Only at the Mahayana Stage Does the Reversal System Appear - Chapter 115

Chapter 115 Shadow King

Area 1, Command Center.

Shadow King, universally recognized as humanity’s strongest, stared at the map projection, frowning in thought.

The map projection took up an entire wall, showcasing the planet as it unfolded. Purple “High Risk,” red “Danger,” yellow “Alert,” and cyan “Caution” areas dominated the map, corresponding to the control zones of Level 5, Level 4, Level 3, and Level 2 zombies, respectively.

The abandoned city where Jiang Li first landed fell into the “Alert” yellow zone on this map.

Of course, the Level 3 zombies there had vanished, and the yellow zone no longer met the yellow standard, so it should have been cyan. However, in this era, information transmission was extremely difficult, and the map had not yet been updated.

The four-colored areas spread across the globe, indicating that most of the planet had been reduced to zombie hotspots.

There were only five “Safe” white areas, representing the five major human regions. The largest of these was the white area surrounding Area 1, equivalent to the white areas of Areas 2 and 3 combined.

While the white areas are said to be safe, they aren’t completely secure. Humanity once had eight white areas, each protected by eight Level 5 warriors.

But humans aren’t the only ones with Level 5 warriors; there are also some among the zombies. Level 5 zombies possess intelligence that allows them to devise strategies, such as collaborating with other Level 5 zombies to attack human cities.

Districts 6 through 8 fell in this way.

Of the three Level 5 warriors, two were dismembered and eaten by the zombies, and one was transformed into a Level 5 zombie.

The most challenging aspect of zombies isn’t their strength, but their infectiousness. If it weren’t for the recent development of antibodies that can revive those who haven’t fully transformed, humanity’s territory would have been even smaller.

“Only if the five districts unite can the safety of all humanity be guaranteed,”

the Shadow King sighed. His long-awaited strategy to integrate the five districts has yet to bear fruit, and now something even worse is looming. Humanity is like a candle in the wind, threatened to be snuffed out at any moment. The Shadow King

‘s attention isn’t on land, but on the ocean.

The zombies that brought humanity to its knees originated in the ocean, and the zombies now wiping out humanity also originated in the ocean.

Recalling the ocean reports brought back by the reconnaissance team, the Shadow King opened his palm and gently rubbed his temples with his thumb and middle finger.

The ocean’s black color symbolized the unknown.

The other Level 5 Enhancers were unconcerned about the ocean, believing that the most dangerous whales had already come ashore, and that the ocean would no longer harbor zombies capable of overthrowing humanity.

They had reason to believe that in the past ten years of the apocalypse, the ocean had not experienced a catastrophe as catastrophic as the whales’ arrival. Those that had emerged were merely powerful marine zombies, posing little threat.

The Shadow King, always wary of the ocean, felt certain untold changes were occurring there, so he dispatched a team to investigate.

Of the ten Level 4 Enhancers, only two returned alive. Their return was both information and devastating news.

Level 6 zombies were about to emerge from the ocean.

“But this is also an opportunity for unity.” The Shadow King tried to think optimistically. The other four Level 5 Enhancers had always disbelieved the ocean’s dangers, but now with solid evidence, they couldn’t help but believe it. The five of them could join forces to prevent the birth of Level 6 zombies!

“But that bastard Longtu…”

The Shadow King thought of Longtu from District 3, and murderous intent surged. He was the worst of the worst, a hedonist who enslaved others. If it weren’t for his fighting prowess and District 3’s need for his protection, he’d have wanted to kill him.

With the exception of Longtu, the four of them were all trying to restore humanity’s original order.

“Report!”

“Come in.”

The subordinates entering the command center said respectfully to the Shadow King, “King, District 3 is here.”

The Shadow King frowned and scolded his subordinates, “Speak nicely. What do you mean by District 3 is here? Can District 3 just run over here?”

The Shadow King’s energies were surging, burning and blazing, exerting immense pressure on others. Now, his emotional turmoil was even more intense, causing his subordinates’ legs to weaken and nearly fall to their knees.

The subordinate swallowed hard and said in disbelief, “It’s not long-legged. District Three is flying over here. It’s right outside. Go out and see.”

He knew his subordinate wouldn’t lie, but rationally, the Shadow King couldn’t believe his words.

When the Shadow King stepped out of the command center, his eyes widened as he saw the majestic Sky City soaring towards District One. He couldn’t help but believe what he was seeing.

But how did it work?

Theoretically, he could move a city, but the difficulty lay in the fact that it wasn’t a single entity; it couldn’t be lifted entirely.

Even if District Three truly was a single entity, it couldn’t be so absurd as to fly!

“Everyone, stand guard!”

the Shadow King ordered, urging his men to prepare for battle. District Three’s methods were unknown, and Longtu was no match for them. He couldn’t let down

his guard just because it was District Three. He had reason to be cautious. If a city were moving, how could District Three not contact District One in advance?

If District Three flew over District One and then landed… the Shadow King dreaded the thought.

Discipline in District One was strong, and their men remained calm. They obeyed the Shadow King’s orders, aiming their missiles at District Three, awaiting the Shadow King’s command to unleash all fire.

The Shadow King didn’t attack rashly. He soared into the sky to see what was happening.

Even if District Three had good intentions, they couldn’t let a city fly over District One; the risk was too great.

However, before the Shadow King could reach District Three, District Three slowly descended, landing steadily near District One, the entire process completely silent.

“Shadow King?”

A strange man in ancient costume, hands behind his back and smiling, emerged from District Three. His aura was otherworldly, upright, and as if he was in control of everything, like a god descending to earth, a stark contrast to the perilous apocalypse.

The Shadow King’s first impression of the stranger wasn’t that of a powerful figure, but rather a banished immortal.

Behind them followed a man and a woman. The woman, aside from her good looks, was unremarkable.

The Shadow King glanced at Ye Du twice more. Ye Du’s nose was raised, and he tried to put on an expression that said, “I’ve seen the world, I’m not surprised anymore.” But in reality, it was more like, “I’m a follower, but I’m arrogant.”

Ye Wu, feeling embarrassed, kicked Ye Du, and only then did his expression return to normal.

The brother and sister were actually very excited, but following Jiang Li all the time had taught them to control their expressions. The Shadow King was their idol, someone they’d only seen on the big screen, but now they were finally meeting him in person.

“Yes, I’m Luo Ying.” Facing the stranger, the Shadow King didn’t hesitate to act arrogantly. He might be the man who had made District Three so successful. “Excuse me, where is Long Tu?”

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Jiang Li,” the stranger said with a smile. “As for Long Tu, he’s dead.”

…

In District One, everyone, from unenhanced ordinary people to those at the first or second level, saluted the Shadow King, and he nodded in response. Jiang Li could tell that everyone held the Shadow King in awe and admiration.

Jiang Li also saw that from time to time, enhancers would return from outside the city with full loads, keeping some of their brain cores for themselves and exchanging the rest for contribution points, the price of which was three times that of District 3.

District 1 had established a enhancer union, providing a platform for communication and building trust, allowing them to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses and form a cohesive team. While betrayal did occur, the rate was far lower than in District 3.

Fresh vegetables, meat, and eggs were readily available, making District 1 the most abundant and affordable of the five districts.

Furthermore, the Shadow King had researchers researching how to more efficiently utilize brain cores to produce more powerful individuals, how to crack the zombie virus, and whether those who had become zombies could still transform back.

Jiang Li knew that zombies could not transform back; the moment they became zombies, they were completely dead, and even Jiang Li couldn’t save them.

District 1, for Jiang Li, was optimistic, optimistic, and hopeful, a world away from District 3.

“What you heard is true. District 1 is indeed a good place.” Jiang Li nodded, leaving District 3 to the Shadow King with a sense of relief.

“I’m taking the liberty of bringing District Three here. I hope King Ying won’t take offense.”

Luo Ying thought to himself, “No offense? Not a ghost, that’s more like it.

” “Are you the new ruler of District Three?”

Jiang Li shook his head. “I’ve never been a ruler before. My personality isn’t right for it. The previous ruler was Longtu, and now it’s you.”

“Me?” Luo Ying was surprised. He’d thought District Three would at most form an alliance with District One, but who could have imagined that in the blink of an eye

, he’d become the ruler of two districts. How could a Level 5 Enhancer like me become the ruler of two districts?

“Exactly who are you…”

Luo Ying asked hesitantly. The scene as District Three flew over was too spectacular, beyond human reach.

“Jiang Li, from another world.”

“Another world?”

Jiang Li patiently explained. “A universe is a world, and each world is separated by an endless void. You can think of it like blowing bubbles. The world is like a bubble, and the void is like air.”

“Then can I go to your world?” Luo Ying looked at Jiang Li with a burning gaze. Jiang Li’s world must be extremely powerful. He wanted to learn from Jiang Li’s world, then return to deal with the zombies.

Jiang Li shook his head and said tactfully, “You’re still a little short of strength. According to your world’s cultivation system, you’d have to reach the seventh level to briefly stay in the void, and the eighth level to traverse it and travel through worlds.”

“Eighth, eighth level?!” Luo Ying was shocked. He had never heard of the void, nor did he know the severity of its turbulence. He assumed that as a fifth-level cultivator with a formidable physique, he wouldn’t have any problems.

He had no choice but to abandon his idea of traveling through worlds.

“But if I can find a tower, your idea of traveling through worlds isn’t impossible.”

“Tower?” Luo Ying didn’t understand. A tower was just a building; how could it help him travel through worlds?

It didn’t make sense.

“To be precise, it’s a pagoda-shaped Buddhist treasure, blessed by the Buddha. But it ran away when it saw me.”

“Why?” Luo Ying was curious.

“Perhaps it was afraid I’d rip it open?” Jiang Li said uncertainly. He hadn’t used much force back then, barely shattering a few immortal artifacts. How could the Brahma Tower have been traumatized and run away when it saw him?

“I’ve been having some doubts about my fighting techniques lately. Sir, you’re a distinguished figure. Could you offer me some guidance?” Upon learning that Jiang Li was a powerful being from another world, Luo Ying changed his address.

Jiang Li chuckled. How could he not see that Luo Ying still harbored doubts about him? His offer of guidance was really just a test.

But that was fine. He felt Luo Ying was a promising talent. If he were in Jiuzhou, he could reach the Fusion Stage, so a bit of guidance wouldn’t hurt.

Jiang Li pressed Luo Ying’s shoulders. Before Luo Ying could react, he found himself being led to an open area.

He immediately abandoned his tentative intentions; the gap between him and Jiang Li was too great.

Luo Ying, left palm behind, right fist forward, took a stance.

“Sir, be careful! This move is called the Flying Dragon Shattering Mountain Fist. It can shatter mountains and sever rivers!”

Luo Ying shouted, unleashing his full force. This was a technique he had developed by blending hundreds of martial arts techniques, incorporating his own physique, observing the mountains and rivers, and gaining insights from them. He had refined it while battling zombies, ultimately perfecting it.

Luo Ying’s back muscles bulged, his limbs tensed, a soft crackling sound as muscle and bone rubbed against each other.

His toes gripped the ground, his ankles pushed upward, his calves straightened, his waist twisted, and his shoulders, elbows, and wrists simultaneously exerted force. His entire body resembled a dragon’s head, a majestic aura.

As Luo Ying unleashed his full force, his already thriving Qi and blood surged to a boiling point, signifying his peak state, a state envied by all fifth-level enhancers.

Jiang Li, however, shook his head inwardly. While having abundant Qi and blood was perfectly fine, it was important to conserve it and avoid releasing it outside of combat, as it was wasteful. It was clear that Luo Ying possessed an excessive amount of Qi and blood, unable to control it. This was only noticeable on a daily basis, causing his men to tremble.

Jiang Li didn’t dodge or evade, allowing Luo Ying to unleash his punches.

Luo Ying’s fists were unbreakable, leaving even fifth-level enhancers coughing blood. He wasn’t boasting about shattering mountains and severing rivers; he had truly achieved it.

But his punch on Jiang Li was like hitting the earth, no, it was stronger than the earth. Luo Yinglingran, if he hit the earth with his fist, the earth would shake, but when he hit Jiang Li, the other party did not move at all!

Luo Ying was repelled and flung back, but Jiang Li grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

“Consolidate your Qi and blood,” Jiang Li said, pressing several acupuncture points on Luo Ying.

Luo Ying could clearly feel the Qi and blood he had struggled to control returning to his body, filling him with strength.

Overjoyed, Luo Ying was about to thank Jiang Li when he heard Jiang Li say, “Punch. Remember this feeling.”

Luo Ying unleashed a barrage of punches, each one breaking the sound barrier and delivering even greater force than before!

Although Jiang Li remained unmoved after being hit, he knew with certainty that he was stronger than before!

What Luo Ying didn’t know was that he hadn’t actually hit Jiang Li. Jiang Li had a thin layer of power on his body, imperceptible to ordinary people, blocking all attacks.

“Thank you, sir, for your guidance,”

Luo Ying bowed deeply to Jiang Li. This was a favor of guidance, but also a life-saving favor, which gave him more hope to go down to the sea and stop the zombies from advancing.

“Sir, please be merciful. I know you have no obligation to help us. This is my personal request.” Luo Ying’s expression was solemn. “Please help us, sir, and help us stop the zombies in the sea from advancing.”

“I’m listening.”

(End of this chapter)