Shadow Aftermath

The entire internet was in shock.

Dawn had yet to fully dispel the night, but the skyscrapers of thirty cities in the Eastern Kingdom were already crawling with eerie sigils.

These were emblems woven from flowing shadows and molten gold patterns—twisted thorns coiled around a cracked-pupil black moon, with a crimson glow seeping from the depths of its pupil. Dark golden veins stretched from the edges of the lunar disk, writhing like living tendrils across the glass facades.

Beneath each sigil, the same words were etched in corrosive shadows:

[Shadow Garden · Takeover Countdown: 71:59:59]

7:00 AM.

Social media platforms were in a frenzy, reporting the events of the previous night.

The top twenty trending topics were all marked in black and red, with the suffix "Shadow Garden" dripping like blood:

[Shocking! Demonic Sigil Appears on Landmark in Gold City! What Is the Shadow Garden?!]

In drone footage, the cracked-pupil black moon slowly rotated on the surface of the 500-meter-tall Global Financial Center as the sun rose.

When the camera zoomed in, the pupil suddenly contracted, and a laser-like red beam shattered the drone—the live feed ended with an explosion.

[Unbelievable! Thirty Cities' Elite Disappear Overnight! Major Sects Issue Urgent Missing Person Notices!]

Missing person notices from martial arts families and even sects of the Profound Heaven Realm flooded the front pages.

[Breaking News!! Survivor Speaks Out at Riverside Dock!]

On Douyin, fisherman Old Zhang trembled as he raised his phone.

His pupils were unnaturally dilated as he whispered fearfully, "Folks!"

"Last night... last night..."

"I hauled in a bunch of seafood, now just 9.9 for shipping."

[Seriously?! Stop selling stuff at a time like this!]

Beyond the online uproar, the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters urgently held a press conference.

When Ouyang Xuan stepped into the venue, three hundred cameras automatically focused on his haggard face.

Luo... you’ve really outdone yourself this time...

While no ordinary civilians were harmed...

How did you manage to vanish so many elite disciples from those sects?

Frankly, those sects would gladly trade a thousand ordinary lives for even one of their precious prodigies.

It was clear just what Qin Luo had accomplished in a single night.

But...

This guy is on another level—how did he harvest so many elites and make them vanish without a trace?

BZZT!

A holographic projection materialized at the center, forming 3D models of the thirty cities. Each Shadow Garden sigil was corroding the buildings in real-time, with energy readings spiking past critical levels.

"Everyone," Ouyang Xuan took a deep breath, his gaze heavy as he recited the script Qin Luo had prepared.

"Please forgive the Martial Arts Alliance for our failure."

"We apologize."

"In truth, we’ve been tracking this organization for months."

"But only yesterday did we finally learn... the true name of the Shadow faction."

"It is called—"

His eyes sharpened.

"Shadow Garden."

CLICK CLICK CLICK!

Flashbulbs erupted.

"Shadow Garden? Minister Ouyang, were the enemies in the ancient ruins last time also from Shadow Garden?"

A reporter from Truth Daily shot up, gripping his mic in excitement.

This is huge!

In an era of prolonged peace for martial artists, a force capable of threatening the world had emerged!

Ouyang Xuan nodded. "Correct. Core members of Shadow Garden had already appeared in Wang City’s ancient ruins."

With that, he pressed a button.

Illusions of Ling Yu’s multiple disguises flickered into view before the crowd.

Each figure had distinct appearances and mannerisms—utterly indistinguishable from real people.

Ouyang Xuan explained, "This individual calls himself [Thousand Faces], one of Shadow Garden’s more troublesome operatives."

"He can mimic and transform into different people, blending into crowds—even replicating their abilities."

"Extremely dangerous."

CLICK CLICK CLICK.

More flashes.

"Minister Ouyang, could this also be the doing of the [Soul Devourer Legacy Holder]?"

A reporter from Alliance Daily stood, his expression indignant.

"Last time at the ancient ruins, there were traces of the Soul Devourer’s influence."

"No—rather..."

"The Soul Devourer might be a member of this faction, or perhaps even its founder!"

Hearing this, Ouyang Xuan gave a solemn nod and tapped another button.

Footage of one city among the thirty appeared.

The crowd watched as streets were stained with thick, black blood.

Ouyang Xuan’s voice was grave. "As you can see, this is the black blood that only appears when the Soul Devourer consumes living beings."

"Yet it’s only present in this city, not the others."

"We’ve deliberated, theorized..."

"And reached one conclusion."

He locked eyes with the cameras.

"The Soul Devourer—perhaps even a member of Shadow Garden—may be..."

"In Cloud Sky City!!!"

BOOM.

The room erupted in shock.

Here?! In Cloud Sky City?!

If Minister Ouyang said so, they must have found clues.

As expected of the Minister!

Another question arose: "Minister, what does the takeover countdown on the thirty cities signify?"

Ouyang Xuan stayed silent, switching the display.

The hologram shifted to an aerial view of the thirty cities.

Civilians went about their lives—but every towering structure bore Shadow Garden’s sigil.

Twisted thorns around a cracked-pupil black moon.

And beneath each emblem, the numbers ticked down:

71:51:19... 71:51:18...

"We believe this is Shadow Garden’s countdown to total control over these thirty cities."

Ouyang Xuan’s nails dug into his palms. "When it hits zero, shadow will consume them all."

"But—!"

His tone hardened. "The Alliance will fight this malevolent force to the end!"

CLICK CLICK CLICK.

Another voice cut in: "Minister Ouyang, given Shadow Garden’s displayed power, can the Alliance—even allied with ancient sects—truly stand against them?"

Ouyang Xuan’s eye twitched.

Damn it, Luo predicted every question...

He inhaled deeply and pulled up one final image.

"Rest assured, everyone."

"Because..."

Clearing his throat, he announced under the crowd’s stunned gaze:

"We have the Martial Arts Alliance’s certified supreme martial master—Su Muwan."

THUD.

Every flashbulb froze.

Reporters gaped at the projected image of Su Muwan’s icy, beautiful portrait.

Huh?!

Wait—

How is SHE involved now?!

What else?

Martial Arts Supreme?

Huh?

Since when did Su Muwan become this?

Martial Arts Alliance, if you're being threatened, blink twice.