Chapter 26 Heavens Will: The Unforgiving Hand of Fate
The oncoming battle cast a daunting shadow, signaling an impending cataclysm that would reverberate throughout the Primordial Realm. The once mighty expeditionary fleet had been ravaged, leaving only remnants in its wake, while the Ant King had ascended to an unrivaled state of god-like supremacy.
Renowned for their insatiable thirst for blood and unyielding avarice, the Devouring Ants had become an infamous scourge, striking fear into the hearts of all who beheld their relentless advance. The anguished cries of multitudes echoed through the air, shrouding the world in an oppressive cloak of sorrow. Without faltering, the relentless horde of Devouring Ants pressed onward, ceaselessly devouring all in their path.
Daily reports flooded in, tales of entire continents being devoured by the unyielding swarm. Wherever they ventured, no creature emerged unscathed from their onslaught. The ominous army of ants blotted out the sky, eclipsing the sun, and transforming once-thriving lands into barren, desolate wastelands.
Jiang Ping, observing the devastation from a distance, couldn't help but lament the ruthlessness of the Devouring Ants. Their insatiable appetite disrupted the delicate equilibrium and harmony of the world.
"Hmm," Jiang Ping pondered, his gaze transfixed on a continent teetering on the brink of annihilation. "The Devouring Ants are truly ruthless. Their rapacious consumption of resources threatens to destabilize the self-circulation of the entire world."
In every realm, the circle of life flows harmoniously, ensuring equilibrium and vitality. Yet, the insidious machinations of the Devouring Ants loomed as an ominous menace, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the very essence of life. Their relentless pursuit of propagation and annihilation exemplified the malevolent of warfare, threatening to disrupt the delicate balance that sustained the world.
However, Jiang Ping's attention was drawn to a specific continent on the verge of obliteration. In the presence of a colossal, pristine white statue, hundreds of thousands of people knelt, their fingers intertwined in fervent prayer. They beseeched their Lord, the Almighty God, to intervene and unleash divine retribution upon the heathen Ants.
Surrounding the devout multitude, tens of thousands of ferocious beasts also prostrated themselves, acknowledging the Supreme Commander of All.
On the distant battlefield, thousands of meters away, the Devouring Ants launched ceaseless assaults, ravaging cities and devouring land. Valiant defenders fought with unwavering resolve, but their efforts merely served as delaying tactics. Some soldiers even resorted to sacrificing themselves in desperate attempts to impede the inexorable advance of the swarm.
Witnessing the dire situation, Jiang Ping's expression hardened. "The power of faith is undeniably mysterious. It traverses realms, even in the darkest of times."
Despite receiving their distress calls, Jiang Ping had no intention of annihilating the Devouring Ants. In this world, everything had sprung forth from his own hand. Giant dragons, human races, and Devouring Ants were equals in his children. He recognized no race as inherently superior to another.
Though he harbored a fondness for the human race, Jiang Ping chose not to intervene directly. Instead, he bestowed upon them the seeds of their fate, entrusting them with their own destiny. Should the human race face extinction despite receiving this divine blessing, he would not intercede.
As tens of thousands of races teetered on the precipice of annihilation, the Devouring Ants had methodically evolved over the course of millions of years, emerging from the depths of the subterranean realm. Who could fathom the solitude endured by the queen ants, lurking in darkness for centuries?
Why, at this critical juncture, should he obliterate the accumulated wisdom of the Devouring Ants, forged over millions
of years?
In his eyes, the myriad races were indistinguishable. From the moment he first forged this world, Jiang Ping had prepared himself for its reckoning. Heaven Will was indifferent, treating all as mere pawns.
Suddenly, a cacophony of agonized screams shattered the silence, reverberating across the mainland. The Devouring Ants breached the city's defenses, infiltrating the crowd and savagely severing countless lives. The fallen were dragged to the Ant King, their remains devoured.
"Why, God, do you conceal your divine might? Have our acts of devotion not been sufficient?" A bishop spat blood, his outstretched hand reaching futilely toward the statue. Behind him, a soldier ant coldly raised its sickle.
In less than half a day, life was extinguished from the continent. Every living being fell victim to the merciless slaughter, vegetation devoured, and precious ores plundered, leaving behind a desolate wasteland.
Relentless reports of fallen continents poured in, leaving Jing shan, the leader of the alliance, with a crown of white hair and skin as dry as couldbe. Amidst the abyss of despair, a glimmer of hope emerged as Gai Feng, the mightiest of the human race, rallied to the alliance upon learning of the Devouring Ants' resurgence in the world.
In the recent days, the wisest tacticians and strategists from all corners of the world were convened, utilizing the collective intelligence of thousands of races and Leads left behind by the legendary King Lu Fei from One Piece, to meticulously triangulate the coordinates of the Spear of Destiny.
"This is our final stop! Failure to locate it here will force us to rely on conjecture from countless ancient murals and rumors," murmured the Grand Strategist, his steely gaze fixated on the abyss of the sea that stretched before him.
Jing Shan, battle-weary yet resolute, opened his eyes and clenched his teeth. "We must retrieve it at all costs!"
The combined might of thousands of united races provided substantial strength to combat the encroaching swarms of devouring ants. However, the presence of the Ant King had disrupted the delicate balance of power. Despair weighed heavily upon the hearts of those aboard the flagship, witnessing the relentless expansion of the enemy's dominion. Would time permit them to unearth the location of the Spear of Destiny?
"It is time for the artifact to reveal itself!" a resolute voice shattered the silence, capturing the attention of all present. All eyes turned towards a middle-aged commander, his countenance unwavering.
Though his aura might not have been imposing, none dared underestimate him. He was Gai Feng, an unparalleled warrior who had been immortalized as a strongman throughout the world over five decades.
Soon, salvage teams commenced the painstaking retrieval of relics from a sunken vessel in the unfathomable depths. Despite unearthing numerous rare treasures and ancient artifacts, there was no jubilation within the search party.
Suddenly, a dilapidated crate, perforated and weathered by the elements, was retrieved.
"Its state of decay suggests it is unlikely to hold anything of value," murmured a soldier.
However, Gai Feng strode purposefully towards the crate. He tenderly caressed the timeworn wood with his battle-hardened hands, as though cherishing a beloved comrade.
"Could it be?"
Excitement surged in the eyes of all as they watched Gai Feng. Unable to contain himself, he tremulously extended his hand and gingerly opened the dilapidated crate.
The box, once crafted from precious timber, had succumbed to the ravages of centuries submerged in the sea. Gai Feng's right hand passed through the remnants of ashes and sawdust until his fingers made contact with the contents.
The moment his fingertips made contact, Gai Feng knew that he had found the divine treasure they had sought—the Spear of Destiny, an instrument of revered human heritage.
Gai Feng tightly grasped the gleaming spear, still enshrouded in ashes, with his trembling right hand and raised it aloft. "The salvation of the human race! The preservation of the united races! The deliverance of the world!" The voice of this peerless warrior, having braved countless ordeals and tribulations, quivered with emotion, leaving everyone on the ship breathless.
A pause ensued, and the soldiers engaged in salvage work ceased their activities, fixating their countless eyes upon the spear clasped in Gai Feng's hand.
Using his left hand, Gai Feng wiped away the ashes. Under the illumination of sunlight, the silver radiance of the spear shimmered brilliantly, evoking awe in all who beheld its majestic splendor and sanctity.
Clang!
A resounding gunshot pierced the sky, rending the heavens and dislodging the ash that had concealed the spear. This gunshot seemed to herald its reemergence to the world—an artifact untarnished by time despite millions of years
and tens of thousands of years submerged in the abyss.
"Its length measures 1.8 meters, its silver hue bespeaks an unknown composition, impervious and indestructible! Yes, it is the legendary artifact—the Spear of Destiny! The long-lost relic has resurfaced!" exclaimed a scholar after meticulous examination, dispelling the prevailing tension.
"The redemption of the human race! The end of my reign as the final emperor," declared Jing Shan, his flowing white hair dampened by tears streaming down his face.
Gai Feng, in an unexpected revelation, disclosed, "The Spear of Destiny carries the essence of many human kings, and only those deemed worthy can inherit the legacy of nine generations of monarchs."
Curiosity consumed all present, as they anxiously inquired whether Gai Feng had been acknowledged by the artifact. The corners of Gai Feng's mouth twitched, but he then furrowed his brow and stated, "The Emperors inheritance will require a minimum of three days for it to acknowledge me."
Meanwhile, the ranks of elite soldier ants continued to multiply. Presently, the devouring ants held dominion over 80% of the world, with a mere three days remaining.
Commander Jing Shan raised his hand and issued the order, "Establish communication with the leaders of the myriad races and the frontline generals. Engage the devouring ants at any cost! I shall personally assume command on the battlefield!" With his regal robe trailing behind him, Jing Shan departed. In that moment, his gaze radiated resoluteness, harboring a glimmer of hope despite the bleak odds. As long as life endured, the future retained the potential to shift.
This climactic battle would determine the fate of the human race, all allied races, and the very fabric of the world. Gai Feng sensed the influx of the world's fortunes, shattering the stagnant realm in which he had been ensnared for half a century.
Furthermore, the rediscovery of the long-lost artifact signified a possible indication of the world extending its assistance.
"Those who attain mastery shall be granted ample support, while those who stray from the path shall receive scant aid. The Ant King shall be severed from the world and forever denied its possession!" Gai Feng cast his gaze towards the distant battlefield.
Millions of kilometers away, deep within a solemn palace, the Ant King's eyes snapped open, their gaze ice-cold as they fixated upon the precise coordinates of the Spear of Destiny.
"Interesting. Could it be that the Spear of Destiny has been unleashed?"
He felt an immense pressure, as if the weight of the world had descended upon his slender exoskeleton. The significance of the Spear of Destiny stirred a primal instinct within the Ant King, fueling his determination to obtain it at any cost.
...
"Will this decisive battle shape the very course of the world? I find myself truly exhilarated," Jiang Pingge languidly reclined on the sofa, indulging in his libation.
"Do you suppose we could postpone the confrontation until tomorrow? After all, this represents the final clash, and its approach looms near," pondered Jiang Ping, his thoughts drifting into the distance.
Alas, how capricious the whims of destiny can be!