Perfect.
Truly perfect.
Looking up at the entrance of the canyon, where the Nine Tails and the Wind Wolves had already begun to feast, and glancing at the 60 new evolution points he had gained, Yu Ziyu felt there was no wiser decision he could have made.
All he needed to do was let these beasts not kill their prey immediately, but bring it back alive, thus fulfilling his need for evolution points.
He had to admit, this idea was very clever.
Up to now, because of this decision, Yu Ziyu had already collected 120 evolution points from his pets, plus his own remaining points, pushing his total to 172 points.
It was also worth noting—perhaps due to the ongoing revival of spiritual energy—that mutated beasts were increasing in number, and their prey tended to be at least level one mutation.
Of course, none of this compared to the beasts around Yu Ziyu's own willow tree.
In just a few days, even the previously aloof white crane that drank from Yu Ziyu's specially crafted small spiritual lake had achieved a level two mutation.
Not to mention the golden monkey, a clever little fellow who, besides drinking from the lake, had also eaten a leaf that Yu Ziyu's main body had shed on the ground.
As a result, it reached level three mutation and awakened a very good innate talent—Extreme Absorption.
Compared to ordinary mutated beasts, this talent allowed its body to absorb beneficial substances far more effectively, continuously increasing its physical strength.
In other words, although the golden monkey's size remained the same, its body hardness would become increasingly terrifying over time, potentially evolving into a truly "ironclad," invulnerable being…
Of course, this was the ideal case.
Overall, Extreme Absorption was an excellent innate talent, almost as strong as its rapid regeneration ability.
From some perspectives, the golden monkey's innate talent was even more conducive to combat.
Yet, among these talents, Yu Ziyu preferred his own super regeneration.
Thanks to this talent, he could freely extend his branches and rapidly spread his underground roots.
...
At this moment, lifting his gaze once more to the canyon entrance, he saw the fiery-haired Nine Tails sitting on its hind legs, ears perked.
Though blood stained its mouth, it looked far from ferocious—rather, it carried a sort of brutal beauty.
In contrast, the Wind Wolves were ravenously devouring their food, gulping it down with occasional glances around, alert.
The difference was striking.
With such a comparison, the Wind Wolves' eating habits seemed all the more savage.
"Later on, I should try feeding them cooked food, or teach them how to dine elegantly," Yu Ziyu thought.
As his mutated beasts, they shouldn't remain primitive bloodthirsty animals forever.
With increased power would come greater intelligence, and Yu Ziyu didn't want that intelligence to be used solely for combat.
Only with diversity could their intellect be fully developed.
And human customs could greatly stimulate their cognitive growth.
Here, Yu Ziyu's ambition also became clear.
As a tree demon, the hope of coexisting with humans was too slim.
"Those not of my tribe will surely oppose me."
This phrase was not empty talk.
Having studied human history of bloodshed, especially periods of colonization, Yu Ziyu deeply understood the terror of this race…
A race that would not hesitate to wield the slaughter knife even against their own kind—how could one expect them to willingly coexist with others?
Even if some wished for peace, the majority's decision could not be defied.
Put yourself in their shoes: as a species at the top of nature's hierarchy, would you want others threatening your position?
Whether you are a compassionate saint or a ruthless butcher, you wouldn't hesitate now.
Because it's not just about you—it's about millions of your kin.
Compassion at this moment would only drag your species into the abyss.
Thus, Yu Ziyu understood clearly: neither he nor the humans really had much choice.
There was no right or wrong between species—only the eternal struggle of "the strong dominate the weak."
...
Unless… one day, Yu Ziyu became so powerful that humans would fear him and treat him gently.
This was the meaning behind the saying: "If you are strong enough, the world will treat you kindly."
To be treated gently, you must be powerful—powerful enough to terrify others.
But before becoming powerful, what could one do?
Wait?
No, definitely not.
Yu Ziyu was not one to wait passively.
Before he was strong, he needed to band together with others for warmth and safety.
Just like humans: individual weaklings can be easily slaughtered by mutated beasts, but together they become the most terrifying species in the world.
"Gather grains of sand to build a tower, collect fur to make a coat..."
Yu Ziyu thought the same way.
He would use his abilities to build an empire that belonged to him alone.
That way, even if humans discovered his existence, they would hesitate out of caution.
At worst, a war of species might erupt, drawing human attention with waves of beasts, while Yu Ziyu could remain hidden behind the scenes...
Here, one must admit Yu Ziyu was a bit selfish.
But for someone living a second life, selfishness was necessary.
"If you don't look out for yourself, no one else will."
This was a phrase humans told him.
He was not yet great enough to sacrifice himself for others.
After all, he was just a lucky guy who happened to be reborn as a tree.
Now, he only fought to survive.
Of course, if humans didn't push him too hard, things might not have gotten so bad.
Deep down, Yu Ziyu didn't mind coexisting with humans.
As long as they bore no malice against him.
With these thoughts, his plans grew clearer.
While strengthening himself, he would also raise many mutated beasts.
And notably, some beasts didn't need to be raised in large numbers—
Beasts like the Bull Demon and Wind Wolves, if grown powerful enough, could compete for leadership within their species.
That way, Yu Ziyu wouldn't have to invest too much effort but could still gain control over herds or packs.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。