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Drip… Drip…

Muddy water collected in the moss dripped down peculiar-looking vines, creating ghostly echoes in the algae-covered pool. The water rippled, almost as if there was an unseen presence silently watching everything in its dark depths.

Lilith pinched some wet dirt from the pool’s edge, gently rubbing it between her fingers before bringing it to her nose for a few sniffs.

“This is undoubtedly an underground labyrinth. The fact that a demigod artifact, even in its incomplete state, can effortlessly preserve a real underground labyrinth is truly remarkable,” Lilith exclaimed.

In her previous matches, Lilith had assumed that match venues were predetermined by the organizers, and participants were teleported there through the Immaculate Tree Domain. However, it became evident that this was not the case.

Most underground labyrinths had potent spatial prohibition arrays engraved by ancient sages, rendering the space within as impenetrable as raw iron. Even teleportation scrolls crafted by peak saint-level experts would not work here.

As for the small number of underground labyrinths without prohibition arrays, most of them were either too old and damaged to explore, or had no value for exploration.

“It seems that the Immaculate Tree Domain, in its peak condition, is more powerful than one could imagine, possibly giving birth to the inception of a small world,” Lilith contemplated silently.

Spaces capable of housing small worlds and genuine small worlds were distinct concepts.

The former was a forcibly opened void for item storage but was devoid of life. The latter was part of a true deity’s power, allowing them to manipulate the laws as they pleased. Although it was a small world, it could sustain lives like flowers and grass.

“It’s still… the same here…”

Skarst crouched beside Lilith, dipping his hand into the water with a nostalgic look on his face.

Suddenly, a black shadow lunged from the pool’s depths, launching a planned attack with thunderous momentum.

However, Skarst effortlessly seized its neck and laughed heartily. “The shadowfish here is still as plump as I remember.”

The fish, as dark as the night sky, thrashed around like crazy. Yet it was unable to break free from Skarst’s iron grip. It could only bare its sinister-looking sharp teeth at Skarst, hissing silently.

Lilith blinked at the black fish in Skrast’s grip, finding herself oddly enchanted by its plumpness.

“You’ve been here before, big brother?” she asked curiously.

The joy on Skarst’s face immediately faded as his eyes darted around nervously for a moment before stammering, “Uh… I visited here once before with the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire.”

“Oh~? Is that so?” Lilith blinked her big eyes. “As someone from the borderlands, you don’t seem to treat the emperor with much respect.”

“R-Really?”

“Absolutely. Would anyone usually refer to His Majesty simply as the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire?”

Lilith turned her head to Luna. “Would they?”

“Nope. If Father hears this, he might not react openly, but he’ll definitely make things difficult for you,” Luna said as she teased the shadowfish. She repeatedly stuck her finger into its mouth and withdrew it, prompting the creature’s futile attempts to bite her.

The agony of not being able to consume the flesh right next to its mouth was more excruciating than Skarst’s grip at its neck. The shadowfish’s eyes had degraded into two pale white films, and could only barely see. They soon turned bloodshot as the shadowfish glared at Luna with a menacing intensity.

Luna grinned, finding the situation extremely amusing.

“Haha… that’s just my nature. I’m never bothered with formalities. I mean no disrespect though.” Skarst scratched his head before changing the topic. “Do you know where the best part of this shadowfish is, little sister?”

Lilith perked up her two little ears as she responded eagerly, “Do enlighten me.”

Skarst drew imaginary lines on the shadowfish as he explained, “The essence of the entire shadowfish lies in the middle, from the belly to the gills. This part sustains the shadowfish, providing power for its hunting activities in the deep pool. The meat from this region is of the highest quality, rich in magic power. Whether stewed, roasted, fried, or steamed, it’s fragrant, rich, and melts in your mouth. It’s absolutely the ultimate delicacy in the world!”

The shadowfish immediately ceased struggling and silently curled up to protect its belly.

Lilith wiped her drool and urged, “Then what are you waiting for? Get to it now!”

“But aren’t we… in a match right now?”

“Nothing is as important as food. I’ve got everything here, so hurry up!”

With a wave of her hand, Lilith brought out various kitchen tools, from beautifully crafted kitchen knives to a cauldron capable of stewing down an elephant.

Skarst’s cheeks twitched slightly, but he quickly got to work. With a swift motion, he put an end to the shadowfish’s miserable life.

He skillfully scaled, gutted, and cleaned it. Soon after, a large pot was set up on the ground. With flames licking the bottom of the pot, the water within rapidly came to a boil.

Lilith wiped her sweat contentedly, but accidentally smeared dirt on her cheeks while doing so.

After watching the entire journey of the shadowfish from predator to filet in the pot, Luna suddenly stood up.

“Well then, I shall go that way, Master Lilith,” she said with a smile, pointing to a forked path in the darkness.
“Huh? Aren’t you going to finish the fish first?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“It’s really delicious though!”
“I have more important matters to attend to.”
“But…”

Lilith turned her head to glance at Luna, not halting the movement of her knife and fork. “The underground labyrinth is very complex. Are you sure you’ll be able to find her?”

“I can’t say for certain.” Luna peered at the dim and humid path, covered with strange vines with strange hissing noises emanating from the depths. “But I’m sure she’ll choose to walk the most challenging path alone.”

“Heh, how prideful.”

“That’s only because I’m equally prideful. Hence, she’ll attempt to outdo me in pride,” Luna remarked with a disdainful smile.

When the poor suddenly become rich, they must pretend to be even richer than the rich. This has been the norm since ancient times.

“Fine, go ahead. I’ll catch up when I’m done here.” Lilith waved.

“All right.” Luna nodded and turned to venture into the darkness.

“Umm, hey… I’m leaving too, little sister,” Skarst suddenly said.

Lilith’s eyes widened as she looked at him. “Do you have a nemesis waiting for you on a muddy trail too?”

“Not really…” Skarst squirmed and said, “It’s just that I haven’t been to this place in a while, and I miss it. I want to walk around.”

“Sheesh, I can’t believe you guys are leaving me.” Lilith sighed deeply before continuing, “It’s too bad that you guys still can’t understand that food is the most valuable treasure in this world.”

“Hehe… Indeed, we are too foolish to understand.”

“Fine, go… Don’t disturb my lunch.” Lilith waved impatiently.

“All right.” Skarst rubbed his hands together and smiled before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Only Lilith and Cornelia, who was napping because she was tired from playing, and Lacey, who was pretending to be dead, were left behind.

“Ugh, all of them are gone and there’s only a pot of food left.” Lilith sighed.

She compared the cauldron that could stew an entire elephant, then rubbed her flat belly.

“They went off just like that… Who will make me food again once I finish this pot? What if I’m still hungry?” she wondered with a troubled look.