Within the primeval forests of the Feter Kingdom, a patch of soil originating from the Demon Realm, stained with the blood of demons, abruptly appeared beneath an ancient tree that had grown for over three hundred years.
It merged with the soil beneath the ancient tree.
Following this, the ancient tree rapidly withered, and the vines entwined around it also withered and died.
The ancient tree perished completely, but the vines left behind a seed stained with demon blood. After countless near-death experiences, it gradually adapted to the soil below.
It transformed into the bloodthirsty Demonic Vine.
It began to hunt surrounding animals to grow.
It remained unknown because it was born deep within the primeval forest.
...
In the wilderness of the Ao'kao Kingdom, the inner core of a ferocious giant bear from the savage lands fell into a clear spring and successfully dissolved into it. Many animals drank from the spring.
If the inner core had been consumed by many animals.
Then not a single one of those animals would have survived.
But unfortunately, the inner core dissolved into the spring. Discussing poison without considering dosage is like making a fool of oneself. Even the most potent medicine, diluted to a certain extent, cannot cause death. Therefore, most of the animals that drank from the spring did not die, with only a few very small ones perishing. Instead, they became somewhat stronger and significantly more ferocious.
Herbivores began to hunt carnivores.
Carnivores began to attack other carnivores.
Some even began to attack lone humans.
Ferocity and madness were spreading in that area.
...
In the sewers of the Feiqu Kingdom, many discarded research results from a certain dimensional world's mutant research center were poured in. These agents and wastewater mixed, and quickly spread throughout the sewers.
This also caused mutations in the sewer species. The first to mutate were undoubtedly cockroaches and rats.
Some cockroaches grew to the size of eggs, while others shrank to the size of ants, but they developed a lot of toxins. Some cockroaches became bloodthirsty, some began to prey on rats, and others developed terrifying reproductive capabilities, continuously producing offspring as long as food was sufficient, and their offspring could also randomly mutate.
The mutation direction of the rats was equally impressive as that of the cockroaches. Some grew as large as Maine Coon cats, some developed fur as sharp as steel needles, some developed more terrifying toxins, and others lost all their fur, growing scales instead.
These mutations quickly caused a sensation.
They led to many deaths and much fear, and indirectly spread outwards, affecting other species.
...
In the Mili Nation, venomous spiders suddenly appeared in certain areas. Bites from these spiders caused special mutations. Some turned directly into blood.
Others mutated to develop superpowers.
For instance, some could suddenly spit silk, their eyes became like those of a spider, they grew extra legs on their bodies, or their entire abdomen transformed into a spider's egg sac.
Continuously producing spiders that obeyed her commands.
...
Similar situations occurred in the wilderness and even in bustling areas of many countries.
And these were only changes on land. The oceans also experienced many bizarre changes no less significant than those on land, such as gigantism, becoming poisonous, or developing intelligence and transforming into intelligent races.
If only one or two strange incidents occurred, people might dismiss them as natural coincidences, believing that anything is possible in this vast world. However, with such frequent and numerous bizarre changes, any country with a functioning brain would sense that something was amiss.
Therefore, the next step was naturally investigation and pursuit.
But neither the animals nor the humans who believed they had gained extraordinary abilities would surrender easily. Furthermore, they were hesitant to use overly powerful weapons for this purpose. Consequently, there were frequent localized conflicts and disturbances.
In some countries with small populations, wild animals even wiped out a city, occupied it, and showed signs of wanting to annihilate an entire country.
One can imagine the magnitude of the problem.
In less than a year, the entire world descended into chaos. The only place that remained relatively peaceful and tranquil was the Xiyi Kingdom, because Ding Yun had not thrown anything from the myriad realms in that direction. At most, they encountered mutated species born in other countries at the border, but internally, it was generally calm.
However, this was not necessarily a good thing.
Firstly, they lacked opportunities to directly interact with those mutated species and had no research subjects. Secondly, other countries were in trouble while they were not.
Who wouldn't feel envious, jealous, possibly resentful, and even suspect that these phenomena were somehow caused by them?
That they intended to unify the world or something similar!
The Xiyi Kingdom had no shortage of explanations for this.
There was also considerable debate online about it.
[Speaking of which, although I think it's not good to doubt ourselves like this, I'm really starting to suspect if those chaotic demons and monsters outside were actually caused by our country. Otherwise, why do other countries have those things, but we don't? It's so peaceful.]
[Please, some people have brains!
If there are demons and monsters outside, isn't it natural for us not to have them? Have you forgotten what Journey to the West says? Did Tang Monk encounter any monsters in the Great Tang Empire? The only one that could be considered a monster was the River Dragon King, but once he left the Great Tang, monsters were everywhere. This shows that our East possesses heavenly protection!]
[Could it be a Nine Provinces Barrier? I've read some novels that mention a Nine Provinces Barrier. A Nine Provinces Barrier can block all demons and monsters from entering, even gods and immortals have to behave themselves.]
[Can the above stop talking nonsense?
Why don't you say that any demons and monsters that entered were cleared out by the Nine Heavens Purifying Demon Emperor's subordinates?]
[Am I the only one envious of other countries? Many people there already have superpowers, and I even heard about things that can cure incurable diseases, and even help people extend their lifespan and regain youth. Only our side has nothing. We'll fall behind if this continues.]
[Are some people crazy? Don't they want to live peaceful lives, but instead want to live days where they don't know if they can open their eyes in the morning after sleeping at night? And are those mutations anything good?
Haven't you seen those mutated individuals, who have lost their human form, becoming neither human nor ghost?
What's the difference from the monsters in Journey to the West?]
[If you want to live those kinds of lives, have the guts to go abroad! The country isn't stopping you from leaving. If you want to go seek death, then go seek death. What are you saying online?]
[Speaking of which, could it be that our country actually has those demons and monsters, but organizations like the Dragon Group have already eradicated them?]
[Good heavens, could it be a spiritual energy resurgence?]
[If that's the case, then the cultivators in Kunlun Mountains should also come out soon, right? Should we prepare ourselves, memorize our meridians and acupoints, so we can cultivate immortality as soon as possible!]
[Other things aside, but the Nine Provinces Barrier is likely incorrect. Because if there were a Nine Provinces Barrier, no demons or monsters should be able to enter. But in reality, we have encountered some demons and monsters at the border, and they were promptly eradicated by the country at the border.
They weren't allowed to enter.]
[Perhaps the current Nine Provinces is not the same concept as the past Nine Provinces, or perhaps it's been neglected due to disrepair?]