After the Battle, the Settlement... Gathering at the Martial Alliance

As Qin Luo had predicted, the Sea Tribe's invasion was nothing more than an elaborately staged "performance."

After the second fierce assault, the Sea Tribe unexpectedly retreated back into the depths of the ocean.

This time, no one naively believed the Sea Tribe had fled in fear. Instead, they realized with horror—

After all, the first surge of morale is fierce, the second wanes, and the third exhausts.

During the first wave of battle, humanity's momentum had been unstoppable, their morale soaring.

But the Sea Tribe struck once and withdrew, lulling humanity into thinking the battle was nearly over.

Then, the second wave suddenly crashed down, catching humanity off guard and shaking their resolve.

If the Sea Tribe launched a third attack, humanity's fighting spirit would likely plummet to rock bottom.

[To think even the lowly Sea Tribe could employ such tactics—utterly terrifying!]

[Uh… is there a chance this is also a test? To see if we humans have any real fighters left?]

[Damn, that’s one hell of a test! My neighbor, Auntie Wang, got dragged into the sea—no idea if she’s alive or dead. Sigh, guess I won’t be seeing her anymore.]

[Same here. My buddy got pulled in too. Well, at least I don’t have to pay back the money I owed him.]

[Hey… isn’t that kinda messed up?]

[What do you mean?]

[While others are out there fighting, we’re just sitting around leaving unserious comments online. If humanity wins, won’t we just be freeloaders?]

[Bro, why overthink it? It’s not like our contributions are being invalidated or anything.]

[Do you even know what "alienation" and "concretization" mean??]

[Let me give you an example—Miss Su is out there slaughtering enemies on the front lines, while Qin Luo stays in the rear directing tactics.]

[Then, when the battle’s over and the scores come in—whoops! Miss Su gets the M!V!P!!!!]

[Meanwhile, Qin Luo’s just been holed up in the back, not even killing Sea Tribe members—total freeloader! Pure freeloader!]

[Qin Luo’s battle rating is 3.0—freeloader. Miss Su’s 16.0 rating carries the whole team. Can you even compare them?]

[The guy above makes a fair point…]

[+1]

[So what’s our role supposed to be…?]

[Boosting morale is important too. We’re… all fighting for humanity!]

[True!]

Meanwhile.

In the Martial Arts Alliance’s break room.

Su Muwan was happily scrolling through the internet, posting all sorts of "holy scripture" takes under her burner accounts.

This was her favorite pastime—especially since no one knew it was her behind those accounts.

"Miss, everyone’s here. Let’s go."

Qin Luo’s voice came from outside the door.

"Coming!"

Su Muwan replied, shutting off her terminal and following him out.

...

...

In the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters’ grand conference room, Chosen Ones from across the world had gathered.

Each radiated an overwhelming aura of destiny, like towering pillars of light converging in this cramped space.

Blinding. Absolutely blinding. Though…

Qin Luo glanced at Su Muwan as she strolled in through the door.

Gurgle!!

The moment she entered, the malevolent black energy around her effortlessly eclipsed the golden light emanating from the other Chosen Ones.

Truly, the most wicked existence in this world.

Su Muwan blinked and waved at Qin Luo.

She had a feeling he was complimenting her in his mind.

Ahem.

Returning the wave, Qin Luo cleared his throat.

Then, his gaze swept slowly over everyone present.

A faint glimmer flashed in his eyes as detailed profiles of each person materialized before him.

A few among them possessed exceptionally dense auras—precisely the "Pieces" he had been searching for.

[Detected T0 protagonist Lin Xiyan from Wait, I Just Arrived in a Matriarchy and Became a God?! Master, act like a lackey toward them!]

[Detected T0 protagonist Lu Chen from The God of War Returns, Ten Master-Disciples Beg for Forgiveness! Master, act like a lackey toward them!]

[Detected T0 protagonist Ye Wudao from Villain: Heroines Collapse After Hearing My Inner Monologue! Master, act like a lackey toward them!]

[Detected T0 protagonist Su Jiu'er from Succubus Empress: Starts by Seducing the Heroine! Master, act like a lackey toward them!]

[Detected T0 protagonist Xiao Yan from Breaking Off the Engagement? I Counter With Ten Betrothal Letters!! Master, act like a lackey toward them!]

[Detected T0 protagonist Chu Xuan from Slacking in the Apocalypse? I Devour Millions of Zombies!! Master, act like a lackey toward them!]

Heh.

After subtly calculating with his fingers beneath the table, Qin Luo chuckled inwardly.

All the Pieces were here.

Such blatant destiny and stat points…

He straightened up, his voice steady and commanding.

"Everyone, thank you for answering the Martial Arts Alliance’s call and joining this operation."

His words echoed through the room, drawing all eyes to him.

"After our investigations, we’ve determined that the Sea Tribe’s full-scale invasion is no accident."

Qin Luo’s tone grew grave. "They’ve been influenced by an unknown entity lurking in the deep sea—driven into a frenzied rampage."

"This creature hides in the abyss, manipulating the Sea Tribe’s actions and threatening humanity’s survival."

He paused, scanning the crowd before continuing.

"Our mission is to descend into the ocean’s depths, locate this creature, and eliminate it."

"This isn’t just a battle—it’s a fight for humanity’s future!"

Silence filled the room.

Though expressions varied, not a single face showed fear.

Every person here was a Chosen One, each brimming with their own pride.

Hunting the Sea Tribe wasn’t just about gaining combat experience—it was also a chance for rare opportunities.

In fact, some of the techniques wielded by those present thrived on slaughter.

So naturally, no one objected to the proposal.

Then—

"Mr. Qin, I have a question."

A clear voice rang out.

Qin Luo turned to see Lin Xiyan, one of the "Pieces."

Their features were delicate as jade—eyebrows like brushstrokes, eyes shimmering with grace, lips pale as cherry blossoms, and shoulder-length hair framing an elegant demeanor.

Except… they were male.

Despite being a man, Lin Xiyan possessed an almost feminine refinement, every movement exuding poise.

Qin Luo mused that Wang Yong would probably get along well with them.

Hm?

Who’s Wang Yong?

Oh, just that guy who went from male to… male.

Clad in a lavender gown, Lin Xiyan raised their hand politely.

"The ocean is the Sea Tribe’s domain. Does the Alliance have any tools to help us operate underwater?"

Qin Luo smiled. "We do, friends, we do. Allow me to introduce the greatest invention of this century—the Water-Repelling Pearl!"

With that, he produced a dark, shadow-forged orb capable of isolating seawater.

At the same time.

He sensed several figures attempting—and failing—to conceal themselves in the sky above.

Heh…

As expected, they’d all been drawn here by his Pieces.

Lords of the Myriad Worlds…

Above, in the sky.

Several figures quietly gathered, their auras powerful yet subdued, though their faces betrayed shock and fury.

Almost in unison, they demanded,

"What the hell are you old bastards doing here?!"