When Mu Zhong saw the report, he smiled. "Remember when we first arrived, I told Chang Le that this place is full of opportunities and it's not uncommon for someone to take flight in a single bound? At the time, I just wanted to encourage him to walk his own path. I didn't expect the kid to actually fly for me. It looks like we can start organizing our second main combat unit. With Chang Le leading, supported by Frank and Jiang Yue, and filled out with members who are strong and have good chemistry, we can finally breathe a little easier."
Wei Huan asked, "What is the situation with the North Sea Abyss?"
"The Boundary Gate will be completed in just a few days. We'll know then."
"I'll go when it's ready," Wei Huan said. "I'll take Chang Le, Frank, and the others."
Mu Zhong stopped smiling. "Are you serious? Scouting is a job for others. Your status is different now; don't put yourself in danger so easily."
But Wei Huan countered, "My presence provides the margin for error. Environments others can't handle are nothing in my eyes. Every life matters."
"But your life is tied to the future of the human race. We need to discuss this further, Wei Huan." Mu Zhong interrupted Wei Huan before he could speak again. "Listen to me this time. I'll arrange for people to go. You focus on your cultivation. Don't take risks."
Wei Huan opened his mouth and then closed it. He knew Mu Zhong was right, but... he didn't like it.
---
After the newcomers' boarding ceremony ended, the various regiments took their people for training. The previous assessment tested individual potential; now, they needed to build team awareness. Furthermore, Wei Huan hoped they would develop the conviction that "the vehicle is my home" before they actually stepped on board.
For those Wei Huan had high expectations for—Chang Le, Frank, and several other S-grade newcomers—Wei Huan personally took them to the "Beast Graveyard" for special training.
Chang Le needed to learn how to maximize his combat effectiveness within the range of the Nether Domain. If he could comprehend new abilities through cooperation, that would be even better. Frank and the others had to adapt to the Nether power, ensuring they could exert 100% of their strength within his domain.
Wei Huan's vehicle centered on Wei Huan himself, with all combat revolving around the undead army. The first main combat team had long since grown accustomed to the chilling cold of the undead—they treated it like a refreshing splash of cold water. But for these newcomers, everyone except Chang Le was severely affected by the Nether energy. Their strength waned, hallucinations flickered, and those who could exert even a tenth of their power were considered top performers.
Frank stood in the middle of the graveyard, drenched in sweat. Skeletal hands erupted from the pitch-black earth, clutching his pant legs. He looked up to see a personification of Death occupying his entire field of vision. Green flames burned in the skeletal eye sockets, swirling with a suction force that seemed to stretch, distort, and twist his body amid cackling laughter.
Frank knew this was just training, but he was so suppressed by the Nether Qi that he could barely breathe. Finally, he was forced to transform into a Treant—a form capable only of healing and devoid of combat power—using natural energy to constantly clear the delusions before his eyes. Combat was out of the question; he didn't dare stop, for the Death figure above never vanished, scythe raised, waiting for a single slip to strike.
"That's enough."
A low voice rang out. The sky cleared instantly, and the skeletal hands vanished. Even though they were still in a gray mist, Frank felt as if he had reached heaven after escaping death. He looked up at the figure floating in the air above the shell of a Burrow Beast.
Shock was written in his eyes. He had never underestimated Wei Huan's strength—he knew the gap between them was astronomical—otherwise, how could Wei Huan have led humanity out of adversity to become the "Uncrowned King" of Blue Planet? But seeing it in person made him realize his previous perception was too narrow. He couldn't imagine a world beyond his experience, so he assumed that even if the gap was large, it couldn't be 'that' ridiculous.
In reality? Wei Huan was the bright moon; he was a firefly. Wei Huan was the cloud in the sky; he was the mud on the ground. Wei Huan was a vast ocean of power; he was a tiny pond. He had no right to compare himself. A casually deployed Nether Domain, without a single undead soldier even appearing, had already defeated him utterly.
"It's only the first time. I have no expectations for you yet, but I hope you adapt quickly. The battlefield doesn't wait," Wei Huan said calmly.
Frank stood up awkwardly. He was somewhat of a neat freak, but he couldn't care less about the mud on his clothes while he struggled against the lingering fear in his mind. Around him, some couldn't even stand up; one small man seemed trapped in a nightmare, eyes closed and screaming.
"Aaaagh!"
"Nooo!"
Hearing the screams, Frank wondered if he should be grateful he could at least stand. But when he looked to the other side, he saw a completely different state of training. A man covered in black markings, muscles bulging and hair standing on end, was literally tearing Rank 6 Two-Headed Stealth Demons apart with his bare hands.
The Stealth Demons poured out of a portal as if in a queue, surrounding the man, but their attacks couldn't scratch him. Instead, once caught, they were shredded. The man howled and panted, one against ten, one against a hundred, as brutal as a demon king.
"Ten-minute break. We continue after," Wei Huan's voice pulled Frank back. Frank's legs gave way, and he slumped to the ground, trying to purge the horrific images from his mind. He took one last look at the man fighting maniacally and pulled his thoughts back.
Wei Huan turned his gaze from Frank to Chang Le, who was fighting with gusto. In his Magic Pattern state, Chang Le was incredibly frenzied—a typical Berserker. Unlike Xu Qingqiang, who relied on health regeneration, Chang Le focused on high defense and high attack. His combat power wasn't far off from Xu Qingqiang's, but his weakness was clear: a weakness cooldown.
Chang Le's cooldown occurred when his Magic Pattern energy was spent. The Bull Demon heroic spirit he obtained was like a high-power power bank; once drained, he couldn't fight until it recharged.
Wei Huan had an idea. Chang Le's problem was the "all or nothing" cycle of consumption. What he needed wasn't a larger capacity, but a way to "recharge" during combat. Within his domain, the world was filled with the Nether power Chang Le needed. It would be a waste not to utilize this. Moreover, a Chang Le with such a glaring weakness didn't deserve to be a squad leader. He had to be able to hold a front alone like Xu Qingqiang.
Wei Huan held high hopes for Chang Le, so he was stricter with him than the others. With a thought, a Swift Wolf over seven meters long, covered in bone armor and spikes, leaped from a portal. The "Gut-Bro" landed before Chang Le, growling, before lunging forward.
Since the Rank 6 Stealth Demons weren't providing enough of a challenge, it was time for an elite to step in. Only a battle between equals could stimulate the awakening of combat talent.
Turning back to Frank and the others, Wei Huan let Sister Crow release the Nether Domain again. Gray snow fell, shrouding them. Screams erupted once more. However, some were already steadying their minds and adapting quickly.
Wei Huan didn't focus too much on them. If they couldn't handle Sister Crow while she was still in the void, they wouldn't stand a chance on a real battlefield where her presence would amplify the domain tenfold.
Before looking away, he noted that Frank had stood his ground this time. He had to admit, Frank's willpower as a noble was impressive.
---
After a day of training, Wei Huan felt it was a bit troublesome; another day of his limited life spent. Yet, this kind of coordination training truly required him.
When Mu Zhong arrived, Wei Huan spoke first: "From now on, I'll give a lesson once every half-month. The rest of the time, let them train in the Beast Graveyard. Add some Nether Totems in there; the energy isn't dense enough yet."
Mu Zhong agreed, then added, "The Boundary Gate was finished today. I've arranged for Brother Hammer and Big Foot to head over. They're preparing to leave now. Do you want to say a few words?"
Wei Huan nodded. A trip to a new world was extremely risky. If it weren't for Brother Hammer's "NPC Talent," Wei Huan would have preferred to go himself.
As they walked, Mu Zhong remembered something else. "Jiang Yue has been waiting to see you."
Wei Huan had already noticed her. Jiang Yue was waiting ahead in the middle of the corridor, clearly determined to talk.
"Commander Wei," Jiang Yue intercepted them. "I am Jiang Yue. I wanted to ask..."
"I know," Wei Huan interrupted. "Your awakened ability is very strong and vital to our race. Therefore, at the latest by tomorrow, Commander Fang will send a vehicle for you. He has more important arrangements for you."
Jiang Yue bit her lip. "Is it because my Holy system is incompatible with your attributes? Then why can Xia Yu stay?"
Wei Huan stopped and looked at her. "Follow the orders."
Jiang Yue's mouth tightened. Seeing the resolve in Wei Huan's eyes, she knew there was no room for negotiation. Mu Zhong watched as Jiang Yue wiped away tears while he followed Wei Huan. Boarding Wei Huan's vehicle was a dream for many, and he wasn't surprised she was crying.
But incompatibility was incompatibility. Xia Yu wasn't a "field medic"; she was a "vehicle doctor," and her single-target healing was incredibly strong, even reaching the Sea of Soul. In late-stage god-level battles, that was invaluable. Furthermore, she held the [Heaven] keys and had already unlocked the "Sixth Heaven." As a Throne Angel, she could potentially save someone who had been dead for nearly half an hour.
Compared to Jiang Yue's wide-area external healing, which was better for mid-level battlefields, Xia Yu was a better fit for a high-end vehicle. Better to place Jiang Yue where she was needed than to have her Holy power clashing with Wei Huan's Nether power on the front lines.
---
The headquarters hadn't been built on the old Heavenly Demon nest. Wei Huan, fearing residual issues, had ordered a complete rebuild after exploring 500 kilometers deep into the earth with Facehuggers. They chose this location because it was the "Holy Mountain" of the beasts. By occupying it, they signaled that human rule was "Heaven's Will."
Whether the beasts would eventually live in peace with humans wasn't his concern. He only needed to be strong enough. Eventually, even the most stubborn beasts would bow.
They walked through the modernized headquarters, a silver-white corridor decorated with black and gold auspicious cloud patterns—a blend of Daxia classical charm and modern technology. Everyone they passed stopped to salute.
In the main hall, they saw the 30-person exploration team led by Brother Hammer and Big Foot. It was the squad with the highest survival rate. With Brother Hammer's "NPC Talent" combined with rogue stealth and space-shuttling abilities, they were virtually unnoticeable.
Wei Huan handed a spatial warehouse to Brother Hammer. Even with his calm demeanor, Brother Hammer's hand trembled slightly. With a flip of his hand, a giant axe shimmering with faint gold light appeared. Its shape was identical to his previous Diamond axe—customized so he could use it instantly.
As Brother Hammer gripped it, his aura merged with the axe. Amidst the flowing golden light, the axe—and then Brother Hammer himself—began to vanish from sight. He had truly faded into dimensional space. Before, his space abilities were innate but uncontrollable. Now, this weapon was his "key" to the dimensions. Coupled with the Ancient God Crystals, the axe was incredibly sharp and heavy as a mountain, carrying the power of Laws.
Brother Hammer swung it twice, and the people in the hall watched with bated breath and envy. A Pseudo-God weapon! Even Commander Wei's weapon was only Pseudo-God tier. Such a weapon could surely slay gods.
"Keep a low profile, stay safe, and don't push your luck," Wei Huan said.
Brother Hammer nodded, holstering the heavy axe effortlessly. "I know."
The rest of the rogue team also received Ancient God weapons. Some who had been to the Dark Beast world already had weapons tempered by divine blood.
"Be careful," Mu Zhong urged. "Completing the mission is secondary to staying alive. Be a bit more 'cowardly' if you have to."
Big Foot laughed. "Don't worry. Since we awakened in the Gambler sequence, we aren't the reckless type. We'll definitely lay low."
Yake, who was waiting to escort them in his vehicle, watched with envy but no jealousy. He knew how dangerous the front lines were. He had already received an Ancient God pistol yesterday and was more than satisfied.
"Let's go, Boss, Boss Mu," Yake nodded. "It's a long way. Even at full speed, it'll take three days. We'll arrive just as the gate is finished."
---
As the team left, Wei Huan suddenly asked Mu Zhong, "Where else do you think Heroic Spirits might exist?"
Mu Zhong thought for a moment. "The West Suburb Cemetery."
Wei Huan was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. "Yes. The West Suburb Cemetery is where our martyrs lie. True heroes will surely transform into Heroic Spirits to continue protecting Blue Planet. But..."
"You want them?"
"No."
Mu Zhong understood. "You want them to rest in peace? Or perhaps they exist because they 'want' to continue fighting alongside their descendants to witness the final victory?"
Wei Huan shook his head. "Undead are just tools to me. I'll look for Heroic Spirits elsewhere. I'll visit the cemetery to pay my respects when I return."
"Alright. Will you be away from HQ for a few days?"
"Yes. I'm going to walk around."
"Don't be too long," Mu Zhong said. "Keep the comms open."
Wei Huan nodded, summoned Dot Mom, and flew off. He had been a "stabilizing needle" at HQ since arriving, but as the strongest human, his primary task was increasing his strength. Mu Zhong wouldn't stop him; he would just take over the workload.
Wei Huan thought of the Life Fruits held by Denton (or Shi Hengjun). Had they been eaten? They would be great for Mu Zhong's cultivation. If not those, where could he find similar treasures? With that thought, Wei Huan searched for Heroic Spirits and treasures alike. If legendary beasts like the Nine-Tailed Fox existed, surely there were treasures condensed from the world's spiritual energy.
He headed straight for the Hundred Thousand Mountains, a restricted zone for other challengers, but not for him.