Chapter 110: Earth’s Current Situation

Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Earth’s Current Situation

Shen Yun looked at Little Nine’s expression and smiled knowingly.

Although she usually acted like a shameless flirt, she was unexpectedly prone to blushing when her heart was truly touched.

He decided not to tease her any further. If he really pushed Little Nine to throw caution to the wind, he would be utterly defeated in an instant.

With one arm wrapped around his maid, he shifted his gaze back to the tablet.

The third piece of crucial information read:

[Cultivator Schools Officially Established Across China!]

Following the conclusion of the Global Cultivator Tournament, every prefecture-level city in the country had begun organizing Cultivator Schools or training classes. Students were generally sorted into classes based on their age groups to be taught various inheritances and cultivation knowledge. At the same time, they were required to register their identities with the Cultivation Alliance, earning advanced knowledge and cultivation resources through academic assessments and task assignments.

This was well within expectations. Initially, Shen Yun had taken the lead to establish the Cultivation Alliance and spread these inheritances specifically to better manage and guide Cultivators. Furthermore, according to the news, almost every region was using this opportunity to form Cultivator squads to exterminate berserk beasts, gradually expanding the living space around the refugee camps.

"Rats really are annoying, no matter the era," Shen Yun muttered helplessly as he read through the information.

Whenever large berserk beasts appeared in a city, they were almost immediately besieged and eliminated. The true culprits compressing human living space and posing severe threats to human safety were actually the small- and medium-sized berserk animals. Those berserk rats hid in the city sewers, boasting astonishing speed and incredible bite force. An ordinary person, even armed, would stand no chance against one in a one-on-one fight.

Moreover, their numbers were overwhelming. Even a Cultivator who accidentally stumbled into a rat nest would be doomed if they couldn’t escape in time. According to incomplete statistics, victims killed in rat attacks accounted for eighty percent of all casualties.

"Therefore, I still need to obtain that Twelve Capitals Grand Array as soon as possible," Shen Yun frowned deeply.

Aside from suppressing Cultivators, this Grand Array could also drive away berserk animals.

In truth, Otherworld Number One and even Otherworld Number Two—Vierlia’s world—both had creatures similar to rats. However, the circumstances in those worlds were entirely different. Their human populations were small. As a natural animal, rats did exist in their cities, but the vast majority lived in the wild, integrated into the broader ecosystem. While they posed a threat, it was within a normal, manageable range.

But on Earth, the massive human population, coupled with the concept of prioritizing human safety above all else, made the rat plague a glaring issue.

"Master, given our current strength, we could actually try to forcefully acquire that Array," Little Nine suggested.

"I was thinking the same thing." Shen Yun nodded. "With Little Jie’s help, it shouldn’t be a major problem."

If they waited for Luo Ying to become the emperor, it would take far too long. With Little Nine’s current strength as a Half-Step Void God and Little Jie’s attack power, which was nearly at the Half-Step Void God level, they could easily intimidate all of Otherworld Number One. He decided to call Lu Hang once they got back to discuss it and have them draft a plan that would cause the least disruption.

When it came to the interests of the people, Wei Er and his team were far more attentive than Shen Yun was.

"Next, next. Here’s the last one," Little Nine said, swiping on the tablet.

[Grotte Company solemnly announces that they have created a world-changing invention, to be revealed in one month!]

Seeing this, Shen Yun’s expression gradually turned serious.

Up until now, there were countless scientists researching Spiritual Power and even Cultivators, and they had achieved quite a few results. But this time, things seemed different. Although this Grotte Company hadn’t disclosed much, a few brief words were enough to attract the world’s attention.

—Energy!

Spiritual Qi, and even Spiritual Power, undoubtedly existed as a form of energy. But it was unlike any known energy source. Although it was called "Qi," it wasn’t a physical substance. Instead, it was a type of field energy, similar to infrared radiation. It actually existed in all matter; it was simply a question of quantity.

If it could be harnessed as a universal energy source... that truly would be enough to change the world.

"Little Nine, what is the background of this Grotte Company?" Shen Yun couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s a very famous arms company."

Faint arcs of lightning flashed through Little Nine’s pupils. She was rapidly scouring the entire internet for information and transmitting it simultaneously to the tablet in Shen Yun’s hands.

Grotte Company was founded during World War II. Primarily dealing in various advanced munitions, it was a family-owned enterprise. After the resurgence of Spiritual Qi, they left the United States and purchased an island called Rite Island, completely relocating their headquarters and the vast majority of their factory assets there. The cost was astronomical.

For the past three years, they seemed to have been developing in a low-profile manner. However, numerous classified reports indicated that the company had maintained close business ties with tyrannical Cultivators in several chaotic, small nations. For an arms dealer, it wasn’t hard to guess what kind of business ties those were.

"Is this company out of its mind to announce such an invention in such a high-profile manner?" Shen Yun found it strange.

If they had genuinely found a way to utilize Spiritual Qi as energy, keeping it a secret was practically impossible. This was an invention capable of altering the course of the world. Not to mention, for a company with no significant backing and a history full of misdeeds, there were too many justifiable reasons for other powers to simply wipe them out. To resist would be to make enemies of the entire world.

"Master, during the three years following the resurgence of Spiritual Qi, the world went through a period of extreme confusion and chaos," Little Nine said, blinking her eyes. "War, crime, plundering... there are always people who take advantage of the chaos to loot. Just like the villains in superhero movies, once they accumulate what they believe to be enough strength, they step forward to provoke the world."

"You mean..." Shen Yun began to understand.

Little Nine reached out and gently swiped over the tablet. A series of old news articles from the past three years, complete with photos, appeared on the screen.

[Famous Nuclear Physicist Alfred Gillpin Goes Missing; Police Suspect Kidnapping.]

[Materials Science Professor Dr. Kagel McLellan’s Home Catches Fire Early Yesterday Morning; Entire Family Tragically Perishes.]

[Explosion at a Research Institute Affiliated with the University of Oxford Causes Heavy Losses.]

[Chinese-American Scientist Feng Xinyi Disappears with Family.]

[Cultivators Break Into Bozhao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Causing Destruction and Robbery...]

"These..." Shen Yun couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.

"That’s right." Little Nine half-closed her eyes, shifting into a more comfortable position in her master’s embrace. "Over the past three years, certain factions have been taking advantage of the chaos to plunder. Aside from scientists, they’ve stolen core technologies from other companies, and even attacked secret military installations. Cultivators have been spotted in many of these incidents... Although Grotte Company might not be responsible for all of them, they’re definitely involved in some of these headlines."

"Stealing is fun while it lasts... but it doesn’t last forever," Shen Yun said in a low voice. "Once the world’s order stabilizes, there will definitely be a reckoning."

Chaos would only ever be temporary. In modern society, no one was a fool. They wouldn’t simply let someone loot during a fire and quietly make a fortune.

"Ever since the Community of Shared Destiny for the Spiritual Power Era was established, the signs of this reckoning have appeared," Little Nine chuckled. "Choosing to announce a new invention at a time like this means they are either putting up a dying struggle or they come fully prepared. I think the latter is far more likely."

"Hmm... Let’s just watch the show for now, and see if any opportunities arise." Shen Yun murmured, letting out a soft laugh. He suddenly felt a sense of surrealness.

If it were him from the past, he would have been just like any ordinary person right now. He would only realize what major event had happened in the world after the results were made public, and then happily participate in online forums, making all sorts of confident guesses and joining in the discussions. But now, no matter who it was, the entire world could no longer ignore his will and power.

"I just hope this so-called Grotte Company isn’t foolish enough to think they can provoke the whole world, including my master." Despite her words, a distinct trace of anticipation gleamed in Little Nine’s eyes.

"Is that all the most important information?" Shen Yun glanced at the clock. They had been flying for a long time; they should be arriving home soon.

"Those are just the critical ones. You can take your time going through the rest once we get home."

"Alright," Shen Yun nodded.

With a hook of her finger, Little Nine dispelled the Spiritual Barrier she had set up to block out sound. Then, she waved at Erin, who was currently pressing her face against the window, staring outside.

"Come here, Erin."

Trembling slightly, Erin carefully tiptoed over. She felt like the metal floor beneath her feet was incredibly thin, as if pressing down just a little harder would tear a huge hole in it and send her plummeting.

"We’ll be arriving at the master’s house soon, so prick up your ears and listen closely," Little Nine said, her expression extremely serious.

"Meow!" Erin’s expression mirrored her seriousness. Her cat ears truly perked up, swiveling in Little Nine’s direction.

"First, you are not allowed to scratch or ruin things with your claws! Second, absolutely do not touch anything you don’t understand! Third, you must take off your shoes before entering the house. If you’re covered in dirt, I’ll kick you out. Fourth..."

A smile tugged at Shen Yun’s lips as he watched Little Nine lecture Erin. Initially, he had merely thought the catgirl was cute and amusing. But looking at it now, it seemed she could actually help with some chores and take care of her master.

Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Yun noticed that although Little Jie was sitting up perfectly straight a short distance away, his gaze was fixed on them. He was nodding from time to time, a look of utmost earnestness on his face.

This guy was quite reliable, too.

From living alone, to living with two people, and now four, Shen Yun suddenly found himself looking forward to his future domestic life. With the companionship of close and trusted friends, no one would ever want to stay holed up alone.

The plane landed, and they transferred into a car. After another hour or so, the group finally arrived at the front door of their home.

"We’re back. Finally home."

Shen Yun pulled out his keys, only to find the familiar front door covered in a thick layer of dust once again. This was really...

"Master, please sit in the courtyard for a while," Little Nine said as she walked over. She had pulled a rag out of nowhere, looking like she was gearing up for a major battle. "Little Jie and Erin, come help me. Obey my commands like good kids."

"Yes."

"Meow."

Shen Yun obediently stepped aside, though he didn’t head to the courtyard. Instead, he placed his right hand against the house. He wanted to see exactly how much energy Enlightenment would require.