"Hahaha, another internet know-it-all!"

"Bro, you’re so knowledgeable, what’s your job? How much do you earn a month? Did you finish delivering today’s takeout?"

The comments suddenly started mocking someone named "Qingfeng Mingyue."

"You guys don’t have to do this, I’m telling the truth, the material they use is called Spirit Crystal. I happen to have a collection at home, so I’m quite familiar with this."

Chunfeng and Mingyue typed again.

"I know Spirit Crystal; it’s indeed a rare material. But that’s a strategic resource, ordinary people can’t come into contact with it. I don’t believe this brother has a collection of it."

"Hahaha, this is killing me, now any random person online can say anything. After all, bragging doesn’t cost anything, I could say I have a whole set of Qin En’s armor at home!"

"Exactly, if he’s not bragging, I’ll stand and eat shit!"

"Is the brother upstairs trying to scam food and drinks again?"

While the comments were heatedly discussing, a picture suddenly appeared below, posted by the person called Qingfeng Mingyue.

The picture showed a beautifully crafted rosewood box wrapped with circles of gold silk ribbon, inlaid with platinum sheets and adorned with luxurious diamonds.

Inside this richly decorated box, surrounded by gold silk ribbons, lay a crystal, as large as a baby’s fist, clear and translucent.

The crystal rested silently, gleaming, catching the eye at a glance, and was impossible to look away from.

The comments exploded.

"Whoa, what is this? I’ve never seen a diamond this big!"

"Bumpkin, this can’t be a diamond, it’s the Spirit Crystal you guys wanted to see. This is a real big shot!"

"Boss, my apologies! I was blind just now! Please don’t hold it against me!"

"Today I’ve truly had my eyes opened; it’s the first time I feel the extraordinary so close. Thanks to the big shot for showing their collection!"

"By the way, where’s the brother who was going to stand and eat shit? I’m ready, want to come over here to taste?"

The comments reversed, and even several self-proclaimed long-lost sons of big shots posted saying they wanted to regain a warm family.

Qingfeng Mingyue posted another line of text, saying:

"Hehe, I’m glad you all like my collection. To be honest, acquiring this Spirit Crystal cost me quite a bit and some personal favors. But what can I do? I have a hobby of liking rare treasures."

"Look at the big shot, this is taste; I might never learn it in my lifetime."

"Bro, be confident, remove the ’might’!"

"Hahaha, this is killing me, comments are more interesting and thrilling than watching live! Speaking of which, why doesn’t Tony join the Hurricane Bureau, our Avengers Alliance can’t go without Iron Man!"

"You might not know, but the Explorer is reportedly part of the Star Alliance. Didn’t we have news reports some time ago of someone seeing him getting close with a healer Awakener from the Star Alliance? Many speculate he didn’t join the Hurricane Bureau because he already joined the Star Alliance..."

"I see, but speaking of today, it seems I haven’t seen Hurricane Level people yet? They are our most potent local extraordinary force; why haven’t they appeared at such a significant event?"

"Yeah, I just watched the official broadcast and other streamers’ videos, and didn’t see Hurricane Bureau people. Could it be they chickened out from danger?"

The comments once again shifted, voicing skepticism, while the streamer, spurred by donations, moved a bit closer.

From his position, he could faintly glimpse the scene inside the Barrier through the hole the Explorer blasted earlier.

It was a deep, dark scene, with only feeble glimmers from the sky letting one barely see the surroundings.

In the darkness, twisted shadows moved around, their erratic motions chilling like Demons from the most disastrous Hell, full of sinister vibes. A single glance made the stream’s audience feel a jolt like someone was choking them from behind, as if eyes were viciously staring at them.

Compared to the few small monsters occasionally felled by helicopters outside, these sights incited real fear. Advanced Shadow Demon’s inherent intimidating talent had overwhelming effects, even through screens.

"Whoa, scared me! What’s the scene inside, how did it turn into this! If not a heads-up, I’d think it’s Hell!"

"Streamer, maybe we shouldn’t shoot. Let’s turn back, this is too dangerous, just one glance felt like my soul was hooked away; it’s really scary!"

"Guys, I feel bad now. Could the monster come through the internet cable? I felt my shadow stir suddenly, maybe they came for me!"

"..."

People in comments were shocked that merely watching a screen could evoke such terror. It’s hard to imagine how onsite folks endured it.

"Thank you, Anti-Demon Army warriors, thank you so much! And that is... Explorer!? Oh heavens! Thank you all, thank you very much! Just now, I thought I wouldn’t make it out alive!!"

In the crowd outside the barrier, a robust man in a vest said.

He was among those saved by the Explorer, while others now had trembling legs, were dazed, some even sat down and cried uncontrollably. Only this vest man seemed calm; even so, his beaming excitement from escaping death was undeniable.

"You are...?"

An Anti-Demon Army soldier, noticing his exceptional demeanor, curiously asked.

The vest man placed his palm on his chest, gave a Star Touching Ceremony gesture, saying:

"I’m a Martial Artist from the Infinite Martial Arts Academy, our academy happens to be inside the barrier. Today’s my shift, so I got trapped. On my way out I met these folks, thought we’d be stronger together, so I gathered them." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The soldier nodded, saying:

"So you’re from the Martial Arts Academy, no wonder your physical and mental resilience surpasses ordinary people. You helped us by leading these folks to the barrier’s edge; I’ll apply for a Medal for you with the organization!"

The soldier returned the Star Touching Ceremony.

This ritual was originally used by Awakeners of the Star Alliance, widely observed by netizens through battle footage, leading many to imitate it. Unbeknownst to many, it’s now become the standard etiquette among cultivators and martial artists on Water Blue Star.

At this moment, the vest man couldn’t hide his surprise and joy after hearing the soldier’s words.

A Cooperative War Medal from the Anti-Demon Alliance is what martial artists in the industry dream of!

Owning it would bring many life benefits, and more importantly, broaden his career path, with the academy possibly promoting him to regional manager. Just imagining it was exciting!

A squad leader-like person approached, and upon seeing the vest man, quickly asked:

"Brother, you just came out, what’s the current situation inside, do you know where other survivors might be?"