In the years since the invasion of the extraterrestrial enemies, countries around the globe have sought to understand the nature of their world and the reasons behind their relentless assault on Earth.
However, due to the extraterrestrial enemies' inability or refusal to divulge any information about their homeland, no nation or power has obtained any answers to date.
At this moment, Shen Zui, having learned that the leader of the Underworld Palace had searched the memories of an extraterrestrial warrior, could no longer suppress his curiosity and posed a question to the Underworld Palace leader.
"I know."
The Underworld Palace leader replied with just two words.
But this answer sent a tremor through Shen Zui, prompting him to instinctively prepare to speak again.
However—
Before Shen Zui could utter another word, the Underworld Palace leader suddenly turned around and looked at him.
Illuminated by the oil lamp, the Underworld Palace leader possessed a face that belied his age.
As Caroline's grandfather, he was over seventy years old, yet his complexion was ruddy, his face full of collagen, his forehead devoid of wrinkles, and his eyes shone brightly—time seemed to have left no trace on his visage!
Although this was not the first time Shen Zui had seen the Underworld Palace leader's appearance, he found it incredible once again, and simultaneously suppressed the words on the tip of his tongue.
"For Earthlings, the invasion by the extraterrestrial world is a war that concerns the survival of humanity. But for the people of the extraterrestrial world, it is merely a game," the Underworld Palace leader stated, delivering a stunning revelation.
"A game?!"
Shen Zui was taken aback.
"You haven't played games?" the Underworld Palace leader inquired.
"I played when I was young."
Shen Zui answered truthfully. As the eldest disciple of the Daoist sect, he had been the first to leave Longhu Mountain and had mingled in the vibrant world, drinking the strongest wine, sleeping with the most beautiful women, and had also tried his hand at games.
"To the people of the extraterrestrial world, Earth is equivalent to a game world. Their arrival on Earth is akin to entering a game world. There are five major powers in the extraterrestrial world, and for years their people have been fighting over a resource mountain, unable to secure their desired shares. It was at this time that they accidentally discovered a passage to Earth and subsequently explored it.
Thus, the spokesmen of the five major powers jointly formulated a bet.
Whichever faction's people could first control the game world of Earth would gain the largest mining share of that resource mountain.
Because of this bet, people from the five major powers have invaded Earth repeatedly."
The Underworld Palace leader calmly revealed a truth that was enough to shock the world.
"Uh..."
Hearing this truth, Shen Zui was once again stunned into silence.
He had harbored many speculations, but he had never dreamed that this war for survival was merely the result of a contest instigated by a bet in the extraterrestrial world.
"Because they treat this war of invasion as a game, they came to Earth with arrogance and prejudice, believing that Earth's inhabitants are all weak natives?"
After his shock subsided, Shen Zui thought of something and asked again.
"When you play a game, do you treat the monsters within the game as fellow beings?" the Underworld Palace leader countered.
"—"
Shen Zui was left speechless, feeling a surge of indignation.
They were all living, breathing people, yet in the eyes of the extraterrestrial world's inhabitants, they were no different from monsters in a game!
Unlike Shen Zui, the Underworld Palace leader's expression remained calm throughout, as if he were discussing something entirely unrelated to himself. Seeing Shen Zui's silence, he took the initiative to ask:
"You must have heard that in the past wars, many people from the extraterrestrial world, upon their arrival, would compete to see who could kill more Earthlings, correct?"
"Yes, Lord Underworld King."
Shen Zui nodded. According to the information he had gathered, such 'competitions' had occurred in the ancient city of Loulan and at other battlefields around the globe.
"If we say that the extraterrestrial world views the invasion of Earth as a game, then the killing competitions were merely small side games played privately by the game players."
The Underworld Palace leader paused here and then continued, "But now, their side game has changed."
"Changed into what?" Shen Zui asked subconsciously.
"Killing Jiang Wuming!"
The Underworld Palace leader once again delivered a stunning pronouncement. Seeing Shen Zui's shocked expression, he continued, "From now on, martial arts prodigies from the extraterrestrial world will descend upon any corner of Earth through various different channels.
They might, upon arrival, go on a killing spree like those who have come before.
Or they might, like the young man killed by Jiang Wuming in Su City, hide their identities and blend into this world.
But their objective is singular: to behead Jiang Wuming—whoever brings Jiang Wuming's head first wins the competition!
This is also why the extraterrestrial warrior leader you just killed, upon his arrival, inquired if this was the Dragon Country and if Jiang Wuming was present."
"Uh..."
Shen Zui was once again dumbfounded.
Despite having cultivated to the tenth stage of a four-star War God and possessing an incredibly resilient heart, with a psychological endurance far exceeding that of ordinary people, hearing these secrets, especially that the extraterrestrial enemies considered killing Jiang Wuming a game, caused tumultuous waves to crash within his heart!
"You can relay this message to Jiang Wuming. Additionally, remind him that the gates of the Underworld Palace remain open to him—if he joins the Underworld Palace, I guarantee he can survive until the next large-scale invasion from the extraterrestrial world!"
Seeing Shen Zui's shocked expression, the Underworld Palace leader showed no surprise, as if everything was proceeding according to his predictions. He added this remark before turning around, once again presenting his back to Shen Zui.
"Yes, Lord Underworld King!"
Shen Zui snapped back to his senses, steadied himself, responded with a reply, performed a salute, and withdrew from the grand hall.
After leaving the Underworld Palace leader's chambers, Shen Zui immediately returned to his own room and contacted Jiang Wuming using a satellite phone.
Dragon Country, Su Family Ancient Residence.
After explaining to Qin Yuanzheng, Xia Xueqin, and Zhou Hetu the reasons for his judgment that the Underworld Palace leader was an extraterrestrial enemy, Jiang Wuming heard his phone ring. Upon checking, he saw it was a call from his senior brother, Shen Zui. He thought for a moment and said, "Grandpa Qin, Aunt Xia, Master Zhou, I'll step out to take a call."
"Alright."
Qin Yuanzheng, Xia Xueqin, and Zhou Hetu replied in unison.
Jiang Wuming took his phone, left the room, and then glided out of the Su family ancient residence before answering the call, "Senior Brother."
"Wuming, are you busy? Why did it take so long to answer?" Shen Zui asked.
"Senior Brother, there were people around me just now, so I specifically found a private place," Jiang Wuming explained. He avoided the presence of Qin Yuanzheng and the other two because Shen Zui's identity was too sensitive, and Shen Zui's contact likely involved matters of the Daoist sect.
"It's good that there's no one around you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zui secretly praised Jiang Wuming's meticulousness. Then, with a solemn tone, he said, "Wuming, what I am about to tell you is extremely important. You must keep it in your heart and carefully consider whether to tell anyone besides Master."
"Understood, Senior Brother."
Jiang Wuming felt a sense of confusion. What could possibly be so significant that his free-spirited and unrestrained senior brother was taking it so seriously?
A few minutes later, Jiang Wuming received his answer!
Like Shen Zui before him, he was struck dumbfounded by the truth of the extraterrestrial world's invasion and the 'game' the extraterrestrial enemies were about to play!
"Junior Brother, the Underworld Palace leader has extended an invitation to you again. However, I know you won't join the Underworld Palace, so I won't go into specifics with you. But you must protect yourself well."
As Shen Zui spoke his final words, he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
As the eldest disciple of the Daoist sect, Shen Zui was one of the people who understood Heavenly Dragon Daoist the best in the world.
Given Heavenly Dragon Daoist's methods, even with this information, he would not shield Jiang Wuming. Instead, he would likely have Jiang Wuming accept the 'challenge' of the game, tempering him through life and death, blood and battle.
This was precisely how, at the tender age of fourteen, Jiang Wuming had ventured into the dark world to complete a hunt mission!
"I understand, thank you, Senior Brother."
Jiang Wuming took a deep breath, recovering from his shock, and expressed his gratitude.
"You kid, if you continue to be so formal with me, I'll beat you up the next time we meet. Alright, that's all for now."
Shen Zui chuckled in mock admonishment, then hung up the phone.
"Treating me like a game's monster boss?"
Jiang Wuming put away his phone, recalling everything Shen Zui had just said, and narrowed his eyes, a predatory glint flashing within them.
...