Chapter 120
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Chapter 120: Title
"Greetings, My God."
Michael hadn’t visited the Grand Sanctuary for some time—not from reluctance, but because audiences with the Divine were never assured.
Yet the crisis in the human realm could no longer be ignored.
"I know your purpose here," the voice of God resonated around him.
"My God, how might we aid those suffering under the abyssal invasion?" The archangel knelt reverently, his faith in the Divine unshaken.
Silence lingered like suspended breath.
Michael’s chest tightened with the weight of failed strategies. Their efforts barely dented the swarming abyssal creatures, each victory insignificant against the endless horde. True eradication demanded overwhelming power—power that risked shattering their already fragile world. The paradox paralyzed his resolve.
"Michael, what comprehend you of the Abyss?"
The celestial warrior contemplated before responding, "It invades realms, corrupts living essence, and devours entire worlds as sustenance."
"A partial truth."
"The Abyss opposes all material existence. This invasion marks but an overture."
"The source world’s current frailty restricts even your full might. My direct intervention would rend reality itself."
"Saving them once will not save them again."
"You foresee subsequent invasions? Yet mortals can scarcely endure this first assault…" Michael’s composed demeanor fractured momentarily. The present crisis already dwarfed historical records—had this been a typical invasion, humanity would already lie extinct.
The Divine voice continued inexorably, "This abyssal invasion is merely the prelude."
"But Hell’s legions have reforged their containment! How can—"
"In one hundred five days, a world fragment tainted by abyssal aura shall merge with the source world."
"World Fusion—?"
Michael’s momentary exhilaration curdled into dread. The source world had once absorbed countless realms during its prime, earning titles like Nexus of Creation. But that glorious past contrasted cruelly with present weakness. Integrating even pure world fragments strained reality now—let alone this poisoned shard.
"My God… the origin world of this fragment…"
"Perished utterly."
Only catastrophic collapse could reduce a world to fragments—the heart of the world shattered, its essence consumed. That this corrupted splinter escaped annihilation seemed miraculous… or perhaps part of some darker design. Now it drifted through the void, three months from catastrophic convergence.
"Mortals remain ignorant. Should they be warned?"
Luminous particles materialized before Michael, swirling into a pearlescent orb the size of his clenched fist.
The orb shifted continuously, at times splitting into dozens of fragments before coalescing back into a single entity.
“This shall resolve humanity’s current predicament.”
Michael gazed at the luminous sphere hovering before him as the divine voice resonated in his ears. With reverence, he extended his hands to receive the orb.
Upon contact, its purpose flooded his consciousness.
Salvation for mankind – this first thought kindled hope within him. After a contemplative pause, he ventured, “Might the Abyss Fragment influence the abyssal creatures within the source world?”
“It will not affect them.”
“Attend to your duties, Michael. You may withdraw.”
“As you command, My God.” The archangel bowed and departed, his concerns eased by divine assurance.
Zhongxia.
“Deputy Director Xi! Senior Ji Lang is on the line. Your current location?”
Xi Ning abandoned his half-eaten meal upon hearing the phone’s insistent ring. “Three minutes,” he barked into the receiver before striding toward his office.
“The phone,” he demanded upon entering, snapping his fingers at the secretary.
“Senior Ji Lang, this is Xi Ning speaking.”
“Deputy Director, urgent news – the abyssal passage shows anomalies. Survivors from the previous abyssal fissure are attempting to activate nearby dimensional pathways. Their objective is clear – to summon reinforcements from the abyss…”
Kunlun Mountains. At the windswept peak overlooking the Bronze Door’s valley:
“I’ve detected inter-realm communication formations within the passage. Their activation stems from failing seals – the ancient wards weaken, their integrity compromised.”
The silver-robed figure stood silhouetted against mountain mists, long sword gleaming in one hand, modern phone clutched in the other. “Only complete resealing can neutralize this threat.”
“My warning serves as counsel for heightened vigilance. Though the breach’s exact emergence point remains uncertain, its destination is undoubtedly our world.”
Ji Lang’s gaze drifted downward to the ancient portal, his lips curving in a smile that never reached his eyes.
Elsewhere, Ye Linlang materialized amidst Kunlun’s peaks, having traversed celestial realms in the blink of an eye.
“The stage is set,” she whispered to the howling winds. “Let humanity’s prolonged cultivation face proper trials. How else will they withstand what approaches in three moons?”
Special Bureau Headquarters.
The secretary stood frozen as Xi Ning slammed down the phone, the deputy director’s stormy expression forbidding inquiry.
“Alert all regional branches: maximum surveillance protocol. All lurking abyssals must be apprehended immediately.”
“Quarantine all abyssal-infected subjects. Those reaching Tier Two Erosion – terminate without exception.”
The secretary suppressed a shudder at the unspoken ‘shoot first’ mandate. What apocalyptic news had Senior Ji Lang delivered?
“Understood.”
“And mobilize Division 2 – full analysis of abyssal manifestation patterns and density distribution. I want reports within the hour.”
The secretary hesitated, then asked, "Domestic investigation?"
Xi Ning initially meant to confirm, but after furrowing his brow, amended, "No. I need the distribution pattern of abyssal creatures across the entire Blue Star."
*
"Faith is required for activation, and the orb becomes inert if belief wanes—is this correct?" Son Hill studied the glowing sphere in his palm while addressing archangel Michael, newly returned from celestial realms.
"Precisely," Michael confirmed.
"But how does it function practically?" Loral interjected with a puzzled frown. "A single orb can’t possibly safeguard multiple nations."
On a nearby cushion, the black cat form of Demon Hein twitched its whiskers in distaste, instinctively shifting away from the luminous object. Though his demonic senses were now muted by feline transformation, rendering him immune to its holy power, old antipathies lingered.
After all, could anyone fault a hellspawn for recoiling from divine radiance?
Michael lifted the holy light orb, which levitated above his palm. With a graceful gesture, he conjured dozens of smaller orbs orbiting the central sphere like celestial bodies.
"What sorcery—" Augustus breathed.
"The nucleus remains here," Michael explained. "Embed the satellite orbs in each city’s Holy Light Church, then activate this primary holy light orb to weave them into a protective net."
"This barrier will automatically purge abyssal creatures, but only once. Mortal faith fuels its power—should their devotion fade, the orbs will dissolve."
"Salvation," the archangel concluded, "must ultimately come from within."
As a French-born holy light knight of the Holy Light Church, Augustus grasped the implications better than others present. While Western nations would crave the orb’s protection, political suspicions would arise—endless debates over custodianship, paranoid speculations about divine agendas…
"I’ll negotiate with them," the knight resolved.
"Archangel Michael," he added cautiously, "should they consent—who claims stewardship?"
"The holy light orb will retreat from mortal sight after fulfilling its purpose," came the reply. "Only My God may behold it thereafter—unless its power extinguishes completely."
"Understood." Augustus bowed before departing.
Michael then regarded the two Sons with dawn-lit eyes. "This relic requires an anchor."
The central orb pulsed toward Hill and Loral, hovering uncertainly before settling before Hill. The blond Son blinked in astonishment.
"Destiny’s choice is clear," Michael smiled. "Fear not—receive it as you did before."
Loral maintained his beatific composure, though the black cat glimpsed subtle tension in the fingers hidden behind the brunet Son’s back as Hill grasped the glowing sphere.
"My presence would complicate matters," Michael said. "Claim it as My God’s blessing when the time comes."
"By your will, archangel."
Two days hence, Kingdom of England, Special Operations Division.
Myers, the division’s person in charge, snorted at the parchment before him. "’Alliance Protocol’? Since when do we await invitations to decisive actions?"
Myers skimmed through the document and noticed the holy alliance proposal primarily originated from minor European and American nations.
These small countries possessed few extraordinary individuals and remained relatively weak even before the Awakening of Spiritual Energy. Compelled by the overwhelming threat of abyssal creatures, they’d reluctantly acquiesced to the holy alliance initiative proposed by France and Vatican City.
"…Entry prerequisites mandate devotion to the God of Light Yahweh and forbid sacrilege…"
Prospective member states must already embrace the Holy Light Church’s doctrines, subsequently requiring religious unification within their borders… This faith-based foundation inherently defined the holy alliance’s structure.
"The holy light orb shall safeguard pious followers…"
After brief consideration, Myers annotated the proposal with his recommendations. Following parliamentary deliberations, he forwarded the document to both cabinet members and the Prime Minister – such consequential decisions transcended individual authority.
Nevertheless, the plan’s approval seemed improbable.
Though the Kingdom of England hadn’t yet emerged through supernatural means, multiple indicators suggested its historical divine legacy. Witnesses had reported sightings of Avalon from myths and legends during the Awakening’s initial phase.
Testimonies from wizards and elves further corroborated divine existence. For a nation potentially harboring its own deities to adopt foreign faiths would require collective insanity among England’s leadership – an implausible scenario.
Myers momentarily fantasized about Wizard Academies materializing in the physical realm, until the enrollment roster on his desk shattered such reveries. With strictly limited admission quotas, anticipating wizard population growth proved less feasible than expecting mage numbers to rise.
At least the mages had relented, consenting to establish physical mage schools.
"Professor Carlyle? Myers here. When might we convene regarding the academy’s establishment?"
"We’ve shortlisted potential sites, though final authorization rests with your office… Two days hence? Excellent."
Satisfied with the confirmation, Myers terminated the call and retrieved another dossier detailing comprehensive cooperation agreements with wizard communities. The document outlined various collaborative clauses, particularly regarding dissemination of wizard training methodologies and magical lineage studies.
Wizardry necessitated significant magical lineage inheritance. Prospective candidates required substantial magical heritage percentages – insufficient concentrations prevented true awakening, rendering even basic spellcasting unattainable.
Mages faced analogous constraints, their foundation lying in mental power awakening. This latent soul-bound energy could be activated through rigorous training, though those with innate aptitude inevitably excelled in magical disciplines.
The demon web presented alternative pathways. Any magic-capable individual with mental power could interface with this network, accessing spell models through magical energy contributions.
White House, America
"Holy alliance? Explain."
"Divine guardianship? Unnecessary. America forges its own deities. Proceed with the plans to create gods. Domestic parameters remain controllable."
"India’s manifested deities showed no retribution against modern inhabitants. Divine vengeance appears nonessential for former worshippers."
Chua-T addressed his aide, initial concerns about Native American deities alleviated by India’s precedent of divine apathy toward humanity.
"Multiple naval forces detected in Atlantic waters – French, Chinese, bears. Issue expulsion orders?"
"Prioritize domestic containment. The luminous pillar’s expansive radius likely obscures our position. Interlopers found near critical zones shall be expelled immediately."
Thus operated America’s self-appointed global guardians – unapologetically assertive in maintaining their perceived world order.
Yang Xingyu boarded the plane with his luggage and found himself staring at the assembled group in bewilderment.
"Professor Lu? Why are you on this flight?"
"Naturally to accompany you to Africa. The totem deities there fascinate me," answered Professor Lu, his silver hair contrasting with his vibrant energy.
Research indicated that since the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, even non-practitioners experienced gradual physical enhancement through daily respiration of Spiritual Energy. Prolonged exposure promised generational evolution – children inheriting heightened constitutions to surpass their ancestors.
The Special Bureau comprised Practitioners who could comprehend basic cultivation manuals. With Spiritual Energy now abundant, natural aptitude mattered less than during the end-time era, when the spiritually inept couldn’t perceive the wispy energy suffusing the air.
Yang Xingyu would never dare underestimate these septuagenarian and octogenarian researchers. Beyond their status as national treasures in academia, their post-Awakening breakthroughs in Spiritual Energy Technology – fusing ancient cultivation with modern science – commanded respect.
"Don’t mind us slowing you down," chuckled Professor Zhang beside Professor Lu, "We old bones can’t match your vigor."
"Please don’t jest, Professor Zhang!" Yang Xingyu protested. "Had the Awakening occurred decades earlier, men like me would be obsolete."
Intelligence facilitated cultivation, and few in Zhongxia rivaled these scholars’ intellects. The average tier six cultivation among them spoke volumes – their true potential restrained only by research obligations.
Yang Xingyu surveyed the chartered aircraft filled with Special Bureau regulars. Qiao Feiyu waved from his seat. "Quit dawdling. We’re departing soon."
The younger man hurried over, noting how colleagues clustered with acquaintances. Ironically, the burly Qiao Feiyu turned out to be his most familiar companion here.
"Quite the entourage you’ve assembled," Yang Xingyu elbowed his stoic friend.
"Bureau’s doing," Qiao Feiyu replied immovably. "My invitees haven’t boarded."
"But we’re scheduled for takeoff!"
"They’ll arrive. Focus on that trinket instead." Qiao Feiyu raised his wrist, where a red thread bearing a jade pendant clashed with his rugged appearance.
At his command, a spectral youth materialized from the charm, settling shyly opposite them.
"Greetings, Brother Yang."
"Mingyu! Has this oaf been decent?" Yang Xingyu grinned.
"What’s a ghost if not ephemeral?" Qiao Feiyu countered.
Their banter halted as crimson silk fluttered into the adjacent seat.
"Am I ghost or mortal, by your logic?" teased a mellifluous voice.
Yang Xingyu stiffened upon recognizing the crimson-clad figure. "Red-clad Senior! Had I known you were joining us—"
"Blame Old Qiao," the Ghost in Red smirked, gesturing to a panting girl scrambling aboard.
"My tardiness, Senior!" the newcomer gasped.
A dismissive hum answered as the Ghost in Red settled. Yang Xingyu studied the novice – Special Bureau interns rarely accompanied legendary figures.
"Yu Yue, reporting!" The girl beamed. "First mission. Please critique freely!"
Yang Xingyu’s brow twitched. "This feels… familiar."
Qiao Feiyu coughed. "Nonsense."
"Wen Renyi’s debut mission! The Kunlun catastrophe!" Cold sweat formed as Bronze Door memories surfaced – endless abyssal creatures, the enigmatic sword cultivator Ji Lang…
Qiao Feiyu shrugged. "We’re merely investigating. With the Red-clad Senior—"
"Don’t presume," the Ghost in Red interjected. "Should Yang Xingyu’s fears manifest, my cultivation offers scant protection." Her jade pendant glimmered ominously.
