Chapter 653 - My Doomsday Territory

Chapter 653: A Menacing Presence In the latest edition of Anxia's evening news, here are the main headlines: - The number of Black Fissures is steadily increasing. Authorities urge citizens to remain calm and not be swayed by those with malign intentions. - A beast horde attacked River City, resulting in damage to five shops and over a dozen vehicles. Fortunately, powerful cultivators from Xianmen intervened swiftly, preventing any casualties. - The Ministry of Education unveiled new measures, incorporating physical fitness assessments into the entrance criteria for middle and high schools, accounting for 15% of the evaluation. Additionally, a martial arts program is to launch next school year. Students excelling in martial arts may gain special admissions to Xianmen. The voice of the news anchor was clear and authoritative. Suddenly, breaking news interrupted: - At 3 PM today, Tallinn declared "Doctrine of Salvation" as the state religion, mandating daily prayer sessions at 6 AM and 6 PM at local churches. The Foreign Ministry strongly condemns this move, stating that freedom of belief is a right, and Tallinn's actions regress civilization by 500 years. Recently, many only started noticing Tallinn's radical changes. However, "Doctrine of Salvation" has been an open secret on the internet, spreading like wildfire in just two weeks. This belief reportedly grants ordinary individuals power; true believers can gain strengths on par with Awakened ones, transforming from average people to formidable figures capable of subduing beasts within a short period. Even Xianmen selects disciples based on talent. Who exactly is behind the "Doctrine of Salvation"? Anxia manages to filter some information, maintaining more stability domestically compared to abroad. Nonetheless, "Doctrine of Salvation" has already begun to take root in several regions. Several small nations have embraced the religion fervently, with dissenters facing fatal consequences, though such events barely cause ripples amid the current global chaos. "What on earth is happening in Tallinn?" "Not sure, our contacts in Tallinn either lost communication or became followers of Salvation." An eerie silence settled in the central conference room. "Should we perhaps consult Xianmen's experts?" ... "The essence has recovered by 50%. The power of faith is indeed remarkable," murmured the God of Salvation, contemplating the situation. "In the vast world of Shan Hai, sentient creatures are scarce, and a few hundred thousand followers render a spirit significant. Yet, Tianlan, this minor planet, hosts over 15 billion humans!" "Humans, though frail, possess remarkably pure souls, perfect for faith. If I convert all of Tianlan's inhabitants, turning the planet into my divine realm, advancing to the Holy stage... the true god realm, will be effortless." Rising, the divine being's shadow stretched ominously, its presence daunting. "This is uncharted territory. To avoid risks, I must secure Tianlan before others from Shan Hai discover it." With a swift mental connection to faith threads, the deity absorbed over 1TB of information in seconds. Its forehead's twin horns glowed intermittently. "Awakening on Tianlan began only a few years ago. There are no formidable experts; the planet's strongest is Xianmen’s head. Such a braggadocious title!" Through disciples, the God of Salvation gleaned information about Xianmen's leader and elders' exploits. "A fully awakened, perhaps stepping into the void," the deity scoffed, "which are still as insignificant as ants to me." The divine being's only concern was that as Black Fissures increased, Shan Hai's powers might eventually discover Tianlan. Even with a nascent godhood and past resources, confronting veteran powers remains daunting. However, with a few months' leeway… The God of Salvation directed its mental presence through powerful faith lines, commanding fervent followers to act. "Travel to Anxia." ... At this time, Tang Yu returned to Green Shade, crafting a new spatial avatar. Initially intending to explore the "Ancient Caves," upon reaching White City, Tang Yu discovered many urgently needed materials were readily available there. Items unavailable in White City could be sourced from other major neutral cities—all accessible via White City's teleportation array, albeit with a costly transfer fee of 500 high-purity source crystals per person. Given Shan Hai's economic standards, even an average Void Step practitioner struggled to afford it. His own teleportation array's activation cost was just 1000 source crystals (1 high-purity equals 100 regular), covering total operation expenses, not individual fares. Were it not for his pragmatic mindset, he might have considered capitalizing on teleportation services. The spatial avatar was humanoid, with a slight 10% enhancement—an otherwise average appearance elevated to strikingly handsome. "This avatar surpasses the first by leaps," he mused, as his fragmented soul merged with the spatial avatar, spiriting fierce winds around it. Its aura rose to the extraordinary second tier. Suddenly, the clarity of spatial lines sharpened, akin to a nearsighted person donning glasses. Focusing on a distant thermos on the table, Tang Yu mimed a grasp with his right hand. Instantly, the thermos appeared in his palm, without stirring the air around. The same spatial law comprehension, wielded by the second avatar, now exhibited tenfold potency compared to Tang Yu’s original self. "Excellent." Patting the spatial avatar's shoulder, Tang Yu transferred intricate spatial law insights to the second avatar. The minute-old spatial avatar silently lamented, "Why must the original be so ruthlessly demanding?" ... Back on Tianlan, at Xianmen. Amidst mist-laden Eight Immortals table, a middle-aged Anxia official inquired, "Master Enze, what do you make of this?" Stroking his white beard, Enze commented, "I've heard rumors of the Doctrine of Salvation. It's undeniably more than an ordinary cult." The official nodded in agreement, "The organization is meticulous, structured, potentially having coerced some of Tallinn's hierarchy to grow so swiftly into a state religion. Its founder, no simple figure." Enze chuckled, shaking his head gently, "You're mistaken." "Pardon?" "The Doctrine differs significantly from common cults; there’s a real possibility the God of Salvation truly exists." The Anxia official's eyes nearly bulged, "A god! Could such exist?" "With Black Fissures, Awakened, exotic beasts, and alternate worlds, why not gods?" Enze countered, "Our explorations reveal true deities in other worlds. The God of Salvation likely hails from beyond the Fissures." The official, now dizzy with revelations, had initially thought it a complex situation. Never could he imagine this scenario. He recalled the divine iconography with dual horns, assuming it merely artistic, yet if true… Tallinn had fallen under its influence; could Anxia also withstand? Enze perceived his anxiety, advising, "Don’t panic. Panic achieves nothing." The official found no solace. "To clarify," Enze continued, "a deity is but an immensely powerful entity. Even our Awakened, at profound mastery, might someday slay a god." The official exhaled deeply, relieved at the notion of a non-omnipotent deity, "So, do you comprehend the extent of a god’s power?" "Hmm, capable of incinerating heavens, boiling seas, effortlessly sinking an island, triggering continental quakes, perhaps." Describing transcendent third-tier might with sparse terms, Enze found it challenging for the uninitiated official. Upon hearing Enze, the etymology of ‘breathtaking’ seemed apt; every sentence left the official breathless. Just then, The Anxia official's phone vibrated briefly. Glancing at the screen, his expression subtly shifted. — Several bishops from the Doctrine of Salvation have appeared in Anhu City, gathering over a thousand followers. Seconds later, a beep emanated from Enze’s vintage wristwatch. [Elder, a group from the Doctrine of Salvation has encircled our affiliated martial arts school in Anhu. They’re promoting divine bestowal theories, disparaging awakening and cultivation as worthless. Their intentions are hostile!]