Chapter 127: Earth

Chapter 127: Earth

In the end, Chen Shijin didn't receive a clear answer from his companions, and that was only natural.

Perhaps even he himself wouldn't be able to make the perfect choice until the very last moment.

So silence it was.

When faced with an unresolvable choice, silence could also be considered a decision.

However, as Chen Shijin gazed at the crimson fog lines stretching towards the horizon on everyone's bodies, he felt that their time for silence wouldn't last much longer.

Seeing the grim expression on his face, Chu Tiankuo, standing beside him, directly asked the crucial question:

"So why are you so certain that staying on Earth will bring calamity to our planet? That we must return to the Exiled Grounds to ensure Earth's safety?"

Such an unsettling conclusion needed some basis, right?

The others immediately nodded, eager to know the reason.

Chen Shi Jin smiled wryly and then glanced around before stating, "Block all communications."

Thus, all communication devices in the room were jammed, ensuring that their conversation would remain private.

"I see red threads like fog entwining around you. These threads connect directly to the sky from your bodies."

Ah Fei was puzzled, "Huh? Could it be that the sensing threads of the underground spider haven't been fully removed?"

Chen Shi Jin shook his head, "Not that. It's likely the power of the Exiled Land's sole Devourer God."

"…Or perhaps, the invading force of the Exiled Land."

"The red threads on your bodies converge in mid-air, forming a thick fog-like thread. I speculate… if there are enough of these threads, it might directly trigger a planar rift, inviting the Red Rain invasion."

Instantly, the expressions in the conference room changed.

Chu Tiankuo reacted swiftly, "So that Red Rain that appeared above the safe zone previously?"

Chen Shi Jin shook his head again, "I'm uncertain if it was a coincidence or if our large gathering triggered the Red Rain invasion."

Still, I believe it won't be long before we find answers elsewhere, in the havens of the exiled."

By that time, the silence of the exiles would most likely be of no avail.

The expressions of those in the conference room were far from pleasant.

For this issue, it was an inscrutable dilemma that defied any solution, no matter how much they pondered over it at the moment.

And they could already imagine how humanity would react when it discovered the Exiles' gathering places accompanied by red rains.

At that time, even their loved ones and friends would probably avoid them like plague and calamity.

"Bah... Huh." Big Bear wiped his face fiercely.

Ah Fei and Zhou Mo's dispiritedness was visible to the naked eye. Zhou Mo twitched the corners of his mouth. "In that case, I might as well not work at all and just hide in the depths of the forest to lie low."

The others remained silent, but their thoughts were likely similar.

Perhaps it wouldn't be a matter of whether they were willing to leave Earth to protect it; rather, their fellow humans might force them to leave Earth in various ways.

The atmosphere became tense, and Shen Jin didn't know what to say. Nevertheless, he spoke up, "This is merely my speculation, not necessarily the truth. Let's wait and see for now."

"Perhaps everything will have a happy ending."

"And where has your optimism and spirit gone that you had in the Exiled Land? You could find joy and fight each day there, so why can't you live life on Earth?"

"At least fulfill those things you longed to do before."

As Shen Jin spoke, the expressions on everyone's faces improved. Chu Tiankuo chuckled. "Has the group leader been brainwashing us with words?"

Chen gave him a glance. "Your nerves aren't so frayed that you need me to brainwash you."

"Disperse now, and observe with composure. Though this is our homecoming, it is also a battle. The final war has yet to conclude, so do not let yourselves fall here."

Smiles returned to their faces. "Group Leader, you underestimate us, don't you? If you say this is a battle, then every member in this group will fight alongside you until the end!"

"We possess an ever-lasting heart!"

Chu Tiankuo nodded and said, "I will try my best to contact all the exiles from the Land of Eternal Hearts who have returned, and inform everyone that the battle is not over yet, so we must not let our guard down."

"I'm quite skilled at persuading my comrades," I said with a smirk, recalling the countless nights spent being fed empty promises by my boss.

Weekend's lips twitched, reliving those days.

"Indeed, now isn't the time to let our guard down! We should establish communication and prepare for the Red Rain invasion! You can dissipate the Red Rain and Red Mist with a single word, so I believe we can disperse them with effort too."

Ah Fei rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Putting that aside, I've been itching to give that damned Red Rain a good beating! It was responsible for dragging me into that endless darkness."

"If we can destroy the Red Rain and Mist, wouldn't that weaken the Exiled Land's invasion force on Earth? Brother, you can see the Red Threads and rifts, right? If we eliminate all those rifts, wouldn't the invasion pathways between the Exiled Lands and Earth be severed?"

Lu Jun looked at Chen Shi Jin expectantly.

After some thought, Chen Shi Jin felt that even ants could attempt to bite an elephant.

Just then, the door to the conference room was knocked on. Chen Shi Jin glanced at the group before saying, "Come in."

The door opened politely, revealing Minister Tu with a smile on his face.

Seeing how the minister's expression had barely changed, always maintaining a smile, Chen Shi Jin had to admit that he was truly composed. With such a calm demeanor, Minister Tu could probably assemble a formidable Chinese task force to navigate the Exiled Lands if given the chance.

Then, Minister Tu, with his composed demeanor, spoke with a warm smile:

"Comrade Chen, we'll likely need your cooperation with the colleagues present for the next program, to publicly acknowledge the existence of the Returnees to our fellow citizens."

"You all might have to answer a few questions and showcase some superhuman abilities on the show. There are far too many rumors about the Exiles circulating online, and people are in a mix of excitement and skepticism. It's time for the state to intervene."

Chen Shi Jin agreed with this approach. At many times, humans were prone to following rumors and blindly acting under the influence of others without independent thought.

His recent discovery had almost set ordinary humans and Exiles on opposite sides. Without any positive news or communication, it was feared that by the time the discovery was confirmed, humans and Exiles would become sworn enemies.

One shouldn't bet on human nature.

But efforts should be made for the future.

Waiting wouldn't yield any results.

Looking at Minister Tu, Chen Shi Jin offered a shy, gentle smile. "You're right. We also believe it's time for a formal reunion and reintroduction with our fellow countrymen."

"However, could we perhaps change the manner of meeting and getting to know each other?"

Minister Tu gazed at the young man's smile, startled. He hissed inwardly, sensing that the negotiation was reaching its crux, with numerous hidden pitfalls lurking around them.

"Young Chen, please speak your thoughts. Of course, we'll offer strong support if it's feasible," he said.

Chen Jinkun maintained his smile.

All the members of the First Group behind him also wore smiles.

Minister Tu: ...

It was the first time she found a smile so unappealing.

Over the next seven days, various platforms and mainstream communication websites in Hua Guo dedicated their efforts to educating and informing the general public about the basic knowledge of "Exile Land" and the "Exiles."

And they are deliberately guided to give these returning exiles a positive identity, similar to that of peace special police.

Due to the suppression of "Chen Shijin," the exiles of Hua Guo rarely commit any evil deeds openly. In fact, many of them have been seen upholding justice on the streets, fighting criminals, and assisting the police in capturing drug traffickers. Numerous related news stories have left the people of Hua Guo excited and admiring their actions.

However, all of this is merely speculative news. So far, the most authoritative source has yet to provide explicit confirmation or elaboration.

Thus, some ill-intentioned forces took advantage of the situation, spreading ominous footage online of exiles effortlessly annihilating entire families abroad.

Many people were influenced, gradually developing feelings of concern and aversion.

As these emotions intensified, it was on the eighth day after the "Batman incident at the Pearl Tower" that official news channels and all communication platforms simultaneously announced a live broadcast.

Scheduled for the next day at 10 a.m., they would present the most accurate information about the "Returnees."

Excitement stirred among the general public, who eagerly awaited in front of their TVs and smartphones as early as 9 a.m. the following day.

They all wanted to see what kind of beings those who had returned from exile truly were.

"So thrilled! So thrilled! The live broadcast is about to start! Speaking of which, there's no pre-broadcast hype this time? I can't even tell where it's being streamed from."

"Of course, it'll be on CCTV, where else could it be? How many Returnees will we see in the live broadcast? I've heard they all have extraordinary abilities. I'm so curious to see what those abilities are!"

"Tsk, a bunch of ignorant fools with no sense of crisis. You still consider the Returnees one of us? They all possess supernatural powers! They could effortlessly crush ordinary folks like us. We're no longer the same species! Birds of a different feather flock together!"

Amidst the barrage of comments, the clock struck 10 a.m. precisely.

The live broadcast took an abrupt turn.

"Here it comes! Here it comes... Holy crap?! What am I seeing?!"

"Red Mist! Red Rain invasion!!"

"Dammit, where is this? How can there be another Red Rain invasion? Is it happening every half a month now? God, please don't let it be my home!"

In the live stream, a vast expanse of crimson-tinted clouds loomed, blocking out the sky.

Rumbles of thunder echoed faintly within the clouds, while fierce winds signaled the imminent downpour.

Amidst the countless viewers' anxiety and fear, suddenly, a dozen figures appeared beneath that red cloud!

They all levitated in mid-air, gazing upward at the sky.

Then, two muscular men simultaneously roared in anger, lifting their arms and clenching their fists. Together, they punched straight towards the heavens!

A colossal, unimaginable fist shadow materialized from their hands, and then...

Amidst the swirling turmoil, the terrifying crimson cloud that countless people deemed hopeless to escape from was actually punched through with their combined might.

Fourth Rank Power Hunter: Mountain-Breaking Fist!

"AAAAAAHHHHH!"

"A-AHHHHHH! What did I just see?! What did I just witness?!"

"A-AHHHHHH! They punched a hole through the red cloud, ahhhhhh!"

While countless people couldn't help but scream into their phones and screens in disbelief, an excessively stunning woman stepped forward, accompanied by a slightly shy and delicate-looking maiden by her side.

The two of them joined hands, not displaying the same overwhelming power as the massive punch earlier. However, as they waved their palms, a visible whirlwind tornado formed around them. In the next instant, the colossal tornado charged directly at the crimson cloud!

This was the essence of Wind Swirls, Leaving Clouds Behind!