Sunset Forest — Underground Wormhole
Countless Zerg units surged forth like a black tide, pouring endlessly from the massive wormhole.
The vanguard forces immediately began expanding the cavern, carving outward at incredible speed. Every subsequent Zerg that emerged joined in the effort, tirelessly enlarging the underground space.
Tunnels branched out in all directions, dug at a blistering pace. The largest of them shot straight toward Lin Fan's position.
Simultaneously, countless other tunnels extended vertically toward the surface, widening the passages connecting the underground hive with the world above.
Soon after, a swarm of Overlords shrieked as they emerged from the tunnels and ascended, shooting into the skies above Sunset Forest and vanishing into the clouds.
An expansive psionic network swiftly took shape, monitoring every disturbance across dozens of miles with pinpoint precision.
Then, amid the overwhelming tide of Zerg… a momentary pause.
A figure stepped out of the wormhole.
Tang Hao steadied himself, glancing at his surroundings. Though calm by nature, even his composed heart couldn't help but tremble with surprise.
If not for the lingering memories in his mind, he might have believed he had entered an entirely different world.
Before him was a vast, ever-growing empire.
Towering organic structures were rising in rapid succession, filling the underground world to its very limits.
Though the Zerg numbers were immense, not a single unit was out of order. Each worked methodically, with eerie precision.
One after another, structures far beyond Tang Hao's comprehension expanded outward. Black-violet creep blanketed every inch of this underground domain—spreading even between buildings, where it connected massive bio-energy pylons that powered the swarm.
Shock deepened in Tang Hao's eyes with every passing second.
Hydralisks. Drones. Zerglings. Overlords. Mutalisks. Queens.
These grotesque, alien lifeforms—some terrifying beyond reason—delivered a mental impact unlike anything he'd experienced.
He had seen glimpses of them while working with Old Jack, but never at this scale. Never with this level of visceral clarity.
Shaking his head, Tang Hao regained his composure. He raised a hand to his lips and let out a sharp whistle.
WHOOSH—!
A Mutalisk screeched as it dove toward him, its massive wings slicing through the air.
With a graceful leap, Tang Hao mounted it in one motion.
"SCREEEEE—!!"
The Mutalisk roared as it spiraled upward, tearing through the tunnel and soaring straight into the sky—flying at breakneck speed toward Lin Fan's location.
Moments later, an entire swarm of Mutalisks rose from the underground like a dark hurricane, coiling through the sky as they climbed above the forest canopy and vanished into the clouds.
A massive black shadow spread over Sunset Forest.
Lin Fan stood still, eyes shimmering as he felt his mental connection deepen with the ever-growing swarm.
A smile crept onto his face.
"My army… has arrived."
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. The direction of this war—he would decide it!
But as he examined the scenery transmitted from the Overlords scattered above the forest, doubt crept into his mind.
From what he could see… there were no particularly powerful soul beasts, no legendary spirit herbs or divine materials in the area.
So why had both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire entered Sunset Forest as if they had received confidential intelligence?
The Star Dou Forest had far richer soul beast resources. Logically, this place shouldn't hold more value.
Suddenly, Lin Fan's body jolted, disbelief painted across his face.
"No way—?!"
The others in the group wore similarly shocked expressions.
As they advanced, an invisible ripple passed through their bodies.
The world around them shifted.
Before their eyes, a lusher, more vibrant forest bloomed into view.
While it resembled Sunset Forest on the surface, Lin Fan knew instantly—this was a different realm altogether.
He took a few steps back in disbelief. Another ripple washed over him, and the view returned to that of a mundane forest.
Stepping forward again, he was instantly enveloped by dense spiritual energy. The very air here pulsed with vitality. Every breath filled him with power.
"This place…"
He turned slowly, eyes wide with astonishment.
Sunset Forest… had something like this hidden within it?
If he didn't know he was still in the world of Douluo Continent, he might've believed he had stepped into a cultivation paradise—a hidden realm born of myth.
A thought stirred in his mind.
One of his Overlords peered down from above—its vision confirming the forest below looked completely normal from the outside. There was no sign of the hidden space within.
"So that's it… This small world is concealed behind some kind of illusion."
Lin Fan's thoughts raced. He immediately began calculating his next move.
At that moment, a soldier from the Star Luo Empire and one from the Heaven Dou side stepped forward.
They exchanged tense glances, then turned to the group.
"Everyone," one of them called out, "this is the core region of Sunset Forest. Please stay close—do not get separated. Follow us and proceed with caution."
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes.
Davis immediately caught on and asked, "Just what is this place? What's the real objective of this operation?"
The squad leader's face showed visible frustration. He responded in a low voice:
"Your Highness, please don't ask. His Majesty has given strict orders—only we are allowed to know the details. You'll understand soon enough."
Davis frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean? Aren't we here to hunt soul beasts? Even I don't have the clearance?"
The captain bowed with both hands clasped.
"Please, Your Highness… don't make this more difficult."
Davis let out a cold snort but said no more.
The two squad leaders exchanged glances and took the lead, heading deeper into the mysterious forest.
The others followed, their steps cautious.
Not long after...
Another ripple appeared. The old man with the cane stepped through the invisible boundary, clicking his tongue in amazement as he moved forward.
Moments later...
The middle-aged man in dark blue robes entered as well. He frowned as he scanned the area, then quickly accelerated, vanishing into the forest's depths.
Outside the realm...
A black tide swelled forward. Countless pairs of blood-red eyes locked onto the invisible barrier—staring silently, but not crossing it.
Above, thick storm clouds gathered—pressing down over the hidden realm, shrouding it in ominous darkness.
Within the seething swarm, glimmers of Star Luo and Heaven Dou armor and weaponry could be seen—half-buried in the creeping flood.
The Zerg Swarm had arrived.
****
If you want to support me or read advanced chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat.
patr*on.com/Salsita2k