Chapter 136: The Chaos of the Mythical Beasts of Mountains and Seas! Paving the Way with Forbidden Spells!

While Yi Shen was investigating the vampire presence near Xuping Town, reports from various regions were simultaneously flooding into a facility in the northern capital and a special affairs bureau in Shanghai. The coordinated data on recent anomalies had been returned, and when synthesized, the results formed a chilling and unexpected puzzle.

"Why are the names of these monsters so strange?"

"We have confirmed it. These creatures are all legendary beasts from the Classic of Mountains and Seas. For some unknown reason, they have manifested in reality."

"Zheng, Tiangou, Qiongqi, Hou, Luoyu—these are all recorded in the ancient texts. They have now appeared across China in at least twenty different locations. The Classic documents seventy-five such beasts; I fear they may all eventually descend upon our world."

"Notify all inspectors. Do not engage them head-on; their traits are too bizarre. Do not be deceived by their apparent levels."

"Feng and Shanxi have already engaged a Qiongqi and are documenting its combat characteristics. They seem to possess a unique bloodline. Synchronize this data with the Shanghai office! It is best not to confront these beasts alone."

The Bureau of Statistics and Investigation was not merely composed of elite explorers; it housed a vast contingent of researchers and investigators. True to its name, it possessed formidable information-processing capabilities. The frequency of special incidents had spiked significantly in recent months. After tasking their field agents, they were startled to discover a recurring pattern: the names of the strange new monsters matched the legendary beasts of antiquity.

Moreover, these creatures radiated a peculiar aura—one similar to, yet distinct from, the records of the "Vampires." More terrifyingly, each beast possessed unique abilities that could not be summarized by mere levels or stats. For instance, near a safe zone in a northern city, a Qiongqi was discovered. It resembled an ox covered in porcupine-like quills and moved with incredible speed. Data suggested it was only level 53, yet it held its own against two level 70 explorers. Both Feng and Shanxi, ranked among China’s top hundred, could not gain the upper hand against it.

Even worse, near a sea in the east, a beast known as Taowu was identified. It could directly interfere with an explorer's psyche, causing them to turn on their own allies, resulting in the accidental deaths of two level 60 explorers.

Although average levels had risen over the years, level 60 remained a significant threshold—the backbone of China’s strength. Such losses were unacceptable. Following the data integration, the Bureau immediately intensified surveillance and raised the difficulty ratings for these missions.

"Twenty-four sighted."

"Twenty-nine sighted."

"An attack in the north. They seem unable to enter through the planar gates; they are passing directly through the fabric of space."

"Much remains uninvestigated. We have more casualties. Ten explorers are missing, and five are confirmed dead."

The information center worked tirelessly, collecting and disseminating data. Yet, not a single report of a successful kill had been received. The only notable result came from the Imperial Bastion in Shanghai, where Song Yangcheng had engaged a Luoyu. He managed to grind its health down to below 30%, but the creature escaped into the ocean, triggering a tsunami that caused devastating damage to the surrounding area.

Rumors regarding these beasts began to circulate on regional forums. Some dismissed it as a minor nuisance, while others sensed the arrival of a new, darker era. The frequency of special secret realms had already been higher than in previous years, and recent intel concerning "other civilizations" had prompted many to consciously pull back their front lines and reduce the frequency of their forays into other worlds. Reports of safe zones collapsing and going silent overseas only deepened the sense of an impending crisis.

Yi Shen, however, was unaware of the danger warnings issued by the Bureau. It was not due to poor signal, but because he was too occupied investigating the vampire traces to check his communicator.

Yet, even without the Bureau’s warnings, Yi Shen had already sensed that something was wrong. This mountain stream was a branch of a larger range. It should have been one of the sources for the river he had been tracking, but the trees here were noticeably taller than elsewhere. Stranger still, he had not encountered a single small animal throughout his journey—not even a bird.

Beside a small waterfall in the ravine, over a dozen small Xuan turtles, similar to those he had encountered before, were gathered. Their bodies were a reddish-black, and they possessed long tails. Seemingly sensing his presence, they huddled together in a defensive posture. Before Yi Shen could even strike, several figures lunged toward him.

*Swish!*

Eliminating the small turtles posed no challenge, but Yi Shen was stunned to find that the closer he got to the ravine, the more the space began to distort. Skills like Arcane Implosion worked well enough, but his wind-blade spells were frequently deflected entirely.

A massive aura pulsed from within the mountain range, covering at least half of it. Yi Shen pondered for a moment, activated his "Divine Descent" state, and summoned a Gate of Inferno to purge the forest. The colossal gate manifested on the hillside, unleashing hellfire upon the monsters within. The surrounding vegetation and water were vaporized instantly, and the infernal flames quickly provided Yi Shen with an answer.

As the fire reached the core of the ravine, it was blocked by a special barrier. The barrier altered the flow of the fire, yet Yi Shen sensed that the flames had not been redirected. This meant the area suffered from visual and spatial displacement, and something extraordinary was definitely hidden inside. Yi Shen controlled the flames to continue his exploration and incineration. Occasional damage numbers popped up—likely the hidden Xuan turtles.

Finally, after three minutes of continuous exploration, the entire mountain range began to shift.