Lobha, was sufficient. And if things didn't go as expected, Kilenc would use his absolute strength to deal with the opponent instead. There was nothing true power couldn't achieve.
Kilenc finally arrived at the foot of the stairs leading up to the castle. It was extremely high, so high it pierced through the thick clouds in the sky. It would take more than a thousand steps to ascend. The young man's black shoes struck the first stone step. He slowly began to ascend.
Of course, Kilenc had no intention of actually walking up. That would be too insulting to him. The one behind all this sat sipping tea in a castle on a mountaintop above the clouds, while he had to exert himself to go before them. Kilenc would not allow such an act that would insult and destroy his pride. It was not something a being beyond dimensions and time like him should do.
The reason Kilenc continued walking was that he found something interesting. He wasn't the only one who wanted to reach the top of the stairs. Countless other people were trying to ascend. Some even crawled, though their legs were useless, they still clawed their way up with their arms.
It had to be admitted, it was quite an enjoyable sight. To see these humans struggle and climb so pitiably, desperately, and hopelessly.
"Why are you still climbing?" Naturally, when in another dimension, Kilenc no longer pretended. He walked up to a young man in a blue shirt with his true demeanor. Kilenc's voice was devoid of gentleness, filled with power, intimidation, and coercion. His words were like unyielding commands, heavenly authority that worthless humans could not resist.
"Why do you ask that? It's obvious the owner of that castle is beautiful and alluring!" the young man in the blue shirt said with slight politeness, yet still drooling at the corner of his mouth as he imagined himself with the castle's owner.
"If you reach the top, do you think you'll get what you want?" Kilenc walked beside the young man as he asked. He maintained a slight distance to prevent the other person from touching him.
"I…" The young man fell silent for a moment before politely and cautiously asking back, "Are you new here?"
Normally, no one here was polite to each other. They often acted on animal instincts, speaking crudely. Perhaps it was because Kilenc's voice held too much oppressive power that the young man dared not utter unpleasant words.
"Don't ask foolish questions," Kilenc said softly, yet his aura multiplied several times over. Suddenly, the young man's body trembled, his limbs weakened without reason, and he tripped on the stairs, falling to the ground and sustaining wounds. The young man stared at Kilenc in fear.
"There's a rumor that she'll give herself to anyone who reaches the castle gate," the young man's voice trembled, but he tried his best to tell Kilenc the story.
"So you guys believe that? Where are the ones who made it up?" Kilenc wanted to laugh. These humans were truly pathetic. Easily manipulated, and led by their lower instincts rather than thought. They truly were fitting to be mere ants. No, perhaps ants were even better.
But it was not surprising. The humans in this land were probably similar to the land's owner. Kilenc now knew who brought him here. The one behind it all, the interdimensional deity Tanha.
"Such a lack of respect, not even coming to welcome me." There was no trace of emotion in Kilenc's voice. He still asked the young man in the blue shirt a few more questions before kindly transforming him into his most beautiful state: a monster lump of flesh that exploded into a pile of blood. This was the most beautiful moment in a human's life.
After receiving the answers to all his lingering questions, Kilenc didn't waste any more time walking on the stairs. He took another step up, and his body vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there before.
"You want to meet me, Tanha? I'm here." Kilenc's body appeared at the very top, in front of the colossal castle gates. He pushed the doors with both hands, and they opened easily. No tricks, no guards, no sense of threat.
As soon as the doors swung wide open, a faint, unique scent hit Kilenc's nose. It wasn't the same scent as below the castle. This scent was strangely fragrant, refreshing, and not threatening in the least. On the contrary, it made his body feel relaxed.
"This scent… I've never smelled it before," Kilenc passed through the gate with grace. His feet stepped along a long corridor paved with soft, blood-red carpet.
Kilenc had no intention of destroying this castle, at least not at present. He didn't yet know whether the other party was friend or foe, and he wasn't the type of bloodthirsty individual who barbarically destroyed everything in his path. Such actions were only carried out by those driven by 'cruelty'.
Another reason Kilenc hadn't acted yet was that Tanha hadn't touched Ling Lian and Team A. Although they were very far away, Kilenc had infused his interdimensional energy into all of them. He could perceive their physical condition or the situations they faced at any time.
Ling Lian's situation wasn't good, but Kilenc didn't help her. If he wanted to, he could instantly kill the catastrophic-level being she was fighting. It would become a pile of blood without a chance to resist.
Kilenc wanted to train those young women. If they remained as weak as they currently were, he would quickly get bored in the future and eventually lose interest in them. Ling Lian and the others would become mere pawns for entertainment, like other lower-class humans.
And that was one of the reasons Kilenc brought Team A and Ling Lian into this interdimensional space, even knowing it might be a trap set by an interdimensional deity. After all, the hope of humanity cannot be both weak and fearful of the threats posed by interdimensional gods, can it?
Even without sufficient strength, the mind must remain resolute. Even if limbs shatter and the heart stops, one must rise again to fight with conviction, driven by hope. It is…
[The resplendent radiance brimming with countless possibilities, capable of shattering cruel destinies beyond measure] Only humans with that quality could truly capture Kilenc's interest and be treated specially, unlike other inferior humans.
"And they are the humans I desire to shatter the most." Just thinking about destroying such beauty with his own hands made Kilenc tremble with excitement. He let out a good-natured laugh and eagerly awaited the emergence of such humans in this century.
Kilenc walked past dining rooms and many other rooms. The cool light from flickering candles stretched along the carved stone walls. He walked slowly, unhurriedly, as if this were his own castle, an old home he hadn't returned to in ages.
Until his feet came to a stop at the door of a bedroom, made of good quality wood. It seemed to be exquisitely decorated with floral patterns and small, light pink bows.
"Alright, owner of the castle, it's time to meet your guest. How long will you hide in bed?!" Kilenc's palm rested on the large bedroom door before he pushed it forcefully, making a loud sound. In the next second, it revealed the room's interior, unexpectedly decorated in a cute style.
The young man frowned slightly. He hadn't expected an interdimensional deity to have a side like this. This quite surprised Kilenc, completely unexpected. It was so different from the base of the mountain and didn't fit the image of Tanha in the slightest.
Pink lace curtains adorned with clear white heart-shaped crystals. Numerous rose cushions enhanced the romantic atmosphere, creating a gentle warmth throughout the room. In the center of the bed lay a pristine white feather. The young woman's body felt strangely familiar to Kilenc, but he couldn't find a good reason to explain it. He had never known Tanha before. He didn't even know she had such a human form.
"You finally came… Kilenc," Tanha's voice was melodious and pleasant, devoid of any seduction or invitation. Her gaze fixed on him as if she could see through to his very essence.
Tanha was not in her true form, but in the human body of a young woman. Her feet were slightly crossed, knees bent, revealing smooth, delicate legs. Her posture held a subtle, unforced allure, contrasting with her voice.
Her thin lips curved into a soft smile, slightly mischievous. Kilenc met her gaze, her deep sapphire blue eyes captivating yet emotionless, ready for whatever cards the other party would play.
However, the young woman seemed to have no immediate intention of acting. She shifted her body on the bed, running her hand through her long, pastel pink hair, gradient from root to tip, giving the impression of lush, blooming sakura petals.
"What makes you so silent, old friend? Or is it because I'm too beautiful for you not to be captivated?" The young woman blinked, her eyes sparkling like precious gems, the most enchanting jewels in the world.
The young woman moved her body again. Her rounded chest, covered by the sheer lace of her lingerie, shifted captivatingly. The pitiful pink bra struggled to contain her full breasts, preventing them from spilling out completely.
"You're not going to say anything, are you, old friend? Then I'll take that as a yes~~ ᡣ𐭩 " The young woman purred softly, her voice sweet and pleasant, subtly shifting her leg to attract Kilenc's attention.
Like her upper body, the young woman wore nothing except her lingerie. Her panties were also pink lace, but in this area, they were adorned with a small bow in the center, giving a sweet and intriguing feel.
Both the bra and panties accentuated the young woman's well-proportioned figure, her ample bosom and hips, making them stand out prominently. They also revealed her fair, rosy skin, naturally radiant and lively.
When the candlelight shone, the skin on her shoulders and thighs would slightly reflect light, causing observers to lose control of their hearts. It was an excellent stimulant for hungry, wicked wolves.
"Why do you call me an old friend? From my memory, you were never there, and I don't know you." Unfortunately, Kilenc was not a hungry wolf, at least not now. There were more important things to focus on.
"Hmm… should I tell you?" The young woman sat up on the bed. Her bright-colored hair fell with gravity, releasing a fragrant scent that wafted to Kilenc's nose. She slowly crawled closer to him before briefly saying,
"Come a little closer~ If you agree, I might consider it, naa~~ ᡣ𐭩"
"Alright, I'm doing it." Kilenc played along for now. If the young woman played tricks or ambushed him, Kilenc would immediately counterattack fiercely. Tanha was not the strongest interdimensional deity, and even if she were the strongest, Kilenc had no fear. He was always ready to fight her.
Seeing Kilenc so compliant and obedient, the young woman's smile widened into a sweet grin. "I'm very lonely. I've been here for hundreds and thousands of centuries. My heart is empty. So, can an outstanding and charming man like you give this little girl some love?"
"Pat my head, old friend!"