Chapter 104 - 12: The End, Mad King

Chapter 104: Chapter 12: The End, Mad King

"Mad Seeds..." Feng Yin murmured, repeating the term.

This Natural Enemy of humanity his master spoke of sounded a bit like Vampires, or perhaps akin to humanoid creatures called Ghouls from a certain anime.

Xie Jingyuan had already begun explaining the nature of this terrifying species. "Even the weakest Mad Seeds possess bodily functions starting at the Fierce Upper Level, and they have special abilities that defy common sense.

"Most importantly, Mad Seeds are incredibly long-lived. They are virtually perfect lifeforms.

"According to investigations by various nations, among the numerous myths passed down around the world, the Gods and Demons described as if they truly existed might actually be high-ranking powerhouses among the Mad Seeds."

"Gods and Demons..." Feng Yin found it rather strange. "Since such powerful, intelligent creatures had already enslaved humanity, why would they give us a chance to turn the tables?"

Xie Jingyuan shook his head. "Every time Mad Seeds appear on a large scale, they plunge the civilization of that era into a chaotic and bloody end-time.

"Judging from the records of Super Ancient Civilization ruins from previous eras that humanity has managed to study, Mad Seeds are essentially destroyers of civilization.

"They appear periodically like the tides. After destroying the crystallization of civilization and harvesting the vast majority of the population, they fall silent and vanish completely."

Xie Jingyuan looked at Feng Yin. "This cycle is roughly ten thousand years long, and the previous four cycles all met their end in their final millennium. We call them the four ’Dark Eras’..."

Looking at Xie Jingyuan’s serious face, Feng Yin asked hesitantly, "Then how far are we from the last era?"

Xie Jingyuan replied mildly, "Based on calculations from the civilization ruin records found a century ago, we have already begun to enter the Fifth Era."

Feng Yin’s eyes trembled, and he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Xie Jingyuan continued his explanation. "Actually, centuries before that ruin’s prophecy was found, there were already instances of Mad Seeds wreaking havoc.

"The first explicitly recorded incident of a Mad Seed causing chaos took place in a small country three hundred years ago. At that time, a monarch emerged—now referred to as the Blood Slaughter Duke—who directly or indirectly caused the deaths of nearly a hundred thousand people.

"According to current evaluation systems, the Blood Slaughter Duke was a Middle-Rank Mad Seed.

"The second large-scale casualty event caused by Mad Seeds originated from the ’Heresy Inquisition’ in the Ousu and Soviet Countries a hundred and fifty years ago.

"Although a Mad Seed with extraordinary combat power like the Blood Slaughter Duke didn’t appear then, a massive number of Lower-Rank Mad Seeds had infiltrated human society.

"Those Mad Seeds took advantage of the famine and plague at the time to hunt and consume civilians on a massive scale. In just a decade, they directly caused the deaths of nearly a million people.

"It wasn’t until the major principalities of that era allied with the Church Court to launch the brutal and bloody ’Great Inquisition’—paying the price of accidentally killing ten million people—that the vast majority of Mad Seeds were eradicated. The small remaining fraction was forced into hiding, too afraid to show themselves again."

Xie Jingyuan sighed. "Since then, major national powers worldwide thoroughly recognized the terror of Mad Seeds and confirmed the arrival of the Fifth Era. They began implementing various targeted measures, which continue to this day."

Feng Yin nodded. "I understand, Master."

Xie Jingyuan looked at Feng Yin seriously. "Because Mad Seeds are completely indistinguishable from ordinary humans before revealing their true forms, exposing their existence would trigger unnecessary social unrest.

"Therefore, the truth of these past events has been kept secret or disguised as other causes. For instance, in public perception, the Blood Slaughter Duke is merely a bloodthirsty tyrant who abused torture and launched multiple wars.

"And the turmoil in the Ousu and Soviet Countries that resulted in tens of millions of casualties was recorded and passed down under the guise of the ’Great Plague’ and the ’Heresy Inquisition.’

"Instead, under deliberate official guidance, the true reasons became mere myths and urban legends spread by word of mouth among the populace."

Feng Yin understood Xie Jingyuan’s implication. "Master, you’re telling me this information must be kept strictly confidential, right?"

"Yes," Xie Jingyuan nodded. "Feng Yin, although ordinary Fierce Upper Level Martial Artists are registered with the Demon Extermination Association, they are actually never privy to this information. They are considered more like future reserves, making it easier to allocate Cultivation resources to them.

"Only Instant Level powerhouses are made aware of these secrets.

"You are my true disciple, which is why you’re allowed to learn this ahead of time. Just make sure to keep it a secret from now on."

"Understood," Feng Yin agreed. "Are you planning to introduce me into the Demon Extermination Association, Master?"

Xie Jingyuan finished his beer and tossed the can into the trash. "I plan to recommend you to cultivate at the headquarters of the Yin Yang Sword Sect after the Rising Star Tournament. When the time comes, if you fully demonstrate your potential and secure a good ranking, you will receive intensive Cultivation resources from the main Sect.

"Furthermore," he paused before continuing, "the Demon Extermination Association will hold a special selection in the near future. If you successfully make the cut, you’ll receive unimaginable benefits.

"In short, focus on the present for now. Train hard and conquer the Rising Star Tournament. Your master will arrange everything else for you."

Feng Yin earnestly agreed.

***

The next morning, the sky was dark, with only a sliver of Light on the horizon.

Feng Yin walked out of the first-floor guest room of Xie Jingyuan’s villa into the courtyard, beginning his morning exercises as usual.

After his conversation with his master last night, he now had a much deeper understanding of the state of the world. To put it bluntly, aside from the complex internal strife among humanity’s major national powers, there was also the external threat known as Mad Seeds.

Calling it an external threat wasn’t even entirely accurate. According to his master, these Mad Seeds had never been completely wiped out back then. They had been lurking within human civilization for at least three hundred years. A significant portion of the massive number of people who went missing worldwide every year had been hunted and consumed by those hidden Mad Seeds.

The most terrifying part was that this only accounted for the batch of Mad Seeds from "back then." Based on his master’s further explanation—which relied on the records and prophecies of the Super Ancient Civilization—the number of Mad Seeds was continuously increasing.

This didn’t refer to the Mad Seeds reproducing and multiplying. Rather, it meant that they came from a subterranean world. Once a specific period was reached, these monsters would awaken in batches, emerge onto the surface, and find ways to infiltrate human society.

Therefore, over the past few centuries, even though special agencies from various nations had been continuously eliminating Mad Seeds, it was truly hard to say whether the numbers of this Natural Enemy of humanity had increased or decreased.

He pondered, "Lower-Rank Mad Seeds start out with Fierce Upper strength, and the formidable ones among them are even comparable to the Ultimate Level...

"Although Middle-Rank Mad Seeds are extremely rare—with only three to five being eliminated or captured over the past few centuries—they are at the very least Absolute Powerhouses...

"The Blood Slaughter Duke from three hundred years ago was a Super Strong Person far more formidable than an Absolute Powerhouse, which is why he could orchestrate such terrifying, bloody wars in an era without firearms...

"High-Rank Mad Seeds have not yet appeared in the modern era, but according to ancient civilization records, they are terrifying entities worthy of the title ’Gods and Demons.’

"Even if the Super Ancient Civilization’s technology wasn’t as advanced as ours today, the fact that they earned the name of Gods and Demons means High-Rank Mad Seeds absolutely possess true Supernatural combat prowess..."

Thinking of this, a look of profound apprehension surfaced on Feng Yin’s face. If the threat only stopped at High-Rank Mad Seeds, he would merely feel a sense of crisis and the need to work harder. But above the high ranks, there existed an entity known as the Mad King...

Every time a Mad King appeared, the era would subsequently come to an end. This had been the case for all four previous eras, without a single exception.

What he truly worried about—even feared—was this Mad King. Therefore, he needed to work even harder.

Time passed swiftly.

Between earnest Cultivation and reflecting on the future during his rest intervals, Feng Yin’s morning routine eventually came to an end. Covered in sweat, he returned indoors and saw Xie Jingyuan on the phone.

Xie Jingyuan noticed him as well and waved him over.

Feng Yin obediently walked toward him.

"Good practice," Xie Jingyuan said, hanging up the phone. He looked at his diligent disciple with a smile, feeling highly satisfied. He added, "Feng Yin, Xiao Yu’s father and I are about to go on a business trip. You and Xiao Yu need to focus on your Cultivation while we’re gone."

Feng Yin nodded silently at first. After a moment of hesitation, he asked anyway, "Master, where are you going this time?"

Xie Jingyuan patted him on the shoulder. "We aren’t going abroad this time. We’re heading to the Central Celestial Capital to attend a meeting."

He sighed. "With so many incidents occurring recently, the international situation is tense. The Xuan Guang Group holds a rather unique position within this vortex..."

As he spoke, Xie Jingyuan couldn’t help but chuckle. "There’s no point in telling you all this. It will only distract you from your Cultivation. Just focus on training well. I’ll be keeping a close eye on your progress."

Feng Yin thought for a moment. "Then, Master, should I still go challenge other dojos... er, spar?"

"Heh," Xie Jingyuan smiled and shook his head. "Forget it. That loudmouth Ding Qi has already spread the word throughout the entire circle that I’ve taken on a genius disciple. Now those old geezers are all playing ostrich. If I were to forcefully arrange for you to spar with them, it would truly turn into a dojo challenge."

He lightly patted Feng Yin’s arm again. "Just practice with Nie Fei for now. If you run into any trouble you can’t solve, look for Ding Qi. Don’t be fooled by his impulsive demeanor; his strength is no less than mine."

Xie Jingyuan considered for a moment. "Since I’ll be away during this time, you can just stay at my place."

Feng Yin looked embarrassed. "Master, how could I impose like that? I think it’s better if I find my own place to stay."

Harboring the secret of the Armor, he truly didn’t dare live right under Xie Jingyuan’s nose. His master was an Absolute Powerhouse with astonishingly strong Telepathy. It was fine when they weren’t living together, but if they had to share a living space long-term, Feng Yin wasn’t confident he wouldn’t slip up.

Xie Jingyuan didn’t mind. "That works too. I’ll have Xiao Yu find you another residence then.

"Also," he added, "don’t tell Xiao Yu about the Mad Seeds just yet. Chen Jingzhong will inform her himself when the time is right."

Feng Yin thought for a second and asked, "What about what happened last night?"

"You can mention that," Xie Jingyuan smiled faintly. "Incidents of Mixed Species Adjusters causing chaos have been occurring frequently lately. It’s been on the news quite a few times. You just happened to run into one."

Feng Yin nodded in understanding. He also recalled the news reports he had seen earlier.

A storm was brewing on the horizon. It truly seemed to be a time of great upheaval...

***