133: Protected by 1.4 billion people! Su Chen awakens!

“It is Divine Summer's turn... to protect our guardian god!!”

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a power that pierced the heart:

“Even if there is only one ten-thousandth of a chance! Even if the price is losing our power and returning to mediocrity!”

“This risk—we will take it!”

“This kindness—we must repay it!”

“Children of Divine Summer... know how to repay kindness! How can we shrink back in fear?!”

“Immediately apply to the Council to initiate the ‘Faith Revival’ Plan! Target—Saving the Kraken!!!”

...Half an hour later, every screen and every broadcast channel throughout Divine Summer and all its Affiliated Administrative Regions were forcibly cut to the same image.

In the image,

Divine Summer's God of War, Qin Zheng, was wearing a crisp, old-style military uniform, his chest covered in medals. Although his face was pale, his eyes were as firm as bedrock.

Behind him was the flag of Divine Summer.

“Fellow citizens of Divine Summer...”

His voice traveled through the airwaves, spreading everywhere, carrying sorrow, and an undeniable resolve.

He did not hide anything, directly and clearly informing everyone of Su Chen's condition, the method of rescue, and the terrifying ultimate cost—the risk of the Power of Faith Link failing and everyone losing all their Cultivation.

“...Yes, hope is slim, and the risk is enormous. If we fail, we may lose the power we fought so hard to gain and revert to the fragile civilization we were before the giant beasts.”

“Now, the power of choice is handed over to each and every one of you.”

“In one hour, we will hold a Nationwide Referendum for the ‘Faith Revival’ Plan. Those who agree to dedicate everything, gather our faith, and save our guardian god—the Kraken—please cast a Yes Vote. Those who choose to retain their current power for stability, please cast a No Vote.”

“Regardless of the outcome, Divine Summer... respects everyone's choice.”

Qin Zheng bowed deeply.

The entirety of Divine Summer fell into an unprecedented silence. Everyone was digesting this earth-shattering information, weighing hope against risk.

One hour later, the Referendum began.

There was no noise, no argument. Countless people silently walked to the Voting Stations or solemnly cast their votes using their personal devices.

When the final result appeared on the screen, everyone who witnessed the scene was moved—

Approval Rate: 99.99%!

Nearly one hundred percent!

Under the giant screens in countless City Squares, dense crowds looked up, staring at the Referendum result frozen at 99.99%.

There was no cheering, only suppressed sobs and heavy breathing.

No one knew who was the first to clasp their hands together and close their tear-filled eyes.

This action spread like a ripple; tens of thousands silently followed suit, lowering their heads and concentrating all their thoughts.

On the Front Line,

The soldiers put down their weapons, faced the sea, and saluted solemnly, silently reciting that name in their hearts.

The Dragon Blood Warriors' Vital Energy surged around them, and faint golden light faintly appeared as they attempted to resonate with the Bloodline Power, transmitting their faith into the deep sea.

On the Field Ridges, farmers put down their hoes;

In the roaring Factory Workshops, machines stopped running, and the workers stood still;

On the school playgrounds, children used naive strokes to draw the large, lovable “Octopus Uncle” in their hearts... From Bustling Cities to Remote Frontiers, people were silently praying in every corner of Divine Summer.

An invisible yet mighty power began to gather and hover above this ancient land; it was the condensation of 1.4 billion shares of gratitude, persistence, and conscience.

The Power Of Faith, initially like a trickling stream, quickly converged into rivers, finally transforming into an invisible golden ocean, surging toward the sea area where Su Chen slept!

Immediately after,

Blue Star witnessed an unprecedented scene:

Divine Summer, this massive Eastern giant, “stalled.”

All speeding trains slowly braked to a stop on the tracks;

Flights were canceled, and airports fell silent;

Highways turned into steel dragons, yet remained completely motionless.

Stores pulled down their shutters, factories extinguished their furnaces, and the streets were empty.

The entire nation fell into a solemn and dignified silence.

1.4 billion people began a three-day and three-night, non-stop Collective Prayer. (After the Spiritual Energy Revival, human physical fitness was greatly enhanced.)

Everyone was well aware that,

by choosing this path,

they were wagering the National Destiny of the entire Divine Summer civilization!

wagering on saving Su Chen!

Time flowed, and day turned into night. The prayers continued.

Many frail elderly people, with cracked lips and pale faces, leaned on relatives or against walls, their bodies having reached their limit, yet their clasped hands were still raised, trembling but firm.

People continually collapsed from exhaustion and were quietly carried away for treatment, but soon more people filled the empty spots.

From a high vantage point,

Aria took all of this in.

When she saw a white-haired elder finally unable to hold on, softly collapsing, a shimmer of moisture flashed in her beautiful, dark purple eyes.

She murmured softly:

“Big Guy... I finally know why you were willing to fight to the death to protect this country,”

“Because... they... are worth it...”

At this very moment!

At the bottom of the deep sea, that massive, cracked shell, silent like a mountain ruin, suddenly trembled violently!

The converging torrent of Power Of Faith, like a Spring of Life, frantically poured into the faint Spark of Life.

The dried-up Meridians were nourished, and beneath the shattered Carapace, new vitality surged at a visible speed!

The gloomy deep sea was suddenly illuminated. A complex luster, interwoven with deep sea purple, crystalline ice blue, and a trace of bizarre, mad dark patterns, appeared on Su Chen's body surface. His majestic aura stirred up massive undercurrents, like an underwater volcanic eruption!

[Ding! The host has successfully integrated a large amount of Cthulhu Source, awakening an unknown-level Skill—cthulhu incarnation (Incomplete)!]

[Skill: cthulhu incarnation (Incomplete) (Unknown Level)—Consumes massive amounts of Primal Energy and Life Force, activating the fused Cthulhu Divine Power within the body. Cthulhu-fies the Kraken's main body in an extremely short time, greatly increasing combat power for a brief period, and emitting Mental Pollution that drives enemies insane. Use with caution, as there is a huge risk of backlash. (Now this old man can also kill people by mumbling! Whoever provokes me, I'll curse them (Cthulhu's Whispers)!!!)]

Amidst the system's notification sound,

Su Chen's massive eyes finally slowly regained clarity.

“I... I didn't die from this?!”

He incredulously waved a Tentacle that was once again full of strength, feeling the new power within his body that was both familiar and tinged with bizarre ferocity.

His eyes were filled with shock,

The dual erosion from the eternal ice core's backlash and the Evil God's Whispers should have been enough to kill him a hundred times over,

And he still didn't die?!

“Big Guy!”

Aria's surprised voice pierced through the seawater.

Su Chen's massive head broke through the sea surface, splashing water everywhere.

The scene before him stunned him:

On the sea surface, a massive Fleet led by countless Warships was silently arrayed, all muzzles raised high, pointing toward the sky!

The moment he appeared—

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Ten Thousand Cannons Fired Simultaneously!

It was not an attack, but a Salute of the highest order!

(P.S.: I'll write the next chapter after I wake up... I can't finish it now...)

(Below is a poll regarding whether the Protagonist will Shapeshift and when. Readers can vote for their preferred option, and your votes will determine the direction of this book.)