’Worst-case scenario, I get a warrant put out for my arrest on the spot... Damn, what kind of possibility is that? Why would I get a warrant? Did I commit treason or murder these few thousand students here? Yara, there’s something wrong with your thinking. Why do you always come up with such idiotic possibilities?’

It turned out the possibilities and estimations just now were the result of a back-and-forth between Yara and Su Zhou. Now, facing Su Zhou’s internal complaints, Yara replied with perfect composure, "The Multiverse is vast; anything is possible. All the scenarios I just mentioned are things I’ve personally witnessed happen... For example, if the Zhengguo Government discovers you’re the Transcendent who wiped out the entire Tang Family, they might actually put you under strict surveillance. The greater possibility is that they’ll let it slide and pretend they saw nothing, but even so, you can’t rule out the chance that they won’t, right?"

"But don’t worry." At this point, Yara actually started comforting Su Zhou. "Even if that one-in-a-zillion chance happens and you get a warrant, with the power of your Thunder Technique, escaping this camp would be a piece of cake. Then we can use the Celestial God Scale to travel to an Otherworld, Cultivate for a decade or so, and come back to crush this entire world!"

"That’s completely unnecessary comfort," Su Zhou swiftly retorted. "I’ve told you so many times, I’m not you! I’m not going to get chased all over the world by other people!"

At that moment, Su Zhou was striding toward the group from First High School. Professor Zuo, who was at the head of the group, instantly felt a terrifying Suppression flash past and vanish. It was Su Zhou’s Extraordinary Level Spiritual Pressure. Even though it was restrained, the mere sliver he unconsciously released was enough to intimidate everyone.

The overflowing Spiritual Power of a strong Cultivator could disrupt the Souls of the weak. Unless one could avoid this influence or was born with a firm will that could not be shaken, simply getting close would be enough to be intimidated, making it difficult to use one’s full strength.

"How did it go?"

Just then, Shao Qiming also saw his friend walking toward their group. The crowd along the path subconsciously stepped back, seemingly making way for him, but Su Zhou wore a look of someone who didn’t care in the slightest, as if he’d expected it all along.

"How else could it go? You blew everyone away. You’re going to be famous, bro!"

He teased, a sincere smile on his face. But then, Shao Qiming couldn’t help but sigh softly, muttering to himself, ’And I’m... still pretty far behind.’

「At the same time」

Zhang Fucheng received a phone call. He learned about the sudden and abnormal movements of snakes and insects around Hongcheng—or to be precise, around Meiling.

"What’s going on? Didn’t they leave before? Why are they suddenly back... Wait!?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

For some reason, as Zhang Fucheng felt the faint Suppression coming from Su Zhou and recalled the wind that had vaguely sounded like a Dragon’s Roar, a flash of inspiration struck him. He suddenly remembered the bizarre scene he had witnessed in Hongcheng back in August: all the Dragon Species snakes and fish retreating in a mass migration!

Countless red carp and slithering serpents had formed a massive tide, fleeing Hongcheng... It was a hasty, terrified escape, as if they were avoiding some higher-level existence.

And now, the Dragon Species were returning. The reason behind it... As he pondered, his train of thought gradually became clearer.

’The Dragon Species left because they sensed a threat. It’s like how in an ecological niche occupied by a tiger, there won’t be other large predators. When there are multiple Dragon Species, they compete for resources, so the strong will drive out the weak.’

’But if that gap in power widens, the weaker Dragon Species will actually return.’

How so?

If two Dragons occupied the same river, the same lake, or the same mountain range, they would naturally fight to determine who was stronger, and the weaker one would retreat.

But what if one was a True Dragon and the other was of a True Dragon Bloodline? The one with the Bloodline could bask in the True Dragon’s aura and grow stronger. So, before it advanced to become a true Flood Dragon, the Bloodline would actually flock to the area, as if it were a Pocket World Blessed Land!

’Su Zhou... he’s the one with the Dragon Blood!’

It all clicked into place. Zhang Fucheng finally understood. ’It’s him, Su Zhou! Back then, he advanced from Spirit Awakening to Awakening, and his Suppression drove out an entire city’s worth of Dragon Species!’

’In that case, he must have been the one who killed that Wood Centipede—that was probably his opportunity to advance! Its Wood nature birthed Wind Thunder, and the Wood Centipede’s Demon Core fueled his Yang Qi, forging his Wind Thunder Qi. A perfect opportunity!’

As more and more clues came together in his mind, Zhang Fucheng felt a perfect timeline forming in his head. ’He was born with an Extraordinary constitution and extremely high Soul Strength. The moment he had his Awakening, he was equivalent to a Tier Two Awakened Cultivator. Then, after the Spiritual Energy Revival, he awakened a unique affinity for Spiritual Qi, consolidated for four months, and then advanced to the Extraordinary Realm... It’s still incredible, but at least that’s a plausible theory!’

’That kid... And to think I specifically warned him to be careful of the Flood Dragon possibly lurking in the Ganjiang River... No wonder we couldn’t find it in the sewers or the river. The Dragon Vein was lurking right beside us all along!’

’He is the Dragon Blood holder!’

「In the monitoring room」

"It’s not strange, not strange at all... If an ordinary person who had never encountered the Extraordinary World suddenly obtained power, it would be normal for them to want to hide."

’If I had such Talent, I would definitely hide, too. I’d only dare to show myself and display my abilities after I had at least enough power to protect myself. Even if I knew no one would harm me for it, my instincts would make me do it. That’s the nature of a young animal, and humans, at the end of the day, are still animals.’

The Bureau Chief had been stunned for a good ten seconds before he recovered. He was just one small step away from the Extraordinary Realm himself; he needed to wait for the Spiritual Energy Revival to continue until his body’s functions returned to how they were in his middle age before he could even attempt it. Su Zhou’s strength had, in fact, already surpassed his.

No, based on the Wind Thunder Anomaly just now, even if he did advance to the Extraordinary Realm, he would probably have a hard time defeating Su Zhou in an unarmed fight!

But then, the Bureau Chief was struck by a doubt. "But something’s still not right—why would he suddenly dare to reveal his Talent now?"

’Could it be that he thinks he can already protect himself?’

After muttering this to himself, the Bureau Chief couldn’t help but laugh. He shook his head, still smiling. "And why wouldn’t he? An Extraordinary Realm Dragon Species who commands the Power of Wind and Thunder... how could the Soldiers and Transcendent here possibly stop him?"

「At the same time」

Zhang Qingyun, however, didn’t respond to his old friend’s words.

’Why would he dare to reveal his Talent? You’re talking about an eighteen-year-old! Anything is possible. It could be a well-thought-out decision, a moment of hot-headedness, or just pure, unadulterated confidence.’

’Who knows what a kid that age is really thinking? Instead of worrying about that, it’s better to think about something more useful.’

He exhaled slowly.

Letting out a long breath, the old man—who had lowered his head with a grave expression ever since he saw Su Zhou advance to the Extraordinary Realm, seemingly calculating and comparing something—finally looked up and said in a heavy voice, "Su Zhou..."

"His power and Talent are, you could say, the best in the nation..."

"No."

He shook his head at that, then continued to stare at the screen, at the young man who was smiling and chatting with his friend.

Zhang Qingyun asserted, "His Talent."

"Is the best in the entire world."

I’d like to recommend a friend’s book, Apocalypse Forecast.

It’s a new book from FengYueNiang (though not so new anymore). It’s an absolutely fantastic and thrilling read, with incredibly vivid imagery and some seriously cool concepts and settings!

It’s already over a million words long, so you don’t have to worry about it going on hiatus. In fact, the author’s been on a Chapter-releasing spree lately, so you can binge-read to your heart’s content. What are you waiting for?