The pressure seemed to shift entirely to the side of the abominations.
The returning overseas students, still in their training attire, displayed an overwhelming battlefield dominance, eliminating the abominations that surged from the gray fog one by one, quickly quieting the entire battlefield.
Only the hushed whispers of the outer patrolmen remained.
Gazing at the figures in training uniforms, they were filled with surprise and admiration.
"They're wearing similar outfits, and they're all unknown masters. Could they be our patrol organization's secret weapon?"
This was from those who didn't know them, or only knew them a little.
You'er rubbed his stiff face and looked at the plump woman codenamed Iris, "Your speed and power... you must have reached the second awakening level already."
"Yes, sir. This batch of overseas students has all shown improvements under Xin Huo's guidance."
"We have sixteen newly awakened first-level awakeners and fourteen newly awakened second-level awakeners. Please review, sir."
You'er: "..."
He counted.
Not all the returning overseas students were wearing training uniforms; a few were in their own clothes.
There were 42 people in training uniforms and eight in their own clothes. In total, all fifty students were present.
And among them, thirty had undergone awakening?
He opened his mouth, but after a long while, he couldn't speak. Another high-ranking official next to him couldn't hold back and asked on his behalf, "Isn't awakening very risky, with a high mortality rate?"
"It is."
Iris nodded, and then matter-of-factly added, "But Xin Huo provided us with a special awakening ritual site."
She fell into reminiscence.
Scenes from the training camp flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but smile, a happy smile.
She continued, "As long as we pass the assessment during the training camp, meet the conditions, and pay a negligible amount of points, we can get an opportunity for a ritual awakening."
"Such opportunities have a very high probability of triggering an awakening, and even if the awakening fails, there's no death. Minor mental trauma can also be healed through treatment... Xin Huo's physicians are very skilled at healing mental and spiritual trauma."
"Awakening ritual? Is it possible for our Sunset Country to master such a ritual?" You'er asked.
Iris shook her head, "I don't know about that. I just feel that the cost of such an awakening ritual might be quite high..."
"It definitely is," Anna said. "I heard that the ritual requires a lot of soul crystals to operate. The boiling potion we drank before awakening is also a high-grade potion."
"And also, the ritual site is ancient and mysterious. Building such a site must have incurred immense costs and a long time."
"But the points Xin Huo requires us to pay are only a few dozen. Nominally, it's a fee, but in reality, what's the difference from being free?"
The points were also earned within the training camp.
And in the training camp, there were all sorts of expensive training facilities, high-grade ingredients, precious medicinal liquids, and so on.
Thinking of this, Princess Anna pursed her lips.
She felt a pang of bitterness.
What were the tuition fees for their exchange student spots compared to the cultivation Xin Huo provided them? What were they?
Anna fell silent.
So did Iris.
As their thoughts drifted, You'er's thoughts were also drifting.
He exchanged glances with the other high-ranking official, their gazes conveying the same meaning.
"Xin Huo even has an awakening ritual project? We must get our hands on it, no matter what!"
You'er pondered.
He looked at Anna, then at the high-ranking official next to him, continuing to communicate through their eyes.
"According to the descriptions of Princess Anna and Iris, the Xin Huo training camp is a system of incentivized cultivation. As long as one performs excellently, they can enjoy all the benefits within almost for free."
"The awakening ritual is one of them, and it's very cheap. This is a benefit provided to excellent training camp students."
The high-ranking official next to him nodded.
After a moment of thought, he replied with his eyes,
"But since Xin Huo has this project and can offer it to our Sunset Country's overseas students, can we purchase it additionally?"
You'er met his gaze.
"That's what I was thinking. The price certainly can't be based on the overseas students' points, but these are not issues. Involving the chance of awakening and the safety of awakening, we must pay any price."
"You're right, money is not a problem."
"Moreover, we've learned many material identification methods from Xin Huo's textbooks, and we'll soon be able to enter the dimensional realm for development. Our income will increase severalfold, and we'll be able to afford even colossal prices."
You'er said.
It's just that, he suddenly felt something was wrong.
It seemed like he was working for Xin Huo? This must be an illusion.
Looking at the thriving and strengthened overseas students, You'er displayed a victor's smile.
...
The overseas students who went to Xin Huo were previously 30 first-level awakeners and 20 ordinary patrolmen.
Among them, the first-level awakeners were of the 'promising future' type, meaning they had awakened not long ago, had relatively weaker combat power, and lacked combat experience.
The earliest to awaken was Princess Anna.
However, due to her special status, Princess Anna rarely went to the battlefield, and her combat experience against abominations was minimal and not very rich.
And now?
The students returning from their studies included 14 second-level awakeners and 32 first-level awakeners. These individuals faced abominations as if they were at home.
Their movements were swift, their actions decisive and sharp, their tactical maneuvering and combat experience seemed richer than many veteran patrolmen.
"And their strength and speed."
The Black Knight, resting off-duty, stared at a first-level student in amazement.
The combat power of the second-level students was even more exaggerated; they were all elites among the second-level awakeners, and excellent students like Iris possessed combat power that surpassed even those with Knight titles.
Perhaps awarding them the honorific title of First Knight would not be an exaggeration.
Before them, under the gloomy sky, the gray fog surged once more.
This time, more abominations emerged, including three colossal abominations. Three blood-and-flesh giants, fifteen to sixteen meters tall, were arranged in a triangular formation. Beneath the gray fog, their bodies, devoid of fur and only flesh and blood, were presented in stark clarity to the patrolmen.
Terrifying, piercing roars echoed in their ears.
The ordinary patrolmen retreated repeatedly, falling back two kilometers.
The patrolmen within the combat zone quickly drank a small blue bottle – a calming potion – to enter a wise mode to resist the mental shock.
At this moment, the patrol organization adopted an old tactic.
Lure, divide, then surround and annihilate them one by one.
Iris's ability was related to footwork. She weaved gracefully, drawing away one blood-and-flesh giant.
Phantom Knight split into phantom bodies, also drawing away the second blood-and-flesh giant.
The third one...
"I'll deal with it~"
Anna walked forward slowly, her radiant golden hair flowing in the wind. She wore no earrings or head ornaments, yet she exuded an indescribable elegance and nobility.
It was innate.
Yet, standing before the terrifying blood-and-flesh giant, she appeared incredibly small and fragile, as if the brightest flower of the Sunset Country would wither in the next moment, making one want to close their eyes.
Suddenly, a brilliant red light flashed.
Anna's fair, jade-like hands ignited with an orange-red flame, which quickly condensed into a crimson hue. Under her control, the two flames continued to compress and deform.
In the blink of an eye, they transformed into two crimson fiery ribbons, like slender silk ribbons flying forward, carrying extreme heat and sharpness.
*Swish—*
The crimson ribbons were like knives, severing the giant's forked tongue. The severed portion fell to the ground, twitching and sizzling. In the next moment, a ball of flame flew from nearby and landed on the tongue, burning it to ashes.
Simultaneously, the crimson ribbons continued to dance, brilliantly streaking across the dim sky, wrapping around the blood-and-flesh giant's neck.
As the giant roared and charged, the scorching and sharp ribbons gradually embedded themselves into its neck, leaving increasingly noticeable crimson scars.
One step, two steps, three steps.
The earth trembled, leaving behind huge blackened footprints.
The ferocious face, the piercing roar, the foul smell... became clearer.
When the giant advanced to within a few meters of Anna, the crimson ribbons erupted. The giant's head flew off, and with a bang, it landed on the ground. The giant's body gradually slowed and stiffened, finally falling backward heavily.
Wisps of blackish-green smoke rose from its body, and the colossal frame slowly disappeared.
Three-star abomination, eliminated!
You'er: "Ababa."
He had thought Princess Anna was also meant for containment, but he didn't expect her to eliminate it so easily and seemingly without much effort.
Is this what a second-level awaker is? This is not scientific!
But it seems... it seems very Xin Huo overseas student-like.
You'er opened his mouth and closed it again, deciding not to speak. No matter what he asked, they would have a reasonable explanation, wouldn't they?
Anna was undoubtedly a strong three-awakener level combatant.
The pillar of the Sunset Country, Saint Anthony, was a true three-awakener.
Coupled with numerous experts capable of containing three-star abominations, their lineup could be considered super luxurious. Facing an ordinary dimensional rift, they wouldn't be too afraid of three or four stacked together.
But this time, it was a dimensional rift with a larger gap.
Gray fog continuously surged from within the gate, seeping onto Blue Star. On the other side of the rift, in the dimensional realm, countless abominations roared, their primal desires pushing them forward.
Colossal shadows sent chills down their spines, instilling fear.
Outside the gate,
The awakened individuals of the Sunset Country were also locked in fierce battle. They had lost count of how many abominations they had killed. Even the colossal abominations emerging from the gray fog numbered ten... twenty... or perhaps over thirty.
This was a number sufficient to destroy the entire Fog City.
If these abominations hadn't emerged in batches, and if they hadn't purchased a large quantity of potions produced by Xin Huo, they would have collapsed long ago.
Even so,
"The energy recovery potions have been consumed too much, and their effect has significantly weakened. My life energy can't be replenished."
"Cough, cough, I drank two strength potions just now. My muscles feel a bit weak now that the effect has worn off. What should I do?"
"I've drunk too many calming potions and suddenly feel a bit listless. I'm a bit worried, will this sage effect last forever?"
"Don't worry, buddy. After the battle, we'll go have fun. There's nothing that a good time can't fix."
The patrolmen's condition was not good, and the battle was difficult.
They remained optimistic.
After all, they had experienced many more difficult and tragic battles. Back then, they almost couldn't withstand an ordinary dimensional rift and suffered heavy losses.
And now? With strong reinforcements like the returning overseas students and Xin Huo's miraculous potions, after fighting for two to three hours, they had only a few casualties and dozens of injuries.
Furthermore, they had held the defensive line firmly, preventing the abominations from advancing.
With such achievements, the patrolmen were filled with pride and honor—as long as the past was miserable enough, the current achievements deserved great praise.
At the same time, in the distant White Bear Country and the not-so-distant Wave Flower Country, they relied on their respective countries' mysterious powers to resist the disaster of the dimensional rift.
The awakened individuals of the White Bear Country shouted "Ura!" with fierce fighting styles, much more aggressive than those of the Sunset Country.
At one point, they even punched and kicked at the colossal abominations.
The Wave Flower Country's power was relatively weaker, and the returning overseas students couldn't provide much support—they had also bought fewer potions. Xin Huo had to dispatch forces from its Torch Town branch to assist the Wave Flower Country with several regular teams.
And in various other places, both in front of people and behind the scenes, fierce battles were being fought.
Dimensional rifts varied in strength and weakness, with some opening earlier and others later.
The rift in Fog City, Sunset Country, appeared relatively early and had already gone through over a dozen rounds of gray fog breaths, each more powerful than the last.
*Boom—!*
Under the gray fog, the last of the eight three-star abominations fell.
The patrolmen let out a collective sigh of relief and couldn't help but cheer a few times. However, looking at the still gloomy sky and the lingering gray fog, they frowned, their expressions becoming increasingly solemn.
"Is it not over yet?"
"It's the thirteenth round. Even though this dimensional rift is tricky and the rift is large, it should be ending soon."
"It's very likely the next round. Everyone, hold on a little longer."
At this moment, the fourteenth wave of abominations had not yet appeared, and the patrolmen felt fortunate to have enough time to rest.
But as the gray fog lingered and the surge never came, their strength recovered slightly, but the high-ranking officials' faces grew more somber.
Their hearts felt heavy, as if an invisible, oppressive weight had descended upon them.
The waiting time for this round was longer than the interval between any previous gray fog breaths. Just as many patrolmen were losing patience, the surge of gray fog arrived!
The wind howled.
The slowly drifting gray fog began to surge violently, expanding and contracting, expanding and contracting.
Expanding, contracting, expanding, contracting, expanding, expanding, expanding, contracting, contracting, contracting—
It was like gray tides surging back and forth, up and down. Through the hazy gray fog, one could vaguely glimpse a world of gray, dead and dilapidated, dim and monochrome, where countless terrifying monsters surged forward, crowding together.
It was like looking into a well, and below the well, countless pale arms and countless grotesque faces were trying to push up, to break out.
Outside the well, no, outside the rift.
The dimensional rift in Fog City compressed to its limit, and the rift suddenly widened and exploded.
The gray fog instantly detonated!
It roared like a vast net enveloping heaven and earth, covering an area of one to two kilometers. Within the tide of gray fog, black shadows emerged one after another.
"Retreat!"
"Everyone retreat one kilometer!"
"Non-frontline combat personnel, retreat two kilometers!"
The patrolmen quickly retreated, avoiding direct contact with the abominations.
Monsters continued to emerge from the fog, in ever-increasing numbers, stepping onto the earth.
"Roar—"
A giant shadow, dozens of meters tall, comparable in size to a skyscraper, tore through the gray fog and emerged.
Its legs stomped on the ground, sinking into it. Its four withered arms clenched into fists, and it let out a furious roar towards the sky.
The air vibrated, creating ripples upon ripples.
The vision of countless awakened individuals blurred and distorted, their ears buzzing, seemingly unable to hear anything clearly.
Blood tears streamed from their eyes, and blood flowed from their ears.
The instinct for survival urged them to flee, but some still knelt on the ground, roaring in pain, their muscles gradually withering as they succumbed to slumber.
At this moment, with the appearance of this terrifying giant, the gray fog had thinned considerably, but abominations continued to emerge.
Many patrolmen had guessed correctly; this was the last wave of abominations, but they hadn't guessed entirely right.
"This is, this is a disaster-level abomination!"
"The four-armed giant demon from Xin Huo's textbooks, a four-star abomination, far surpasses three-star colossal abominations!"
Some patrolmen had seen disaster-level abominations before; they had seen them during the Red Moon Calamity.
But at that time, they were very far from the abominations, only observing the terrifying monster from afar.
And now, they were very close, less than a thousand meters away.
The abomination's roar continued to pierce their minds. Trembling, they picked up calming potions and gulped them down.
Saint Anthony, the Saint of Law, clutched a high-grade anomalous artifact.
Anna clutched the pendant she had exchanged for from the training camp, and an unconcealable fear surged within her.
How could they deal with such a monster?
However, this was not the end. The gray fog gradually thinned, and monsters continued to emerge.
As the gray fog almost completely dissipated, what appeared before the awakened individuals of the Sunset Country, in addition to the four-armed giant demon, were two more terrifying giant shadows.
One of them stood upright, dozens of meters tall, its entire body engulfed in black flames—
The Black Flame Centipede!
As soon as it appeared, the black flames spread, even engulfing many one- and two-star abominations. That four-armed giant demon also grabbed a few two-star abominations, stuffing them into its mouth like snacks, crunching and bursting them open, with juice splashing out.
The number of one- and two-star abominations on the field decreased, but the patrolmen didn't feel relieved; they only felt terror.
No matter how many one- and two-star abominations there were, they couldn't compare to the terror brought by disaster-level abominations!
The other one was slightly smaller in size, hovering twenty to thirty meters above the ground. At first glance, it resembled a giant cluster of hydrogen balloons.
But upon closer inspection, one could see that it was made of countless bucket-sized eyeballs, gathered together densely, with the eyeballs constantly rotating.
Just one glance at it would plunge one into deep fear.
—Disaster-level abomination, the Aggregated Evil Eye!
Three disaster-level abominations appeared simultaneously. The sheer mental impact emanating from them was enough to drive people mad.
Their blood froze, and their bodies felt as if they had turned to ice.
Blind, deaf, and trembling all over!
Even the strong Princess Anna's delicate body couldn't stop shaking.
Three disaster-level abominations had descended.
The dimensional rift had completely closed.
Fog City battlefield fell into cold despair. Amidst this despair, a golden light quietly appeared. Initially, it wasn't very bright, but soon it blazed brilliantly, dispelling the deep darkness of despair and tearing apart the overcast clouds.
"In... Instructor!"
Ordinary soldiers of Xin Huo on the scene whispered, their expressions shaken.
It's a Xin Huo instructor?
The high-ranking officials of the patrol organization were suddenly startled and looked up.
A golden figure stood in the sky. With a slight lift of his hand, he hurled crystalline lightning bolts one after another, which fell into the dense tide of abominations.
*Zzzzt—!*
Thunderous explosions instantly annihilated the struck abominations, completely destroying their large, ugly bodies. From the bright lightning, three more beams shot out, heading towards the three closest abominations.
One became three, three became nine, and nine became twenty-six.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of blue lightning bolts streaked through the abomination tide, annihilating abominations one by one.
Visibly, black figures turned to ash one after another.
They decreased in large numbers.
In just a few breaths, thousands of one-, two-, and three-star abominations vanished before their eyes.
At this moment, as the golden figure in the sky slightly clenched his palm, the remaining hundreds of lightning bolts, like closing flower buds, flew upwards, like arrows, like light, engulfing the only three remaining giant shadows in the sky.
Brilliant lightning light enveloped them!
Then, rolling purple heavenly thunder tore through the sky and descended, striking all three giant shadows simultaneously.
The heavens and earth erupted in blinding white light. Countless people shed tears from their eyes, instinctively closing them. The tremendous roar made their eardrums buzz.
After a while,
After a while,
As the dazzling lightning gradually receded, the overcast clouds had dispersed, and warm, gentle sunlight streamed down from the heavens.
It sprinkled upon the ravaged landscape before them.
Not a trace of an abomination could be seen.
The three terrifying giant shadows had vanished without even a shred of bone, and there wasn't even a giant crater from lightning strikes on the ground. The mess on the ground was a result of the previous battle, as if the terrifying giant shadows and the brilliant divine lightning that tore through the sky had just been an illusion.
It wasn't an illusion at all!
Anna rubbed her eyes and looked up again, no longer seeing the figure in the sky.
But the scene just now was still etched in her heart.
The golden figure was very reassuring.