Chapter 356: I Claim That Land

Since the anomaly in the thunderous clouds above Gongshishan began, the Ribenzheng had long ago evacuated all citizens from nearby towns to prevent accidents.

It could be seen that within a fifty-li radius around Gongshishan, not a single person remained.

Beyond fifty li, rows of well-equipped Ground Self-Defense Forces were stationed, armed with rifles, cannons, tanks—all the most advanced weapons Japan currently possessed—even weapons still under development, specifically designed to combat the extraordinary, had been transported here.

All stood ready in full battle array.

In addition, from one of the encampments emerged squad after squad of personnel clad in various types of special military uniforms, equipped with the world's most advanced weaponry.

These were elite ace units from Russia, the United States, and other nations, dispatched to assist Japan.

If the anomaly was an invasion from "that side," it would be a global crisis.

Facing a global crisis, every nation bears the duty to protect, and should unite as one, rather than play… (muted, words untypeable).

At Japan's other three anomalous sea zones, Japanese warships and foreign naval vessels formed orderly fleets composed of aircraft carriers from various nations.

Similarly, on the American side, forces from multiple nations were deploying their troops—regardless of whether they could stand against the extraordinary, they were at least giving their all.

At this moment.

The entire world witnessed an unprecedented scene.

They also witnessed what it meant when one hair's pull sets the whole body in motion.

Across the seven continents and four oceans, every nation's military power was mobilized: troops were being redeployed, emergency conscription was underway, arms factories operated at full capacity, missiles, bullets, and other munitions were being poured into these five locations around Gongshishan as if they were free.

In just one day, tens of billions—perhaps hundreds of billions—of dollars were poured into military production and equipment, like burning money.

Global satellites were deployed at once, all focused on these few locations around Gongshishan.

At this moment.

Every major television network, whether state-run or private, silently coordinated—as if prearranged—linking via satellite to broadcast live the anomalies at Gongshishan and elsewhere.

Boom!!

Gongshishan, the world's focal point.

A roar like ten thousand thunderclaps descending.

From the thunderous cloud above Gongshishan, boundless brilliant light erupted; cracks in space, like lightning, spread outward from its center, as if tearing the world apart, carving a path to another realm.

Within, faintly visible, stretched an infinite star-sea, galaxies hanging like ribbons upside-down, stars densely scattered, dazzling and vast.

In this star-sea lay a colossal star-region, its mountains and rivers arrayed in countless rows, lakes and seas vast and boundless, the land sprawling wide, with divine cities and ancient lands scattered across it, flourishing and prosperous.

Light surged from the star-region, forming a path reaching heavenward, connecting directly to this rift of Lei Guang.

Immediately after.

Across the vast, desolate land of the star-region, thousands upon thousands of stars ascended, traveling along the heavenly path, crossing the star-sea to arrive.

Those stars were powerful beings.

Enveloped in radiant light, radiating immense power, they seemed like celestial gods descending, arriving at the Lei Guang rift.

"The Qi in this world is extremely abundant."

A powerful being with a crystalline eye embedded in its brow surveyed this blue planet, already transformed by Shangchuan Zun and now thriving, realizing it was nothing short of a paradise on earth.

The abundance of spiritual energy here was no less than any holy land, even surpassing it.

Gazing far and wide, he scanned the entire world at a glance, frowned slightly, then relaxed, and spoke:

"This world is vast—I cannot detect its limits. The starry sky is immense, yet why is there Qi only in this tiny patch? Nothing beyond the stars—could it be a new epoch, just reborn after a recent Yuanji Jie?"

Like Earth's universe, with theories of cosmic expansion and destruction, expansion reaches a peak before decline, culminating in a great cosmic explosion and annihilation.

As prosperity inevitably leads to decline.

As life and death cycle.

This principle applies to all things and beings, and likewise to all worlds.

Every world has an endpoint; after an immeasurably long time, each enters decline and faces destruction, known as Yuanji Jie. Those who are not strong enough perish along with their world.

This is one reason why otherworldly realms invade other worlds.

A world will inevitably fall into destruction; if one is not strong enough, death is certain. Invading other worlds is an effective way to avoid the end of the epoch—and also a way to strengthen oneself.

There is no faster way to acquire resources than plundering a world's.

Of course, some worlds invade others simply to grow stronger, since each world's epoch duration differs—larger worlds have longer epochs, smaller ones shorter.

Some worlds are still in their epoch's flourishing phase.

Like the world these powerful beings emerged from—their world is currently in its epoch's peak, with eons remaining before destruction; they need not fear Yuanji Jie even if they live to old age.

"Though it's a tiny patch, it's not small—at least far larger than our clan's holy land. If our people were to cultivate here, progress would be doubled."

Another being spoke, eyes gleaming with greed.

Other beings likewise began probing without restraint, showing no humility, as if entering their own home, treating Earth as if it were already theirs to claim.

"Small? Not small at all. I've detected this spherical realm is still growing—the land will expand inevitably. Finally, we've invaded a worthy world."

"This world is fascinating—each realm is shaped like a sphere. I've never seen such a thing before."

A female being scanned Earth, her gaze drifting toward distant Mars, Venus, Jupiter, murmuring:

"I wonder if those realms are like this one too—if so, our clan's prosperity could last a hundred thousand years from this conquest alone."

Mars and Venus were immensely distant—even gods and demons would take ages to traverse; seeing them does not mean reaching them.

At this moment.

A massive being, resembling a demon-god incarnate, with horned and rugged features, pointed directly across Japan's ocean to Asia and declared imperiously:

"That land is mine to claim. The rest you may divide among yourselves."

Asia and Europe were connected, occupying the largest land area of this world.

This was no ordinary act of greed.

Their actions and words were seen by the world; people's expressions turned strangely uneasy.

Through the Life-Spirit Spectrum, the world knew what these beings were and understood their language—so television networks employed specialized interpreters, and everyone knew exactly what they meant.

"This guy's gone mad."

Director Takahashi, stationed at the Shishan command center, heard the expert translate the spoken words of the lifeform captured on screen, and his expression turned utterly bizarre.