"What?"
Having received Xuan Shiba's signal, Ao Guang had just been about to rise and make a move as the final second passed when he heard Yang Jian's voice. His body staggered, and he no longer dared act rashly!
Meeting the Sky Eye's gaze, Ao Guang and Xuan Shiba also noticed Xu Kun within the base city!
"That's Kun?" The flood dragon and dragon exchanged glances, somewhat doubtful.
"Human trial-taker Kun, for the sake of humanity, willingly accepts the Mystic Spirit Seal. I hope the Dragon Race and Black Tortoise Race will honor their promise and cease making things difficult for my fellow humans!"
Xu Kun spoke calmly. His voice was deliberately amplified by the Sky Eye, reaching the ears of hundreds of millions in Jiangnan Base City before being broadcast to all of humanity.
Kun, he had really stepped forward!
The instant Xu Kun appeared, all the criticism from moments ago vanished into thin air. The words "for the sake of humanity" brought tears to many eyes.
Even the most vicious of the extremists lowered their heads in shame.
They had been forced to pressure Kun into stepping forward so they could survive, but that did not mean they had no brains!
Kun was, in the end, merely a human youth who had just come of age. Not long ago, he had shattered all precedent by earning an SSSS-tier trial rating, benefiting all of humanity immensely. He was a peerless genius!
Putting themselves in his shoes, would any of them truly have been willing to step forward for all humanity?
Internet trolls had no bottom line, but when someone could truly be selfless, accomplish what others could not, and willingly sacrifice for people like them, that final shred of conscience buried deep within them would awaken!
At this moment, no one would speak ill of Xu Kun again!
Most importantly, he had truly stepped forward!
At the same time, many people looked over curiously, hoping to see Kun's true appearance clearly!
However, Xu Kun was now enveloped in the Sky Eye's gaze. His feet rose from the ground, and his body became hazy. Even War King-level experts could not make out his features.
The first person to learn Xu Kun's identity the moment it was exposed was his good brother, Hao Jian!
At that moment, Hao Jian watched Xu Kun slowly rise into the air, covering his mouth in shock.
"N-No way... My brother is actually..."
Xu Kun was slowly lifted into the air by that gaze. Hearing him, he turned and flashed Hao Jian a grin. "Jian Jian, isn't your brother handsome?"
Hao Jian finally understood the true meaning of Mu Qingxuan's earlier conversation with Xu Kun. The person humanity's countless citizens had been expecting and pressuring from beginning to end had been his brother!
After recovering from his shock, Hao Jian hurriedly leaned over the railing and cried himself hoarse, "No, don't go!"
Perhaps, as an ordinary human observer, Hao Jian had previously hoped that the human youth Kun would step forward and save the people from disaster. But now that calamity had fallen upon his own brother, he did not care about saving the world at all. He only wanted his brother to be safe!
Watching his brother gradually drift farther away, Hao Jian felt as though his heart had been torn in two.
"Why did it have to be you? Even if it were me instead, anything would be better! I don't want this!"
But no matter how hysterically Hao Jian tried to keep Xu Kun from leaving, Xu Kun's body only traveled farther and farther away.
Hao Jian's hatred surged to the heavens. At that moment, he hated that he and his brother had only just come of age. Why could they not be given a hundred years!
Give the two brothers a hundred years, and would they still be like this today, at others' mercy like fish on the chopping block?
If the Dragon Race and Black Tortoise Race dared force them, the two brothers would slaughter them until the heavens turned over, people were thrown into chaos, and the sky went dark. Even dying boldly would be better than being threatened by others!
In the end, whether it was humanity or themselves, they were simply too weak!
Xu Kun shifted his gaze away from Hao Jian, who had collapsed onto the ground with vacant eyes, and looked toward his mother, whose face was filled with gentleness.
"Mom, you'll be proud of me, right?"
Mu Qingxuan smiled. "Don't be so sentimental. It's not like this is a life-and-death farewell!"
Xu Kun was speechless. "Can't you show a little concern for me, like Jian Jian?"
Mu Qingxuan slowly shook her head. "Mystic seals are ultimately just a skill mastered by the Black Tortoise Race. A mystic seal cannot affect a Black Tortoise who has mastered that seal. Back then, when the Black Tortoise Race tested it, if an A-grade talented Black Tortoise planted a Mystic Spirit Seal on an S-tier talented Black Tortoise, not only would it fail, the difference in mystic seal grades would cause backlash!"
Xu Kun, who had already risen to the same height as the entire apartment building, froze upon hearing that.
Mystic seals were merely a skill!
And it was a skill possessed by every Black Tortoise Race member with A-grade talent or above!
The Mystic Spirit Seal could not affect a Black Tortoise that possessed the Mystic Sky Seal?
The gloom in Xu Kun's heart was instantly swept away. He abruptly looked toward that enormous turtle in the distance!
Fine, Black Tortoise Race. You dared force me to accept the Mystic Spirit Seal today, so don't blame me for putting the butcher's blade to the throats of your descendants in the future!
Xuan Shiba was carefully observing Xu Kun as he flew toward them when he suddenly felt a chill run through his entire body. The sensation of being watched by some terrifying existence crawled over him!
Was it Yang Jian?
Xuan Shiba looked toward that eye, but found nothing strange. Yet that chilling sensation of being entangled in karma refused to fade!
"Look, that's Kun!"
As Xu Kun was slowly sent into the sky by the Sky Eye's power, all of humanity focused their attention on him!
Yet no matter how powerful a human expert was, anyone trying to glimpse Xu Kun's true face found themselves unable to see it clearly. They immediately realized that the Sky Eye was protecting Kun's privacy!
Though they could not see his face, Xu Kun's build and clothing were still distinctive!
For example, in Jiangnan Base City, students from Jiangnan No. 1 Middle School who were in the same year as Xu Kun were stunned when they saw him wearing their school uniform!
So Kun had been right beside them all along. He was their classmate!
Among them, some people cried out in shock after recognizing Xu Kun's build, despite being unable to see his face.
"Rou Rou, what's wrong?"
At the Zhan Family, Zhan Rourou's War King grandfather was absent. The family had originally completed all preparations to evacuate Jiangnan Base City, but after Xu Kun stepped forward, the entire Zhan Family relaxed their guard and silently watched that figure slowly rising into the sky.
When Zhan Rourou saw that figure, tears began streaming down her face, leaving her mother deeply puzzled.
"Mom, I'm fine... I was just thinking that Kun is the same age as me, yet he has no choice but to step forward for all humanity!"
Zhan Rourou's mother sighed and looked toward the figure in the sky as well. "He's a good child!"
When her mother was not looking, Zhan Rourou bit down hard on her lip, refusing to let herself make a sound.
It was Xu Kun. So Kun was Xu Kun!
She had gazed at Xu Kun's tall back with affection so many times that she was intimately familiar with his build. With just one look, she could confirm that the human youth Kun, who had stepped forward for all humanity, was the person she thought of day and night!
Why are you so foolish? What do the lives of ordinary civilians have to do with you? Run! Just run far away!
Zhan Rourou, who had always been soft-tempered, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her gaze shifted away from that figure who had captivated her and toward Xuan Shiba and Ao Guang in the distance.
Dragon Race, Black Tortoise Race, I, Zhan Rourou, swear that if I become strong in this life, I will turn my blade upon your people!
Xuan Shiba and Ao Guang both shuddered.
"Xuan Shiba, there won't be any problems, right?" Ao Guang asked weakly.
Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, Xuan Shiba snapped, "Look at you, scared like a rat. What a coward!"
Ao Guang did not reply. Now that things had come to this, there was no turning back.
As Xu Kun traveled farther and farther away, a small dog beneath the apartment building kept staring at him. When Xu Kun's figure gradually became a black dot, the dog braced itself on its hind legs, preparing to do something.
Just as it kicked off to follow him, its vision suddenly blurred and its head spun. When it opened its eyes again, it was shocked to find that it had not followed Xu Kun at all. Instead, it had appeared in a pitch-black stairwell.
"Dai Li?"
The little dog's fur stood on end. The other party had seen through his disguise at a glance?
He immediately spoke in human language. "Who are you?"
Ignoring his question, the other party said calmly, "It seems Yang Jian truly values my son."
The dog's pupils contracted. "You are Kun's..."
"I'm his mother!"
"Senior, I bear no ill intent..."
"Of course I know that. Otherwise, I would have slaughtered you earlier and cooked you into soup!"
"The third of the Seven Fiends of Meishan was actually sent to protect my son. Yang Jian certainly values him!"
Hearing her directly call his master by name, Dai Li, in the form of a little dog, did not dare entertain even the slightest thought of resistance. To his shock, he discovered that with his strength, he could not escape the space she had confined!
And his master was watching from the sky!
Who exactly was this person?
"What were you trying to do just now?"
Dai Li immediately answered, "My master ordered me to protect Kun at close range. Naturally, I had to follow him to prevent the other side from doing anything rash!"
"Foolish!"
"Your master is watching from the sky. Do you really need to meddle where you aren't needed?"
"Senior is right to reprimand me!"
"From now on, protect my son properly. If a single hair on his head is harmed, I'll skin you alive. Do you understand?"
Dai Li cowered, not daring to answer.
"Answer me. I'm warning you, if you dare harbor any improper thoughts toward my son, even Yang Jian won't be able to save you!"
Dai Li's heart trembled. He lowered his head to the ground and said, "This one understands!"
Then, the mountain-like pressure receded like the tide. When Dai Li opened his eyes again, he found himself still beneath that apartment building. He could not help looking up, only to see that woman standing there quietly as though nothing had happened.
Who exactly was she?
At that moment, Xu Kun had already been brought by the Sky Eye's power, beneath the gazes of countless onlookers, before the high-ranking figures protecting Jiangnan Base City.
"Dear son?"
Hao Zhong was the first to react, followed by Chen Gu.
The two approached with faces full of disbelief, confirming that it truly was their godson, Xu Kun.
Unable to contain her sorrow, Chen Gu covered her mouth and reached out to touch Xu Kun's cheek. "Why did it have to be you..."
Hao Zhong, however, immediately looked in the direction of Xu Kun's home.
Meeting his gaze, Mu Qingxuan slowly shook her head.
Hao Zhong clenched his fists. He knew his sister-in-law had permitted all this, but no matter how hard he thought, he could not understand why, given her identity, she would push their beloved son into the fire!
"Second Dad, Second Mom, I'm fine!"
Xu Kun did not carry the slightest psychological burden at that moment. Instead, he comforted the two of them.
"Silly child, you shouldn't have stepped forward!"
Chen Gu could no longer suppress her emotions and pulled Xu Kun into her arms.
"Dear, our Kun has grown up. He should have his own ideas. Let him go!"
"Shut up!" Chen Gu was far less polite toward Hao Zhong. She released Xu Kun and reluctantly stroked his hair.
"Second Mom swears that after today, I'll make them give you an explanation!"
Warmth filled Xu Kun's heart. "Second Mom, I'm really fine. Don't worry!"
As he spoke, he winked at Chen Gu.
Chen Gu froze. Naturally, she did not know the special nature of Xu Kun's talent, but she thought of Xu Kun's mother's identity and silently nodded before releasing him.
Passing Hao Zhong and Chen Gu, Xu Kun also saw the other high-ranking figures of Jiangnan Base City!
Sikong Zhen, his deputy, and the director of Jiangnan City's Public Security Bureau were all War Kings, yet they deeply bowed to Xu Kun!
The lower-ranking principal of Jiangnan No. 2 Middle School hurriedly followed with a bow as well.
This was the proper etiquette for a hero willing to sacrifice for humanity!
In contrast, the principal of Jiangnan No. 1 Middle School was dumbfounded.
Kun, who had earned an SSSS-tier rating, was actually a student from their school!
The principal's feelings at that moment were incomparably complicated.
He was fortunate that during his tenure, he had been able to nurture such a peerless genius!
Yet he was also filled with rage. Why did such a genius have to be planted with the Black Tortoise Race's Mystic Spirit Seal, leaving all his future actions restricted at every turn?
"Hello, Principal!" Seeing the principal of Jiangnan No. 1 Middle School standing there in a daze, Xu Kun grinned and greeted him.
Only then did Sikong Zhen and the others notice Xu Kun's school uniform. One after another, they looked toward the principal of Jiangnan No. 1 Middle School. The old man's expression was particularly marvelous at that moment.
After remaining silent for a long time, the principal finally let out a long sigh. "Kun, it is us old men who are incompetent!"
With those words alone, everyone present lowered their heads in self-reproach.
"Principal, it's nothing. You did what you had to do. Let me bring all this to an end!"
The principal's fierce eyes brimmed with tears. "What a good child! To have a student like you in my life, I have no regrets!"
"Enough. This is not a life-and-death farewell. Don't waste everyone's time. The Dragon Race and Black Tortoise Race are still waiting!"
The Sky Eye spoke. Ao Guang and Xuan Shiba, who had long been restless with anxiety, both sighed in relief.
Xu Kun nodded to everyone and continued forward.
When he drew close and saw the two enormous beings before him, even though Xu Kun had mentally prepared himself and seen their majestic forms from afar, he still could not suppress the fear in his heart.
For races like the Dragon Race and Black Tortoise Race, whose bodies grew ever larger as their strength increased, the sheer pressure of their appearance was enough to suffocate someone!
It was difficult to imagine that Hao Zhong and Chen Gu, though also War Kings, could contend with such colossal beings with their human-sized bodies!
"Both of you, my human race's genius has stepped forward. Begin!"
"Wait!"
Just as Ao Guang was about to say something, Xuan Shiba immediately interrupted.
"What is it?" Ao Guang asked in confusion.
Xuan Shiba snapped in frustration, "Idiot, how do we know whether he is the person we're looking for!"
Ao Guang was dumbstruck. Right, how could they know Yang Jian was not deceiving them?
"Lord Tianyan, please forgive our rudeness, but we need to verify this person's identity!"
"Fine. How about showing you his ID?"
Yang Jian did not refuse.
Unexpectedly, Xuan Shiba shook his head. "An ID alone won't do. We need to inspect his ID, talent, and attribute panel. Otherwise, your human race has two sayings."
"One is called Substituting Plum for Peach!"
"The other is called swapping a wildcat for the Crown Prince!"
"Lord Tianyan is as cunning as a demon. Who knows whether you had long ago arranged for someone else to impersonate Kun, leaving us to draw water with a bamboo basket and come up empty-handed?"
The Haotian Pagoda had been open for so many years, so IDs naturally could not be unique. It was not as though humanity could not choose Kun as an ID!
Hearing that, the enormous eye said without hesitation, "No. Even one's closest relatives may not be told their talent and attribute panel. We only agreed to let you plant the Mystic Spirit Seal. Everything else is non-negotiable!"
Yang Jian's response only further confirmed Xuan Shiba's suspicions. There was definitely something fishy going on!
"This won't do, that won't do. Could this really be a fake?"
Hearing this, before Yang Jian could respond, Xu Kun became displeased.
"You're the fake one! Your whole family is fake!"
"Then what do you want? Showing my talent and status panel would be equivalent to exposing everything to your two clans. How is that any different from planting the Mystic Sky Seal?"
"If this person's true identity cannot be proven, then there is nothing to discuss!"
Neither side had any intention of backing down. The atmosphere was tense, and Xu Kun, caught in the middle, suddenly felt as though a storm was about to break.
"Um, let me say a few words..."
Before you continue