The God Tree spaceship burst through the spatial turbulence, leaving a pale purple energy trail in the dark sea of stars. The wood grain on the outer walls still bore the charred marks of the Tsubasa's spontaneous combustion. The Ōtsutsuki guards, who should have been on high alert for outsiders, were currently frantically tending to Genshō's healing pod, oblivious to the "inconspicuous stone" affixed to the energy conduit at the bottom of the spaceship.
The surface of this "stone" was covered with a layer of corpse aura as thin as a cicada's wing, the result of Orochimaru compressing his own aura to the extreme. His zombie body had long since separated from his flesh and blood. At this moment, his limbs and torso were completely attached to the wall of the God Tree spaceship, and even his heartbeat could stop on its own. If it were not seen with the naked eye at close range, even Domain Lord Level powerhouse would only think of him as cosmic dust absorbed by the spaceship during its journey.
"Tsk tsk, how careless." Orochimaru's tongue, hidden beneath the rock camouflage, lightly licked the corner of his mouth, a glint of excitement flashing in his crimson vertical pupils in the darkness. "But it's fine, saves me the trouble of breaking through the defense."
He could clearly sense the energy flowing inside the spaceship—a "life essence" a hundred times purer than the Chakra of the Shinobi World. Every energy fluctuation made his zombie body restless. Especially in the direction of Ōtsutsuki Genshō, a weak yet still powerful aura was like a lighthouse in the night, constantly tempting his appetite.
As the spaceship passed through a pale blue planetary shield, Orochimaru felt an energy suppression far beyond his imagination. That power was like an invisible giant hand, almost tearing apart his corpse aura disguise. Fortunately, he was prepared and immediately activated the improved " Multiple Corpse Clone Technique," distributing his main body's aura into millions of miniature clones. The energy fluctuations of each clone were controlled to the level of ants, and only then did he manage to land with the God Tree spaceship at the spaceport of the Ōtsutsuki Clan's home planet with great difficulty.
"Boom--"
As the supporting legs of the God Tree spaceship touched the ground, Orochimaru finally saw the true face of this planet. His eyes widened suddenly, and even his attention, which was maintaining his disguise, was slightly diverted—what came into view was not the mountains and rivers of the Shinobi World, but an endless giant forest, with God Tree hundreds of thousands of meters high reaching into the sky, God Tree Fruit of the God Tree on them shimmering like Xingchen.
"A billion times larger... This planet is actually a billion times larger than the Shinobi World?" Orochimaru's breathing became rapid, and the blood in his zombie body began to boil. " The Immortal King Tsubasa really didn't abandon me. This isn't a den of dragons and tigers; it's a hunting ground specially prepared for me!"
The security checks at the airport were much stricter than on the spaceship. Several Ōtsutsuki Clan in silver armor were scanning every corner with energy detectors. Orochimaru immediately concealed all his aura, adjusting his body density to be the same as that of a stone, so that he could perfectly refract the energy waves emitted by the detectors. When a guard's boot stepped on his disguised "stone," he could even clearly feel the texture of the other's sole, yet he remained completely still.
"Hurry up, Lord Genshō is waiting to be healed!" a guard urged impatiently. Several people carried Ōtsutsuki Genshō's healing pod away quickly. Orochimaru seized the opportunity, gliding along the ground like a gecko, silently following behind the group, moving towards the most magnificent city of the God Tree in the distance— Genshō City.
The healing hall of Genshō City was filled with rich life energy. Ōtsutsuki Genshō lay on the jade bed in the center, his face as pale as paper, golden blood still oozing from the wound on his chest. On either side of the jade bed stood two Ōtsutsuki Clan, also clad in armor— Ōtsutsuki Sekigan, the lord of Red Rock City, and Ōtsutsuki Anzei, the lord of Dark Devouring City. Both were Peak Domain Level experts, currently healing. They had died several times before, and even back on the Ōtsutsuki Planet, they were still filled with lingering fear. Unbeknownst to them, in the Yin Shadow of the hall, a pair of scarlet zombie eyes were slowly opening.
"Lord Genshō, please hold on a little longer. The healers from the main city are on their way." Sekigan's voice carried a hint of anxiety; he could sense that Ōtsutsuki Genshō's life essence was rapidly draining away.
Anzei frowned, his fingers constantly forming hand seals, causing the runes in the hall to glow with a pale golden light. "Strange, I have a feeling something's not right, like something's watching us."
"Stop being so paranoid. This is Genshō City. Who would dare to barge in?" Sekigan waved his hand impatiently, his gaze still fixed on Genshō's wound.
Just then, Orochimaru made his move.
He suddenly sprang from the Yin Shadow, his hands rapidly Hand Seals: "Forbidden Technique - Corpse Devouring!"
Unlike the Shinobi World Reaper Death Seal of the ninja world, Orochimaru's technique was created by combining the power of zombies. Black chains flew from his palms, carrying a dense aura of corpses, and instantly bound Sekigan and Anzei's limbs. Caught off guard, the two were bound by the chains. Just as they tried to mobilize their energy to break free, they discovered that the corpse aura on the chains was seeping into their bodies through their skin, rapidly eroding their life essence.
"What the hell?!" Genshō suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of shock and anger in them. He struggled to get up, but due to his severe injuries, he didn't even have the strength to lift his hand.
Orochimaru ignored Genshō's roar. His body transformed into a black shadow, instantly lunging at Ōtsutsuki Genshō. He opened his mouth, revealing sharp fangs, and bit down hard on Genshō's neck.
"Ah--!" Genshō let out a painful roar. He could clearly feel his life essence being devoured frantically. The icy aura, like a leech, instantly spread throughout his body, causing his body to stiffen.
Seeing this, Sekigan and Anzei were filled with rage. They desperately tried to break free of their chains, but found that the energy within their bodies was becoming increasingly chaotic, and the corpse energy had begun to erode their souls.
"It's useless." Orochimaru said with a smile as he devoured Genshō's life essence, "My corpse energy is already bound to your souls. Unless you are willing to self-destruct, you can only become my nourishment."
As Ōtsutsuki Genshō's life essence was continuously devoured, Orochimaru's aura began to surge rapidly. His body continued to expand, his originally pale skin became more resilient, and the corpse aura on his body changed from black to deep purple. When Genshō's body completely withered, Orochimaru suddenly roared to the sky, and an aura far exceeding the previous one burst forth from his body, causing the entire healing hall to tremble violently.
"Success... I've finally advanced to the High-Grade Zombie King!" Orochimaru exclaimed excitedly, feeling the surging power within him. He turned to look at Sekigan and Anzei, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "As for you, you shall become my great Zombie Monarch's subordinates."
After killing the two, he raised his hand and sent two streams of black corpse energy into the bodies of Sekigan and Anzei. The two, who had been corpses, instantly sprang to their feet, the light in their eyes gradually fading, replaced by a crimson glow. They slowly lowered their heads and knelt on one knee before Orochimaru: "Master."
Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction and said, "From today onwards, you will be called the Red Zombie King and the Dark Zombie King. Now, we should leave. Although Genshō City is magnificent, it is not our current destination."
After saying this, Orochimaru, along with the Red Zombie King and the Dark Zombie King, transformed into three black shadows and silently left the healing hall of Crimson Sky City, heading towards the small villages surrounding Genshō City. He knew that to completely conquer this planet, the three of them alone were not enough; he needed a massive Zombie Corps.