Chapter 99. Nationwide Uproar, Shennongjia, Western Intrusion (1)

The beast tide outside Chang'an had already caught the attention of the entire nation. Everyone had been waiting with bated breath for the final outcome.

And the moment the announcement and battle footage were released, the masses erupted. Citizens and Awakened alike were set ablaze with fervor. Major forums, news outlets, and communication channels surged with coverage, all scrambling to report the same earth-shaking headline.

After all, no one had imagined that a beast tide led by eight Unfettered Realm beast kings would be quelled in such a manner. From beginning to end, only one figure had descended upon the battlefield. Yet with his arrival alone, he had turned back an entire calamity.

The video's comment section flooded with messages from all corners of the country, with countless people adding their voices to the storm of awe and speculation.

Just as the leaders of Chang'an had predicted, the times had changed. With the dawn of the new era, all living beings were evolving. Beast tides surged forth like unending waves, and mankind's reliance on hot weapons was no longer enough to claim victory. Most Awakened were still in the early stages of their evolution and were utterly powerless before the might of high-tier beasts.

Thus, a chilling narrative had begun to take root: Was humanity fated to be cast aside by this new age?

Many had quietly agreed. The road ahead seemed bleak, and despair clung like a shadow.

But today... Today changed everything.

The moment the footage emerged, it was like a jolt of life, a surge of hope. Not just the common folk, but the Awakened too, were left stunned.

No one had expected that a single human being could evolve to such a degree, standing tall like a figure out of legend.

And from what little the official footage revealed, even that mysterious figure's mount bore the silhouette of a beast king.

With such power, presence, and mystery behind him, he was swiftly crowned by the people as the King of Humanity, a beacon of strength and a goal to aspire toward.

For many Awakened, this footage ignited a new resolve within their hearts, urging them onward in their cultivation. They, too, wished to become that kind of existence. Of course, speculation ran rampant. Everyone wanted to know who he was.

But no answers surfaced. No identity could be confirmed. And in the end, the public could only surmise that perhaps the individual was a hidden trump card summoned by the authorities. Otherwise, there would be no way to explain it.

At the same time, the Western nations began to take notice. They had locked onto the mysterious figure outside Chang'an, unanimously judging his strength to be extraordinary. Before long, formal messages were sent across the sea, expressing a desire to meet this man, perhaps open discussions for collaboration or so they claimed.

But nothing came of it. After all, even the upper echelons of Chang'an themselves had no clue who he was.

Naturally, such news sparked fiery debate online.

"Looks like the Westerners are envious that Huaxia now has a King of Humanity."

"Of course they are. They can't handle the beast tides at all on their side."

"Collaboration, huh? As if it's that simple. I bet they've got other motives."

"Exactly. I heard that back in the early days of the mutation outbreak, those Western nations tried to seize control of several of our famed mountains and sacred lands but they were refused."

"Sure, the government rejected them. But not all of the major powers did. According to insider whispers, Skygod Technologies and Longevity Genetics are deeply connected with some Western higher-ups, even working together behind closed doors."

"Yes, yes! Wasn't there a photo once of Skygod scientists with Westerners? It was deleted later, but I saw it."

"Seriously? At a time like this, they're still partnering with foreign powers? What exactly are they plotting?"

Due to the actions of those Western nations, all kinds of voices erupted across the web. Many were skeptical of their intentions, believing this so-called "collaboration" to be riddled with ulterior motives. Some even accused certain domestic factions of colluding with foreign interests.

But amid the whirlwind of rumors—half-truths, outright speculation, and veiled suspicions, it was impossible to say for certain what was real.

One thing, however, was undeniable.

Because of the beast tide at Chang'an, a spark had been lit across the nation. For the first time in a long time, people dared to hope. To believe.

That as long as humanity continued to evolve, they could wield divine power, enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with gods.

Hu City.

Within a private villa, Zhou Yunqiong sat upright on a leather sofa. Beside her stood Uncle Zuo.

Compared to the last time, the aura she now exuded was even more forceful. And surrounding her, faint glimmers of brilliance surged and receded, bathing her form in an ethereal radiance.

Evidently, in this short span of time, Zhou Yunqiong's strength had undergone a drastic transformation.

Yet instead of cultivating, at this moment, she was replaying the footage of the beast tide at Chang'an again and again. Her brows furrowed tighter with each loop. Something about the lone figure who felled the eight beast kings felt familiar. The more she watched, the stronger the feeling grew.

"Could it be him? No... that's impossible, right?" Zhou Yunqiong murmured under her breath, her thoughts drifting to Lu Yuan. Apart from sheer power, there were too many uncanny similarities between the two.

"Yunqiong, what are you watching?" came a low, smooth voice.

The Winged Celestial God stepped into the room with a smile on his handsome countenance.

"Someone took on eight beast kings alone and won. The internet's calling him the King of Humanity now," Zhou Yunqiong replied calmly.

"How is that possible? Someone's already reached the Unfettered Realm?" His expression shifted. "Even after unlocking the full potential of my bloodline, it would still take some time to reach that realm."

He could hardly believe the situation. He had just come out of seclusion and his strength had been enhanced in all aspects. A full clash against a single beast king was within reach—barely. But to slay eight in one breath? That was beyond his ability.

Still skeptical, he leaned in and watched the footage. And slowly, the composure on his face cracked.

A glint of disbelief flashed through his eyes. "This... can't be real. Could the footage have been doctored?"

Zhou Yunqiong shook her head. "No. It was released directly by the upper echelon of Chang'an. There's no way they'd risk falsifying something of this scale. Besides, the beast tide itself was very real. How could they fake that?"

The Winged Celestial God fell silent. Then his gaze deepened.

"If that's true... then this man must possess an unimaginably powerful bloodline. Or like me, he isn't of this world. Perhaps he hails from the Outer Cosmos."

He believed that reaching such heights so soon after the advent of the new era defied all logic.

He couldn't be sure if the man had truly stepped into the Unfettered Realm but he was certain that every one of those eight beast kings was monstrous in their own right.

Especially that white python... its strength was astonishing.

Judging from the battle alone, it had broken through multiple genetic shackles.

Yet, a beast of such strength was slain by a single man. Such a feat was far too terrifying, utterly beyond belief. No one born of this world should be capable of something like that.

It wasn't that he had no faith in humanity. It was just that, at this stage of the new era, such an existence should not yet exist.

In truth, the Winged Celestial God himself was a distant offshoot of humankind, albeit one whose bloodline diverged long ago.

"Is that so?"

Zhou Yunqiong did not pursue the point. Instead, her gaze sharpened slightly as she added, "We've already deployed our satellite beyond the mesosphere. I believe it won't be long before we make contact with your kin."

At that, she rubbed her temples. The Global Awakening had altered even Earth itself to grow vaster. Launching a satellite into deep space was no longer as simple as before. Every kilometer now took more effort than the last.

The Wuzhou Group had paid a heavy price in terms of manpower and resources, and utilized more advanced technology than most would ever know. But as long as it succeeded, all of it would be worth it.

"I look forward to their arrival," the Winged Celestial God replied, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes and the corners of his lips curving upwards into a smile.

He knew that with his bloodline now awakened, he would be recognized by his race. Once those beings arrived, the path ahead would be paved in starlight.

Yet as his thoughts wandered, another name rose unbidden to his mind.

He frowned. "During my seclusion, what became of Lu Yuan?"

Lu Yuan. The man who had made him suffer not once, but twice. The thorn in his side he could never seem to ignore.