187: Chapter 185 The Legend Returns, A New Era, A New Journey

Luo Yu did not linger too long at the school gate.

To him,

those few annoying things

were merely a few buzzing flies encountered during a journey, to be swatted away at will, without even the interest to spare them another glance.

He strolled into the gates of Modu University.

At that moment, the entire campus seemed to awaken from a deep slumber.

"It's... it's Senior Luo Yu!"

"Heavens! It really is him!"

"He's back!"

No one knew who shouted first,

but immediately after,

wave after wave of exclamations, like a lit fuse, instantly ignited the entire campus.

Countless students attending classes in classrooms, self-studying in the library, or training on the playground dropped what they were doing and surged frantically from all directions toward the school gate.

A tide of people.

A true tide of people.

They did not make a loud noise, nor did they impulsively try to approach; they simply stood in two rows on both sides of the road, spontaneously forming a long human lane that stretched out of sight.

On every person's face,

there was an excitement and adoration that bordered on a pilgrimage.

Their gazes converged on the young man walking slowly.

He wore a most ordinary military service uniform, without any medals; on his shoulder perched a Mothra that looked like a butterfly hairpin, and on his wrist was a verdant green bracelet.

He just walked like that,

calm and indifferent as if he were just an ordinary student returning home after school.

But... in everyone's eyes,

his figure was more dazzling than the sun in the sky.

The president of Modu University,

a white-haired National-level powerhouse, had been waiting in front of the administration building with all the school's department heads.

Seeing Luo Yu approach,

this usually majestic old president's face broke into a heartfelt, exceptionally brilliant smile.

He hurried forward to meet him, not giving a military salute nor calling him "Marshal," but instead heavily patting Luo Yu on the shoulder like an elder seeing their most outstanding child.

"Good lad, you're finally willing to come back!"

"President."

Luo Yu smiled, "I've come to attend the graduation ceremony, though I'm graduating before even having officially enrolled."

"Hahaha, I was waiting for those words!" The president laughed loudly, "Come, the entire faculty and student body are waiting for you!"

With that,

he personally led Luo Yu toward the Grand Auditorium.

Along the way,

the crowd surged, and the applause was thunderous.

Countless students took out their communicators and filmed frantically, wanting to record this historic moment.

"So handsome... even more handsome than in the videos..."

"Is this the legend of our Modu University? It feels like a dream!"

"Did you see the Mothra on his shoulder and the Pandora on his wrist? Heavens, the legendary monsters are actually this cute?"

"What about Godzilla? Why hasn't Godzilla come out?"

"..."

In the crowd,

a bold girl couldn't help but shout out.

Hearing this, Luo Yu stopped and smiled as he patted his pocket.

From the pocket, a small black head peeked out with sleepy eyes and yawned, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied with the noisy environment.

"Awoo..."

Godzilla let out a lazy cry, then retracted back inside to continue sleeping.

"Hahahaha!"

"It's Godzilla! I saw Godzilla!"

"So cute! I want to pet him!"

"..."

The crowd was instantly ignited by this adorable scene, and the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic.

Seeing this, the president didn't know whether to laugh or cry; he whispered to Luo Yu: "You fellow, along with your pets, are now our school's mascots."

"Right," the president said as if remembering something, "That girl Zhiruo, and Qingxue, they're both waiting for you in the auditorium, especially Zhiruo, she's been nagging every day about when you'd return."

"..."

Luo Yu's footsteps paused slightly.

Su Zhiruo and Su Qingxue.

Two names,

and two faces with vastly different styles but equal beauty flashed through his mind.

The promise of childhood friends, the protection of the Ice mountain instructor—unconsciously, a long-lost warmth and... a slight, imperceptible headache rose in Luo Yu's heart.

...

Modu University,

Grand Auditorium.

It was already packed to capacity.

Even the aisles were filled with students who had come to watch.

In the very front row of the auditorium sat representatives from the Dragon Country military, the government, and major global powers.

Generals like General Zhan Kuang and Fierce Fire were among them.

Beside them, two beautiful women with distinct temperaments became another beautiful sight in the venue.

Su Zhiruo sat there quietly in a light blue dress, her clear and beautiful face carrying a hint of nervousness and anticipation as her gaze frequently turned toward the entrance.

Beside her, Su Qingxue was in a crisp military uniform; her cold temperament made the surrounding air seem to drop a few degrees, but in the depths of those cold phoenix eyes, an imperceptible ripple would occasionally flash.

The moment Luo Yu entered the auditorium accompanied by the president.

The entire venue

instantly fell silent.

Then,

Clap clap clap! Clap clap clap!

It was a tsunami-like roar of applause.

Su Zhiruo's eyes lit up instantly; she stood up, wanting to go meet him, but was a bit shy and could only tightly clutch the hem of her dress.

Su Qingxue sat up even straighter, her gaze burning as if she wanted to carve the man into her eyes.

Luo Yu waved to the crowd, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

Then,

he walked to the front row and sat down in the empty seat next to Su Zhiruo.

"I'm back."

Luo Yu looked at Su Zhiruo and said softly.

"Mhm."

A touching blush rose on Su Zhiruo's cheeks; a thousand words finally condensed into this one simple syllable.

The graduation ceremony,

officially began amidst the solemn sound of the national anthem.

The president walked up to the podium and delivered an enthusiastic speech.

He looked back on the trials and tribulations Modu University had faced since the beginning of the Abyss Era and praised the indomitable fighting spirit of all faculty and students.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Luo Yu.

"Today, we have a special graduate."

"When he enrolled, he was rated as having an F-rank Talent, mocked by countless people, and considered the shame of our school."

"His time at school was less than a year, and he hasn't even completed a full semester of classes."

"But, it is he!"

The president's voice suddenly grew heavy with emphasis, filled with endless pride.

"By his strength alone, accompanied by the National Guardian Beast, he cleared the eight major Nuclear-contaminated forbidden zones of Dragon Country!"

"With his own body, he withstood nuclear bombs and trampled the Eagle Country fleet!"

"He killed Ghidorah, swept through the Abyssal Great Army, looked down upon the three kings of the abyss, and ended the Abyss Era that had plagued humanity for decades!"

"He is the legend of our Modu University and even all of humanity, our hero—Marshal Luo Yu!"

As the words fell,

the venue erupted once more in thunderous applause.

All the spotlights were focused on Luo Yu.

"Next, please welcome our legendary graduate, Marshal Luo Yu, to the stage to speak!"

Under the gaze of billions, Luo Yu stood up, straightened his collar, and slowly walked onto the highest podium that belonged to him and to this era.

...

On the podium,

Luo Yu's figure

appeared exceptionally tall and straight under the spotlights.

He did not bring a script, simply standing calmly before the microphone, his gaze sweeping over the young, excited, and vibrant faces below.

Inside the auditorium, there was a pin-drop silence.

The eyes of the entire world were focused here.

People were waiting, waiting for what this hero who had ended an era would say.

Would he reflect on past hardships? Or look forward to a glorious future?

However,

the first sentence Luo Yu spoke left everyone stunned.

"The Abyss Era is over."

Alright!

No impassioned rhetoric, no eyes filled with hot tears.

It was as if he were stating the simplest of facts.

After a brief silence, the students below were the first to react.

"It's over!"

"We've won!"

The joy that had been suppressed for so long completely exploded at this moment.

Cheers, whistles, and screams merged into a massive wave of sound that soared into the sky.

In the front row,

Su Zhiruo covered her mouth, her eyes instantly turning red.

In Su Qingxue's cold eyes, a layer of mist also appeared.

General Zhankuang was so excited that he slapped General Lie Huo's thigh, making the other man grimace in pain.

"Good lad! Well said!"

This cheering lasted for a full minute.

Luo Yu did not interrupt, just watched quietly, and only when the noise gradually subsided did he speak again.

"But."

Just two words,

yet they were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the fervor of the entire venue.

Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.

Luo Yu took a deep breath and said loudly:

"The Abyss Era is over, but our war is not."

"What has ended is only the era of passive defense; we no longer need to hide behind walls forged of steel, shivering as we wait for the next descent of abyssal monsters."

"What has ended is only the era of sacrifice and compromise; we no longer need to use the flesh and blood of countless heroes to trade for a moment of peace."

"Because, from today on, the offensive and defensive roles have swapped!"

"The Abyss World, that land that brought us endless pain and disaster, will no longer be our nightmare."

"It, will become our hunting ground!"

"Those Abyssal Giant Beasts that once saw us as food will become the ladder of our evolution!"

"I declare!"

Luo Yu took a deep breath, every word like a thunderclap exploding in the depths of everyone's soul.

"Humanity will launch a comprehensive... against the Abyss World!"

"Counteroffensive!"