Chapter 61
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Chapter 61: Title
Special Bureau.
"This is our newly developed instrument specifically designed for spatial energy detection," explained the research expert. "It monitors energy fluctuations, alerts us before reaching critical levels, and pinpoints the strongest concentration direction."
"So this could predict where spatial rifts will form?" Liang An examined the chest-high apparatus, his gaze shifting between the machine and its creator.
"Theoretically, yes—within a 200-kilometer radius. Beyond that range, data may lose accuracy."
The implications were clear—with a 400-kilometer detection diameter, deployment would require strategic placement at urban centers.
"Can we miniaturize this for portability?" Liang An pressed. The device’s integration with Sky Net fell under Information Section 2’s jurisdiction, explaining his presence in the lab.
A phone’s sudden ringing sliced through the conversation.
"Excuse me." Liang An stepped into an empty corridor alcove to answer.
"Section Chief Liang! Look at the sky—now!"
His frown deepened as he tilted his head upward. The night heavens now bore intricate fractures resembling shattered glass, their dendritic patterns consuming the visible firmament.
On the Special Bureau rooftop, Leng Xingwen stood beside his grandfather, both staring at the transformed sky. "Spatial rifts… of this magnitude? What horrors might emerge?" The younger Leng’s voice tightened with apprehension.
Yan Hua’s group witnessed the same celestial phenomenon.
"This surpasses all previous Demonic Beast incursions," Xi Ning muttered darkly. "More fractures mean more invaders. Hundreds at minimum—and this isn’t confined to Capital City."
Kunlun Valley.
The mountain range fared no better. A jagged scar bisected the ancient peaks, its edges slowly stretching wider like yawning jaws.
"Senior…"
"Not Demonic Beasts this time." Ji Lang’s blade gleamed as he studied the rending sky. "The Mountain and Sea Realm’s spirit cultivators grow impatient."
Zou Cheng’s face drained of color. Headquarters connection failed after three choked sentences, the signal devoured by unknown interference.
"Senior, shouldn’t we act?" The agent’s voice quivered despite his efforts. This guardian of the Bronze Door—discussed endlessly in Bureau forums—maintained his stoic vigil.
They’d all seen the abyssal creatures: war-hungry monstrosities held at bay for thousands of years. Though bound to Kunlun, Ji Lang aided cities during beast attacks. His icy demeanor masked unexpected compassion, earning quiet reverence.
Ji Lang’s fingers tightened on his sword hilt. "We wait."
"But the rift—"
"Observe." The ancient guardian’s tone permitted no argument.
From Japan’s western shores, observers gaped at Zhongxia’s fractured heavens—a crawling luminosity staining the night.
For half a month, the world had grown accustomed to the strange phenomena, with nearly everyone aware of Zhongxia’s situation.
While people initially envied Zhongxia’s preserved mythological heritage, witnessing its consecutive fortnight of attacks by bizarre creatures had cooled their enthusiasm. Any nation enduring daily monster assaults would face imminent collapse.
Early concerns about transoceanic threats faded as other countries realized the creatures fixated solely on Zhongxia. The world waited for Zhongxia’s inevitable plea for aid, yet none came after fifteen days.
Against expectations, Zhongxia maintained order. After two days of initial panic, citizens resumed normal lives – dining, working, vacationing as usual. Whether this reflected national confidence or nonchalance remained unclear.
When spatial rifts split the sky, people methodically sought shelter. Outdoor crowds streamed into buildings, avoiding interference with Special Bureau operations. Nightly occurrences bred routine composure.
First came terror, then composure. By the third incident, civilians calmly took cover. During the fourth, many documented events through phone recordings or live streams.
This time’s overwhelming invasion surpassed all previous horrors. Simultaneous with the Demonic Beasts’ appearance, signals failed catastrophically.
"Signal lost. Command systems offline."
"Execute Plan B," ordered Yan Hua.
Special Bureau Rooftop
"Alive capture’s impossible. Elimination protocol," Leng Xingwen declared, fingers tracing his blade’s edge while glancing at his grandfather. "Shall we tally kills?"
Sword light flashed crimson through the downpour of blood.
*
Yang Xingyu booted away a lunging Demonic Beast, wondering if their aggressive focus flattered him.
"Overwhelming numbers! Can you hold, Brother Yang?" Hu Mei’s worried shout came from beside shipping containers. The fox spirit’s illusion specialty relegated her to support duty.
"Frustrating! Tier One achieved yet still limited to parlor tricks!" She dodged a scorpion-tailed sweep, agile feet carrying her clear.
Yang Xingyu’s punch launched a beast five meters backward. His peripheral vision caught dark movement between distant structures. "Hu Mei! Pursue that escaping shadow!"
As more Demonic Beasts rained down, Yang prioritized containing stronger foes, leaving weaker specimens for military forces. These man-eaters couldn’t be fully contained.
"My task?" Hu Mei’s eye twitched even as her legs propelled pursuit. Speed compensated for limited combat magic – her sole advantages being velocity and illusions.
The repelled Demonic Beast charged again, burns fueling its rage. Yang’s eyelid fluttered at the Tier One Late-Stage opponent. He prayed for reinforcements before exhaustion claimed him.
*
A snake demon’s descent deposited it in Qiantang City’s West Lake. At Tier Two Late-Stage, its cultivation ranked lowly. Submerged beneath agitated waters, it escaped immediate detection.
The lake’s massive catfish guardian sensed intrusion and surged toward the disturbance. In the Mountain and Sea Realm, such a Tier Two creature would cower before superiors, but here, territorial instinct overrode caution.
Spatial rift fluctuations had stirred all Mountain and Sea Realm inhabitants – Demonic Beasts, Strange Beasts, and awakened spirit cultivators alike. The ancient realm’s denizens craved escape through these portals despite the risks.
Though spatial rifts channeled Spiritual Energy into their world, rapid dispersion made direct human realm access preferable. With only nine demon lord positions available in their native dimension, ambitious spirits saw the human realm’s Awakening of Spiritual Energy as their ascension path.
Tonight’s rift lingered for three critical minutes.
The white snake demon, slender as a finger, darted through murky waters pursued by the catfish. "Cease pursuit!" it mentally projected, wary of the glowing crystal embedded in the fish’s forehead radiating sword energy.
The half-Tier One catfish ignored warnings, driven by primal territoriality. Emerging surfaceward, the white snake hovered above moonlit ripples, coiled in deliberation.
"A pity," it hissed, ripping off a golden scale with crimson-tinged jaws. The scale’s intricate patterns shimmered before being spat into the lake. The catfish instinctively swallowed its glowing prize, then stiffened and sank.
The white snake feared not the fish, but its master. That crystal’s sword energy hinted at a formidable sword cultivator’s protection – the kind who exterminated demons as routinely as breathing. Inherited memories warned against such humans.
As lunar reflections steadied on tranquil waters, the serpent pondered its gamble. A golden scale traded for human cultivator obligation – would this prove worthwhile?
