Chương 200: Confidential

The term "mythical beasts" is a collective term for all non-human or humanoid creatures in the Ruins of Return.

Birds, beasts, fish, and spirits can all be called this.

It is a general term.

However, when broken down further, they are vastly different.

This distinction is not based on living environment, such as birds and beasts, but on their spirituality.

These innate beings are nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, born sacred and each possesses extraordinary qualities.

Ordinary mythical beasts have relatively poor spirituality and are roughly equivalent to enhanced versions of wild beasts and birds.

It is fast, resilient, explosive, sharp-tongued, and even has a fast recovery speed.

But in the end, it could not escape the word "beast".

Those with even higher spirituality can be called monsters, not only because their physical abilities have improved, but also because they have evolved certain innate abilities.

This ability is not special, or rather, it is not fully evolved.

For example, there are mythical beasts that can breathe fire, but they are still beasts, and their fire abilities are limited.

As for those at a higher level, they belong to the category of strange creatures.

Their attributes and abilities are greatly enhanced, and some are born with innate supernatural powers, while their spirituality is also strengthened.

Some mirage-like creatures, for example, can create illusions from birth, and their power increases with age.

Above the strange and supernatural are the spiritual beings, whose supernatural qualities are even more pronounced and whose power is even greater.

Although mythical creatures like dragons do not possess the abilities described in myths—such as soaring through the heavens, exploring the four seas, and summoning wind and rain—they are not as powerful as they are in mythology.

But its various mysteries are also astonishing.

This is also why, in the Void Realm, many martial arts masters, after reaching the Dharma Aspect Realm, will develop various strange beasts as their Dharma Aspects.

It is likely that the great masters of the past comprehended their supernatural powers and techniques by observing strange beasts.

As Qingyang Zhenren explained the classification of the strange beasts, Zhao Rui became increasingly certain that in ancient times, Guixu and Blue Star were definitely one entity.

Now, for some reason, Guixu and Lanxing are about to merge into one again.

It is unclear whether this return is a merger of natural spatial attributes or a merger of overlapping alternate time and space.

Neither of these scenarios is good news.

Even though merging can boost a person's combat power to a new peak, it also brings many incredible and incredibly powerful alien beasts and foreigners.

This is absolutely not something any Earthling would want to see.

"Alas! I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse!"

Master Qingyang sighed deeply, and everyone nodded in agreement, creating a rather somber atmosphere.

They finally managed to "escape" back from the Ruins of Guixu, but now, seeing the current situation, it doesn't make much difference whether they escape or not.

"The tide has turned, and amidst the chaos, there must be a glimmer of hope. My esteemed predecessors, do not heed the rustling of leaves in the forest; why not chant and stroll leisurely? How can one be content without striving?"

Zhao Rui stood up and walked outside, speaking as he went.

"I'm going to see the Mythical Beast Island in Eastern Japan."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared from everyone's sight.

Everyone was startled and stood up to stop him, but Zhao Rui had already flown far away.

"We have dedicated our lives to martial arts, constantly striving against the current and contending with heaven and earth. Having reached this point, we are now hesitant and stagnant, unlike Master Zhao who has such a clear understanding."

"No wonder he possesses such extraordinary skills at such a young age. Without striving, there is never any hope. Gentlemen, in this great upheaval of thousands of years, we have arrived at the perfect time. Isn't that wonderful, isn't it?"

Cang Zhenzi truly lived up to his reputation as a Taoist master. After receiving guidance, he suddenly understood everything, and his body was filled with true energy, as if he was about to make a breakthrough.

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist! Congratulations!"

Everyone was taken aback, then overjoyed, and offered their congratulations.

"I've only gained a slight understanding; I'm still far from breaking through. Everyone, let's each do our part and focus on our cultivation!"

Cang Zhenzi's eyes flashed like lightning, clearly indicating that his profound skills had reached a critical point where he was about to break through.

His Xuanqiong True Self Form has already been cultivated to the second stage, the Divine Firmament Jade Palace Body. Once he breaks through, he will be able to cultivate the Purple Mansion Yuanzun Dharma Body.

That is, the true form of the Dharma body that Cangwuzi possessed after he became possessed by a demon.

This is also the strongest Dharma body of the Qingcheng Sect.

"May the Heavenly Venerable bestow boundless blessings!"

Everyone bowed and praised the gesture.

The coast of the East China Sea stretches for thousands of miles, with surging blue waves that seem to go on forever.

Zhao Rui's sword flashed swiftly, leaving a long trail of cloud in the sky.

Along the way, strange beasts would occasionally fly through the air beneath him or emerge from the sea, roaring and howling.

It felt like being in Jurassic Park.

Zhao Rui frowned even more deeply.

In this situation, let alone fishing at sea, it won't be long before the sea will have to be closed off.

Just as Zhao Rui was deep in thought, several fighter jets suddenly flew overhead, making a deafening noise.

Zhao Rui looked up and saw the emblem of the Chinese imperial court.

The military has taken action.

He quickened his pace and caught up.

The aircraft was not traveling at high speed and was not using afterburner to break the sound barrier; it was cruising at low to medium altitude.

Clearly, the objective is not combat.

As Zhao Rui took off slightly, he suddenly noticed that there was a small transport plane among the fighter jets.

This direction?

Arctic Circle?

Zhao Rui was taken aback. Why go to the Arctic Circle?

Since they weren't going to Japan, Zhao Rui slowed down; he didn't have the energy to worry about other things.

As long as we can temporarily prevent Dongqi from being ravaged by the strange beasts, that's fine.

Zhao Rui continued flying towards the direction of East Japan.

After flying for about half an hour, a series of deafening roars gradually reached his ears.

We've arrived at Shikoku Island—no, I should say, the Island of Mythical Beasts.

Zhao Rui slowed down, gradually increasing the altitude, and looked down from the sky.

What should have been a prosperous and beautiful land of East Japan has been transformed into a kingdom of strange beasts.

Everywhere was ruins, with broken walls and collapsed beams; apart from strange beasts, there was no trace of human presence.

Countless skeletons lay on the ground, some human, some of strange beasts.

It's chilling to look at.

How big is the Ruins of Guixu? How big is Blue Star?

These strange beasts are trapped on this small island; it's no wonder they're not behaving themselves.

Zhao Rui looked at the other East Japanese islands next to the Beast Island and saw that each of these islands was surrounded by a strange gray tower.

These towers seem to have the effect of repelling strange beasts, or they may have the effect of making the space inside the towers invisible.

None of the strange beasts glanced at these places; they completely ignored them.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Japan, order remained intact. The entire country not only did not fall into chaos, but was also developing rapidly in an orderly manner.

Countless factory chimneys were billowing black smoke, and transport vehicles lined the roads like a long dragon.

"this--"" Zhao Rui felt as if he were witnessing a mad, war-mongering empire taking off.

"What on earth are these guys up to?"

Zhao Rui leaned forward slightly and flew towards the sky above the Eastern Japanese. Before he could get close, the towers along the way emitted a dazzling purple light, shooting straight at him.

Zhao Rui quickly used his keen senses to dodge, but soon several beams of purple light shot towards him.

Zhao Rui dared not try and had no choice but to retreat.

"That amazing?"

He hadn't expected these towers to be so powerful. If China had such things, why would it be afraid of being attacked by alien beasts?

At least ordinary beasts wouldn't dare approach.

Where did the Japanese get this technology?

Unable to find a solution, Zhao Rui had no choice but to take to the air and return towards the coast of the East China Sea.

"Bang!"

Just twenty minutes after he had flown, a loud explosion came from afar.

Zhao Rui focused his mind and exclaimed, as if the sound came from the northeast.

They immediately rushed in that direction.

When he got there, he was surprised to find that the Chinese fighter jet that had crashed into the sea was the same one he had encountered before.

He quickly swooped down to search for the pilot.

Fortunately, he also practiced the Illusionary Sound Demon Art, making him extremely sensitive to sound. In just a moment, he spotted the pilot who had fallen into the water.

Zhao Rui quickly flew over.

The pilot was frantically opening his parachute when he suddenly heard a whooshing sound and quickly looked up.

Upon seeing that it was a master of levitation, he was immediately startled.

They hurriedly hid underwater.

Zhao Rui stretched out his giant Sumeru Buddha hand and scooped him up as if he were fishing in a river.

"What happened?"

Zhao Rui asked in a deep voice.

The soldiers, who were struggling, were stunned when they heard that it was Dongqi language. They then said urgently, "We've been attacked!"

"They are Japanese from the East."

"140 nautical miles to the north—" The soldier hurriedly said that after Zhao Rui heard this, he immediately used the Sword Light Transformation Rainbow Technique and headed north.

His speed was so fast that in the blink of an eye, the sound of the aircraft cutting through the air could be heard.

Zhao Rui hurriedly gave chase and saw a strange flying machine chasing after the Central Plains court's plane.

Two equally strange aircraft followed alongside the transport plane.

The aircraft were flying in very close proximity, making this escort extremely dangerous. The other side was forcing the transport plane to slow down and land.

These aircraft do not resemble conventional airplanes; they have only a tail fin and a front resemblance to swifts, clearly not aircraft currently on the market.

Zhao Rui didn't dare to hesitate and rushed towards the two Japanese aircraft.

Before he could even get close to the two aircraft, they spotted him and simultaneously fired two laser weapons.

The lasers were extremely fast, so Zhao Rui quickly condensed some ice to block them and deflect the high-temperature laser beams.

Zhao Rui's subtle manipulations were incredibly skillful.

These lasers not only failed to harm him, but were instead reflected back into his own body.

Immediately, black smoke billowed from the surfaces of the two aircraft.

Zhao Rui gave them no time to react, quickly closing in. Once he was close to the aircraft, he immediately transformed into his true form, which was over a hundred meters tall.

Grab the tail of the Ludo piece with both hands and throw it downwards.

The aircraft's engine erupted in a burst of intense flames as it desperately tried to stabilize itself.

Zhao Rui followed the momentum and threw it forward with a spin.

The aircraft immediately flew towards the water in front of it, like a spinning dart.

The two forces combined instantly caused its balance system to lose control.

With a loud "bang," it crashed into the water, creating a violent explosion.

Upon seeing this, another aircraft quickly took off to the side, simultaneously launching several lasers and missiles at Zhao Rui and the Chinese transport plane beside him.

"Damn it!"

Zhao Rui spat, and with a swift movement, he was already blocking the transport plane.

The massive explosion shattered his Dharma image, making the entire image appear illusory.

However, this illusion was only temporary, and Zhao Rui solidified his true form in a single breath.

At the same time, he flashed forward and caught up with the aircraft that was preparing to accelerate and escape. Then he struck the aircraft with a Dragon Subduing Palm, and several dragon-shaped true qi instantly wrapped with huge energy.

The aircraft was blasted into a dazzling burst of fireworks.

Upon seeing this, the Japanese aircraft that was pursuing the Central Plains fighter jet in the distance immediately turned its nose around, turned its afterburner to the maximum, and instantly flew into the sky.

Zhao Rui wanted to catch up, but the distance was too great, and he could not catch up in time.

As the Japanese aircraft fled, several figures appeared through the glass of the transport plane's nose, thanking Zhao Rui repeatedly.

Zhao Rui pointed to the east coast, and the other party understood immediately, quickly turning the plane around and flying towards the Japanese airport.

Zhao Rui then flew to the spot where the soldier had fallen into the sea, pulled the soldier out of the water, and then flew towards the city of Ri.

An hour later.

As the transport plane slowly landed, Zhao Rui boarded the aircraft, which had been temporarily taken over by the military and was now used specifically for the take-off and landing of military aircraft.

The military personnel who had received the notification from the staff on the transport plane were already waiting in the aircraft.

Zhao Rui slowly descended from the sky, and then put down the Flying Phoenix in his hand.

"Thanks."

As soon as the pilot landed, staff members came forward to lift him onto a stretcher and transport him to the hospital for treatment and care.

"Could it be Master Zhao from the Qingcheng Sword Sect?"

The officer in charge of welcoming Zhao Rui walked up to him and asked a question.

"Who are you?"

"As expected, it's Master Zhao!"

The officer introduced himself as surnamed Lu, and said he belonged to the Dongqi Army Group.

Currently in charge of frontline command work in Nichi City.

After a brief chat, the people in the transport vehicle disembarked from the plane.

There were five elderly men and women with white hair working at the factory; they were clearly researchers who had been engaged in research for many years.

Perhaps due to the shock, all five of them were not in good condition. After thanking Zhao Rui, they were taken to the hospital, just like the pilots.

Their mission and the circumstances they encountered were not disclosed.

Now that everyone had returned safely, Zhao Rui didn't linger. After chatting with Commandant Lu for a few moments, he took a military vehicle and returned to the residence that Master Qingyang had prepared for him.

The next morning, while Zhao Rui was still practicing meditation in his room, Master Qingyang came and knocked on the door, saying that someone from above had come to see Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui was taken aback, then realized that it must be related to what happened yesterday.

A few minutes later, two young men dressed in distinctive clothing walked over.

The other party introduced himself as a member of Special Operations Team One, who came to learn about the situation at the time.

"How did you spot my military aircraft? What is your destination?"

"We need you to provide detailed location and process information. This is very important, so please cooperate with our work."

After listening to their words, Zhao Rui frowned slightly. Perhaps because he was used to being addressed as "Master," he was somewhat surprised by the two young people's businesslike attitude.

What gave them the confidence to question a Dharma Master in this way?

However, Zhao Rui was also an arrogant person. Since it was a question, he simply explained what had happened.

"Why did you go to Japan? I heard you disappeared for a while. Is there something going on with Japan?"

"No comment!"

Zhao Rui was getting annoyed.

"Please answer the questions carefully and do not resist our censorship."

Zhao Rui sighed speechlessly, then waved his right hand, preparing to lead the two of them out of the room.