CHAPTER 99 - THE QIN FAMILY’S GOD RETURNED

The Xu family’s God only realized something was wrong an hour later, when he noticed that Xu Gang hadn’t returned. Alarmed, he activated spectator mode to check on Xu Gang and Han Wu.

The Qin family, equally curious, entered spectator mode as well. What they saw left both sides stunned.

Han Wu’s locusts were decimating the Steel Soldiers. They were renowned for their formidable defensive prowess as Unique life forms, yet the locusts were slaughtering them like cattle.

Xu Gang’s face hovered motionlessly in the air, watching helplessly as his core race was gradually being annihilated. He couldn’t intervene. His Core was in Han Wu’s grasp, and with a single command, the Locustman Lord embedded in Xu Gang’s divine realm would destroy it without hesitation. He would lose everything and be branded as a useless Divine Being forever. It was a fate he couldn’t bear.

The Xu’s family God witnessed the chaos and seethed with fury. “Han Wu, release my grandson’s Core!”

Unfazed, Han Wu only commanded his locusts to kill the Steel Soldiers faster. The casualties in the Steel Soldiers army mounted relentlessly. The Xu family’s God threatened to kill Han Wu with his Divine Authority. Ultimately, he held back, worried that Han Wu might destroy Xu Gang’s Core in his final moments.

Xu Gang was his family’s most promising descendant. Losing his Core now would leave the family scrambling to find a worthy heir.

Suppressing his fury, the Xu family’s God pleaded, “What do you want in exchange for sparing him?”

Han Wu remained composed under the scrutiny of a God. However, Qin Shuang’s family regarded his composure as madness.

Han Wu scoffed. “You’ve got it all wrong. We should rather be discussing what I need to do for you to let me leave.”

The Xu family’s God was on the verge of exploding. Han Wu had already slaughtered countless Steel Soldiers, and now he demanded forgiveness? The moment Xu Gang was safe, the God would strike Han Wu down without hesitation. He didn’t care if Han Wu was the Qin family’s benefactor or a potential Imperial College student; he just wanted to crush anyone who crossed his bottom line.

Han Wu knew this well and kept tight control over Xu Gang’s Core. If anything went wrong, he would cripple Xu Gang immediately. Should Han Wu fall, he would drag Xu Gang down with him. That was why both sides remained silent as the tense situation unfolded.

The Xu family’s God burned with a fierce desire to kill Han Wu, yet the latter wandered casually through his grandson’s divine realm, even bestowing a new name on the mutated Locustman Lord: Toxic Locust.

The stalemate stretched on for an entire day until two Divine Authorities descended upon the Qin Village. Han Wu’s heart lifted the moment he sensed them—it was Yuan Zhong, accompanied by another God! Han Wu was certain this second figure was the Qin family’s God, barring any surprises.

The Qin family erupted in celebration upon sensing their God’s return. Their ancestor had come home, and with his presence, the Xu family’s bullying would finally end.

Bolstered by renewed courage, Qin Jiang stepped forward and called out, “Esteemed God, today is a joyous day to celebrate the return of our ancestor. We will hold a grand feast. Would you care to join us?”

This was a deliberate insult to the Xu family’s God, meant to drive him away. Naturally, he understood the implication. Anger flared within him, but he was powerless to act. He knew the strength of the Qin’s family God and was confident in his own ability to win. Yet now, another God accompanied the Qin family’s God.

The newcomer’s Divine Authority carried an unsettlingly invasive force. Although he couldn’t see this new God with his own eyes, the Xu family’s God understood he stood no chance and chose caution.

“Han Wu, your God has returned. Release my grandchild’s Core!” the Xu family’s God demanded.

Han Wu shook his head calmly. “I’ll wait until my friend stands beside me before letting go. You never know who might play dirty and use their Divine Authority to kill me if I lower my guard now.”

The Xu family God’s fury deepened. He had truly intended to kill Han Wu. After all, he was too strong and cunning. If allowed to grow unchecked, he would likely destroy the Xu family one day. Unfortunately, Han Wu had seen through his schemes.

Before long, the two Gods returned to the house, and the Qin family erupted in celebration. With Yuan Zhong now shielding him, Han Wu finally ordered his units to release Xu Gang’s Core and retreat.

Xu Gang, surveying his empty divine realm after the locusts withdrew, clenched his fists in fury. Han Wu had dismantled nearly all of his buildings during the retreat!

“Han Wu,” Xu Gang swore through gritted teeth, “I will remember this. Next time we meet, I will kill you.”

Han Wu laughed, his voice ringing with confidence. “You should focus on rebuilding your army. Otherwise, you won’t even get the chance to face me.”

Xu Gang trembled with fury. He had spent years painstakingly cultivating his Steel Soldiers. From an army of 2 million, only 500,000 remained. And that was only because Han Wu had deliberately spared them, knowing Xu Gang would recklessly throw his life away in a desperate counterattack.

The Xu family’s God severed the connection between their divine realms and departed immediately with his grandsons. He didn’t even acknowledge the Qin family’s God.

When the Qin family’s God learned what had transpired, his anger flared. The Xu family had forced the marriage talks while he had been absent. Although he would have likely agreed to the union, it would only be on the condition that it would occur after the Xu family rescued him. Instead, they had pushed to finalize the marriage first, leaving rescue as an afterthought.

Furious at their betrayal, the Qin family’s God ordered his kin never to engage with the Xu family again. After addressing this breach, he discovered that Han Wu was responsible for his rescue. To express his gratitude, he presented Han Wu with a gift even Gods would covet.

It was called the Primal Slate, and all races could use it to expand their Evolution Path. It allowed any life form to revert its bloodline to an ancestral form, unlocking their dormant potential. Han Wu accepted the gift with sincere gratitude. He immediately integrated it into his divine realm. Many locusts who had failed to evolve seized the opportunity to regress into their original form, the Primal Locust.

The Primal Locusts measured nearly a meter long. Though they retained their insectoid shape, their bodies were now armored with tough scales, and many limbs bore the savage traits of their ancestral form. This Evolution Path transformed the locusts’ latent potential into raw physical power, focusing exclusively on brute strength.

Han Wu then proceeded to settle his debt with Yuan Zhong. Beyond the promised 30,000 Sources[1], Han Wu added an extra 5,000 as thanks for Yuan Zhong’s swift return with the Qin family’s God.

In the end, Yuan Zhong secured the Sources he sought, Han Wu gained the Primal Slate, and the Qin family celebrated the return of their God. All parties emerged from the crisis with their share of victory.

1. “Sources” here refers to Sources of Sacred Objects ☜