Chapter 16: The Seed of World Annihilation

High above in the atmosphere, a vortex rotates slowly, its perimeter flickering with electrical discharges. Each flash corresponds to threads of anomalous energy from the outside world attempting to breach the vortex, only to be violently repelled by the lightning.

This vortex is an interstellar airborne system. Within it, clusters of light envelop humans, horses, ceramic soldiers far larger than any man, winged lions, and even massive palaces, all descending toward the planet’s surface. These translucent energy orbs drift down in strings, much like a toad spawning in water.

Surrounding the vortex, "sandworms" writhe and coil. They are not worms, but undulating dragons. Compared to the planet and the massive transport vortex, these dragons are insignificantly small. Yet, it is these "minuscule" dragons that orbit the vortex, occasionally pausing abruptly. A dragon will arch its body to channel thunder, firing at the encroaching energies like a monkey picking lice, plucking out and crushing the corrosive essences.

Among these dragons, one lets out a long cry—a sigh in its own language—lamenting that the "seeds of world-destruction" have arrived at this sanctuary ahead of them, infiltrating the very home they fled to.

...Shifting perspective to the source of those strange energies...

Above the Great Yao, in the orbital path of the stars, several indistinct "entities" of space move in synchronous satellite orbits. These are not planets, but rather pockets of space wrapped in blurred boundaries. Within them, matter floats in erratic, irregular motion, shifting in a grotesque manner, much like a stomach "digesting food scraps."

It is as if a hole has been poked through a piece of paper, revealing another page beneath. The pierced paper is the current universe, and these "spaces" orbiting the planet are windows into the bizarre, rule-defying environments of other universes.

The first type of space is covered in mushrooms, pustules, and swarms of flying insects on floating rocks. The second is filled with interlocking spikes and quivering flesh impaled upon them. The third is a blood-red expanse where heads of different sizes and races drift like mushrooms in a stew, colliding and screaming. The fourth contains a deep blue ocean filled with endless, iridescent colors; if one has the willpower to pull their curious gaze away, they would realize that while they stare, eyes emerge from other parts of the space to gaze back at any intruder who dares to pry.

On the planet the dragons once inhabited before its destruction, rural cultivators would often shout, "I have ascended!" before breaking through the heavenly gate and stepping into the void. However, to outside observers, these wild cultivators suddenly sprouted eyes all over their bodies, transformed into ring-like structures, and slithered away, tearing through space.

...In their original world, the Dragon-kin forbade the spread of evil arts masquerading as cultivation...

In this world, the willpower of living beings can influence the reality of the mountains and seas. Such influence is not exclusive to the Daoist cultivators. When commoners discuss cultivators having the ability to "split mountains and divide rivers," it is because the Daoists have the least impact on the world's order compared to other schools, and are thus granted the freedom to manifest their power before men. Other schools theoretically possess similar capabilities, but they are not permitted to use them. For instance, the Hundred Schools of the Great Yao—the Confucianists, the Legalists, and the Strategists—all keep to their roles under the constraints of order, checking one another to stabilize the way of the mundane world.

It bears repeating: the Daoists are permitted to channel spiritual energy in remote areas only because they avoid the baleful aura of the mundane world; it is not because they, having gained "immortal power," have chosen to restrain their strength out of pity for humanity.

Of course, this only applies during times of peace. Now, a great catastrophe is imminent.

...Once order is completely shattered, things will run rampant...

The Dragon-kin, having undergone a long interstellar journey, have exhausted their power of serenity. Although they confirmed that the seeds of world-destruction arrived here before them, they are certain that the seeds are still in their infancy. As a race that survived the total apocalypse in the Haotian Realm, they are capable of enduring here.

Currently, these seeds of destruction are manifesting in the orbit outside the Great Yao. They project "threads" that fall toward the planet below, silently imbuing it with their evil power. The Dragon-kin in the sky are all too familiar with this destructive force. The anomalous energies repelled by their lightning fall elsewhere on the planet. Watching this, the dragons feel a sense of intense disgust, akin to someone standing by a swimming pool and urinating into it.

Just as the Dragon-kin feel helpless against these provocations, the "urination" is suddenly sanctioned. As a surge of energy scatters toward an unknown location beneath the clouds, a flash of light erupts—so small, yet visible even from space.

...Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, make the Restoration Gem manifest!...

In space, the purple space that had been the most arrogant and noisy—where spikes and quivering flesh were celebrating—suddenly provoked something. A golden "flicker" of flame soaked into the interior, and under the gaze of the planet's will, the space solidified into a physical celestial body.

To the outside perspective, the bizarre, illusory theater space, once touched by the golden power, shed its falsity and became real. The distorted space was petrified; it was as if an absurd projection screen had been ripped away, revealing a fiery, erupting planet. At the interface, one could see the thorn-whips and writhing flesh turning into ordinary stone.

As the "purple region" resisted violently, the golden presence pierced through its interior, causing it to collapse into a real asteroid.

The dragons, who were escorting the last of the "sojourners" outside the vortex, watched the scene in bewilderment. After a long silence, they asked: "What happened there?"

An elder dragon replied: "The Xi-Ren Realm is different from the Haotian Realm. The planet's origin here is still potent. Just now, those invading forces of destruction suffered a backlash."

A young dragon asked: "And what of us?" (Though their ancestors originated from this planet, the new generation and the migrated subjects were born and transformed on other worlds.)

After a long pause, the elder said: "The Xi-Ren Realm now rejects us. We... well... only one (an individual capable of transforming into a dragon) is permitted to enter." (Meaning those who have not transformed and remain in human form are not rejected.)

At this moment, a dragon of Yin energy looked up and met the elder's gaze.

The elder said: "Pu'e, the returning people are entrusted to your protection. You must conform to the Heavenly Dao of this place and build serenity."

...Synchronous Scene...

After Wu Fei walked out of the Flower Fairy Pavilion, he looked at the 0.94 credits deducted from his system and felt a pang of regret, wondering if it was a mistake to refuse the "free" option earlier.

He did the math: it takes a year of hardship or a bloody battle to earn a single credit. The "Sports" auxiliary device only cost 0.02 credits, but this Restoration Gem cost a full credit—so expensive! And it has limited uses; the current count is (1/4) used, (3/4) remaining.

Wu Fei didn't mention that this expense was due to his own "impulse," but instead calculated afterward, hoping the system would give him another "free answer" opportunity. The system remained silent, clearly signaling that his petty thoughts were futile.

Walking to the door, he bumped into Zhao Xianzhong, his loyal retainer, who was standing guard with a blade, ready to kick down the door to protect his lord at a moment's notice.

Wu Fei raised his hand and placed it on Zhao Xianzhong's forehead, stopping his charge.

Zhao Xianzhong asked: "My Lord?" After a brief inspection, he added, "Are you unharmed?"

Wu Fei pressed his palm against Zhao Xianzhong's brow, clutching the Restoration Gem. The gem prompted: "Object suitable for restoration detected. Consume one charge of restoration power?"

In space, the golden power that had pierced the purple space suddenly withdrew, flickering before the blood-red space, transforming into a finger pointing at it, as if ready to poke into another.

At the courtyard gate, Wu Fei lowered his hand. He had been impulsive once and wouldn't be again. He calculated: "This thing has too few uses left; only three remaining. I can't waste it!"

Wu Fei clapped his hands and said: "The matter is resolved. She is fine now, Zhao Xianzhong!"

Zhao Xianzhong acknowledged the order. Wu Fei scrutinized him and warned: "Your killing intent is too heavy. You must maintain clarity when you draw your blade." In the past, Wu Fei wouldn't have dared to speak to Zhao Xianzhong this way, but with the Restoration Gem in hand, he stood straighter and walked with a swagger.

Zhao Xianzhong, seventeen years his senior, felt a flicker of impatience at being lectured on his path of slaughter, but upon meeting Wu Fei’s gaze, the feeling was suppressed. He didn't know why, but he couldn't summon any killing intent; it was as if the young general before him was a massive mountain capable of crushing him at any moment.

Zhao Xianzhong replied: "The General is right. I shall eat more vegetables when I return."

Wu Fei nodded and took his hand off Zhao Xianzhong's shoulder.

Wu Fei did not know that when he lowered his hand, the golden finger hovering before the "blood-red space filled with heads" in space received a command to "cease" and stopped immediately.

In the courtyard, Zhao Xianzhong also let out a sigh of relief. As Wu Fei walked out, Zhao Xianzhong entered the room, lifted the curtain with his blade to check on the snake-woman's transformation, saw that Xiao Qing had returned to human form, snorted in derision at her good fortune, and slammed the door behind him.

...The night passed, but the stars in the sky did not dare to blink...

April, the 25th year of the Shu Tian Calendar.

On a small hill outside Skywing City, incantations were carved into a rocky slope. Wu Hanluan stood there, holding an imperial decree.

After he slowly affixed the decree to the slope, the incantations vanished, and the rock face smoothed over as if healing itself.

Having submitted the decree, Wu Hanluan exuded a baleful aura toward the slope. From a high vantage point, the ley lines here showed a change in the "Yao" patterns.

The "Yang-Yao" section: trees on a slope dozens of miles away rippled, like a dragon's spine turning over.

The "Yin-Yao" section: five kilometers away, water in the river surged, fish leaped, and the riverbed tightened and shifted, resembling the contraction of a dragon's belly.

As the surrounding ley lines adjusted, cracks appeared on the slope. With a boom, a large opening was revealed. From within, a sound like thunder emerged; listening closely, the thunder was a "Moo~".

The imperial decree Wu Hanluan had delivered opened a craftsman’s vault sealed by the imperial court.

...Inside the vault, sealed with such great effort, were "Giant Soldiers" possessed of intense baleful intent. The giant that stepped out of the slope was shaped like an ox, two stories tall. Though made of wood, its muscles were like those of a living creature, and its gait was identical to a real ox.

Its combat mode, besides trampling and using iron horns to puncture city gates, included "area damage." Inside its belly was a cauldron heated by a fire altar, filled with molten gold. In close combat, both its rear and horns featured nozzles that sprayed the boiling liquid, capable of decimating gathered enemy troops.

This giant soldier was named the "Golden Ox." The legend originated five hundred years ago when the Southern Ba State declared independence. The Southern-Pacifying General attempted to conquer it but lacked soldiers. An eccentric tricked the King of Ba, saying: "The Central Plains have Golden Oxen that eat earth and excrete gold, which can pave roads and lead the way."

The "Golden Oxen" transported to Ba were these very war machines. Such behemoths could easily shatter enemy formations, ram gates, or spray molten gold at enemies on walls.

After Ba was pacified, the court sealed them in the armory, claiming they violated the harmony of heaven. It is worth noting that the Great Yao possessed more than just this type of war machine.

For instance, the iron lions in the Imperial Capital, whose lethality was no less, were never sealed; they sat crouching on both sides of the Imperial Way.

The reason the Great Yao’s rulers sealed the "Golden Oxen" clearly went beyond mere concerns for "heavenly harmony."

If the Military School were to run rampant, the subsequent infestation of baleful forces and the shattering of mountains and rivers would be far worse than any duel between Daoists in remote places.

After the Golden Ox stepped out from the rubble, the Daoist Xian, accompanied by craftsmen, came forward to monitor the giant, measuring it with squares and rules. They soon concluded that the material was the "Millennial Iron-Wood," native to the Southern Frontier.

Under a temporary shed near the Golden Ox, Wu Hanluan asked: "Daoist, this is a war machine the court has entrusted to us. Can it 'flourish endlessly' in Lingnan?"

Daoist Xian replied: "Within three steps of a poisonous plant, there is sure to be an antidote. Within a hundred miles of a phoenix nest, there is sure to be a paulownia tree. General, this is a product of the Southern Frontier."

Wu Hanluan looked at the mechanical blueprints of the "Golden Ox" offered by Daoist Xian. After a moment of contemplation, he sealed them in a box.

Days later, he sent a trusted subordinate to return the blueprints to his family. If the future catastrophe became uncontrollable, the Wu family would need some leverage in the south.

...The rust on the iron ox hooves had been cleared, revealing blood-stained patterns...

After the Great Yao unified the world, they sealed these "weapons of natural disaster" to allow the people to live in peace. This was not aimed at frontier generals like the Wu family.

A thousand years ago, when the Marquis of Qi was executed, a major charge listed by the Legalists was "privately opening copper mines to cast soldiers." These "soldiers" were another type of giant machine.

Now, the court had begun to open the armory and allow Wu Hanluan to activate these six Golden Oxen because, following the plague in early spring, the hearts of the people in the south were scattered, and those who were not submissive had begun to emerge.

Beside the ox’s hooves, the winged tiger Wu Hanluan usually rode was no longer "roaring with wind," but watching the massive beast with vigilance. Its demeanor was just like a 21st-century house cat reacting to a dinosaur costume brought home by its owner.

Sensing the "rolling thunder" of his mount, Wu Hanluan dismounted, patted the giant cat's head, and signaled for it to play elsewhere. He continued to observe the Golden Ox, despite the foul smell.

Behind him, Daoist Xian observed with his mystical sight. When Wu Hanluan turned around, the Daoist’s eyes had already returned to normal.

Daoist Xian had seen Wu Hanluan's future. Now, suppressing his nausea, he smiled and said: "Congratulations, General, for holding such a sharp weapon."

Wu Hanluan lowered the hand he had placed on the ox's nose and sighed: "Indeed, the court has entrusted the nation's heavy weapons to me. Daoist Xian, tell me, is this a blessing or a curse?"

Daoist Xian replied: "The East Sea Dragon Clan is returning to the 'Xi-Ren Realm.' The winds and clouds of the four quarters are being stirred. This is a great catastrophe, and the court hopes the General can preserve peace in this region during the turmoil."

Wu Hanluan nodded and asked: "You say the East Sea Dragon Clan left the Xi-Ren Realm ten thousand years ago and has now suddenly reappeared. Do you know where they went during their disappearance?"

A few days ago, Wu Hanluan had read an ancient volume of the *Chronicles of the Heavenly Realms*, which recorded the origins of various exotic beasts. He could not help but be curious.

Daoist Xian looked at the starry sky, clearly knowing the answer. Under Wu Hanluan's searching gaze, he said: "In this starry sky, there are many worlds. The Xi-Ren Realm is but one. These Dragon-kin from the end of the Cheng Dynasty found a new world in the stars. According to ancient records, that realm was called the Haotian Realm."

Wu Hanluan nodded. "I see. Then why have they returned now?"

Daoist Xian pointed toward the direction of the Haotian Realm in the starry sky, revealing a mysterious smile, and said softly: "Because the Haotian Realm has been destroyed!"