Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

”After testing, due to unknown reasons, the previous Sequence Number 1—Wen Yu—has been forcibly stripped of the Sequence Number 1 title. All sequence rankings rise by one place.”

”Congratulations, Sequence Number 1, Mister Tang Haofei. Your permissions have been upgraded.”

When that notification sounded in Tang Haofei’s mind, Old Tang was indeed stunned. Then Tang Haofei reacted—this was the first time in nearly a year he had stepped out of the mainland bloc where he’d been in seclusion.

He first made a trip to the tiered battle ground’s main city. The city was crowded and bustling, with a few of Wen Yu’s Soul Puppets mixed in among the people—the Soul Puppets were fine, which proved Wen Yu hadn’t died. Tang Haofei felt a bit of comfort, but an even greater doubt followed right on its heels.

”How did he pull that off...”

The Sequence Number 1 title being forcibly stripped—after thinking it over briefly, Tang Haofei understood that Wen Yu had found a way to break free of the Dominator’s control. To use a trendy phrase, he’d jumped outside the Three Realms and no longer been bound by the Five Elements. On this, Old Tang was very much envious.

He found Mountain Kui and had a chat with the tiered battle ground main city’s chief steward, but Mountain Kui’s lips were sealed tight; he didn’t reveal a single piece of information—in fact, Mountain Kui didn’t know much about it himself. After that, Tang Haofei immediately headed to Earth’s native soil, trying to find Lin Haifeng to discuss the series of leftover problems triggered by Wen Yu’s departure.

Wen Yu pulling out and leaving didn’t just mean Wen Yu had gained freedom; it also meant Earth had lost its most powerful combat strength. The impact of that touched every level. Tang Haofei even had a vague premonition: once Wen Yu vanished for too long, once the entire world forgot the Wen Yu who had once stirred up storms, then this temporary calm might be nothing more than a passing illusion, fated to rapidly dissipate into nothing.

Earth has never lacked ambitious men, and Tang Haofei himself was shackled by the price of power. Wen Yu’s departure didn’t make Earth more peaceful and serene; instead, it was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, kicking up ring after ring of ripples.

...

Deep within a cavern in the Mariana Trench, as specks of pale light rose and flickered, the image of Earth’s will slowly surfaced.

”Everyone’s here, right?”

A hazy voice rang out. This scene greatly surprised Moka, who was standing beside Demigod—after Walter’s death, Demigod had found three more lackeys. Yet K and Li Quan’an were either gloomy or deeply scheming, so it was the relatively simple-minded Moka who first won Demigod’s trust and became the left-hand man Demigod relied on the most.

Hearing Earth’s will speak, Demigod stepped forward and said respectfully, ”Bai didn’t come, and Tang Haofei isn’t here yet. Don’t we need to wait for them?”

Earth’s will pondered for a moment, then shook its head. ”I don’t trust them.”

With that single sentence, Tang Haofei and Bai were excluded from this little circle.

Then Earth’s will spoke in a gentle tone, outlining the main purpose of this gathering.

”Wen Yu has left Earth. According to my senses, he should have gone to the Demon Realm. This is a betrayal of me.”

With one sentence, Earth’s will defined Wen Yu’s actions. But who actually cared? Even Sea King and Skyray, the two most loyal to Earth’s will, kept their mouths shut at this moment, simply lowering their heads.

They were scared too—afraid Earth’s will would issue some slaughter order and send them to take out Wen Yu... tsk tsk, just thinking about it was enough to cover your forehead in cold sweat.

Fortunately, Earth’s will understood the gap in power; the topic shifted, turning immediately to another issue.

”Wen Yu leaving is actually a good thing for us. Without him, this world has half fewer variables. Right, Demigod, how’s the matter I entrusted to you coming along?”

”Reporting, my lord, I’ve already covertly controlled five Super Gathering Grounds. At the same time, Sea King and Skyray’s efforts to win over the mutant creature tribe have also borne fruit.”

Ten years was more than enough time for Demigod to do many things.

Hearing Demigod’s report, Earth’s will merely nodded slowly, then spoke solemnly.

”Continue. When our strength is sufficient, we’ll move against Yanjing. I will give you ample support, and you only need to fight for me... this world doesn’t need Lin Haifeng, nor does it need Yanjing. Only by seizing all power into our hands can we fully unleash our strength. Demigod, do a good job, and when the time comes, I’ll give you everything you want.”

Demigod inclined his head. After Earth’s will issued that brief order, its figure immediately dissolved into scattered motes of light that evenly fell onto the four people present.

A huge rush of ecstasy surged up; immense power welled from within their bodies and gradually fused with each of their species innate talent—following behind Earth’s will did come with certain benefits.

Only after the four had fully savored this ”delicacy” did Sea King and Skyray leave first. After a while, Demigod and Moka departed together, returning to the tiered battle ground.

”Something’s off here... Boss Demigod, are you sure that guy is really Earth’s will?”

Moka spoke his mind bluntly; the moment he sensed something wrong, he raised the question to Demigod. Demigod merely gave a slight nod, confirming this wasn’t something that could be faked.

Yet the doubts didn’t disperse.

”That order... tsk tsk, it’s clearly looking to stir up trouble. Honestly, I really don’t get it. Earth’s will talking about completely seizing power into our own hands—doesn’t that basically mean going all-out to crush Yanjing? Isn’t that pure internal strife? As far as I’m concerned, this has nothing to do with ’resisting the demon plague.’”

Moka muttered on and on until he caught sight of Demigod’s cold gaze.

Moka shut his mouth at once. After a long moment, Demigod spoke again.

”It is internal strife...”

Demigod’s tone was leisurely. Maybe Sea King and Skyray’s loyalty to Earth’s will had blinded their eyes, but Demigod’s mind was clear, and his thoughts turned quickly. As early as ten years ago, Demigod had realized that Earth’s will’s actions were basically random chaos—Earth’s will simply wanted to stir Earth’s overall situation into a muddy mess...

”But what does that matter?”

Demigod’s meaning was unclear as he curled his lips into a faint smile.

Whatever Earth’s will wanted to do had nothing to do with Demigod. Even if Earth’s will wanted to destroy itself, so what?

”Fight for our mother planet”... it certainly sounds like a noble and resounding slogan. But how many people actually possess that kind of noble sentiment?

At least Demigod wasn’t one of them... his goal had been clear from beginning to end—that Level 11 slot. And by the looks of it now, that slot was practically already in Demigod’s pocket. Once he became a Level 11 powerful expert, the road ahead would open up with countless possibilities.

”Right, Moka, I’ve got a task for you.”

”What task?”

”This thing.”

Demigod took a Crystal out of his space ring.

”Go to Super Treasure Land No. 32 within Cathay’s borders and hand this personally to the Treasure Land Protector inside.”

”I understand.”