Chapter 157: Total Evolutionary Outbreak!

"That complicates things a bit."

Hearing Dou Ming's words, Lin Qiu realized that this mission had become somewhat troublesome. To continue the pursuit now would likely waste a significant amount of time.

"City Lord, you surely don't mean..."

Realizing Lin Qiu's intent, Dou Ming was no fool. A flash of profound shock crossed the depths of his eyes as he grasped the implication behind Lin Qiu's words. He had never imagined that Lin Qiu genuinely intended to completely eradicate the prodigies of those hidden lineages. Was he completely out of his mind? Did he have no fear of drawing the utter wrath of the secluded races?

Primarily, Dou Ming knew full well that if he managed to escape this ordeal unscathed, the other hidden lineages would undoubtedly view him with deep suspicion, and his own race might well be implicated as a result. Therefore, Dou Ming hoped to persuade Lin Qiu to abandon this course of action. Enough people had already been killed; continuing the slaughter would inevitably trigger a massive upheaval. Furthermore, should news of these events leak to the outside world, it would spell endless trouble.

"Do your job, and don't ask questions beyond it."

Catching Dou Ming's expression, Lin Qiu glanced at him sideways, his tone carrying a sharp undertone of warning. The only reason he had spared Dou Ming's life was because he needed a guide. If this guide proved too talkative, Lin Qiu would not hesitate to replace him with another.

Seeing this, Dou Ming had no choice but to fall silent, obediently leading Lin Qiu deeper into the realm.

Back on the mainland.

Every nation had entered a state of high alert as staggering phenomena began to manifest across the North and South Poles. Polar bears and Antarctic penguins had undergone radical evolution; the polar bears transformed into towering behemoths standing between ten and fifty meters tall, while the penguins evolved the capability to wield all manner of bizarre arcane arts.

Meanwhile, deep within major jungles and primeval forests, animals were evolving in swarms, repeatedly attempting to breach and assault human settlements.

Terrestrial wildlife had now given rise to supreme overlords!

Although their dominion was currently regional, this development dealt a severe blow to humanity. Internal turmoil was far more dangerous than external threats. Moreover, the oceans seethed with frequent unrest. Lower-tier marine creatures, driven by higher-order entities, continuously sabotaged the construction of the Great Steel Wall. Under these harrowing circumstances, humanity's leadership convened yet another emergency summit.

Mankind appeared to be hurtling toward an unprecedented crisis!

Compounding these woes, the twin moons hanging high in the sky caused the nights to stretch far longer than before, presenting yet another grueling trial for human society. With the sudden surge in planetary gravity, numerous advanced technologies were rendered completely unusable, and the Noah's Ark Project suffered a crippling setback. The original blueprint of the Noah's Ark had been engineered under the planet's previous gravitational parameters.

The newly doubled gravity utterly suppressed the propulsion systems of the arks. Even if humanity ultimately sought to flee the planet aboard these vessels, they possessed no means to break free from Earth's intensified gravitational pull.

Within the oceanic mystic realm.

Lin Qiu and Dou Ming moved swiftly through the canyons, finally coming to a halt before a vast expanse of still water. The majority of the young prodigies who had reached the first stratum were gathered here.

Upon seeing Lin Qiu once more, Zhan Hu and Gu Li displayed not a shred of their former arrogance; instead, they kept their distance, terrified of drawing his attention.

At the center of the lake.

An elderly man sat fishing, his presence entirely devoid of any fluctuating aura, making him appear remarkably ordinary. Yet everyone present knew deep down that anyone capable of manifesting in this place could by no means be a simple mortal.

"A projection from the primordial era. Devourable."

The system within Lin Qiu's mind chimed once more with a prompt, indicating that the old man was merely a projection and could be assimilated.

"Then let's finish this quickly."

Prompted by the system, Lin Qiu activated his devouring ability. A black hole materialized directly overhead. At that exact instant, the old man opened his eyes, and a terrifying wave of pressure erupted from his frame.

So immensely ferocious was this force that it instantly shattered the system-summoned black hole.

Everyone present was pressed down to the ground under the crushing weight. The old man's physical form began to morph continuously, and moments later, a towering candle-dragon materialized before their eyes.

Candle-like flames flickered within its pupils, radiating an astoundingly majestic aura. The creature spoke with the old man's voice: "The ancient era is set to awaken. I have plotted for so long—my fellow clansman, I hope you will not disappoint me!"

As the candle-dragon spoke, its piercing gaze locked unwaveringly onto Lin Qiu.

Immediately following, the mystic realm began to fracture and collapse as passages reopened.

Before anyone could react, a blinding force swept through, teleporting all the occupants out of the realm and back to the outside world.

It was only then that the survivors regained their wits, the events of the mystic realm still echoing in their minds. The sheer pressure exerted by that candle-dragon upon Lin Qiu left them utterly astounded.

Though they had previously encountered the oppressive might of tenth-tier entities, compared to that candle-dragon, a tenth-tier powerhouse felt like a mere child—utterly fragile and insignificant.

The awakening of the old era?

Fellow clansman?

This cascade of revelations left Lin Qiu thoroughly bewildered. He had believed he possessed a comprehensive understanding of the current world, but it now appeared far from the truth.

A resurgence of spiritual energy? The return of primordial beasts?

What on earth was the underlying reality? Furthermore, this was the first time Lin Qiu had ever witnessed his system being forcefully shattered.

While he remained in a state of profound shock, the members of the hidden lineages received corresponding accounts from their newly returned clansmen.

"As expected, Lord of the Othershore City, you massacred the prodigies of our lineages within. How do you intend to explain this?"

Zhan Hu's father stepped forward, his aura flaring menacingly, closely followed by the representatives of the other hidden lineages. It was evident they intended to demand accountability from Lin Qiu.

Faced with this confrontation, Lin Qiu snapped out of his daze. His expression remained entirely unchanged as he replied in a calm, indifferent tone: "They colluded with the factions of the Northern Sea. As the Lord of the Eastern Sea, I executed them for treason. Is there something wrong with that?"

He had already prepared his narrative, keeping in mind that certain individuals had indeed consorted with entities from the Northern Sea.

Simultaneously, Lin Qiu summoned the royal city from the ancient stele, causing it to materialize solidly in place.

He showed not a trace of fear toward the assembled hidden lineages. Bolstered by the sovereign city and the legions of the Othershore City, these members of the hidden lineages posed no significant threat to him whatsoever.

The representatives of the various hidden lineages fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances. Clearly, they had been entirely unaware of any collusion with the Northern Sea.

"I have no mood to manage your affairs. Disappear from my sight immediately, or else I won't mind keeping all of you here permanently."

Preoccupied with lingering questions about the previous encounter, Lin Qiu had no patience to bicker with these secluded races, his tone growing distinctly impatient.

Realizing that an immediate clash might not yield a clear victor, and mindful of the cryptic warnings from the mystic realm, the hidden lineages recognized that this was not the time for a showdown. Their most urgent priority now was to investigate the true meaning behind the unfolding chaos.