Chapter Forty-Seven: The World Transformed

A massive pillar of red light drew the attention of the surrounding bizarre creatures. Feng Tianlin issued a direct order to Wang Hui.

"Kill all these ignorant creatures."

Wang Hui obeyed, unleashing a fierce aura unique to a Taoist. The strange beings instinctively feared the aura of a Taoist, so simply releasing his presence sent most of the lower-level monsters scrambling, unwilling to approach.

Yet the terrifying emotions emanating from the red pillar were temptingly irresistible. A few D-grade monsters, heedless of danger, rushed forward, but they were no match for Wang Hui and were dispatched instantly.

Next came several C-grade creatures. Wang Hui showed not a hint of fear and engaged them directly. Witnessing the C-grades locked in combat with him, the lesser monsters attempted to seize the opportunity, but Wang Hui blocked them as well, plunging into fierce battle.

Minutes later, the red pillar finally vanished. Between heaven and earth, it seemed as though countless streams of energy had been unleashed, subtly transforming the world.

After a frantic absorption of power, Feng Tianlin and the other three monsters collectively advanced to C-grade. Yet the barrier of skill level LV10 remained unbroken.

Feng Tianlin savored the potent strength coursing through him. He glanced at the monsters still fighting Wang Hui, a battle-hungry smile on his lips.

He used spatial teleportation, appearing beside Wang Hui in an instant. "Frozen Frost!"

Cold surged from his hands—not wild and uncontrollable as before, but precisely directed, freezing the monsters solid. Long Mengting charged in, striking each frozen creature with her Piercing Claw, shattering them to icy fragments.

Once the monsters were dealt with, Feng Tianlin turned his gaze to another direction, where several B-grade beings lurked, observing in secret.

Among them was a humanoid monster with a curved blade embedded in its head. It stared at the doll-like figure, eyes filled with disbelief. Why did this creature possess so many skills, and such powerful ones?

Before it could process its shock, it sensed a powerful aura attacking from behind. The thought of evasion barely formed before its body was cleaved in two. Lying on the ground, it looked toward its attacker.

It saw the doll glance at it disdainfully before vanishing, then looked back to where the doll had stood before. There, too, was a doll—identical in aura and strength. What was happening?

But before it could make sense of it, its energy drained away, and it departed the mortal realm forever.

Of course, Feng Tianlin's hand was not limited to just one. At the same time, the three B-grade monsters were eliminated, all cut down before they could react.

Once he was certain not a single monster remained, Feng Tianlin sneered. "Hmph, what are you? Daring to observe me?"

He had no idea that the monsters he had just slaughtered were all high-ranking leaders in Spirit City.

"Let's go." He waved to the others, signaling it was time to leave.

...

Meanwhile, the world was in uproar.

Within the Spirit City Bureau of Strange Creature Investigation, Fan Tianxing sat on his bed, awakened by the red light, his eyes filled with shock. He stared at the pillar until it faded, finally regaining his composure.

"This... How can this be? Five years earlier than legend foretold! Has the so-called owner of the Bizarre Space already assembled an army of monsters?"

After the shock came deep contemplation. "No, impossible. The Bizarre Space hasn't existed for long. If its owner had gathered an army, why are there no reports of mass disappearances?"

Yet the red pillar was unmistakably a sign of the Bizarre Space core being shattered. Such a core breached could only mean that the monstrously powerful owner had initiated a full-scale resurgence of the bizarre.

His primary mission in Spirit City had been to find the Bizarre Space and protect its core from destruction—but now, the core was broken, and the resurgence had begun with no warning.

"Now isn't the time to dwell on this. I must report immediately!"

Fan Tianxing grabbed his phone and dialed. "The resurgence of the bizarre has begun. Do you understand what that means?"

Soon after...

In the upper echelons of the Lighthouse Nation, a group of officials gathered around a vast table, each bearing a grave expression.

"According to the message from Huaxia, the resurgence of the bizarre has begun. What are your thoughts?" The speaker sat at the head, clearly of high status.

His name was Belando, President of the Lighthouse Nation.

No one doubted the message from Huaxia; they had no reason to fabricate such news. Moreover, when the resurgence first began, ignoring Huaxia's warnings had cost countless civilian lives.

"It's all because those damned Huaxia people insisted on excavating ancient tombs, bringing monsters into our world!" A bespectacled man adjusted his glasses, grumbling.

"I think it might also be related to the experiments we conducted at the Fields Biological Laboratory..." someone whispered softly nearby, but his words drew a host of unfriendly stares.

It was a warning not to expose the nation's wrongdoing.

He understood and fell silent immediately.

"Now we must focus on developing bizarre technology if we hope to triumph in the coming struggle against the monsters!" someone declared, raising a fist.

"Exactly. The only thing we can do now is devote all resources to developing bizarre technology—it's our only viable path!"

"I agree with this view!"

As more voices stood in support, Belando smiled, as if he had foreseen this outcome.

He clapped his hands for silence. "In fact, just recently, bizarre technology has achieved a major breakthrough."

Everyone looked at him with curiosity, unsure what this breakthrough entailed.

At that moment, the door opened. A man in a white lab coat entered—the researcher, flanked by two figures tightly wrapped in fabric. His entrance seemed designed to answer their questions.

The researcher first bowed politely to the assembly, then introduced himself. "My name is Ban Beisai, lead developer of bizarre technology."

The group nodded. Many recognized the Lighthouse Nation's chief scientist, the main authority on bizarre tech.

Ban Beisai smiled again and continued. "Our bizarre technology has achieved a tremendous breakthrough. Once this technique matures, dealing with monsters will be effortless." He gestured to the two wrapped figures. "These are my two successful test subjects!"

No sooner had he spoken than he ripped the fabric from their bodies. As the assembly laid eyes on the figures, every official drew a sharp breath.

"Is... is this even human?" was the question resounding in every heart.

Both figures were barely recognizable as human. From their outlines, one might guess they had once been, but now...