Chapter 971: Return to Blue Planet, What a Mighty Empire (I)

Fifty years ago, when the great upheaval between heaven and earth began, Qian Tian was among the first to become an Innate Awakener, and his strength was immense. Thanks to his illustrious background, he had immediately been appointed head of the Transcendent Special Operations Division of the East Xia Empire, responsible for recruiting and managing transcendent individuals with awakened abilities among the populace.

Later, when the Void Continent's ruin emerged, he was also one of the earliest explorers to enter and obtained an inheritance second only to the legendary emperor’s inheritance.

Upon returning with his new ancient divine weapon—the Divine Yin-Yang Wheel—he quickly broke through to the mythical level, and with absolute might, he suppressed the chaotic world of that era, unified the human race, and established the Federation, bringing the Era of Darkness to an end.

He had also been the first to lead expeditions into the mythical world. Back then, the entrances to the three world passages had been far less secure than they were now. Colossal beasts roamed freely, the environment was hostile, and primitive bloodthirsty alien races were common.

Through these dangerous explorations, Qian Tian’s strength had grown by leaps and bounds. He had soon broken through to the heavenly king level and had become humanity’s first supreme powerhouse. It was clear that Qian Tian had been the Child of Fate of the Blue Planet, or rather, the first bearer of its great destiny.

Recalling the brief profile he had read long ago, Chen Chu felt a sense of awe. He was also surprised that the forbidden zone where humanity now lived had once seen the fall of a primordial colossal beast.

However, on closer thought, it made sense. Human territory was surrounded on all sides by terrifying forbidden zones. Even demon-god-level beings dared not set foot in them lightly. Humanity currently only truly controlled several tens of thousands of kilometers. The supposed two million kilometers they occupied was just part of the greater forbidden zone.

That primordial colossal beast had died countless years ago. Its true form, which had once been an entire world in itself, had already dissolved and merged into the mythical world. The primordial origin that Qian Tian had obtained was the only remaining proof of that colossal beast’s existence.

Or perhaps, he had acquired more than just one wisp of it. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain the vast disparity between his strength and that of his contemporaries, even those like the Primordial King and Celestial King.

All three had reached the middle stage of the ancient titan level, yet even the closest contender beneath them, Heavenly King Zhenwu, remained stuck at the peak of the heavenly king level. The other kings and heavenly kings were even further behind.

At the base.

In the cafeteria for advanced cultivators, Lin Xue and Lin Yu sat waiting for their food after placing their order. Not far away, Chen Chu and Xia Youhui approached.

"That’s Lord Divine Might."

"What’s he doing here?"

Chen Chu’s arrival stirred the entire cafeteria. Every cultivator turned toward him, eyes full of excitement. The young man with flowing black hair carried himself with unmatched nobility.

At his current cultivation and status, no one paid attention to his tall frame or his almost impossibly handsome features anymore. Even Lin Xue and Lin Yu were surprised to see him here.

Everyone watched as Chen Chu walked straight over to them. The two girls immediately tensed up and stammered, "Chen—Divine Might..."

Just as they instinctively tried to use a formal title, Chen Chu smiled gently. "Lin Xue, Lin Yu, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Chen Chu."

Beside him, Xia Youhui laughed aloud. "Haha, Class Monitor, aren’t you overdoing it a little? Ah Chu doesn’t care about that stuff. But I never thought you’d be so nervous. You couldn’t even speak properly just now."

He still remembered how, back in their high school days, he had been scolded a few times by Lin Xue for badmouthing her behind her back. She had always been aloof and domineering.

Lin Yu shook her head, softly saying, "We’re not afraid. It’s just that Chen Chu’s presence is overwhelming. Even when he suppresses his aura, he still inspires awe."

Chen Chu gave a light chuckle. "You’re exaggerating, Lin Yu. It’s just a psychological effect."

Of course, that was just being polite. As a god-devil whose strength rivaled that of a supreme powerhouse, Chen Chu’s life stage had long surpassed that of billions of living beings. Even when he suppressed his aura, the invisible pressure from his higher life stage still filled the air around him.

As they sat down across from the Lin sisters, Chen Chu got straight to the point. "Lin Xue, Lin Yu, I came to ask if you two are interested in returning to the Blue Planet."

"Return to the Blue Planet?" The sisters were stunned.

Chen Chu nodded. "Yes. There won’t be any large-scale battles here for the time being, so I plan to make a trip back. The Global Martial Arts Tournament is currently being held, and all young martial arts students can participate. The top ten in the world will each receive a reward. As far as I know, that reward is a special resource that can help advanced cultivators break through an entire major realm. If the two of you and Old Xia make it into the top ten, you could go directly from the middle stage of the Seventh Heavenly Realm to the middle stage of the Eighth."

After nearly ten days of continuous battle, combined with recent intense cultivation and the influx of resources following their victory, Lin Xue and the others had all made breakthroughs in their cultivation. When the sisters heard this news, their eyes lit up.

Chen Chu continued, "It’s not just the rewards from the final round. In the national-level competitions, it’s said that the top ten also receive cultivation and breakthrough resources. Although they only allow cultivators below the Eighth Realm to rise by a minor realm, or help late-stage Sixth Realm cultivators break through to the Seventh, it’s still perfectly suited for your current level.

"If the two of you can first place in the national top ten, then advance to the global top ten, with your talent and inheritance, you could soon become Ninth Heavenly Realm powerhouses."

As soon as Chen Chu finished, Xia Youhui grinned and said, "I’ve already decided to go back with Ah Chu. This time, I’m aiming for first place in the global tournament."

Lin Xue raised an eyebrow. "Xia Youhui, are you sure you can win first place?"

"Of course. I’ve done the math," Xia Youhui said smugly. "Across all three grades of the martial arts high schools in the three great empires, there are only a handful of young elites stronger than us. There’s Li Daoyi from third year, Ji Changkong who entered the mythical world like us, and Gabriella from West Meng who pilots mechs. But Li Daoyi and Gabriella have already broken through to the Ninth Heavenly Realm. The former is on the verge of reaching the mythical level, so they definitely won’t return. And thanks to Ah Chu’s earlier help, I’ve already surpassed Ji Changkong by a minor realm, so he’s not a threat. As long as I return, the global tournament's first place is mine."

Xia Youhui still remembered the freakish geniuses among the Federation’s younger generation who had entered the Void Continent half a year ago. Back then, the ones who led the pack were Chen Chu, who had reached the Seventh Heavenly Realm, along with Li Daoyi, Ji Wuji, Bardas, and a few others. However, those people had all graduated by now and become top-level powerhouses. Chen Chu, meanwhile, had ascended. There was no way he’d participate in some junior tournament.

Thinking of this, Xia Youhui became even more excited. "Ah Chu is the greatest genius the human race has seen in eternity. As his brother, is it too much for me to aim for the title of number one among the younger generation?"

Just then, Lin Xue slowly said, "It’s not too much, but Xia Youhui, have you forgotten about us?"

Lin Yu nodded with a playful smile. "That’s right. We’re also a little interested in that title."

Xia Youhui’s grin froze on his face.

Damn it. I forgot. I should never have let Ah Chu come looking for them.

At the same cultivation level, the Lin Sisters, who had inherited the legacy of the Ghostflame Heavenly Consort, were extremely powerful. They simply hadn’t been noticed because Chen Chu’s brilliance had overshadowed everyone else. While the four of them chatted, a subtle force spread out and shielded their conversation. Still, it did nothing to block the curious gazes from the rest of the cafeteria.

"Who are those three? They seem to know Lord Divine Might."

"Judging by how they speak, they must be close friends."

"They look so young. To be at the frontlines at their age, they must at least be advanced cultivators. Seems like they’re geniuses from the younger generation."

A scruffy-looking young man in the corner of the cafeteria spoke, "Strictly speaking, those three are His Excellency’s classmates."

"What?"

"Classmates?"

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. When they looked at Xia Youhui and the others again, their eyes were filled with shock, amazement, and even more envy. They were shocked that the three were only seventeen, yet had already reached the advanced realm, and envious of their connection to Lord Divine Might.

Classmates. With that kind of connection, as long as His Excellency remains eternal, not only will these three benefit, but even their descendants will be taken care of.

Chen Chu naturally heard the murmured discussions around him, but he didn’t mind that Xia Youhui and the others had been exposed.

In truth, there was a bit of personal motive behind asking the three to return. The next war was going to be even bloodier and more dangerous. He wanted an excuse to bring the three back, and help them avoid the devastating battle that was about to erupt.

Unlike Li Daoyi and Ji Wuji, Lin Xue and the others hadn’t yet fully matured. Their Seventh Heavenly Realm cultivation was still a bit too weak.