Dusk was falling.
In the heart of the Australian continent, at the former Mist Island Lake, the floodwaters had carved out a vast delta. Across it lay the corpses of countless monsters, piled in a chaotic sprawl.
Farther out, nearly a hundred War Gods were carrying out a full-scale sweep, slaughtering every remaining beast within a radius of dozens of kilometers.
"Vladimir, dispatch Research Team Alpha and two special War God squads," Hong ordered through his comms. "Have them reach Mist Island at full speed."
He was mobilizing the Extreme Dojo's scientific division — and he wasn't the only one. Thor, Jia Yi, Farr, and leaders of other major forces were all doing the same.
Soon after, a massive transport aircraft arrived.
Across the skies of Australia, hundreds of spotlights flared to life. Dozens — even hundreds — of heavy aircraft began converging on the site.
For the sake of humanity's advancement, Hong and Thor generously opened access to the Beast Emperor corpses for study.
Jiang Li, too, agreed to share — though only after the two great dojos and the Hanxia (China) government completed their research.
"Jiang Li."
Once arrangements were in place, Hong and Thor walked together toward Jiang Li's sleek blue fighter craft. Compared to Hong, Thor's face was still pale from exhaustion.
"You're one reckless kid," Thor said with a faint scowl. "That Earth Dragon Emperor's mental assault nearly rattled even Hong, and you just charged right in?"
"You weren't affected by its psychic power?" Hong asked curiously.
"Didn't feel anything," Jiang Li replied with an easy smile. "Maybe my mental strength is just a bit stronger."
Thor glared at him. "Can't you at least pretend to be humble?"
"Alright," Jiang Li said seriously. "Then… I guess I felt a little."
Hong and Thor: "…"
Looking at Jiang Li's perfectly straight face, both men twitched at the corners of their mouths.
"Come with us," Hong said at last, shaking his head with a sigh.
They led him into Hong's Prime-Class Intelligent Warship.
Inside, the cabin was dimly lit.
"Your final strike against the Earth Dragon Emperor," Hong began, "was stronger — slightly stronger — than my ultimate attack, World's End."
He waved his hand, and the massive main screen lit up.
"You've probably guessed it — the Extreme Dojo headquarters… is actually an interstellar battleship."
Thor added, "So is the Thunder Dojo's base. Funny thing is, most people still refuse to believe that alien life exists."
"Those so-called ancient ruins," Hong continued, "all the evidence points to a civilization far superior to ours — possibly extraterrestrial, crash-landed here eons ago."
After all, recorded human civilization had existed for only a few thousand years.
But the technology found in those ruins — in every respect — was far beyond what humanity could achieve.
Hong had even speculated that the RR virus mutation might somehow be related to alien influence.
"Jiang Li, these are the records we recovered from those ruins."
He gestured at the screen.
It displayed a detailed chart of martial ranks.
The stages humans called "Warrior," "Warlord," and "War God" were all classified under a single term — Apprentice Level.
Beyond that came Planet-Level, the realm above War Gods.
The Planet Level was divided into nine stages. Break through those… and one reached the Star Level.
"According to the data," Hong said, taking a slow breath, "even a Star-Level powerhouse is only a minor figure in the vast universe."
For someone like Hong to admit that — it spoke volumes.
In the endless cosmos, the mightiest of humanity and the billions of beasts on Earth were nothing but specks of dust.
Just what kind of beings roamed the greater universe?
Even imagining them was beyond their current comprehension.
"True enough," Jiang Li nodded lightly.
The hidden meaning in his tone, however, escaped both Hong and Thor.
For he already knew — more than they could ever guess.
Beyond Star-Level lay the Cosmic Level, the Domain Lord Level, the World Lord Level, and then the Immortal Realm.
And yet, even immortals were still far from those who could dominate the universe itself.
"To outsiders, we seem invincible," Hong said with a wry smile, "but the truth is…"
He waved again, and the screen switched to another projection — a recording of a titanic battle.
"Do you know what level these two are?" Thor asked solemnly, all traces of his usual arrogance gone.
Jiang Li looked at the footage — two warriors battling atop a blazing white star.
"White Dwarf… To fight there, they'd have to be Cosmic Level."
He said it calmly.
Thor's eyes widened. "You actually know that?"
Jiang Li smiled faintly. "It's… in the books. You can look it up online."
Thor: "(O√O)"
Wait. That was… basic astronomy knowledge, wasn't it?
When the video ended, Hong's tone grew grave.
"Jiang Li — you're the fastest cultivator in recorded history. Your talent surpasses even mine and Thor's by severalfold. We're telling you this not to flatter you, but to remind you: no matter how strong you become, don't grow complacent."
"Our 'whole world' is just a drop in the ocean of the cosmos."
"One day, humanity — and this planet — may face greater, unimaginable threats. When that time comes… it'll depend on us."
"Do you understand?"
Every word was both a warning and a plea.
"I understand," Jiang Li nodded solemnly.
Before long, the Extreme Dojo's Alpha Research Team sent in their initial findings.
"Chief, Second Elder, Inspector Jiang," reported Wild Beast, transmitting the data to Hong. "Based on tissue samples, all four Beast Emperors advanced recently — likely by consuming some kind of rare treasure, similar to a Ten-Thousand-Year Willow Heart."
"Except its potency was dozens of times stronger."
"Hong," Thor added, "that means the lakebed might be another ancient ruin!"
Both he and Hong had explored such ruins for decades — they never appeared by chance.
And with the sudden emergence of the Tree Spirit, the Cloudvine, and now four Beast Emperors, it all pointed to one thing:The lake concealed something extraordinary.
"Wild Beast," Hong ordered, "have Ice Mountain bring several psychic masters here."
"Yes, Chief!"
"Hong," Thor said, grinning as he turned to Jiang Li, "let's split the area for exploration. Jiang Li — want to team up with me?"
"Stop poaching my people!" Hong snapped.
He shot Thor a glare, then looked back at Jiang Li.
"With your current strength, you can handle yourself — even if you find a treasure, no one can rob you. Explore on your own. If you run into something you can't handle, contact me… but I'll take fifty percent."
"Deal," Jiang Li agreed.
Fair enough — if Hong had to step in, half the spoils was only reasonable.
As Jia Yi's team finished their analysis, other nations' research teams quickly relayed their findings to their governments.
In no time at all, the once-obscure Mist Island became the focus of the entire world.
The Extreme Dojo and Thunder Dojo began their coordinated exploration, while Hong and Thor remained stationed above — ready for whatever might emerge from the depths below.
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