The Savage Beast Forest had once followed the law of the jungle, with frequent, unceasing slaughter yet a relative peace. Now, it had fallen into complete chaos.
Back when they were in the world of Heian-kyo, Orochimaru had obtained a vast quantity of oni and deity bloodlines from Ling Qing.
Of the two, he provided the bloodlines, while Caesar used his own knowledge to drive their evolution.
Then, through comparison and investigation, they identified the crucial factors behind bloodline evolution.
After Orochimaru and the others settled down, they scattered these bloodline evolution factors into the lake.
The evolution factors entered the bodies of beasts that used the lake as their water source through the lakewater.
They began merging with the beasts' original bloodlines, setting them upon the path of bloodline evolution.
This unrestricted evolution could devour all forms of power—including flesh, blood, thoughts, and more—to fuel its growth.
As they gradually grew stronger, their bloodlines would instinctively choose the direction best suited to their own evolution.
Then they would display all manner of oni and deity traits.
The birth of gods mostly stemmed from violence and fear.
When living beings could not understand strange phenomena of heaven and earth, or abilities beyond their comprehension, they would often blame it on gods at work.
The inhabitants of the Savage Beast Forest were no different. The sudden upheaval was beyond their understanding.
Yet the powerful strength it brought made them instinctively pursue it.
After all, the instinct to grow stronger was the nature of every intelligent creature.
Bloodline evolution factors could spread not only through water sources. By devouring creatures carrying bloodline evolution factors, one could absorb them as well.
The sudden changes shattered the original food chain. The weak abruptly became strong, and herbivores began eating meat.
The devouring hunger born