Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

”When did you all start consuming nutrients?” Xu Xingguang was very curious.

Mrs. Tang replied, ”It’s been six or seven hundred years. When our ancestors first moved here, the land was vast and resources abundant, technology was rapidly advancing, and people were living lives like immortals in bliss. But later, the population increased and resources dwindled.”

”The situation over at the Eastern Alliance was worse; over a thousand years ago, the Eastern Alliance, in its aggressive development of technological weapons, recklessly exploited their underground resources. The East Ocean Plate was rich in mineral resources underground, but perhaps due to over-exploitation, land resources became scarce over there, and they even ran out of places to grow vegetables. For two hundred years after that, the Eastern Alliance could only rely on imported food to get by.”

”The price of imported food naturally became more expensive, and common folk couldn’t afford it. Only then did a group of nutritionists begin researching nutrients to replace cooked food.”

”Some years later, both our Central Yu Alliance and the Divine Hidden Alliance faced the same problem. To solve the problem of feeding the population, all alliances began promoting the use of nutrients instead of culinary delights.”

”Nutrients don’t taste great, but at least they provide the necessary substances the human body needs. Staying alive is what’s most important.” In the Divine Martial Realm, food is the most precious thing, enjoyed only by those with noble status, wealth, and power, like the Super Power Users.

Upon learning this insider information, Xu Xingguang understood why the Eastern Alliance was so eager to seize the land of the Infected Zone.

The Mortal World’s vast expanse, with the combined areas of Infected Zone 1 and Infected Zone 2, equals that of the three plates of the Divine Martial Realm.

The Eastern Alliance’s envy is understandable.

Xu Xingguang, gazing at the enchanting sunset, analyzed with a frown, ”The appearance of nutrients can only temporarily alleviate the food resource shortage in the Divine Martial Realm but can’t solve the problem at its root.”

”I’ve learned that over the years, the Three Great Alliances have been advocating for better breeding policies, but after two thousand years of development, the population base of the Divine Martial Realm is too large to resolve this issue overnight. Let alone the fact that Super Power Users generally have long lifespans and can have several children in their lifetime.”

At this point, Xu Xingguang fell silent, suddenly saying, ”So, finding new land resources is the ultimate solution.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao and the others nodded solemnly. ”Yes, over the years, the Three Great Alliances have been continuously sending life detectors into space to find a planet with life to implement a planetary immigration plan.”

”But unfortunately, this project has been underway for over two hundred years with no results so far.”

Xu Xingguang’s lips curled slightly into a thin, chilly smile, and she self-deprecatingly said, ”Why bother looking in outer space!”

This was a confusing statement, and Aunt Zhao and the others didn’t understand at first.

However, Mrs. Tang, who had been with Elder Tan Nan and was well-informed, quickly grasped Xu Xingguang’s meaning.

Mrs. Tang said with doubtful uncertainty, ”Are you saying, the Mortal World?”

With this said, the aunts surrounding Xu Xingguang were visibly stunned.

Xu Xingguang nodded, casually pointing out, ”Yes, the Mortal World is larger than the Divine Martial Realm, yet its population is only a quarter of the Divine Martial Realm. If we could reclaim the Mortal World and strictly implement birth policies, wouldn’t that solve the problem completely?”

After speaking, she lifted her head, revealing a pure and innocent smile.

”The toxic gases from the meteorite in the Mortal World have long stopped being emitted, and the leaders of the Three Great Alliances can completely negotiate with the national leaders of the Mortal World. Perhaps, the two worlds can shake hands and reunite as one family.”

Hearing Xu Xingguang’s remarks, Aunt Zhao and the others felt Xu Xingguang was too naive.

”Miss Xu, it’s not as easy as you say,” said Mrs. Tang, sitting on a flower bed seat, sighing deeply before speaking, ”Do you think the leaders of the Three Great Alliances haven’t thought of what you have?”

She told Xu Xingguang, ”As early as five hundred years ago, the Three Great Alliances sent a delegation to the Mortal World to negotiate, but people from the Divine Martial Realm can’t even cross the Barrier of the Mortal World!”

”After several experiments, it was discovered that not only can they not cross the Barrier of the Mortal World, but even the most powerful Super Power Users can’t enter the Barrier of the Mortal World.”

Mrs. Tang squinted, looking at the dim horizon, somewhat wistful, and said, ”It’s said that it is the consciousness of the Divine Hidden Emperor guarding the Mortal World, not allowing Super Power Users to take a single step into the Mortal World.”

Aunt Zhao and the others nodded in agreement, saying, ”It’s true, according to the people from the Divine Hidden Continent, when the Divine Hidden Emperor decided to stay and share life and death with the infected subjects, he left a legacy.”

”An emperor is both a pioneer and a shield. Those who abandon the people to escape are cowards. As king, I must share hardships with the people!” Anyone who has studied that part of the great migration history deeply remembers the legacy left by the Divine Hidden Emperor.

Hearing Aunt Zhao and others recount Divine Hidden Crane’s words, Xu Xingguang felt a pang of sorrow.

”Does this legacy hold other mysteries?”

Mrs. Tang nodded and said, ”According to historical experts from the Divine Hidden Alliance, they suspect that after the Divine Hidden Emperor died, a divine consciousness was produced, continuously guarding the Mortal World, and...”

Tears glistened in Mrs. Tang’s eyes as she sighed, ”So long as one person lives in the Mortal World, the strong ones from the Divine Martial Realm shouldn’t even dream of stepping on the land of the Mortal World!”

”The Divine Hidden Emperor, even after death, continues to protect his subjects.” The people of the Central Yu Continent may not recognize the love between Divine Hidden Crane and Marshal Lin, but they would never deny the greatness of the Divine Hidden Emperor.

Xu Xingguang raised her head, looking at the starry sky, her thoughts slightly out of control.

The face of Lin Piaopiao, tear-streaked in the moments before death, suddenly flashed in her mind. She recalled Lin Piaopiao’s last words to Divine Hidden Crane before she passed.

[Xiao An, don’t stray; you must become the emperor I’m most proud of.]

After saying that, her consciousness dissipated.

But at this moment, she oddly heard Divine Hidden Crane’s reply, his voice transcending time and resounding in her ears—

[Lin Piaopiao, I promise you, I will accompany your spirit, guarding our country, and our people until my last breath.]

Her Xiao An truly did what he promised.