Chapter 70: The Divine Tech Asura, Conditions for Evolution

He was the Asura from Celestial Deity Technology. At this moment, he had already led his people into Shennongjia. Those at his side likely belonged to the same faction. As for the Western faces among them, their exact identities remained unclear. Still, one thing was certain: their arrival in Shennongjia was driven by purpose. After all, if one spoke of mystery, not only was this place renowned within the country, but even across the world, it stood out as a legendary land. It was only natural that great powers would set their sights here, seeking fortune and transformation.

“Master, shall we follow them and see what they’re up to?” the Golden-Winged Roc asked.

“No need. For now, it has nothing to do with us,” Lu Yuan replied. From the moment he’d spotted Asura, he suspected that Celestial Deity Technology had formed some sort of alliance with foreign forces.

Recently, he’d gleaned related information from his phone: China, that ancient land of the East. In this new era, the extraordinary had descended and the path of evolution had opened. Naturally, the Westerners would not let such an opportunity slip by.

Especially since he had awakened his Martial Eye, Lu Yuan had noticed something else: besides Celestial Deity Technology, another power had entered Shennongjia. Coincidentally, it was one he knew too—the people from Beidou Biotech, led by the Ice Fairy, who was as renowned as Asura himself.

It seemed they were close by, nearly converging, though they had yet to discover each other. Within Shennongjia, a mysterious force seemed to permeate the land; even awakened individuals could easily lose their way inside. All this he discerned through his Martial Eye, able to pierce through illusion.

“It’s quite lively,” Lu Yuan thought, but gave it little more consideration before continuing, “By the way, you mentioned there’s something in Shennongjia that can further purify and evolve your bloodline. What exactly is it, or what are the conditions?”

Along the way, he had familiarized himself with his own state and the three divine abilities at hand. Now that they’d arrived, it was only right to clarify matters, so as to act more efficiently.

“Master, it’s a living creature,” the Golden-Winged Roc replied after some thought. “Within Shennongjia, there exists a rare beast called the Dragonblood Jiao. It carries a trace of dragon’s blood, and the stronger it is, the more potent the blood. For my kind to purify our lineage, we must rely on this dragon’s blood.”

“My inherited memory can guide me to creatures with dragon’s blood, and I can sense that a Dragonblood Jiao is nearby,” it added. But then, it hesitated before continuing, “However, these beasts are typically extremely powerful. When the time comes, I may need your help, Master.”

The Golden-Winged Roc had always known where to find fortune, yet had chosen not to act, preferring to remain dormant. The reason was simple: to purify its bloodline, it would have to slay a beast with dragon’s blood. Yet it simply hadn’t been strong enough; if it went, it would only be courting death.

But now things were different. The Roc was fully aware of Lu Yuan’s strength. With such a master’s aid, the task would be far easier.

“I see. So it’s not just the Dragonblood Jiao—any creature with dragon’s blood will do. As long as you devour it, your bloodline will evolve; the Dragonblood Jiao simply carries a greater concentration,” Lu Yuan said with a smile.

After all, in myth, the Golden-Winged Roc was a dragon’s natural predator.

“Heh, Master, you’re as clever as ever,” the Roc replied.

“Don’t worry. Since you serve me, I will lend my hand,” Lu Yuan promised, saying no more. Beneath him, the Golden-Winged Roc spread its wings and vanished into the mist.

Because they flew high above, those below failed to notice them.

“Asura, how much farther do we have to go?” At that moment, deep within Shennongjia, a blond, blue-eyed man spoke. He hailed from the West, and a powerful aura rolled off him—he was in the Awakened realm. With a towering figure nearly two meters tall, he spoke with a nonchalance that betrayed a hint of arrogance. Behind him followed a group of five other Westerners.

Among them was a woman of striking figure, a nun. In her hand, she carried a golden cross-shaped staff, from which emanated beams of pure, sacred light. Atop the staff was engraved a winged angel. By these traits, it was clear that these Westerners belonged to a group akin to the ecclesiastical orders.

Asura glanced at the group, frowned, but answered, “Mr. Hans, we have already entered Shennongjia. If we’re speaking of our specific goal, it will take a few more days to reach it.”

“We need to hurry. This place is far too primitive, and there are even strange beasts about. I haven’t tasted wine or steak in ages,” Hans replied with disdain. “Lady Jennifer is quite displeased. She hopes to find the Blood of God soon so we can leave this forsaken place.”

With that, he turned away, ignoring Asura’s reaction, and whispered a few words to the foreign woman. She frowned deeply but said nothing, instead praying silently before her cross-staff.

“These Westerners are impossible to please. They complain endlessly, yet it’s not as if we forced them to work with us,” one of the Celestial Deity Technology members muttered in a low voice, clearly dissatisfied.

“Exactly. We’re just guides, not their subordinates to be ordered around as they please. That woman especially—so aloof, she hasn’t spoken a word the whole time,” another added.

“Enough,” Asura cut in, shaking his head. “This is the company’s decision. We have no choice but to obey.” He sighed quietly. Since the advent of the new era, Celestial Deity Technology had monitored the country’s sacred mountains and rivers in real time. Not long ago, a sudden surge of energy had been detected in Shennongjia. Coincidentally, the Western Vatican’s Holy Angelic Order claimed to have received divine revelation, stating that a creation of fortune had emerged within Shennongjia, which led to their contact with Celestial Deity Technology.

Given their longstanding cooperation with foreign powers—and the fact that much of their technology was backed by the West—it was a natural partnership. Together they came, calling the object of their quest the Blood of God, intending to retrieve it for the Vatican.

Asura felt helpless. No matter what, Shennongjia belonged to China. Even if there was fortune to be found, shouldn’t it remain here rather than fall into foreign hands? Despite the partnership, he still questioned why the company allowed the Westerners to take the lead. But he had no choice—the company’s orders were absolute. Any disobedience would be disastrous.

To Asura, he was nothing more than a high-level puppet of the company.

“Let’s go. There may be many troubles ahead,” he said, putting the matter from his mind. After confirming their route, he led the party onward, fully aware that Celestial Deity Technology was not the only force in Shennongjia. He could only hope nothing would go wrong.

“Wait.” Suddenly, the blond woman spoke. She looked down at her cross-staff, where the carved angel’s wings glowed faintly. Seeing this, she smiled in a certain direction. “Not far from us, there are traces of spiritual fruit and rare herbs. Truly, this is a land of Eastern mystery. We haven’t been here long, and already there are new discoveries. God truly blesses us.”

“We must take a look. Perhaps it will help us evolve even further,” another Westerner chimed in.

“Using China’s treasures to enhance our strength—sounds perfect,” another agreed, grinning.

Their true purpose in coming, after all, was to seek the Blood of God under holy orders. But each harbored private ambitions, knowing that in such a place, treasures capable of triggering evolution must abound—and their effects would be extraordinary. Now that an opportunity presented itself, they would not let it slip away.

The blond woman, Jennifer, held the highest status among the Westerners, and once she spoke, all agreed.

“But Miss Jennifer, the company’s orders are for us to go deep inside and seek the Blood of God you mentioned,” a Celestial Deity Technology member interjected, hoping only to complete the mission quickly. In a place like Shennongjia, unpredictable dangers could await at any turn; it was unwise to stray from the plan. Moreover, as Chinese, they were reluctant to see their country’s treasures plundered by the West.

“Oh, my friend, you are but a guide. You are in no position to offer opinions,” Hans said as he approached, his voice sharp with disapproval, arrogance, and a hint of threat.

“You—” The man began to protest.

“Enough. Let’s go take a look first,” Asura interrupted, stopping his subordinates from saying more. The Celestial Deity Technology members exchanged glances, their indignation clear—did these Westerners truly see them as mere servants? But there was no choice; their lives were in the company’s hands.

Soon, all set off. Under Jennifer’s guidance, they headed to a certain location. As expected, after a short walk, Asura and the others found a small purple tree about three meters tall ahead, bearing several nearly ripe, purple spirit fruits—ready for picking.

Nearby, a group of people was locked in battle with an Awakened-level beast, evidently fighting for the rights to the purple tree.

“It’s the Ice Fairy,” someone whispered, glancing at Asura.

He had noticed as well. He knew that in a place like Shennongjia, many domestic factions were watching, but only a few dared to enter—confident only if they trusted in their own strength. Most spirit fruits and rare herbs grew in such sacred mountains, often guarded by fierce beasts, just as was happening before their very eyes.

As time passed, the Ice Fairy’s team gradually gained the upper hand in their joint assault, on the verge of slaying the beast.

“The spirit fruit is ripe—excellent. There are five in total, just enough for us. Surely this is divine guidance,” Hans said, his eyes glinting with greed. Spirit fruits greatly aided human evolution; although some existed in the West, they were rare, and he intended to seize them. Whether Asura’s team would get a share never crossed his mind.

“Mr. Hans, they’re about to kill the beast. By rights, the spirit fruit should belong to them,” Asura said, recognizing Hans’s intent to wait until the beast was slain and then strike to steal the prize. But the Ice Fairy was an acquaintance, backed by Beidou Biotech and a fellow countrywoman. He wanted to shield her and dissuade the Westerners from such thoughts.

“I believe there’s an old saying in your country: 'When the snipe and clam quarrel, the fisherman profits,’” Hans replied with a stretch. “Isn’t it perfect to wait for them to finish off the beast?”

The implication was clear: the spirit fruit would be his, no matter what.

(End of this chapter.)