Golden radiance cascaded upon the earth, dispelling the gloom and haze, encompassing the entire base city and vast swathes of land beyond.
The Dawn Zone had expanded considerably.
"The former Dawn Zone only extended twenty to thirty kilometers outside the base city, but now... I heard our Dawn Zone can cover half of Shuize Prefecture?"
"Wow, that's amazing, but didn't our Dawn Zone almost fall during the Red Moon catastrophe yesterday?"
"Yeah, yesterday was truly perilous."
On the outskirts of Shuize Base City, several low-ranking investigators were clearing the debris of buildings and sinister creatures.
Last night, base cities like White Eagle, which had not yet ignited their dawn, suffered heavy losses. While Shuize's personnel losses were not as severe, the city itself sustained considerable damage.
Trees were uprooted everywhere, countless windowpanes were shattered, and some simple buildings showed creeping cracks.
Even more exaggerated were the buildings that had been sliced in half.
Debris the size of sedans and vans fell from above, cracking the ground, flipping cars, and scattering large chunks of stone everywhere.
If the residents hadn't been evacuated to various shelters before the disaster struck yesterday, it was hard to imagine the immense casualties that would have resulted.
"Even a skyscraper in the main urban area was sliced off!"
It was a building over a hundred meters tall, but at about the thirty to fortieth floor, it had been neatly severed. The cut was exceptionally smooth, and the upper third of the massive structure slid off and collapsed, crashing down onto the ground and the surrounding 'low-rise buildings.' That area was reportedly now a ruin and the top priority for cleanup and repair.
With such severe repercussions and destruction within the base city, what about outside?
These low-ranking investigators had not participated in the fighting, nor could they even observe it. They had hidden in the shelters with the residents, responsible for maintaining order.
Seeing this now, they couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.
The horror of the disaster was far beyond their imagination.
"We were hit by strong winds even in the underground space, and these buildings that were sliced in half, I heard from those above, were cut by wind blades. Is there any connection?"
"Indeed."
A special investigator in a black trench coat walked over, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his hand wrapped in bandages. With a sigh, he said,
"Whether it was strong winds or wind blades, it is said they both came from a terrifying sinister creature named 'Storm.' The wind was the body of this creature; it obscured the sky, it was infinitely vast, and it devoured everything."
"At that time, our entire Shuize Base City was inside this 'Storm,' being digested. Not only us, but this 'Storm' even swallowed the entire Shuize Prefecture, intending to devour the entire Donghuang, the entire Blue Star. It was terrifying."
A gray storm obscured the sky, spreading incessantly, swallowing everything in its path, even enveloping the entire Blue Star.
As such a scene flashed through the minds of the low-ranking investigators, they shivered.
"There's such a sinister creature?"
"I thought those giant sinister creatures dozens of meters tall were mobile disasters, but I never expected... but can humans really deal with such terrifying sinister creatures?"
Let alone modern firepower being unable to harm them, even if it could, detonating a few hundred nuclear bombs probably wouldn't do anything to such a creature.
That was disaster itself!
"Yes, such a disaster is almost unbeatable, but..."
The special investigator in the black trench coat exhaled a cloud of smoke, his gaze slightly upward, his hand holding the cigarette trembling slightly. With reverence, he said, "But then, that person appeared."
"That person?"
"Director Tang, Director Huang, Captain Rakshasa, or...?"
The special investigator in the black trench coat shook his head slightly and then smiled, "You know about the mysterious organization, right?"
Seeing their surprised and thoughtful expressions, the special investigator in the black trench coat raised his hand and said, "You will know what the mysterious organization is before long. Work hard, and you too will have the chance to join this organization and... soar to the heavens."
The special investigator in the black trench coat, an unregistered student of the Hearth, walked away.
Leaving behind only the legend of the mysterious organization, which began to spread.
...
Cleanup and repairs began in the city, and outside the city as well.
Fang You stood on the high city wall, gazing at the pits of various sizes before him, and the busy figures above and below them, and a smile appeared.
This disaster, indeed, had come swiftly and terrifyingly, delivering a heavy blow to Blue Star.
But it also validated Blue Star's progress and brought immense gains.
"The 'drop rate' of those sinister creatures is not at all like that of calamity-class ones; it's only slightly higher than three-star class," An Jianyou said with some regret.
She herself didn't care about money, but she understood the importance of these intermediate materials, which were needed for the production of various departments, many sinister artifacts, and props.
"Director Huang was also quite regretful just now."
"No need to regret it. Being able to win is the most precious spoil of war. If we lack other materials, we can find them in the Sinister Realm."
Was it a loss?
Judging by the accounts, it seemed like a huge loss.
The expenditure on various potions was enormous. Now, the Hearth, including the potions sold to various countries, had been depleted. As a result, those with less severe injuries could only be bandaged or tough it out, or be sent to the hospital.
Even finding awakened healers was impossible; the healers were all gone.
The special seeds and the effects on sinister crystal cannons were immense.
The biggest consumer of crystals was 'Shallow Red,' who alone used nearly five hundred thousand sinister crystals.
All in all, if potions, seeds, and other props were converted to sinister crystal equivalents, the expenditure for this battle would be at least 1.3 to 1.4 million sinister crystals.
And the income was at most seventy to eighty thousand sinister crystals. The drop rate of sinister crystals from sinister creatures was already low, and what was truly valuable were the more advanced materials and sinister items.
Combined, their value was about three to four hundred thousand sinister crystals.
Rounding up, that was a net loss of one million!
When war breaks out, every piece of sinister crystal is worth a fortune. A loss is normal, especially since Blue Star had won, and its own losses were not significant. Otherwise, the loss would be more than just the sinister crystals on paper.
Fang You felt a pang of heartache at this calculation.
A net loss of a million sinister crystals, the Hearth's sinister crystals depleted, this would almost bring Blue Star's development to a standstill. And the losses of the evil god faction? It was merely the avatars of four mythical beings!
Blue Star had lost heavily!
It seemed like a victory, but in reality, it was a defeat. This was a disparity in scale. Blue Star was critically wounded by winning once, while even if the evil god faction lost ten times, only the sinews and bones of those mythical beings would be affected.
This was the gap.
"Oh, I still have a billion mission rewards pending? Then it's fine."
Xiao Huan was currently tallying and claiming these billions of mission rewards one by one for him.
On the panel, Xiao Huan, the board girl, her eyes darted with a waterfall of data, muttering something to herself, her small head shaking, faster and faster. The data streams in her eyes also flickered faster and faster, as if flashing outwards with beeps and boops, and smoke seemed to be rising from her head.
Fang You was startled, "Slow down, slow down, let's take it easy."
"Xiao Huan... Xiao Huan has claimed all the missions and compiled them喔喔喔喔..."
Her head, which seemed drunk, finally stopped shaking. The data streams in her eyes were replaced by two prominent "￥￥" symbols.
She clapped her hands together and pulled.
An infinitely long scroll unfurled, filled with dense text.
A quick glance revealed task descriptions.
More specifically, it detailed who executed which task, the specific rewards, and so on.
Fang You skimmed through dozens of entries and focused on the statistics.
"According to Xiao Huan's calculations, we have killed over 11 million sinister creatures in total."
"Among them, the sinister crystals obtained through missions were 1.058 million, along with xxxx cultivation cards, a quantity of low to mid-grade materials, a quantity of props, a quantity of low-grade skill book draw coupons, and a considerable number of skill seeds and recruitment vouchers."
"Finally, ta-da..."
"There are also 2.69 million Fate Points, hooray!"
"Flowers ✿✿ヽ(°▽°)ノ✿~"
The panel displayed a petal-falling special effect and applause sound effects, as Xiao Huan clapped her hands.
Fang You also smiled.
At first glance, the 1.058 million sinister crystals obtained only barely made up for the previous losses, but there were also other cultivation cards, props, and materials.
Rounding up was unnecessary; it was a clear profit.
Of course, he had to distribute contribution points to his own personnel, and many items would be distributed as rewards.
But that was not a problem at all.
He wished that his Hearth warriors could redeem more items and become stronger.
"Since that's the case, should we have a grand, ceremonial reward to motivate our warriors?"
"For example, a gacha pull, setting up a prize pool for our Hearth members to draw from?"
After thinking for a moment, Fang You shook his head.
He believed that gacha pulls were fun and that everyone would enjoy them, but the items drawn might not be what the person needed, which in a way was a waste.
Even if they could trade with each other, wouldn't that just add an extra hassle?
After pondering for a while, a large light bulb appeared above Fang You's forehead.
"Got it!"
"We can have a limited-time discount event as recognition for the efforts of the Hearth warriors this time."
Weapons, props, and the like could be offered at a limited-time discount. Yes, with a condition: only redeemable with contribution points obtained from this battle.
Also,
"We have accumulated quite a lot of low to mid-grade cultivation cards. Since that's the case... let's give a 40% discount, a bone-crushing clearance."
"This way, we can not only reward everyone who participated in the war but also enhance the cultivation atmosphere of the Hearth. Now that the war is over, it's time to go all out to improve our strength. This is truly killing two birds with one stone."
Fang You could already imagine his cute warriors rushing to the training rooms with cheers.
"And besides external gains, there is also..."
He raised his hand, in his palm...
Naturally, there was no power flowing.
But at this moment, his body had accumulated an extremely vast mystery, far exceeding An Jianyou, who was above him before.
Because yesterday, that final blow.
Not only did it erase 'Storm,' the avatars of the three mythical beings, and the thousands of calamity-class sinister creatures present, but under his conscious control, that 'World Power' also spread to more than half of Shuize Prefecture.
He couldn't micro-manage too much, but the 'impact points' outside required no micro-management; they were all enemies, with no allies.
He just needed to blast them.
With a single blow, he killed countless sinister creatures! And unlike the previous time when he possessed the 'Wang Hei Descent Card,' this time, although he borrowed an endless amount of faith light, although he borrowed the power of the world, although...
But all these 'althoughs' were his own efforts!
I, Fang You, am so powerful solely on my own!
No external force.
This attack, a prefecture-level AoE, had a small loss of mystery. A massive amount of mystery factors surged in, like great rivers flowing into his small but seemingly bottomless body.
He was stuffed!
Mystery factors are not energy; they are indescribable particles existing outside of reality.
They would not explode a person like berserk energy, but mystery factors also contain madness, especially those derived from sinister creatures, which are more mad than naturally floating factors.
As the great rivers of mystery poured in, countless sharp, ear-piercing, and nauseating roars erupted in Tutor Fang's ears. These were the howls of millions of sinister creatures, almost piercing his eardrums. The assault on his sanity was like a monstrous flood.
Another Six-Awakened being might have collapsed on the spot.
Fang You said he was okay.
He was a perfect awakening, having ignited the Light of Will. Although this berserk assault on his sanity had an impact, he could still withstand it. What was shown was that after he gathered the 'World Power' and wiped it out with a single blow, he lingered in the high sky for a full several tens of seconds.
It wasn't that he wanted to pose and show off, but he had to linger to digest these mysteries.
Was he, Tutor Fang, the type of person who liked to show off?
"Besides this, there is a side effect. My erosion level has risen to 6.9%. Well, it's also a side effect of using 'non-human form,' but it's not a big problem, it's very stable."
An Jianyou's erosion level was slightly higher than his, which showed that different 'non-human forms' brought different danger coefficients. His transformation into light was a mild type, while An Jianyou's transformation into a sinister creature was a berserk and dangerous type... It was indeed a bit dangerous, like a blackened version of An Jianyou, no wonder her combat power was so high.
However, with this, does Sister An need to focus on learning close-combat skills?
If she could learn 'Gluttony Body Forging,' she could not only strengthen her physique but also learn the powerful combat technique 'Gluttony Beast Style.' To be honest, Xing Jinglei might not be strong when using it, but non-human An Jianyou would definitely be able to.
"The overall erosion level is not high. As long as one recuperates for a while and tries not to fight, and with the aid of potions, it can be reduced to below 1%, or even 0.5%."
"And for these sacrifices, the mystery value I obtained is..."
"9.03 million!"
Some of it was obtained before this battle, almost negligible.
Simply put, this battle, no, just that single blow, brought Tutor Fang nearly 9 million mystery points! He was not far from the standard for Seven-Awakened!
He was even eager to try it again.
"No, calm down."
"Not to mention the 'Secret Realm Power' consumed by the world-level attack, the success of this attack alone depended on favorable timing, advantageous location, and popular support, all indispensable."
In an inappropriate environment, he could not have gathered faith as brilliant as a galaxy.
He would keep the Fate Points for now; Tutor Fang had many things to attend to.
There would be a victory celebration tonight.
Riding the momentum of this great victory, the Blue Star Alliance could be established without much hindrance.
Once the large defensive perimeter was established, Blue Star would enter a new phase.
...
In Shuize Base City, following Blue Star's great victory, and because they had witnessed firsthand the incredible powerhouses of Blue Star, many envoys from the Oases became reserved.
They were originally proud.
Worlds like Blue Star were backward and ignorant to them; the people here were just natives. But not to mention Blue Star's mythical-level combat power, even their core strength was enough to shatter their pride. After witnessing the terrifying power of the mythical level, their proud hearts were shattered and ground into the dirt, kicked vigorously.
No one walked with arrogance anymore.
They even lowered their heads when walking, which made some familiar reception personnel from the Hearth feel unaccustomed.
Had they changed their ways? Were they possessed?
Whatever.
These envoys were ordered to remain on Blue Star, awaiting further instructions. At the same time, the news of Blue Star's great victory against the evil god faction swept across like a storm.
...
...
Sinister Realm, City of Sword Flowers.
Inside the Rose Academy and Battle Song Academy, their respective deans opened their eyes in their secluded cultivation chambers.
"They're back."
A Six-Awakened descending via an item is completely different from the divine sense avatars and divine descents of mythical beings.
Once consciousness is projected into a split body, the main body cannot be controlled. In simple terms, one cannot multitask and can only perform simple and slow actions.
For example, eating, and defecating.
Therefore, when the higher-ups went out with their split bodies, their main bodies were hidden in safe locations.
At this moment, the two deans suspended their control over their puppet split bodies, their consciousness returned, and they went directly to the Sword Academy.
In the City of Sword Flowers, the 'Sword' ranked highest among the three academies, representing the core inheritance of Sword Flowers. Similarly, the Dean of Sword was the strongest among the three deans and the most important pillar of the City of Sword Flowers.
In the small conference room of the Sword Academy.
The Dean of Sword, along with the two vice deans, were all present.
"Is the matter of Blue Star settled?"
"It's settled."
Seeing the shock, bewilderment, complexity, and other emotions in the eyes of the Battle Song and Rose deans, the Dean of Sword became increasingly curious. "Were the evil god faction's methods unexpectedly surprising?"
"Indeed unexpectedly surprising."
From the Red Moon's descent, to sinister creatures falling like meteors, to seven-star nest-type sinister creatures, then to mythical beings descending, then to mythical beings descending and replicating, and then...
A legendary chapter slowly unfolded before the Dean of Sword.
Suddenly,
The Dean of Sword's brow furrowed as he noticed something amiss.
"Normally, when that seven-star sinister creature was born, Blue Star should have been unable to resist."
He believed even earlier, Blue Star should have collapsed when more than ten thousand calamity-class sinister creatures appeared.
He had found a blind spot.
Could this Rose be telling a story? This was not funny at all.
The Dean of Sword was always serious.
But before he could speak, Dean Rose preempted him, "Normally, yes, but... alas, I'll just tell you the result. Blue Star achieved victory."
Dean Battle Song, fearing that Dean Sword would not believe him, added, "Under the premise of facing two seven-star sinister creatures and four descending mythical beings, oh right, one of them was a rule-type sinister creature."
After the two reaffirmed multiple times and provided detailed descriptions of the process, Dean Sword fell silent.
"Blue Star defeated the evil god faction?"
Rose and Battle Song nodded.
"Blue Star has no overlord force supporting it from behind?"
Rose and Battle Song nodded.
"Blue Star has invincible powerhouses who can kill mythical beings with mere mortal bodies?"
Rose and Battle Song continued to nod.
"Blue Star..."
Dean Rose couldn't stop nodding, "Old man Sword, stop asking. It's all true. It will probably spread throughout the Fallen Star Grotto in a few days. You should think about our cooperative attitude towards Blue Star. My suggestion is... to increase our investment!"
She paused and said,
"I know the evil god faction will surely return and cause greater disasters on Blue Star, but... if it weren't for Blue Star being in crisis, it would be difficult for our Sword Flower City, with its size, to occupy an important position in cooperation with Blue Star."
"There are risks involved, but precisely because of this, we have the opportunity to achieve great returns."
"If we want to seize this opportunity, we need to act before other large oases."
Dean Battle Song added, "Rose is right."
Dean Sword fell into thought.
...
Fallen Star City, Palace.
The slightly aged King Stellar XII was writing with a brush on a scroll, inscribing extraordinary power.
He was in a relaxed and indifferent mood; this was merely an exercise of power.
"How did the talks with the Pale Graveyard go?"
The old man serving beside him said, "The Pale ones do not wish for deep cooperation but have agreed to limited trade."
"Is that so? That's a good start."
The Fallen Star City, as an overlord force in the entire region, occupied many resource areas. This was their advantage, but it also had disadvantages.
Large oases like Sword Flower City could purchase high-level items from Fallen Star City. Although expensive, they could still be bought.
However, for the treasures Fallen Star City needed, they were hard to find, and many materials were only produced in other great domains.
To develop, they had to cooperate with other overlord forces.
The prerequisite was not communication and negotiation, but the discovery of a relatively safe 'trade route.'
King Stellar XII was about to say something more when suddenly, a rotating celestial body appeared, as if streaks of starlight shot into it, causing mysterious patterns to appear on the body.
This was a highly advanced communication device called a 'Celestial Sphere' among the many communication devices in Fallen Star City.
It had a high encryption level and contained a lot of information.
It was usually not activated.
At this moment, the sphere floated, starlight swirling around it like veils.
The old man tapped it lightly, then used a special secret method to guide the starlight to an open space before him, where it suddenly bloomed.
Buzz—
Text and images appeared before them one by one.
"News from other great oases: The Blue Star world, in its resistance against the evil god faction's 'Crimson,' achieved a great victory, defeating and killing four descending mythical beings and two seven-star sinister creatures. - [Click to view detailed information and a short video] -"
The Blue Star world? What Blue Star world?
King Stellar XII was a man who handled state affairs daily. For a moment, he couldn't recall which overlord force of which great domain the Blue Star world belonged to.
It shouldn't be.
The old man reminded him, "It's the newly mentioned world that wanted to prevent the Sinister Realm's erosion. You even ordered not to interfere in any Blue Star affairs."
The native world that obtained a precious inheritance but overestimates its strength and wants to fight the evil god faction?
Wait!
The one who killed four mythical descents was a native... a newly formed world?!
The pen he was holding snapped, and his finger pressed through the tabletop. King Stellar XII remained oblivious, his eyes fixed on the confidential information, and after a long while, he did not recover.