149: Influence

On the Gobi Desert, the dust had not yet fully settled, and the residual energy fluctuations still made the space faintly distort. The stone caves that once stood there had long since turned into powder, leaving behind only a scene of chaotic ruins, telling the tale of that earth-shattering battle.

The four figures had long since vanished without a trace; only the lingering aura of different powers in the air recorded everything.

Not long after this event, the world's transformation arrived quietly.

In the wilderness, a black panther with sleek fur and a robust physique was leisurely strolling through the mountains. It stopped, its sharp gaze sweeping across the surroundings as if searching for something.

"Roar..." A low growl emanated from deep within its throat, causing the surrounding gravel to tremble slightly.

Inside the dense forest, a massive brown bear was waving its giant paws, swatting away the trees that blocked its path until they were scattered in disarray. Its copper-bell-like eyes shimmered with excitement.

"Hehe, where are you little ones with potential? Come out, let me train you well!"

The brown bear's rough voice echoed through the dense forest, startling countless birds into flight.

In the deep sea, a giant python with a winding body and scales shimmering with an eerie light was churning the seawater, raising towering waves. Its cold vertical pupils reflected the underwater world, seemingly searching for some prey.

"Hiss... interesting, truly interesting. Jonnison, he can be replaced."

The giant python flicked its tongue, emitting a low hiss, its voice filled with a hint of anticipation.

High in the sky, a giant eagle with feathers burning like flames was soaring above the clouds. Its sharp gaze pierced through the thick clouds, overlooking the earth.

"Skree!" A sharp cry pierced the sky, announcing its arrival.

These beasts, distinct in form and formidable in strength, appeared all over the world like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Some walked alone, some in groups of three or five, and others simply occupied a territory to rule as kings.

They had only one goal: to find those little ones who possessed talent and extraordinary potential.

These chosen little ones ranged from naive, inexperienced cubs to teenagers who had already begun to make a name for themselves, and even hidden geniuses concealed within the common folk.

Whether forcibly taken away, coerced or enticed, or deceived by sweet words, they all fell into the hands of these beastly The Strong Ones.

In a secluded valley, the black panther was conducting rigorous training for the few wolf cubs before it.

"Awoo!" The wolf cubs let out immature howls, and under the black panther's pressure, they lunged at the target again and again, only to be knocked to the ground again and again.

"Useless things!" the black panther scolded mercilessly. "With this appearance, you still want to fight Blade Claw? You still want to create an ideal world? Keep dreaming!"

It pointed into the distance with its claw, its voice cold: "Remember, you have only one goal: get stronger, get stronger, become incomparably strong. Defeat Blade Claw! Trample him underfoot and make sure he never rises again!"

Deep in the dense forest, the brown bear was conducting "education of love" for a group of young beasts.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" It waved its giant paws, swatting the disobedient young beasts until they rolled all over the ground.

"Listen well to me!" the brown bear roared. "Power! Power is everything! Only by possessing great power can you survive in this world! When that time comes, no matter what your thoughts are, no matter if you are cruel or kind, your expectations will be fulfilled!"

It pointed into the distance, its voice filled with a hint of expectation: "See that? That is your enemy! The Empire! Tear it apart!"

In the deep sea, the giant python was coiling around a few young sea beasts, providing them with "careful instruction."

"Hiss... children, remember, gods do not exist! Freedom must be fought for." The giant python flicked its tongue, its voice low and magnetic. "Only by possessing enough power can you break the shackles and obtain true freedom!"

It pointed into the distance with its tail, its voice filled with a hint of seduction: "See that? The land! That too is a territory we shall conquer. Let everyone know that aquatic species are the most noble!"

These beastly The Strong Ones, regardless of their appearance or race, mostly focused their targets on Blade Claw, while simultaneously conducting various training for these selected little ones. They taught these little ones power and instilled in them the concepts of freedom and equality.

A storm sweeping across the entire world was quietly brewing.

In the blink of an eye, decades passed.

The world was no longer what it used to be.

Once, the Empire was at its zenith, with divine power supreme; within the royal authority, no one dared to challenge its edge. But now, this behemoth was like a candle in the wind, tottering and on the verge of collapse.

The change was silent, yet unstoppable.

The beginning of all these changes stemmed from one decision by Blade Claw.

Once, Blade Claw was the Empire's anchor; his existence made everyone hold him in awe, daring not to make any move. But from the day he announced his seclusion, the Empire lost its backbone.

In the first ten-plus years, it was fine; although rebellions were constant, only a few isolated places were lost.

But later, young The Strong Ones kept appearing, bringing various trendy ideologies and powerful strength, running rampant across the world.

Everywhere, the flames of war arose. The Empire wanted to put out the fires, but unfortunately, most of the guys who went to put them out were swallowed by the flames.

These young The Strong Ones, based on their respective beliefs and ideologies, chose different paths.

Some, in pursuit of freedom, raised the banner of rebellion and engaged in life-and-death struggles with the Empire's armies.

Some, to realize equality, traveled between the countryside and the wild, spreading new ideologies to the oppressed lower-class populace.

Some, to vie for power, gathered a mob of followers, carved out territories, and stood against the Empire.

The Empire's generals, although brave and skilled in battle, felt powerless in the face of this wave sweeping across the world. They could not understand why those subjects who were once loyal to the gods would suddenly become so strange, so crazy, and so disrespectful to the gods.

They could not understand even more why those guys they once regarded as ants would possess such powerful strength.

They had lost. Lost miserably.

The Empire's territory was shrinking day by day. The Empire's majesty was being lost day by day. The once high-and-mighty royal authority had now become a laughingstock.

No one knew how long this turmoil would last. And no one knew what the future world would become.

But these generals were all clear on one point. King! Blade Claw! If you do not come out of seclusion, the Empire is finished!