Chapter 657 - 650: Prelude
A celebratory Human Society soon received another piece of bombshell news.
In seven days, Zhou Yuanjue would go alone to the center of the Pacific Ocean to challenge the remaining Celestial Demon Ancestors to a decisive battle!
The news spread rapidly throughout Human Society, sending shockwaves on par with a magnitude-12 earthquake and sparking massive debate.
Many people were thrilled and excited by this decision. They saw it as the rallying cry for humanity’s counterattack, believing that with Zhou Yuanjue’s immense power, he was certain to vanquish the remaining Primordial Ancestors in one fell swoop and bring humanity true peace and victory.
But others felt the decision was far too reckless. If anything went wrong, it would spell another catastrophic disaster.
"This is far too risky! We just achieved a victory. Now should be the time to rest, so why the rush?"
"There are still four complete-form Primordial Ancestors alive. That’s an immense amount of power. Is Mr. Zhou absolutely certain of victory? If he loses, what will become of the human race?"
"..."
Voices of doubt spread across the internet. The situation over the past three years had been so tense that people had barely had a chance to catch their breath after this recent, hard-won victory. Now, they were facing another final, decisive battle, which naturally left the public feeling anxious and worried.
Of course, Zhou Yuanjue’s fanatical supporters were there to counter such doubtful remarks.
"Mr. Zhou’s strength has long surpassed all the Celestial Demon Ancestors! Sealing three of them in a single day is the best proof! I heard some inside info—they say Mr. Zhou’s Power has already transcended Earth’s limits and he can physically travel through the cosmos!"
"Humanity’s strength has now surpassed that of the Celestial Demons. This will be the final battle. For us, the Celestial Demons will be relegated to the pages of history!"
"Mr. Zhou is invincible! Mr. Zhou is an eternal God! Mr. Zhou will absolutely seize victory for humanity!"
"..."
These different opinions brewed and clashed, but Zhou Yuanjue’s decision would not be swayed by public opinion or doubt.
For the survivors of the human race, these seven days were the most peaceful and secure they had experienced in three years. At the same time, they were also the most tense and agonizing.
Waiting is undoubtedly torturous, especially when the outcome is unknown.
This battle would decide the fate of both the Celestial Demons and humanity.
In a sense, this was the most critical clash between the two species.
The outcome was far too important.
There could only be victory, not defeat.
...
...
「Seven days later.」
Amidst a tense wait, the day of the battle finally arrived.
In the gray light of early morning, countless people poured from their homes, spontaneously gathering on streets and rooftops.
Every single person was looking up at the sky, as if waiting for something.
They knew this crucial battle for humanity’s fate would surely be "broadcast live" by the "Celestial Eye." Everyone was waiting for the feed to appear.
Despite the massive crowd, everyone was orderly. An expression of excitement mixed with trepidation was on every face. A hush fell over them as they waited in silence. No one spoke.
Finally, at ten in the morning, someone noticed the clouds in the sky suddenly begin to distort. Then, a blurry image slowly materialized among them.
It appeared to be a boundless expanse of dark blue.
BOOM!!!
The next moment, a terrifying clap of thunder reached their ears, making their bodies tremble involuntarily.
’This Celestial Eye broadcast even has sound...’
Everyone exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.
As the image sharpened, the crowd could make out its contents more clearly.
The boundless, dark blue expanse was the color of the deep ocean.
It was a vast, dark, and profound abyss, filled with the unknown and capable of stirring humanity’s deepest fears.
This was a scene from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
At this moment, the scene was dim. On the surface of the ocean, the dark blue water surged madly, with waves cresting at heights of over a hundred meters. The sky above was thick with dark clouds. Terrifying thunder crackled incessantly as bolts of Gold and purple lightning shuttled through them.
The depths of the Pacific Ocean seemed to be in the grip of a cataclysmic storm.
It was a breathtaking scene. Humanity seemed so insignificant in the face of such a terrifying natural disaster.
Then, the bird’s-eye view suddenly zoomed in. Only then did the crowd realize that amidst this terrifying disaster, upon the surface of a sea with hundred-meter-high waves, there stood a human figure.
The figure was walking slowly through the storm, treading upon the surface of the sea.
Compared to the forces of nature, the figure was minuscule, yet it possessed a power that inspired awe.
Winds strong enough to capsize a supertanker could not shake his body. As he walked, the giant waves surging toward him instantly parted to create a path. Terrifying bolts of Gold and purple lightning struck down from the sky, but they all split apart around him as if deflected by an invisible shield.
Faintly, for a split second, the deflected lightning bolts outlined a shape.
The shape of a Sacred Lotus.
Even though a world-ending cataclysm raged before him, it could only yield in this figure’s presence. No matter how treacherous the path, he walked with ease, as if strolling on level ground.
At that moment, this tiny figure became as vast and towering as the heavens in the hearts of the people, instilling them with infinite confidence.
This was humanity’s strongest champion. This was the legend among Martial Artists. This was the most powerful individual to have been born in the billions of years since Earth was formed.
Calm, confident, valiant, and powerful!
Countless hearts surged with emotion. ’This is what it means to be human! This is what we should aspire to be!’
"Victory is certain!"
"Victory is certain!"
"Victory is certain!"
The once-silent crowd suddenly erupted in a unified, deafening roar, the passion in their chests completely ignited.
’He will definitely win!’
’A warrior, a champion like him, can’t possibly lose!’
Watched by countless eyes, Zhou Yuanjue walked slowly toward the center of the Pacific Ocean.
On the scene, he knew full well that this cataclysm was no natural phenomenon. ’This is Ancestral Level Power.’
’The Lord of Calamities, Ji.’
’One of the four Primordial Ancestors who has recovered his peak Power. In ancient times, he commanded the forces of natural disaster, forged a city from the clouds in the endless sky, and possessed the Power to wipe out entire civilizations with cataclysms.’
TAP, TAP!
Suddenly, amidst the raging waves, Zhou Yuanjue stopped in his tracks.
He saw it clearly. In the dark clouds far ahead, two massive cracks suddenly split open. They were pried apart, and a pair of god-like, pale red eyes materialized from within the clouds, radiating an intensely terrifying pressure.
At the same time, a vast gray fog began to spread across the sea ahead. Vaguely, three terrifying figures could be seen slowly emerging from it.
A slight smile touched the corners of Zhou Yuanjue’s lips.
’The prelude has begun.’