An invasion from the Abyss? I, a demonic cultivator, laughed.

Chapter 295 Gathering of Heroes
"I didn't expect so many people to come back."

"It seems that deep down, everyone yearns for adventure."

It has to be said that the number of people returning far exceeded Chu Xiu's expectations, which made him unable to stop smiling.

He also saw updates on many acquaintances from online posts.

With his father's help, Ye Junlin has chosen a decent world. Although his progress is not as rapid as Zhang Qingshan's, who is fighting on the front lines, he has still passed the General Rank Trial and is currently at General Rank 5.

His two former subordinates, Anya [Arcane Mage (S)] and Wei Shan [Templar (S)], had been following Ye Junlin on his adventures and were both lucky enough to pass the General Rank Trial. They are now at General Rank 2 and 3 respectively, and they are returning with him.

Of course, the three of them were able to develop quite smoothly because of the Ye family's resources and good luck, but not everyone can be like that.

Among the Seven Knights, another one died in the abyss. Including those who died in the initial trials, two have now perished.

However, although the others were not as developed, there were still twenty or thirty fierce-level people among these four hundred people, and even more warrior-level people, exceeding one hundred!
Shen Zhuo and his team, for example, all became warriors under the leadership of this rich second-generation, and this time they also returned to the Shiki world.

This force will undoubtedly be a huge boost, and it will grow rapidly once it receives the replenishment of resources.

Seeing the current situation of these old acquaintances, Chu Xiu couldn't help but feel a strange feeling, a sense of感慨 that everyone was striving and developing on their own paths.

"Yes, it's time to call Aoyama back. With me in the Shiki world, it's much safer than the front lines."

After thinking for a while, Chu Xiu sent Zhang Qingshan a text message, but unfortunately he didn't reply for several days. He guessed that Zhang Qingshan had gone to carry out a long-term mission outside the base.

Chu Xiu stopped thinking about it and set off for Pengcheng.

Half a day later, as soon as Chu Xiu got off the plane, he saw a smiling face welcoming him not far away.

"Senior! It's been a long time!"

Jiang Miaoyin wore a pale yellow floral dress today, mingling casually among the crowd of people picking her up at the airport, waving to him.

Chu Xiu approached and said, "Long time no see."

He then looked around and asked, "Where is Brother Lingfu?"

As before, he contacted Jiang Lingfu in advance before attending the Pengcheng auction. It has to be said that having their heroic spirits allowed him to enter the inner circle of the four major families did bring a lot of convenience.

"My uncle suddenly had an emergency, so I'm the only one left to pick you up, senior!"

Jiang Miaoyin smiled and stepped forward, but she suddenly paused when she got closer and looked Chu Xiu up and down.

"What's wrong with me?" Chu Xiu asked.

"Ah! I meant to say that you are so low-key, senior. You didn't bring any luggage and you even flew economy class."

"I happen to have a spare private jet, the Blue Spirit Group's new model from 2064. Senior, would you like it? It's free!"

Jiang Miaoyin smiled and quickly concealed the surprise and doubt in her eyes.

The moment she approached Chu Xiu, she felt a chill run down her spine, as if she were nearing an object with extremely high energy density, and instinctively wanted to move away.

This feeling is very faint, and ordinary people cannot feel it at all. Even most king-level beings and many awakened heroic spirits cannot see it. Only Jiang Miaoyin has a kind of divine spiritual perception, so she can sense it.

"I've only ever felt this kind of sensation in those seniors whose physiques were abnormally strong. It's a reaction that I only have when my body contains immense energy."

"How could this senior have changed so much in just two months?"

Jiang Miaoyin couldn't help but mutter to herself. She felt that Chu Xiu was becoming more and more mysterious. Before, in the Hundred Ghosts Furnace, his spiritual power had increased dramatically during his seclusion. Now it was his physical body's turn.
What on earth did this guy do? Even if he did nothing but keep tapping on the karmic points for two months, there shouldn't be such a big change!

In an instant, Jiang Miaoyin's already great curiosity about Chu Xiu increased even more.

But she also knew that these powerful people hated it when others pried into their secrets, so she tactfully changed the subject.

Chu Xiu took in her reaction and naturally knew what this girl was thinking.

A high physical constitution means an extremely concentrated physical strength, much like the difference between pig iron and modern forged super steel. Even without touching it, one can sense the high degree of concentration in the latter by observing it from a distance. Awakened individuals with strong spiritual senses can detect this.

Chu Xiu didn't intend to hide it. A physique of 30,000 was quite high for a Heroic Spirit, but it wasn't particularly eye-catching.

Forcibly using the concealment technique and thought overwriting to hide himself would only make it easier for others to see his unique hiding methods and connect them to Chu Xiu's identity.

Although the chances were slim, he didn't want to take the risk.

Chu Xiu simply smiled and waved his hand, taking over the conversation: "Stop joking, what would I do with that kind of thing?"

Jiang Miaoyin chuckled twice, then said nothing more and led the way.

After boarding the spirit boat that was picking her up, she said, "Senior, we have arranged a gathering at noon. Many heroic spirits have come this time, and we plan to exchange ideas beforehand."

Chu Xiu nodded: "You can make the arrangements."

He paused, then asked, "How's the world of a hundred ghosts? What have you gained during this time?"

"No, it's the same as always. The world of ghosts is so big, how easy is it to find an opportunity?" After saying that, Jiang Miaoyin suddenly turned to look at Chu Xiu, putting on a pitiful look: "Senior, I feel so unsafe without you. I don't dare to go anywhere, for fear of encountering some big monster, or that perverted killer ghost again."

Chu Xiu found it somewhat amusing and didn't take the girl's words to heart at all. As a top-tier king from a powerful family, he had even refined an extremely powerful curse spirit with Chu Xiu's help. He was confident that he could escape unscathed even if he encountered a powerful heroic spirit.

Seeing that Chu Xiu was still completely immune to her little tricks as before, Jiang Miaoyin changed the subject and began to take credit: "However, during this time a heroic spirit came to the city we were exploring, but I managed to send him away in the end, successfully guarding the secret of the Soul Palace!"

Chu Xiu chuckled, thought for a moment, and said, "That's right."

Having received those words, Jiang Miaoyin shut her mouth, satisfied.

Soon, the spirit boat arrived at a luxurious restaurant near the auction house. The two went up to the banquet hall on the top floor. Before they even got close, Chu Xiu showed a surprised expression.

He sensed that there were at least fifty or sixty powerful auras within the hall!
"So many heroic spirits have arrived this time?"

"Senior, didn't I tell you already?"

"Well, I didn't expect there to be so many."

At the last auction in Shanghai, there were only about a dozen Heroic Spirits.

"Not everyone has arrived yet. Uncle predicts that over a hundred heroic spirits will participate in this auction, and even demigods will appear, perhaps even more."

Jiang Miaoyin leaned closer and said mysteriously, "You might even get to see the Heavenly King!"

Heavenly King!

These two words made Chu Xiu's eyelids twitch slightly. He turned his head to look at the oval face so close to his own and asked in confusion, "Is there anything special about this auction?"

"That's natural, but the relevant information is confidential. Before I set off, our clan chief specifically instructed me not to tell any outsiders, however..."

Halfway through her sentence, Jiang Miaoyin winked playfully and leaned closer, saying, "But what is our relationship, senior? We're comrades who've been through thick and thin together! How can you call me an outsider? Don't you think so, senior?" After she finished speaking, Chu Xiu shook his head helplessly and walked forward.

"Alright, alright, I won't keep you in suspense any longer," Jiang Miaoyin quickly followed, "It's said that a rare treasure will appear at this public auction, which has attracted many powerful individuals."

"But I don't know what kind of treasure it is. My uncle just said that it had nothing to do with me, so I didn't ask any further."

Chu Xiu nodded slightly upon hearing this, not taking it to heart. Even demigods and heavenly kings would appear, so even the most wondrous treasures would be out of his reach. Although he had some wealth, how could he possibly compete with those top experts?
Chu Xiu pushed open the door and walked into the hall, whereupon dozens of eyes shot toward him.

"My name is Qin Yu. Greetings, everyone," Chu Xiu said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Immediately, all the heroic spirits greeted him and stepped forward to chat.

Everyone was very friendly, and the communication speed between the spirits was extremely fast, so Chu Xiu soon became familiar with everyone present.

This group of elites, who are practically at the very top of China's pyramid, including heads of large families, leaders of well-known labor unions, presidents of multinational corporations, and government officials—all the big shots who frequently appear on television news—are now standing in front of Chu Xiu, chatting and laughing with him without any airs.

Chu Xiu didn't miss this opportunity to expand his network and gather information. He smoothly joined the conversation and even proactively added the contact information of many people.

This made Jiang Miaoyin roll her eyes. Damn it, isn't this blatant discrimination? Why is she so cold to me?!

Chu Xiu, of course, wouldn't care about this woman's little scheme.

After that, many more heroic spirits came. However, just as Chu Xiu was chatting happily with everyone, his eyelids suddenly twitched without warning, and he felt a sense of being targeted by prey!
He turned around abruptly and came face to face with a tall man with a stubble beard standing in the doorway.

The man was slightly taken aback when he saw Chu Xiu looking at him, but he calmly smiled and said, "Brother Qin, you have such a strong intuition! I only glanced at you twice before you noticed me!"

"You are..." Chu Xiu's face showed regret.

"I am Zhang Changchuan! I am one of the three heroic spirits who entered the Hundred Ghosts Furnace at the same time as you, Brother Qin. However, we have never met before, so it is understandable that you do not recognize me," the tall man said with a hearty laugh.

Chu Xiu gave Zhang Changchuan a deep look, his doubts growing even stronger.

He had indeed heard of this person; he was a powerful spirit from the Zhang family, one of the four great families.

However, just as he said, the other party and he had no connection whatsoever.

But what was that chill down my back just now? It wasn't a feeling that would come from just looking at something a few more times.

"Did I offend this person? But when?"

"Wait, the Zhang family, isn't that the family that wanted to use the [Soul-Gathering Treasure Box] to possess my body?"

"Has my identity been exposed? Are they trying to take advantage of this to attack me?"

Thinking of this, Chu Xiu frowned deeply.

But he quickly realized something was amiss. He had been cautious enough throughout his journey. While it was somewhat possible that Chu Xiu's identity had been exposed, uncovering even Qin Yu's identity was far too difficult.
Qin Yu's identity was obtained through Shanwailou's multiple insurance mechanisms, and Chu Xiu felt that the Zhang family did not have that kind of power.

But if it's not because of this, then what is it? Could it be...?
Chu Xiu glanced at Jiang Miaoyin, who was following him like a little follower, and thought to himself, "It shouldn't be something so melodramatic, right?"

At this moment, Chu Xiu found Zhang Changchuan to be strangely familiar, especially his eyes, which drooped slightly at the corners like a puppy's.

After thinking for a while, Chu Xiu suddenly shook his head with amusement.

"I'm probably being too sensitive."

"Spiritual perception, spiritual perception, the biggest problem with this thing is its uncertainty, otherwise wouldn't it be a perfect replacement for divine sense?"

Even true innate gods and demons can have moments of error in their spiritual perception.

This kind of mistake isn't about being completely wrong or creating something out of nothing, but rather about frequently misjudging the severity of the problem.

"My feeling just now was probably just that Zhang Changchuan saw me as a competitor for resources and was a little hostile. I don't need to be so sensitive."

When you judge others with this preconceived notion, even the most ordinary person will be found to have some flaws.

Thinking of this, Chu Xiu stopped dwelling on it and resumed chatting and laughing with everyone.

Zhang Changchuan also acted normally, which reassured Chu Xiu a lot.

At seven o'clock, the banquet officially began. Plates of expensive spirit beast meat and spirit wine were served. At this time, the number of heroic spirits gathered in the banquet hall had reached an astonishing ninety-seven, and three demigods had also arrived!

This made Chu Xiu feel that Jiang Miaoyin had underestimated the situation. If the heroic spirits who didn't come were included, the total number of heroic spirits at this auction might reach as high as one hundred and fifty!
However, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the mysterious item.

Jiang Lingfu arrived late, just as the banquet was nearing its end.

"I'm sorry, everyone. As the host of this banquet, I'm so late. I'll punish myself with three cups of spiritual wine!" With that, he downed three cups of spiritual wine.

Someone laughed and said, "Hey Lao Jiang, are you just a glutton for beautiful women?"

As soon as he finished speaking, bursts of laughter erupted from below, and the banquet, which had been interrupted by Jiang Lingfu's arrival, became lively again.

Chu Xiu also stepped forward and said a few words, and before long, someone couldn't help but ask, "Brother Jiang, what is the matter that is so urgent? Is it convenient for you to tell us?"

Chu Xiu was also quite curious, wondering what could have kept a heroic spirit so busy.

Of course, everyone knew that if it was a private matter of the Jiang family, or involved any secrets, they would naturally not ask any further questions.

However, Jiang Lingfu clearly had no intention of hiding anything. He had drunk quite a bit of wine, and his childlike face was flushed red. Suddenly, he slammed his wine glass down and said, "Damn it, there's nothing I can't say. It's just that those bastards from the Free Federation have done something bad again!"

Upon hearing this, all the heroic spirits present curiously gathered around.

Chu Xiu was also somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to hear the words "Free Federation."

The so-called free federation is actually just America.

However, after the emergence of supernatural powers, almost all religions began to develop rapidly and explosively.

There's no way around it; it's human nature. Faced with despair and the unknown, only faith can bring a moment of peace.

This shock also caused the already divided society of Ami to be completely torn apart, splitting it into two countries: the atheistic "Free Federation" and the "Supreme God Kingdom" that believes in God.

However, Chu Xiu always felt that the countries across the ocean could not have much impact on China. After all, the resources were all in the Abyss, and there was nothing left to fight over on Blue Star. In fact, due to the significant expansion of Blue Star's area after the Abyss invasion, coupled with the increased shipping risks caused by the mutation of marine life, the two countries separated by the ocean have become even more estranged.

But for some reason, I heard news from this country at this time.

The other heroic spirits seemed just as surprised as Chu Xiu, and asked one after another, "What kind of trouble is the Federation causing now?"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Jiang Lingfu downed another large gulp of wine, then looked at the crowd and softly uttered two words:
"Extreme."

(End of this chapter)