The sudden turn of events startled Ding Yun, Guo Jing, and Guo Yun Tao, let alone the couple Guo Hai Qian and Fu Ya Yun, who were present at the scene.
They instinctively abandoned their concealment and, channeling their spiritual power, fled swiftly. It could be said that anyone with a discerning eye present could immediately tell that the two were not ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, but Golden Core cultivators, and specifically, those who were timid and fled at the first sign of danger.
However, as everyone else was in a frantic rush to escape, no one paid them much attention, let alone delved into their identities.
Only the relevant staff involved in the rescue efforts spotted the two fleeing lights. They quickly sent out invitations via their divine senses, hoping Guo Hai Qian and Fu Ya Yun would stay and help evacuate the crowds. If possible, they also hoped the couple would join other Golden Core cultivators in holding back the tide of sea beasts. This would buy time for the nearby residents to retreat.
Upon hearing this, the couple Guo Hai Qian and Fu Ya Yun felt truly conflicted. They genuinely did not want to risk their lives, nor did they wish to stay and defend against the sea beasts and demons. Moreover, their Golden Core cultivation was not officially registered. Even if they fled now, they likely wouldn't be found, let alone be condemned for abandoning people.
However, they still had their pride. They felt that if they simply fled, it would not only bring shame upon themselves but also cause their parents, whom they were video-calling, and even their son, to look down on them. Most parents disliked revealing the less noble aspects of their humanity in front of their children.
Thus, after a moment of hesitation, the couple eventually flew back. While using spells to conceal their appearances, they joined the rescue team, obeying the commands of the supervising cultivator. They did whatever they were told and worked together to help.
Undeniably, their decision brought some relief to Ding Yun. Had they truly fled, Ding Yun would have genuinely looked down on them. As for their initial act of fleeing, Ding Yun could understand it, as they had not received specialized training and, apart from practicing in illusions, had never shed blood in reality. Their fear and retreat were entirely understandable. Their subsequent decision to return and help was the true choice.
Considering their busyness and the need to focus on fending off the sea demons later, Ding Yun offered a few brief words of advice on how to use life-saving techniques before ending the video call. She then turned to the internet to check the latest global news and understand the situation. Although her cultivation was decent, gathering information and understanding the overall picture was much faster online. In this day and age, unless an entire region was wiped out in an instant, information about that area would quickly spread online.
For example, the incident Guo Hai Qian and his wife encountered, which had just happened and which Ding Yun had witnessed, could now be found online. Videos and photos from various angles were all over the internet, and some brave individuals were even live-streaming from the scene.
# Pacific Ocean Sea Monster Uprising! #
# Kunlun Super Avalanche! #
# Lake Nanhua God Transformation Demon Revival... #
# Void Mountain Demonic Cultivators Emerge, Slaughtering Humans! #
# Countless Sea Demons Riot in the Southern Ocean! #
# Dragon Roars Heard from the Polar Abyss... #
The ninth spiritual energy surge seemed to have opened Pandora's Box, not only bringing forth major sects, aristocratic families, and rogue cultivators but also awakening demonic beasts, demonic cultivators, and other malevolent beings. Compared to the previous few instances of minor awakenings and appearances, this was a true, comprehensive awakening and emergence.
The major sects and aristocratic families, whom the New Era government had always considered the greatest threat, were surprisingly inactive for now. At least, they hadn't initiated wars or caused any major incidents. The ones causing trouble and resulting in numerous human casualties were primarily demonic beasts, demonic cultivators, and evil cultivators.
However, upon closer reflection, this situation was also quite reasonable. After sleeping and being sealed for so many years, the cultivation of many great cultivators would have inevitably depleted. While righteous cultivators could directly absorb the essence of the sun and moon and circulate spiritual energy to recover, the demonic cultivators and beasts couldn't bear the wait. They could recover by devouring human flesh and blood, demonic beast flesh and blood, absorbing souls, and drawing in resentment, yin, and malevolent energy. Why bother with such arduous cultivation? So, if they weren't the ones causing trouble, who would be?
Most of the current unrest and dangers occurring globally were caused by them. Fortunately, relevant organizations had long ago begun widespread spiritual cultivation and trained numerous Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators, as well as developed weapons specifically designed for cultivators of various realms. This meant that when facing these crises, there was at least a capacity to respond. Otherwise, humanity would be left to be slaughtered and could only hope for salvation from those righteous sects and aristocratic families. If humanity could only rely on those righteous sects and aristocratic families, it would be difficult for the secular governments and the common people of the mortal realm to avoid becoming their vassals.
In the past hundreds of thousands of years, during the few spiritual energy resurgences, each time the spiritual energy resurgence ended, the major righteous sects and aristocratic families would swiftly regain control of the secular world and stand tall once more. Wasn't this their method? It was precisely by acting as saviors during periods of spiritual energy resurgence when ordinary people were powerless against demonic beasts and cultivators, that they would ascend to the position of world saviors. Then, they would be revered and stand above all.
However, this time was different. This time, the government agencies and mortals had the ability to deal with those demonic beasts and cultivators. Although there were casualties, the overall situation was relatively stable, and there was no need to fall into despair and await rescue. They already had the capability to fight back.
As Ding Yun continuously refreshed the platform, the online trending topics kept changing. From initially only reporting on dangers in various locations, it gradually transitioned to reporting on personnel evacuations. Once evacuations were complete, reports of battles began. With countless Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators using high-tech weapons against the enemy, and Nascent Soul cultivators providing support, as long as they didn't encounter God Transformation-level demonic beasts or cultivators, it was essentially a straightforward push. No one could match them. After all, no matter how many demonic beasts and cultivators there were, they couldn't withstand the continuous supply of weapons.
When certain matters are truly undertaken with the strength of an entire nation and participated in by the entire population, the resulting power far surpasses that of so-called sects and aristocratic families. If those aristocratic families and sects can subdue demons and eliminate monsters, why can't the entire nation do the same? The only difficulty arises when encountering God Transformation cultivators, where dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators must form a formation to fight them, or when large-scale use of terrifying spiritual crystal cannons capable of instantly killing Nascent Soul cultivators is required. Theoretically, this could eliminate God Transformation cultivators, but God Transformation cultivators can also escape, so the effect is relatively poor, and in most cases, they can only be severely injured. Then, they break free from restraint and escape. However, even so, it is enough to deter them.