Meanwhile, inside the Tiny World, the countless cultivators who had gathered around Silent River Hill were still unable to calm themselves.

The scene that had happened earlier continued replaying inside their minds.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Especially the image of the Nether Corpse Sect Soul Transformation expert being slowly dragged into that tiny mirror fragment.

The more they thought about it, the more frightened they became.

Many of them had originally believed that the mysterious deity possessed unimaginable physical strength but lacked the ability to truly kill higher cultivators.

After all, they had observed many things.

They had observed Nascent Soul cultivators surviving even after their bodies were destroyed.

They had observed souls escaping.

They had observed remnants remaining behind.

That was why they had become bolder.

That was why many cultivators had started discussing whether the deity was truly invincible.

That was why the Heaven Cleaving Sect’s Soul Transformation expert had dared to negotiate.

Yet now...

Everything had changed.

Because they had witnessed something horrifying.

Something that challenged everything they knew.

A Soul Transformation expert.

A genuine Soul Transformation expert.

A being standing near the peak of the world.

Taken away like an insect.

No resistance.

No escape.

No miracle.

Just gone.

The atmosphere around Silent River Hill became incredibly tense.

No one spoke for a long time.

No one wanted to be the first to break the silence.

Eventually, the Heaven Cleaving Sect’s Soul Transformation expert slowly exhaled.

His expression had become much more solemn than before.

His gaze remained fixed on the heavens where the giant deity had disappeared.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"We need to discuss our next course of action."

Immediately, countless cultivators turned toward him.

Several Nascent Soul experts cupped their fists.

Many Core Formation cultivators listened attentively.

Even the surviving members of the Nether Corpse Sect stopped whispering among themselves.

One Nascent Soul cultivator spoke first.

"Elder."

"Should we destroy Silent River Hill?"

The moment those words were spoken, the crowd became noisy.

Some agreed immediately.

Others disagreed.

Arguments erupted from every direction.

"We should destroy it."

"No."

"That place is too dangerous."

"If we leave it alone, who knows what may emerge from it in the future."

"What if another deity appears?"

"What if a greater disaster emerges?"

"We should eliminate the danger before it grows."

Several cultivators nodded repeatedly.

However, others quickly shook their heads.

"Destroy it?"

"Are you insane?"

"Have you forgotten the divine water?"

"Have you forgotten the heavenly treasures?"

"Have you forgotten the spiritual fruits?"

The crowd became quiet.

Because those words struck a sensitive point.

The divine water alone had changed countless destinies. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Many cultivators had experienced breakthroughs because of it.

Many beasts had evolved because of it.

Even entire regions had become richer in spiritual energy because of the water that occasionally spilled from Silent River Hill.

One Nascent Soul expert swallowed.

Then spoke carefully.

"If we destroy Silent River Hill and the deity becomes enraged..."

He did not finish his sentence.

He did not need to.

Everyone understood.

The result would likely be catastrophic.

Soon another cultivator spoke.

"We should not destroy it."

"We should continue observing."

"The deity does not appear unreasonable."

"He has provided treasures."

"He has distributed divine water."

"Only when get on his nerves did he began attacking us."

Many nodded.

Because that was true.

Every cultivator that had died had either attempted to seize treasures or openly challenged the deity.

The deity had never descended solely to massacre people.

At least not from what they had observed.

Soon the discussions became increasingly heated.

Some advocated destruction.

Others advocated cooperation.

Others suggested complete isolation.

The arguments continued for a long time.

Eventually, the Heaven Cleaving Sect Soul Transformation expert raised his hand.

The crowd immediately fell silent.

The old cultivator slowly looked around.

Then sighed.

"You are all looking at the matter incorrectly."

Everyone immediately focused on him.

The old man continued.

"Whether Silent River Hill should be destroyed is no longer the main question."

"The real question is..."

"Can we destroy it?"

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The old man slowly looked toward the heavens.

Then his voice became heavy.

"I do not believe we can."

Several cultivators widened their eyes.

One Peak Nascent Soul expert respectfully cupped his fists.

"Elder."

"Are you truly certain?"

The old man nodded.

Then spoke slowly.

"You all know that my Heaven Cleaving Sect possesses an Ascendant Realm ancestor."

Immediately, countless cultivators became respectful.

The Ascendant Realm.

That realm represented legends.

Most cultivators would never even see such a being in their entire lives.

The old man’s eyes became distant.

As though recalling ancient memories.

"I once witnessed our ancestor making a move."

The crowd immediately became excited.

The old man continued.

"Three hundred years ago."

"A colossal demonic beast emerged from the Endless Sea."

"It was over ten thousand meters long."

"Its body could shatter mountains."

"Its roar could collapse cities."

"It devoured countless cultivators."

"Entire sects fled before it."

Many cultivators listened breathlessly.

The old man continued.

"Then our ancestor arrived."

"He merely raised one hand."

"The heavens split apart."

"The sea separated into two halves."

"The clouds vanished for millions of kilometers."

"The beast died instantly."

Several cultivators gasped.

However, the old man shook his head.

"Even then..."

His voice became extremely solemn.

"Even then..."

"I did not feel the same fear."

The crowd froze.

The old man slowly pointed upward.

"Earlier."

"When that deity appeared."

"When that hand descended."

"When that voice echoed through heaven and earth."

"I felt something."

His expression became grim.

"A pressure beyond comprehension."

"A pressure that our ancestor never gave me."

No one spoke.

No one even dared breathe loudly.

The old man slowly continued.

"I am not saying the deity is stronger."

"I am saying..."

"I do not know."

"And that uncertainty terrifies me."

The crowd became silent once more.

After a long time, the old man finally made his decision.

"I will return to Heaven Cleaving Sect."

"I will personally report everything to our ancestor."

"I refuse to make any further decisions without his guidance."

Everyone nodded.

That was reasonable.

Very reasonable.

Soon, the Heaven Cleaving Sect cultivators began departing one after another.

Sword lights shot across the sky.

The surviving Nether Corpse Sect members also prepared to leave.

A Peak Nascent Soul expert from their faction stepped forward.

"I will report Elder Ling Taiyin’s death to the sect."

His expression was ugly.

Extremely ugly.

After all, a Soul Transformation elder had fallen.

That was enough to shake their entire sect.

Soon, one group after another departed.

The sky gradually became empty.

Silent River Hill returned to silence.

...

Meanwhile, back in the real world.

Clayne knew absolutely nothing about the panic he had caused.

At the moment, he was busy doing something much more important.

Experimenting.

Standing near the school’s entrance, Clayne carefully took out another piece of dried mango.

The heavenly treasure still emitted faint spiritual energy.

Even now, it looked extraordinary.

Without hesitation, he tossed a small piece outside the mist formation.

The moment it landed on the street...

The effect appeared.

Insects emerged.

First came beetles.

Then centipedes.

Then mutated ants.

Then strange winged insects.

Then grotesque creatures that barely resembled insects anymore.

One after another.

Dozens.

Then hundreds.

Then thousands.

They all sensed the same thing.

Power.

Evolution.

Opportunity.

The street instantly transformed into a battlefield.

A gigantic beetle smashed another insect apart.

A centipede wrapped itself around a mutant spider.

Winged insects dove from the sky.

Mandibles crushed shells.

Legs tore bodies apart.

Green blood splattered everywhere.

The killing became increasingly intense.

Every creature fought like a madman.

Every creature wanted the dried mango.

Every creature wanted power.

Clayne watched from behind the formation.

A grin slowly appeared on his face.

His theory had been correct.

Very correct.

The insects behaved exactly like cultivators fighting over treasures.

The weak died.

The strong survived.

The survivors became stronger.

Then they killed again.

Again.

And again.

Hours passed.

The battlefield became increasingly bloody.

Thousands became hundreds.

Hundreds became dozens.

Dozens became ten.

Then five.

Then three.

Finally...

Only one remained.

Clayne narrowed his eyes.

Then slowly stood up.

The surviving insect stood in the middle of the ruined street.

Its body was crimson red.

Its shell gleamed like polished armor.

Its forelimbs resembled enormous blades.

Its compound eyes glowed with an eerie intelligence.

The surrounding corpses formed a mountain around it.

The creature stood atop that mountain like a king.

Clayne immediately felt interested.

Very interested.

Especially after recalling the Beast Enslavement Spell he had just inherited.

A smile appeared on his face.

Then he slowly stepped forward.

"It’s time."

His eyes locked onto the creature.

The creature also turned toward him.

For several moments, neither side moved.

Then Clayne finally got a clear look at the victor.

And immediately recognized it.

A Red Mantis.