Chapter 24: A Storm on Earth
Li Yan awoke in his apartment, sprawled across his couch as sunlight streamed through the windows. For a brief moment, he wondered if everything he had experienced—the shadow, the system revelation, the meadow—had been some kind of fever dream.
But the glowing interface hovering above his hand quickly dispelled that notion.
[System Update Complete: Divine Authority Activated]
Li Yan groaned, rubbing his temples. "Well, that's a lot of responsibility dumped on me. Couldn't the universe at least give me a day off?"
Before he could dwell further, the interface displayed a new notification.
[Emergency Alert: Earth under threat. Source: Divine Heavens Suppression Squad.]
Li Yan froze. "Suppression Squad? What kind of name is that? And why are they targeting Earth?"
The system answered instantly. "The Divine Heavens Suppression Squad is a force sent by the ruling factions of the heavens to eliminate anomalies and enforce the natural order. Earth, being the revived core of the Origin World, is viewed as a destabilizing factor. Their target is not only the planet but also you, the Host."
Li Yan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Of course, it's me again. Can't a guy enjoy his reincarnated life in peace?"
The system's tone was devoid of sympathy. "Prepare for battle. Suppression forces will arrive in five minutes."
Li Yan jumped to his feet, his carefree grin returning as his golden aura flared to life. "Five minutes? That's more than enough time to stretch. Let's see how these so-called suppressors handle Earth's strongest anomaly."
---
The Streets of Earth
Li Yan stepped out of his apartment and was immediately met with chaos. The once-bustling city was eerily silent, the streets empty as a strange pressure settled over the area. The air felt heavy, charged with divine energy.
A massive portal appeared in the sky, crackling with golden lightning. From it emerged a squad of armored figures, each one radiating an overwhelming aura. Their armor gleamed with celestial light, and their weapons hummed with destructive energy. At the forefront was their leader, a towering man with a cold, calculating gaze.
"Earth," the leader said, his voice carrying across the city, "has been deemed a threat to the balance of the heavens. By decree of the Divine Council, this planet and its inhabitants will be eradicated."
Li Yan appeared in the middle of the street, hands in his pockets and a lazy grin on his face. "Hey, hey, that's a bit extreme, don't you think? Eradicating an entire planet just because you're scared of a little competition? How insecure can you guys be?"
The leader's gaze shifted to Li Yan, and his aura intensified. "You must be the anomaly—the bearer of the fragmented Origin System. You are the root of this instability. Eliminate him."
The squad moved as one, their weapons aimed at Li Yan. Beams of divine energy shot toward him, enough to reduce an entire city block to ashes.
Li Yan cracked his neck. "Time to test out the new toys."
With a flick of his hand, he activated [Rule Manipulation], warping the space around him. The beams of energy twisted midair, redirected back at their attackers. The suppression squad scattered, their formations breaking as they barely avoided their own attacks.
"Not bad," Li Yan said, examining his hand. "This power really is something else."
One of the suppressors charged him, a massive warhammer glowing with divine light. Li Yan dodged effortlessly, his movements a blur. "Too slow," he taunted, delivering a casual kick that sent the suppressor flying into a building.
The leader frowned, his aura flaring. "Do not underestimate him. Activate Formation of Suppression!"
The squad regrouped, forming a complex array in the air. Golden runes appeared around them, creating a massive seal that descended toward Li Yan. The air vibrated with its power, designed to suppress any anomalies and render them powerless.
Li Yan yawned, unimpressed. "A seal, huh? Let's see how it handles this."
He activated [Heaven's Bane Manifestation], summoning a massive golden blade that shimmered with raw, destructive energy. With a single swing, he shattered the descending seal, the shockwave ripping through the air and forcing the suppressors to retreat.
"You call that suppression?" Li Yan said, his grin widening. "Let me show you what real suppression looks like."
He vanished, reappearing in the midst of the squad. With precise, calculated strikes, he dismantled their formation, sending one suppressor after another crashing to the ground. His movements were almost lazy, his carefree demeanor unshaken as he dealt with his attackers.
The leader, now alone, glared at Li Yan. "You are more dangerous than we anticipated. But do not think you've won."
He raised his weapon—a spear crackling with divine lightning—and hurled it toward the city. The spear carried enough power to destroy everything within miles.
Li Yan's expression darkened. "Not on my watch."
Activating [Divine Energy Absorption], he intercepted the spear, absorbing its energy into his own body. Golden light erupted around him as he channeled the power into a devastating counterattack.
"[Eternal Annihilation]!"
A massive wave of energy surged forward, engulfing the leader. The resulting explosion shook the heavens themselves, and when the light faded, the leader was gone.
Li Yan dusted off his hands, his grin returning. "And that's why you don't mess with Earth."
---
Aftermath
As the portal in the sky closed, the oppressive energy dissipated, and the city began to return to normal. Li Yan leaned against a streetlamp, watching the people cautiously emerge from their homes.
The system's voice chimed in. "Threat neutralized. Earth's defensive status elevated. Host's performance: Exceptional."
Li Yan smirked. "Exceptional? That's a bit modest. I'd say I crushed it."
Before he could relax, another notification appeared.
[Warning: Higher-tier forces have been alerted to Earth's resistance. Prepare for escalation.]
Li Yan sighed, looking up at the sky. "Of course, it's never just one wave. Bring it on, heavens. I'm just getting started."
---
End of Chapter 24