Kong Tai did not hide his true intentions from Shanks.
Knowing that a devil was possibly on the verge of formation here, Kong Tai could not stand idly by while this creature continued to absorb the negative emotions of humans. Who knew if one day this creature might actually break through the world's boundaries, become a coordinate connecting to the devil's gate, and allow the devils from beyond the gate to descend upon this world again.
Even though Kong Tai was not afraid, perhaps by then he would have grown to the point where he could crush all devils with a single palm.
However, since he knew about it, it was understandable to come and eliminate this devil. It wasn't a difficult task, was it?
Moreover, Kong Tai also wanted to see what a devil truly formed from the negative emotions of humans looked like, and whether it was the same as the true devils from beyond the gate.
After hearing Kong Tai's affirmative answer, everyone could clearly feel Uta's steps becoming lighter at that moment.
Going all the way down.
Following Uta, everyone exited the passage and found themselves in a vast underground chamber.
The entire underground chamber was filled with a damp odor, but everyone could still see the past prosperity from the countless books on the surrounding walls.
Kong Tai casually picked up a book, blew off the dust, and saw its title: "Golden Go's Complete Works of Music."
Opening the cover, his eyes fell upon pages and pages of musical scores.
From the scores, Kong Tai seemed to see an elegant musician in a tuxedo, sitting at a piano under the moonlight, pouring his life, his insights, his experiences, and his music into his performance.
*Snap—!*
Closing the book, Kong Tai looked up at the bookshelves. On the dusty shelves all around, countless books, as densely packed as the one in his hand, began to glow with a blue light.
From a perspective no one could see, the library seemed to come alive in Kong Tai's eyes at this moment.
On each book, there was a small figure, passionately performing.
They were unwilling, unwilling to sleep here, to sleep in this lightless underground chamber. They yearned for light, for the warm hands of a musician, for the voice that would tell their stories to the world.
This was not a simple underground chamber, but the history of a great kingdom, the treasure of the world. Every book here contained the life's work of a musician, painstakingly created.
They were not swords, meant to stay in a tomb, nor were they ancient artifacts, needing to be kept in a museum or a private collection for admiration.
So, as Kong Tai looked at them, they looked back at him, and a colorful energy formed and flowed towards him.
This energy connected every book, floating in the air like beautiful, enchanting wisps of pollen dancing in the wind. It was also powerful, at least in Kong Tai's eyes.
However, the energy of desire was ultimately residual energy from the books, not the desire energy of these countless musicians. Therefore, no matter how strong it was, it could not affect Kong Tai.
They acted as if they hadn't seen anyone else present besides Kong Tai, revolving only around him and gradually enveloping him in the energy.
From an external perspective.
Gu Yina seemed to notice something unusual. She tilted her head and looked at Kong Tai, who stood still, a trace of electric arc appearing in her eyes.
However, neither electromagnetic waves nor observation haki could detect the energy that was entwining Kong Tai's body.
She could only sense that the space around Kong Tai's body seemed to have become unstable at that moment, as if it might shatter at any moment.
Just then, Kong Tai moved.
He casually raised his right hand and waved it forward, as if sweeping away smog.
At the same time, Kong Tai's brows furrowed slightly, and he let out a muffled "Hmph."
*Bang—!*
The space suddenly let out a sonic boom.
The tremendous sound, like firecrackers indoors in this underground chamber, was deafening and instantly drew everyone's attention.
"What's wrong?"
At this moment, everyone simultaneously stopped what they were doing.
Uta, who was walking ahead, turned around and looked at Kong Tai with a puzzled expression.
"Nothing."
Kong Tai nodded to everyone, raised his head, looked upwards, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Found something interesting."
"Something interesting?"
Everyone followed Kong Tai's gaze upwards. What they saw was a mural, etched in black and yellow under the light, which seemed to be imprinted in blood.
To everyone else, the mural was just an ordinary painting. But in Kong Tai's eyes, the mural was alive.
And the energy that had risen from the books could not invade Kong Tai's body, and had just been dispersed by him. Now, it merged together, like startled rabbits, only daring to circle Kong Tai without approaching.
Just then, a peculiar suction force suddenly emanated from the center of the mural above, pulling downwards like breathing, instantly drawing this colorful energy upwards.
At this moment, the colorful energy seemed to sense its impending fate. Like fish caught in a net, struggling, they had no choice but to follow the suction, bit by bit, upwards.
As the energy moved upwards, it slowly merged together. Just as it was about to be absorbed by the mural, its seven-colored hue rapidly turned into a single black color, and then vanished into the mural.
"Interesting, interesting, truly interesting."
Staring at the mural, Kong Tai's gaze fell upon a piece of paper hidden in a small compartment in the center. After absorbing the energy emanating from the books, this paper had become semi-illusory, as if it were about to merge with spacetime.
But Kong Tai knew that it wasn't the paper that had changed, but the musical score on it.
It was indeed a musical score, but it was also a chant to summon that Demon of Song to this world. And these powers of desire were the necessary strength to maintain the illusion and reality.
As for why the Goro Goro no Mi's power was needed.
It was likely that the Goro Goro no Mi was one side of the Demon of Song, and they originated from the same desire, which allowed the Goro Goro no Mi user to become the carrier and coordinate for the Demon of Song to manifest in the real world.
The musical score was merely an introduction. What truly connected to the Demon of Song...
Kong Tai lowered his head and looked at the white-clothed girl, who had specially dressed up today.
The girl was as white as an angel. Had her life not taken such a drastic turn, she would have been an angel, bringing more beautiful music to the world.
But just as darkness always followed light, a demon king must stand behind an angel.
And what truly connected to the Demon of Song was the virtual world inherent in Uta's Goro Goro no Mi ability, Uta's World.
Only through Uta's World and Uta could the Demon of Song truly manifest.