The movements in Aosam and the shifts over the past three hours were not the focus of Daxia. At this moment, compared to the rest of the world, Daxia was truly the most overjoyed regarding Wei Huan's successful clearance of the assessment.
The citizens of Daxia clearly had more faith in Wei Huan's strength and the military. Once the official notice told them they could rest easy, they truly just waited with patience. Even though 24 hours had passed since the initial end of the assessment period, everyone's state of mind remained relatively calm. After all, Wei Huan had done similar things in the past. Moreover, if Wei Huan dared to provoke God-level magical beasts in the Tier 5 world, how could a mere Tier 6 assessment stop him?
Thus, the people of Daxia, firmly believing in Wei Huan's success, did the same thing simultaneously upon receiving the news: they brought out the firecrackers they had prepared long ago. In the streets, residential compounds, and corridors, the "pop-pop-crack" of firecrackers ignited, making it seem as if the entire city was cheering and laughing.
Lion dances were performed in the south, dragon dances in the north, and ethnic minorities celebrated the moment with singing and dancing. Students were even given a half-day holiday, and the streets were filled with festive people.
Zhou Xian also received the notice of the university's temporary closure. She planned to pick up her daughter and bring her home, skipping the afternoon at the kindergarten. As she drove out of the campus gate, she was startled by the red confetti covering the ground. Smelling the gunpowder lingering in the air, she felt a long-lost sense of happiness and relaxation.
The streets were crowded with students who had just been let out of school. They carried their backpacks, chatting and laughing, their jumping silhouettes flickering through the gaps in the trees. Adults held their phones, gathered in small groups, and discussed the news. Their raised eyebrows and wide grins made it look as if they wanted to break into dance right there. A middle-aged man with a cigarette in his mouth ran out of a street-side shop, holding a long string of firecrackers. Passing children and adults stopped to watch, waiting nearby with delight.
As Zhou Xian's car passed, the "crackling" sound of firecrackers erupted behind her. Through the rearview mirror, she saw people laughing together. The smile on Zhou Xian's face didn't fade even as she reached the kindergarten.
However, when she saw two young men standing at the kindergarten gate, she was completely stunned. Without even having time to park properly, she hurriedly cut the engine, opened the door, and jumped out. She ran a few steps toward the two young men, looking at their vibrant, youthful smiles. Zhou Xian originally wanted to laugh, but for some reason, she started to cry. Covering her mouth, large tears fell—tears of extreme joy.
"Mom." Mu Zhong chuckled and gently pulled Zhou Xian into his arms, softly wiping the tears from her face. "Did you think we were in danger, too? Even if you don't trust me, you have to trust Wei Huan. With him there, what does a Tier 6 world even count for?"
Zhou Xian suppressed her tears and gave Mu Zhong a sharp look before turning to Wei Huan. "When did you get back? We only got the news a little while ago. Did you come back the moment you cleared it?"
Having been apart for so long, Wei Huan felt a bit awkward. He called her "Auntie" and said, "We came out right after finishing the assessment. We stayed at the military district for a while, and Uncle was eager to come home, but he was called away again just as we were at the door, so we came first."
"Old Mu is back too?"
"Yes, he said he wanted to come back to see you."
"See me for what? You work so hard in the Challenger World; as long as I don't cause you trouble, it's fine. You don't need to make time to come back; you should rest more." Despite her words, Zhou Xian's eyes crinkled with laughter, and her happiness was written all over her face as she looked from one to the other.
---
It was pickup time at the kindergarten. Many parents who heard about the half-day holiday had also rushed to get their children. With people coming and going, many eyes landed on Wei Huan and Mu Zhong. Wei Huan pulled his baseball cap as low as possible. He could have used the system to change his appearance directly, but he was afraid of being misunderstood as someone trying to trick children, so he was using his original face for now.
A young mother nearest to him looked back and forth as if she were about to recognize him. When Wei Huan lowered his head and raised it again, the bridge of his nose had collapsed, his lips were thicker, and his jawline had vanished, turning into an ordinary round face. The young mother blinked in confusion and looked away.
The kindergarten doors opened, and the children came out in a line, holding onto the clothes of the child in front, led by a teacher. Mu Xi was at the very front. She saw her mother at first glance, and then she saw Mu Zhong. She shouted loudly in a crisp voice, "Teacher, Teacher! My brother is here! My brother is Mu Zhong, and I have another brother named Wei Huan! You just said you wanted to see Brother Wei Huan; I'll take you to see him!"
In an instant, the teacher's face turned red, along with the faces of countless others who turned their gaze back toward them. Mu Zhong hadn't adjusted his appearance. A second before being recognized, he gave a smile as a silent acknowledgment of his identity and then made a gesture for silence.
The kindergarten Mu Xi attended was for the children of the Azure Dragon Military District. Most of the children's families served in the Azure Dragon Army. If nothing else, the quality and awareness of these family members were top-tier.
"Lieutenant Colonel Mu..."
"My god, it really is you. I thought you looked familiar."
"When I saw Sister Zhou come over, I was wondering who she was talking to."
"Is the Tier 6 assessment difficult?"
Although people crowded around to talk, their voices were kept very low, and they maintained a respectful distance. Thus, although there were many people at the gate, it wasn't chaotic at all. Mu Zhong didn't mind socializing and answered everyone patiently. Those who got a response were incredibly happy, and knowing they shouldn't linger, they made way for the three who had picked up Mu Xi.
They knew Mu Zhong, the child in his arms was Mu Xi, and Zhou Xian was a familiar face. But the young man on the right... well, it couldn't be Commander Mu, so could he be...?! Some people realized the truth as they watched Wei Huan's retreating back, their hearts pounding. But in the end, no one did anything inappropriate.
Still... it was wonderful. The Challenger World was so difficult, especially pioneering a Tier 6 world, yet they still came home to visit after finishing their work. How should they put it? They felt this kind of hero was especially good, down-to-earth, and very dear to them.
Once they got into the car, Wei Huan finally relaxed as the door closed. But before he could catch his breath, a pair of small hands cupped his face. The little girl leaned in, poking his puffed-up face, and asked, "Brother Wei Huan, why did you get so fat?"
Laughter filled the car. Wei Huan let the system revert his face. Seeing the change, the little girl's face scrunched up in a tiny expression of heartache. "Blow, blow, it doesn't hurt. It won't hurt if I blow on it. Mommy told me every scar is a medal of honor. I won't cry when I get hurt; I'll even let the teacher give me a little red flower sticker."
The child's innocent words made everyone laugh again, and during this process, Wei Huan slowly began to re-adapt to a family atmosphere. Wei Huan wasn't particularly homesick. Anyone with a father like his would be resistant to family life. Furthermore, in his previous life, he had mostly been stationed in the Challenger World and rarely returned to Blue Star, so he almost never thought about coming back.
However, after the Tier 6 assessment ended, amidst the celebrations, Mu Zhong had come over and suggested that everyone return to Blue Star to rest for a few days. Ever since they entered the Tier 5 world, fighting everywhere and opening chests, they hadn't had any time off. Unless there was something special, they weren't allowed back. Now was the perfect time for everyone to organize themselves before setting out again.
"You think we should take a break?" Wei Huan had asked, puzzled.
"We must," Mu Zhong said.
"Then we will," Wei Huan agreed.
And so, Wei Huan's war vehicle went on leave, and all crew members returned to Blue Star. It happened that the other allied vehicles were also eager to send out intelligence, so they followed Wei Huan, vanishing their war vehicles into the void right at the entrance of the Tier 6 world. This was why Old Hodgson didn't see Clay Weldon; it was clear the other man had no intention of seeing him. As the puppet master behind Aosam, the old man had never been so humiliated.
---
Shortly after Wei Huan returned to Mu Zhong's home, Mu Dehao also finished his work and returned. The family celebrated with a home-cooked meal. Mu Zhong didn't forget to return to the war vehicle to spend time with Dou Lin.
The vehicle was now empty of people; those who remained stayed because they didn't want to leave, not because they couldn't. Only Dou Lin was forever trapped in the Challenger World. There were too many children like Dou Lin, and after so many years, even with the state's full investigation, it was hard to find the location of the beacons. Now, there was only one possibility: Dou Lin's strength would have to grow to the point where he feared no environment where a beacon might be. Whether he returned to Blue Star in the high sky, the deep sea, or inside lava, he would need to ensure his own survival before the Challenger World would allow him back.
The Challenger World had a certain degree of favoritism toward human children born within its domain. Dou Lin could cultivate from birth and could access profession training grounds without opening Diamond Chests. Because he didn't have his own war vehicle, he had to live with a guardian until the age of 20. At the very least, Wei Huan would protect Dou Lin until he reached adulthood. How powerful would Dou Lin be at 20? It was hard to imagine.
After spending some time on the war vehicle, Mu Zhong saw Liu Chengzhi return to the vehicle after visiting his grandmother, and then he left.
Wei Huan was currently talking with Mu Dehao. The two had set up Kung Fu tea on the balcony and had already drunk several cups. Their expressions were calm, with a hint of the relaxation found only among family. Mu Zhong stood at the door, his gaze moving past them toward the city's lights. This was where he was born and what he protected.
"...The environment of the Tier 6 world is truly cruel; it's becoming less and less suitable for human survival. Speaking of which, I've been following something—did you notice the name of the opening battle for this Tier 6 world? It's called 'The Lost World.'" Mu Dehao's question caught Mu Zhong's attention.
Mu Zhong sat down next to Wei Huan and naturally took over the tea-making duties. His movements were fluid and artistic. After pouring tea into the azure cups, he said, "Is it called the Lost World because the Tier 6 world has been submerged by a catastrophic flood? We did find many traces of ruins on the seabed."
Mu Dehao replied, "The Tier 5 world is called the Ancient Battlefield; as the name implies, it's an ancient world. Tier 4 is the Wilderness Battlefield, and Tier 3 is the War of Ruins. Can you see a timeline in the names? Ruins, Wilderness, then Ancient. In legends across the world, there are mentions of a great flood submerging the world; that was an era even more distant than the 'Ancient' one." After a pause, Mu Dehao added, "The Age of Myth."
Mu Zhong and Wei Huan exchanged looks. Mu Zhong then said, "And we can see from the Gold Chests that the Tier 7 world is a Legendary World. Those monsters are all creatures that exist in human legends: Hydras, Two-Headed Dragons, Manticores, and Winged Serpents."
Mu Dehao nodded. "I think so too. Once legendary creatures start appearing, it probably won't be long before the gods descend."
"So, what is the ultimate purpose of humanity's existence in the Challenger World? Archaeology? Exploring the human past?"
"I don't know. But the images preserved in the mental fragments of the remnants from the Tier 5 world might be key. Be careful of those unknown lifeforms in the memory fragments; they are powerful beyond reason."
"Perhaps those are 'Dharma Forms' (Avatars)."
"Whatever they are, what is deeply left in a biological brain must be the most unforgettable memories."
Mu Zhong nodded. "True."
Wei Huan spoke little during this time. He had now lost his prophetic abilities but knew that the assessments of the Challenger World would shift from the challenge of "Swarm Civilizations" to civilizations of "Extremely Powerful Individuals." This aligned with the definition of human civilization. Therefore, only by being absolutely powerful himself could he maintain the initiative in an unknown future. After reaching the Tier 6 world, he could slow down a bit and wait until he had accumulated enough strength before exploring the Tier 7 world.
As for the threat of the Dark Beasts... as Wei Huan gradually grew to his current level, he no longer felt the same bone-deep hatred he once did. It wasn't that he forgot the grudge, but rather that this debt wouldn't be hard to settle. He just needed to find the time to go to the Great Battlefield, and he would surely make the Dark Beasts suffer heavy losses. Wiping out the Dark Beast race was only a matter of time.
Thus, his gaze had unconsciously moved further. Where was the endpoint of human evolution? He definitely wanted to go see it.
---
That night, Wei Huan didn't waste his cultivation time. After lying down, he entered the Profession Temple. He went deep into the Great Tomb, and his vision suddenly opened up. A 1500-meter perception range was already very large; he could see quite far. Crucially, this "seeing" was not with eyes but with his "Divine Sense."
The entire world became microscopically clear. He could even "see" that the black, rotten-looking soil was filled with dense Nether Power. In fact, back when he was a Sequence 4 Spirit Medium, Wei Huan had thought of a possibility. He was currently cultivating his Divine Sense. Right now, he could only enter the souls of his summons. If he cultivated to a certain point, was it possible that even when he returned to his body, his Divine Sense could leave it?
If cultivation only meant training the physical body, there would surely be a limit. What was most mysterious yet useful to humans was actually Perception. The process of making a human transcendent was to train the body and various perceptions to a divine level, ultimately achieving an elevation of the life hierarchy. Training perception meant training the five senses.
Now, within this 1500-meter diameter, he could perceive everything. Even the sound of a grain of dust hitting the ground or the sound of the soil breathing was available to his ears as long as he focused his attention. Being able to make such a huge leap at once was due to an unexpected gain.
Wei Huan looked at the figure beside him that flickered between reality and illusion: the Mindsleuth Beast.
An 8-star Mindsleuth Beast—a ghost-like lifeform that seemed ethereal and without a physical body. Their souls were composed of countless soul threads, giving them unique abilities within the Dark Beast race. But what surprised Wei Huan was the "Attachment" ability of the Mindsleuth Beast; it could comprehensively improve his various stats, increasing his strength by more than a little.
This Mindsleuth Beast was very weak when summoned, as if it had just died and arrived at the Great Tomb without enough time to develop a spiritual consciousness. At this moment, it was like a blank sheet of paper, which was why Wei Huan had easily ignited its life fire. However, it was unlikely he would encounter a similar situation again. He still had to focus his attention on the Two-Headed Phantom Demons. At least they were more numerous than the Mindsleuth Beasts.
Gazing at his 1500-meter field of vision, Wei Huan had an idea. With a thought and a sharp cry, the 300-meter-tall Dot Mom was summoned. Wei Huan stepped onto Dot Mom's back, standing at the very front, with all his elites behind him. Now, only the Ghost Crows and groups of five Two-Headed Phantom Demons were flying in the outer circle; only their speed could keep up with Dot Mom at full flight.
This time, Wei Huan intended to win with speed. He wouldn't give the Two-Headed Phantom Demons time to react and would catch them directly. After all, except for a few cunning ones, most Two-Headed Phantom Demons were like beasts, left with only basic instincts.
Dot Mom received the command, and her eight legs spun like propellers in the air, flying out at extreme speed. The effect was exceptionally fast and good. As Wei Huan flew forward, there was movement on both the left and right within the 1500-meter Divine Sense domain. This feeling was like shining a flashlight beam in the ultimate darkness; although he couldn't see clearly what it was, the flickering black shadow proved something existed.
Wei Huan didn't think twice and habitually rushed toward one side. Dot Mom was one with his mind, acting as his limbs. The moment Wei Huan ordered it to turn, three long legs tapped lightly on the ground, and that massive body actually spun like a dandelion, suddenly pivoting toward the direction Wei Huan pointed.
'Beautiful!' Wei Huan marveled. Was this not the legendary "grace of a startled swan"?
Following the shift in his vision, he captured the black shadow again. It was indeed a Two-Headed Phantom Demon, and one with more intelligence. The opponent continued to flee, but after Wei Huan turned twice, he finally caught an opportunity and drove a Divine Sense Sting deep into the Phantom Demon's soul. The Phantom Demon's rigid body crouched on the spot as if concentrating all its effort on resisting Wei Huan's intrusion.
Wei Huan did indeed feel the opponent's resistance during the process of igniting the life fire in the Phantom Demon's soul. 'Resistance?' This feeling was somewhat fresh. In his history of recruiting the Undead, over such a long time, he had only met resistance when recruiting Moji. Of course, as a Necromancer, he naturally held the power of control and dominance over the Undead. Unless the bloodline and level difference were truly too vast, once successfully cast, almost no Undead could escape his command.
This agile Two-Headed Phantom Demon was the same. Even though it had resisted during the Divine Sense Sting, when that sting turned into a flame of death and ignited in the depths of its soul, it was like a cat caught by the scruff of its neck; it immediately gave up its resistance.
Another Two-Headed Phantom Demon was successfully recruited. Not only did Wei Huan's Undead army gain another commander, but his vision also increased by another four meters. Most importantly, Wei Huan had found the correct method; his recruitment process had finally turned from passive to proactive. This change made his recruitment speed faster; recruiting a full quota of Two-Headed Phantom Demons in a day was no longer a problem.
Furthermore, he could stay in the Great Tomb for 25 hours a day. For the remaining time, Wei Huan cultivated on Dot Mom's back while waiting for his Nether Power to recover. During battle, he wouldn't use his Nether Power recklessly, but now that he was back on Blue Star, it was almost impossible for a battle to occur, so he could expend it all. Even in case of an accident, there was no need to worry; Wei Huan currently had nine Super Energy Storage Tanks. They couldn't be used to recruit Undead in the Great Tomb, but they could be used to fill Netherfire Bombs or rapidly replenish Nether Power in such a situation.
In the blink of an eye, the day's cultivation ended. Wei Huan left, fully satisfied. In just one day, he had recruited 16 Two-Headed Phantom Demons. Over the past 14 days, he had only recruited 21 in total. From now on, his strength would snowball faster and faster.
Returning from the Great Tomb to Blue Star, Mu Zhong was sleeping beside him. Wei Huan perceived the natural force radiating from his body—the kind that made one feel very comfortable—meaning he was also cultivating in the Profession Temple. Wei Huan rolled over to face Mu Zhong and closed his eyes.
Cultivating in the Profession Temple was not the same as resting. Every time he finished a session, Wei Huan still needed to sleep for two hours. In truth, with his current abilities, it didn't matter if he didn't sleep for three or four days, but sleeping had always been the best way to restore energy.
Two hours later, he woke up naturally as the sky began to brighten. Feeling the steady rhythm of Mu Zhong's deep breathing beside him, Wei Huan knew he had come out of the Profession Temple, so he reached out and put his arm around Mu Zhong's waist. The waist beneath his palm was firm and narrow, without a trace of fat, feeling excellent. Wei Huan couldn't help but give it a squeeze, which woke Mu Zhong up.
Mu Zhong woke up but didn't open his eyes. He naturally rolled over into Wei Huan's arms, burying his head in the crook of his neck, and soon fell back asleep. Wei Huan was wide awake but didn't move; he enjoyed this moment of intimacy.
The two were too busy, especially in the Challenger World. They managed a thousand crew members, and combined with external dangers and frequent accidents, the two of them mostly took turns on watch. While on the march, one had to remain downstairs. That person was usually Mu Zhong. Wei Huan's strength was paramount, so he could finish his full cultivation time every day, while Mu Zhong could only find time to cultivate when he could.
The solution to this problem wasn't difficult—it was simply to cure Mu Cousin's "headache." Then that "old ox" would work day and night, naturally freeing Mu Zhong from his busy workload. Although he felt a bit sorry for Mu Cousin, between him and Mu Zhong, he would definitely choose Mu Zhong.
Fortunately, even though Mu Zhong was busy, his cultivation progress hadn't fallen behind. If progress for each sequence was judged by percentage, Mu Zhong had already reached 90% in Sequence 4. This was all due to the effect of the World Tree fruit Wei Huan brought back, which could also be called a Natural Fruit. Natural Fruits accelerated cultivation for every profession, but the effect was especially obvious for the Nature Sequence.
All four Natural Fruits were with Mu Zhong. Wei Huan hadn't let a third person know; this was his private loot, and he could dispose of it as he pleased. Mu Zhong hadn't even fully digested the pure power of the first Natural Fruit. Once he finished all four, it would be enough to let him catch up to the first tier and remain in the lead.
In truth, Mu Zhong didn't need to be exceptionally strong for Wei Huan's sake, but Wei Huan knew how competitive and driven Mu Zhong was. Moreover, he truly wished for Mu Zhong to stand by his side when they reached the summit, so they could look out upon the same horizon together.
Wei Huan dozed off for another hour. He woke up the moment he felt movement beside him, meeting Mu Zhong's clear eyes. He leaned in and gave Mu Zhong an affectionate, non-sexual kiss on the lips.
"Time to get up?"
"Yeah," Mu Zhong replied. "Early this morning, the procurement departments from various military districts are coming over. Plus, the mecha factory is nearly at capacity, and we need to restock materials. I'll likely be busy until late tonight."
Wei Huan nodded. "I had a major breakthrough in my cultivation last night. I'll head back to the profession training grounds to consolidate yesterday's recruitment."
"See you tonight then?"
"Alright, see you tonight."
Despite their words, they stayed for breakfast and said their goodbyes to the family before leaving. Over the meal, they heard more firecrackers. The elderly residents in the military compound were speaking much louder today, their voices brimming with festive joy.
"It was lively all night," Mu Zhong remarked. "Are they still setting them off?"
Zhou Xian smiled. "It hasn't been this lively in a long time. It's a good thing. I expect it'll stay this way for a few days. Have you checked the Challenger Forums? People from various countries are even organizing 'pilgrimages' to Daxia. You two shouldn't leave the compound for the next few days."
"A pilgrimage?" Mu Zhong shook his head. "Westerners always loved that stuff; now they're at it again."
"In troubled times, people need a spiritual pillar," Mu Dehao interjected. "Let them have their pilgrimage; we'll live our lives."
Mu Zhong bit into a dumpling. He had dipped it in too much vinegar, causing him to squint at the sourness. Swallowing it, he turned to Wei Huan as if a thought had just struck him. "Is 'faith' a requirement for becoming a god?"
Wei Huan almost choked on his dumpling.
Mu Zhong continued, "Do you feel anything? Like your cultivation speed increasing?"
Wei Huan took a moment to seriously sense his state. "I'm not entirely sure. However, becoming a god through faith likely requires specific techniques."
"If such techniques existed, would you use them?"
Wei Huan shook his head. "I've heard it's not ideal. I won't do it."
"Because you'd have to fulfill the wishes attached to that faith?"
"That, and relying on the gathered 'will-power' of others to cultivate is inferior to possessing absolute personal strength."
"That sounds like something you'd say," Mu Zhong chuckled. He then turned to Mu Dehao. "Dad, were you just thinking about building a temple for Wei Huan?"
'Cough!' This time, it was Mu Dehao who nearly choked. He looked up and laughed. "I was indeed considering it. In such an extreme environment, could it work? Humans have already become transcendent. While we have no clue about 'Godhood' yet, it doesn't mean it's impossible. We have to explore different directions."
Mu Dehao looked at Wei Huan. "Do you need it? If so, I can see if I can find relevant records. The state's collection of ancient texts is deeper than you think; there might be something."
Wei Huan shook his head firmly. "You can look into it, but I don't need it. The end of a 'Sequence' path is Godhood anyway. I want to focus on walking this path to its very end."
Mu Dehao nodded in approval, then looked at Mu Zhong. "See? Only by focusing on one path with total devotion can you gain the greatest rewards."
Mu Zhong quipped, "So, should I give up my Driver sequence? Or my Dancer sequence?"
Mu Dehao glared at him, annoyed. "I was talking about Incense Gods (Deities fueled by worship)."
"Weren't you the one offering to look up the records?" Mu Zhong laughed. "Why don't you build a temple for yourself instead?"
"Get out of here!"
While Daxia celebrated, the Dark Beast world was in absolute turmoil.
The Dark Beasts had entered the Tier 5 world roughly half a month ahead of humans, yet they had lost the "Opening Battle." This meant a loss of territory and a reduction in resources. Fruits and spirit beasts that could alter genes or strengthen bodies had vanished, causing the evolution speed of their race to plummet.
In theory, the Dark Beasts should still be stronger. They had won most previous opening battles, and while humans were still "digesting" their recent rewards, the Dark Beasts had already converted their resources into raw strength. Yet, when the notification from the Challenger World rang out, the Dark Beasts from top to bottom were stunned.
'How? Why? What did the humans do?'
From the moment the notification sounded yesterday until today, the Dark Beast race remained in a stifling, oppressive silence. Their territory construction in the Tier 5 world had only just begun; even the King's city had many resource points left unconquered.
The Dark Beast King assembled his finest subjects to discuss a counter-strategy. They speculated wildly: Was it luck? Was it because of Wei Huan? Or did humans sacrifice everything for a head start? Because the humans had kept it so quiet, the Dark Beasts had detected nothing.
"We must command all royalty to contribute their resources. Within one month, my King's territory must be upgraded to Tier 6!"
"It hasn't even been a year; resources are limited. It's impossible to reach Tier 6 in a month."
"Then summon the King-class avatars to fight. The King's Dharma Form can surely level the nests within our territory!"
"But that might cause casualties among the royalty and slow our own development!"
"ROAR! ARE WE JUST GOING TO WAIT FOR DEATH!?"
The powerful Dark Beast nobles argued incessantly under the King's tent, occasionally lunging at each other until fur flew and blood spilled. It was a mirror image of the humans' frantic arguments years ago. Finally, the King made a decision for the upcoming battle in "The Lost World."
"Dispatch the hunting squads. Go to all highway assessments and assassinate human challengers. They just finished the Tier 5 assessment? Fine! Then we slaughter them on the Tier 4 highways! Kill every single human!"
The Dark Beast King let out a low rumble. His body was as massive as a mountain. When he looked down at his subjects, his eyes were like suns and moons. The immense pressure forced the beasts to cower, unable to look him in the eye.
"Summon all royalty of the second generation and below. Within five days, they must arrive at the King's tent and sacrifice their bodies to deal with the nests in our territory!"
With the final command, the Mindsleuth Beasts let out a silent shriek. Black mist surged within them as soul threads connected into a network spanning the entire Dark Beast dimension. The King's order appeared instantly in the mind of every Dark Beast—from the lowest Ghost Crow to the newborn cubs. They would remember this moment of pressure, the King's rage, and a profound hatred for humanity.
—
Wei Huan stayed on Blue Star for three days before returning to his war vehicle. Most of the crew had returned on time. Three days was the limit Wei Huan could allow. With the Dark Beasts going into full war-preparation mode, humans had no right to slack off.
This upcoming battle would be a turning point. If they won, they would truly suppress the Dark Beast race. If they lost, having initiated the opening battle, they would be seen as "sinners" of humanity for acting too early.
Back on the war vehicle, things were strictly managed. Crew members on Wei Huan's ship were essentially cut off from the outside world for security reasons. Only a few, like Wei Huan, Mu Zhong, and the elderly "Bureau Chief" (Old Ju), were allowed to leave the military compound.
Before they set out, Liu Chengzhi shared a piece of intel: "My grandma says procurement orders from Aosam have been strange lately. Several international giants placed huge orders for Xinggang. My grandma's a shark in the business world; she sees right through them. She told me to tell the Boss immediately. The families behind those Aosam companies are the Hodgsons. It looks like those old foxes are softening up and trying to scheme for power within the new system."
Wei Huan didn't understand high finance, but Old Ju and his analysts did. They deduced Old Hodgson's plan easily. "You don't need to be overly friendly," Old Ju advised, "but it's not wise to keep the tension with Aosam at a boiling point. Redistributing interests is inevitable. Just set your bottom line as a leader; let the professionals handle the rest."
Wei Huan nodded, learning.
Finally, the war vehicle exited the gray dimensional space and entered the Tier 6 World.
It was pitch black, oppressive, and freezing. This was the Deep Sea World. The starting portal stood in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by ink-black water. A massive deep-sea fish—looking like a zombie with jagged teeth and bulging white eyes—appeared in the headlights. Beside it was a three-headed sea snake as large as a train. Countless unidentifiable sea beasts surrounded them, eyes glinting with hunger.
"Oh no! We're surrounded! Is this a beast tide?" someone cried out in panic.
"No," Wei Huan said calmly.
He summoned Moji. With Moji acting as an "anchor," the terrifying illusions instantly vanished. In the "Home of Deceivers," nothing you saw could be trusted. After clearing the low-level Deceiver remnants, Wei Huan waited. Within half an hour, all 17 allied war vehicles arrived.
Wei Huan didn't rush. He activated a Tier 7 Protective Barrier, shielding all the vehicles, and stayed put. He and Mu Zhong were simply eating breakfast in the command center.
"I think the World Tree should be planted near the portal," Mu Zhong said.
"Agreed. We'll need to go down and see if it has to be rooted in the seabed."
"The Deceiver remnants we just killed weren't even Silver-tier, but their sheer numbers allowed them to create such realistic illusions."
"This world's combat intensity might actually be the lowest yet—as long as we have an anchor."
Once breakfast was over, Mu Zhong took his seat at the helm. His face appeared on the command wall in front of Wei Huan.
"Attention all captains," Mu Zhong announced to the fleet. "We are moving out. We will handle the strategy. You will be notified of battles in advance, and participation is at your discretion. However, do not wander. If you leave the protective barrier, we are not responsible for your life. Serious violators will be expelled from the fleet. Please keep this in mind."
"Move out."
As the lead war vehicle advanced, the others followed within the barrier. Ghostly Undead patrolled the perimeter. The headlights formed a brilliant arc, cutting through the water like a scythe. Giant sea beasts that looked intimidating turned out to be nothing more than clumps of seaweed in Moji's eyes.
Wei Huan's newly formed Two-Headed Phantom Demon squad proved their terrifying worth. They darted in and out of the water, slaughtering monsters and unbinding loot chests for the crew with brutal efficiency.