Chapter 25: The Shadow of a Greater Enemy
The forest trembled with every strike as Shin continued his massacre. His blades moved with the fluid mastery of War God Form, cutting down goblins, wolves, and serpents as if they were paper. Blood sprayed across the broken earth, painting a trail of destruction.
Yet in the middle of this carnage, a voice suddenly echoed.
> "Good… good. My mortal world has truly birthed a cultivation genius."
Shin froze mid-swing. He hadn't noticed anyone—yet a middle-aged man stood calmly beside him, hands behind his back, watching with a faint smile.
Shin's heart tightened.
> I didn't sense him at all… how powerful is this man?
The stranger gave a light chuckle.
> "Hello, my name is Kien. And you, little guy, what's your name?"
Shin hesitated, wary of the man's aura. But under that sharp gaze, he answered slowly:
> "…My name is Shin."
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The Secret Revealed
Kien nodded with satisfaction.
> "Good. I think you already know about the secret of the monster tide, don't you?"
Shin narrowed his eyes.
> "How do you know…?"
Kien's smile deepened, his presence pressing on Shin like a mountain.
> "Haha, little guy, you have no idea how powerful I am. But listen carefully… don't judge too quickly. The people of OctaPlanet are not controlling these monster tides without reason."
He gestured for Shin to sit, his tone turning serious.
> "Let me tell you the full story."
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The History of OctaPlanet
Kien's eyes grew distant as he recalled the past.
> "The OctaPlanet was named because it has eight commanders. Thirty years ago, an army clad in the same uniform descended upon our world. We were cultivating peacefully when they arrived… and in a single day, they slaughtered thousands of our people—men, women, children. They destroyed sects, burned villages, crushed clans."
Shin clenched his fists as Kien continued.
> "We resisted. But they were far too strong. Their power was like gods descending from the heavens. And before they left, they said something that shook us to the core:
'We will destroy every mortal world in this universe.'
Kien's voice turned grim.
> "That includes Earth."
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The Harsh Truth
Shin's mind trembled.
> "Then… all of this…?"
Kien nodded.
> "Yes. The eight commanders of OctaPlanet gathered. We made a decision: we must turn Earth into a cultivation civilization. If Earth's people remain weak mortals, they'll be nothing but ants when those invaders return."
Shin's voice grew sharp.
> "Then why are you sending monsters to slaughter innocent people!?"
Kien looked at him calmly, no guilt in his eyes.
> "Sacrifice is needed. Mortals cannot stand against those beings. If only a few geniuses rise up, even if it means countless lives are lost, it will be worth it. We do not need everyone to be strong—we only need those who can fight back when the time comes."
Shin's jaw tightened, rage swirling in his chest.
Kien's smile faded into a cold, deadly expression.
> "When those bastards come again… we will not run. We will tear them apart."
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✨ End of Chapter 25 ✨