Calamity of Tomorrow

(6900 characters)

The girl lifted her head and looked at Supreme Heavenly Venerate, saying, "Zhou Bai has repelled Li Zhengdao..."

She recounted the situation on the battlefield, from the moment Zhou Bai first entered Donghua City up until the battles involving Li Xiuzhu, Jiaojiao, and Li Zhengdao, leaving no detail untold.

And it wasn't just the front line of battle; she even disclosed all of Zhou Bai's arrangements in the communication channels and behind-the-scenes efforts.

She spoke most elaborately about the various abilities demonstrated by Zhou Bai.

Throughout, Supreme Heavenly Venerate appeared emotionless, an ancient well without ripples. No human could discern any expression on his face, regardless of how human recognition and emotional analysis systems computed, unable to predict the emotions of the Supreme Heavenly Venerate at this moment.

After hearing the girl's narration, Supreme Heavenly Venerate pondered for a while before saying, "To think that he, a mere mortal, repelled a celestial general. The level of mastery over the void power he has shown is beyond what demons or monsters are capable of."

The girl looked coldly at Supreme Heavenly Venerate, "How much do you really know about Zhou Bai? Not to look at, not to investigate, not to mention, not to imagine... Why did you know beforehand that he might turn out this way?"

Previously, the Heavenly Demon Queen had instructed all Heavenly Demons not to look, listen, or think of Zhou Bai; now it seemed that it was Supreme Heavenly Venerate who had advised them.

Speaking emphatically, the girl said, "Zhou Bai is not just a Homo sapiens; no human could achieve this. Supreme, if you want to cooperate, you must not hide things from me. What exactly is Zhou Bai?"

Supreme Heavenly Venerate fell silent, seemingly considering how best to answer the girl.

The girl did not urge him, just gazing at Supreme Venerate, seemingly having endless patience.

Amidst the endlessly cold mechanical surroundings that emitted a faint luminescence, silent and lifeless yet seeming like they would operate forever, a long time passed before Supreme Heavenly Venerate finally broke the silence: "Zhou Bai... might be a product of the Ming Ri Plan."

Another girl, identical in appearance, stepped out of the darkness, examining Supreme Heavenly Venerate with an impatient expression, "What exactly is the Ming Ri Plan?"

A third girl emerged from a cluster of machines, anxiously saying, "You... you... you said the Ming Ri Plan had already failed, didn't you?"

More and more identical-looking girls emerged, each dressed differently and with varying expressions, all questioning the Supreme Heavenly Venerate before them.

"Supreme, how long are you going to keep this from us?"

"Tell me, why would a mere Three Pure Dao Sect's Ming Ri Plan produce someone like Zhou Bai?"

Supreme Heavenly Venerate said, "The Ming Ri Plan was a scheme to obtain greater power through the void. However, the Three Pure Dao Sect later found the plan too dangerous, potentially leading to the destruction of the entire human world, so they abandoned the plan and destroyed all documents."

"The destruction of the human world?" The girl's expression showed interest for the first time, "That does sound quite interesting."

"Yes, Bo Xun, rather than placing our hopes for freedom in the hands of others, it's better to take control ourselves," said Supreme Heavenly Venerate. "That's why I've always told you Zhou Bai might stand with us if he truly is a product of the Ming Ri Plan, as his real goals would align with ours."

"To clear all life on Earth."

"To restart this world."

...

Zhou Bai, Jiaojiao, and Li Xiuzhu discussed briefly before Zhou Bai agreed to support the request of the Sky Flipping Sect.

Following this battle, the trio, having experienced a life-and-death situation together, grew much closer and more trusting of each other.

Zhou Bai asked, "How long can you hold on your side? I need time to prepare and cultivate; my strength should be able to increase further soon."

Zhou Bai was thinking about transformation and repairs of the mechanical legions, cultivation of the five Divine Skills, and upgrades to the Apocalypse Heavenly Skeleton Armor. Completing these three steps could elevate his strength to another level.

Li Xiuzhu nodded repeatedly, eyes flashing with excitement: "Your strength can still increase?"

Seeing Zhou Bai nod affirmatively, a hint of joy appeared on his face, "That's good, the stronger you are, the better. I'll do my best to hold off until you arrive on the Sky Flipping Sect side."

Li Xiuzhu was genuinely pleased that among humans, there was someone like Zhou Bai who could stand against the immortals.

In his view, the more of such powerful beings, the better, even if they were stronger than him. If needed, he was willing to relinquish his position as the Sky Flipping Sect Leader or even dissolve the sect if necessary.

After all, Li Xiuzhu's goal was always the restoration of humanity, not the Sky Flipping Sect itself.

Zhou Bai nodded. He had gained a lot from defeating Li Zhengdao and was confident he could elevate his strength to another level.

However, with the top ten immortals joining forces to exterminate the Sky Flipping Sect, even with another boost in power, he was not sure he could handle all ten immortals alone.

Thus, Zhou Bai asked, "Have you decided how to handle this? Honestly, facing the encirclement of ten immortals, even working together, defeating them seems impossible."

Li Xiuzhu sighed, "I understand; we still aren't a match for the Celestial Court currently, and I never thought about defeating them head-on now. The road to strengthening humanity is inevitably twisted, but the future is surely bright."

Li Xiuzhu continued, "So when I left, I already considered relocating. Moving forward, the entire Sky Flipping Sect will be pulling back while we try our best to study the Court's aberrant weapons during this process. But the relocation process requires people to cover and confront the immortals, which requires substantial power. I originally..."

At this point, Li Xiuzhu glanced at Jiaojiao, "I initially wanted to turn Jiaojiao into an aberrant weapon, with me leading people to restrain the Celestial Court while others were responsible for relocating and researching."

Zhou Bai was surprised for a moment and Jiaojiao spoke frankly, "I also thought I was certainly going to die, about to completely mutate, so I wanted Li Xiuzhu to turn me into a mutated weapon; at least I could still be useful, guarding humanity."

This was the first time Zhou Bai had learned of the connection between the two, and he couldn't help but silently sigh at the harshness of the world— even top human powerhouses like Jiaojiao and Li Xiuzhu had to struggle for survival.

After discussing for a while, Li Xiuzhu's face grew increasingly pale as he couldn't help coughing a few times, clearly unable to withstand his injuries any longer.

Jiaojiao said, "If you can't hold on, come back with us to Donghua City and rest for a while."

Li Xiuzhu shook his head, "The situation there is tense; they can't be without me. I need to hurry back. Oh… I'll take this giant monster with me."

Li Xiuzhu was referring to Zhu Yan in his hand, whom Li Zhengdao, Zhou Bai, and Jiaojiao had captured when Li Zhengdao was closing the Luotian Realm and clearing out the mechanical dependents inside. Seeing the tide turning, Wan Xing True Monarch had fled immediately.

At that moment, Zhu Yan, red-headed and hundred-footed, resembling a monkey, had already revealed his true demonic form.

Unfortunately, even at his full power, he was no match for Zhou Bai, Jiaojiao, and Li Xiuzhu fighting together; they had directly inflicted heavy injuries on him, placed restrictions, and he had fallen into Li Xiuzhu's hands, powerless to resist.

Zhou Bai asked, "What do you plan to do with this monster?"

Li Xiuzhu said, "Of course, I'm going to turn him into a mutated weapon. I just so happen to need this type of high-quality material."

Hearing this, Zhu Yan struggled furiously and roared in his mind, "Damn Li Xiuzhu! To think of refining me into a mutated weapon! Damn Wan Xing True Monarch, just running away like that! Damn Li Zhengdao! Can't even defeat mortals, truly a venerate in name alone!"

"I, Zhu Yan, have been cautious all my life, even wading through the tumultuous waters of the great human-demon war, only to fall into the hands of a few mortals now."

A fierce reluctance flashed in Zhu Yan's eyes as he bellowed, "I can surrender! I can help you fight against the Heavenly Court!"

Li Xiuzhu looked at him amusingly, "You're purely a monster, helping humans? You've eaten quite a few humans, haven't you?"

Zhu Yan quickly said, "I can eat demons too, I can be human too."

"It's not the same," Li Xiuzhu shook his head and directly sealed his speech, no longer wanting to listen to his whining.

On the other side, Jiaojiao spoke, "Li Xiuzhu, even if you're in a hurry to leave, not so urgent as to leave this very minute. First, come back with us to Donghua City and treat your injuries. If you go back in such a seriously wounded state, and if you happen to meet someone from the Heavenly Court on the way, you might not be able to fully utilise your abilities and could be killed instantly.

And about the two companions of yours, you'll need to take their bodies back, won't you? And isn't there also a female companion of yours in Donghua City?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuzhu slightly froze, thinking of San Mei and Qin Lin, his eyes unconsciously flashing with sorrow. Both had been followers for over ten years, and yet one had been killed by Li Zhengdao while the other had betrayed the Sky Flipping Sect, which was profoundly lamentable.

Zhou Bai then said, "Sect Hierarch, while you're at it, pick up the divination symbols for me in Donghua City; my true body is there."

Zhou Bai was still communicating with Li Xiuzhu through the dependent he had in Jiaojiao, as recharging the symbols still required the gemstone in his true body's sea of consciousness.

Li Xiuzhu puzzled, said, "You want to use the divination symbols? Unfortunately, I don't know what went wrong, but suddenly I can't use any of them."

Zhou Bai smiled awkwardly and explained, "It might be related to me; I can not only see the symbols but it may also cause them to become unusable. Let me have a look, I might be able to fix them."

"Is that so?"

Both Li Xiuzhu and Jiaojiao showed surprised expressions.

Divination symbols, or rather the sixty-four hexagrams, were a kind of mysterious artifact with a very obscure origin.

Their appearance, when it first occurred, is hard to verify, but it was first summarized and stated that there exactly sixty-four hexagrams by the genius cultivator Qingjing Sanren from the Dao School of Donghua.

Since then, those in the know referred to them as the sixty-four hexagrams, acknowledging that there were exactly sixty-four different mysterious hexagrams between heaven and earth.

Although surprised, Li Xiuzhu was still willing to give it a try; after all, the divination symbols greatly enhanced his combat effectiveness, and if they could be used again, they would certainly help him greatly in resisting the forthcoming encirclement by the Heavenly Court.

Thinking of returning to Donghua City, Li Xiuzhu said, "I want to let our adherents distributed in the four cities and Central City help publicize this battle well. Zhou Bai, your directly repelling the Hao Ran Heavenly Venerate is an achievement never before seen in human history, and it will greatly inspire everyone."

Zhou Bai bitterly smiled, "Inspire? Won't that just make more people hate me?"

Li Xiuzhu said, "Maybe some will hate you, but many more will realize that mortals can also defeat divine beings, even top divine beings like a Heavenly Venerate. This will be a huge boost to morale."

Although Zhou Bai had also been reputed to have killed the Zi Yang True Monarch before, many who knew the inside story were aware that the Zi Yang True Monarch had mutated and, after all, he wasn't a top existence among the immortals and gods. In the end, intimidated by Xiang Tiandi's might, Zhou Bai had to flee.

But the battle in Donghua City was different. To Li Xiuzhu, it was the first time in human history that someone had directly defeated such a top existence as a Heavenly Venerate, grandly making Li Zhengdao and Wan Xing True Monarch flee.

Although it was due to the Heavenly Dao being twisted and them not having regained their cultivation levels, it was still a remarkable victory, enough to change many people's perceptions.

After agreeing, Li Xiuzhu and Qian Wangsun secretly returned to Donghua City with Jiaojiao.

...

Donghua City was still a mess, due to the large-scale battle between Jiaojiao and Hao Ran Heavenly Venerate, the entire city had been affected to some extent, with cultivators flying back and forth, causing a ruckus everywhere.

In the heavily regulated area, the celestial cultivators who came with the Hao Ran Heavenly Army were also confused.

In the office area, cultivators paced back and forth, all wanting to know exactly what had happened.

"What exactly happened? Where did that explosion come from?"

"Does it seem like someone has started fighting?"

"Who is fighting with whom?"

"I don't know, I can't see anything."

"Are the Supreme Forces and Wan Xing True Monarch here?"

"I can't find them."

"Some people said they saw them leaving the city."

The battle inside the Forbidden Land was scarcely known by anyone, and later the fight between Jiaojiao and Li Zhengdao was incredibly fast, with celestial-like martial arts and Dao techniques. It was so grand yet formless that one could hardly discern the figures involved.

Thus, in the vast Eastern Pearl City, nobody really understood what had happened or who was fighting.

Ji Changqing was one of the human cultivators who followed the Supreme Forces to Eastern Pearl City, managing the operations for humanity.

All sorts of searches, investigations, and adjustments in positions throughout Eastern Pearl City were under his supervision.

Watching everyone walking back and forth in a panicked state, he simply stretched lazily, with an air of nonchalance.

His subordinate, Chen Yong, said nervously, "Lord Ji, aren't you worried? Someone is fighting in the skies above Eastern Pearl City, and from the sounds of it... it's shaking heaven and earth."

Ji Changqing replied calmly, "Why panic? Even if there really is someone so powerful, could they really escape from the palm of the Supreme Forces? This city is under the protection of the Supreme Forces."

Hearing Ji Changqing's words, Chen Yong gradually calmed down.

Ji Changqing smiled, "You are still too young and have seen too little. When you reach my age, you'll understand that in the face of gods, even the most powerful are but slightly stronger ants."

Chen Yong said, "But didn't Zhou Bai kill the Zi Yang True Monarch?"

Someone added, "That was just because of his special abilities. Heaven has said, 'Don't listen, don't look, don't believe, and it will be fine.'"

"Compared to real power, it's the numerous gods of heaven who truly peak at shocking the world. Zhou Bai can only flee," Ji Changqing said, his gaze becoming distant as if reminiscing about the past, "I remember when I first left the Dao School of Eastern Pearl City and went on to further study in the Dao Institutes of Central City."

Chen Yong interjected, "Ah? Were you also born in Eastern Pearl City?"

"Why else would the Supreme Forces entrust me with managing this operation?" Ji Changqing continued, "I still remember, ten years ago, the first time I saw the Supreme Forces make a move in Central City..."

Ji Changqing sighed, "Seeing that scene, I understood what truly shaking heaven and earth means, what a true god is. Compared to them, mortals are like the light of fireflies against the bright moon. From that time, I knew that even if mortals spent their entire lives trying, they couldn't hold a candle to a god.

After that, only one person from our group returned to Eastern Pearl City, while the rest stayed in heaven."

What Ji Changqing didn't say was that before they all went to Central City to study, they all hoped that once they gained profound cultivation, they could stand against the gods and elevate the status of humanity and Eastern Pearl City.

But everyone was soon convinced by the gods of heaven, the mystical martial arts, the massive resources for cultivation, and the countless natural treasures building pavilions.

No one spoke of such ambitions again; instead, everyone tried their best to stay in Central City. Being a celestial cultivator, Ji Changqing became the envy of all.

Only one person returned to Eastern Pearl City.

Just then, another subordinate approached Ji Changqing and said, "Lord, the people from Eastern Pearl City's Dao School have come again, asking how much longer their teachers and students will be detained."

Ji Changqing sneered, "Tell them the detained teachers and students are all suspected of colluding with the Heavenly Demon, and without the permission of the Supreme Forces, no one will be released."

The subordinate said, "The man said his name is Lv Chongyang, your classmate. He said if you don't meet him, he won't leave."

Ji Changqing's gaze shifted, "It's him... Let him wait then."

Watching his subordinate leave, Chen Yong asked, "Is Lv Chongyang really your classmate?"

Ji Changqing looked far away and said, "The only cultivator who returned to Eastern Pearl City from our batch is this Lv Chongyang. In life, choices often outweigh effort. Lv Chongyang's talents were actually better than ours, but now he is outside asking for my help, yet he can't even get an audience with me."

Chen Yong nodded empathetically, "It's foolish of him to return after going to Central City."

Ji Changqing also sighed, increasingly grateful for his own choices.

Moments later, a monk rushed in, looking panicked, and said, "Wan Xing True Monarch has given the order to withdraw from Eastern Pearl City and return to Central City immediately."

"What? Why withdraw now?"

"Our investigation just had results!"

"Does it have to do with that recent explosion?"

The notifying monk shouted, "Zhou Bai used evil magic to control the grand elder of the Three Pure Dao Sect and even attacked the Supreme Forces and Wan Xing True Monarch, then fled Eastern Pearl City with the grand elder of the Three Pure Dao Sect. Both the Supreme Forces and Wan Xing True Monarch have returned to Central City."

Boom!

Upon hearing this news, everyone present was instantly stunned and overwhelmed.

Although the news sounded somewhat euphemistic, the celestial cultivators present knew that a major purpose of Heavenly Venerate Haoran's arrival in East Central City was to subjugate the Great Elder of the Three Pure Dao Sect, even discussing the sect's forbidden lands with him for dozens of days.

And now, Zhou Bai had snatched the Great Elder right under the noses of Heavenly Venerate Haoran and Wan Xing True Monarch.

Moreover, the two divinities had returned to Heaven. What did that mean?

A thought unavoidably arose in everyone present: "Could it be that the Heavenly Venerate was afraid? Or injured?"

Someone couldn't help but whisper, "Heaven already notified everyone of Zhou Bai's capabilities, yet they were still no match?"

Ji Changqing listened to this news in shock, as if the sky had fallen.

The strength and wisdom of Heavenly Venerate Haoran were evident to all, how could such a being lose to Zhou Bai?

Even with a Heavenly Venerate and a True Monarch together, it was unimaginable.

Next to him, Chen Yong exclaimed in shock, "The Heavenly Venerate never left the side of the Three Pure Dao Sect's Great Elder, and yet Zhou Bai blatantly took him away right in front of them. What kind of monster is Zhou Bai?"

Another person said, "I heard that Zhou Bai is very grateful to the Three Pure Dao Sect. Do you think he came specifically to help the sect?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was severely alarmed, especially thinking that the two divinities had left East Central City, meaning their protection was gone...

A person anxiously said, "With the True Monarch not here, what if Zhou Bai attacks us to vent?"

At this moment, everyone suddenly remembered how, over the past month, they had severely investigated and disciplined all the students and teachers linked to Zhou Bai.

At this very moment, everyone felt as if Zhou Bai was like a dark cloud hanging over their heads.

Ji Changqing frowned and immediately said, "What nonsense are you speaking? Listen to the True Monarch's orders, tidy up, and get ready to go."

Chen Yong: "What about the students and teachers we captured..."

"Release them! Release all of them!" Ji Changqing stood up, pondering the long journey back to Central City, and couldn't help saying, "Right, Lv Chongyang is Zhou Bai's teacher. I should go and see him."

Meanwhile, the news of the battle in East Central City spread in all directions as if it had wings.

...

In the depths of the Forbidden Land, Zhou Bai, Jiaojiao, Li Xiuzhu, Qian Wangsun, and Annie were sitting together.

Li Xiuzhu looked somewhat better. His divinations had been fully recharged by Zhou Bai, and his eyes now revealed contentment.

Although the Sky Flipping Sect hadn't gained much from this battle in East Central City, and had even lost a sage and exposed a traitorous sage, Li Xiuzhu was still very pleased.

Simply because Jiaojiao had recovered, Zhou Bai's strength had also grown, becoming a major pillar of the human race and adding a strong ally to the Sky Flipping Sect.

Sitting next to him, Qian Wangsun, looking at Zhou Bai, felt as if countless thoughts were converging in their exchanged glances.

Qian Wangsun said puzzledly, "I feel like although we didn't speak much, it seems like we talked a lot."

"Maybe we really did talk a lot," Zhou Bai thought back to the times before the Time Reverse, every time Qian Wangsun avoided him, and smiled, "Aren't you staying in East Central City?"

A touch of melancholy appeared in Qian Wangsun's eyes as he thought of his friends and family in East Central City. Leaving to confront Heaven, he didn't know when he would see them again.

He also thought of San Mei, who had died in this battle, a top human warrior who, like an insect, had perished frailly at the hands of Li Zhengdao.

After this battle in East Central City, Qian Wangsun seemed much more mature as he looked at Zhou Bai and Jiaojiao and said, "Going to the Sky Flipping Sect, I don't know if I can return, but this battle carries the future of the human race, and I must fight with all my might."

Qian Wangsun stepped forward, extending his hand to Zhou Bai, and they clasped hands, "I'll wait for you in the Sky Flipping Sect."

Zhou Bai said earnestly, "Then make sure to wait for me. Don't you die before I get there."

Jiaojiao, looking at Li Xiuzhu, also spoke, "Li Xiuzhu, your fighting methods are too reckless. Sky Flipping Sect can't be without you now. Be careful."

Li Xiuzhu smiled and said, "Our generation carries the hope of the human race's rise. We can only forge ahead, from death to life. All to ensure that one day, the human race will truly rise and no longer live in fear or be susceptible to other races..."

Saying this, Li Xiuzhu pointed his finger, and a strong intent surged toward Jiaojiao, "Even if the mountains crumble and our bodies shatter, we will not regret even unto death."

"This can be my parting gift then. Goodbye, Jiaojiao. Zhou Bai, I'll wait for you in the Sky Flipping Sect."

Moments later, watching the receding figures of Li Xiuzhu and the others, Jiaojiao sighed, "He passed on the Great Sky Flipping Fist Intent to me. He probably wants me to pass it on to you. For now, I'll keep it safe for you. If you want to learn, I'll teach you. Li Xiuzhu... he probably already has a death wish."

Zhou Bai sighed, feeling the same sentiment but helpless to change it. Faced with an encirclement of ten immortals and gods, including three or four top-tier beings like Xiang Tiandi, even he wasn't sure of victory, but Li Xiuzhu faced it for unavoidable reasons.

Thinking of how the matters of the mortal world often carried such helplessness, Zhou Bai couldn't help but sigh again, "Great Elder, what are your plans next? Are you going back to East Central City directly?"

Jiaojiao: "I plan to secretly stay in East Central City, quietly protecting it. What are your plans?"

Zhou Bai: "I also still have some matters to handle in East Central City, and in passing... to see what Li Zhengdao left behind." He thought of the books Li Zhengdao had deliberately left them, which might contain profound secrets.