"What?!"
The exclamation tore through the battlefield, halting every movement. Heads snapped upward in unison, drawn by the voice''s urgency. What greeted them in the skies was a nightmare etched into the fabric of their souls.
A colossal stone, no¡ªa mountain, plummeted from the heavens. Its descent carved roaring fissures in the air, a deafening cacophony that resonated deep in their chests. The atmosphere turned thick with dread, heavy as if the heavens themselves were pressing down. Shadows spread outward, cloaking the land for hundreds of miles, their suffocating presence matched only by the crushing aura that seemed to halt time itself.
Their breaths caught in their throats, hearts pounding as an icy chill gripped them.
"God''s damn meteorite¡ªno, this is a mountain! A freaking mountain!" an extraordinary warrior bellowed, his voice trembling as if barely holding the shards of his sanity together. His hands shook, his face pale. "Where in the nine hells did this come from?!"
Meteorites¡ªthey were phenomena of awe and destruction, and many had witnessed them in some form. Yet, none had seen anything close to the behemoth hurtling toward them now. Five thousand feet tall, its sheer size dwarfed cities, eclipsing everything in its shadow. A city, a fortress, even an entire mountain range was compacted into this gargantuan stone.
Despair sank into their hearts like lead.
"Run! Get out of here! If that thing lands, we''re dead¡ªdead, do you hear me?!" another warrior screamed, his voice cracking under the weight of the inevitability.
The crowd stirred at his words, but none moved. What was the use?
"We''re extraordinary warriors, invincible to mortals¡ªbut this, this is no mortal threat!" he continued, his cries turning desperate.
It was true. They were warriors capable of shattering armies, beings who had transcended mortal limits. But against this? Against a mountain-sized stone summoned by the heavens? Even gods seemed absent in their despair.
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"Escape?" someone whispered, their voice hollow. "How? Even at our speed, it''s impossible. The range¡ªit''s too vast!"
Hopelessness settled over them like the stone''s shadow. Their elite troops, numbering in the tens of millions, seemed insignificant. What could they possibly do against such a force of nature?
The realization was merciless¡ªthis was not a battle. This was divine punishment.
"Divine punishment!" a voice shrieked, rising above the others. An extraordinary warrior staggered forward, his eyes wide with hysteria. "Tang Country must be protected by an ancient god! This¡ªthis boulder, it''s divine wrath! It''s retribution for our blasphemy!"
The crowd faltered, the accusation taking root in their minds.
"No, no, it''s impossible! Gods, protecting a place like this?"
"Then how do you explain it? This mountain, this¡ annihilation descending from the heavens¡ªwhat else could it be?!"
Their voices clashed in panicked tones, each one more desperate than the last. The truth gnawed at their souls. This wasn''t a natural event. This was the wrath of a Primordial Being, punishment summoned by Tang Country''s ancient guardian.
"And we dared to blaspheme."
"It''s over¡ we''re completely finished. There is no doubt¡ªblasphemy will lead to death."
The grim proclamation spread like wildfire, muttered by generals and soldiers alike, their voices trembling under the weight of their impending doom.
"How could such a ridiculous thing happen?" one of them rasped. "We are the Thunder Kingdom¡ªan empire of over ten billion people! We''ve crushed dozens of nations beneath our banner. How could we be brought to ruin because of some ancient god?"
"This is the power of the divine," another murmured, their face pale as ash. "Mortals cannot fathom it, much less defy it."
Their words reflected the despair that had gripped them all. Pride, strength, and countless victories meant nothing before the titanic force descending from above. The shadow of the falling boulder stretched endlessly, a grim harbinger of their extinction.
It was natural.
What courage could a person muster when faced with a disaster of this magnitude? It was as though humanity itself had been confronted by a meteor the size of Beijing, hurling toward Xuanhuang Star. Technology, armies, and strategy¡ªall rendered meaningless against such a force of annihilation. Even a nuclear bomb would fail to destroy something of this scale.
The soldiers knew this truth.
A memory seemed to surface collectively in their minds¡ªa time sixty million years ago when a similar calamity had struck Earth, ending the reign of the dinosaurs and plunging the world into an ice age.
This was Tianwei, the wrath of the heavens. The might of nature, impartial and insurmountable.
And so, they stood helpless.
Until a voice thundered through the despair.
"Fools!"
The shout came from the heart of the formation, commanding attention like a crack of thunder. The Lord of Thunder himself stood, his aura fierce and unshaken. His hand gripped the fabled Thor''s Hammer, and his eyes burned with defiance.
"What natural disaster? What divine punishment? What ancient god?" he roared, his voice thick with contempt. "Do you think a mere stone¡ªno matter how large¡ªcan bring about my end? I am the Thunder God on earth!"
The words hit like a lightning bolt, shattering the paralysis of fear.
"Wishful thinking!" he snarled. "Watch as I shatter this so-called stone of extinction with a single strike!"
The air around him surged with power. Purple lightning erupted from his body, crackling with fury. The sky darkened further as black clouds churned in obedience to his will. Thunder roared, shaking the heavens, as if announcing the rise of an equal to the divine might descending upon them.
In that moment, the Lord of Thunder stood not as a mere man or ruler but as a god reborn¡ªready to defy the heavens themselves.
Chapter 38 The Fall Of Thunder : Wrath of the World-Breaker
Thunder cracked across the heavens.
The Lord of the Thunder Kingdom surged into action, a figure of defiance against the apocalyptic boulder descending from the skies. He leapt into the air, wielding Thor''s Hammer, his gaze locked on the mountainous threat. In that instant, he was no mere mortal; he was a force of nature.
With a roar that shook the heavens, he unleashed the mightiest strike of his life. Lightning converged at the hammer''s core, an ocean of thunderous power roaring to life. The air crackled, splitting as the divine wrath of the hammer descended upon the world-destroying boulder.
For a fleeting moment, he was the incarnation of a Thunder God, his presence unmatched, his power boundless.
"He''s done it! His Majesty has taken action!"
"Yes! There''s hope yet! The Lord of the Thunder Kingdom will save us all!"
"Thor''s Hammer is supreme! No mere boulder, no matter how destructive, can withstand His Majesty''s strike!"
"He''ll shatter it in one blow! He must!"
The voices of the masses swelled in desperate hope. Their king, Wu Yong, had achieved countless feats before, each one a legend in its own right. To destroy this apocalyptic boulder was impossible¡ªfor anyone but him.
They believed, for had he not made the impossible possible time and time again?
But belief shattered as reality struck.
The hammer''s devastating force connected, thunder exploding like a celestial symphony, but the boulder remained. A small crack, a scatter of rubble¡ªthat was all.
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Wu Yong''s eyes widened in disbelief. His power, his mastery of lightning, his greatest blow¡ªand yet, this monstrous boulder remained nearly untouched.
"How¡ how can this be?" he murmured, voice trembling. "Why is it so unyielding?!"
The boulder''s material was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Not even meteorite iron could compare to its density and hardness. What he had assumed to be merely another challenge was a force beyond comprehension.
In truth, this was no ordinary stone. It hailed from a world of grander proportions, a realm where materials dwarfed their miniature-world counterparts in both size and density. His strike was monumental, but against such a colossal force, it was as insignificant as a candle against a storm.
The boulder did not stop.
It continued its relentless descent, indifferent to the defiance of the Thunder Lord. It was like watching a mortal attempt to halt the fall of a planet¡ªa futile struggle against the inevitable.
Despair seeped into Wu Yong''s heart. The weight of heaven''s wrath bore down on him, crushing his once-unyielding spirit. He was a hero, yes, but even heroes had their limits.
"If only¡ if only I had known Tang Guo had the protection of the Ancient Gods¡" He clenched his fists, regret stabbing deep into his soul. "I would never have provoked them¡ never."
But regret was a bitter medicine that came too late.
"No!" His voice erupted in a guttural roar. "I am the Lord of the Thunder Kingdom! I have conquered fifty nations, expanded my lands, and forged my legend in blood and thunder! I am invincible!"
His eyes blazed with defiance. "If the heavens wish to end me, then I will defy the heavens themselves! You hear me, gods? You dream if you think I''ll fall so easily!"
Yet, even as his voice carried across the skies, the truth was clear. His power was spent, his strength insufficient. The might of the Ancient Gods and their apocalyptic boulder was beyond him.
Thunder roared one final time as the massive boulder descended. The heavens did not answer, nor did they need to.
In the next moment, the world-destroying boulder fell.
It descended like the wrath of heaven, crashing into the earth with a force that defied comprehension. The impact obliterated everything in its path. The Lord of the Thunder Kingdom, his armies, his dreams of conquest¡ªnothing remained.
In an instant, their forms were reduced to pulp, their existence wiped from history. Not even the intervention of gods could salvage them now.
Boom!
The ground beneath the colossal boulder gave way, groaning under the impossible weight. A deafening roar erupted, as if the world itself cried out in anguish. The land quaked violently, as though caught in the throes of a magnitude eight earthquake.
Hundreds of miles trembled.
The earth split apart, vast chasms tearing across the landscape like the scars of an enraged deity. A crater of unimaginable size formed at the impact site¡ªa pit so deep it seemed to pierce the bowels of the earth. The surrounding terrain, once dotted with mountains and forests, was reduced to rubble.
From the center of the devastation, cracks radiated outward like veins of destruction, plunging into unseen depths. Smoke and dust billowed into the sky, obscuring the sun and shrouding the world in a suffocating haze.
The scene was apocalyptic.
Dozens of miles were veiled in darkness, the air thick with ash and debris. The shockwaves carried the echoes of annihilation, flattening everything in their wake. Forests were splintered into kindling, rocks shattered into dust, and rivers diverted as if the world itself recoiled from the destruction.
It was no longer a battlefield¡ªit was a graveyard.
Silence followed the storm.
Chapter 39 The Fall of The Thunder Kingdom
At this moment, Li Xiao and the others stood atop the city walls, their eyes fixed on the approaching army of the Thunder Kingdom, a mighty force a million strong, advancing from the distance.
Suddenly, a cry broke through the silence. "Look! The sky¡ a stone mountain has appeared out of nowhere!"
The General of Tang Guo stared in disbelief. "Impossible. How could such a mountain of stone appear in the sky? It''s enormous¡"
His body trembled at the sight of the shadowed mountain, its immense size casting a suffocating presence. It loomed above them, dwarfing everything in its wake, as though a force of nature itself had come to pass judgment.
"If that boulder falls, no one will survive," the General muttered, fear creeping into his voice.
"Look, it seems to be heading straight for the barracks of the Thunder Kingdom," someone shouted, eyes wide.
A cold silence followed. "It''s over¡ The Thunder Kingdom is finished. If such a mountain falls, even the mightiest warrior will perish. No one can survive this."
"Divine punishment¡ it must be the hand of the Primordial God," a voice whispered, trembling with awe.
The words echoed through the group, and a collective realization gripped them. The sudden appearance of the mountain, the direct targeting of the Thunder Kingdom¡ªthere could be no other explanation. The gods had intervened.
Booming¡ª
The words had barely left their mouths when the massive stone mountain slammed into the earth, sending a shockwave that ravaged everything in its path. The land trembled, and the mountain range spanning a hundred miles was reduced to rubble in an instant.
The earth groaned beneath the weight of the impact, and the rumble of the collision shook the very foundations of the city. Cracks spread across the walls where they stood, as if the city itself were on the verge of collapsing.
"The Thunder Kingdom¡" a general murmured, his face drained of color. "Are they¡ all gone?"
He watched in stunned silence as the colossal stone mountain descended from the heavens, crashing into the ground with a deafening roar. In an instant, the earth was torn asunder, a pit of hundreds of miles formed where the boulder struck. The entire army of the Thunder Kingdom was caught in its destructive path.
"Dead. They are all dead. Not even their remains will be found," someone murmured, eyes wide with terror.
"Even the mightiest warriors¡ªthe Golden Warriors, Diamond Warriors, even the extraordinary ones¡ªthey''ll be crushed without a chance," another voice quivered.
"The Lord God''s power is beyond comprehension," someone whispered in awe. "Without lifting a finger, from miles away, he hurls a mere stone mountain and wipes out an entire army."
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"Just one boulder," another muttered, shaking with fear. "What if the gods decided to throw hundreds or thousands? Would the entire Thunder Kingdom be reduced to rubble, to nothing but meat and bones?"
"Shenwei," came the reverent whisper, "this is the power of the ancient gods."
The soldiers and citizens were so stunned they could scarcely speak. The sheer might of the strike, the earth shaking beneath the weight of a stone mountain, felt as though the world itself was crumbling. It was a force no mortal could stand against.
Not even the legendary extraordinary warriors could survive such a calamity.
"This¡ this is divine punishment?" Li Xiao''s voice trembled as he spoke.
He had seen the effects of divine punishment before, during the destruction of Chen Guo three years ago. The Primordial Gods had frozen entire cities, causing untold death. At the time, the devastation had left him in awe of the gods'' power, but he hadn''t fully grasped its magnitude.
Now, witnessing it firsthand, he understood. A stone mountain, falling from the heavens, had wiped out thousands of elite warriors, including the invincible Lord of the Thunder Kingdom and his greatest generals. They were crushed like insects beneath the gods'' will.
Even the most extraordinary warriors, those revered for their power, were reduced to nothing in an instant. It was as if they had never been.
Li Xiao shuddered, imagining his own fate had the gods chosen his city as their target. If a stone mountain had fallen upon Chang''an, he would have been reduced to nothing, never knowing his end. No place was safe from the wrath of the gods.
And with that thought, Li Xiao''s faith in the Primordial Gods was solidified, unshakable and unwavering. No matter what, he would never betray the gods.
"Behold! The Primordial God has appeared!"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd, and all eyes turned toward the figure emerging from the mist. A giant, towering at ten feet, appeared before them. The sheer scale of this being was impossible to comprehend¡ªits toes alone were the size of a palace, and the rest of its body was lost in the mists above.
They could only glimpse the faint outline of the giant, its massive form emerging from the depths of the clouds.
The survivors, both soldiers of the Thunder Kingdom and citizens of Tang Guo, fell to their knees in terror, shivering in fear. The awe of the ancient gods gripped them tightly, for they knew that one misstep could bring ruin beyond imagination.
Even those who had once doubted the existence of such gods now stood in terrified reverence. The power displayed was irrefutable, and no one could deny the presence of the gods.
Chapter 40 The Rise of Tang
The colossal figure amidst the mist was none other than Xia Chuan. With a casual motion, he hurled a boulder, crushing countless soldiers of the Thunder Kingdom. In passing, he obliterated the kingdom''s lord and, upon crossing the ancient bronze door, re-entered the miniature world.
His goal was simple: retrieve the boulder and seize the world prop¡ªthe Hammer of Thor¡ªfrom the Lord of the Thunder Kingdom. After all, this was a prize he was destined to claim.
Boom~~
With a slight push, Xia Chuan moved the boulder aside and effortlessly discovered the Hammer of Thor, placing it upon himself.
Initially, Xia Chuan had planned to leave after claiming the hammer. However, upon seeing the multitude of believers kneeling in reverence, his mind shifted.
"The desecrator shall perish, and the Thunder Kingdom shall be destroyed."
With this divine decree, Xia Chuan''s voice rang through the air.
For him, acquiring the Hammer of Thor was only a secondary goal. The primary aim was to obliterate the Thunder Kingdom, harvest its billions of souls, and swell the ranks of his own followers.
Whoosh!
With a final utterance, he vanished through the ancient bronze door, leaving the place in an instant.
"The will of the gods decrees the fall of the Thunder Kingdom."
Li Xiao, hearing these words and witnessing Xia Chuan''s departure, rose to his feet. Drawing his long sword, he bellowed, his body brimming with imperial power.
It was clear he had received the ancient gods'' decree to destroy the Thunder Kingdom. This divine sanction from the ancient deities made the destruction of the kingdom inevitable.
The Lord of the Thunder Kingdom, along with many generals and elites, had been crushed beneath a mountain of rock. Though the Thunder Kingdom spanned vast lands, no one could stand against the might of Tang''s soldiers.
Indeed, the Kingdom of Tang was poised to enact the legend of the snake swallowing the elephant. If successful, Tang would rise to an empire, boasting tens of billions of people and an expanse of more than ten million square kilometers.
A burning ambition flickered in his eyes.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"Destroy the Thunder Kingdom! Annihilate the Thunder Kingdom!"
The soldiers of Tang roared in unison. Never before had they felt such confidence. Behind them stood the primordial gods, ready to descend upon a mountain at any moment, slaying millions.
With the ancient gods'' protection, they were invincible¡ªno one could stand in their way.
The roar was deafening, shaking the earth as though a small earthquake had struck, filling all with dread.
"Now then," Li Xiao sneered, "Do you wish to surrender... or die?"
He approached the remaining millions of soldiers from the Thunder Kingdom.
Standing above them, despite their numbers surpassing those of Tang''s, Li Xiao remained unfazed. The soldiers of Tang were no match for the elite forces of the Thunder Kingdom in a fair fight, yet the soldiers of the Thunder Kingdom quaked in fear before the primordial gods, their courage shattered.
"Are we still going to fight? Should we really push this to the bitter end?"
"How can this be? This isn''t a battle¡ªit''s a slaughter by the enemy."
"Did you not see? Tang''s forces are protected by ancient gods. They are all believers, wielding supernatural powers. How could we possibly fight them?"
"Exactly. Even the kingdom''s lord, wielding Thor''s Hammer, along with ten extraordinary warriors and many diamond warriors, were obliterated by a single mountain of stone. How can we hope to win?"
"Indeed, it''s not about loyalty anymore. Serving the Primordial Gods is an honor."
"Yes, if we continue to resist, do you know what awaits us? Not only will we die, but our families in the Thunder Kingdom will perish with us."
"Indeed. If the Lord God summons dozens of stone mountains, even with our kingdom''s population, we won''t survive."
"There''s no point in continuing this fight. The kingdom''s lord is dead, and we are not traitors."
"In that case, we surrender."
A wave of murmurs spread through the ranks, and soon, all the soldiers chose to submit to the Kingdom of Tang.
Wow~~
In an instant, millions of soldiers from the Thunder Kingdom cast aside their weapons, signaling their surrender to Tang and their willingness to become prisoners, to serve the Kingdom of Tang.
"Well."
Li Xiao''s heart swelled with ecstasy, his joy immeasurable.
The current strength of Tang could barely muster 20 to 30 million soldiers, most of whom were common folk with little combat experience. Even if they conquered the entire Thunder Kingdom, there wouldn''t be enough troops to defend its vast cities.
But now, with these newly acquired soldiers from the Thunder Kingdom, Tang''s military power had grown exponentially. With them, Tang had more than enough strength to occupy every inch of the Thunder Kingdom.
"Send the orders immediately. Thunder Kingdom must fall."
Li Xiao''s voice was firm as he issued the command without hesitation.
He knew that soldiers were swift, and time was of the essence. They had to seize the entirety of the Thunder Kingdom before word of the disaster could spread.
Once the kingdom had been claimed, no other nations would have the time to react, even if they heard of the fall of Thunder.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The soldiers roared in unison, their excitement palpable.
For them, conquering foreign lands was a tremendous honor, a glory reserved for those who expanded the empire. They hadn''t expended much effort in the recent battles, yet now, they were ready to seize their moment and prove their worth.
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Chapter 41 The Awakening
At this moment, Xuanhuangxing ** sealed off the villa area of Lihai Peninsula.
Xia Chuan had just returned from the miniature world, holding the world prop, Thor''s Hammer, in his hand. With ease, he made Thor''s Hammer recognize him as its master.
"Master."
The voice of Thor''s Hammer echoed in the air. It had now taken on the form of a massive black-yellow star hammer, a characteristic of world props¡ªable to change size according to the user''s needs.
The hammer radiated with an overwhelming aura of thunder, its surface covered in densely packed thunder runes. It seemed as though every movement could summon the endless power of thunder from the heavens.
It was as if a single shift of the hammer would stir the heavens themselves, unleashing a storm of thunder that could ravage the world.
"You can speak?"
Xia Chuan asked, his curiosity piqued.
He had two world props in his possession¡ªthe Book of Wisdom and the Gravity Ball. The Book of Wisdom could speak and had its own consciousness.
However, the Gravity Ball was silent, merely a tool.
"Master, while not all world props possess self-awareness or the ability to speak, some do, and I am one of them¡ªThor''s Hammer," the hammer replied proudly.
Though world props were treasures capable of disrupting the balance of the world, their nature varied. No matter how powerful they were, some world props were far more terrifying than others. This was an undeniable fact.
"But I killed your last master. Don''t you hate me?"
Xia Chuan asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Usually, world props had strong bonds with their previous owners. As the one who killed the last owner of Thor''s Hammer, Xia Chuan wondered if the hammer would hold a grudge.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
It was a normal reaction for creatures to feel such emotions.
"That was a matter of the previous generation of Thor''s Hammer. It has nothing to do with me," the hammer answered, unfazed.
"Previous generation Thor''s Hammer? What do you mean by that?"
Xia Chuan asked, confused.
"Master," the Book of Wisdom suddenly spoke up. "In fact, the spirit of a world prop is not immortal. It is a special entity born from the prop itself. When we bind ourselves to a holder through a contract, our soul is tied to theirs. Once the holder dies, we, too, perish."
"Therefore, every world item is extremely cautious when choosing a master," the Book of Wisdom continued. "After all, you can''t choose a short-lived master, as that would lead to your own death."
"There''s such a thing?"
Xia Chuan was taken aback, shocked to learn of this hidden truth about world props.
"On the surface, world props seem immortal, passed down from generation to generation," the Book of Wisdom explained. "But in truth, our spirits can die. When we perish, we are reborn within the world prop, but we are no longer the same being. The previous life''s essence is gone, and we are born anew."
The Book of Wisdom paused before adding, "Even so, when a generation of artifact spirits dies, their memories remain within the prop. For us new spirits, these memories are like books in a library¡ªmerely historical records. We understand what happened, but we have no emotional attachment."
"Ah, I understand now," Xia Chuan said, the pieces falling into place. He realized that in the world of props, each artifact''s spirit changes with every new owner, yet these artifacts are reborn with every generation.
It was as if a new master brought with them a new spirit, but because the artifact retained the memories of its previous incarnations, it wasn''t like a newborn¡ªlike a blank slate. The spirit knew the world well, but it felt no connection to its past masters. After all, they were just strangers to it.
Despite being a new spirit, the artifacts were creatures with their own souls, and naturally, they feared death. This made them cautious when choosing their masters. If they didn''t deem the new master worthy, they''d rather sleep than form a contract.
"The power of Thor''s Hammer..."
Xia Chuan mused as he grasped the hammer. Instantly, he felt the vast, all-encompassing power of thunder deep within the void.
With a mere thought, he could summon endless lightning, transforming into the god of thunder, capable of obliterating his enemies and leaving not even bones or armor behind.
Booming~~~
In that instant, the sky above the sealed city darkened, clouds swirling as lightning crackled ominously. The thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed in the depths of the dark clouds, threatening to tear the very stars apart.
Xia Chuan could feel the hundreds of thousands of bolts of thunder in the sky, all within his control. With a single thought, he could call upon countless thunderbolts, striking down powerful enemies with devastating force.
"Is this the power to control Thunder?"
Xia Chuan marveled, realizing that, with Thor''s Hammer in his grip, he had dominion over all thunder and lightning. Every bolt of power was now at his command.
Chapter 42 Silver Rank Warrior
"It''s no wonder that the Lord of the Kingdom of Thunder is called the God of Thunder."
Xia Chuan marveled at the power of Thor''s Hammer. Like the Gravity Ball, it was a magic weapon capable of disrupting the world''s balance, possessing unimaginable abilities.
But the most important factor was his own physique, which allowed him to unleash the full potential of Thor''s Hammer¡ªfar surpassing the strength of the Lord of Thunder Country.
He could feel it¡ªholding Thor''s Hammer in his hand, he was an invincible force. With a single strike, he could destroy the world itself. It was an awe-inspiring and terrifying power.
"In addition to controlling the power of Thunder, I can actually feel the power of electromagnetic waves."
In a moment, Xia Chuan closed his eyes and focused.
Boom~~
Suddenly, with his body as the epicenter, the power of electromagnetic waves spread outward in expanding layers, covering the entire 9.6 million square kilometers in an instant.
He could clearly perceive the magnetic field within each person. After all, every living being emitted a unique life magnetic field. If there was none, it meant the person was dead.
"This is the power of the Heart Network."
Xia Chuan was filled with satisfaction.
Clearly, the power of Thor''s Hammer was far beyond his expectations and still growing. With the ability to sense electromagnetic fields, he no longer needed eyes to perceive objects thousands of miles away or detect countless life forms.
He could even predict an enemy''s movements as if seeing the future itself.
"Master, the power within you is extraordinary. Every previous holder of Thor''s Hammer was never as capable as you. You can wield its full power."
Thor''s Hammer spoke with excitement.
Its power was intimately tied to its holder¡ªthe stronger the holder, the greater the power Thor''s Hammer could channel.
There had been many strong wielders of Thor''s Hammer in the past. Each generation was a Thor, but none could compare to Xia Chuan.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
This was simply the gap between races. Though Xia Chuan was just at the beginning, he was already at a level that humans in the miniature world could never reach in their lifetime.
It was like a rabbit trying to match the strength of a tiger or lion¡ªthe gap between their kinds could not be overcome by mere effort.
"Huh?! A breakthrough?!"
At this moment, Xia Chuan felt a surge in his heart. He sensed the enormous energy pouring into him from Thor''s Hammer¡ªenergy derived from the very thunder that roared across the heavens.
Wow~~
He sat cross-legged, circulating his cultivation technique, drawing in the power. His body seemed to transform into a massive black hole, generating an unimaginable vortex of energy.
The torrent of thunder energy rushed into his Dantian Qi Sea.
This was the true might of Hundong Tuna Gong, a technique that could convert any kind of energy from heaven and earth into pure, usable power.
The stronger the cultivator, the higher the conversion efficiency of the technique, allowing the user to absorb and transform energy at an extraordinary rate.
To a certain extent, thunder energy could be considered a form of incredibly pure heaven-and-earth energy, with no essential difference from the natural aura of the world. However, ordinary people who tried to absorb thunder energy would first be destroyed by its sheer power.
But Xia Chuan, having gained mastery over Thor''s Hammer, was immune to the power of Thunder.
Booming~~
One week, two weeks, three weeks... The internal qi in Xia Chuan''s body flowed tirelessly through his meridians. With each cycle, his internal qi grew stronger, expanding threefold with each turn.
After completing one hundred and eight cycles, the internal qi inside his body had reached unimaginable levels, filling every corner of his meridians. His body was on the verge of bursting from the overwhelming energy.
Boom!
In that instant, Xia Chuan felt his body tremble, and the immense internal qi broke through one of his acupuncture points. A torrent of qi surged through the point, flooding his body.
Silver Rank Warrior!
In that moment, Xia Chuan knew instantly that he had crossed into the Silver Realm from the Bronze Realm. He had gone from a novice to a slightly stronger rookie.
He could sense his strength and inner energy had undergone a drastic evolution.
"Is this the Hundred Aperture Gathering of a Silver Realm Warrior?"
Xia Chuan marveled at the change.
What exactly is a Silver Realm Warrior? It is a Baiqiao Gathering Spirit. There are a total of 108 acupuncture points in the human body, hidden deep within.
To become a Silver Realm Warrior, one must perceive these acupuncture points, then use the internal qi to open them. This allows the qi to flow into the points, filling the body with the aura of heaven and earth, triggering a complete transformation.
With one hundred and eight acupuncture points, the body''s capacity for zhenqi is at least ten times greater than that of a Bronze Realm Warrior¡ªpossibly even twenty times greater. The difference between the two realms is immense.
Most importantly, as the internal qi flows through the acupuncture points and meridians, it strengthens the muscles and bones, enhancing the body''s power.
A Silver Realm Warrior is essentially a reborn being. From this point onward, the body surpasses that of an ordinary human. Every bone is tougher and stronger than steel¡ªtruly terrifying.
Chapter 43 Ascension
"The power of faith seems to be increasing?!"
Suddenly, Xia Chuan sensed something strange. Dense golden lines appeared deep within the void. These golden strands, varying in size, rushed toward him.
The streams of golden faith energy surged into his body, causing the internal energy within him to increase at an astonishing rate, visibly growing with each passing moment. It seemed that with every cycle of the week, his internal qi would rise by three points.
Such a growth rate was terrifying.
In normal circumstances, even a Silver Realm Warrior could not increase their internal qi so rapidly. No matter how many rare treasures they consumed, it would still be impossible to achieve this level of increase. But with the immense power of faith aiding him, this miracle became a reality.
"Master, your number of believers has increased¡ªat least to more than two billion," the voice of the Book of Wisdom echoed.
"How can the number of believers grow so fast?" Xia Chuan asked, astonished.
Before, his followers had numbered only one billion. Now, how had this number doubled so quickly?
"Probably because the Kingdom of Tang has already begun occupying the cities of the former Kingdom of Thunder, converting some of their residents into your followers," the Book of Wisdom explained.
"That makes sense."
Xia Chuan nodded, absorbing the information.
He had been immersed in cultivation for at least two or three hours when he broke through to the Silver Realm. In the real world, that would equate to at least a month passing in the miniature world.
Given such a span of time, it was likely that Tang State had already deployed tens of millions of troops to occupy the former territories of Thunder State, city after city, causing their population to swell. Meanwhile, his number of followers had grown exponentially.
And this was just the beginning. Once Tang Dynasty had fully conquered the land of Thunder, incorporating all the tens of billions of Thunder Country''s people into his fold, his number of followers would soar beyond ten billion.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
That would mark a true explosion in his faith power, which would be overwhelmingly vast.
"How long will it take to completely occupy Thunder Country?" Xia Chuan inquired.
"Because Thunder Country is vast, it will take at least a year to fully occupy it," the Book of Wisdom answered.
"A year? That doesn''t seem too long," Xia Chuan mused.
Measured in real-world terms, it was only a day. He felt that by the time he slept and woke up, he would hear the news that the Kingdom of Thunder had been entirely claimed.
Booming~~
As the power of faith surged through him once again, Xia Chuan felt it spread across his body like a river, causing his internal qi to rise at an extraordinary rate.
Boom boom boom!!
After reaching the Silver Realm, it was notoriously difficult to break through the body''s acupuncture points. The process of penetrating these points and reaching the state of Qi Chong and Baiqiao was usually slow, taking a great deal of time and effort.
But now, with the rapid increase in his internal qi, Xia Chuan saved an incredible amount of time. His internal qi surged wildly, fueling the quick penetration of his acupuncture points.
Ten acupuncture points, twenty acupuncture points, thirty acupuncture points, fifty acupuncture points...
The acupuncture points in his body shattered one by one, each point being quickly filled with an immense amount of internal qi without a single gap.
Booming~~~
Time seemed to stretch indefinitely. Eventually, all 108 acupuncture points in his body were completely opened, each one broken through and filled with an overwhelming flow of internal qi.
Xia Chuan had reached the pinnacle of the Silver Realm.
His body''s acupuncture points were now fully unlocked, and the internal qi coursing through him was more potent than ever. A single punch would be enough to unleash terrifying internal power, capable of shattering even the hardest rock into countless fragments with terrifying force.
"Is this the power of a warrior at the pinnacle of the Silver Realm?"
Xia Chuan clenched his fist, feeling the newfound strength.
Not only had his internal energy grown stronger, but it also permeated throughout his body, constantly refining the 206 bones within him.
If a Bronze Realm warrior refines their flesh, gaining power from it, then a Silver Realm warrior refines their bones, making their bones as strong as steel, amplifying their strength tenfold.
Xia Chuan realized that his bones were not only being tempered by his internal energy, but also by the enormous power of faith. This combined energy flooded his bones, making each one denser and more resilient.
He could feel the transformation. Every bone in his body had taken on a faint golden hue, as though they were made of gold.
This was the ultimate level of bone refining: golden bones. Even after thousands, or tens of thousands of years, these bones would never decay, eternally gleaming and unyielding.
"The hardness of my bones... even aluminum alloy couldn''t compare."
Xia Chuan marveled.
Though he hadn''t physically tested the strength of his bones yet, he could already sense their incredible durability. His body had been transformed into something beyond its former limitations.
Chapter 44 The Divine Surge
In the blink of an eye, a day had passed.
On this fleeting day, Xia Chuan had fully stabilized his cultivation in the Silver Realm. His cultivation speed had been so rapid that had his foundation been unstable, it could have led to catastrophic consequences. Yet, with the assistance of the immense power of faith, his foundation remained unshakable. Every bone in his body had been tempered into golden bones, filled with immortal breath and strength.
Vaguely, he could feel his body evolving, shifting toward something far beyond human¡ªtoward the body of a god. An unfathomable aura emanated from him.
"I am not a true god yet, but soon, I will become one," Xia Chuan murmured, his fist clenched, feeling the powerful energy that surged within him. His body had begun to transform in a direction no human ever could.
Boom!
At that moment, mysterious voices echoed in his ears, resembling the chants of countless ancestors, the Sanskrit melodies of Buddhas, and the prayers of innumerable believers.
"Are these... the voices of my followers?" Xia Chuan''s heart stirred.
He focused, peering into the void, and saw countless golden threads of faith connecting to him. As if hearing their prayers, he could feel the deep reverberations of their devotion. Each prayer was a surge of energy, fueling his power.
His mind''s eye saw them¡ªcountless believers, kneeling in awe, their bodies glowing with golden light, their devotion radiating through the universe.
"How did the number of my followers increase so quickly?" Xia Chuan blinked in surprise.
Yesterday, he had been completely immersed in cultivation, refining his energy and tempering his body, unaware of the rapid accumulation of faith around him. Now, as he focused, he could see how the threads of faith had multiplied, intertwining with the Book of Wisdom, growing denser than before.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
"Master, your believers have surpassed 12 billion, and the number continues to grow rapidly," the Book of Wisdom explained.
"What? 12 billion believers?" Xia Chuan''s eyes widened in astonishment. "How did it rise so fast?"
Even the entire population of Xuan Huangxing was barely over 7 billion. To think his followers had already surpassed that number¡ªhis influence had become unimaginable. If word got out, the shock would be immeasurable.
The Book of Wisdom continued, "After a year, the Kingdom of Tang has completely annexed the Kingdom of Thunder, absorbing its vast population. As a result, the number of your believers has surged to 12 billion."
In the blink of an eye, a day had passed, fleeting and silent.
Xia Chuan, his heart steady, nodded as he absorbed the information. "So, Tang Guo has fully annexed Thunder Country''s territory?"
The Book of Wisdom''s voice resonated in his mind, clear and unwavering. "Indeed, Master. It was as expected. After a year, Tang Guo completed the integration of Thunder Country."
Xia Chuan''s gaze darkened. This outcome had been foreseen¡ªan inevitable result after the high-ranking officials of Thunder Country had been slain by his hand. Most of the kingdom''s elite forces had been seized. If such a task had failed, it would have been a blow to Li Xiao''s competence.
Thankfully, Li Xiao had proven his strength. In a mere year, Tang Guo''s borders now stretched across Thunder Country, and with it, the number of Xia Chuan''s followers grew exponentially.
"But why, then, am I suddenly hearing the prayers of so many believers?" Xia Chuan''s mind swirled with confusion. "What has happened?"
Normally, every prayer from a believer would be sent to Xia Chuan through the lines of faith, but those prayers were usually filtered through the protective barrier of the Book of Wisdom. It shielded him from the overwhelming flood of messages that could easily drive him to madness.
Yet, now, something had changed. The messages were no longer filtered.
"The cause, Master," the Book of Wisdom explained, its tone even and grave, "is a grand worship ceremony led by Li Xiao. He gathered all the believers across the land of Thunder to unite in worship, hoping for a divine miracle to be shown."
Xia Chuan''s expression shifted, realization dawning upon him. "So, Li Xiao seeks to unite his people with my power... to solidify his rule over this vast territory?"
"Indeed. Despite the annexation, unrest still lingers. Many enemies of Tang Guo seek to restore the old regime. Li Xiao believes that a display of divine might will not only solidify the faith of his followers but also send a message to those with ill intentions."
Xia Chuan, his fists tightening, understood the magnitude of the situation. "He needs my divine presence to secure the hearts of the people and ensure stability in the kingdom."
A quiet chuckle escaped his lips. "How quaint. But if they want a miracle, I will give them one."
Chapter 45 Whisper of Defeat
Tang Dynasty in the Miniature World
A full year had passed since Xia Chuan''s last appearance. Though brief by cosmic reckoning, for the citizens of Tang State, this single year had ushered in transformations as vast as the heavens overturning. To them, the phrase "the vicissitudes of life" barely encapsulated the scale of change.
Once an unassuming kingdom of a mere billion souls, Tang State had teetered on the edge of collapse under the relentless assault of the Thunder Kingdom. Yet, in their darkest hour, the Primordial Gods descended. With but a flicker of divine might, they obliterated the Thunder Kingdom''s main forces, slaying its ruler in an instant.
In the aftermath, Tang State annexed its fallen adversary, absorbing its lands and population. The kingdom''s citizenry swelled to an unprecedented 12 billion, and its dominion stretched across 80 million square kilometers. Such exponential growth catapulted the once-humble state into imperial prominence¡ªa colossus in the miniature world.
For Tang''s ordinary citizens, the transformation was surreal, as if they had awoken in a dream where their homeland ruled as an unrivaled empire. Yet, the reality was undeniable: Tang State now stood as the dominant power in the region.
Still, not all rejoiced. Among the newly incorporated citizens of the Thunder Kingdom, resentment simmered. The powerful families who once thrived under Thunder''s banner bristled at their nation''s fall. Yet, cowed by Tang''s overwhelming might, they dared not act openly.
In the heart of the Thunder Kingdom''s former capital, a mansion sheltered whispers of discontent. Within its grand halls, the remnants of Thunder''s aristocracy gathered in secret. Their faces were grim, etched with anger and humiliation, as the weight of their defeat hung heavily in the air.
"Damn it! What in the heavens is going on?" A thunderous voice echoed through the dimly lit hall, its owner a powerful noble of the former Thunder Kingdom. His face was red with fury, veins bulging on his forehead. "Our mighty empire, with tens of billions of citizens and lands spanning tens of millions of square kilometers, has been brought to its knees by a mere border country. And worse, they''ve stolen our lands! This is a disgrace¡ªa humiliation beyond compare!"
His anger reverberated through the room, igniting murmurs of agreement among the assembled nobles.
"You''re right!" Another noble pointed an accusing finger at a general seated nearby. "It''s your damned soldiers who surrendered to Tang State! If not for your cowardice, how could that puny country muster the troops needed to overrun our empire?"The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
The accusation hung heavily in the air. It was a sentiment shared by many¡ªbetrayal by their own was the bitterest pill to swallow. Without the mass defection of Thunder''s forces, Tang could never have achieved such a swift and decisive victory.
The general, seated at the edge of the room, remained calm but visibly annoyed. He shook his head, his expression a mixture of pity and scorn. "What do you fools understand?" His voice carried a weight that silenced the room. "Tang is no ordinary country. They are under the protection of the Primordial Gods. Surrendering to them is no shame¡ªit''s survival."
The room erupted into a cacophony of disbelief and outrage.
"Nonsense!" one noble barked, slamming his fist on the table. "What Primordial Gods? Just another myth spread by that cunning Lord of Tang to scare fools like you! And you¡ªa warrior of the Diamond Realm, seasoned in countless battles¡ªhow could you be duped by such nonsense?"
A ripple of agreement passed through the room. The notion of divine intervention felt absurd, a tale for commoners, not for the ruling elite of the former Thunder Kingdom.
But the general''s face darkened, his patience snapping. "Silence!" he roared, his voice sharp as a blade. The nobles flinched. "If you dare to blaspheme again, I won''t hesitate to report every single one of you. You think you''re untouchable? Look around! Do you know how many heads have rolled for resisting Tang''s rule this year alone?"
The weight of his words crushed the room into silence.
"Apologies¡ we spoke rashly," one noble stammered, fear lacing his tone. Another quickly followed, "But tell us, General, why do you believe so deeply in the Primordial Gods? What proof do you have?"
The general''s gaze grew distant, his hands clenching into fists. His voice trembled¡ªnot with fear, but with reverence. "You wouldn''t understand because you haven''t seen it. But I have. With my own eyes, I''ve witnessed the power of the Primordial God."
The room collectively leaned in, breathless.
"A being beyond comprehension," the general began, his voice low and solemn. "One toe of this giant is larger than our grandest palace. Its eyes shine like the sun and moon, and the mere sight of it overwhelms the soul. Its very presence exudes a sacred aura so ancient and vast that no mortal can fathom it. Do you understand now? To stand against such a force is to court death."
The nobles were frozen, struggling to process his words.
"Our Lord," the general continued, his voice heavy with grief, "did not believe in the gods either. He sought to challenge Tang, and in doing so, provoked the wrath of the Primordial God. Divine punishment came swiftly¡ªa stone the size of a mountain was hurled from the heavens, crushing our Lord, ten extraordinary warriors, and millions of soldiers in one strike. It was not war; it was annihilation."
He paused, his body trembling as if reliving the moment. "The mountain still stands on Tang''s border, an eternal monument to their divine protection. If you doubt my words, go see it for yourself. Then, perhaps, you''ll understand what it means to face an unstoppable force."
The room was deathly silent. The general''s words carried a chilling certainty.
"So," he concluded, his eyes narrowing at the nobles, "you may plot rebellion if you wish. But I warn you: never blaspheme the gods. For if the Primordial Gods hear of your insolence, not only will you perish, but your entire bloodline will be erased. They do not forgive."
A shiver ran through the crowd. The nobles, once indignant and defiant, now sat pale and trembling. Their earlier arrogance had crumbled, replaced by the haunting possibility that the ancient gods might indeed exist.
"Could it really be true?" one noble muttered, his voice barely audible. "Do such beings truly walk this world?"
None dared answer. Instead, the room remained steeped in uneasy silence, each individual grappling with the terrifying implications of the general''s testimony.
Chapter 46 The Tribute
The general''s voice was heavy, each word falling like an iron weight. "Now you understand why I had to surrender. Tang State, protected by the Primordial Gods, is invincible. Even if we could summon tens of millions of troops, it would be meaningless in the face of divine power."
He paused, his eyes sharp yet weary. "Should the Primordial God''s wrath descend, countless world-shattering boulders would rain upon us. No army, no fortress, no kingdom¡ªno matter how vast¡ªcould withstand it. If such a punishment were unleashed, the tens of billions in the Thunder Kingdom would be utterly annihilated. Mortal resistance is futile."
His tone carried no hint of cowardice, only the weight of bitter truth. The man was not without courage, nor without loyalty. But in the presence of a power so absolute, he understood the futility of defiance. To resist would mean the suffering of countless innocents, a burden he could not bear.
"I could die a thousand times over, and it would not matter," he said, his gaze resolute. "But I will not bring ruin upon the common people of the Thunder Kingdom. That is a price I cannot pay."
His words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken grief. The room remained silent, the nobles unsure of how to respond. Though his testimony was unwavering, the enormity of the claim¡ªthat gods of such power truly existed¡ªwas too much to accept so quickly.
The silence stretched until the general broke it once more. "You may still doubt, but today, you will see the truth for yourselves. Today is the day Tang State pays homage to the Primordial Gods. The entire nation will observe the tribute ceremony. If you wish, you may witness it firsthand. Perhaps then you will understand."
His voice softened as he concluded, his eyes scanning the faces before him. He did not press further. He knew well the blindness of disbelief¡ªhe had once walked that same path. The ignorant, he thought grimly, knew no fear until it was too late.
In the room, the nobles exchanged uneasy glances. Though skeptical, none dared voice further opposition.
Elsewhere, atop Tang''s grandest altar, preparations for the tribute ceremony reached their final stages. The altar stood as a towering monolith, its surface inscribed with ancient symbols that seemed to pulse faintly in the sunlight. Around it, rows of Tang State''s highest officials, led by the ruler Li Xiao, gathered in solemn formation.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
A minister stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, all preparations for the memorial service are complete."
A courtier stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, the dignitaries in the Thunder Kingdom have not caused any further disturbances."
Li Xiao nodded, his expression calm but thoughtful. "As expected. After all, by conquering the Thunder Kingdom, we''ve uprooted the foundation of their wealth and power. Their losses are immense, and their hatred for us runs deep. Rebellion is only natural for those who wish to restore what they''ve lost."
The courtier replied with confidence, "For now, they remain silent. Over the past year, we''ve executed a significant number of Thunder Kingdom''s elites. This has quelled their defiance for the time being. While some may still harbor discontent in secret, they lack the courage to act openly."
The courtier''s tone was unperturbed, even indifferent. He had seen similar patterns before. When the Kingdom of Chen fell to Tang, many of its nobles also resisted. However, decisive actions¡ªincluding the public execution of key dissenters¡ªhad ensured that the dissenters either fled or remained subdued.
"Good," Li Xiao said, his voice cold and resolute. "These rebels are nothing more than an irritating rash, hardly a threat to Tang. As long as we strike swiftly and decisively, they''ll fade into obscurity. Stability will return. But for now, such trifles can wait. Our focus must remain on paying homage to the Primordial Gods."
His gaze sharpened. "It is the gods who ensure our prosperity and protection. Their favor is paramount. So long as the divine remains with us, no mortal opposition can stand."
A courtier nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Majesty. The sacrifices are prepared. The altar is ready, and the memorial ceremony awaits your command."
Li Xiao''s face clouded briefly with regret. "It''s unfortunate we couldn''t acquire another world item to offer to the gods. We only found knowledge-based artifacts in the Thunder Kingdom. While significant, they pale compared to the divine tools such as Thor''s Hammer."
Another minister interjected, "Your Majesty, world items are exceedingly rare. For a nation to possess even one is a miracle. Expecting to find another so soon is almost impossible. Besides, Thor''s Hammer has already been taken by the Primordial God. Perhaps even that, in its divine possession, was a sacrifice in itself."
The others murmured in agreement. The scarcity of world items¡ªtreasures capable of altering the balance of power across nations¡ªwas undeniable. Still, even without such artifacts, they believed their offerings of knowledge and devotion would please the gods.
"Very well," Li Xiao said decisively, his gaze shifting toward the grand altar. "The auspicious hour is upon us. Let the ceremony begin."
A procession of Tang''s most prominent officials emerged from the palace, moving in perfect synchrony toward the grand altar. At their head stood Li Xiao, his regal presence commanding respect.
Before them loomed a colossal stone sculpture of the Primordial God. The figure was carved with such precision and reverence that it seemed alive, exuding an aura of ancient power. The air around the altar grew thick with an almost palpable energy, as if the gods themselves were watching.
Surrounding the altar, an immense crowd of believers knelt in fervent worship, their faces alight with devotion. Their whispers formed a low, resonant hum, a sea of prayers rising toward the heavens.
The power of faith surged through the city, its weight suffusing the atmosphere. The scene was both solemn and awe-inspiring, the entire nation unified in a singular purpose: to honor the Primordial Gods who held their destiny in their hands.
Chapter 47 Grant Our Wish
At that moment, Xia Chuan, who was residing on Xuanhuangxing, suddenly heard a series of notifications resounding in his mind.
"Ding Dong, your followers have sacrificed a manual, Qiqiao Locking Heart Sword."
"Ding Dong, your followers have sacrificed a manual, Three Lights and Wonders."
"Ding Dong, your followers have sacrificed a manual, Esoteric Handprint."
¡
A flood of knowledge surged forth, pouring into the Book of Wisdom and inscribing itself upon its pages. The book, already a repository of endless knowledge, seemed to glow with renewed vitality as it absorbed the essence of the Thunder Kingdom''s treasures.
In an instant, the collective wisdom of the entire Thunder Kingdom was cataloged within the Book of Wisdom, every secret and technique now fully recorded.
"Magnificent," the Book of Wisdom hummed with excitement, its voice filled with satisfaction. For it, knowledge was sustenance, a source of infinite growth and evolution. The influx of wisdom was like a feast, nourishing and expanding its potential.
It reflected on the past masters it had served. None had ever amassed such an overwhelming collection of knowledge. The book could feel its power growing exponentially, the very fabric of its existence becoming denser. Its pages multiplied, each inscribed with invaluable insights, techniques, and mysteries.
Xia Chuan''s gaze softened as he observed the changes. "Not bad," he murmured, clearly pleased. The sacrifices offered by his followers had granted him a deeper understanding of transcendence, bringing him one step closer to entering the transcendent realm.
Turning his focus inward, he extended his voice along the threads of faith connecting him to his followers. "I am greatly pleased with your sacrifices. Tell me, what is it that you desire?"
His voice echoed in the spiritual consciousness of Li Xiao and the others, brimming with divine authority and assurance.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Xia Chuan knew well that rewards were essential. To nurture devotion, he needed to fulfill their desires, ensuring their loyalty and fervor grew stronger. Believers who were satisfied in their faith would strive even harder to bring him treasures and offerings.
If, like Grandet, there was only intake and no output, no matter how devoted the followers were, they would eventually lose faith and leave.
¡
At that moment, Li Xiao and the others, who stood solemnly at the altar, heard Xia Chuan''s divine voice reverberate through their minds. A wave of ecstasy rippled through them, their expressions alight with fervent excitement.
"The Lord God has spoken! The Lord God has answered us!"
"The gods are pleased! Our sacrifices were not in vain!"
"To hear the voice of the Primordial God once more¡ªit is an honor beyond measure!"
"Every time I hear the Lord''s voice, it fills my heart with boundless joy and satisfaction."
Despite having heard the voice of their deity before, the experience never lost its awe. To hear the divine once was a privilege; to hear it repeatedly was a blessing of unimaginable proportions.
But as the initial surge of excitement subsided, a pressing question loomed in their minds.
"The Lord God has offered to fulfill one wish. What should we ask for?"
The weight of the decision settled upon them. A single wish carried immense importance. To ask for too much might offend the deity and invite divine wrath. But to ask for too little would be a waste of their painstaking offerings.
"Why not wish for a mountain of divine rice?" someone suggested.
He recalled the last time the Lord God had bestowed sacred rice upon them. Each grain, massive as a stone, held a taste that lingered in their memories, unmatched by any mortal delicacy. Sadly, after three or four years, the sacred rice had been consumed entirely.
"Foolishness," another objected. "To squander this rare opportunity on something as trivial as food? Tang no longer struggles with famine. Sacred rice may be precious, but it is not our most pressing need."
As the debate grew, Li Xiao raised his hand, his expression calm yet resolute.
"I already know what we should ask for," he declared.
The gathered ministers fell silent, their attention fixed on him. For weeks, similar discussions had been held in hushed tones. Everyone understood the gravity of a wish; none dared to approach the altar unprepared. Li Xiao, as their ruler, had naturally considered the matter deeply.
"Your Majesty, as expected, you''ve already decided."
"But what is it?"
"Could it be¡ immortality?"
"Impossible! That would be too audacious, risking the ire of the gods. His Majesty wouldn''t be so reckless."
Speculation filled the air, but Li Xiao''s voice cut through it with clarity and purpose.
"My Lord God," he began, his tone solemn and reverent. "As you know, the Kingdom of Tang has annexed the Kingdom of Thunder, expanding our territory many times over. Yet this rapid growth has left us struggling to govern such an immense empire. I beseech you, O great one, to grant us the wisdom or the means to ensure this empire endures for generations to come."
His words resonated like a thunderclap.
The ministers exchanged glances, their admiration for Li Xiao deepening.
They knew the challenges they faced. History was littered with empires that had risen to great heights, only to crumble under the weight of their own expansion. Many disintegrated after the passing of their founding ruler, splintering into warring states.
But if the Lord God could bestow the secret to eternal governance, Tang could achieve what no empire had before¡ªa legacy of unending strength and unity.
It was a wish of unparalleled foresight, one that could transform the fate of their nation.
Chapter 48 Magic Creature
At this moment, Xia Chuan naturally heard Li Xiao''s wish.
"A way to make the empire prosperous?"
Xia Chuan stroked his chin thoughtfully. Truth be told, it was a weighty request. Since ancient times, no one had discovered a reliable method to make a country thrive permanently.
Even the greatest of earthly hegemons ruled for no more than a century or two before their empires began to wither, eventually being supplanted by new powers. It was as if history itself was doomed to repeat in endless cycles.
"Master, this is not as difficult as it seems," came the unexpected voice of the Book of Wisdom.
"Really? Is there a solution you''re aware of?" Xia Chuan asked, intrigued.
"Of course there is," the Book of Wisdom replied confidently. "Based on my understanding of this world, the main reason ancient empires struggled to manage vast territories was due to the extreme difficulty of communication."
Xia Chuan listened intently as the Book of Wisdom continued.
"For example, sending a message from the north to the south could take years. In such a time span, the situation might have already changed, and the message would become irrelevant by the time it arrived. Ancient empires, especially in the feudal era, couldn''t maintain long-term control over vast lands because of the limitations in transmitting information. This led to frequent rebellions in border areas, which, over time, drained even the most powerful empires of their strength."
Xia Chuan nodded in agreement. "Indeed, solving the problem of communication would significantly improve an empire''s efficiency in managing its affairs and reduce the likelihood of collapse."Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
"Exactly," the Book of Wisdom affirmed. "But it''s not as simple as introducing modern communication tools, such as phones, into this world."
"I know that," Xia Chuan replied. "The communication tools from my world require a whole series of supporting technologies to function. It would be impossible to bring them into this miniature world."
"True," the Book of Wisdom acknowledged. "However, that doesn''t mean the miniature world lacks alternatives. In fact, there are even more wondrous things here than in your world."
It paused for a moment before continuing. "Our miniature world is home to unique creatures known as magic creatures, beings with incredible and unimaginable abilities."
One of these miraculous creatures is called the Missing Worm. This creature possesses the incredible ability to transmit messages through the void. Even if it is separated by tens of thousands of kilometers, it can instantly deliver messages using this power.
The Missing Worm can also perceive the brainwaves of many creatures, understanding the meaning of their thoughts. With its ability to read minds, it can transmit messages instantaneously, much like a mobile phone in your world.
"Mysterious creature, the Missing Worm?" Xia Chuan''s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn''t expected such a bizarre creature to exist in the miniature world¡ªone that could defy distance and send messages through the void.
In this way, there would be no need for cables, signal towers, or the like. As long as one held a Missing Worm in hand, it would be like having a mobile phone, allowing everyone to communicate instantly.
"If such a creature really exists, why haven''t I seen anyone use it?" Xia Chuan asked, perplexed.
After all, he was unaware of anyone in the miniature world using these thought-reading creatures for communication.
"Because very few people are aware of the Missing Worm," the Book of Wisdom explained. "It is an obscure creature, and I''m one of the few who know about it. If I hadn''t recorded much knowledge about this world, I wouldn''t have even known about the Missing Worm''s existence."
The Book of Wisdom continued, "There are many magical creatures in this world, but not everyone knows of them. The world is vast, and the inhabitants, especially the miniature humans, rarely travel far beyond a hundred miles. This limited knowledge has caused the slow development of science and technology in this world."
Xia Chuan nodded, understanding the point. "It''s like a country in the feudal era. Without the industrial revolution, it would have hardly progressed for thousands of years."
"Exactly," the Book of Wisdom agreed. "But if you can make use of the Missing Worm, communication across vast distances would be no problem."
"Indeed," Xia Chuan mused. "If this creature exists, it could revolutionize the way information is transmitted across the empire."
"But," he added, "there''s still the issue of long-distance travel. Even with the ability to send messages instantly, if it takes years to travel from south to north, the empire cannot effectively govern itself."
"That''s true," he continued, his mind working through the logistics. "If a rebellion breaks out on the empire''s borders, but it takes months or even years for the imperial forces to arrive, it would be too late."
The Book of Wisdom was silent for a moment before answering.
"That''s simpler to resolve," it said. "Why not build trains and planes?"
Chapter 49 Blazing Horse
"Build planes and trains? How do you build them?"
Xia Chuan blinked, feeling that constructing such things in the miniature world would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.
"Of course, we can''t use the planes and trains from your world," the Book of Wisdom replied. "But the miniature world will have its own versions of planes and trains."
"Aren''t you saying they''re magical creatures?" Xia Chuan''s mouth twitched.
"Yes, they are magical creatures," the Book of Wisdom responded without hesitation. "The key to a train lies in the locomotive. The locomotive generates tremendous power to pull the carriages forward."
Xia Chuan was about to respond, but the Book of Wisdom continued, "This locomotive can be replaced by a magical creature¡ªspecifically, the Blazing Horse, a powerful creature in the miniature world. Its speed can reach five to six hundred kilometers per hour, and it can run for months without stopping. It can even pull hundreds of tons of cargo."
Xia Chuan''s eyes widened in disbelief. "A single horse can run that fast?"
"Yes," the Book of Wisdom affirmed. "The Blazing Horse has immense endurance, a docile temperament, and strong reproductive abilities, making it ideal for breeding. By replacing the locomotive with this creature, we could create a train with astounding power, capable of traveling across the entire empire."
Xia Chuan was speechless. The Blazing Horse''s speed was comparable to high-speed rail, capable of reaching five to six hundred kilometers per hour. If the speed was really that high, it could cover 6,000 kilometers in just ten hours.
This idea was beyond his expectations. A magical creature-powered train¡ªthis was a breakthrough in transport for the miniature world.
No matter how vast the Tang Dynasty''s territory was, it was more than enough to make this plan a reality.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
"In the case of airplanes, Skybirds can actually be used instead."
The Book of Wisdom continued, "This is a special magical creature¡ªhuge and skilled in flight. It can carry 10,000 miniature humans at once, reaching speeds of 3,000 kilometers per hour. By breeding Skybirds and stationing them at airports across the empire, travel would become faster and more convenient for countless people."
Hearing this, Xia Chuan was completely convinced. He had to admit that the Book of Wisdom''s plan was truly feasible. Compared to the transportation technology of Xuanhuangxing, developing the unique biotechnology of the miniature world was a far superior solution.
In fact, if Xuanhuangxing had creatures like these magical beings, trains and airplanes might not have been needed at all. It was entirely possible to rely on these creatures for transportation.
"If the master believes there is no issue, I will transmit these plans to the devout believers," said the Book of Wisdom.
"Transmit them," Xia Chuan replied, feeling confident in the plan''s perfection. He couldn''t help but imagine the incredible changes that would sweep across the Tang Dynasty once these magical creatures became widespread.
Suddenly, a torrent of information surged deep into the consciousness of Li Xiao and the other believers. The knowledge about miraculous creatures like the Missing Worm, Blazing Horse, and Skybird spread to every corner of their minds.
"Missing Worm? I can actually send messages over vast distances. Once I acquire these creatures, won''t I be able to command the army from thousands of miles away? A single thought will be enough to relay orders," Li Xiao thought, his heart racing with excitement.
He realized the importance of the Missing Worm. With this magical creature, the exchange of information across the Tang state would be revolutionized. Gone were the days of uncertainty over whether a decree would even reach its destination. With the Missing Worm, everything would be instantly conveyed.
Before, the delay in communication had allowed local officials to deceive higher authorities. But once the Missing Worms were in control, such corruption would be eradicated, and the decrees would be unchallenged.
"More importantly, the Blazing Horse," another minister added, clenching his fist. "Once we domesticate it and build railroad tracks, we''ll create an unstoppable transportation network. From the southernmost tip to the northernmost point, it will only take a few days."
He imagined an empire where railroads crisscrossed the land like an intricate web, connecting every corner of the Tang state. The vast territory would be united, and no rebellion would go unnoticed or unresolved. Armies could respond within days, preventing insurrection from even starting.
"To be honest, the Skybird is even more impressive. With a speed of over 3,000 kilometers per hour, we could travel from the northernmost point to the southernmost in a single day. If we can domesticate enough of them, we''ll have the means to reach anywhere in the world," another minister spoke, his voice filled with awe.
It was clear now¡ªwhile the Blazing Horse provided ground transportation, the Skybird would handle the skies. Together, they would form the backbone of Tang State''s sea, land, and air transportation systems.
"Knowledge," Li Xiao whispered, his voice reverberating with excitement. "This knowledge has been gifted to us by the ancient gods. With these three creatures alone, we can create a prosperous country that lasts for millennia."
Clenching his fists, his heart swelled with anticipation. Although the Primordial Gods hadn''t given them tangible wealth, the knowledge to domesticate these three magical creatures was worth more than any treasure.
In that moment, Li Xiao could almost see the dawn of an empire far greater than anyone had ever imagined¡ªa kingdom that would stand the test of time.
Chapter 50 Heavens Reward
"You''ve done well. Continue to expand the territory and bring in more believers. As a reward, I shall grant you some Divine Rice. If you keep increasing the number of followers, greater rewards will follow."
At this moment, Xia Chuan''s voice echoed once more, reaching deep into the minds of many believers. The voice was commanding, filled with an immense and unyielding power.
To be honest, this public tribute was an excellent opportunity to showcase the might of the gods. If the only gift given was knowledge, only the high-ranking would benefit, and even then, they might not grasp the full weight of the gift.
For the ordinary believers, however, the benefit would be intangible. They wouldn''t appreciate what the ancient gods had granted them, which would make spreading the faith challenging.
Thus, Xia Chuan decided to use the Divine Rice as a way to openly demonstrate the power of the gods. By doing so, the miracle would leave an unforgettable impression on the common people, instilling in them a deep sense of awe and fear of the gods.
In a way, showing miracles was the most effective way to strengthen faith, making countless people believe in the gods'' existence.
Of course, miracles could not happen too often, or else they would lose their significance, and the believers might begin to take them for granted.
"What?!"
"Did the Divine Sovereign truly reward us with Divine Rice?"
"This is amazing! The taste of Divine Rice from last time still lingers in our mouths."
"Thank you, Divine Sovereign, for the reward! I am willing to walk through fire and water for you, to devote myself completely!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xiao and the others were overjoyed, their excitement palpable.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
They had no idea that after receiving the three types of precious knowledge, they would be granted additional rewards from the Primordial Gods. It was like receiving a windfall, a blessing beyond measure, and nothing could be better.
Booming~~
As soon as the words faded, an ancient bronze door appeared in the sky, radiating an eternal and immortal aura. It resembled the Door of Truth, the Gateway to Eternity.
This portal connected the past with the future, bridging the vast void.
In the next instant, the bronze door swung open, and grains of rice, as large as rocks, began to fall from the sky, cascading down like a torrential rain.
To fully display the power of the Primordial Gods, Xia Chuan had purchased ten tons of rice. To him, this amount was inconsequential, just a drop in the ocean.
The sight of ten tons of rice descending from the sky was a terrifying one for the miniature humans.
To put it into perspective, there are 1.25 million grains of rice in 50 catties, which means 10 tons, or 20,000 catties, would contain at least 500 million grains. Each grain of rice was the size of a rock to these tiny beings. Now, 500 million massive grains of rice were falling from the sky, creating a scene of sheer devastation.
In an instant, the sky and earth were covered with the falling rice, blotting out the sun. It was as if a meteor shower had struck, an awe-inspiring event that shook the heavens.
"Look, Divine Rice is falling from the sky!"
Someone cried out, recognizing the spectacle. They had witnessed such a sight before, so they weren''t as frightened this time. After all, this was a divine gift, not a punishment.
"This time, it looks like there''s even more Divine Rice than last time, maybe hundreds of times more," remarked another.
Many noticed the difference; the amount of rice raining down now was far greater than before. What was once a gentle drizzle had now become a torrential downpour, a mighty storm sweeping across the land. It was as if the very heavens had unleashed their wrath, but with nothing but awe-inspiring grandeur.
"It must be because the gods are extremely pleased with us. We''ve gained so many more believers," Li Xiao deduced, his heart swelling with excitement.
Compared to before, the number of believers had grown by at least tenfold, reaching upwards of 10 billion. This surge in devotion naturally made the gods joyful, resulting in an even greater outpouring of their blessings.
"Divine power, haha, if that rice had fallen in the city rather than the mountains outside, we would''ve been crushed under its weight."
"Indeed! Divine power is beyond comprehension. We must remain pious, or we risk being destroyed."
"Exactly. As long as we please the gods, there will be no disaster¡ªonly endless rewards."
Though awestruck by the majestic power on display, many of the believers couldn''t help but feel a sense of trepidation. The gods'' gifts were mighty, capable of obliterating all in their path. A single grain of rice was enough to cause unimaginable destruction.
Even if the gods showed mercy, just one small mistake could turn their blessings into a curse. Should the gods turn their attention elsewhere, the consequences would be dire.
The fall of hundreds of millions of grains of Divine Rice could very well result in the death of tens of millions.
It was unimaginable to the miniature humans just how massive a force the rice represented. Even humans on the Xuanhuang Star would be obliterated if they were caught beneath ten tons of rice.
To the miniature humans, the sheer scale of this event was akin to a natural disaster, the weight of the falling food covering dozens of cities, flooding an area of hundreds of kilometers. It was a cataclysmic event¡ªan apocalypse in its own right.
Chapter 51 Master Spare Us
For the believers like Li Xiao, witnessing such a scene a second time only deepened their sense of awe, admiration, and fanatic devotion to the Primordial Gods. They felt a profound reverence, almost as if they were in the presence of divine majesty. Their faith had only grown stronger, and the sight of such a miraculous event further solidified their unwavering belief.
But for the people of Thunder Country, who had never seen such miracles before, the overwhelming spectacle of the rice falling from the sky was nothing short of terrifying. Panic spread like wildfire through the land, and people''s faces twisted with fear.
"Look, it''s a meteorite! The sky is falling, we''re doomed! Run!"
Someone screamed in terror, pointing up at the sky. The sight of what seemed to be a massive meteor storm, darkening the sky and blotting out the sun, caused widespread hysteria.
"It''s a meteorite! It''s coming to destroy us!" others cried in panic, the thought of their destruction overwhelming their minds. They imagined the sky itself was turning against them, an impending disaster that could wipe them off the face of the earth.
"Escape? There''s nowhere to run! The meteorites cover hundreds of miles!" someone shouted in desperation. The panic in their voices was palpable.
Even the diamond-level warriors, those known for their strength and speed, trembled in fear. Their abilities couldn''t compete with the speed of the falling rice. No matter how fast they could run, they knew they couldn''t outrun the torrent of destruction bearing down on them.
In their minds, there was no escape¡ªthis was an inescapable catastrophe, and the end was near.
"Oh my God, is this divine punishment? Is the God angry with us? Is this why the meteorites are falling? To destroy us all?"
"Did the God send these meteorites because we weren''t devout enough? Did our lack of faith anger them? Please forgive us, we won''t dare again, we swear!"
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The fear was overwhelming, and the citizens of Thunder Country, overwhelmed by the sight of the enormous rice grains plummeting toward them, fell to their knees in terror. Faces pale and ashen, many were so frightened that they couldn''t control themselves.
Some began to pray fervently, begging for mercy, their voices shaking with desperation.
"Master God, please spare our lives! We will worship You with all our hearts from now on! We promise we will never offend You again!"
The very sight of the divine rice, falling from the sky like a celestial catastrophe, had completely shattered their composure. It was a spectacle of divine power that overwhelmed them, and they could not comprehend that this was a gift, not a punishment. For them, it was a sign of impending doom, and they could only hope for mercy.
As the realization dawned upon them, the air shifted from overwhelming panic to awe and disbelief. The once terrified citizens of Thunder Country, who had expected annihilation, began to look up in wonder at the falling "meteorites," now understood to be the miraculous grains of sacred rice.
"Wait¡ these are not meteorites¡" one of the officials stammered, his voice trembling with awe. "They''re grains of rice, divine rice from the gods!"
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd, their earlier fear quickly transforming into excitement and disbelief.
"God rice? The rice of the gods? It''s true then! It wasn''t a punishment!"
The realization spread like wildfire. The so-called meteorites were nothing more than enormous grains of sacred rice, each one as large as a boulder, and falling like a torrential rain upon the land. It wasn''t destruction¡ª it was a divine reward.
"My God, this is the sacred rice of the legends!" one of the townspeople shouted, a tone of both reverence and shock in his voice. "I thought it was just a fairy tale, but now¡ now I''m seeing it with my own eyes!"
The masses were in awe. The sacred rice, a blessing said to come only from the gods themselves, was falling from the heavens, and with it came the promise of prosperity, strength, and divine favor. The sheer size of the rice grains¡ªcomparable to rocks¡ªwas overwhelming, and they realized they had been given a rare, unprecedented gift.
"Yes, I remember now," another said, his voice filled with excitement. "The Kingdom of Tang received this during their memorial. Each grain of rice is said to be as large as a rock, capable of feeding thousands. This is a divine blessing! We are witnessing the power of the gods, and we are truly fortunate!"
Many fell to their knees, their hearts filled with gratitude and awe. What had started as a fearful day had turned into a celebration of divine favor. The realization that the gods had chosen to bless them¡ªrather than punish them¡ªwas something they could never have imagined.
"This is a miracle!" shouted another. "We''ve been chosen! The gods are pleased with us!"
As the immense grains of rice continued to fall, a sense of unity and wonder filled the air. The people of Thunder Country were no longer terrified¡ªthey were inspired, united in the belief that the gods had shown them mercy and favor. Their faith was now undeniable, and they knew that from this moment on, their devotion would be rewarded.
"Thank you, Lord of the Gods," they whispered in unison, their voices trembling with reverence. "We will follow you with all our hearts."
The sight of the divine rice, falling from the heavens like a rain of blessings, solidified their faith. They had been given a chance to prove their worth, and now, there was no turning back. They would serve the gods with the utmost devotion, ensuring that such a miracle would never be forgotten.
Indeed, the power of the gods had been revealed, and it had left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who had witnessed it.
Chapter 52 Bow to God
As the ten tons of rice continued to fall from the heavens, the very ground trembled under its immense weight. The sheer force of the impact caused an earth-shattering vibration, one so intense that it seemed to ripple through the land itself. The once towering mountains, stretching high into the sky, were flattened in an instant, as if they were mere obstacles in the path of divine power.
The ground, once rugged and uneven, was now transformed into a vast, smooth plain that stretched hundreds of miles in every direction. It was as though the gods themselves had reached down and reshaped the very earth, erasing the mountains with a single wave of their might. The power to reshape the terrain in such an instant, to turn a chaotic landscape into an even expanse, left the onlookers stunned.
"Impossible¡!" one of the citizens whispered, his voice trembling with awe. "The gods truly have the power to reshape the land itself."
The magnitude of what they were witnessing sank in deeply, as the massive piles of rice¡ªeach grain as heavy as a rock¡ªcontinued to settle. These enormous grains now lay scattered across the plains, covering the land like an ocean of divine blessings. The weight of the rice had literally crushed the very mountains, and the immense scale of the transformation left everyone speechless.
Many rushed out of the city gates, driven by a mixture of curiosity and awe. They made their way toward the wild expanse, where the fallen rice had created a mountain-like presence. As they approached, the enormity of the scene began to settle in. The massive mounds of rice towered before them, far beyond anything they had ever seen.
It was as if the land had been turned upside down. The sheer scale of the rice¡ªits size, its weight, and the impact it had on the landscape¡ªmade them feel as though they were standing before an immovable force. The mountains that had once defined the region had been erased, leaving nothing but flat plains stretching as far as the eye could see.
Standing before this divine transformation, the people felt small and insignificant, their lives suddenly dwarfed by the power that had reshaped the earth. It was as if they had become nothing more than a grain of dust in the face of the gods'' unimaginable power.
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"Is this really a blessing, or is it a test from the gods?" one of the townspeople murmured, fear mingling with reverence in their voice. "This power¡ it is beyond our understanding."
But there was no doubt in their hearts that they were witnessing something divine, something far greater than mortal comprehension. The gods had shown their immense strength, and now the people stood in awe, knowing they had been touched by something far beyond their world. The divine power that had reshaped the very earth before them was undeniable, and they could only bow their heads in humble submission, overwhelmed by the weight of the miracle they had witnessed.
The realization hit them all like a wave, sweeping away any remaining defiance. As they stood in the shadow of the monumental rice, now scattered across the land like boulders, the powerlessness they felt was overwhelming. They were no longer rulers of their own fate; their lives were now at the mercy of the gods.
"Is this what it means to face true power?" one of the dignitaries whispered, his voice barely audible, as he looked at the flattened mountains and the endless expanse of sacred rice. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble, as if even the earth itself could feel the weight of the divine gift¡ªor was it a warning?
The general''s words echoed in their minds. They had been blinded by pride, by the illusion of control, only to realize that their kingdom was nothing more than a speck in the vastness of divine will. The Tang kingdom, with its gods, could crush them without a second thought. Their resistance had been a futile dream.
"As long as the gods are with Tang, our resistance is pointless," the general continued, his eyes hardening as he surveyed the once-proud land of Thunder. "The gods are not bound by mortal constraints. No army, no matter how vast, could ever stand against the force of nature they command. It is a mistake to think that we, as mortals, could defy them."
A deep silence followed, broken only by the distant echoes of those still gathered around the rice. The truth had sunk in, heavy and unavoidable. The power of the gods was limitless, and there was no way to fight against it.
"We must yield," another noble murmured, defeated. "It is the only way."
Indeed, in the face of such overwhelming power, resistance seemed absurd. Mortals had long underestimated the might of the gods, and now they were paying the price. No army, no strategy could ever hope to rival the sheer scale of divine wrath or favor.
"The only choice now is surrender," a third noble spoke, his voice trembling with fear and acceptance. "We must offer our allegiance to Tang. The gods will not tolerate defiance."
Their thoughts, once filled with schemes of rebellion and defiance, now turned toward survival. They had seen firsthand the price of angering the gods, and their only hope lay in offering fealty to the ancient powers that ruled their world. If they did not submit, death or exile would be their fate.
As they looked at the divine miracle before them, the mountains flattened beneath the weight of sacred rice, they knew their world had irrevocably changed. The age of mortal power was over. Now, only the gods would hold sway over the future.
"We will bow to the gods," they muttered in unison, the realization of their insignificance sealing their fate. The kingdom of Thunder had no choice but to accept its place in the new order¡ªan order ruled by the gods and their chosen sovereigns. Anything less would mean destruction.
Chapter 53 Suppressed Breakthrough
The atmosphere among the neighboring countries was thick with tension and fear as word spread of Tang''s meteoric rise to power. The fall of the Thunder Kingdom had only solidified their unease, for it was clear that Tang was no longer a mere kingdom; it had become an empire with the force to reshape the world.
"I can''t believe it. A small kingdom has turned into such a massive empire so quickly," one of the diplomats muttered. "And they didn''t stop there¡ªTang annexed Thunder, killed its king, and even absorbed all its land and people. Their population now exceeds tens of billions."
A murmur of disbelief spread through the crowd. How could such a small power grow so fast? No one had expected this level of expansion, especially from a kingdom that had once seemed so inconspicuous.
"Even though we all noticed Tang''s power after the fall of Chen, no one could have imagined it would grow so quickly, and this swiftly swallow Thunder. Now, it''s one of the most powerful forces on the continent."
Another voice chimed in, dark with foreboding. "This is the problem¡ªTang is a force that does not stay within its borders. It''s a nation of expansion, and if they continue to grow unchecked, they will pose a massive threat to everyone else."
Many could feel the danger, the growing unease that Tang''s expansion would not stop at Thunder. This was a kingdom that already coveted more, and with such a massive population and vast territory, it could easily overwhelm any smaller neighboring nations.
"Exactly," said a concerned minister. "If Tang''s power continues to rise, no one around them will be safe. They''ll expand into Xin and beyond, and we''ll be nothing but obstacles to them."
The room was filled with uneasy glances as they debated their next move. There were whispers of war, of attacking Tang before it became too powerful, but many were wary.
"Perhaps now is the time to act. Tang''s hold over Thunder is still fresh, and its power may not be fully stable. If we strike now, we can carve up its territory before it solidifies its grip," suggested one of the more aggressive leaders.
But the reaction was swift, and much less optimistic.
"You''re out of your mind," one person snapped. "You think attacking Tang is a viable option? When the kingdom of Thunder fell, Tang''s army barely suffered any losses. They have strength beyond what we understand."This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
"Not only that," another added, "There are rumors that Tang is supported by an ancient god. If that''s true, we''d be signing our own death warrants by attacking them."
The idea of fighting Tang was quickly dismissed, not just for its formidable military, but for the terrifying notion that there were forces behind the throne¡ªforces that no one could fully comprehend.
"The so-called ancient god rumors are likely exaggerated," one skeptic muttered. "Tang is using some kind of world prop, some ancient artifact, to amplify its power. The ''god'' is just a tale they''ve spun to keep us afraid. Don''t fall for this nonsense."
"Even if it''s not an ancient god, it is certain that the power of this world item is extraordinary. Have you not seen the Lord of the Thunder Kingdom? Holding Thor''s hammer, his combat strength was as powerful as that of a thunder god, but so what? It was still easy for Tang Guo to wipe him out, ending his life with a single strike. Do you think you''re stronger than the Lord of the Thunder Kingdom?"
The discussion buzzed, and everyone agreed that Tang Guo posed a massive threat. Yet, they were still in the dark about Tang''s true nature. To attack recklessly now would surely lead to their downfall.
"Then what should we do now?"
One of them asked, a sense of urgency in their voice.
"We must form an alliance to oppose Tang Guo. At the same time, we need to send scouts to uncover the nature of the world props supporting Tang. Once we understand the power behind Tang, we will have a much better chance of dealing with them."
Someone answered solemnly.
"It seems that''s all we can do. Until we learn more, it''s best to remain cautious."
Everyone nodded in agreement, the weight of the situation settling on their shoulders.
Thus, around Tang Guo, the surrounding territories began to stir, and numerous nations began uniting to form the Anti-Tang Alliance.
Meanwhile, on Xuan Huangxing, inside the closed villa area of Lihai Peninsula in the city.
"The power of faith has skyrocketed."
Xia Chuan felt the surge of energy within him.
He sensed that, immediately following the miracle he had performed, everyone who witnessed it had become devout believers, and even the skeptics had been converted.
It''s crucial to note that the faith contributed by devout believers is incomparable to that of shallow ones. The former provides at least ten to twenty times the power of the latter.
A devout believer equals the faith of twenty shallow believers.
As the number of believers increases, it''s only natural that the more devout they are, the better.
And this was just the beginning¡ªnews of the miracle hadn''t even fully spread yet.
Once it does, those who witnessed the miracle would continue to spread the word, and soon, the entire Tang state would be awash in faith, causing a massive surge in devout followers.
Boom~~~
Suddenly, the overwhelming power of faith surged in, flooding Xia Chuan''s body like a river, rushing into every part of him.
"Comfortable¡"
Xia Chuan was overwhelmed with excitement. His body felt as though it was immersed in a warm spring, with waves of heat washing over him. Under the immense power of faith, all his injuries, defects, and ailments were healed, and his body began to evolve toward perfection.
At the same time, his internal energy grew rapidly, his inner strength surged through every acupuncture point, as if he had gained sixty years of cultivation in an instant.
His Qi circulated day by day, strengthening his muscles and bones, while the density of his body steadily increased.
"It seems there''s just one step left before I can reach the gold-ranked warrior level."
Xia Chuan squeezed his fist, feeling the power coursing through him.
Truth be told, with his current foundation, he could break through to the gold rank at any time. But his body had not yet been tempered to its most perfect state.
So, he suppressed the breakthrough, choosing instead to refine his body further. After all, the foundation of martial arts is vital to one''s future growth.
Chapter 54 Mutation
Another day passed.
Xia Chuan sat before his computer, scrolling through the latest news. The world seemed to grow increasingly chaotic, and reports of unusual phenomena were becoming harder for governments to conceal.
"Three humanoid beings, each three meters tall and suspected to be the result of biochemical experiments, escaped from a laboratory in North America. Armed with wooden sticks, they stormed into the city of Constantine, committing arson, murder, and looting. Thousands were left dead or injured. Heavy weaponry was eventually deployed to eliminate them. Protests erupted across North America, with people demanding transparency and an explanation from the government."
"Breaking news from South America: a thousand-meter-long python has been sighted rampaging through the Amazon River. Entire tribes of primitive people have reportedly been swallowed whole. The creature has since retreated into the depths of the rainforest and remains unaccounted for."
"In the Pacific Ocean, sightings of what is believed to be an ancient Kunpeng have emerged. This mythical beast has destroyed over a dozen ocean-going vessels, including three American aircraft carriers and numerous frigates, causing devastating losses."
"Government officials urge caution, warning citizens to stay away from beaches due to the frequent appearance of unidentified and dangerous marine creatures."
These headlines, and more like them, dominated the internet, sparking widespread fear and speculation.
"It seems Xuanhuangxing is facing not only the threat of alien invaders but also the rapid evolution and mutation of its native creatures due to the recovery of spiritual energy," Xia Chuan mused, narrowing his eyes.
He could feel it in his bones: an era of profound transformation was dawning. The first signs were evident in the oceanic world. After all, the seas held the greatest concentration and diversity of life, thriving beyond the reach of human interference.
The deep sea, vast and uncharted, was now a breeding ground for accelerated evolution. Creatures of immense power would continue to emerge, hidden from human eyes for now but destined to surface eventually.
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Xia Chuan leaned back in his chair, a shadow of apprehension flickering across his face. "The tides are shifting. These creatures will not remain in the depths forever."
In addition to the creatures lurking in the deep sea, other remote and untamed places, such as virgin forests, could also harbor animals undergoing unknown evolutions and mutations.
What was even more alarming was the possibility that Xuanhuangxing had established some form of connection to otherworldly realms. Creatures from those worlds could breach into Xuanhuangxing, causing unparalleled destruction.
The so-called "biochemical men" reported in North America were likely alien savages rather than human creations.
Xia Chuan''s thoughts turned grim as he recalled the last incident when a passage to another world briefly opened. If not for his personal intervention, the tens of thousands of alien savages that poured into a sealed city would have wreaked untold havoc, claiming countless lives.
"Huh? What kind of aura is this?"
Suddenly, Xia Chuan''s senses sharpened. A dark, malevolent energy surged across the land, spreading like a shroud over hundreds of miles. The sky grew thick with oppressive black clouds, blotting out all sunlight and plunging the world into an eerie, eternal night.
The wind howled through the land, carrying with it a bone-chilling cold. The temperature plummeted by dozens of degrees in mere moments, transforming a once-vibrant day into a desolate, frostbitten wasteland.
People trembled uncontrollably, their bodies quivering against a cold that seemed to pierce the marrow of their bones. Even the thickest clothing offered no reprieve from this unearthly chill.
"Master, if my assessment is correct, this aura belongs to ghosts," came the calm voice of the Book of Wisdom.
"The aura of ghosts?" Xia Chuan''s eyes narrowed. "You mean the ghosts of legend?"
"Precisely," the Book of Wisdom replied. "All living beings have souls. When most creatures die, their souls dissipate, merging back into the world to become one with it.
"However, under rare circumstances, some souls linger. Intense resentment, combined with the revival of spiritual energy and other unique factors, can give rise to terrifying entities known as ghosts.
"These spirits are incorporeal and formed entirely from energy. They are immensely dangerous, preying upon the life force and flesh of the living, using it as nourishment to grow stronger.
"In a spiritless world, such as Xuanhuangxing once was, these beings could never exist. But now, with the resurgence of spiritual energy, they have begun to manifest."
"So these ghosts have emerged due to Xuanhuangxing''s revival of spiritual energy?" Xia Chuan asked, his tone serious.
"Partially correct," the Book of Wisdom said. "While it''s natural for ghosts to form as spiritual energy resurges, the sheer power and number of these particular ghosts are unnatural. I suspect they may have originated from another world."
"Otherworldly ghosts?" Xia Chuan''s frown deepened. "First, we had alien savages, and now we''re dealing with otherworldly ghosts. Is Xuanhuangxing a sieve, letting in all kinds of interdimensional riff-raff?"
"Master, Xuanhuangxing is no ordinary planet," the Book of Wisdom replied gravely. "It must possess some unique properties that make it an intersection for various realms. Otherwise, such occurrences would be impossible."
"A special world?" Xia Chuan stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had always considered Xuanhuangxing to be an ordinary planet, but recent events suggested otherwise.
"Master, there''s one more thing," the Book of Wisdom said, its tone suddenly excited. "These ghosts are not just threats. They are also incredible resources. Their energy is pure and of a soul-based nature. If I can absorb and refine them, my power will increase exponentially."
"Is that so?" Xia Chuan clenched his fists, a steely resolve forming in his eyes. "Then we have no choice. These evil spirits must be captured."
Chapter 55 The Wraiths of the Forgotten Battlefield
At this moment, the Special Affairs Bureau in the city remained in a tense silence.
"Director, we have a situation."
Qin Changqing approached with a grave expression.
A stunning woman followed him. Her figure was striking, her posture commanding. Her long legs seemed carved from marble, and her frosty demeanor exuded an air of unyielding authority. The temperature seemed to drop the moment she entered, a tangible reflection of her presence.
She was Bai Yingxue, Director of the Special Affairs Bureau of Fengcheng. Despite being a woman in a world dominated by men, her extraordinary strength and decisive leadership had silenced all dissent. She had claimed her position not through debate but through overwhelming ability.
"What is it? What''s happened now?" Bai Yingxue asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"In the northern part of the city, there''s an old mass grave. It''s part of an ancient battlefield where countless lives were lost," Qin Changqing began, clenching his fists. "A spatial tunnel has appeared there, and a swarm of evil spirits is emerging from it. They''re heading straight for the city."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
His voice dropped, the weight of his words chilling the room. "If these spirits are allowed to reach Fengcheng, the entire city could be wiped out. Nothing will remain."
"Evil spirits? Are you serious?" One of the agents couldn''t contain his curiosity. "I''ve heard ghost stories before, but I''ve never seen anything like that in real life. Do they even exist?"
"They exist," Qin Changqing replied, his voice steady and firm. "But don''t think of them as folklore or myths. They''re as real as the barbarians from other worlds, though far more sinister."
Bai Yingxue''s gaze hardened. "These spirits aren''t just unusual creatures. They are unique entities with immense danger. Compared to barbarians, they are leagues beyond in threat level."
She continued, her tone sharp, "Barbarians can be killed with bullets and shells. Evil spirits, however, are immune to conventional weapons. Bullets are useless against them. The only way to destroy them is through special methods¡ªburning them with the blood energy of martial warriors. Without such methods, even our most advanced weaponry is powerless."
"What? Our weapons can''t hurt them?"
The words sent a ripple of shock through the room. The agents of the Special Affairs Bureau exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence visibly shaken. The idea that firearms¡ªsymbols of modern civilization''s dominance¡ªwere ineffective was a staggering blow.
"This isn''t a battlefield of flesh and blood," Bai Yingxue explained. "If we analyze this through modern science, these spirits are energy-based lifeforms. How can physical weapons harm something that doesn''t have a physical body? Only energy can counter energy. There''s no other way."
"But where did these spirits come from?" one agent asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Even if it''s an ancient battlefield, a mass grave, it doesn''t explain this many spirits appearing all at once."
"Exactly," another added, echoing the confusion in the room. "Even with all that history, how could so many evil spirits suddenly emerge?"
The room fell into a tense silence, each member weighed down by the gravity of the situation and the many unanswered questions.
Chapter 56 Despair in the Abandoned City
The chilling truth unfolded like an unrelenting storm.
"Those evil spirits are not native to Xuan Huang Xing. They come from the Ghost Realm¡ªa place where such creatures thrive. If my assumptions are correct, those spirits have escaped from there," Bai Yingxue declared, her frosty tone betraying no emotion.
"Spirits from the Ghost Realm?" a curious voice interjected. "Chief, you seem well-versed in this. Have you encountered them before?"
"Of course," Bai Yingxue replied, her gaze sharp and distant. "Once, a small, temporary space tunnel appeared elsewhere, releasing just two or three evil spirits. Even so, they devastated an entire small town, claiming thousands of lives."
Her voice held a haunting calm as she continued, "Despite dispatching hundreds of agents from the Special Affairs Bureau, we suffered catastrophic losses¡ªmore than half of our people either killed or gravely injured. Many were my friends."This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Her recounting was devoid of theatrics, yet every word bore the weight of untold horror.
"In the end," she added, "it took every ounce of my strength, awakening the full power of my bloodline, to kill those three spirits. And even then, the cost was unimaginable."
The room fell into stunned silence, her tale settling like a cold shroud over everyone present.
"Three spirits¡ caused such devastation?" A younger agent''s voice trembled, his face pale as his mind struggled to fathom the reality before him. "But now¡ there are hundreds of thousands. If they''re heading for the sealed city at such speed, what chance do we have? Even evacuation would be impossible."
His voice cracked under the weight of his own imagination¡ªvisions of countless evil spirits tearing through the city, leaving nothing but carnage in their wake. He pictured streets littered with the dead, a place where even the brave dared not tread.
"You''re not wrong," Bai Yingxue said bluntly, her voice as cold as her demeanor. "Let me be clear: the central command has deemed the sealed city lost. There will be no reinforcements. None. Any rescue attempt would only result in more meaningless deaths. The sealed city has been abandoned."
The weight of her words crushed the faint flicker of hope lingering in the room. Some clenched their fists, others averted their eyes, their breaths shallow as they wrestled with the harsh truth.
"If any of you wish to leave, now is your chance. Flee while you can," she said. "But know this: once the evil spirits reach the city, there will be no escape."
The stark reality hung over them like a guillotine, the silence punctuated only by the faint trembling of those unprepared for the nightmare ahead.
Chapter 57 The Resolve of the Frostblade
"Abandoned city?"
The words sank into the room like lead, their weight dragging everyone''s spirits down. Faces grew ashen, fists clenched in frustration, despair tightening its grip. The reality of their predicament hit like a storm¡ªno reinforcements, no salvation, just the cold acknowledgment that their survival was no longer a priority.
The government had abandoned them. The implication was clear: the situation was beyond salvaging.
Bai Yingxue broke the suffocating silence. Her icy gaze swept the room. "There''s no point blaming the government. This decision wasn''t made lightly." Her voice was firm, yet devoid of sympathy. "Wasting resources on a futile battle serves no purpose. Better to conserve strength, study the nature of these spirits, and strike when we''re truly prepared. Dying here gains us nothing but loss."
Her words were logical, though bitter. The agents could only nod in grim acceptance. They understood the reasoning¡ªcold, calculated, and unyielding.
Rushing to their aid would likely only result in more needless deaths. The nation had to think strategically, especially in an era where threats from other realms loomed ever closer.
A faint hope flickered among them. Someone hesitated, then spoke. "If only the mysterious figure who defeated the barbarians appeared again¡ perhaps they could turn the tide."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
This thought sparked murmurs. That unknown powerhouse¡ªcapable of obliterating an entire barbarian army with but a thought¡ªhad become a symbol of hope. Their power bordered on divine, a force that defied comprehension.
"If they intervened, maybe¡ just maybe, we could survive this," another added, the faintest trace of hope coloring their voice.
But Bai Yingxue was unmoved. "Don''t waste time dreaming about saviors." Her tone was cutting, her words like shards of ice. "We don''t even know who that person is, let alone how to contact them. Hoping for their intervention is meaningless."
Her conviction left no room for debate. "Believing in fairy tales won''t save you. In this world, you can only rely on yourself. No one else."
Her words struck home, scattering the fleeting whispers of hope like leaves in the wind. The agents exchanged solemn nods, realizing the truth in her cold pragmatism.
"She''s right," one murmured. "Putting faith in an unknown figure is foolish."
"We don''t know if they''d even help us," another added.
"We stand alone," someone concluded, the resignation in their voice palpable.
Qin Changqing, unable to suppress his concern, stepped forward. "Director, what''s your plan?"
Bai Yingxue''s voice was steady as ever. "You all should leave. There''s no sense in staying here just to die. But as for me¡" She paused, her gaze distant yet unwavering. "I''ll remain. The sealed city is my responsibility. If it falls, I fall with it."
"Director?!" The room erupted in protest.
She silenced them with a glance, her frost-like demeanor cutting through the chaos. "Enough. My duty binds me here. You, however, have no such obligation. Leave now, while you still can."
Her words carried an air of finality. "I''ve long since accepted this fate. My life should''ve ended in the last incident. That I''m still here is nothing more than borrowed time. If the heavens wish to reclaim it, so be it."
The agents stood frozen, their hearts heavy with her resolve. Bai Yingxue''s unwavering determination was both awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching. She was prepared to face the oncoming storm alone, a solitary figure standing against the tide of despair.
Chapter 58 The Arrival of Ten Thousand Ghosts
Bai Yingxue waved her hand, dismissing their hesitation with quiet finality. She had long accepted the fragility of her life, but the thought of dying without purpose¡ªthat, she could not bear.
"What''s wrong? Do you all intend to stay and die with me?" Her sharp gaze swept over them, her voice as cold as the frost beginning to spread outside.
"Director," Qin Changqing''s face twisted into a bitter grimace, "even if we wanted to leave now, it''s too late. The evil spirits¡ they''ve arrived."
Her eyes narrowed, her expression hardening as she snapped her head upward toward the sky. A suffocating darkness loomed over the city, black clouds rolling across the heavens, swallowing every trace of light. The once-sweltering air plummeted from blistering heat to a bone-chilling frost.
The wind howled, a cacophony of wails and whispers, like the cries of vengeful spirits. Frost formed across the earth, clinging to surfaces with an unnatural cold that seeped deep into the marrow of anyone nearby.
But the cold was not the source of their terror.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
It was them.
Emerging from the depths of the oppressive clouds, they came¡ªtwisted shapes of nightmares, spectral forms radiating malice so pure it could suffocate the unprepared. The evil spirits floated with distorted, incorporeal bodies, their features an amalgamation of human and beast. Faces stretched unnaturally into grotesque grins; some bore empty eye sockets that seemed to stare directly into the soul.
Their laughter¡ªa blend of jealousy and fury¡ªrippled through the air like a chorus of madness. The city beneath them trembled.
"Those¡ those are evil spirits?" whispered a trembling member of the Special Affairs Bureau. His voice cracked as fear overtook him. The mere sight of the spirits paralyzed him. Even their fleeting gaze seemed to freeze his blood and chain his limbs.
"Just three of these things caused thousands of deaths before¡" Qin Changqing''s voice wavered. He clenched his fists, his face pale as he continued, "But now there are hundreds of thousands. No¡ millions. How can anyone survive this? This isn''t just Hyakki Yakou. This is the march of ten thousand ghosts¡ªa disaster beyond reckoning!"
The agents of the Special Affairs Bureau were consumed by dread. The skies were crowded with spirits, a ceaseless tide of malice that blocked out hope itself. Their forms merged into a churning sea of horrors, shifting endlessly within the darkness.
The evil spirits made no attempt to conceal their presence. They reveled in their dominance, mocking the helpless mortals below.
"This¡ this is impossible¡" whispered another agent, trembling as his eyes darted from one ghostly figure to another.
"No weapon, no strategy¡ no one can stop this," murmured another.
Their despair was palpable, a weight that pressed down on the entire room. The presence of the spirits shattered their composure, rendering even the bravest among them speechless.
Bai Yingxue stood silent, her icy eyes fixed on the oppressive scene unfolding above. Though her face betrayed no emotion, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, knuckles whitening.
She had seen death before. But this?
This was death incarnate.
Chapter 59 Ghost King
Title: "The Descent of the Ghost King"
"Your Excellency Director," someone finally broke the silence, their trembling voice drawing the attention of the entire room. All eyes turned to Bai Yingxue, desperate for direction in the face of looming annihilation.
Bai Yingxue remained frozen, her expression betraying a flicker of hesitation. She had prepared herself to die, intending to drag a handful of the evil spirits down with her. But now, as her gaze swept over the endless tide of specters darkening the heavens, the truth struck her like a thunderbolt.
Her death wouldn''t matter.
Whether she killed a handful of spirits or even dozens, it would be but a drop in an ocean. Against this overwhelming horde, her sacrifice was utterly meaningless.
For the first time in her life, Bai Yingxue faltered. The weight of despair threatened to crush her resolve as she realized the futility of resistance. The chasm of power between them was insurmountable, like a starship from an advanced interstellar age facing an ancient wooden galleon.
Her mind, trained for strategy and survival, failed her. A strange thought crept in unbidden¡ªone she had never entertained before. She found herself yearning for divine intervention, for the aid of gods she had never believed in.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
In this moment of despair, she silently whispered a prayer, though she doubted any gods were listening.
Above the city, the skies boiled with malevolence. The evil spirits swirled like a tempest, their distorted forms shifting as they cackled in ecstasy.
"Jie jie jie, the human world¡ Finally, we''ve arrived in the human world!" one spirit shrieked, its voice a symphony of hunger and madness.
"Such a sweet aroma. The air itself carries the scent of blood and life. This world¡ it''s paradise!" another chimed, its hollow eyes glinting with greed.
"Look at them¡ªeight million blood bags, all ripe for the taking! Their flesh, their souls, their very essence¡ everything here belongs to us!"
The spirits howled, drunk on the freedom of their escape. They had endured endless torment in the ghost world, confined to its dark prisons. But now, they were unleashed upon a world brimming with life, their hunger insatiable.
"Let''s begin! I can''t wait to taste their fear, to savor their screams as I devour them whole!" one spirit snarled, its twisted body vibrating with anticipation.
For the evil spirits, the humans below were not merely prey¡ªthey were treasures, each life a source of immense power. To the spirits, consuming a human was akin to mortals consuming a rare and powerful elixir, each soul nourishing their strength.
High above the chaos, a figure loomed, its presence casting an oppressive weight over the horde. The ghost king sat atop a throne forged from spectral energy, its form both regal and grotesque. A crown of jagged bone adorned its head, and its eyes burned with a cold, calculating light.
"Master Ghost King, what are your orders?" a subordinate spirit asked, its tone deferential as it bowed before the throne.
The ghost king''s lips curled into a sinister smile, its voice resonating like the tolling of a funeral bell.
"Patience," it drawled, its tone laced with cruel amusement. "Savor the moment. Let them drown in despair. Fear sweetens the soul, and I want their terror to ripen to perfection."
It raised a skeletal hand, pointing toward the city below.
"Begin the hunt¡ªbut leave no survivors. Today, this pasture of humanity becomes a banquet for the ghost world!"
The spirits erupted in gleeful howls, their forms descending like a plague upon the doomed city. The hunt had begun.
Chapter 60 The Feast of Shadow
"I had intended to keep a low profile, to test the strength of the creatures in this world," the Ghost King chuckled, its voice laced with dark satisfaction. "But now, no one has appeared to challenge me. It seems this is a world beneath us, a pasture ripe for our hunt."
The Ghost King''s malevolent grin widened. "Our luck is truly extraordinary. We found a space tunnel leading to this world, and within it, so much delicious food. I can feel the blood of this realm, waiting for us to feast upon it. My thirst for it is almost unbearable."
It reveled in the thought of consuming everything. If it devoured every living being here, its power would surge beyond imagination. Perhaps then, it could return to the Ghost World, become the supreme Ghost Emperor, and rule all with an iron fist.
The only reason the evil spirits hadn''t already begun their slaughter was the Ghost King''s command. Their instinct to kill burned bright, but the King understood the importance of caution. This world was unknown, and there was no telling what formidable foes might lie hidden.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
But after so long, with their power openly displayed, no adversary had emerged. The Ghost King''s belief was clear: this world was weak, and its inhabitants were no match for their might.
"Master Ghost King, let us begin," one of the spirits begged eagerly. "I cannot hold back any longer!"
"These two-legged sheep are ripe for slaughter," another spirit hissed. "I''m starving. Let''s feast!"
The evil spirits howled in anticipation, their hunger driving them wild. Though the Ghost King had commanded restraint, their instincts clawed at them, desperate for the blood that awaited.
The Ghost King, hearing their impatience, raised a hand. The air grew colder, darker.
"Very well," it said, its voice dripping with malice. "Let the slaughter commence. Turn this city into a place of no escape. Let not one soul survive. If even one does, you will answer for it."
The evil spirits howled in triumph.
"Yes, Lord Ghost King!"
They surged forward, their hunger insatiable. The creatures of this city were already doomed in their eyes. It was not a matter of if, but when they would fall¡ªnothing could save them from the coming storm.
Chapter 61 The Defiance
At this moment, the Ghost King''s eyes flashed with cold light, and it immediately noticed a figure suddenly appearing in the air, materializing directly in front of the millions of evil spirits, exuding an unfathomable aura.
"Who? How dare you stand before this king?"
The Ghost King stared at the mysterious figure, detecting the faint but potent power radiating from him. However, it remained unconcerned. After all, with an army of millions of evil spirits, no one could stand in its way.
The appearance of this figure was almost a relief. It seemed that there were still beings in this world willing to resist. If no one had appeared to challenge it, the Ghost King would have suspected some conspiracy brewing in this world.
The figure was Xia Chuan, standing effortlessly in the air, unaffected by gravity, his presence radiating a quiet yet immense power. He gazed calmly at the vast army of evil spirits before him.
"You are too arrogant," Xia Chuan spoke, his voice cutting through the heavy air. "Who gave you the courage to sit before me?"The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
What?!
The Ghost King''s expression shifted. It grinned, its voice laced with venom. "Stupid human. The question should be, who gave you the courage to appear before me?"
Murderous intent seeped from its every word.
To be honest, this was the first time it had encountered such an arrogant human. With millions of evil spirits gathered around, anyone who dared to resist would almost certainly die. Yet here stood Xia Chuan, speaking with such disdain, as though nothing could threaten him.
"Do you know who you''re talking to?" the Ghost King hissed.
"Kneel and crawl away immediately. To dare speak like this to the Ghost King is simply suicidal."
"You''re just a mere food source, and yet you dare challenge us. Do you have any idea of the power we wield?"
"One breath, just one breath, and we can tear you apart, do you understand?"
The evil spirits seethed in fury, their malice focused solely on Xia Chuan.
In the face of so many enemies, they might have hesitated, but this human was alone. There was no reason to fear.
"Enough!" Xia Chuan snapped, his voice like thunder itself.
He raised his hand and lightly pointed towards the Ghost King.
Boom~~
A terrifying purple lightning bolt tore through the sky, its diameter spanning over ten meters, like a pillar of pure destruction. The thunderclap that followed shook the heavens themselves, carrying an overwhelming, apocalyptic force.
The surrounding air was scorched, the earth trembling under the weight of the strike. The blast of sound was deafening, reverberating with the sheer might of the purple thunder.
Even the evil spirits, for the first time, felt a flicker of doubt. The power before them was unlike anything they had ever encountered.
Chapter 62 The Fall of the Ghost King
"What?!"
The Ghost King froze, utterly stunned. It had never expected the mysterious figure before it to possess such terrifying power. The man had summoned the supreme force of thunder with a mere gesture, unleashing the fearsome purple lightning with ease.
In that moment, the Ghost King felt an overwhelming sense of danger, as if a life-and-death crisis had descended upon it. Despite being a powerful Ghost King, it was powerless against the devastating might of the thunder.
To the ghosts, lightning was a natural nemesis¡ªmasculine, destructive, and utterly lethal. Even a single strike could inflict severe damage. The purple thunder now crackling in the sky was beyond anything the Ghost King had ever imagined, a power so destructive that it sent waves of panic coursing through its spectral form.
At that instant, Xia Chuan stood like a god of thunder, calling upon world-ending lightning to purge the demons and ghosts from existence.
Stolen story; please report."No, this can''t be. It''s just a low-level world! How can someone kill me? Impossible. I must resist!"
The Ghost King roared in defiance, shaking the very heavens with its fury. In that moment, a primal instinct surged within it. All the ghostly power within its body surged, causing it to grow to an immense size, more than ten times its original form.
Now, it resembled a towering skyscraper, a massive, looming presence with an aura of darkness surrounding it. Grievances from the dead poured into its being, warping the air and casting a malevolent shadow over the world. The thousands of evil spirits roared in unison, their voices a chorus of madness and rage.
An evil spirit reached out with its claws, attempting to shatter the purple thunder before it could strike. But it was an exercise in futility.
Boom!
In an instant, the purple thunder descended with a cataclysmic force, smashing through the Ghost King''s colossal form. The explosion split its vast body in half, sending shockwaves of energy rippling through the air. The raw power of the lightning coursed through the Ghost King, devastating it from within, tearing apart its very essence.
Within moments, the Ghost King''s consciousness was erased, its existence obliterated.
"I¡ I''m dead. Killed by a human in this lowly world with one strike. How¡ is this possible?"
The Ghost King, in its final moments, was paralyzed with disbelief. It had been a force of nature, feared across the realms, controlling millions of evil spirits, a being capable of causing cataclysms and devastation wherever it went. And yet, in this unknown world, it had been struck down by a single, mysterious figure.
The absurdity of its own demise was too much to accept. How could a lowly human defeat it with a single blow? How could the Ghost King, once supreme, be so utterly destroyed in an instant?
It was a question that would never be answered.
Chapter 63 The Ghost Demised
But no matter how unwilling, how angry, or how fearful the Ghost King was, it could not change its fate.
Struck by the terrifying purple thunder, it was obliterated in an instant, reduced to nothing but smoke, unable to resist even for a second.
The reason for this swift and devastating result lay not only in the fact that lightning was the natural nemesis of ghosts, but also in the power of Thor''s Hammer, which Xia Chuan had fully unleashed.
Even a mere random strike of purple thunder could have ended the Ghost King''s reign.
"It''s magnificent, truly magnificent, the soul energy is rich beyond imagination¡ªworthy of a Ghost King."
The Book of Wisdom hummed with excitement, its pages fluttering as countless words merged together, forming an immense vortex. A powerful, insatiable suction force spiraled from the pages, drawing in the residual soul energy from the fallen Ghost King.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
For the Book of Wisdom, this was nothing short of a feast.
To Xia Chuan''s amazement, the soul energy of the Ghost King was instantly absorbed, fueling the Book''s power. But for the remaining evil spirits, this scene was nothing short of horrifying.
"Impossible. Lord Ghost King¡ Lord Ghost King is dead? Killed by this lowly human with a single blow? This must be a joke!" one evil spirit stammered, its voice laced with disbelief.
In its mind, the Ghost King was invincible. In the ghost world, it ruled millions of evil spirits and was an uncontested force of nature. Upon entering this so-called "low-level world," it had expected to continue its reign unchallenged, yet in the blink of an eye, a mysterious figure appeared and killed the Ghost King with a single strike of thunder.
If the evil spirit hadn''t witnessed it with its own eyes, it would have never believed such an absurdity was possible.
"It''s true. The Ghost King''s presence has vanished. He is truly dead," many evil spirits muttered, their voices trembling with fear.
They could sense it¡ªan overwhelming absence. The breath of the Ghost King, which had once commanded their very existence, was now gone. The oppressive force of his control had vanished along with him.
The Ghost King, who had dominated the low-level spirits with his will, who had forced their obedience, was no more. But instead of feeling liberated, the evil spirits were gripped by an even deeper fear.
This could only mean one thing: the human who stood before them had killed their master in an instant.
"Is this¡ is this really possible? This is supposed to be a low-level world! How could such a terrifying being appear and slay the Ghost King with a single strike?"
Many of the evil spirits were paralyzed in shock, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.
Chapter 64 Humans Are Terrifying
It originally thought that after coming to this low-level world, there would be delicious blood food everywhere, and it would soon be able to feast. But reality slapped it in the face.
This world is not as simple as it imagined. The depths of this world run far deeper than it had ever imagined.
"We''ve been fooled. We must have been deceived. This world is no less than the ghost world, perhaps even more terrifying," one evil spirit muttered, trembling.
"The reason we were able to come to this city so easily through the space tunnel, with no obstacles, is because it''s a trap in this world. Its purpose is to prevent us from returning to the ghost world," another spirit deduced, its voice filled with a sudden realization. It was known for its sharp intellect, skilled at piecing together truths from seemingly insignificant clues.
This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.Everything that had felt off earlier now made sense. This was no coincidence. It was a trap, designed by the powerful beings in this world to catch them off guard.
"Damned humans, they are too shameless. They pretended to be weak, luring us into this world, only to strike when we were too deep," another spirit growled in fury.
"They''re all actors. All of them. They pretended to be weak, pretending to be food, only to reveal their true purpose: hunting us."
"I told you, this world is not as simple as you thought. You were all tricked. The enemy lured us in, and now look¡ªLord Ghost King is dead. Our millions of spirits will be wiped out," one spirit raged.
"I thought we were the hunters, but it turns out, the humans wanted to hunt us instead? Just lowly humans¡ how could they be so arrogant?"
"How ridiculous. We have an army of millions of evil spirits. Even without the Ghost King, we could still turn this world upside down, leave corpses in our wake."
"Stop pretending to be brave. We need to run, quickly. We''re caught in the enemy''s trap. If we don''t, we''ll all die here," another spirit shouted in fear.
"Even the Ghost King was killed in an instant. We''re nothing but small fry. One lightning strike could destroy us," another whispered in horror.
The fear among the spirits grew. The Ghost King, once their spiritual leader, the root of their power, was dead. Without him, they were leaderless, lost.
Xia Chuan''s terrifying attack had shattered their resolve. If the Ghost King could be destroyed so easily, they feared they would be reduced to dust with even the faintest aftershock of that power.
Chapter 65 Do you Know Thunder
Whoosh, whoosh!!
The Million Demon Legion, struck with terror, scattered in all directions, desperate to flee from the chaos, seeking to escape this dangerous realm as quickly as possible.
"Think you can escape?" Xia Chuan''s voice echoed with calm certainty as he watched the legion of evil spirits fleeing in disarray. His eyes were calm, but his words rang with an unshakable authority. "Perhaps you don''t know, but the entire land is under my control. Evil spirits, have you ever felt the touch of lightning?"
With a swift motion, Xia Chuan raised his right hand and grasped Thor''s Hammer. In an instant, the hammer was surrounded by a dense array of thunder runes, crackling with the power of endless lightning.
Endless bolts of thunder surged into Xia Chuan''s body, filling every fiber of his being with electrical energy, as though every cell was a vessel for a bolt of lightning. He had truly become an incarnation of the Thunder God, a force beyond comprehension.
He swung the mighty hammer with unyielding strength, striking the void with a force that reverberated through the air.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Void Thunderstorm!
The sky erupted in an all-encompassing explosion. The sound of the thunderclap was so powerful, it seemed to reverberate through the heavens and earth. In the span of mere moments, a vast area spanning hundreds of kilometers was shaken by the deafening roar.
The sound was so intense that the glass in every building shattered, the sharp shards raining down like deadly projectiles. Some structures even cracked, their foundations trembling under the weight of the sonic shockwaves.
But the true terror was not in the sound, but in the power that followed¡ªthe storm of lightning unleashed by Thor''s Hammer. A massive thundercloud materialized above, swirling ominously with crackling energy.
The heavens seemed to tremble with the intensity of the storm. Hundreds of thousands of bolts of lightning, each as thick as a barrel, descended from the storm, carrying with them the fury of the gods themselves.
"Haha! This is exhilarating! This is real power!" Thor''s Hammer hummed with excitement, its voice filled with raw delight.
It had never experienced such overwhelming force in its entire existence. Not even the combined might of its previous wielders could compare to the power it now held in Xia Chuan''s hands. The hammer was intoxicated by the sheer magnitude of its own energy, thrilled by the unrestrained power surging through it.
The power of a single flash of lightning, when unleashed, could obliterate entire countries, turning vast stretches of land to dust. This was the true potential of Thor''s Hammer, a power that felt limitless in its reach.
Xia Chuan''s control over the hammer was flawless, and with each swing, the hammer seemed to grow even stronger. It felt as though its upper limits were being pushed beyond anything it had ever known, reaching new heights with every strike.
This was the essence of the Hammer''s power¡ªa pure embodiment of destruction, an unstoppable force of nature, designed not for mere victory, but for annihilation. It was the pinnacle of violence, and the monsters and evil spirits that dared to challenge it were nothing but prey for its fury. No second strike was needed. The storm was more than enough.
Thor''s Hammer had never felt more alive, its power surging with every thunderous roar. The previous wielders were mere shadows compared to the unstoppable force it had now become.
Chapter 66 Wisdom of Life
However, while Thor''s Hammer reveled in its power, the evil spirits were overwhelmed with terror, some so frightened that they nearly wet themselves.
"Nima, I told you this was a trap! A trap! You didn''t believe me!" one of the spirits wailed, its voice trembling with panic. "This mysterious power alone is enough to wipe out all of us, millions of evil spirits!"
"What kind of power is this? Is it a Ghost King, a Ghost Emperor, or something even worse? How can it be so unheard of?!" another spirit cried, its form quaking in fear.
"Run, run away! As far as you can! This thing¡ he''s no human. He''s a monster, a real monster!"
"Woo, what kind of world is this? It''s horrifying. I want to go home."
The fear was palpable. The evil spirits, their terror rising with each passing second, gazed at the sky, where a storm of lightning cracked with overwhelming force. They were no longer capable of fighting back or even getting close. Their only hope of survival lay in fleeing¡ªfleeing as fast and as far as they could.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
But no matter how fast they ran, they could not outrun the lightning.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Hundreds of bolts of thunder descended, precise as missiles, targeting the fleeing spirits. They crashed into the legion, obliterating thousands in a heartbeat.
"No! No! No! Please, forgive us! We beg you!"
"We won''t dare! We''ll go back to the ghost world, we promise! Just let us go!"
"Ghost King, why did you lead us into this hell? What kind of world is this? We''re being killed because of you!"
The screams of the spirits were drowned out by the thundering chaos. Resistance was futile. The lightning struck with devastating precision, reducing the spirits to ash in an instant.
In mere moments, tens of thousands of evil spirits were eradicated, their forms turned to dust.
"This is it¡ it''s over," the Book of Wisdom whispered in pure delight.
The book flapped its pages eagerly, its voice filled with excitement. It hungrily devoured the scattered soul energy from the fallen spirits, absorbing the vast power with each passing second. The surge of energy flowed into the book, visibly increasing its power.
The book''s form seemed to grow, with more pages appearing, each one inscribed with the memories and knowledge of the evil spirits. These spirits'' wisdom and experiences were now stored within its vast, insatiable pages.
This was no ordinary feast for the Book of Wisdom. It was not just consuming the energy of the spirits¡ªit was absorbing their very essence, their thoughts, their experiences. The death of these evil spirits had granted the book not just power, but also an expansion of knowledge. This was why it had eagerly awaited the souls of the fallen.
The book had gained more than just power; it had gained the very wisdom that came with their lives, making it stronger and more knowledgeable with each soul it consumed.
Chapter 67 Another God!
Time seemed to slow as Bai Yingxue and her group prepared themselves for the inevitable, ready to face death head-on. They held onto a grim resolve, determined to fight until the end against the vast army of evil spirits.
Then, suddenly, a shout broke through the tension.
"Look! Someone''s appeared, floating in the air!"
The shout drew everyone''s gaze, and sure enough, there was a figure hovering high above them.
"Is that really a person? Could it be that the mysterious powerhouse has returned?"
Hope surged through the group. The appearance of this figure in the sky felt like a lifeline, like a savior had arrived just in time.
"A mysterious powerhouse?!" Bai Yingxue''s attention snapped to the sky, searching for the figure. But try as she might, the sight seemed obscured by an unknown force, making it impossible to make out the details.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"Shit, it''s over¡ that Ghost King, it looks like he''s dead¡ªstruck down by a bolt of lightning," someone muttered, stunned.
Bai Yingxue''s eyes widened. She could see it now¡ªamong the vast army of evil spirits, the Ghost King had been sitting on his throne. In the blink of an eye, a purple bolt of lightning had appeared, and the Ghost King was gone, reduced to nothing in an instant.
"Wait, what? The Ghost King? The leader of millions of evil spirits¡ he just got struck down?"
The members of the Special Affairs Bureau were in disbelief. This was no ordinary event. The Ghost King was a being so powerful it had been able to incite the entire country to deploy its military forces in response. A creature of sss-level danger¡ªsomething that couldn''t even be stopped by a nuclear bomb. And yet, it had been annihilated by a mere lightning strike.
"This¡ this must be another mysterious powerhouse. The one from last time didn''t summon thunder, but this one can control it," someone else ventured, trying to make sense of the situation.
Indeed, the previous mysterious figure¡ªwho had decimated thousands of barbarian soldiers¡ªhad been terrifying and unfathomable, but had shown no signs of controlling thunder. This new figure, however, wielded the power of the heavens themselves, like an incarnation of Thor.
"Another powerhouse at the land fairy god level?" Qin Changqing muttered, his fists clenched in disbelief.
It was as though the world was transforming before his very eyes, unveiling mysteries beyond anything he had ever imagined. Powerful beings, each more unfathomable than the last, seemed to be appearing one after another.
"Thunder¡ This has to be Thor. No one else could control such immense power," someone whispered, awe and fear in their eyes.
The realization was clear: the world they knew was only a fraction of something far larger, a realm teeming with unimaginable forces, and this mysterious figure¡ªthis god-like being¡ªwas a living testament to that truth.
Chapter 68 No Place To Run
They watched in stunned silence as the entire sky above them darkened, engulfed by thunderclouds that seemed to stretch endlessly across the closed city. Within those clouds, lightning crackled and flashed, each bolt more terrifying than the last.
The sheer presence of the thunderclouds was enough to instill dread. The magnetic field of the city warped, and the once reliable hum of electronic devices came to an abrupt halt. Televisions, computers, and mobile phones began to spark and burn out, one by one. The lights overhead flickered and died, leaving the city in a suffocating darkness.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of thunder was deafening, and then the heavens seemed to open, unleashing a barrage of hundreds of thousands of thunderbolts. From his position in the sky, the mysterious powerhouse, like a thunder god incarnate, wove his control over the endless power of the storm.
The thunderbolts tore through the air with surgical precision, striking the masses of evil spirits below with brutal force. Each strike was like a precision missile, devastating all in its path.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
In an instant, tens of thousands of evil spirits were obliterated. Their forms were reduced to dust and ash before they could even cry out. The remaining spirits, paralyzed with fear, began to scatter in all directions, desperate to escape the storm of death.
"Run! Flee for your lives!" one of the spirits shouted, its voice filled with terror. "You can''t fight it, it''s not a human! It must be a god!"
The evil spirits, once proud and unyielding, now scrambled in panic, knowing that any resistance would be futile. Like a stampede of frightened animals, they scattered, fleeing in every direction across the city.
But their flight was in vain.
Every thunderbolt seemed to track their movements, homing in on their very presence.
Boom!
A group of evil spirits, attempting to hide beneath the cover of a large tree, were struck by a thunderbolt. The bolt instantly reduced them to cinders, while the tree they sought refuge under was scorched and ignited, adding to the chaos.
Boom!
Another bolt struck down a group that had dashed into the street. The spirits were reduced to ash, and the concrete road beneath them shattered, creating a massive crater as rubble flew in every direction.
Boom!
Some evil spirits sought shelter in nearby buildings, but it was no use. A bolt of lightning tore through the structure, collapsing the walls and reducing them to nothing. The spirits within were obliterated in an instant.
No matter where they fled¡ªbe it into buildings, down streets, or even into sewers¡ªthere was no escape. The thunderbolts rained down, hunting them with relentless precision, turning every corner of the city into a battlefield, and reducing the once-mighty army of evil spirits to nothing but ash.
Chapter 69 Should we Nuke him?
"My God, it''s too strong."
"Thunder God is alive! It must be Thor himself!"
"Are you kidding me? A million evil spirits¡ wiped out just like that?!"
The onlookers were left speechless, their eyes wide in disbelief. Their hearts were filled with shock and awe. No words could truly capture the overwhelming spectacle they had just witnessed.
A mere moment ago, millions of evil spirits had descended, threatening their lives, and even the country had abandoned them, sealing the city and resigning to the fact that this was a disaster beyond the reach of the military.
But now, all of those evil spirits were nothing more than ash, obliterated by the power of thunder. If they hadn''t seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed that such an absurd outcome was possible.
The sky, once thick with dark clouds and raging winds, had returned to its calm, clear state. The city, which had been on the brink of destruction, was now restored to peace. No trace of the evil spirits remained. Every single one had been wiped out by the unrelenting storm of thunder.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
"Is this¡ is this a god?" Bai Yingxue muttered under her breath, her small fist clenched as she gazed at the mysterious figure in the sky. Her beautiful eyes were filled with awe, and a deep yearning surged within her. She had never believed in gods before, but the scene unfolding before her shattered everything she thought she knew.
There were gods in this world. There had to be. What else could explain such unimaginable power?
"Such a powerful land immortal, the force of that thunderbolt¡ªit''s no different than a missile strike," one person remarked, trembling. "If one of those lightning bolts hit me, I''d be reduced to charcoal¡ no, to nothing but ash."
"Exactly. With just a wave of his hand, tens of thousands of thunderbolts rained down. It was like an artillery barrage, washing the entire area of evil spirits. There wasn''t even a chance for them to flee. Death was everywhere."
"The most terrifying part is that those lightning strikes seem to have a mind of their own. They hunt down each evil spirit with precision. How is that possible?"
"I don''t know¡ But one thing''s clear: no national army could stand against someone like that. Even modern weapons would be powerless."
"That''s right. The thunder on his body is the perfect counter to any modern technology. One strike, and every piece of electronic equipment would fry in an instant."
"No missiles, no tanks, no planes would even get close. They''d be burned the moment they did."
"There''s no way to defeat him¡ªnot unless you could somehow ambush him with a nuclear bomb."
"Think about it," another person added with a shake of their head. "Do you really think someone at this level would be slow enough to be caught off guard by a missile? He could probably teleport hundreds of miles in a second. Even the speed of a nuclear bomb wouldn''t be able to match the speed of someone like this."
The realization set in. This was no ordinary force. Whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªthis person was, they were beyond the scope of anything these people had ever known. The true power of the gods had arrived.
Chapter 70 Chasing the Wind
"It''s true. Even though a nuclear bomb is powerful, it''s useless if it can''t hit the target," someone murmured, breaking the silence.
"And here''s the most important question¡ª" their voice wavered, heavy with doubt, "¡ªeven if a nuclear bomb did hit¡ could it truly kill a land immortal of this caliber?"
The group fell into silence, their throats dry, the weight of the scene pressing heavily on them. All eyes remained fixed on the mysterious figure suspended in the heavens. He wasn''t human¡ªno, they couldn''t believe he was. That was the god of thunder standing there, an existence beyond mortal comprehension.
Without that belief, nothing about the destruction around them made sense.
"But look at the city," a voice finally said, drawing attention to the devastation surrounding them. "The evil spirits are gone, but the lockdown¡ it''s in ruins."
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They glanced around, taking in the aftermath. Lightning had ravaged the city. Every street bore deep scars, littered with rubble. Buildings were fractured, some completely reduced to skeletal remains. The roads, once orderly, now resembled the aftermath of a missile strike.
A somber silence fell over them, punctuated only by the faint crackle of residual thunder dissipating in the air.
"At least no one died," someone added, breaking the tension. "Buildings can be rebuilt. Without that mysterious powerhouse, we wouldn''t just be looking at ruined structures. We''d all be dead. Every single one of us."
Another nodded solemnly. "Compared to that, this¡ this is nothing short of a miracle."
Even the most optimistic among them couldn''t have imagined surviving a confrontation with a million evil spirits. Yet here they were, alive. A miracle indeed.
"Director! Chief! Where are you going?"
Qin Changqing''s sharp eyes tracked Bai Yingxue as she suddenly dashed off, her figure swift and determined.
"I''m going to meet him," she declared, her voice steady and resolute.
"What?!"
Her words shocked everyone into action.
"Director, are you insane? That''s a god-level powerhouse! What if you offend him?!"
"Exactly! Chief, this isn''t impulsive¡ªit''s reckless! If he becomes angry, the entire city could be obliterated in an instant."
"Please, Director, reconsider! We don''t even know the intentions of this being. Rushing to approach him is too dangerous."
Despite their frantic protests, Bai Yingxue''s resolve didn''t waver. Her figure was already a blur, darting toward the mysterious figure in the sky as though consumed by madness¡ªor an unshakable purpose.
Chapter 71 Give Me Might
Xia Chuan floated mid-air, his gaze distant and contemplative.
"Thor''s Hammer¡ I underestimated its power," he murmured, fingers brushing his chin. "One blow. A single strike to obliterate a million evil spirits. I expected devastation, but this¡"
His words trailed off, as the sight below lingered in his mind¡ªash where an army once stood. Though he''d known of the hammer''s might in the miniature world, witnessing its power unleashed in this realm was an entirely different experience.
The voice of the hammer jolted him from his thoughts.
"Quack! Master, that''s obvious. I am Thor''s Hammer, after all!" Quake''s tone was smug, yet tinged with dissatisfaction. "But Master, isn''t it a bit underwhelming? A million evil spirits? They crumbled too fast! Not even a second strike was needed. It was over before I could enjoy myself."
Xia Chuan''s lips curled into a faint smile.
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"Patience," he said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "This is only the beginning. Xuanhuangxing won''t stay quiet for long. The ghost world is just one of many threats. Soon, others will come¡ªbarbarians, invaders from realms we''ve yet to encounter. The turbulence ahead will test us both."
"True, Master," Quake replied, its voice laced with anticipation. "I''ll be ready when the time comes. Just don''t let me go to waste!"
Xia Chuan nodded, his gaze suddenly shifting as a faint commotion below caught his attention.
"Master, there''s a woman," Thor''s Hammer said. "She''s rushing towards you, calling out something. Shall I¡ª?"
Xia Chuan raised a hand to silence the hammer, his sharp eyes scanning the ground. A lone figure was indeed moving at incredible speed, her presence unmissable even from this height.
Her voice rang out, desperate yet resolute, carrying over the silence of the battlefield.
"God above! How can I obtain extraordinary power? Please, show me the way! I am willing to pay any price!"
The woman stood amidst the devastation, her gaze locked on Xia Chuan. Her posture exuded determination, a stark contrast to the broken city around her.
Xia Chuan''s brow furrowed slightly. The woman''s physical strength was remarkable¡ªuncommon for an ordinary human of Xuanhuangxing. She moved with the grace and power of a peak Bronze Realm warrior, a level few could attain.
Her voice trembled, not with fear but with suppressed frustration.
Bai Yingxue stared up at Xia Chuan, her heart pounding.
"I''ve had enough¡" she muttered under her breath, though her words were aimed more at herself than the man above. "Enough of being powerless. Enough of watching disasters unfold while I stand helpless."
Her fists clenched, the faintest tremor betraying her desperation.
"I can''t bear it anymore," she shouted, louder this time, her plea reverberating. "If I must die, let it be chasing strength¡ªnot crumbling in weakness!"
Chapter 72 Dependent
Bai Yingxue stood unwavering, her resolve shining brighter than the faint flickers of destruction still lingering in the air. To her, the figure of Xia Chuan, wreathed in thunder and exuding an aura of destruction, was the key to her desperate pursuit of power.
Xia Chuan''s eyes softened with contemplation as he gazed at her.
"Do you see me as a god?" he asked, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of curiosity.
To an ordinary human, his presence was indeed divine. With the world props at his command, he wielded power far beyond the realm of mortals. In the miniature world, he was revered as a god, and here in Xuanhuangxing, his influence was no different.
Thor''s Hammer, still crackling with latent energy, interjected.
"Master, this woman has the aptitude to become a dependent. Should I grant her the chance?"
Xia Chuan raised a brow, intrigued by the hammer''s words.
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"A dependent? Explain," he demanded.
Thor''s Hammer''s tone grew solemn as it began its explanation.
"Master, the true reason world props are feared as tools that disrupt the balance of existence lies not just in their raw power. Each world prop has the unique ability to develop dependents¡ªindividuals who inherit a portion of its strength. These dependents gain extraordinary abilities tied to the prop''s essence.
The more dependents a world prop nurtures, the stronger it becomes. Their growth and power directly feed back into the prop, accelerating its evolution and expanding its potential."
Xia Chuan''s expression shifted, a mixture of astonishment and curiosity.
"So, dependents are an extension of a world prop''s power?"
Thor''s Hammer continued, "Precisely. Take me, for example. As Thor''s Hammer, I can grant my dependents control over lightning, imbuing them with the power to command storms. The Book of Wisdom, on the other hand, creates dependents who gain unparalleled intelligence and insight.
This is why the Kingdom of Thunder once boasted ten extraordinary warriors who swore fealty to its ruler¡ªthey were my dependents, empowered by my essence."
At this point, the Book of Wisdom, always keen to offer its insight, chimed in.
"World props are not just weapons or tools, Master," it said, its voice calm and measured. "They are catalysts of transformation, capable of reshaping individuals, societies, and even entire worlds. A single world prop can leave an eternal mark on existence by fostering dependents whose influence ripples across generations."
Xia Chuan nodded slowly, absorbing the revelations.
"So, this power to create dependents is what truly sets world props apart," he mused. "It''s not just about destruction; it''s about shaping the very fabric of reality itself."
His gaze fell once more on Bai Yingxue, who stood resolute below, her eyes burning with unyielding determination.
"If I choose to grant her this power," Xia Chuan thought aloud, "she will no longer be an ordinary mortal. She will carry the burden and responsibility of wielding the strength of a world prop."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Chapter 73 Servant of Lighting
"But the world props cannot be developed casually," the Book of Wisdom intoned, its voice calm and unwavering, yet heavy with the weight of truth.
"First, the holders of world props must possess sufficient strength. Without it, their ability to develop dependents is severely limited. Take the former Lord of the Thunder Country, for instance¡ªhe could only create ten dependents. Of course, the master''s strength far surpasses his, allowing for a much greater capacity.
"Even so, the number of dependents is not infinite. Selection must adhere to strict qualifications. Without sufficient aptitude, the extraordinary power of the world props would overwhelm them, reducing their bodies to nothing but ash. This is why the dependents of world props are few, but to those who are chosen, they are akin to the ''favored ones,'' blessed with extraordinary power. For them, becoming an extraordinary warrior is a certainty."
The Book of Wisdom paused, as if letting its words settle. "Thus, the dependents of world props are rare treasures, shaping the very balance of the ordinary and extraordinary."
"Moreover," Thor''s Hammer interjected, its tone sharp and decisive, "once someone becomes a dependent, they are irrevocably bound to the world prop. Their loyalty is absolute. Betrayal is a futile dream¡ªone thought, and their life ends in an instant. Dependents are more than followers; they are eternal servitors."Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Thor''s Hammer rumbled with amusement. "Developing dependents is akin to recruiting loyal thugs, ones who carry out the will of the prop without question."
Xia Chuan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, these dependents are believers in a sense¡ªunwavering and devout, bound by the very power they seek."
"Precisely," Thor''s Hammer affirmed. "Master, this woman below possesses rare aptitude. Her conviction and physical potential mark her as a prime candidate for a dependent. Shall we make her one?"
Xia Chuan glanced at Bai Yingxue below, her figure determined and unwavering, standing amidst the destruction. He stroked his chin, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Interesting. If there''s no harm and only advantages, why not?"
At that moment, a voice like thunder echoed within Bai Yingxue''s mind, resonating in the depths of her consciousness.
"Mortal, it is not impossible to obtain extraordinary power. But tell me, what can you offer in return?"
Her breath caught as euphoria surged through her. The one thing she feared most was rejection, or worse, offending this god-like figure and inviting calamity upon herself and the city. But now, she had a chance.
"God, I am willing to pay any price¡ªmy life, my soul," Bai Yingxue said without hesitation, her voice unwavering despite the storm in her heart.
The future of Xuanhuang Star loomed with countless dangers. Strength was not a luxury but a necessity. To live powerless was a slow death; to exchange her life for power seemed like a fair trade. At least this way, she could die fighting, not cowering in fear.
"Very well," the voice responded, calm yet commanding. "I have no need for your life, only your loyalty. Swear your faith to me. Open your heart, and accept the power I bestow upon you."
"I do," Bai Yingxue declared, her resolve unshaken.
Boom!
Lightning crackled through the air, illuminating the sky with an awe-inspiring radiance as Thor''s Hammer descended, its power weaving into her very essence. The world trembled as a mortal was remade into something extraordinary.
Chapter 74 Blessing or a Curse?
As the voice faded, a streak of purple lightning erupted from the depths of Thor''s Hammer, radiating vitality that seemed boundless and ancient. The bolt pierced the air and plunged directly into Bai Yingxue''s body, embedding itself deep within her soul like a seed taking root.
Wow~~
In that instant, an overwhelming surge of thunderous power flooded her being, coursing through every cell, every fiber, and every bone. Her body trembled under the onslaught of this extraordinary force, reshaped and reforged with every passing second. Muscles strengthened, nerves quickened, and her very essence evolved beyond human limitations.
Her breathing was ragged, yet her resolve remained firm. She could feel it¡ªher body was being baptized, strengthened to an unimaginable degree, far surpassing her prior self.
"Haha! This one has exceptional aptitude," Thor''s Hammer exclaimed gleefully, its voice carrying a note of pride. "She has perfectly bonded with my Thor Seed¡ªno rejection whatsoever!"
The hammer seemed to thrum with satisfaction, its glow pulsing faintly. "At last, I have a follower worthy of my power! A hammer of my stature cannot go without a brother-in-arms, after all."Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Xia Chuan smirked but said nothing, his gaze sweeping over Bai Yingxue, who lay unconscious as her body adjusted to the monumental change. Her breathing was steady, though it would clearly take time before she fully adapted to her newfound strength.
"She''ll manage," Xia Chuan muttered, dismissing the matter with a glance. His mission was complete. The million-strong army of evil spirits had been annihilated, and the Book of Wisdom had devoured their souls, reaping a feast of unimaginable magnitude. There was no longer any reason to linger here.
Without a word, Xia Chuan''s figure blurred, disappearing into the horizon like a fleeting shadow.
Moments later, Qin Changqing and his team from the Special Affairs Bureau arrived, their faces grim as they surveyed the battlefield. The sight of Bai Yingxue lying on the ground immediately drew their attention.
"Director!" a team member shouted, rushing forward in concern. He reached out to help her up¡ª
"Stop! Don''t touch her!" Qin Changqing barked, his tone sharp with warning.
But his words came too late.
Crackle!
The instant the team member''s hand neared Bai Yingxue, an arc of purple lightning shot out, flinging him backward with brutal force. He crashed into the ground more than ten meters away, his body convulsing from the shock. His hair stood on end, and his skin glistened with residual static.
"Ahhh!" he groaned, his voice trembling as he struggled to sit up.
The others froze in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"What''s happening to the Director?!" one of them whispered, a mix of fear and confusion in their tone.
Qin Changqing''s face darkened, his gaze fixed on Bai Yingxue, whose body now radiated a faint purple glow. The power surrounding her was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
"It seems¡ she has undergone some kind of transformation," he said gravely. "Whether it''s a blessing or a curse, I cannot say. But one thing is certain¡ªshe''s not the same as before."
Chapter 75 High Level World
At this moment, within the ghost world, a grim gathering of ghost kings convened near the void passage. Their faces were etched with gravity, the air around them suffused with an oppressive silence.
"The Ghost King Bernard is dead, and his army of a million evil spirits¡ annihilated. Not a single one survived," a ghost king declared, his voice laden with disbelief.
"What? Bernard is dead?!"
"That''s impossible!" another ghost king retorted, his eyes wide with shock. "This void passage led to a so-called low-level world. A place teeming with defenseless blood food! How could he, along with his entire army, be wiped out?"
"Ridiculous," a third ghost king scoffed, his tone edged with skepticism. "Bernard may not have been the strongest among us, but he was still a ghost king! And with an army of a million evil spirits at his command? The idea of such complete destruction¡ It''s unthinkable!"
The murmurs of disbelief rippled through the gathered ghost kings. The intelligence they''d received had been clear: the world on the other side of the passage was supposed to be insignificant. Ordinary humans, untrained and powerless, were expected to be easy prey.
Stolen novel; please report.Yet now, Bernard was dead, and the news struck like a thunderclap.
"The intelligence was wrong," a ghost king growled, his tone chilling as a cold light flickered in his spectral eyes. "This isn''t a low-level world¡ªit''s an extremely high-level one. And let me remind you all: Bernard and his million-strong army weren''t overwhelmed by attrition or sustained warfare. They were annihilated in an instant. Even escape was impossible."
He swept his gaze over the others, his words sinking in like venom. "You know what this means."
The silence deepened, the weight of his words pressing down on them.
"It means," he continued, his voice low, "that the power residing in that world is far beyond what we imagined. A force capable of not just defeating a ghost king but erasing him and his entire army in a single moment. If it can obliterate Bernard, it can obliterate any of us. Perhaps with even greater ease."
The other ghost kings exchanged uneasy glances. The implications were clear¡ªand terrifying.
"But if this world is so powerful, then why was Bernard able to enter so easily?" one ghost king asked, his expression twisted with confusion. "Why didn''t they resist from the start?"
"You still don''t get it, do you?" snarled another, his voice filled with disdain. "It was a trap¡ªa carefully laid one. The people of that world must have pretended to be weak to lure Bernard into a false sense of security. They wanted him to think it was a low-level world, so he''d lead his army deep inside. And when he was in too far to retreat, they struck. Hard."
His fists clenched as he spat out the next words: "That arrogant fool fell for their ploy. He underestimated them, let his guard down, and paid the ultimate price. By the time he realized his mistake, it was already too late."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
"Damn it!" the red-haired ghost king roared, his fiery mane crackling with fury. "The humans in that world are too bold! How dare they bait us like this? Do they think they can lead wolves into their home and not suffer the consequences?!"
His rage boiled over, his voice echoing through the void. But beneath the anger, a gnawing fear lingered¡ªa fear shared by every ghost king present. For if the humans of this mysterious world had the power to slaughter a ghost king and his army so effortlessly, what chance did they truly stand?
Chapter 76 Prey to the Sheep
"Do you still need to ask? This only proves that the creatures in that world possess overwhelming confidence and unfathomable power. They believe that even if we emerge, exterminating us is merely a matter of moments. And indeed, the outcome aligns with their expectations. The Ghost King Bernard has fallen, and his million-strong evil ghost army has been annihilated¡ªeffortlessly."
A blue-hued ghost king clenched his teeth, his spectral form trembling with frustration.
"Exactly," another voice echoed, its tone tinged with dread. "Haven''t you noticed? The space tunnel remains unguarded. There isn''t even a semblance of an attempt to seal it. It stands wide open, as if inviting us to come and go as we please. How confident must they be to take such a stance? Or perhaps¡ they''re baiting us, hoping to draw in another group of fools to hunt and slaughter."
The words sent a shiver through the assembled ghost kings. One evil spirit''s face twisted in horror.
"Those damned humans! Bernard fell into their trap, but do they think we''ll be as gullible? No! Don''t take us for fools. We won''t stumble into their snare a second time!"
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"Despicable, shameless humans!" snarled another ghost king. "Thank the abyss I chose caution. If I''d followed Bernard into that cursed world, I''d have shared his fate¡ªreduced to ashes in an instant!"
"Raise the power classification of this world immediately!" a commanding voice cut through the chaos. "Label it as the most dangerous level. Issue orders to all subordinates¡ªno one is to cross into that world recklessly."
The assembly fell silent, the weight of fear and caution hanging heavy in the air. The ghost kings, usually brimming with arrogance, now wore solemn expressions. The death of Bernard and the utter obliteration of his forces had shaken them to the core.
Bernard might have been foolish, but his strength was undeniable. Yet now, he was gone¡ªwiped from existence without a trace. It was a reality so absurd that, had they not been witnesses, they would have dismissed it as a fantasy.
"There is no doubt," one ghost king muttered grimly, "that the world we presumed to be low-level is anything but. It may, in fact, be a high-level world far beyond our comprehension. If we rashly invade, we could end up like Bernard¡ªeradicated without even the chance to fight back."
"No, it''s worse than that," another added, his voice heavy with concern. "We must station an army of evil spirits to guard the space tunnel. If the creatures of that world decide to invade us, the damage they could inflict on the ghost world would be catastrophic."
The gravity of the statement hung over them like a storm cloud.
The space tunnel, initially a symbol of conquest and plunder, now loomed as a harbinger of disaster. Where they had once envisioned endless resources to exploit, they now saw a potential path of ruin, an open door for a superior force to bring their domain to its knees.
Their optimism had turned to dread. What was once a promise of endless blood and power had morphed into the fear of becoming prey. The balance of strength had shifted, and the ghost kings, for all their power, felt a chilling sense of vulnerability.
Chapter 77 A Storm Did That?
In the blink of an eye, a day passed. The events of the lockdown city spread like wildfire, and the internet was abuzz with shock and speculation.
Xia Chuan''s annihilation of millions of evil spirits left a mark too significant to be concealed. The destruction caused by the apocalyptic thunderstorm devastated the entire city, leaving countless netizens stunned and confused.
Headlines screamed sensational claims:
"Shocking: Thunderstorm of the Century in Lockdown City¡ªCountless Lightning Bolts Rain Down, City in Ruins!"
Accompanying these headlines were various images: dark clouds blanketing the sky, endless bolts of lightning crashing down, a mysterious figure hovering amidst the storm, and snapshots of the city''s aftermath¡ªa land scarred by devastation.
The photos ignited a frenzy online.
"My God! Is this real? Did someone actually summon lightning in the lockdown city? This looks like the wrath of heaven itself!"
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"Come on, it''s fake for sure. Special effects from some movie, maybe. There''s no way this much lightning could strike one place."
"Exactly! Probably a trailer for some game. Fake news is everywhere these days."
"I''d bet my last dollar this is just clickbait. Only the punctuation marks in that article are true¡ªeverything else is nonsense!"
"I''m calling the cops. The editor of this fake news needs to be detained for spreading rumors."
Most netizens dismissed the news as fabrication, attributing the story to overzealous media outlets fishing for clicks. But amidst the skepticism, voices of local residents began to emerge, breaking through the noise.
"No, no! It''s all true! I live in lockdown city, and I swear on my life, I saw it all!" one resident posted in a panic. "It wasn''t just lightning¡ªit was like the heavens themselves descended. A Category 12 hurricane tore through the city! Windows shattered, clothes flew everywhere, and lightning smashed everything in sight. It was terrifying!"
Another resident chimed in with a video, pointing to the aftermath. "Look at my roof! I live on the top floor of Building XX in Xingfu Community. A lightning bolt came straight down and punched a hole clean through it! If it had rained last night, my home would have turned into a water curtain cave. Now I have to hire someone to repair the damage."
"The roof? That''s nothing! The Jinmao Building¡ªour city''s tallest skyscraper¡ªgot hit directly. Lightning punched through a dozen floors, causing millions in damages. Who knows what the owner did to deserve this divine retribution?"
"It wasn''t just buildings. The trees lining the streets? Charred to a crisp. Entire rows of them were burned to ashes. There''s one street that looks like a giant blackened field now!"
"Even the roads weren''t spared," another resident exclaimed. "Potholes everywhere¡ªhuge ones! If anyone had been walking or driving there, they''d be dead for sure. It''s a miracle no one was hit!"
Some residents speculated darkly, adding a superstitious edge to the conversation.
"Must be all the scumbags in this city, swearing and sinning all day. The heavens finally couldn''t take it anymore and sent down divine punishment."
Chapter 78 A Play from Behind the Scene
If they hadn''t experienced it firsthand, they wouldn''t have believed it possible.
But as video after video flooded the internet, the tide of skepticism began to shift. One person could fake a story, but it was impossible to claim that all eight million residents of Fengcheng were colluding in some elaborate hoax.
Eyewitnesses, videos, and the sheer weight of evidence overwhelmed even the staunchest doubters.
"Did Fengcheng really endure such a catastrophic thunderstorm?"
"Inexplicable. Not even science can account for so much lightning. Where did it all come from?"
"Could it be¡ someone was really transcending tribulation? Is that why there was so much lightning?"
"They say someone caught a figure in the sky on camera. Was that person the one facing the calamity?"
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Curiosity swept through the online masses like wildfire. This wasn''t some random natural phenomenon. There had to be a deeper reason, something hidden beneath the surface of what everyone assumed to be reality.
But just as the buzz reached fever pitch, the government stepped in to quell the uproar.
"Don''t spread rumors or give in to baseless speculation. There is no such thing as transcending tribulation," a statement declared. "This was nothing more than a rare meteorological event¡ªa super lightning storm caused by unusual atmospheric conditions. A once-in-a-century natural phenomenon."
To bolster their claim, a renowned expert emerged with charts, data, and scientific jargon. His voice rang with authority. "It''s a rare weather anomaly, not a celestial event. Spreading such unscientific theories only fuels panic."
The explanation, however, failed to convince the public.
"Super lightning storm? My ass. Why haven''t we heard of anything like this before? Not in textbooks, not in history¡ªthis so-called expert is spewing nonsense."
"Who''s the real expert here, you or me? Just because you''ve never read about it doesn''t mean it''s impossible," the scientist shot back, steadfast in his stance. "I assure you, this is nothing more than an unusual weather pattern."
As the debates raged on, another official stepped forward with an announcement. "We acknowledge the severe damage caused by this rare storm. The government will bear the costs to compensate affected residents of Fengcheng."
This statement, viewed by some as an attempt at damage control, was swiftly followed by coordinated efforts to suppress the story.
A mysterious agency worked behind the scenes to remove the thunderstorm incident from trending lists, drowning it out with unrelated celebrity gossip. Soon, discussions shifted to scandals and drama involving public figures, drawing attention away from Fengcheng.
The chaos and questions surrounding the lightning disaster faded into the background, swept aside by the noise of everyday distractions. After a flurry of denials, compensations, and misdirections, the storm of speculation quieted.
Chapter 79 Land Immortal
In the headquarters of the Beijing Special Affairs Bureau, the atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with unspoken concerns. High-ranking officials gathered around a long conference table, their faces grave.
"I believe everyone is aware of the recent incident," a middle-aged man in a tunic suit began, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "The millions of evil spirits that appeared in Fengcheng have been eradicated by an unidentified powerhouse."
The room stirred with murmurs, disbelief still lingering in the minds of those present.
"What''s the origin of this mysterious individual?" an older official questioned, his expression a mix of astonishment and respect. "We were prepared to abandon Fengcheng entirely. Sending the army felt like a suicide mission. We were bracing ourselves for catastrophic losses¡ªand yet, the situation turned in an instant."
Many nodded in agreement. The appearance of millions of evil spirits through the space tunnel had plunged them into despair. It wasn''t just about Fengcheng; the entire nation had been at risk of devastation, with countless lives hanging by a thread.
The most chilling aspect? They had seriously considered deploying nuclear weapons to neutralize the threat, fully aware of the collateral damage. The decision had felt like a grim inevitability.
And yet, before such drastic measures could be enacted, the unimaginable happened. A mysterious figure emerged, annihilating the ghostly army with seemingly effortless power, erasing the disaster before it could spread further.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
"According to the Fengcheng branch''s analysis, this individual might be one of the ''land immortals''¡ªa being from the ancient times of Xuanhuangxing," someone suggested hesitantly, breaking the silence.
"Land immortal?" Another official frowned. "Such entities have only ever existed in myth and folklore. Is it possible that someone of such power has truly survived to this day?"
"Possible or not, the evidence is undeniable," the man in the tunic suit replied. "This mysterious powerhouse acted decisively, wiping out the threat entirely. What''s more, since their intervention, no evil spirits have dared emerge from the space tunnel. Even when we stationed personnel there, the tunnel has remained eerily silent, as if the other side fears retaliation."
The room fell into a contemplative silence.
"What''s your take on this?" an elderly man asked, puffing on a cigarette as he fixed his sharp gaze on the man in the tunic suit.
"There are two possibilities," the man replied after a moment''s thought, raising two fingers.
"First, this individual is indeed a land immortal¡ªsomeone from Xuanhuangxing''s ancient history, possessing unfathomable power, who has chosen to assist us for reasons unknown."
He paused, his expression darkening. "Second, and perhaps more likely, this figure isn''t from Xuanhuangxing at all but hails from another world. A god or entity with their own motives, offering aid for purposes we cannot yet discern."
The mention of an otherworldly god sent ripples of unease through the room.
"Another world¡" someone muttered, the weight of the words sinking in.
"Given the space tunnels appearing across the planet and the increasing frequency of alien incursions, it isn''t an unreasonable theory," the man in the tunic suit continued. "As high-ranking officials, we are well aware of Xuanhuangxing''s history. If such a powerful being had existed on this planet, it would be recorded somewhere. Yet there''s nothing¡ªnot even a hint."
"Which makes the second possibility far more plausible," the elder with the cigarette concluded, his tone grim.
The room grew colder as the implications of this theory settled over them. If this figure truly came from another world, what did their arrival mean for Xuanhuangxing? Would their aid come at a price, or was this only the beginning of a much larger, more perilous chain of events?
Chapter 80 A String at Play
It wasn''t impossible to believe that the mysterious figure could be a god from another world.
"If this being truly is an otherworldly god, could it pose a threat to us?" someone asked, their tone uneasy.
The man in the tunic suit shook his head. "It''s hard to say. The figure is shrouded in too much mystery. Beyond annihilating the million-strong army of evil spirits, it revealed nothing of its intentions. At the very least, whether it''s a land immortal of Xuanhuangxing or a god from another world, it seems benevolent¡ªfor now. There''s no sign of hostility, which, for the moment, is fortunate."
A pause hung in the room before someone else spoke.
"Wait, wasn''t there a report that one of your subordinates had direct contact with this god? That they even received a gift of power from it, gaining extraordinary abilities?"
The room erupted in murmurs, eyes turning toward the man in the tunic suit.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Is this true? Someone was chosen by the god?"
"Yes," he confirmed gravely. "Her name is Bai Yingxue, the director of the Fengcheng Special Affairs Bureau. It seems this god, who calls itself ''Thunder,'' deemed her worthy and made her its dependent. She has since gained the power of thunder."
His words caused a wave of astonishment.
"Just how much has she changed?"
"Her strength, speed, and endurance have increased at least tenfold," the man continued. "On top of that, she can now manipulate lightning at will. Her overall combat power has surged dozens of times beyond her previous capabilities."
The room buzzed with excitement and speculation.
"A power capable of multiplying one''s combat strength dozens of times¡ just like that?"
"If one person can gain such strength, couldn''t we ask for more to be bestowed with this power?"
"Exactly! Even if we had just a few thousand, or even a few hundred, empowered individuals, it could transform our situation. We''d not only defend against incursions but also take the initiative to explore these other worlds and harvest their resources."
The possibilities ignited the imaginations of those present. With the nation facing the challenges of spiritual energy resurgence and hostile otherworldly entities, a force of empowered individuals could change everything.
"Hold on," the man in the tunic suit interrupted, his tone firm. "Let''s not act rashly. This so-called gift from the god may seem like a blessing, but who''s to say it isn''t a means of control? There''s no such thing as a free lunch."
His words brought an uneasy silence to the room.
"We don''t know what strings might be attached," he continued. "What if this is a subtle way to bind us? To make us reliant on their power? Real power must be something we can control ourselves, not something handed down by an unknown entity."
Chapter 81 300 Years Ago
"You are not without reason."
The old man with the cigarette nodded, his gaze sharp. "But we don''t have the luxury of waiting. The space tunnels appearing on Xuanhuang Star are increasing, like unending breaches in a dam. Endless creatures from other worlds are pouring in. If we don''t act fast and gain sufficient strength, the entire nation could be plunged into chaos."
He paused, exhaling a thin plume of smoke. "It''s not just us. Reports from Europe, North America, South America, and Africa confirm that space tunnels have emerged in their territories too. Alien creatures are wreaking havoc, leaving devastation and casualties in dozens of cities. We''ve been lucky so far¡ªour incidents have been fewer, and most threats have been neutralized. The two major crises we faced were resolved by mysterious powerhouses. But how long can we depend on luck and strangers?"
The room fell silent as the weight of his words sank in.
"Relying on unknown saviors is not a strategy," the old man continued. "This time, we survived the invasion of millions of evil spirits. But if it happened once, it can happen again, and again. What if those powerhouses decide not to intervene next time? What if they''re preoccupied or simply don''t care? Are we prepared to gamble our nation''s future on their whims?"If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
He slammed his fist onto the table, the sound reverberating in the room. "Our destiny must be in our own hands. Only power¡ªtrue, self-controlled power¡ªcan ensure that we''re masters of our fate. The strong shape destiny; the weak are bound by it."
A younger official, visibly troubled, broke the silence. "But why is this happening? How did Xuanhuang Star suddenly recover its spiritual energy? What caused this?"
The man in the tunic suit leaned forward, his expression dark. "The answer lies in history. Over 300 years ago, Xuanhuang Star was rich in spiritual energy, teeming with practitioners and extraordinary beings. But then, disaster struck. The demon world invaded, plunging the planet into chaos. Countless lives were lost as practitioners united to repel the invasion at a great cost."
He sighed heavily, his voice low yet commanding. "To permanently seal off the demon world, the ancients took drastic measures. They severed the dragon veins of the planet¡ªits lifeblood of spiritual energy¡ªand sealed all void passages to other worlds. This ushered in an era of spiritual decline, where no new practitioners could emerge. The Age of Domination."
The old man tapped the table, his eyes narrowing. "But the ancestors couldn''t have foreseen this. Three centuries later, Xuanhuang Star''s spiritual energy has returned, stronger than ever. The void passages they sealed are reopening, and the creatures beyond them are invading once more. We''re back to square one¡ªonly now the stakes are even higher."
A grim silence fell over the room, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock.
"This resurgence of spiritual energy isn''t random," the man in the tunic suit continued. "Scientists have been studying it¡"
He hesitated, his voice tinged with foreboding. "But their findings only deepen the mystery."
Chapter 82 Billion Years of History
The old man exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice calm but weighted with meaning. "Although the dragon veins were severed more than three centuries ago, they were never completely cut off. The dragon veins are the lifeblood of this planet; to sever them entirely would doom all life on Xuanhuang Star. The ancestors knew this. Instead, they sealed the veins, leaving just enough for survival. However, if Xuanhuang Star comes into contact with other worlds and is infused with their spiritual energy, the dormant veins will awaken, and the planet''s aura will surge back to life."
His words struck the room like a quiet thunderclap. The resurgence of Xuanhuang Star''s aura wasn''t an isolated event¡ªit was the result of its entanglement with other worlds, an inevitable consequence of their energies colliding.
"But this doesn''t make sense," someone muttered, their face shadowed with confusion. "According to historical records, the universe holds as many worlds as grains of sand, but they''re so distant from one another that contact is nearly impossible. How is it that Xuanhuang Star seems to connect with other worlds so easily, so frequently? It''s absurd."
The man in the tunic suit leaned forward, his expression grim. "That''s not a coincidence. There''s a reason for it."
He paused, then spoke with deliberate weight. "Historical records refer to Xuanhuang Star as The Sphere of Ten Thousand Realms, a pivotal transit point to the heavens and myriad worlds. Any civilization or force wishing to invade other worlds must first gain control of Xuanhuang Star. Possessing this planet is like holding the universe''s most strategic stronghold. With it, one can access any world, invade at will, and claim infinite resources."If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The room fell silent.
"The Sphere of Ten Thousand Realms?" someone whispered, their voice almost trembling. "The gateway to the heavens and the ten thousand realms?"
The implications settled over them like a suffocating shroud. If Xuanhuang Star truly held such a position in the cosmos, it was no wonder that countless alien creatures sought to claim it. Xuanhuang Star wasn''t just a world¡ªit was a cosmic key, a bridge between realms. Controlling it meant holding unparalleled strategic advantage, the ultimate high ground in the universal game of conquest.
The old man tapped his cigarette against the ashtray, his expression unreadable. "Xuanhuang Star''s position in the universe is like the Malacca Strait or Shanhaiguan Pass in ancient times. Whoever holds this strategic node gains dominance. It''s no surprise that alien forces are drawn here. They want what we barely understand¡ªthe power to access and conquer worlds."
"Then¡" a voice broke the silence, hesitant yet tinged with ambition. "If we were stronger, couldn''t we turn this situation to our advantage? Instead of seeing these connections as a threat, couldn''t we use them to invade other worlds and seize resources for ourselves?"
The man in the tunic suit nodded grimly. "In theory, yes. If we had the strength to back it up, these connections could be an opportunity, not a threat. But our current power is insufficient. The civilizations invading us are far more advanced. Until we grow stronger, these connections are nothing short of a disaster."
His voice darkened. "Historical records also suggest that Xuanhuang Star has endured this cycle countless times. The planet''s history spans billions of years¡ªtens of billions, even. Civilizations have risen and fallen here in an endless struggle to control this nexus. Wars have ravaged the land, leaving it in ruins, only for it to rebuild and begin the cycle anew. This isn''t the first time Xuanhuang Star has faced catastrophe, and it won''t be the last."
He clenched his fists. "The only way to survive is to break the cycle. To do that, we must grow stronger¡ªquickly and decisively."
Chapter 83 The Book of Evil Spirit
The villa area of Lihai Peninsula was sealed off within the city.
Boom~~
At that moment, the Book of Wisdom floated, radiating with endless light, and the millions of ghosts and spirits it had swallowed began to gather together.
Each evil spirit transformed into a page of paper, with densely packed text appearing on each, almost like a brief account of the spirit''s life.
As millions of evil spirits gathered, they became millions of pages of paper, which, when combined, formed a book.
The book itself was black, its cover adorned with numerous skulls and various evil spirits, exuding an aura of coldness, darkness, and malevolence.
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It seemed as if the book itself was a concentration of terrifying evil, chilling to the core.
"What is this?" Xia Chuan asked curiously.
After a full day and night, the Book of Wisdom had finally absorbed the soul power of the millions of evil spirits, and with their power, its strength surged to a new level.
It then used the souls of the countless evil spirits to condense a dark and eerie book.
"Master, this is the Book of Evil Spirits," the Book of Wisdom replied.
"The Book of Evil Spirits? What is it?" Xia Chuan inquired.
"I believe the master is aware that one of the abilities of the Book of Wisdom is to read the memories of souls."
The Book of Wisdom explained, "But this ability is not just about reading. It can also gather the memories of countless souls and transform them into a Book of Inheritance."
"The Book of Inheritance?" Xia Chuan glanced at the Book of Wisdom, listening without interrupting.
"Yes, it is a book of inheritance. Such a book records the ultimate legacy of a race or civilization," the Book of Wisdom continued. "The Book of Evil Spirits, however, records the many inheritances and endless knowledge of the evil spirits, all drawn from their memories."
"I see," Xia Chuan nodded, understanding at once. The Book of Wisdom had used its abilities to combine the memories of the evil spirits into the Book of Evil Spirits, which contained the secrets of their power and the inheritance of their dark abilities.
There was no doubt that if this book were to appear in the spirit world, it would be regarded as a treasure.
Countless evil spirits would fight to claim it.
"If this is the case," Xia Chuan began, "what exactly is the role of this Book of Evil Spirits?"
Chapter 84 My thirst for knowledge is limitless
Xia Chuan asked, "What is the role of this book of evil spirits?"
"Of course it is useful, and extremely useful," the Book of Wisdom replied. "Whoever uses this Book of Evil Spirits can obtain the inheritance of evil spirits, possess their unique abilities, and even learn their various skills."
The Book of Wisdom continued, "In fact, this is one of the unique abilities of my Book of Wisdom. I can not only assist the master by enhancing wisdom and comprehension, but I can also give wisdom and knowledge to all beings. I can collect the knowledge of countless souls, create books of knowledge, and give them to mortals, allowing them to easily learn exercises and even skills."
The concept of a book of knowledge intrigued Xia Chuan.
"Book of knowledge?" he asked, eyes gleaming. He could feel the power of the Book of Wisdom. It was definitely a top-tier world item. The so-called book of knowledge was likely akin to a skill book in a game.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Ordinary people might take years¡ªor even decades¡ªto learn a particular skill. But with a skill book, they could instantly learn it as if they had been practicing for ten years. Knowledge would be infused into their soul, a power unique to the Book of Wisdom.
"This ability of mine is magical," the Book of Wisdom continued. "Anyone who uses the book of knowledge becomes like a believer or family member to me. All their secrets will be revealed to me, and I can pry into their minds."
"And I can even use the brainpower of these believers. With the help of many computers in Xuanhuangxing, the collective calculation power will enhance mine. The more people use the Book of Knowledge, the stronger my computing ability becomes. With unlimited computing power, I can predict the future for countless years. There will be nothing in this world¡ªor even this universe¡ªthat can hide from me. This is the realm of omniscience."
"That''s incredible," Xia Chuan marveled. He had been somewhat puzzled before, thinking the Book of Wisdom was just a powerful auxiliary item. But now, he realized it had the potential to change the world. The ability to predict the future was nearly unstoppable.
"However," the Book of Wisdom added with a note of regret, "the number of evil spirits devoured so far is still too small. The secrets of the evil spirits haven''t been fully uncovered. The Book of Evil Spirits is still just a rough draft. It''s far from complete."
"Just a rough draft? It''s still far more powerful than most could ever master," Xia Chuan said.
"That''s right," the Book of Wisdom agreed. "But there are still plenty of evil spirits out there. If we encounter them again, we can capture another group."
It added, almost eagerly, "My thirst for knowledge is limitless."
Chapter 85 Soul Energy
Hearing this, Xia Chuan was speechless. If the evil spirits heard the words of the Book of Wisdom, they''d probably run as far as they could in fear.
"By the way," Xia Chuan suddenly remembered, "didn''t you also swallow the souls of a lot of barbarians last time? Did you create a book of inheritance from them too?"
"Correct," the Book of Wisdom replied, nodding. "I used the souls of those barbarians to create a Book of Barbarians, which contains the mysteries of barbaric power. Unfortunately, I consumed too few barbarian souls to learn much from them. It''s not even a draft yet, so I didn''t mention it to the master."
As far as the Book of Wisdom was concerned, it was still in the early stages of its work. It was like writing an outline¡ªnot even a full draft¡ªso it hadn''t shown the Book of Barbarians to Xia Chuan yet.
"Master," the Book of Wisdom suggested, "if you can go to the barbarian world and collect a large number of barbarian souls, I will be able to quickly create the first draft of the Book of Barbarians."Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"Don''t worry about that for now," Xia Chuan waved his hand.
To be honest, venturing into an entirely new world was too dangerous. While he did have world props on him, who knew what dangers the barbarian world held? If gods existed there, it could be disastrous for him.
After all, he was still a rookie, his strength not having improved enough yet. There was no need to take such risks so quickly. It would be better to wait until he was stronger and could handle more dangers.
He wasn''t keen on rushing into things just to be a martyr.
"Ok?!"
At that moment, Xia Chuan''s heart stirred as he felt a massive surge of pure energy flowing from the Book of Wisdom, filling every corner of his body.
This energy was unlike the power of faith¡ªit carried a cold aura that made him feel refreshed, like eating ice cream on a hot summer day.
He realized that his internal Qi and soul power were rapidly growing.
"Master, this is the soul energy the Book of Wisdom returns to you," the Book of Wisdom explained. "All the impurities in it have been completely removed, so you can absorb it with peace of mind. This will greatly benefit you."
The Book of Wisdom clarified that while most of the soul energy was absorbed by it, a small part was fed back to the master, helping him grow faster.
"After all," the Book of Wisdom continued, "ordinary people can''t swallow souls. The soul contains more than just energy; it also holds memories. The longer a being lives, the more memories it accumulates."
Chapter 86 Breakthrough To Golden Rank
The information within a soul is vast and chaotic, a torrent capable of overwhelming even the most advanced machine, reducing it to a lifeless heap of metal and circuits.
Thus, devouring spirits is nothing short of courting death. The memories embedded in a soul are volatile, surging into one''s consciousness with an intensity that could overwhelm the mind. Without proper resolution, they would corrupt one''s memories, leaving them in a senseless state.
Yet, these same chaotic memories and spiritual impurities are the lifeblood of the Book of Wisdom. It thrives on these fragments, processing them with unerring precision.
The Book of Wisdom functions as a supreme filter, extracting and cleansing the memories of countless spirits, distilling them into pure spiritual energy. Each processed soul becomes a blank page in its infinite tome.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"Ah, so that''s how it works," Xia Chuan muttered, his eyes gleaming with newfound understanding. He allowed the Book of Wisdom to proceed unhindered, his focus shifting inward to the surging spiritual energy coursing through him.
In moments, his cultivation surged into the Yinjing Circle. His body transformed¡ªevery bone refined to perfection, every fiber imbued with flawless strength. There were no imperfections left to mar his physical form.
It was a breakthrough that defied logic, an ascension that would bewilder even the strictest cultivation systems.
Whoosh!
Xia Chuan''s aura swelled violently, flooding his meridians with boundless power. It surged through every corner of his body, forming a perfect, seamless circuit.
At that moment, his qi underwent a profound change, swelling like a raging tide that threatened to break free from his mortal shell.
Boom!
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Chapter 87 The Awakening of Innate Astral Qi
Xia Chuan sensed the transformation unfolding within him¡ªhis inner qi rapidly evolving into innate qi. The difference was staggering. Innate qi held a strength far surpassing ordinary inner qi, like steel compared to tofu.
A single strand of innate qi could overpower dozens of inner qi strands. This unparalleled might was why golden-rank warriors, known as innate warriors in the micro world, stood as the pinnacle of martial strength.
Boom!
With a single thought, Xia Chuan lightly punched the air. Instantly, a surge of innate qi burst forth from his pores, forming a terrifying wave of energy.
The impact rippled through the room, and the distant wall trembled under its force. A visible fist mark appeared before the wall crumbled into pieces, obliterated by the sheer power of Astral Qi.
This was the might of innate qi.
Golden-rank warriors had reached a realm where they could kill with the mere force of their qi. A simple leaf in their hands could become a deadly weapon, capable of ending an enemy¡¯s life in an instant.
However, for Xia Chuan, the true marvel of Astral Qi wasn¡¯t just its destructive force¡ªit was its ability to temper his internal organs and propel his body¡¯s evolution.
At the silver rank, the fragile nature of internal organs made them untouchable. Reckless attempts to temper them would lead to severe injuries. But innate qi was different. It was ten times stronger than inner qi and carried a healing essence that quickly repaired any damage while making the organs even sturdier.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!
It was for this reason that golden-rank warriors, or innate warriors, possessed bodies of unparalleled resilience, their internal organs devoid of flaws.
¡°It can even temper the internal organs. The power of innate qi is extraordinary,¡± Xia Chuan murmured, awe-stricken.
He felt waves of innate qi surging from his acupoints and meridians, flowing seamlessly into his five viscera and six bowels. With each cycle, his organs grew tougher, stronger.
Legends spoke of warriors whose organs were so powerful they could digest steel, their stomachs capable of breaking down iron and gold as easily as rice. Xia Chuan felt himself inching closer to such an extraordinary state.
But then, something unexpected stirred within him.
¡°Wait¡ my soul, aptitude, memory, and comprehension¡ªthey¡¯ve all improved dramatically,¡± Xia Chuan realized.
The changes were undeniable. His memory and comprehension had reached an unprecedented level, granting him an almost divine clarity of thought. He casually picked up a book nearby, flipped through its pages once, and committed its entire content to memory.
Unforgettable clarity.
It wasn¡¯t just memory. Xia Chuan found his comprehension soaring as well. He could now grasp the depths of knowledge with astonishing ease.
¡°This isn¡¯t just extraordinary memory,¡± he whispered, stunned.
He recalled his struggles with advanced mathematics and programming during his college days. Functions, geometry, the Euler equation, and integration now seemed as simple as breathing. Programming languages like C and Java flowed through his mind as though they were second nature.
Knowledge that once felt like an insurmountable mountain had now become a simple path, cleared of obstacles. What he once understood vaguely had become perfectly clear, as if he had ascended to a doctoral level of expertise.
Chapter 88 Enlightened Beyond Mortal Limits
If he continued at this pace, there would be no obstacles to becoming one of the top minds and martial artists in the world.
Beyond scientific knowledge, Xia Chuan had also acquired countless martial arts secrets from the miniature world¡ªtreasures like the Seven Palms, the Nine Palaces Sword Technique, the Three Light Qigong, the Tantric Great Mudra, the Ten Thousand Streams, and the Eight Great Scattered Hands.
At this moment, he had comprehended them all as if decades of rigorous practice had been condensed into an instant.
"It¡¯s absurd. Truly absurd," Xia Chuan muttered in amazement.
Not long ago, he had been an ordinary middle-aged man. Entering a university had demanded over ten hours of daily study, sacrificing weekends just to keep up. He knew better than anyone how grueling the learning process could be.
But now?
Learning had become child¡¯s play. A slight effort brought complete understanding. A little study brought mastery. The difficulty that once felt insurmountable now seemed laughable.
"This must be how those top students feel," Xia Chuan mused.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Some students excelled with minimal effort, leading examinations while barely studying. Xia Chuan realized it wasn¡¯t about diligence but speed. What took him hours to grasp before, they absorbed in minutes.
In this way, the gap between ordinary learners and prodigies widened irreversibly over time.
As reluctant as he had been to admit it, such irrational beings¡ªgeniuses¡ªtruly existed.
"Master, this transformation isn¡¯t merely due to your ascension to the golden realm but rather the power of the Book of Wisdom," a voice interjected.
It was the Book of Wisdom, breaking the silence to claim credit for this unprecedented change.
"The power of the Book of Wisdom?" Xia Chuan asked, intrigued. "What exactly do you mean?"
The Book of Wisdom explained in its deep, resonant tone. "The holder of the Book of Wisdom undergoes gradual transformation. Memory, comprehension, and understanding improve significantly, regardless of the holder¡¯s initial aptitude. Even a fool would eventually achieve top-tier qualifications, becoming a prodigy in both intellect and insight. This transformation is permanent, unaffected even if the book is lost."
Xia Chuan¡¯s eyes sparkled with understanding. "So, the Book of Wisdom not only enhances my abilities but ensures those enhancements remain even if I lose it? Incredible."
"Precisely," the book confirmed. "This is but one of the divine skills of the Book of Wisdom. And the transformation is only beginning. As the Book of Wisdom evolves, so too will its enhancements. Eventually, your brain¡¯s computational power will rival, if not surpass, the intelligent supercomputers of science fiction. You will reach an unimaginable state of intellect."
"Comparable to an intelligent superbrain?" Xia Chuan¡¯s voice trembled with disbelief. "That¡¯s no longer human. It¡¯s¡ beyond comprehension."
Chapter 89 Ten Years in a Blink
A few days passed.
Xia Chuan had completely consolidated his cultivation in the golden realm. The innate qi within him surged further, while his internal organs underwent thorough refinement.
It was only a matter of time before his organs reached perfection, paving the way for an assault on the diamond realm¡ªa higher realm of power.
Reaching the diamond realm would also extend his life expectancy to an incredible two hundred years.
This was one of Xia Chuan''s driving forces in cultivation. Who wouldn''t strive for a longer life?
"Hmm? The power of faith seems to have grown significantly as well. Have the number of believers increased again?"
Xia Chuan¡¯s heart stirred as he felt an unending flow of golden faith energy surging into him, filling every corner of his being with warmth and strength.
In truth, his rapid cultivation progress was heavily reliant on this immense power of faith. Without it, refining his internal organs alone would have taken at least two decades.
"Yes, Master," the Book of Wisdom¡¯s voice resonated, calm and authoritative. "It has been ten days since you last connected with your believers in the miniature world. For them, however, ten years have passed. In this time, the Tang Kingdom has experienced monumental changes, and the number of your believers has risen to an astounding twenty billion."
"Twenty billion?!" Xia Chuan¡¯s eyebrows shot up.
Just ten days ago, his followers had numbered around twelve billion. Now, they had swelled by another eight billion. The growth was staggering¡ªnearly a seventy percent increase in just ten years.
"How did their numbers grow so fast?" Xia Chuan asked, his curiosity piqued.
The Book of Wisdom explained, its voice imbued with a sense of reason. "In addition to the Tang Kingdom annexing several smaller nations during this period, thereby absorbing their populations, the natural birth rate of the kingdom has been extraordinary. Over these ten years, billions of new lives have been born."
"Impressive," Xia Chuan murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "The people of the miniature world truly have a knack for reproduction. I wonder how the Tang Kingdom has developed in my absence."
His thoughts lingered on the gifts he had bestowed upon them¡ªknowledge and tools capable of catapulting their civilization forward. Ten years was a long time for such changes to take root.
"Master, you needn¡¯t wonder. Here is the current state of the Tang Kingdom," the Book of Wisdom intoned.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Without delay, a vast stream of information poured into Xia Chuan¡¯s sea of consciousness. Images, events, and reports from the past ten years unfolded before him like a grand tapestry.
At this moment, in the miniature world, on the border of the Tang Kingdom, stood Heihe City.
Though merely a small border town, Heihe City boasted a population exceeding one million. Its bustling streets and thriving commerce had earned it a reputation as a trading hub between the Tang Kingdom and neighboring nations. Goods from far-off lands flowed into Heihe City before dispersing across the vast Tang Kingdom.
Whoosh!
A group of travelers entered the city. Their gazes darted around, brimming with intrigue and hidden motives.
Among them stood Zhao Feng, the third prince of the Treasure Nation.
The Treasure Nation, one of the mightiest empires nearby, governed a population of tens of billions. Its ruler wielded several world artifacts, solidifying the nation''s dominance. Yet even with such strength, the meteoric rise of the Tang Kingdom had stirred unease within the Treasure Nation''s court. Spies were dispatched to uncover the secrets of this burgeoning power, with Zhao Feng leading the current mission.
"So, this is the Tang Kingdom?" Zhao Feng murmured, his eyes locked on Heihe City. Though a mere border town, it radiated an aura of prosperity. Towering walls encircled the city, clean streets bustled with life, and an air of vibrancy was palpable.
He couldn''t help but compare it to the neglected, decrepit border towns of his own empire.
"This city is too clean," Zhao Feng remarked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. Though not pristine, the absence of litter and the faint fragrance of flowers in the air were almost surreal.
In contrast, his own nation''s cities reeked of decay, their streets choked with filth.
"Face value, nothing more," sneered a subordinate beside him. "This is probably a facade to impress foreign visitors. A trade city like this likely spends a fortune on maintaining appearances to deceive others into thinking the Tang Kingdom is prosperous. Foolish, if you ask me. Instead of investing in their military or acquiring advanced weaponry, they squander resources on this nonsense."
The subordinate chuckled mockingly. "If our army marched in, their citizens would scatter like leaves in the wind."
"A weak nation is nothing but prey," another chimed in. "In this war-torn world, only strength matters."
Despite their words, the subordinates couldn''t entirely suppress their admiration. Deep down, they knew they would prefer living in a clean, orderly city like Heihe.
"But something feels off," Zhao Feng muttered, scanning the streets. "Where are the beggars? In any city, especially one this prosperous, beggars should be a common sight."
It was a strange anomaly. Even in the Treasure Nation, where wealth and power reigned, beggars and vagrants were a persistent presence in every city. Yet here, not a single one could be seen.
As he pondered, a local passerby overheard the conversation. The man sneered at Zhao Feng and his entourage, his disdain evident.
"You must be outsiders," the man remarked, his voice dripping with scorn. "Don''t you know? Begging is illegal in the Tang Kingdom. Anyone caught begging is arrested and put to work building railways."
"What?!"
The Treasure Nation party bristled at the man''s condescension. To them, the Tang Kingdom was but a small and insignificant nation, yet this commoner dared to look down on them as if they were ignorant peasants. The audacity was infuriating.
"How dare¡ª" one of Zhao Feng''s subordinates began, his anger boiling over.
"Enough," Zhao Feng interrupted, raising a hand to silence them. Despite his own indignation, he understood the importance of their mission. They were here to gather intelligence, not to create a spectacle.
Chapter 90 God鈥檚 Blessing - The Secret of the Rails
¡°This country is so domineering and arbitrary! It doesn¡¯t even allow begging. How are the homeless supposed to survive?¡± one of the Treasure Nation''s group muttered through gritted teeth. To him, the Tang Kingdom¡¯s policies seemed brutal and tyrannical, denying even the lowliest a chance at survival.
¡°You know nothing!¡±
A Tang Kingdom resident nearby shot them a look of disdain. ¡°In the Tang Kingdom, as long as you have hands and feet, you won¡¯t starve to death. Sending beggars to build railways isn¡¯t punishment¡ªit¡¯s giving them a chance to work. Don¡¯t you understand? Our country is brimming with infrastructure projects. Anyone willing to work can find a job. There¡¯s no such thing as starving here!¡±
¡°Ridiculous!¡± another scoffed, his voice filled with disbelief. ¡°Are you trying to say there¡¯s no starvation in the Tang Kingdom? That¡¯s impossible!¡±
His reaction was understandable. Even in their mighty Treasure Nation, starvation was an unfortunate reality. Natural and man-made disasters¡ªfloods, droughts, plagues¡ªwere unavoidable. Whenever such calamities struck, countless citizens would be displaced, bodies piling up in the streets.
Yet, this resident was boldly claiming that starvation didn¡¯t exist in the Tang Kingdom. To them, it sounded absurd¡ªlike a wild, unfounded boast.
¡°It¡¯s not ridiculous,¡± the resident retorted, his voice firm. ¡°It¡¯s the truth. This is all thanks to the blessings of the gods. They gifted us the Divine Grain, freeing us from famine. No one in the Tang Kingdom needs to starve anymore.¡±
The mention of the gods made his expression turn reverent. The light in his eyes shimmered with unwavering faith. ¡°The gods saved us from despair. Without them, we¡¯d still be living in hunger and suffering. Now, no matter how much we praise them, it will never be enough.¡±
¡°Gods?¡±
The Treasure Nation¡¯s group exchanged skeptical glances.
Before arriving in the Tang Kingdom, they had heard whispers of its so-called divine blessings. Rumors claimed it was a nation protected by ancient gods, their prosperity a direct result of divine intervention.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
But they had dismissed it as mere propaganda¡ªa clever fabrication by the Tang Kingdom¡¯s rulers to solidify their power. After all, in this mortal world, who could believe in such fantastical tales of gods and miracles?
Yet, here they were, confronted with the unshakeable conviction of the Tang Kingdom¡¯s citizens. For the first time, a sliver of doubt crept into their hearts.
Could it be true?
Could the Tang Kingdom truly be a land blessed by ancient gods?
¡°It must be a special world prop,¡± the Treasure Nation''s group whispered among themselves, their eyes glinting with ambition. The prosperity of Tang Guo couldn¡¯t merely be a result of mundane efforts. Surely, some extraordinary artifact was at work here.
If such a prop could be seized, the Treasure Nation¡¯s power and influence would ascend to unimaginable heights. Feeding two billion citizens without fail¡ªsuch a feat would revolutionize their kingdom.
But the musings of conquest were interrupted by the third prince, Zhao Feng, who furrowed his brows in curiosity. ¡°What exactly do you mean by a railroad?¡±
His question prompted a burst of laughter from the Tang Kingdom resident guiding them. ¡°Haha, this must be your first time in Tang Guo if you¡¯re unaware. A railroad is no mystery to us; it¡¯s a vital part of our daily life.¡± The elderly man stroked his white beard, speaking with pride. ¡°It¡¯s the primary mode of transportation here. Almost everyone uses it to travel between cities.¡±
The group exchanged puzzled glances. One of them asked skeptically, ¡°Why would you need to build a railroad just for horse-drawn carriages? Isn¡¯t an ordinary dirt road sufficient?¡±
The elder chuckled, shaking his head at their ignorance. ¡°You¡¯ll understand soon enough. There¡¯s a station just ahead. Come, I¡¯ll show you.¡±
The group followed him, their curiosity piqued. As they approached, their eyes widened in shock.
Before them stood a massive station, a hub of frenetic activity. The sheer scale of the building was awe-inspiring, bustling with endless streams of people and goods. Tens of thousands of individuals moved through it at any given moment, and cargo from across the kingdom and beyond converged here.
¡°This is a station?¡± Zhao Feng murmured, astonished. The station seemed less like a mundane transit point and more like the beating heart of Heihe City, a hive of energy and commerce.
And then, they noticed the steel roads¡ªtwo gleaming lines stretching into the horizon, impossibly straight, as though piercing the limits of the world.
But what truly captured their attention was the strange object resting on the tracks. It was like a colossal serpent, its body composed of numerous linked carriages, each one coated in a sheen of black metal. The object exuded an air of power and modernity, as though it belonged to an entirely different world.
Chapter 91 The Epoch-Making Carriage
At the head of these carriages was a massive horse, its entire body blazing red, as if forged from flames. From time to time, puffs of steam rose from its nostrils, accompanied by a low, whimpering sound.
Numerous passengers bustled about, dragging their luggage up and down from the carriages.
Even more astonishingly, these strange carriages were not solitary; there were more than a dozen lined up side by side, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that left Zhao Feng and the others completely stunned.
"Is this... is this the carriage?"
Zhao Feng and the others were bewildered. Never before had they encountered such a method of transportation¡ªit was utterly unheard of.
"Yes, this is our special mode of transportation in the Tang Dynasty¡ªa carriage," the old master replied proudly.
He elaborated, "Don¡¯t be fooled by its ordinary appearance. Its speed can reach six hundred kilometers per hour. At full throttle, it can even achieve a thousand kilometers per hour, though it typically travels at six hundred kilometers per hour."
Heihe City to the capital, Chang¡¯an, spanned a distance of 20,000 kilometers. Yet, even without running day and night, it was estimated to take only a day and a half to arrive.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
"What?!"
As soon as these words left his lips, Zhao Feng and the third prince, along with the others, were struck dumb with disbelief. Their ears seemed to betray them¡ªcovering 20,000 kilometers in just a day and a half? It sounded far too outrageous.
It was so outrageous that they doubted the old man¡¯s claims, suspecting him of exaggeration.
But as they observed the solemn expression on the old master¡¯s face, they realized he wasn¡¯t jesting.
"You must be joking. With such speed, if it¡¯s used for transporting soldiers, doesn¡¯t that mean an army could travel from the capital to the most distant border city in a day and a half?" Zhao Feng exclaimed. "If there¡¯s unrest in the border regions, reinforcements could arrive in no time and suppress it instantly."
The military potential of these railways became clear to everyone.
It was well understood that governing a vast empire was fraught with difficulty, primarily due to its expansive territory. Troops were often scattered, and if a rebellion erupted in a distant region, it was nearly impossible for the central army to arrive promptly.
Without such a railway, it would have taken months, perhaps even a year, for reinforcements to reach certain areas. After all, armies were made up of people who required rest and sustenance. The logistics of transporting an army¡ªfood, supplies, and equipment¡ªsignificantly slowed their march.
But with the advent of these carriages and the railway system, everything had changed. Soldiers and supplies could be loaded onto the carriages and transported across vast distances in just a day and a half. The troops would arrive fully rested and ready for battle.
Without question, this was an epoch-defining mode of transportation.
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed such a marvel could exist in the world.
Chapter 92 Something Beyond
¡°No, no, no¡ªnot just for military purposes. The benefits extend to the economy, transportation, and goods movement. The advantages are simply unimaginable.¡± The third prince, Zhao Feng, immediately recognized how the introduction of these carriages would significantly benefit the national economy.
Take, for instance, the transportation of food.
Given the vastness of the land, some regions often faced famine while others enjoyed bountiful harvests. With these carriages, surplus grain could be transported to famine-stricken areas with ease.
Without such carriages, it might take months for supplies to arrive. By then, significant portions of the food would spoil, and the costs would skyrocket. But with this innovation, all supplies could reach any part of the country within a day or two.
Whether for trade, disaster relief, or the circulation of goods, the emergence of these carriages had revolutionized the nation''s logistics.
¡°Old Master, how many of these railways exist in the Tang Kingdom?¡± Zhao Feng asked, his curiosity piqued.
¡°There¡¯s a railway map displayed on the bulletin board ahead. You may view it for yourself,¡± the old master replied, brushing his white beard with pride. ¡°The railway network is still young, having been built over the past ten years. Currently, it connects only the major cities. However, the Kingdom''s lord has decreed that within the next twenty years, every city will be interconnected by rail.¡±
¡°What?!¡±
The group moved forward, their eyes widening as they beheld a massive map of the Tang Kingdom''s railway system. The kingdom''s vast territory was laid out before them, with cities densely marked and railways crisscrossing between them like an intricate web.
¡°This is unbelievable!¡± one of Zhao Feng¡¯s men gasped. ¡°These railways are so tightly interwoven that they connect every corner of the kingdom. Traveling from one city to another takes no more than a day or two!¡±
He continued, his tone a mixture of awe and apprehension, ¡°These railways are like chains binding the cities. Any rebellion would be futile¡ªthe central army could reach any city within two days to crush dissent instantly. Where the railway reaches, the Tang Kingdom¡¯s authority is absolute.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
The men, skilled intelligence gatherers, quickly grasped the significance of the railways. This network was the foundation of an empire, exponentially increasing its military and economic potential.
At that moment, they felt as though they were staring at a colossal, war-machine-like empire.
Even this railway map alone sent shivers down their spines. It elevated their perception of the Tang Kingdom to a new level.
¡°Your Highness, this Tang Kingdom is no ordinary nation. It has the strength to threaten our Treasure Country. We must not underestimate it,¡± one of Zhao Feng¡¯s men whispered, his face grim with caution.
Zhao Feng nodded solemnly. ¡°I¡¯ve long realized that. Coming here to gather intelligence was indeed the right decision. Any nation capable of toppling the Kingdom of Thunder is not to be taken lightly.¡±
¡°However,¡± one of his men murmured thoughtfully, ¡°we could emulate the Tang Kingdom¡¯s carriages. By building a similar railway system in the Treasure Country, we could connect all our cities.¡±
The man¡¯s frustration was evident. ¡°Our Treasure Country is too vast. Traveling from one place to another takes days, months, or even years. For instance, it took us months to journey from our capital to the Tang Kingdom. If we had railways, we could improve our transportation network immeasurably.¡±
¡°It''s not that simple,¡± Zhao Feng replied, shaking his head. ¡°The key to these carriages lies in the fire horses. These magical creatures enable the carriages to reach speeds of six hundred kilometers per hour.
¡°Our attempts to raise fire horses have failed miserably. Without understanding their habits, diets, and breeding methods, they died in our care.¡±
He sighed. ¡°Raising magical creatures is no easy task. They are not only temperamental but also potentially dangerous. Even the knowledge of raising fire horses is likely a closely guarded secret of the Tang Kingdom.¡±
¡°It¡¯s similar to ancient glass,¡± Zhao Feng added. ¡°Before the manufacturing process became widespread, glass was a luxury item, rivaling precious gems in value. The secret of its creation was kept for centuries. The Tang Kingdom¡¯s knowledge of fire horses is likely just as closely protected.¡±
At that moment, the old master approached, his expression curious. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why don¡¯t you buy a ticket? Do you think the carriage is too slow for your liking?¡±
¡°Too slow? Ridiculous!¡± Zhao Feng and his men were speechless. Covering 20,000 kilometers in a day and a half¡ªwho could possibly call that slow?
The old master chuckled. ¡°If it¡¯s speed you¡¯re concerned about, you could consider the Sky Bird. It¡¯s faster than the carriage, though the fare is at least ten times higher.¡±
¡°Sky Birds?¡± Zhao Feng was taken aback. ¡°You mean there¡¯s another mode of transportation faster than these carriages?¡±
The revelation left everyone stunned. If the carriages were already miraculous, the thought of an even faster means of travel was beyond belief.
Chapter 93 The Sky Bird鈥檚 Supremacy
"Absolutely."
The old man smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "In the Tang Kingdom, we also breed a massive bird called the Sky Bird. It can carry 10,000 passengers at a time, and its speed exceeds 3,000 kilometers per hour¡ªfive times faster than the carriages. If you choose to ride the Sky Bird, it will take only seven or eight hours to cover 20,000 kilometers."
These words left the third prince Zhao Feng and his entourage utterly stunned. They were already overwhelmed by the speed and efficiency of the carriages. But now, the revelation of an even faster mode of transportation¡ªa Sky Bird capable of carrying thousands of passengers¡ªwas beyond belief.
A journey that would have taken years on foot or horseback could now be completed in mere hours.
"Just kidding! The Tang Kingdom controls the power of an air force. With these Sky Birds, they can ignore any terrain and reach any corner of the world!"
"Exactly! If the Tang Kingdom wanted to invade us, these Sky Birds could be deployed and, within a day, reach every corner of our nation. They could send millions of troops instantly, surround us, and leave us with no means to retaliate!"
"The Sky Birds pose an even greater threat than the carriages. While carriages require railway tracks and significant time to establish a network, Sky Birds only need flat land to take off and land. Their simplicity makes them even more formidable."
Discussions buzzed among Zhao Feng¡¯s men as they debated the military potential of these Sky Birds. The sheer idea of such mobility left them deeply unsettled. Even their country, far from the Tang Kingdom, felt vulnerable to an attack that could strike at any moment.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Someone voiced a skeptical thought, "But if the Sky Bird is so effective, why did the Tang Kingdom even bother with developing carriages and railway networks? Isn¡¯t it redundant and a waste of resources?"
"You don¡¯t understand," another explained. "The carriages serve a different purpose. While Sky Birds are fast, their carrying capacity is limited. Carriages, on the other hand, can transport vast quantities of goods and supplies¡ªsomething Sky Birds can''t match."
"Exactly. The Sky Bird is likely more expensive to maintain and harder to breed. It consumes a significant amount of resources, making it less practical for transporting materials over long distances. The Fire Horse, however, is much more reliable for such tasks."
"That makes sense. Combining land transport and air transport gives the Tang Kingdom unparalleled efficiency."
As the discussions continued, the group¡¯s initial confidence wavered. Earlier, they had believed they could resist the Tang Kingdom by sabotaging the railways. However, with the Sky Birds in play, such a tactic seemed futile. The Tang Kingdom¡¯s versatility left no gaps in their strategy.
"Your Highness, should we experience the Sky Bird, or should we stick to the carriages?" one of Zhao Feng''s men asked.
"The Sky Bird," Zhao Feng decided without hesitation. "Time is of the essence. We can experience the carriages later, once we leave the Tang Kingdom."
The group soon arrived at the Sky Bird''s airport.
Massive white structures loomed before them, with countless passengers bustling about the departure hall. The air buzzed with conversation and announcements echoing through the vast space.
Beyond the buildings lay an expansive field, where colossal Sky Birds stood majestically. Each bird was a towering behemoth, dwarfing the humans around them. Compared to the size of an ordinary person, the Sky Birds were like castles given life.
If compared to modern standards, the Sky Birds were ten times the size of a Boeing 747. Their sheer magnitude left Zhao Feng and his men in awe. Standing before such titanic creatures, they felt utterly insignificant.
Chapter 94 Boarding the Sky Bird
At this moment, a massive ladder descended from the back of the Sky Bird, connecting it to the ground. Passengers began climbing the ladder swiftly, making their way to the bird''s back.
The back of the Sky Bird was as vast as the Forbidden City Square. Rows of seats were arranged neatly, with designated spaces for luggage beside them. The sheer scale was astonishing¡ªthere were at least 10,000 seats, densely packed yet orderly.
"I can''t believe this. How on earth do they feed such a massive bird?"
"With a creature this size, the daily food consumption must be astronomical. I don''t know how the Tang Kingdom manages to sustain it."
"No wonder the fare for the Sky Bird is so expensive. All the money probably goes toward its food."
"Look at its feathers¡ªeach one is harder than steel! Hurting this bird seems impossible."
"Yeah, and to even enter this airport, you have to go through strict security checks. Carrying weapons is strictly forbidden, likely to ensure no one can harm the Sky Birds."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"Even with the Tang Kingdom''s immense national strength, it must be a challenge to maintain these creatures. The idea of having airports everywhere is probably unrealistic. Even if other nations could acquire Sky Birds, affording to raise them would be another story."
"Still, their power is undeniable. At critical moments, these Sky Birds could change the tide of any situation."
"Indeed. In a prosperous city, the revenue from tourists alone might be enough to sustain them. But for ordinary folks, the carriages are the only affordable option. They''re cheaper, carry more people, and can accommodate bulk goods."
The crowd around Zhao Feng and his men was abuzz with discussion. Before them stood dozens¡ªno, hundreds¡ªof Sky Birds, each a towering, living fortress. Their presence stirred emotions ranging from awe to unease, as everyone realized that these colossal creatures, if provoked, could cause unimaginable destruction.
"Enough chatter," Zhao Feng interjected in a firm tone. "Let''s quickly buy our tickets and board the Sky Bird. We''re heading to Chang''an."
The third prince''s voice carried a sense of urgency. He had already been captivated by the innovations in Heihe City, and his curiosity about Chang¡¯an, the Tang Kingdom¡¯s capital, burned brighter than ever. What marvels awaited him there?
"Understood, Your Highness!"
His entourage responded promptly, heading toward the ticket counter to secure their journey on the Sky Bird.
Chapter 95: The Tang Kingdom鈥檚 Unimaginable Wonders
Not long after purchasing their tickets, the Third Prince Zhao Feng and his entourage ascended the ladder and boarded one of the magnificent Sky Birds.
The closer they got, the more they marveled at its sheer size. Standing before it, the Sky Bird seemed less like an animal and more like a divine creation, exuding an aura that left them awestruck.
¡°Incredible... utterly unbelievable,¡± someone whispered.
¡°Is this really the back of the Sky Bird? It¡¯s so spacious,¡± another marveled, gazing at the vast expanse of the bird¡¯s back.
¡°Wait, if it flies so fast, won¡¯t we be blown away by the air currents?¡± one of Zhao Feng¡¯s men asked, concerned.
¡°Rest assured,¡± an attendant nearby explained, ¡°The Sky Bird generates a special transparent air shield, blocking all wind currents. You won¡¯t feel a thing while on its back, which is why it¡¯s such a reliable transportation method.¡±
¡°That¡¯s amazing! Traveling on the Sky Bird feels like such a luxury,¡± someone exclaimed in awe.
The group made their way to their seats, marveling at every detail like countryfolk entering a grand city. Guards stood strategically around the seating area, ensuring passenger safety and maintaining order. Nearby, a service area offered a variety of drinks and food, ensuring that the journey would be both comfortable and entertaining.
However, amidst the marveling, Zhao Feng noticed something strange.
¡°Why are some people talking to themselves? Are they mad?¡± he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Indeed, a few passengers appeared to be muttering to themselves, oblivious to those around them. Each had a pale green collar wrapped around their wrist, and the sight made the Third Prince uneasy.
An elderly man nearby overheard and chuckled. ¡°Ah, young man, this must be your first time in the Tang Kingdom.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Zhao Feng nodded politely. ¡°Indeed, uncle. Forgive us if we appear unsophisticated; everything here is so novel to us.¡±
¡°That¡¯s natural,¡± the old man said with a proud grin. ¡°Everyone who comes to the Tang Kingdom for the first time is bound to feel this way. After all, my Tang Kingdom is a super empire¡ªfar beyond the reach of smaller nations.¡±
Zhao Feng and his entourage felt their tempers flare at the remark. Small nation? How dare this old man call the Land of Treasures a small nation! Their empire was vast, rich in history, and boasted unparalleled military strength. Yet, for now, they had to swallow their pride and let the insult slide.
¡°By the way, what country are you from?¡± the old man asked curiously.
¡°The Land of Treasures,¡± Zhao Feng replied evenly.
The old man looked puzzled. ¡°The Land of Treasures? Never heard of it. Which small country is that?¡±
Zhao Feng¡¯s group nearly choked on their anger. Small country? They wanted to shout, but they held their tongues.
¡°To answer your earlier question,¡± the old man continued, ¡°those people aren¡¯t talking to themselves. They¡¯re speaking to others¡ªprobably their family members.¡±
¡°How is that possible?¡± one of Zhao Feng¡¯s men asked, incredulous. ¡°There¡¯s no one near them!¡±
¡°See that pale green collar around their wrists? That¡¯s a Thought Worm,¡± the old man explained. ¡°It¡¯s a magical creature that allows communication over vast distances. With its power, you can talk to someone thousands of miles away as if they were right next to you.¡±
¡°What?! Thousands of miles apart?¡± Zhao Feng and his entourage were stunned.
¡°Exactly,¡± the old man said with a knowing nod. ¡°The Thought Worms can transmit signals instantly, regardless of the distance. They¡¯ve been widely adopted across the Tang Kingdom, and many families use them to stay connected.¡±
¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± one of the men protested. ¡°Even an extraordinary martial artist couldn¡¯t manage such a feat!¡±
¡°Haha! Of course, a human couldn¡¯t,¡± the old man replied. ¡°But the Thought Worms are magical creatures with extraordinary abilities. Their powers are beyond human comprehension.¡±
Zhao Feng and his group fell silent. They couldn¡¯t deny the possibility, given the other marvels they¡¯d witnessed in the Tang Kingdom. Still, the implications were terrifying.
The Tang Kingdom had not only mastered the Sky Birds and Fire Horses but also controlled the Thought Worms¡ªcreatures capable of instantaneous communication across thousands of miles. This level of sophistication was beyond anything Zhao Feng and his companions had ever imagined.
Their awe gradually turned to unease. If the Tang Kingdom could deploy such incredible resources and technology, then its power wasn¡¯t just vast¡ªit was unassailable.
Chapter 96: The Tang Kingdoms Empire-Building Mysteries
¡°Just kidding,¡± the old man laughed, noticing the stunned expressions on Zhao Feng and his group. ¡°How could Tang Guo have such a magical creature? I¡¯ve never heard of such a thing. It must be a misunderstanding.¡±
The Third Prince and his companions exchanged confused glances, their minds still reeling from the concept of a Thought Worm, a creature that could transmit messages across thousands of miles.
¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s just a story. After all, there are only a handful of people who truly understand the Thought Worm,¡± someone from the group said, still in disbelief. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the Book of Wisdom, I would have never believed such a thing could exist.¡±
Indeed, in a world where information moves at a snail¡¯s pace and the average person can barely know what¡¯s happening beyond a hundred miles, the thought of something that could connect distant minds seemed like the stuff of legend.
¡°But if it¡¯s true,¡± one of Zhao Feng¡¯s men murmured, ¡°doesn¡¯t that mean that Tang Guo could send messages instantly, across thousands of miles?¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± another whispered. ¡°Imagine this: you¡¯re separated from your family by thousands of kilometers, but you can still talk to them through the Thought Worm. It''s like magic... no, it¡¯s beyond magic!¡±
The realization began to sink in.
¡°If Tang Guo has control over Thought Worms, the implications are enormous. Even their leaders, separated by vast distances, could command their armies or direct their forces without delay.¡±
Others quickly caught on to the military potential. ¡°It could revolutionize their entire military structure. No longer would they need to rely on slow messengers or lengthy communication chains. Messages would be instant, making any strategic maneuver near-perfect.¡±
They could almost see the strategic advantages laid out before them.
¡°The most vital part of warfare is timing,¡± Zhao Feng said softly, as his gaze darkened. ¡°If we wanted to send a message back to our homeland, it could take months¡ªmonths! By then, any action would be long forgotten, and the moment would be lost. But if we had the Thought Worm¡ we could relay information instantly. The entire landscape would change.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
The implications were staggering. With the Thought Worm, no secret was safe.
¡°If we had the Thought Worm,¡± Zhao Feng continued, his voice filled with urgency, ¡°we could unify our entire empire in ways that would have been impossible before. No border rebellion would go unnoticed. No enemy incursion would slip through our defenses. The entire country could be in sync, all the time.¡±
¡°The Empire of the Ages,¡± one of his men muttered, almost as if he were in awe.
Zhao Feng clenched his fists, the thirst for power growing. ¡°We cannot allow Tang Guo to keep this secret. If they dominate with Thought Worms and other magical creatures, their rise will be unstoppable.¡±
¡°We must get our hands on the method to breed and tame the Thought Worm,¡± one of his aides said with conviction.
Zhao Feng nodded. ¡°If we can master this, we will surpass even them. We will become the undisputed rulers of the continent.¡±
The group fell into a grim silence. They could see it clearly now¡ªtheir path to dominance was in their hands. They would need to overthrow the Tang Kingdom before its potential outstripped their own, and the time to act was fast approaching.
¡°I agree,¡± another whispered. ¡°In just ten years, the Tang Kingdom has grown beyond recognition. If we let them continue at this rate, they¡¯ll surpass us in twenty or thirty years. We cannot allow that. One empire, one ruler. There cannot be two.¡±
The others nodded solemnly, their minds filled with the gravity of the situation. The Tang Kingdom¡¯s rapid rise was not just a cause for concern¡ªit was an existential threat to their own empire. The time to act was now.
Meanwhile, the Sky Bird continued its flight, soaring at a speed of three thousand kilometers per hour, effortlessly cutting through the air.
¡°We¡¯re flying this fast, and yet there¡¯s not a single bump,¡± Zhao Feng said in astonishment. ¡°It¡¯s incredible.¡±
The bird was a marvel, a living testament to the power of the Tang Kingdom. Despite traveling at such incredible speeds, there were no air currents, no turbulence. Everything remained serene on its back, as if the laws of physics themselves had been bent to accommodate this divine creature.
¡°What is this? The sky, the clouds¡ªthey¡¯re so close!¡± someone exclaimed, gazing at the vast expanse below. From this height, the world below seemed impossibly small.
And then, after several hours, the impossible occurred.
¡°Wait¡ªwhat is that?¡± Zhao Feng suddenly noticed something ahead. His eyes widened as he looked toward a towering mountain in the distance, unlike any he had ever seen.
It was a mountain so vast, so towering, that even the clouds seemed to avoid its peak. The Sky Bird could barely reach half its height before it seemed to run out of space.
¡°That,¡± the old man beside them smiled knowingly, ¡°is the Sacred Mountain of the Tang Dynasty. It¡¯s famous throughout the kingdom.¡±
Zhao Feng and his group were struck silent by the sight. The mountain seemed to stretch on forever, a natural wonder of awe-inspiring proportions.
Chapter 97 The Annihilating Sacred Mountain
The Annihilating Sacred Mountain
"Tang Kingdom''s Sacred Mountain?!"
Hearing this, Zhao Feng and the others were extremely curious.
"It is not surprising that you who came from other places do not know about the Tang Kingdom''s Sacred Mountain. In fact, this sacred mountain is not naturally formed but is an extraterritorial sacred mountain, which was descended by the ancient gods."
The old man showed a look of reverence.
"What do you mean?"
Zhao Feng looked puzzled; this terrifying mountain was not naturally formed, but came from outside the realm.
"I remember that ten years ago, the Thunder Kingdom tried to invade the Tang Kingdom, and as a result, the ancient god was furious and summoned a stone mountain of annihilation, which fell from the sky and instantly killed the lord of the Thunder Nation and millions of troops in the Thunder Nation."
The old master sighed. "It was this battle that completely secured the status of the Tang Kingdom, and then the Tang Kingdom also smoothly annexed the land of the Thunder Kingdom, eventually becoming the current Tang Dynasty."
Since then, this vast stone mountain has stood in place, and countless believers come to worship and pray continuously.
He said that this place has become a scenic spot in the Tang Dynasty, a famous sacred mountain. He did not know how many believers arrived at the sacred mountain seeking miracles.
Even every time they ride the Sky Bird and pass by the sacred mountain, the people recite the scriptures and pray to the gods.
"This!"
The people looked up at the vast stone mountain in the distance and saw no end to it. They couldn''t imagine how huge this stone mountain really was; it almost seemed like a continuous mountain range.
This was a vast mountain range that had never been seen in the land of the Treasure Nation. When everyone saw this sacred mountain, they felt incredibly small, like ants.
"Is it really false that this unimaginably large mountain range was summoned by the so-called ancient gods?" someone whispered.
He was a bit disbelieving of the old man''s words, thinking that this was too exaggerated. How could such a huge mountain range be summoned by mere invocation?
"False, definitely false. It must be the people of the Tang Kingdom bragging and forging rumors. Such a vast mountain range must be naturally formed, existing since ancient times. Only gods could create such rumors."
Another subordinate felt that the Tang Kingdom was creating rumors to unify the faith of the whole country and enhance the persuasiveness of the gods.
"No, it''s true."
The third prince Zhao Feng said in a deep voice, "In fact, after the Thunder Kingdom was destroyed, my father immediately sent spies to investigate how the Thunder Kingdom was obliterated."The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
As a result, many spies returned with reports saying that a mountain of annihilation had fallen from the sky, instantly smashing the lord of the Thunder Nation and others, and destroying more than half of the elite troops of the Thunder Kingdom. The Thunder Kingdom was annihilated.
Before this, this vast stone mountain had never appeared; it materialized out of thin air. Many residents living nearby could testify to this."
To tell the truth, as one of the overlords of the Treasure Nation, the Thunder Kingdom had once been one of their biggest competitors. Now that the Thunder Kingdom had been overthrown, it was impossible for them not to investigate why.
Similar news about the destruction of the Thunder Kingdom had been investigated countless times.
"Just kidding, if it''s true, then does the Tang Kingdom really have the protection of the ancient gods?" someone couldn''t help but swallow a mouthful of water, extremely shocked and panicked.
After all, if they were to fight against humans, they still had a chance to win. But the opponent was the legendary ancient god. Then, they would simply surrender¡ªthere would be no need to fight, as victory would be impossible.
"No, it may not be the protection of the ancient gods."
The third prince Zhao Feng shook his head. "In fact, Father Emperor once speculated that this might be a powerful force the Tang Kingdom possesses, utilizing world props to summon the stone mountain of annihilation, thus destroying the Thunder Kingdom."
He believed that the power of these world props could cause such an astonishing effect. But no, even if it is the power of world props, this is still extremely terrifying."
"Yes, if the other side summons dozens or even hundreds of similar extinction stones to fall, wouldn''t it be possible to destroy all the cities of our Treasure Kingdom and kill tens of billions of people?"
"No, no, no. Even if they can only summon one stone mountain of annihilation, I am afraid it can instantly smash everyone in our capital, and when the time comes, no one will escape." The crowd was terrified, their bodies trembling.
Before, they had been despising the Tang Kingdom¡¯s extreme luxury, thinking they were only focused on face projects with no actual military power. But now, when they looked at it, the Tang Kingdom''s combat strength seemed terrifying and overwhelming, giving them the realization that they had the ability to destroy the world.
If the other side used this world prop, how many countries under the heavens could resist? They feared that even if the Tang Kingdom unified the world, it would not be a difficult task.
At this moment, they developed a deep fear of the Tang Kingdom, not just from nature but from the sense of oppression caused by the Annihilating Divine Mountain. After all, the sheer size of the Annihilating Divine Mountain in front of them was truly overwhelming.
"The truth is, when Father Emperor learned of this matter, he immediately left the capital. He placed his own stand-in in the capital while hiding in the shadows, fearing that the Tang Kingdom would summon the Annihilation Divine Mountain in an instant, completely destroying the entire Treasure Kingdom."
The third prince Zhao Feng spoke in a deep voice. His father, the lord of the Treasure Kingdom, had been so frightened by this news that he fled the capital.
After all, if you''re not afraid of one, you''re afraid of ten thousand.
If the lord of the Tang Kingdom were a madman and had come to the capital to summon the Annihilation Divine Mountain, wouldn''t the Treasure Kingdom be completely wiped out?!
In short, they weren¡¯t afraid of the possibility, but were cautious just in case. A wise man doesn''t stand under a dangerous wall.
"But you probably don''t need to be so nervous."
At this moment, Zhao Feng''s words turned sharply: "To tell the truth, since the Thunder Kingdom was destroyed, the Tang Kingdom has focused on dividing and defending itself for a full ten years. It has not invaded other countries, instead only developing its own domestic economy with peace of mind, which has also given us some relief and doubt."
That is, if the Tang Kingdom really possesses such a powerful force, why haven¡¯t they taken advantage of their victory to pursue further? Why not summon many Annihilation Stones and destroy another country?
However, the lord of the Tang Kingdom has not done this and has remained low-key for ten years. We had a bold guess: perhaps the world props mastered by the Tang Kingdom have a huge side effect or defect. We suspect that the power of these world props is not so easily used, which is why Tang Kingdom has been low-key for a full decade."
Chapter 98 The Heart of the Tang Kingdom
"Side effects of world props?"
Hearing this, everyone couldn¡¯t help but nod. To be honest, there were indeed many world props in this world, but the conditions for the use of each world prop were different.
The more powerful the world prop, the more demanding the conditions for its use.
At the same time, the stronger the strength of the holder, the stronger the power of the world prop. On the contrary, if the holder''s strength is weak, the world prop will not exert much power.
If you want to use the power of a world prop beyond your own capacity, it may require the cost of life.
This is the side effect of world props.
It could be said that if the world prop of the Exterminating God Mountain could indeed be summoned, then the side effects of using such a world prop would be unimaginable, making it not something that could be used lightly.
"At the same time, we are also speculating about one thing," the third prince, Zhao Feng, continued. "That is, the mysterious world prop of the Tang Kingdom probably has a cooling time and cannot be used frequently, which is why the Tang Kingdom has not invaded any other country for the past ten years."
"Cooldown?" someone questioned. "That¡¯s possible."
Everyone agreed with this idea. The more powerful the world props, the more restrictive their use became. Some world-class skills would require a cooldown after use.
For some, the cooldown time was short, perhaps only a few days before it was ready for use again.
For others, the cooldown could be very long¡ªat least several years, or even decades.
There was once a world prop that could destroy the world, and it was said that it had the power to obliterate everything. However, once used, it couldn''t be used again for hundreds of years.
Such occurrences were not rare in this world.
"But this is just speculation," Zhao Feng went on, his tone serious. "As a vast empire, we can¡¯t risk the destruction of the country by making a hasty decision. So, this time, the empire sent us here to uncover the secret behind the Tang Kingdom''s world props."
He paused before adding, "And don¡¯t forget, in addition to the mysterious world prop of the Tang Kingdom, they also destroyed Chen Kingdom and the Thunder Kingdom, and obtained the Ball of Gravity and the Hammer of Thor¡ªtwo world props. It¡¯s safe to say that the Tang Kingdom possesses at least three world props, or perhaps even more."
His face was grim.
More than three world props?!
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned. The idea was overwhelming. A single world prop could drastically change the balance of power, and now the Tang Kingdom had three? No one could imagine the full extent of their strength.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
At this moment, they truly felt the terrifying might of the Tang Kingdom¡ªlike a beast lying in wait, ready to awaken and bring great destruction.
Even the Treasure Kingdom might not withstand the might of the Tang Kingdom''s forces.
"It seems the Tang Kingdom truly is the greatest threat to our Treasure Kingdom," someone murmured.
"If the cooldown of that mysterious world prop ends, our Treasure Kingdom might face the risk of annihilation. Forget dozens of Exterminating Gods; even a single Sacred Mountain could destroy countless armies."
"No wonder the empire sent us here. Although the Tang Kingdom has not invaded the Treasure Kingdom yet, we must take precautions," another person added. "It seems that we must gather all the useful information about the Tang Kingdom. Only by understanding their secrets clearly will we have no cause to fear."
The group began to converse anxiously, feeling the weight of their responsibility. They were now bearing the future of the Treasure Kingdom. If they couldn¡¯t uncover the secrets of the Tang Kingdom, then the future of their country might be doomed.
Arrival in Chang¡¯an
A few hours later, the Sky Bird had traveled for six or seven hours, covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers, and finally arrived in Chang¡¯an, the capital of the Tang Kingdom.
"Is this... Chang¡¯an?"
"It¡¯s huge, far bigger than the capital of our Treasure Kingdom."
"I think there must be more than 100 million people living here."
The third prince, Zhao Feng, and the others descended from the Sky Bird, their eyes wide with astonishment as they gazed at the sprawling city before them.
After ten years of development, Chang¡¯an had transformed into a supercity with a population exceeding 100 million. Countless citizens of the Tang Dynasty now inhabited this place, and it was immensely prosperous.
Due to the Tang Dynasty''s thriving economy, merchants from across the world were drawn to the city, making Chang¡¯an the heart of commerce, culture, and politics. Its culture was brilliant and flourishing.
Tens of millions of buildings lined the city, imposing and staggered. The people beside these towering structures seemed insignificant in comparison.
There were also countless trucks on the roads, with goods being transported and pedestrians rushing by. It seemed as though everyone¡¯s time was precious, and no one could afford to waste a second.
Additionally, multiple railways stretched out from Chang¡¯an, acting as the city''s core and connecting it to every corner of the Tang Kingdom. Anyone who could fly over the kingdom would see that Chang¡¯an was its heart¡ªa transportation hub filled with railways and airports.
The city saw tens of millions of people passing through every day, and its prosperity was beyond imagination.
"It¡¯s not just the number of people," someone remarked. "There are so many warriors here¡ªbronze warriors, silver warriors, gold warriors, and even diamond warriors."
Some of them were astounded.
You must understand that even in this world, not everyone could become a warrior. Most people were just ordinary mortals and could not embark on the path of transcendence.
To become a silver or gold warrior was a remarkable feat. These individuals could open martial arts halls, earn a living, or even enter the military as officers.
But in Chang¡¯an, warriors seemed to be everywhere. Not only were they numerous, but their strength was impressive¡ªat least silver warriors, with diamond-level warriors being quite common.
What shocked them further was the occasional glimpse of extraordinary warriors.
It appeared that the Tang Kingdom was at least ten times stronger than the old Thunder Kingdom.
"How could there be so many martial artists in the Tang Kingdom? Why is that?" someone asked, stunned.
"Tell me the truth¡ªdoes the Tang Kingdom¡¯s national strength really exceed ours? How have they cultivated so many warriors?" another voice inquired. "After all, every warrior consumes a lot of resources. Surely the Tang Kingdom can¡¯t afford to raise so many."
"If warriors are this common, then the war potential of the Tang Kingdom is far more terrifying than we imagined."
The group was in awe, deeply impressed by the sheer scale of Chang¡¯an¡¯s prosperity.
Chapter 99: The Seeds of Conflict
A few days later, Zhao Feng and his entourage had gained a deeper understanding of Chang''an, the capital of the Tang Kingdom. Their exploration revealed many surprising insights about the kingdom''s strength, especially its vast number of warriors and its mysterious resources.
"Your Highness, I believe I have discovered why the number of martial artists in the Tang Kingdom is so large, and why they seem endless¡ªit''s because of the Divine Rice," one of his men spoke up, his voice carrying a tone of realization. "This grain of rice is said to be a gift from the ancient gods, enormous in size¡ªone grain can feed an entire family for days. It contains immense energy, and when consumed, a person''s cultivation progresses rapidly."
Zhao Feng''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Divine rice?" He frowned, clearly skeptical. "Are you telling me one grain of rice is the size of several people?"
His subordinate nodded earnestly. "Yes, I''ve seen it myself. But these grains are strictly controlled by the government and are not for sale, no matter how much money you have. The Tang Kingdom ensures that this resource is kept within their control."
"How could such a thing exist? Gifts from gods?" Zhao Feng muttered, still unconvinced.
"Not exactly gods, Your Highness. It''s more likely a result of a special world prop, one that can create such a miraculous resource," his subordinate speculated.
The idea of the Tang Kingdom having such a powerful resource¡ªand the consequences of that power¡ªbegan to sink in. "If this Divine Rice is true," Zhao Feng said, "then it explains the abundance of warriors here. The Tang Kingdom doesn''t have to worry about food, and the warriors can quickly advance in strength."
Others in the group nodded, some visibly shaken by the revelation. "Indeed," one of them remarked, "this puts the Tang Kingdom''s potential in a whole new light. Their resources are not only plentiful but powerful."Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Zhao Feng clenched his fists. "With such strength, it''s no wonder they''ve remained quiet for ten years. But their plot must be deep¡ªwaiting for the right moment to strike."
One of the men suggested, "We can''t allow them to continue growing in strength. We must find a way to suppress them, or even crush them entirely."
Zhao Feng nodded. "Agreed. But we''re not ready to strike directly. If we act rashly, we might meet the same fate as Thunder Kingdom."
A moment of silence passed as everyone pondered their next move. Zhao Feng''s voice broke the tension. "We need to test the Tang Kingdom''s strength without directly involving ourselves. The Giant Kingdom will be our tool."
The mention of the Giant Kingdom drew startled looks. "Your Highness, the Giant Kingdom is formidable. They are not afraid of us, and they may not cooperate easily."
Zhao Feng smiled darkly. "Indeed, they are powerful, but their greatest weakness is food. Their population of giants requires vast amounts of sustenance¡ªfar more than any other country can supply. They''ve been raiding neighboring kingdoms for food, and even we, the Treasure Kingdom, have been victims."
One of the men interrupted. "But how does this help us? Even if the Giant Kingdom is in need of food, why would they listen to us?"
Zhao Feng''s eyes gleamed with cold calculation. "The Tang Kingdom has an abundance of food, particularly the Divine Rice. If we spread the word that the Divine Rice can solve the Giant Kingdom''s food crisis, they will be compelled to act."
"Even if it¡¯s a trap, they¡¯ll go for it," one of the men replied, a grim smile forming. "The food crisis is their greatest weakness."
Zhao Feng nodded. "Exactly. We don''t have to engage directly. All we need to do is let the Giant Kingdom know about the Divine Rice. They will come to the Tang Kingdom, drawn by the promise of salvation for their people. And when they do, we can sit back and watch them fight."
The group murmured in agreement, seeing the brilliance of Zhao Feng''s plan. By using the Giant Kingdom as a pawn, they could provoke a conflict with the Tang Kingdom without exposing themselves to direct confrontation. All that remained was to set the wheels of the scheme in motion.
Chapter 100: The Call to Conquer
At this time, the capital of the Giant Nation, Giant City, loomed in all its imposing grandeur. The inhabitants of this city were creatures of immense size¡ªgiants, each towering over ten meters. Their sheer stature made them formidable in ways that ordinary humans could scarcely comprehend, with their height alone matching or surpassing the walls of an average city.
These giants held a terrifying advantage over all other human nations, and when they moved as one, it was as if the autumn wind swept away all in its path. Wherever they went, they caused the very earth to tremble. No country could resist the might of their legion.
This superiority was why the Giant Kingdom controlled land many times the size of the Tang Kingdom. Though their population was smaller, their combat prowess was unmatched.
Inside the grand palace, a white-bearded giant, standing over ten meters tall, sat upon a throne, wearing a crown that gleamed with royal majesty. His very presence radiated the aura of an emperor, one who commanded both fear and respect.
This was the King of the Giants, a being of immense power, whose legend was known across the land.
"Your Majesty," a giant warrior began, excitement evident in his voice, "there is news that a type of Divine Rice has appeared in the southern Tang Kingdom. Each grain is said to be four or five times the size of an ordinary human."
Another warrior quickly added, "Yes, there is word that this Divine Rice is enormous, almost like a mountain range. If we could seize it all, it would sustain us for years."
Despite their colossal size and overwhelming strength, the giants, like all beings, required sustenance. The problem, however, was that their meals were massive¡ªequivalent to the food needed by dozens or even hundreds of humans. This made food scarce, and every year, hunger plagued the giant nation.
The scarcity of food had driven the giants to raid neighboring kingdoms for sustenance, but they had not been invulnerable. The Kingdom of Thunder and the Treasure Kingdom, among others, had taught them painful lessons. As a result, the giants were confined to their lands, unable to expand.
But this news of the Divine Rice was different. If they could acquire it, it would not only feed their nation for years but potentially solve the chronic hunger that plagued their people.
"That¡¯s not all," one warrior said, his eyes burning with hope. "If we can obtain the seeds of this Divine Rice, we could grow more, and that would completely solve our food crisis. No more hunger, no more suffering. Everyone would have enough to eat."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The notion of no longer facing hunger was a dream shared by every giant. There were even tales of giants leaving their kingdom, hoping to find food in foreign lands.
"Whoever can solve this issue of hunger will be hailed as a hero for generations," another giant muttered, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"How did this Divine Rice even appear?" one warrior asked, skeptical. "Where did it come from?"
"It is said the Tang Dynasty is protected by ancient gods, and the rice may have been a gift from them," another warrior offered.
"Nonsense," one giant spat dismissively. "There are no ancient gods. If anyone is a god, it is our king, the God of Giants."
Another added, "I believe this rice is the result of some special world prop¡ªsomething that created these giant grains. That¡¯s why so many have appeared."
A cheer rose among the giants. "If we conquer the Tang Kingdom, we could take this world prop for ourselves! Imagine it¡ªour kingdom would be unstoppable!"
Their king remained calm, his eyes narrowed. "Don¡¯t be so hasty. The Tang Kingdom is not as simple as you think. They have powerful world props, and it¡¯s said their lord once summoned a stone mountain that annihilated the Thunder Kingdom and its million-strong army. If we¡¯re not careful, we may end up losing everything."
The warriors fell silent, the weight of their king¡¯s words sinking in. The Kingdom of Thunder, despite its own might, had fallen to the Tang Kingdom. The giants had to be cautious.
Still, many of the warriors were not deterred. "It¡¯s just a stone mountain. We¡¯re not afraid of that. Our own world props make us invincible."
"That¡¯s right," another shouted. "Even if the Tang Kingdom holds the Thunder God¡¯s Hammer, it would be impossible for them to master it now. Their entire kingdom couldn¡¯t wield it!"
The room buzzed with excitement. The thought of conquering the Tang Kingdom and taking the world prop that could create endless rice made their blood boil with anticipation. This was an opportunity they could not afford to miss.
The King of Giants sat back on his throne, his eyes cold and calculating. He had his doubts about the so-called ancient gods, but he knew that any world prop was powerful¡ªno matter its origin. And he had his own powerful artifact.
Many centuries ago, he had been a mere human, with a size no different from others. Back then, the Giant Kingdom did not exist. But everything had changed when he discovered a powerful world prop: the Magnification Mirror.
This mirror had the ability to enlarge or shrink anything it reflected, from mountains to people. By using the mirror, he had enlarged himself and others, creating a mighty army of giants. With this newfound strength, he had swept through the Hundred Kingdoms, founding the Giant Kingdom and becoming a legend.
Now, with his kingdom established and his army at its peak, the King of Giants knew that no power was beyond his reach. If the Tang Kingdom held a world prop capable of creating Divine Rice, it was only a matter of time before it would fall to his might.
His kingdom, the mighty Giant Nation, was on the verge of its greatest conquest yet.