After settling down for another month from the war, the world slowly returned to a strange calm, but beneath that calm, something profound was taking place as people began to break through one after another, their auras rising, their strength deepening, and the very air seemed to hum with the silent advancement of humanity.
Gu Mian broke through first, her cultivation surging forward like a tide that could no longer be restrained, she reached the Mythical Level, followed closely by other members of the Gu Team, each of them stepping into a higher realm with a steadiness that came from years of battle and survival, their expressions calm but their presence growing increasingly overwhelming.
When Gu Mian carefully inspected her space after stabilizing her realm, she felt her heart tremble slightly, because the space had grown once again, expanding far beyond what she had expected, and this time she was certain that its size was about the same as Hua Country, vast, boundless, and filled with a faint, ancient aura that made it feel alive.
Then she found out about the woman the World God had left in the space, Ji Yueqing, who stood quietly beneath the ever-shifting sky of chaotic light, her white hair flowing gently as if moved by an invisible wind, her presence calm yet distant, even confused.
The woman, however, could not leave the space yet, and although she did not complain, there was a quiet loneliness that lingered around her, something subtle but impossible to ignore once noticed.
So the Gu family, as always, acted without hesitation, enthusiastically building countless structures within the space, from elegant pavilions and flowing gardens to peaceful lakes and courtyards, filling the once empty world with life, warmth, and the sound of human presence.
The jade tokens that Gu Mian had once casually given as gifts before the apocalypse had now become something extraordinary, because through those tokens, the Gu family could access her space freely, moving in and out as if it were simply another part of their home, turning the once isolated world into a shared sanctuary.
Ten years later, it was now twenty years since the apocalypse had ended, and the country had changed so drastically that it could no longer be compared to what it once was, as the economy thrived, new technologies constantly emerged, and humanity entered a new era where survival was no longer the focus, but growth and enjoyment.
Scientists developed virtual reality and holographic immersion, but unlike the past, everything now revolved around magic and qi, so all technologies were created to align with cultivation, blending the spiritual and the mechanical into something entirely new and harmonious.
Many games from Gu Mian's original collection were chosen and remade into virtual reality worlds, and people could fully immerse themselves, experiencing entire cultivation realms, mythical battles, and ancient legends as if they were real, training both mind and spirit within those constructed realities.
Everyone now had identity bracelets made of gold and jade, which not only served as identification but also stored information and linked directly to their cultivation status, while the small crystal devices clipped behind the ear allowed them to connect seamlessly to the crystal network and enter immersive worlds at will.
The food industry, surprisingly, became the most successful and richest industry in the world, surpassing even technology and cultivation resources, because after years of hardship, people no longer wanted to struggle with basic necessities.
It was the most successful because many people were simply too lazy to cook, while others openly admitted that they were kitchen killers, incapable of producing anything edible, and so instead of wasting time, they chose convenience.
As a result, everyone bought food, and since no one was willing to become another person's chef, even the royal family mostly purchased meals, relying on automated systems and robots to handle delivery with precision and speed.
Other businesses also thrived, and although the population remained relatively small compared to the past, everyone was content, living in a world where danger had receded and stability had finally taken root.
The Gu family reintroduced paper money, setting each point equivalent to ten thousand yuan, creating a simplified and unified system that was easy to manage and widely accepted across regions.
Because of the war on the sea, every citizen had once earned millions of points, and over the years, through various tasks and contributions, their wealth only increased, leading to a society where financial struggle was almost nonexistent.
Everyone exchanged their points for cash and became billionaires, and no one had less than three hundred million in their accounts, creating a strange but peaceful economic balance where wealth was abundant and competition was minimal.
Banks were operated almost entirely by robots, with only a few human staff overseeing operations, as most people were either too lazy to work or simply did not want to work under others, choosing instead to focus on cultivation or personal pursuits.
People also delved deeply into cultural studies, reviving ancient traditions such as painting, porcelain crafting, dance, and music, bringing back elements of Hua Country's heritage that had nearly been lost during the apocalypse.
Fortunately, cultural libraries and antique stores had not been destroyed during those chaotic years, preserving knowledge and artifacts that now became the foundation for a cultural renaissance, and whatever was not privately kept was placed into a grand museum in the capital city.
As society continued to stabilize and flourish, the decision was made to explore the continent, using old maps to plan routes, with the hope of finding other survivors and reconnecting humanity beyond their borders.
Some people had already broken through to the Immortal level, including members of the Gu family, Tang Guo, and his husband Xiao San, their presence now carrying a faint transcendence that separated them from ordinary cultivators.
After breaking through to the Immortal level, Gu Mian's space expanded once again, this time reaching the size of an entire continent, officially becoming a small world, a transformation so significant that even she felt a moment of disbelief.
To celebrate, everyone from the Gu Team entered the Primal Chaos space, expecting nothing more than a simple gathering, but what they witnessed instead left them completely stunned.
The sky filled with beautiful rainbow light that danced endlessly, swirling and condensing until it began to take shape, forming the outline of a human body in midair.
When the figure fully formed, he was dressed in magnificent blue ancient royal robes, his long white hair flowing just like Ji Yueqing's, and as he descended slowly, his presence pressed upon everyone like the weight of the heavens themselves.
He called their names one by one, greeting them with a gentle smile, and even the Gu family, who had faced countless dangers, could not hide their surprise at such a being appearing before them.
The man calmly informed them that he was the consciousness of the planet, a god, and even Gu Ruisheng, who had always remained composed, was completely shell-shocked by this revelation.
He explained that the woman they had been caring for was his queen and wife, Ji Yueqing, and he sincerely thanked them for taking care of her, his voice carrying genuine gratitude.
Then he revealed a truth that changed everything, explaining that space ability users did not truly possess an ability, but were instead bonded to fragments of his body, and that Gu Mian's space was the core of the planet, the most important fragment of all.
He and his queen would now live within that space, treating it as their home, and after expressing their thanks once more, they departed, leaving behind a silence filled with awe.
Before leaving, the World God also thanked each of them individually for their contributions in preventing the world from falling completely into the hands of the zombies, acknowledging their efforts as the reason humanity still stood.
He also revealed that many zombies still remained across the world and within the oceans, explaining that only those native to those regions could safely interact with the mutated virus, and asked them to lead those people in clearing the remaining threats.
The Gu family agreed without hesitation.
As more people approached the Immortal level, transportation became almost unnecessary, as many could teleport freely, and it became rare to see cars on the roads, while even trains were now operated entirely by robots.
However, the Gu family chose not to startle ordinary people, opting instead to travel using eagles, maintaining a sense of familiarity and reducing unnecessary attention.
Gu Yunchen announced that they would explore the continent they were currently on, known as A Continent, which contained nine countries including Hua Country, Finn Country, Karl Country, N Country, Surf Country, P Country, M Country, J Country, and L Country.
They decided to begin with M Country, as it was the closest.
The border between the two countries had once been nothing more than a river, and after selecting one hundred thousand people, they mounted their eagles and sped through the skies, arriving at the border within thirty minutes.
As they flew across M Country, they cleared zombies city by city, the battles swift and efficient, as most zombies were at the Tutor Realm, posing little threat to their forces.
They also cleared large areas of zombified forests, the air thick with decay as twisted trees fell under their attacks, before finally resting after three days of continuous travel.
On the third day, they detected signs of life.
They found a city surrounded by towering walls nearly thirty meters high, and as they flew overhead, the people below saw colossal birds blotting out the sky, triggering alarms as fighters rushed to defend their home.
But as the eagles descended and shrank in size, revealing finely dressed and majestic figures, the people of M Country felt an unprecedented pressure, one that even the Zombie King had never made them feel.
The Gu family, however, was surprised to find that most of the people were only at the Master Realm, with only two individuals at the Grandmaster Realm.
Yet despite the overwhelming difference in strength, Gu Yunchen stepped forward and bowed in greeting, shocking the people of M Country completely.
He introduced himself calmly, explaining their purpose, and the base leader, Rohain Putt, though pressured by the difference in power, was moved by Gu Yunchen's humility and quickly welcomed them inside.
Inside the base, the Gu family observed a harsh yet united society, where houses were formed from earth abilities, there was no electricity, and although the people looked worn and darkened from years of battle, their eyes were filled with determination and unity.
What followed was not just assistance—
But transformation.
The battlefield where they fought soon turned into something unforgettable, as Gu Mian froze the entire battlefield at one point, halting millions of zombies mid-motion, their bodies locked in unnatural stillness as if time itself had stopped.
Then the Gu Team turned the war into a massive teaching ground, separating ability users and guiding them, especially the sound ability users who had long suppressed their potential.
At first, the battlefield was silent.
Then—
A note sounded.
Soft, trembling, almost forgotten.
Then another.
And another.
Until music filled the battlefield, rising above the stench of death, transforming sound into power, into blades, into waves that shattered zombies where they stood.
People cried openly, because for the first time in decades, they heard music without fear.
The war lasted three weeks, but not a single person died, and by the end, the people of M Country had not only survived—they had evolved.
When the Zombie King finally fell, defeated by three Grandmasters working together, the battlefield erupted into cheers, tears, and laughter, as decades of suffering were finally released.
That night, under a sky free of danger, the Gu family brought out over a million livestock, and the people of M Country celebrated with a bonfire feast, eating until they could eat no more, some weeping as they realized the nightmare was truly over.
After weeks of recovery, reconstruction began rapidly, aided by Hua Country, and within a month, M Country was transformed, connected to the crystal network and introduced to cultivation techniques like the Hundred Refinement Technique.
With the alliance formed, Hua Country moved on.
All countries on A Continent accepted alliances—
Except one.
Fin Country.
An island nation unlike any other.
When the Gu family arrived, they found a land that had never truly fallen, where the people had adapted differently, their bodies cultivating energy directly, making them extraordinarily powerful.
They possessed only two abilities—strength and speed—but both were terrifyingly advanced, allowing them to punch through magic and move faster than the eye could see.
Their king, who had ruled before the apocalypse, still ruled now.
When Gu Yunchen arrived, there was no fear.
Only challenge.
The warriors of Fin Country stood firm, weapons in hand, their heavy sabers and spears radiating raw power, their bodies like living weapons.
There were no negotiations.
Only a test.
The clash between the two sides shook the coastline, waves crashing violently as strength met strength, speed met precision, and the air cracked under the force of their exchanges.
Gu Mian personally stepped forward, and when she stopped a massive spear with just two fingers, the battlefield fell silent, the people of Fin Country finally recognizing the overwhelming difference.
But instead of hostility—
There was respect.
The king laughed and acknowledged their strength, agreeing to an alliance not out of necessity, but mutual recognition.
With that, the entire continent was unified.
Each country retained its own identity, its own pride, and its own strength, with Hua Country standing at the center—not as a ruler, but as a pillar.
Two years later, Hua Country held the Martial Arts Exchange, inviting all countries to share techniques, knowledge, and innovations, strengthening bonds while also revealing the differences in their paths.
August 21st to 30th was designated as a shared holiday across the continent, commemorating the beginning of the apocalypse—not as a tragedy, but as the moment humanity chose to rise again.