Myriad Beasts Order, Blue Dragon Court.
The Order Master and the five hall masters gathered once again.
"Thomas Feng, how goes the investigation?" Victor Yin, seated at the head, asked in a deep voice.
Thomas Feng stood up from his seat, his expression grave. Over the past days, he had repeatedly sent elite Wind Hall disciples to covertly investigate the Yanhuang Survivor Base. After piecing together all the intelligence, even he was shocked beyond words.
"Order Master, fellow hall masters, we’ve all underestimated Ian Song!"
As soon as he finished, Warren Lei jumped in with a mocking laugh, "I think Thomas Feng is just hyping up the enemy to excuse his own failure!"
Wherever there are people, there’s a ‘jianghu’—rivalries, schemes, and all sorts of drama.
The Myriad Beasts Order is no different. Among the five halls, there’s always a hidden contest for status. This time, Wind Hall and Sword Hall botched their mission, so Warren Lei, as Thunder Hall Master, naturally seized the chance to throw shade.
Hearing Warren Lei’s sarcasm, Thomas Feng’s face darkened a few times, clearly annoyed, but he restrained himself in the end.
Seeing this, Warren Lei was extremely pleased with himself. He thought smugly, ‘Even this old turtle has to eat crow in front of me sometimes!’
"Let me lay it all out for you," Thomas Feng continued, his expression even more serious. "We all underestimated Ian Song before. According to intelligence from my Wind Hall agents, when six Transforming-Gang experts from Wind Hall and Sword Hall broke into his villa at night, planning to capture him first and break his power, all six were defeated and captured alive—even working together, they weren’t his match!"
Warren Lei, who’d wanted to keep mocking Thomas Feng, fell silent.
The faces of the Mountain, Rain, and Sword Hall Masters grew serious as well.
Even the usually unflappable Order Master Victor Yin looked visibly moved.
Facing two fourth-stage, one third-stage, and three second-stage Transforming-Gang experts in a surprise attack—even a fifth-stage expert might not escape unharmed. Yet Ian Song captured all six alive. That proves his cultivation has reached at least fifth-stage Transforming-Gang.
Or maybe, he has someone at fifth-stage Transforming-Gang or higher by his side.
Transforming-Gang experts are the backbone of any power. The more you have, the stronger your sect.
And among Transforming-Gang experts, fifth-stage is already considered top-tier. For example, all five hall masters of the Myriad Beasts Order are fifth-stage, while the Order Master is sixth-stage.
Just then, Thomas Feng changed the subject: "Actually, whether we deal with Ian Song isn’t the main issue—because I’ve discovered an earthshaking secret!"
"Oh? What kind of secret?"
Everyone looked curious—if Thomas Feng called it an earthshaking secret, it had to be something big.
Thomas Feng went on, "According to Wind Hall’s reports, besides Ian Song, his camp has over ten Dan-Strength experts, more than two thousand Dark-Strength fighters, and over seven thousand Bright-Strength fighters!"
"No way! You think martial artists grow on trees?" Warren Lei was the first to object. Ten Dan-Strength he could accept, but over two thousand Dark-Strength? That was nonsense—the Myriad Beasts Order didn’t even have that many!
And seven thousand Bright-Strength fighters? That was even more ridiculous. The whole survivor base only numbers a bit over ten thousand—does that mean almost everyone there is a martial artist?
"I didn’t believe it either when I first heard!"
Thomas Feng said meaningfully.
"So there’s more to this than meets the eye?" Titus Zhuge asked, gently shaking his feather fan.
"Exactly!"
Thomas Feng’s face lit up with excitement. "That’s right—Ian Song can mass-produce martial artists! All those Dark-Strength and Bright-Strength fighters in his base were just ordinary people before the apocalypse!"
"How is that possible?!"
To create seven or eight thousand Bright-Strength fighters and more than two thousand Dark-Strength in one go—just thinking about it was chilling.
No matter how strong a Transforming-Gang expert is, even they can’t withstand an assault by hundreds of Dark-Strength fighters. If Ian Song had an army of a hundred thousand Dark-Strength, who could oppose him?
We must obtain the secret of making martial artists, no matter the cost!
Order Master Victor Yin slammed his palm onto the table’s armrest. With a crack, the armrest broke, showing just how unsettled he was.
Thomas Feng smiled smugly. “Actually, I’ve already obtained the secret!”
Is that true?!
Feng, you really got the secret?
Quick, tell us! I can’t wait any longer!
The other four hall masters stared eagerly at Thomas Feng, their voices urgent.
Wind Hall Master, hurry and tell us the secret! Even Victor Yin couldn’t help but ask.
This is the secret to quickly making martial artists!' Thomas Feng didn’t keep them in suspense; with a flip of his hand, a crystal appeared.
What is this?
Everyone stared at the crystal in his hand, their eyes full of curiosity.
Thomas Feng said, “Ian Song calls this an Evolution Crystal. When ordinary people swallow it, their physical power surges. With continued use, they can reach at least late Dark-Strength level!”
That’s incredible!
Let me see it!
They passed the Evolution Crystal around, examining it closely. Each felt a special energy inside.
Where does this Evolution Crystal come from?
Victor Yin studied the Evolution Crystal, his voice trembling as he asked.
Everywhere!
Thomas Feng said with emotion.
Something like this is everywhere? How come I’ve never seen it?' Warren Lei asked, puzzled. Suddenly, a thought struck him and he exclaimed, 'Wait… isn’t this the thing inside zombie heads?!
Reminded by Warren Lei, the other three who’d killed zombies recalled that Evolution Crystals did come from zombie heads.
Thomas Feng nodded. “That’s right. Evolution Crystals come from zombie heads.”
Now everyone understood why Thomas Feng said Evolution Crystals were everywhere. After all, this disaster turned at least six billion of the world’s seven billion people into zombies. Getting Evolution Crystals would be easy.
Call in a servant and let’s test the Evolution Crystal!' Victor Yin ordered impatiently.
Yes, Order Master!
Thomas Feng quickly brought in a young servant, who swallowed the Evolution Crystal in front of everyone.
A few hours later.
The servant left, but the six senior members of Myriad Beasts Order could not calm down.
Order Master, I think we should start collecting Evolution Crystals and mass-produce new martial artists before other sects catch on!' Titus Zhuge suggested loudly.
The other four hall masters agreed enthusiastically.
Victor Yin nodded. “Send my order—have all disciples collect Evolution Crystals and survivors!”
The five hall masters were especially excited. If they could produce tens of thousands of Dark-Strength fighters, they could crush the other sects in South China and rule the region.