Hong and the Long Vines

On the desolate shore of the fog-shrouded lake, Vulture Li Yao, Phantom Katelan, Giant Bear Kaita, and Blood Shadow Ivan all gazed towards Mist Island, their hearts still pounding with fear. Beside them, Councillor Fa'er, suspended in mid-air, also looked towards the distant Mist Island, where six black-purple long vines wildly thrashed, piercing the sky. “What in the world is that? How can it be so powerful?” “It’s terrifying. Even a Beyond Wargod couldn't stand against it.” Vulture Li Yao and the other three conversed in hushed tones, filled with awe and lingering fear. If Councillor Fa'er hadn't led their escape just now, and if those black-purple long vines hadn't been solely focused on pursuing that 'Iceberg' guard, the four of them would never have made it out alive. Whoosh! Councillor Fa'er descended. “Thank you, Councillor Fa'er.” Li Yao immediately stepped forward to express his gratitude, and the other three followed suit. Councillor Fa'er looked at the four, his voice indifferent, and commanded, “Hand over the spiritual plants you dug up!” Katelan, Li Yao, and the other two froze. Hand over the spiritual plants? These spiritual plants were acquired through the combined efforts of Katelan and the others. However, they had previously worried that Luo Feng would enlist the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo, which is why they immediately sought the help of a Beyond Wargod! Once someone else is asked to intervene, these spiritual plants naturally become collective property. Just like Luo Feng handing over the Ten-Thousand Year Willow Heart and Thousand-Year Willow Heart. But unlike Luo Feng… that 'Iceberg' guard had almost completely cleared Mist Island of its spiritual plants. Councillor Fa'er and his group hadn't obtained any. This meant Katelan and the other three would be at a significant disadvantage. “Hmm?” Councillor Fa'er frowned. “Hand them over,” Katelan quickly urged in a low voice. Though unwilling, Li Yao and the others could only surrender the spiritual plants they had acquired. Six Thousand-Year Willow Hearts and two spirit herbs. “Don't worry, I will distribute these spiritual plants according to your contributions,” Councillor Fa'er said coldly. “Your fighter jet is over there. Are you returning to Europe now, or will you wait here… for the other councillors?” Katelan had invited quite a few councillors through his teacher this time. All Beyond Wargods are council members of the War God Palace. “We’re not in a hurry,” Katelan chuckled. “Exactly, no rush,” Li Yao quickly added. How could they miss an opportunity to witness several Beyond Wargods battling that spiritual plant? After a long while, finally, a streak of light appeared in the sky, flying swiftly and hovering not far from Councillor Fa'er. It was an all-black, saucer-shaped fighter jet, its hatch now open. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three figures flew out in succession. Judging by their skin color and appearance, two of them were likely American or European Caucasians, while the third had slightly darker skin, resembling someone from South America. All three smiled as they flew towards Councillor Fa'er. These four… were indeed four Beyond Wargods! “Teacher,” Katelan quickly flew over. “Look, behind!” “Behind!” Li Yao, Kaita, and Ivan on the ground were startled, pointing towards the rear of the fighter jet, where a blood-red triangular fighter jet now hovered. Whoosh! The hatch opened. “What?!” All four Beyond Wargods stared in astonishment at the newcomer. Even the myriad stars seemed to vanish; only one person existed in the entire world—a man with short black hair, a black jacket, and black trousers. Under his gaze, one's heart turned cold, and all thoughts of resistance vanished. He was the sole deity in this world! Including Councillor Fa'er, all four Beyond Wargods trembled inwardly! “Greetings, First Chairman!” Councillor Fa'er and the other three hovered in mid-air, bowing slightly. The newcomer was none other than Hong! The world's strongest individual, the First Chairman of the War God Palace! The undisputed number one person in the world! “I spotted your fighter jets earlier and guessed you were coming here, so I wasn't in a hurry to get ahead of you,” the black-haired man said calmly. “I won't take advantage of you. I'll give you a chance: attack Mist Island, and whatever you can get, you can keep! If you fail, leave immediately.” Hong's voice was cold and detached. There was an inherent sense of superiority in his demeanor, and indeed, from the Grand Nirvana Period until now, Hong's strength and status had always been undeniably supreme! While the power of presidents and other leaders of the five great nations stemmed from the backing of their entire countries, Hong's status and power originated from himself! He alone was equivalent to a powerful nation, perhaps even stronger! His personal power had transcended worldly limitations. Therefore… He had been elevated to a pedestal, with all nations worldwide cooperating with him, actively promoting the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo. In fact, Hong himself could truly be considered a god-like existence. The survival of human society to this day was undeniably due to his immense contributions. “Thank you, First Chairman,” the four Beyond Wargods bowed slightly. Immediately after—Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The four transformed into streaks of light, flying towards the distant Mist Island, while the black-haired man simply hovered in mid-air, silently waiting. “That’s Hong?” Katelan, Li Yao, Kaita, and Ivan gazed at Hong with fervent eyes. In their eyes, the Beyond Wargods like Councillor Fa'er, who were usually high and mighty, even when facing the Chairman of the HR Alliance Council, appeared natural, some even with a hint of arrogance! But before Hong, these four councillors were utterly respectful, as docile as children. Adoration! Katelan, Ivan, Li Yao, and Kaita all felt a deep, heartfelt adoration. Hong represented the pinnacle, the ultimate limit of humanity! Five minutes later, the Mist Island rumbled continuously as four streaks of light swiftly flew back, hovering below Hong. All four Beyond Wargods appeared injured, some pale-faced, others with blood at the corners of their mouths. They were all filled with lingering fear. If they hadn't heard Councillor Fa'er describe the terrifying nature of those long vines and hadn't been cautious at the outset, staying at the edges, they wouldn't have merely been injured; one or two of them might have perished. “First Chairman!” The four bowed slightly. The black-haired man glanced at them. The four bowed again, then immediately flew towards the saucer-shaped fighter jet. No matter what, they absolutely would not enter Mist Island again. That vine lifeform was too terrifying! “Whoosh!” The black-haired man flew directly towards Mist Island, and the blood-red triangular fighter jet followed him. Above Mist Island, the black-haired man stood suspended in mid-air like a deity, gazing down. Having just been ambushed by four Beyond Wargods, eight seemingly endless long vines now thrashed furiously, causing the entire Mist Island to tremble as if in an earthquake. “Oh?” The black-haired man's eyes lit up. Whoosh! He descended directly, immediately provoking a black-purple long vine to whip towards him, attempting to coil around and strangle him. “Hmm?” The black-haired man extended his right hand, a fair and powerful hand. As if grasping a chopstick, the black-haired man simply seized the thick, boundless black-purple long vine. Though the vine was a full twenty centimeters in diameter, once gripped by the black-haired man's hand, it couldn't escape, no matter how it struggled or twisted. “Buzz, buzz, buzz~~” The enormous black-purple long vine thrashed wildly. Alas… it was useless. “Black-purple, and so powerful,” the black-haired man mused. His left hand formed a blade, lightly slicing across the black-purple long vine, instantly opening a ten-centimeter wound. However, in just two or three seconds, the wound vanished. “Rumble~~~” Unable to break free, the entire Mist Island immediately began to shake violently. Black-purple long vines emerged from the fog, each over two thousand meters long—one, two, three… eight, nine… “There should be sixteen,” the black-haired man smiled faintly. No matter how many black-purple long vines surrounded him, the hundred-meter space around him instantly plunged into endless darkness. Once a black-purple long vine entered this dark zone, it was as if it had fallen into a swamp, struggling to break free. “Indeed.” The black-haired man held a long vine, observing it meticulously as if a scientist conducting research. “It perfectly matches the records found in ancient civilization ruins—it’s a Moyun Vine!” “There’s a Moyun Vine on our Earth?” The black-haired man smiled faintly. “Luo Feng is quite the lucky star. I’ve hit the jackpot this time. For Luo Feng’s share of the spiritual plants, I’ll give him something good.” In Paris Base City, in a quiet bedroom, Li Yao grabbed a bottle of red wine, lay back on the sofa, and guzzled it down, watching as more than half the bottle disappeared. “Yao, there’s no need to give up on yourself just because of this failure,” Wenina said anxiously in Huaxia. Li Yao ignored her completely, chugging down the entire bottle in one go, then reaching for another bottle of red wine on the nearby table. “Yao, Yao!” Wenina, in a panic, snatched the wine bottle away. “It’s hopeless, it’s hopeless,” Li Yao said, glancing at Wenina with a self-deprecating smile, appearing half-drunk. “What’s hopeless? So what if this attempt failed, the spiritual plants weren't acquired, and the pursuit of Luo Feng failed? Why are you saying it’s hopeless?” Wenina fumed. “Yao, we’ve been through so much together, and I’ve never seen you lose your fighting spirit. Why are you like this now?” Li Yao’s voice was low and weak. “That Luo Feng, he’s already reached the peak of a High-level Wargod Psychic Master.” “What?!” Wenina jolted. She had only learned from the call that the mission was a complete failure, but she hadn't known Luo Feng had become so powerful. “A peak High-level Wargod Psychic Master, what are you afraid of?” Wenina gritted her teeth. “We’ve faced more troublesome situations than this. As long as you can become a Beyond Wargod, dealing with him will be effortless, won’t it?” “It’s different.” “It’s different,” Li Yao shook his head. “The Extreme Martial Arts Dojo acquired many spiritual plants this time. I personally saw that golden-masked man carrying a bulging backpack. Luo Feng will definitely get a significant share! Then, he’ll exchange those spiritual plants for treasures, and with the backing of the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo… few on Earth would dare to help us confront him.” “As for killing him, with his Psychic Master abilities, he could burrow underground. Even if I became a Beyond Wargod, I might not be able to track him.” “Moreover, can I even become a Beyond Wargod?” Li Yao’s expression was extremely grim. Worldly power, personal strength… he would be completely surpassed by Luo Feng!