C25 Earth History

After deliberating, Chu Xing and his companions chose to make their home within the air-raid shelter. With most people having evacuated, the cave offered a serene retreat.

Chu Xing devoted the majority of his time to his cultivation practices.

Twenty days passed.

"Chu Xing, we've got news. Big news," Chu Hao announced breathlessly as he raced towards them, with Gao Wei and Wang Youfeng trailing behind.

"The universe is abuzz with people discussing it," Gao Wei managed to say between gasps.

"What's the news?" Chu Xing asked with a smile, noting their winded state.

"It's a piece of history you'd never imagine—the ancient tales of Earth," Chu Hao revealed with an air of mystery.

As Chu Xing listened to Chu Hao's account, his expression shifted to one of astonishment.

Forty thousand years ago, Tianwen, the leader of the Dao Seeking Sect, was struck by a whimsical idea to use a planet as a research base, aiming to gather species from across the universe for study.

He selected the Blue Star, our present-day Earth, situated on the fringes of the alliance and the Dao Seeking Sect's territory. With scant major powers nearby, it was the perfect location.

Conducting species research was a grave taboo, particularly on a planetary scale.

The Dao Seeking Sect proceeded with extreme caution to avoid detection. Knowledge of their project was limited to a select few within the sect, and those dispatched to Earth were freshly initiated, low-ranking disciples in the Qi Training Stage.

Initially, the number of species was small, but as diversity grew, the secret was uncovered by the Demon Race's One-Eyed Demon God thirty thousand years ago. Intent on annihilating the planet, the One-Eyed Demon God was thwarted by Tianwen, who, despite his efforts, was outmatched by an entire realm.

In the critical moment when Tianwen faced certain death, the Federation's Sword Tyrant Divine King intervened. The One-Eyed Demon God, wary of overstaying in Federation territory, sealed Earth with his innate ability. Consequently, Earth was cut off from the external cosmos, its spiritual energy utterly depleted.

Caught off-guard by the abrupt conflict, many Qi Training Stage cultivators were stranded, unable to continue their cultivation, and ultimately succumbed to mortality on Earth.

After listening to Chu Hao, Chu Xing was stunned for a long time. The idea that Earth was a research planet that had sparked a colossal battle between Heavenly Gods and Demon Gods was beyond his wildest thoughts.

It made sense now why that message was left on Mount Kunlun. The cultivators stationed here were covertly placed by the Dao Seeking Sect. It's no wonder their strength was limited and their treasures scarce.

"Is it a problem to study all species on a single planet?" Chu Xing couldn't help but question.

"I've heard that the universe is teeming with races, all vying for resources, and extinction of races does happen. If their weaknesses were to be collectively researched, wouldn't that spell disaster?" Gao Wei added earnestly.

"You're right. Our tiny Earth has seen countless species perish in tens of thousands of years of conflict. In modern times, the slaughter for resources has only intensified, leading to more extinctions. And that's just on Earth. Consider the universe. There are even rumors of countries researching the genetics of various humans to engineer infectious diseases. Isn't that essentially the same thing?" Chu Xing mused, exhaling a resigned sigh.

"Chu Xing, you have a clear grasp of the situation," Wang Youfeng commended.

"Chu Xing, stay with me; I'm about to tell you what happened next," Chu Hao interjected, his energy renewed.

Following the chaos stirred by the one-eyed Demon God, the entire universe became aware of the Dao Seeking Sect's research. Numerous forces demanded explanations.

But with Tianwen, the Heavenly God, still alive, they refrained from making too much trouble, and the Federation's mediation helped defuse the situation.

Sadly, Tianwen succumbed to injuries inflicted by the one-eyed Demon God and passed away not long after. Since then, the Dao Seeking Sect has faced relentless opposition, and their days of peace were over.

Once Chu Hao finished, Chu Xing inquired, "So, what's the current state of the Dao Seeking Sect?"

"From what I've heard, the Dao Seeking Sect has been a major force since its inception, controlling numerous galaxies. Under Tianwen's leadership, it reached its zenith. Despite being under constant threat, they've managed to hold their ground," Gao Wei explained.

"But what does that mean for us? What happens to us Earthlings?" Chu Xing pressed further.

"I've heard that Earth is now under the joint supervision of several major powers and the Federation. As we speak, numerous cosmic forces are converging on our planet. In ten days, there will be a test for spiritual roots, and those with a knack for cultivation will be selected for special training," Chu Hao explained further.

"The Federation? What's that?" Chu Xing inquired, clearly perplexed.

"It's officially known as the Alliance Federation. It's a coalition of many forces and happens to be the most formidable power in the cosmos. The Dao Seeking Sect is a member," Wang Youfeng clarified.

"Come on, let's go have a look," Chu Xing urged, tugging at them to head outside. His eagerness to learn more was palpable.

Eight days later, Immortal Chilian and Immortal Qingqiu, accompanied by a hundred disciples, made their long-awaited arrival on Earth.

Traveling aboard a fifth-level spaceship, they spared no expense, using the highest grade spirit stones to fuel their journey. Pushing the ship to its maximum velocity—fifty thousand times the speed of light—they made the trip in twenty-eight days, a journey that would typically take over two months.

Immortal Qingqiu and her disciples were welcomed by Jin Yu to Mount Kunlun, while Immortal Chilian ventured alone to Bermuda, where the Cloud Devouring Beast lay dormant.

"Xiao Tun, time to awaken!" Immortal Chilian called out, gazing at the tranquil sea with a mix of anticipation and excitement.

Suddenly, a whirlpool formed, swallowing vast quantities of water, which seemed to lower into an abyss. A gigantic maw, easily a hundred meters across, breached the ocean's surface, reaching for the sky.

The creature resembled a colossal serpent, stretching a kilometer long, its body tapering from the wide mouth down to the tail, eyes perched above its gaping jaws.

With a massive inhale, it vacuumed up seawater, along with fish and shrimp, sharks included, all funneling into its belly. After five minutes, it let out a satisfied belch.

The Cloud Swallowing Beast, now in human form with dark green scales and a bald, blue head, turned to Chilian. "Master, I was just getting hungry!" it boomed, its voice gruff as it approached.

"Good to see you've ascended to the Earth Demon Realm. It's just a shame we won't meet again for another thirty thousand years," Chilian remarked, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

"Master, what's happened? I've been asleep this whole time, completely unaware of any events," the Cloud Devouring Beast expressed, bewildered by the changes.

"I'll fill you in slowly. There are far too many prying eyes on Earth right now, so best you tuck yourself into the pet bag for now," Chilian said, producing a black bag from his side.

"Understood." The Cloud Swallowing Beast gradually shrank and zipped into the black bag in Chilian's grasp. Chilian had enslaved the creature during his time as an Earth Immortal and had devoted considerable effort to nurturing it from the Nascent Divinity stage to an Earth Demon.

With the pet bag safely stowed, Chilian breathed a sigh of relief. Gazing down at Earth, the stunning planet stirred memories of his sect master's directives.

The day Jin Yu relayed the news back to Earth, the Dao Seeking Sect's elders were astounded to learn that the planet was teeming with nearly eight billion humans, many of whom possessed the coveted spiritual roots.

After much deliberation, the elders decided to escalate the matter to the Alliance Federation, knowing full well that handling it on their own could spell doom for the sect.

Following discussions with the Alliance Federation, a decision was made to alert the Angel Clan and the Black Clan, joining forces with the Dao Seeking Sect and the Federation to oversee Earth and thwart any potential havoc from the Demon Clan.

The Dao Seeking Sect resolved to adopt the names Solar System and Earth, abandoning the old monikers of the Red Sun Galaxy and Blue Star, which had only brought animosity. It was time for a fresh start.

The sect master's current primary mission for him was to recruit disciples. The elders surmised that the sudden emergence of so many individuals with innate spiritual roots was indicative of a resurgence of spiritual energy.

This phenomenon was akin to a sudden burst of spiritual energy following a prolonged absence.

Mount Kunlun, with its rich spiritual energy and breathtaking vistas, was once the Dao Seeking Sect's earthly stronghold.

Jin Yu had recently brought in a fresh batch of workers to refurbish the site, constructing numerous new dwellings to serve as the sect's future base on Earth.

Now, Chilian found himself in the grand hall of Mount Kunlun, seated alongside Qingqiu Tianxian at the heart of the chamber.

"Jin Yu, how's the student recruitment coming along?" Chilian inquired.

"Elder Chilian, all is in readiness. We've prepared more than ten thousand sets of equipment, and we'll have the testing wrapped up within three days," Jin Yu reported.

"Our sect has worked tirelessly to secure this opportunity. With such an abundance of gifted students, the likelihood of them achieving immortality is exceptionally high. We welcome members from the Black Clan and the Angel Clan who wish to learn with us." Chilian spoke with a measured patience.

"You're not concerned they might stir up trouble?" Qingqiu asked with a smile.

"We've nurtured so many with talented spiritual roots here; taking in a few more is hardly an issue. Just look at their joy when they arrive. Haha!" Chilian declared, his face beaming with integrity.

"It's such a shame, though. We've lost many—nearly half of those with talented spiritual roots are gone," Qingqiu said with a sense of resignation.

"Hmph, a lowly sect disciple nearly brought about our destruction. Flaying him wouldn't be punishment enough," Chilian seethed with resentment.

"Let's carry out the execution tomorrow. We owe it to this place to provide closure," Qingqiu suggested.

"That's letting him off easy," Chilian remarked.