Reborn as a Demonic Tree

Stella looked at Sullivan's utter look of despair with childlike excitement.

She could crush this man to a pulp with a mere thought, and in the past, she might have done that. Killing gave her a euphoric sense of agency over her life. It was a physical manifestation of all her efforts—the ability to reap the life of another meant she was growing stronger, that she was no longer the victim of this cruel world and could take control of her life.

But she had also come to discover that killing had a very short release of euphoria, followed by a hollow silence as the body hit the floor. Perhaps it was because no matter how many she killed, her life seemed much the same after the corpses turned cold. She kept convincing herself over and over that this kill would be the one to bring her peace and quiet, yet it never did.

A small part of her feared that would be true even after Vincent was slain. This looming evil had dominated much of her life, and the idea that its elimination would not give her the peace she desired terrified her. So, to take her mind off things, she had gone to seek out a hobby. Something to distract her wandering thoughts.

Douglas had warned me that hobbies are rarely sought out. He said you have to do something with no intentions, and one day, you will find yourself smiling and having fun. It's at that moment that it becomes a hobby.

"The Slaughter Princess..." Sullivan dropped to his knees, his face having lost all color.

Stella grinned. I think I just found my new hobby.

"Please," Sullivan pressed his forehead against the cellar floor, "Don't kill me."

"Mhm," Stella casually jumped down from the steps and landed a step away from Sullivan's head. She dangled her foot above his head while thinking how easily she could crush his skull into the cold tiles. The crunch would be so satisfying, but she refrained and withdrew her foot. She had other plans for this cultivator.

Sullivan, an arrogant bigshot from the most dangerous part of Darklight City, could only tremble below her. His life was at her whim, and he knew it.

Stella stepped back and crouched down. Using telekinesis, she forced him to raise his head from the ground, straining his neck. Bringing out a golden spatial ring from her pocket, she balanced it on the floor between them with a single finger placed on top.

"While you were running through the rain like a fool, I took back what was mine." Stella twirled the ring, "Judging by your surprise at the warehouse when no golden crowns came out, you had no idea I had swapped your spatial ring for an empty one." She tapped her finger on the spinning ring, stopping it in place, "Instead of taking the ring, it could have been your head, and you wouldn't have even known how you died. Do you understand what I'm saying, Mister Sullivan?"

"My life... was and is always in your hands," he gulped, "I'm your puppet."

Stella smiled, "Good, that's exactly right."

She had planned to kill him alongside everyone else in that warehouse. However, when the boss made an appearance, she suspected that the man was Vincent's blood clone, similar to Demetrios Skyrend at Nightrose City. Vincent was like a cockroach, and she had concluded that the only way to get rid of him was to destroy his main body and eliminate all of his clones at the same time. For that reason, she pulled Guppy into the aether and hid.

If the boss had confirmed he was unrelated to Vincent, she would have remerged and slaughtered them all. But the boss's attack on the rain was done with Nascent Soul Realm-level gravity Qi, practically confirming her suspicion.

The boss was a clone of Vincent, and if there was one, there were likely others.

Stella had been wondering what to do when Sullivan began convincing everyone that the Slaughter Princess was after him. She considered silencing him from afar when the boss unexpectedly gave her a solution. He labeled Sullivan as a crazed junkie and cast him out, nullifying his claims.

The problem was that if Sullivan could prove he was attacked by her, he wouldn't seem insane anymore, and then the boss would be more on guard, making the act of finding all his clones more difficult. So Stella contacted the Mudcloaks, and under the cover of the heavy rain, they made repairs to the brothel and covered their tracks.

What Stella hadn't expected was for Sullivan to return so soon and with company. But this outcome wasn't too bad. She needed suitable puppets to infiltrate this organization, and while Sullivan had knowledge, he had been cast out and lost his influential position within the Eyepatch group.

Stella stood up and released some of the pressure that had been bearing down on Sullivan. The man coughed and wheezed as she walked around him, tracing her finger along the tops of the crates she had left behind. "So Sullivan, what do you say? Do you wish to become my pet?"

Stella used the word "pet" because he wasn't a servant or slave, nor was he an ally or a business partner. He was simply a dog that would wag its tail and do as she said.

"I would be... honored," Sullivan said with a serious expression.

Stella paused and studied his face intently for a long time. Even when pumping her gaze full of bloodlust, the man remained resolute. She placed a finger on the edge of his neck and felt his drumming heartbeat. It was strange; she felt that same feeling of control she had when killing her foes, yet the person remained alive in front of her.

Killing really isn't always the answer. A person is far more useful to me alive than dead, but in a way, this feels wrong. Yes, he's an enemy of the Ashfallen Sect. But I don't want to become someone like Vincent. A little mercy goes a long way and might make him more loyal.

"While you have been demoted from regional manager of this Eyepatch group to my pet, know that my pets are treated well." She pressed her finger into his neck and let off a light pulse of Qi that spread through his body, making him jolt in pain, "While I'll keep you on a short leash until I get what I want, I'll set you free once I'm satisfied."

"You will let me go?" Sullivan gulped as his eyes looked down at her hand against his neck like a dagger.

"I'm not blind to human nature. You're a greedy man, are you not? A mountain of gold was enough to change your tune earlier. Dance for me, and you can bathe in gold. Do as I say, and perhaps you will be free one day. But if you betray me?" Stella lightly ran her nail across his neck, drawing a thin line of blood, "I have no need for disobedient pets. Understand?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Sullivan nodded slowly, careful to not agitate her nail against his skin.

"Great!" Stella stepped back and joyfully clapped her hands, "First order of business then. You were the regional manager for the Eyepatch group, right?"

"I was, Mistress."

"Are there other regional managers?"

"Yes, there are around five of us. One for each cardinal direction..."

"There are four cardinal directions. Where is the fifth one stationed?"

Sullivan paused, "In the city center. I believe they are sitting on Darklight City's mortal council."

"The Eyepatch group's reach spreads that deep, huh." Stella sat on a nearby crate and swung her legs, drumming on its wooden exterior while she thought up the best course of action.

This group wouldn't be worth my attention if not for Vincent Nightrose's backing. That man wouldn't work with mortals if he didn't have an objective. The problem is I can't think of what it could be. To form an information network? To incite riots to distract us while he does something?

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"Come to think of it, Sullivan. I overheard the boss, as you call him, reference something called 'the night of reckoning.' Do you know anything about that?"

Sullivan had not dared stand from his kneeling position and addressed the floor, "Forgive me, Mistress. I don't know a whole lot. Nobody does. All I know is that the mass spreading of the blood pills is pivotal to the night of reckonings success and that it will happen before the week's end."

Before the week's end? Is he waiting for the beast tide to hit? The first wave is still a ways out, and it won't be until the later waves that we will start to struggle to push it back.

"He did mention he was waiting on a meeting when questioned by the regional managers about the exact day it will start."

"A meeting..." Stella trailed off as she realized something. The only thing Vincent is waiting on right now is to meet me in Tartarus. That makes me even more confused. What use would mortals have once he meets me? Is it to free him from Tartarus if he gets stuck somehow? No, there's no way for them to do that, even if he got control of millions. Wait, he used his family members' blood as fuel for his own technique that he unleashed to instantly kill Hades. While one mortal doesn't hold much Qi, if he had millions of mortals gather, he could turn them into a living array to unleash an attack on Red Vine Peak.

The possibilities were honestly endless, and she didn't like any of them. It was also disturbing that if she hadn't gone out on a whim to find a new hobby, the Ashfallen Sect would have been none the wiser about this scheme going on in the city's shadows.

"Stand up."

Sullivan complied, rising to his full height. Despite looming over her, he respectfully clasped his hands behind his back and drooped his shoulders and head. He didn't dare puff out his chest like he had earlier in front of her.

Stella clicked her fingers and a blank page and an ink-dipped pen manifested from her spatial ring. Closing her eyes and using telekinesis, she drew a rough map of the city from memory and by referencing the aether plane. Once done, she opened her eyes and floated the map and pen to Sullivan.

"Circle on this map where the other regional managers' base of operations are located. Basically, where the boss is likely to frequent."

"As you wish," Sullivan carefully studied the map and circled the relevant places. Four were all on the city's outskirts, with one being a residential area in the city's heart.

"Who does this house belong to?" Stella asked, pointing at the one in the center.

"The Flamehunt family."

"A noble cultivation family?"

Sullivan shook his head, "Not quite. They are an extremely influential mortal family that focuses on spirit stone processing, and they have many rogue cultivators on retainer. The head of the family is a Soul Fire Realm cultivator with fire affinity. I'm unsure if his bloodline is strong enough to pass the fire affinity down to his children."

"Interesting..." Stella tapped her chin in thought.

"Sullivan!" A voice called from the floor above, "How's it looking? Are the crates there?"

The man didn't say a word. Instead, he looked at Stella for guidance.

"I don't want to show myself to her just yet. While I know you are guided by greed and will work for the highest bidder or to save your life, she is different. She wants control. I doubt we will work well together." Stella took the map and rolled it up. "Tell her that some of the crates are missing. I'll be in touch again soon. Until then, do as you please with my best interests in mind and try to learn more about Kaelith."

Sullivan silently bowed.

"Just remember, the trees have eyes. None have betrayed me and lived to tell the tale." Stella wreathed herself in white soul flames and stepped backward into the aether, fading away from reality.

***

Sullivan straightened his back and looked at the spot where the Slaughter Princess had been standing a moment ago. Like a phantom, she was gone without a trace. There was not a smidge of lingering Qi to verify her presence here.

The rumors don't do her justice. They make her out as a crazed psychopath who murders for fun and looks down on anyone below her. While insane, someone like that is far easier to understand. Did she allow such rumors about her to circulate so people wouldn't take her seriously?Rather than a spoiled child, she was one of the most terrifyingly calculated people I've ever had the displeasure of talking with. Sullivan raised his hand, which he had kept pressed at his side. It was still trembling despite the Princess's departure. And now I'm her pet.

"Have you gone deaf?" A head poked over the hole leading down to the cellar and peered down before locking eyes with him. "Sullivan? You look terrible. What happened?"

"Just some Qi withdrawals, is all." He waved her off, "My soul was on the brink of collapse earlier, and then the boss force-fed me a blood pill, which hasn't done me any favors."

"Right..." Kaelith didn't seem to buy it and jumped down into the room. Running a hand through her black and red hair, she glanced around. "So? How's the inventory looking?"

"A few crates are missing," Sullivan answered honestly, "Not enough that it's obvious I was robbed, but enough missing that I could look like some crazed junkie high off the stuff."

"This noble is one scary lady," Kaelith rubbed her chin. "I really want to meet her."

Sullivan chuckled slightly. No, you really don't. He thought but didn't dare voice his opinion.

Kaelith gave him an odd look, so he changed the topic. "While we are far out of earshot of the boss, is there anything for us to discuss?"

"Yes. We need to gather people to our side and fast." Kaelith said thoughtfully, "I don't know what the night of reckoning will entail, nor when it will be. I just know I need to move fast. I had hoped to convince this noble to get involved and use her immense wealth to sway people to my side..." she sighed, "But that isn't looking likely."

"If we can get the other regional managers under us, it will be easier to sway more people. Actually, I never learned your role in the Eyepatch group. Is it rather senior?"

Kaelith shook her head, "I'm just a grunt in the rankings. It's my father who has a powerful seat."

"Who's your father?"

"Garrick Flamehunt, he's the central regional manager." Kaelith casually explained, "While he has some influence in the court and connections to some other noble families, despite their rage toward the Ashfallen Sect, most dare not to make a move. They called my father rash and hot-headed for openly opposing the Ashfallen Sect and forced him to quiet down. But things are only going to get worse. With every passing day, my family loses their edge, so I refuse to sit by idly. The rogues are getting arrogant, leaving the family to pursue the path of cultivation, which has become more affordable." She looked him dead in the eyesight, a sense of rage flickering in her eyes, "It's disgusting. We were the ones chosen by the heavens, and the All-Seeing Eye came in and gave that gift to all who bow before it. It's like they are all obedient dogs so long as that fake god throws them a bone... nothing but pets."

Sullivan nodded along as that last line hit his ego a little.

"But that's a good idea. We should target the other regional managers first." Kaelith jogged up the stairs and beckoned him to follow, "Come on, we don't have much time."

Sullivan hesitantly followed. I better distance myself from this woman as much as possible. There's no way the Princess will allow the daughter of a family that directly opposes the Ashfallen Sect to live... except as a pet.

***

Ashlock returned his focus from fighting off the beast tide to his Inner World. The end of the day drew near with darkness blanketing the land, and due to his immense desolation Qi output to push back the beast tide, he needed all the sleep under the nine moons he could get to refill his rapidly depleting Qi reserves.

"Stella? What's all this?" Ashlock asked as he saw his daughter leaning on a stack of crates in her house's garden and looking at a map spread out over the top of one. The last time they spoke was a few hours ago, and according to Douglas, she had gone out to the mortal cities seeking a new hobby.

"Oh, Tree! You're finally back. How's the beast tide?"

"I'm managing to weaken the storm to the point where it doesn't outright uproot and tear apart my offspring, and the weaker monsters are apprehensive about advancing for now." Ashlock paused, "Though I'm sure that's temporary. Once the stronger monsters come up their rear, they will have no choice but to proceed into my area of desolation or be eaten by those behind as a traveling snack."

Stella looked up at the sky of his Inner World, which looked like a turbulent, darkened storm of desolation due to the Qi and daos he was pulling on to fuel his defense.

"I see. How's your Qi holding up? It must be straining to cover such a large area."

Straining was an understatement. Desolation Qi was quite taxing, especially if he put multiple daos into it. To constantly pump out desolation Qi on an area spanning a leyline? He was already at his limit.

"My natural Qi generation can keep up for now if I get enough sleep under the nine moons, but once the Star Core and above monsters arrive and fight back my Qi with their own, I'll be overwhelmed." Ashlock sighed, "I can still pull on the Qi of my offspring and maybe draw up more from the World Tree, but there's only so much I can do. The beast tide is inevitable. Now tell me, did you get bored during your trip and rob someone?"

Stella paused, "I suppose that's not so far from the truth. I did steal these. But in my defense! They belonged to the Eyepatch group—"

"That's a dumb name."

"I know, right?!" Stella laughed. "But they are a group directly opposing the All-Seeing Eye, so I guess the name fits? However, that's not important. The problem is that a new mysterious backer appeared a few days ago and started pumping the group with money and having them distribute these pills."

She cracked open one of the crates, revealing thousands of tiny red-colored pills.

"Blood pills?" Ashlock put the pieces together, "Does this have something to do with Vincent."

Stella nodded, "I have a lot to explain. But to sum it up, Vincent is involved and I have a plan to wipe him out for good. But for it to work, you'll need to learn blood dao as soon as possible, and we need to have the meeting in Tartarus with Vincent tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? That's so soon. We have only just completed the gate."

"Every day that passes, the threat of the night of reckoning increases." Stella patted the map, "Trust me, we need to move quickly."

Ashlock let out a long sigh. He wanted to rest his weary mind and soul under the nine moons, but villainy never slept. Vincent was out there conjuring a scheme that he would need to put a stop to.

"Alright, Stella," Ashlock gave his daughter his full attention, "What is your plan?"

Stella grinned, "You're going to love this."