Chapter 76
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Chapter 76: Title
Japan.
Abe Masanari was hospitalized, while the chief shaman and priestess sustained comparatively lighter injuries – mainly drained spiritual energy with minor wounds. After receiving preliminary treatment, they departed the medical facility.
The Zhenyi Society, established under government jurisdiction through funding from the Fūsāng Foundation and jointly managed by national authorities and extraordinary individuals, handled post-Awakening spiritual emergencies in Japan.
"Regarding the youth you identified as ‘Abe no Seimei’ in the footage," queried the specially appointed government investigator, "can you verify he’s the historical Onmyoji from Japan’s records?"
"Indeed."
"He is my ancestor, Abe no Seimei."
"What evidence substantiates this claim? Portraits? Historical documentation?"
"There exists a portrait," Masanari conceded, "but as you’re aware, period artworks bear scant resemblance to reality. Moreover, the preserved painting depicts my ancestor’s elderly visage – utterly dissimilar to his current appearance."
The investigator glanced at the video stills, finding Masanari’s "utterly dissimilar" remark entirely credible. Without video evidence, none would believe such masculine beauty could exist.
"You appear remarkably unfazed by your ancestor’s manifestation."
"Ancestor has accompanied me since my first steps along the Onmyoji path," Masanari murmured, lowering his eyes as if recalling distant memories.
This would trace back to the Awakening of Spiritual Energy’s emergence. The investigator hastily recorded this crucial detail before pressing, "Constant companionship – visible only to you?"
"Precisely. Had I not confronted the ‘Yamata no Orochi corrupted by malevolent will’ beyond my capabilities, Ancestor wouldn’t have materialized to banish the serpent before spectators."
Now all Japan knew of "Abe no Seimei’s monstrous vanquishing." In this Awakening era, certain events defied governmental concealment – particularly when combating a leviathan like Yamata no Orochi.
Forced into transparency, authorities permitted journalist coverage to bolster public confidence and demonstrate Japan’s extraordinary capabilities. Unexpectedly, the legendary Onmyoji’s appearance – particularly his unearthly beauty – spawned multitudes of admirers across genders.
Prior to Masanari’s hospitalization, abyssal fissures erupted worldwide. Zhongxia alone remained untouched by simultaneous calamities.
*
Special Bureau Headquarters, Zhongxia
"Has Senior Ji Lang reviewed the materials?" Lin Jing inquired of his deputy Ge Yun.
"He confirmed it’s an abyss-tainted entity with formidable strength," she reported. "The Japanese Onmyoji employed spatial expulsion magic. Banished targets cannot return temporarily."
"Any comparable methods here?"
"Master Feiran acknowledges similar formations," Ge Yun adjusted her glasses, "but lacks capacity to execute them. The spell demands immense power and precision. Forced implementation…" Her voice trailed off meaningfully.
"Fatal?" Lin Jing’s posture stiffened. Division 6’s prized asset couldn’t be risked.
"Effectively. Judging by Abe no Seimei’s disappearance… existence itself becomes questionable."
"Global status?"
"Following Japan’s incident, abyssal fissures proliferated worldwide. Nations lacking organized extraordinary forces resorted to military deployment."
"Outcome?"
"Catastrophic casualties. These abyssal creatures prove difficult to exterminate and transmit infections. Numerous soldiers fell to ambush tactics."
Lin Jing absorbed this silently. National strength alone guaranteed citizen protection now. With every nation besieged by abyssal incursions, international humanitarian considerations had become untenable luxuries.
"How much longer do we have?"
"When I entered, ten minutes remained. Now, we have five." Ge Yun glanced at her watch, her tone crisp and efficient.
Since the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, Zhongxia had conducted only two nationwide drills for wartime emergencies—proof they were not merely succumbing to paranoia.
With spirit cultivators emerging and the ever-looming threat of abyssal creatures, caution was nonnegotiable. A single misstep could plunge the entire nation into chaos.
Eastern Sea.
A white dragon, slender as an infant’s arm, spiraled playfully around Ao Yuan while a black dragon snapped at his tail.
"Elder Brother! Second Brother’s trying to bite me!" The white dragon darted into Ao Yuan’s billowing sleeve with a flick of his divine tail.
Peeking out, Ao Lan taunted the hesitant black dragon by wagging his tail. *Hmph. Second Brother’s all bark and no bite.*
"Ao Lan. Out."
"No!" The white dragon shrank further, coiling around Ao Yuan’s wrist like a silver bracelet, tail clamped between his teeth.
"Enough." Ao Yuan’s gaze remained fixed on the cloudless sky, where an invisible spiritual radiance pulsed faintly—the four spirits’ waning power.
The Jiuzhou barrier, revived by ancient human sages to protect their homeland, had been reactivated too recently to withstand the Abyssal Evil Beings. The Special Bureau offered little aid beyond vague promises, yet Ao Yuan cared not.
If Jiuzhou fell, the spirit cultivators would share its fate. These horrors infected all life—human, animal, plant. Ao Yuan’s pact with the Bureau served not humanity, but the preservation of Jiuzhou itself.
To humans, Zhongxia was home.
To spirit cultivators, so too was Jiuzhou.
A violent tremor shattered the sky’s barrier. Hairline fractures bloomed into gaping wounds, clawed appendages wrenching them wider. Monstrosities oozed forth, raining from the heavens as new fissures erupted across the land.
"Too numerous for human cultivators to purge." Ao Yuan sighed, flicking the dragon-shaped bracelet on his wrist. "Little San, accompany Little Er. Clear a quadrant."
"Annihilate them completely—leave no cell to regenerate," he added, echoing the elder’s warning.
The black dragon seized Ao Lan’s tail. "I’ll mind the brat." Westward they soared, as residents below heard a dragon’s roar and glimpsed gold piercing the clouds.
Monster Apartment, 18th Floor.
Dozens of chattering intelligent creatures filled the classroom, tablets flashing unanswered exam questions.
"Where’s Teacher?" A scruffy yellow fox pawed at his screen.
"On assignment," croaked a fist-sized frog.
"Humans are doomed," the Green Peacock lamented, smoothing her emerald plumage.
"Were those abyssal creatures falling earlier?" Fat Jiu chirped, preening atop a desk.
"First no-Teacher day… miss him…" A golden monkey doodled answers absently.
"Disgusting things," growled the black wolf, eyeing a fading rift through the window as the Big White Rabbit groomed his fur.
The undisputed tyrant of Monster Class One, Black Wolf dominated peers gathered from across the Mountain and Sea Realm. The Special Bureau’s regional sorting placed Eastern Sea City’s class under the Dragon Lord’s jurisdiction—hence their “first class” status.
Names, once irrelevant in their primal realm, now required human-friendly transliterations. Most knew only their heaven-granted true names from the moment of intelligence’s awakening. Thankfully, their sharp minds spared teachers utter despair—though exams still drew complaints.
"Any human cultivators nearby?" The Golden Eagle cocked his head, crest feathers bobbing.
"Teacher said stay away from their settlements," the Big White Rabbit replied, pausing his grooming. "They fear us."
"But I saw monsters drop there." The eagle’s keen eyes narrowed.
"Should we help? Teacher says be kind."
"Fools! Why aid humans?" A purple marten sneered.
Spiritual energy slammed the marten against the floor. "Insult him again," Black Wolf growled, "and I’ll mail your pelt to the Special Bureau."
The chastened marten fled to the podium as Black Wolf pondered. "Those filth corrupt all life. Humans can’t protect Jiuzhou alone."
Online research had revealed humanity’s fragility—competent in peace, overwhelmed in crisis.
"Move out." His decision crystallized. "For our homeland."
