The caution shown by the nation in exploring the alien world suddenly made perfect sense. Progress had been slow, almost negligible. After all, ordinary people stepping into that realm would face an immediate death sentence, crushed under seven times the gravity.
A member of the Special Affairs Bureau let out a sigh, his voice heavy with frustration. "It's infuriating, but we can't deny it. The alien world's advantage is overwhelming. Their kind thrives in conditions that would obliterate us."
He paused, his tone sharpening with discontent. "Only the top powerhouses among us can even set foot there. For the rest of humanity, crossing over means instant death. Seven times the gravity—it's insurmountable."
The disparity was glaring, an injustice carved into the very fabric of existence.
"Do you know," another Bureau member interjected, "that the bones of these barbarians can be refined into magical blades? They're tougher than our strongest alloys. That iron-mud sword from the former Director? It was forged from the bones of a barbarian warlord."
Eyes flickered with a mix of excitement and greed. Someone exclaimed, "If so many barbarian soldiers have fallen, then haven't we hit the jackpot? Imagine how many magical blades can be forged from their remains!"
"And their weapons and armor," another chimed in, gesturing at the battlefield strewn with alien relics. "The metals they use... they're leagues beyond anything on Xuanhuang Star. The wealth here is staggering!"
"And their flesh and blood," someone added thoughtfully, "must be brimming with secrets waiting for our scientists to uncover. This is an unprecedented opportunity."
"I can't believe that mysterious powerhouse just left it all behind," a voice murmured in awe.
"Maybe he didn't see any value in this 'broken copper and iron,'" another said, half-jokingly.
"Well, others might disdain it, but I sure don't!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, eyes fixed on the alien spoils spread before them. Never before had they gained so much without shedding a drop of their own blood.
Then, as if cutting through the clamor, a voice spoke a question that silenced the group. "If these barbarian soldiers are truly that formidable, then what kind of strength does the mysterious powerhouse wield? To slay tens of thousands of them... in an instant?"
The words hung heavy in the air.
Each of them knew what the barbarian soldiers were capable of—superhuman strength, impenetrable defenses, and sheer ferocity. Such monsters, in numbers this vast, would spell calamity anywhere on Xuanhuang Star. Yet, they had been vanquished like nothing more than a swarm of ants.
Fear and reverence intertwined in their thoughts, all directed toward the unseen savior.
"Perhaps we don't need to worry," one Bureau member finally said, breaking the silence. "That mysterious powerhouse could very well be a guardian of our land. Why else would he obliterate those barbarian soldiers and leave without claiming anything?"
The logic offered a glimmer of reassurance.
"That's right. If such strength is on our side, then we've nothing to fear. An enemy like him would be terrifying, but an ally... he's a shield we never knew we had."
Nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the group.
"But why," someone asked skeptically, "have we never heard of him before? Someone of that caliber wouldn't just be a mystery."
"Perhaps we have heard of him," another replied cryptically. "It's just that we've forgotten."
The crowd turned, intrigued. "Forgotten? What do you mean?"
A knowing smirk crossed the speaker's face. "In ancient times, Xuanhuang Star was home to warriors who could shatter mountains and seize stars with their bare hands. These extraordinary figures were called 'Land Gods, or God of the Lands.' Maybe... just maybe, we've witnessed one today."
"But isn't this just a legend?" someone questioned skeptically, a frown creasing their brow.
"Legend? After witnessing what happened just now, do you still believe such tales are mere myths?" another retorted sharply. "Perhaps those so-called legends are truths buried by time. Xuanhuangxing's entry into the Age of Domination might have caused the decline of extraordinary warriors, but now... things are changing. With the invasion of the alien world, our spiritual energy is reviving. We might just see the glorious days of ancient cultivation return."
"Then... are you saying that the mysterious powerhouse we saw could be one of those 'Land Gods,' living for countless years in secrecy?"
"That's not certain," someone replied cautiously. "But it's definitely possible."
"Did anyone manage to capture an image of him? If we have even a glimpse, maybe we could track him down."
A wave of disappointment rippled through the group as one of the members shook their head. "No, it's impossible. The moment the cameras pointed toward that area, they failed. The entire zone was in chaos—signals scrambled, images corrupted. It's as if the magnetic field itself was working against us."
"That's right," another chimed in. "Even those who saw him with their own eyes could only make out layers of mist. His appearance was completely obscured."
"It's likely intentional," someone suggested, their tone thoughtful. "A being of such power wouldn't leave his identity exposed if he didn't wish it. It seems he doesn't want to be found."
Speculation swirled among them, voices rising with theories.
"Maybe he's one of the Land Gods from the ancient records, a figure whose name is etched in our history," someone said, their voice trembling with reverence. "Why else would he protect us while wielding such terrifying power?"
The crowd fell silent, heads turning in unison toward Qin Changqing, their leader.
"Group Leader Qin, what do you think?" one of them finally asked.
Qin Changqing's expression remained unreadable, his gaze distant. "I don't have any concrete answers either," he admitted, his tone heavy. "But this matter is far too significant to ignore. I'll report everything we've seen to the highest level. They'll need to decide how to proceed."
"Understood, Group Leader," the team responded in unison, their voices firm with resolve.