Burning Flesh

Lu Ren asked curiously, "It seems this is a dead end. Though you know that on the fifteenth of the seventh month, floating lanterns rise into the sky and offer a chance to leave the city, you first have to withstand the pollution and assimilation power of the City of Phantoms. But in your current state, with your weight, even leaving this place would be extremely difficult. You must have missed several chances already, haven't you?"

It looked like Lüzhu had been in the City of Phantoms for several years. To have become like this, she had likely already devoured several groups of Celestial Immortals who entered this place.

Lüzhu said, "This time is my last chance. I ask that you grant me this. If I have the chance to become a Golden Immortal and take control of the City of Phantoms someday, I will remember the favor you have shown me today and save you from your descent into ruin."

As she spoke, Lüzhu stared greedily at Lu Ren. "Your blood, vitality, and essence are abundant. You must walk the path of Body Refinement to Sainthood. Those who follow that path are especially nourishing. You might even be enough to sustain me until next year."

As she spoke, the mountain of flesh that was Lüzhu laboriously raised an arm. Countless threads had silently wound themselves around her plump fingers long ago. With a slight twitch of her fingers, the threads tightly sealing off Lu Ren began to tremble violently and compress toward him.

Lüzhu revealed her true nature at last. Because of her enormous frame, once she stopped concealing herself, her formerly gentle voice became exceedingly rough, practically turning into a howl. Saliva splattered from her gaping mouth, revealing jagged, interlocking, vicious teeth.

"Turn into a meat patty. I