As more than forty percent of Dragon Country's population vanished from Earth, the subsequent economic and political turmoil was self-evident.
Yushi Bo and Bai Yinchen activated their realm-breaking talismans immediately after the Dragon Country citizens ascended.
The Upper Realm, Southern Domain, Gan Country.
Gan Country's landmass was roughly equivalent to three Dragon Countries. Viewed from high above, its territory resembled a cat's head. To the west lay an endless forest, the north bordered by rolling, colossal mountain ranges, and to the east, a vast ocean.
It appeared as if a pitiful kitten had been abandoned in a cramped crevice, seemingly on the verge of being devoured at any moment. However, Dragon Country was by no means weak.
On the towering city walls stood soldiers clad in armor, their vital energy surging. Each possessed at least D-class level spirit and strength. Throughout the country, hundreds of folded spaces represented powerful cultivation academies.
This was a grand city blending ancient and modern. Wide roads crisscrossed, hundred-meter-tall buildings were scattered harmoniously, and cultivators, bearing various weapons and carrying magical treasures, brushed shoulders, creating a scene of considerable prosperity.
Among these, the most striking was a colossal mountain peak located less than ten kilometers from the coast in the eastern part of Gan Country.
This was none other than the mountain gate of the Liberation Sect.
The peak, ten thousand meters high, pierced the clouds like a sharp sword. Ethereal immortal energy and auspicious clouds with the cries of cranes emanated from it, presenting a true immortal realm spectacle.
Yet, at the foot of the mountain, various industries had sprung up around the Liberation Sect, with bustling crowds and a cacophony of voices, filled with the aura of the mortal world. This mortal energy, however, was absorbed by an unknown force once it ascended a few hundred meters, leaving the immortal charm of the mountain peak undisturbed.
At this moment, approximately two thousand meters from the mountain's base, below a massive altar on the western side, thousands of figures stood indistinctly. These figures were all clad in moon-white standard attire, adorned with ink-colored dragon elements, exuding an air of refined elegance.
Standing at the forefront was a middle-aged man with a flowing long beard and languid eyes. His hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at the altar before him.
The altar was covered in winding, intertwined runes that converged towards a central circle. Its overall area was several thousand square meters. Thirty-six ninety-nine-meter jade pillars stood around it, inscribed with dense formation patterns. Concentrated energy was currently gathering at their tips.
A few moments later, the very center of the altar erupted in a blinding light. Then, a handsome man in brocade robes appeared within it. As his eyes opened, they revealed a pair of radiant double pupils, carrying a hint of curiosity.
"This is the Liberation Sect?"
Wang Shouyi's gaze swept across the crowd below. As expected, he saw several familiar faces.
These were Dragon Country citizens who had ascended to the Liberation Sect over the past few decades.
"I am Fu Chuanjun, an elder of the Inner Sect. Welcome, Daoist Wang!"
The moment Wang Shouyi appeared, the middle-aged man standing at the head of the crowd's eyes lit up. Upon seeing the double pupils in Wang Shouyi's eyes, an uncontrollable smile of joy spread across his face. He stepped forward and offered a respectful salute.
As a cultivator at the Void Returning stage, Fu Chuanjun's gesture was a great honor to Wang Shouyi.
"My heavens, double pupils!"
"Is this one of the individuals the Sect Master spoke of who would change our sect's destiny? Truly extraordinary!"
"The last cultivator with double pupils became a great figure in the immortal path. Even though he died in battle, he left behind endless fame. Is our Liberation Sect about to have another Immortal Emperor?"
With Wang Shouyi's appearance, the area below the altar instantly became noisy, with countless fervent gazes fixed upon him.
Wang Shouyi was already accustomed to such attention from his time in Dragon Country.
He took a step, and the next moment he was three meters away from Fu Chuanjun. He nodded slightly towards the latter, returning the salute with neither subservience nor arrogance: "Wang Shouyi, greetings, Pavilion Master Fu!"
Fu Chuanjun laughed heartily, eagerly grabbed Wang Shouyi's elbow, and walked towards the rear, saying, "The Liberation Sect has awaited you for a long time, Daoist Wang. All who ascended from Dragon Country in the past have become pillars of our sect. With Daoist Wang joining us today, our sect's future will undoubtedly be limitless!"
Fu Chuanjun was aware of Wang Shouyi bringing four hundred million Dragon Country citizens to ascend, but he had not publicized it. Not to mention the at least two hundred thousand cultivators among these four hundred million, even ordinary people without cultivation would be an irresistible temptation to the many ferocious beasts surrounding Gan Country. Therefore, he directly led Wang Shouyi towards the assembly hall, intending to coordinate human resources and await the Sect Master's emergence before making further plans.
"Director Wang! Long time no see!"
"Awesome, Old Wang!"
As the two walked, the disciples of the Liberation Sect parted like a tide. Several compatriots who had ascended from Dragon Country winked at Wang Shouyi from the side, their eyes filled with joy.
"Show off. Once I'm settled, I'll take you all to fly!"
Wang Shouyi raised an eyebrow, replied with a telepathic message, and continued walking with Fu Chuanjun, his gaze unwavering.
On the other side.
"This is the Upper Realm?"
Yushi Bo opened his eyes in bewilderment. The first thing he saw was neither a sacred land of cultivation filled with immortal energy nor a magnificent landscape, but a rather cramped and messy room.
With a slight movement, a sharp pain coursed through his entire body. His body felt as if it had just been run over by a cement truck. He hadn't experienced such agony in a long time.
"System, open panel!"
With a thought, a panel appeared in his mind:
[Host: Yushi Bo
Gender: Male
Age: 44 years.
Height: 195cm
Level: Divine Transformation Stage (Current Actual Level: Nascent Soul Early Stage)
Current Status: Critically Wounded!
Tribulation Count: 389 times
Primordial Spirit Purification Rate: 91%
Current Energy Points: 0 points!
Immortal Energy: 0 points!
Chaos Points: 0 points!
Physical Space, Pure Land Space: Currently out of contact.
Usable Skills: Unchanged (Many skills are available to you, but may cost you your life)
Evaluation: After ascending to the Upper Realm, you encountered suppression (or protection?) from the Heavenly Dao. To prevent your demise, the system's ultimate emergency measure was activated. You consumed all your energy reserves and erased all traces of your presence in this world, making your origins impossible for anyone to deduce.]
"Damn it, almost ended before it even began!"
Yushi Bo cursed inwardly. He moved his body again, the pain making him grit his teeth, and he lay back down.
According to the system's prompt, he was now almost defenseless. Fortunately, his physical body had been tempered to be incredibly strong. Ordinary demonic beasts below the Nascent Soul stage likely couldn't even bite off a finger of his. Thus, he quietly waited.
"Passive: Intent of Flowing Water" would only begin to take effect once he fully adapted to the laws of this world, but this was no reason to wait idly.
He closed his eyes and began to use his will to absorb the sparse spiritual energy around him.
Gradually, his face, which had been as pale as gold paper, began to regain a hint of color.
Just then, the door was pushed open with a creak.
"Huh? Uncle, you're awake?"