World-saving Plan: The Only Savior

Over by the smoke was a small town. It appeared dilapidated, more like a site abandoned for hundreds of years than a human settlement.

"Monsters! Monsters! The monsters are here again! Run!"

The residents inside the town saw Zhang Xiaoman descend from the sky and were so frightened they all hid away. A small squad of guards in tattered iron armor came forward, trembling as they pointed long spears at the newcomer, their arms shaking uncontrollably.

"Guloom..."

A middle-aged soldier with a dusty face and a battered iron helmet swallowed hard and approached with reluctance, saying:

"You, what kind of monster are you... Our town has already signed a contract with the Black Bear Lord, offering you tributes every month, why... why have you still come to... come to our place..."

The middle-aged soldier stammered to the end of his words and quickly retreated back into the group out of fear.

Zhang Xiaoman frowned slightly at the sight, gleaning from their words the general situation here.

Spiritual Energy Recovery, demons eating humans, yet another despairing and oppressive environment.

"I’m human, not a monster, rest assured, I won’t eat you."

He tried to explain.

But the soldiers did not believe at all. Seeing him approach, they quickly retreated further.

"When you flew over just now... we, we all saw it! I know we’re no match for you... but... but if you start eating people here... aren’t you afraid of the Black Bear Lord’s revenge!"

Looking at their fearful yet defiant demeanor, Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened.

How did the Human Clan come to this?

In this world, whether at the Da Fu Dynasty, or here in the Diancang Kingdom, or on Water Blue Star, Guleng Star, and other places, the awakening of talents in humans is not as fast as in other races.

The demon beasts were the first to enjoy Mother Nature’s gifts, the impact of spiritual power on them was greatest, and they advanced rapidly in cultivation.

On the other hand, with humans, it’s rare to find one with talent; among millions, there might not be a single one.

Also, without proper guidance, humans progress slowly in cultivation, so that even if one or two practitioners appear, their cultivation would lag far behind those of the same cohort of demon beasts, and lacking the advantage in numbers, they soon die miserably under a monster’s siege.

Zhang Xiaoman knew that human talent in cultivation is not necessarily inferior to that of the Demon Race; it’s more manifest in endurance, which is the same principle as in the Second Universe.

Humans are indeed the Spiritual Wisdom Clan, and their Dark Spirit Talent is strong in later stages for cultivation comprehension, essentially making them a late-game unit.

As a late bloomer, it’s natural that in the early stages of Spiritual Energy Recovery, humans couldn’t compete with those demon beasts, leading many to become food for them.

Zhang Xiaoman estimated that a similar situation probably exists here in the Diancang Kingdom.

Waving his hand, he employed a "Construction Technique" learned from the Dark Star Alliance, and at that moment, all the buildings around, long damaged and weathered, were restored to their former glory, bringing the whole small town back to its pristine state of years past.

This move was like an advanced version of the Repair Skill, but more practical as it could not only repair but also be used for construction directly. With increased proficiency, a master could even mold spaceships out of thin air, akin to a humanoid particle printing technology.

The restoration of the buildings greatly shocked the soldiers, who after a brief daze, looked at the distant monster with confusion.

No, perhaps what he said is true; he’s not a monster, but a real human being.

After all, monsters shouldn’t be helping them repair the city, right?

Some residents cautiously emerged from their hiding places, standing on the roadside watching from a distance.

"I’ve heard... that there are some cultivators among humans, but such practitioners are extremely rare, only at the Royal City could there be one or two. Sir, are you...?"

The middle-aged man put down the long spear he had been holding, his tone respectful and hopeful as he inquired.

Zhang Xiaoman replied calmly:

"Indeed, I am passing through this place, seeking directions from you. If I were of the Demon Race, why go to great lengths to help you repair the town?"

"So that’s how it is..."

The crowd nodded, relaxing their vigilance considerably.

"May I ask... where does the Immortal plan to go? We will certainly tell all that we know; if the Immortal needs help from Shashi Town, we will do our utmost to assist, no excuses!"

By now, the middle-aged man was mostly convinced.

Indeed, if the person before them were a monster in disguise, he would have no reason to waste so many words with them here and go so far as to repair this dilapidated town, which for them is an immense blessing.

Seeing the crowd begin to bow to him, Zhang Xiaoman waved his hands, indicating that they need not do so.

He immediately inquired about his purpose, seeking the location of the Small Immortal Palace.

However, these people could hardly know of an Immortal’s Blessed Land like the Small Immortal Palace. Zhang Xiaoman asked about the mountain range on the Divine Ancient Geomancy Map where the Small Immortal Palace was located, called Lao Mountain, or the Lao Realm.

"Lao Mountain? This... we haven’t heard of such a mountain... Further east is the direction towards the Royal City of the Diancang Kingdom, but it is said to have been taken over by demon beasts for some time, with no news coming back..."

His mood sank as he reached this point.

The country destroyed, family dispersed, compatriots eaten by beast, he, just an ordinary soldier of a border town, has the heart to kill the enemy yet is powerless to reverse the situation, watching helplessly as everything he once knew gets destroyed.

Zhang Xiaoman didn’t get the answer he wanted, but he wasn’t too disappointed; he hadn’t held much hope to begin with.

This time, his main purpose was to gauge the general situation of this country. This border town is just slightly better than East Origin Village, so it’s normal not to know much about geographical information.

However, he recalled the previous mention of the Black Bear Lord, which seemed to be a powerful demon beast occupying the vicinity of the town, seemingly having turned Shashi Town into its farm. This made him frown slightly; as a human, how could he sit idly by when faced with such circumstances?

He immediately asked carefully about the Black Bear Lord, to which the middle-aged man quickly recounted the recent ordeals they had faced.

As it turned out, a formidable demon beast had appeared in the area, a transformed black bear with more strength than ordinary demon beasts and intelligence that surpassed them as well.

The Black Bear Demon didn’t wipe out the people here all at once, but kept them as livestock, demanding a tribute once a month, and that so-called tribute was a live human life.

"Immortal, we really have no other options. Those demon beasts have occupied all directions, the road to the closest Youyang City is gone as well. I heard from companions who managed to flee that even all of Youyang City has fallen to the monsters, we truly have no way out!"

The middle-aged man’s name was Liu Sheng, and by this point, he was already choked with emotion.

The population of Shashi Town was just this much, and even if that Black Bear came to eat one person a month, it wouldn’t take long for them to all be devoured.

Moreover, watching one’s companions being sent off as food, whoever it might be, wouldn’t feel good.

Nearby soldiers came to comfort him, and from their sparse words, Zhang Xiaoman learned that it was just three days ago when Liu Sheng’s son was picked as the Black Bear Lord’s meal.

"For this matter, you needn’t worry. The Black Bear Demon has eaten countless humans; I shall go and eradicate it, and you need only await my news once more!"

Having said that, with an icy expression, he flew towards the forests where the Black Bear Lord resided.