Earth.

In the underground transmission array of the Federation Main City, white light flickered. As Qin Shou and Leng Wanbai walked out of the transmission array side by side, the guard team stationed at the array saw their faces clearly and were suddenly shocked.

"It's Qin Shou, and Leng Wanbai!"

"It's them!"

"They're not dead, that's fantastic..."

"Keep your voice down. Them being alive isn't necessarily good news — notify the higher-ups immediately!"

After the shock, the guard team fell into a visible state of panic.

A few months ago, during the battle in South America, the mysterious Spine-eating Gu had captured Qin Shou, and he'd disappeared without a trace thereafter.

Soon after, rumors spread that Qin Shou had been parasitized by the Spine-eating Gu.

With the disappearance of Leng Wanbai from the Long Family, the matter became increasingly sensational.

Though the truth was uncertain, as mere members of the guard team, determining whether it was true or false wasn't their concern. Obeying orders was paramount.

Whatever the higher-ups said was the final word.

Considering Qin Shou's terrifying strength, none of them dared to intervene.

Following orders was important, but preserving one's life was even more essential. Adults should know how to evaluate risks and make decisions wisely — knowing what to do and what not to do.

So, they watched as the duo's figures disappeared into the distance before finally daring to turn on their communicators.

...

In the elevator, Leng Wanbai glanced at Qin Shou.

"Showing our true faces is bound to bring trouble. Why come back like this?" she asked, puzzled.

Qin Shou's expression was calm. "As one of Earth's strongest men... we live boldly. Remember, from now on, we take the invincible path — never cower in the face of anything!"

Leng Wanbai rolled her eyes at him. "Starting the boldness already? Abandoning your persona completely?"

Qin Shou grinned. "When you're losing, you stay cautious; when you're winning, you go wild. It's only natural!"

"Click..."

The elevator trembled slightly; the doors opened.

"Boom..."

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, the skies were filled with deafening roars. Countless flight vehicles surrounded the air, and over a hundred oppressive auras spread across the Alloy Square, enveloping the pair entirely.

"Hmph, the Devouring Spine Gu Clan dares to appear on Earth — do they truly think parasitizing Qin Shou gives them free reign here?"

Amid the crowd, a familiar figure pointed furiously at Qin Shou and shouted angrily.

Quan Family, Quan Zuo!

Qin Shou slightly raised his head, his gaze sweeping calmly across the group.

The Federation's Twelve Guardian Families and members of major elite factions all had strong representatives present.

From the Long Family, Leng Xinlan took out the Knight Belt, placed it into a scanning device, and after scanning Qin Shou and Leng Wanbai, heaved a deep sigh of relief.

"Quan Zuo, shut up! The device shows they're clear," Leng Xinlan said coldly, glaring at Quan Zuo with displeasure.

Quan Zuo looked at the surrounding crowd — subtle nods from them bolstered his confidence immediately.

"Hmph, the Knight Belt can only detect ordinary Spine Gu. If Qin Shou has been parasitized by the Perfect Spine-eating Gu, letting him roam free would spell disaster for us!"

Still relentless, Quan Zuo's stance was echoed by several others around him nodding in agreement.

"True. Qin Shou's been missing for so long — if he had truly escaped, he would've returned earlier. How could he suddenly appear now? I think he's been parasitized. Everyone, don't let him fool you!"

"I agree. Qin Shou is Earth's most gifted genius. To be killed by the Spine-eating Gu — how can we coexist with such injustice? We must avenge him!"

"Revenge!"

"Yes, revenge!"

"Eliminate the Spine-eating Gu once and for all — Earth won't have peace until they're gone."

The crowd's shouts grew louder. Members of the Long Family looked grim, and Leng Xinlan glared at Quan Zuo, gritting his teeth as he yelled, "Quan Zuo, stop spouting nonsense!"

He pointed at Qin Shou, whose expression remained tranquil, and retorted, "Spine-eating Gu lack emotion. Look at this kid's shamelessly dignified and infuriatingly smug demeanor — does this seem like the behavior of a parasitized host?"

Hearing this, three veins popped on Qin Shou's forehead.

Damn, can't they talk properly without resorting to personal insults?

Beside him, Leng Wanbai stifled a laugh at the opportune moment, signaling her emotional response to prove herself not a host either.

Seeing this, Qin Shou's expression darkened even further.

Meanwhile, across from them, the crowd, noticing Qin Shou's increasingly blackened face, felt satisfaction but still vehemently insisted Qin Shou had been parasitized.

"You little bastard, this time you're done for!" they thought inwardly.

"With you gone, Mechanical Main City will belong to us."

Quan Zuo sneered internally. With the transmission room locked down and Beast Cultivation Main City too far to provide aid, Qin Shou was doomed!

Working together to eliminate a "Spine-eating Gu" as a dire threat to Earth wouldn't bring reprisals even from the Supreme Strong.

Thinking this through, Quan Zuo's face showed clear excitement. Without waiting for Qin Shou's explanation, he suddenly shouted, "Everyone, join forces to slay the Spine-eating Gu! Avenge Qin Shou and save Earth!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Instantly, over a hundred strong figures voiced their roaring agreement. The skies rumbled as concentrated energy erupted into an overwhelming tide, enveloping Qin Shou and Leng Wanbai.

"Xiao Bai!"

Leng Xinlan gasped in shock, wanting to intervene but finding it too late.

Never had he imagined these people would truly dare...

A violent hurricane surged forth, energy waves shaking the heavens, dazzling radiance carrying a destructive aura. The city seemed doomed to face a catastrophic battle of epic proportions.

"Buzz!!!"

In the next moment, within a thousand-meter radius around Qin Shou, space briefly dimmed, only to burst with unparalleled brilliance in the void as a deafening explosion reverberated across the city.

"Boom!!!"

The ground quaked mightily, as the collective energy shield deployed by the crowd decreased the explosion's impact to its minimum.

Staring at the devastating force raging within the energy shield, greedy expressions flickered across their previously cruel faces.

To endure a combined attack from over a hundred strong, each averaging the strength of Unbreakable Realm Seven Stars, even Unbreakable Realm Ninth Star would fall bitterly — let alone Qin Shou.

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