Calamity of Tomorrow

Zhou Bai shook his head and said resolutely, "I stand here competing for the first place in the Daluo Heaven debate because many people have made sacrifices to give me this opportunity. I am not just standing here for myself—I bear the hopes of many, so I won't leave."

Chuzhi said, "You..."

Zhou Bai cursed, "Stop making decisions on your own, you broken sword. Just vouch that I am a person, not a mutant, that will do. I still have to continue competing and take first place in the debate."

Chuzhi retorted angrily, "Do you not understand what others say? Even if you continue to participate, the Immortals and Gods will not let you win. And if they do let you win, they will turn you into their puppet—this debate is not as simple as you think..."

"What a nuisance." Zhou Bai's thoughts turned, and his Primordial Spirit Power enveloped the Human Sovereign Sword as he transmitted a message, "Human Sovereign Sword, I like you."

Chuzhi proudly replied, "Heh, who doesn't like me? I am favored by destiny as the spiritual representation of the human race."

Human Sovereign Sword Intelligence -5

"...I like you I like you I like you."

"...I like you I like you."

"...I like you."

Zhou Bai tossed the Human Sovereign Sword in front of him, and it spun around like a campfire stick before returning to Zhou Bai's hand.

Seeing that the other had fallen completely silent, Zhou Bai nodded with satisfaction, "Truly, it is a good sword."

The next moment, Zhou Bai raised the Human Sovereign Sword high and commanded with a transmission, "Make some noise."

Boom!

The Human Sovereign Sword burst forth with a ten thousand-foot golden radiance, and Sword Qi hundreds of meters long shot out, tearing through the air as if they were golden roads surrounding Zhou Bai, forming a Sword Energy Throne.

Standing upon the throne, Zhou Bai looked towards Sun Jingping, who appeared utterly disheartened, and said lightly, "Do you see now? I am not a mutant; I am just far stronger than all of you."

Sun Jingping looked up at the sky, where Zhou Bai, holding the Human Sovereign Sword and having been recognized by this sacred human sword, displayed a look of disbelief on his face.

"You...you're really not a mutant? You've even gained the recognition of the Human Sovereign Sword?"

Zhou Bai smiled slightly, "Why don't you try?"

Saying so, he tossed the sacred sword in his hand towards the Sun Jingping in front of him.

Watching the legendary sacred sword being thrown over, Sun Jingping hastily tried to catch it, only to find that the Human Sovereign Sword flew around him and back into Zhou Bai's hand.

"Unfortunately, the Human Sovereign Sword was created exclusively for the human race from the very beginning. Later, it was worshipped by the whole human race for 60 years, accumulating the destiny of the human race and gaining the recognition of Heavenly Dao as the sacred sword of humanity."

"Non-humans cannot use the Human Sovereign Sword, nor can they gain the recognition of this sacred human sword."

"And you have already mutated."

Sun Jingping looked at his own body, "I have already mutated?"

Feeling the changes in his brain, he said in fear, "Didn't Xuan Nu say that she could ensure that I wouldn't mutate?"

Fear in his eyes grew, but when he truly felt that his own death was irreversible, a sense of resignation flashed through Sun Jingping's heart.

He gave a bitter smile, "They really fooled me... It's true; I was just deluding myself to stay alive..."

He lifted his head to look at Zhou Bai holding the Human Sovereign Sword, tears slowly trickling from the corners of his eyes, "Zhou Bai, since the Human Sovereign Sword has recognized you, it shows that you indeed have the potential to lead humanity to victory..."

Sun Jingping's mind filled with memories of his life; he too had once practiced diligently, wishing to defy the Heavenly Court, wishing to lead the human race to glory... But when had he become what he was now?

Yet looking at Zhou Bai before him, a hint of relief suddenly appeared in his eyes: 'Some will fall, but those who continue to stand will lead humanity forward. Thus, generation after generation, the torch is passed on...'

"Good luck, Zhou Bai... The future of humanity relies on you... Don't end up like me... Sorry... I'm truly sorry..."

Boom!

Sun Jingping's head suddenly burst open, swallowed by numerous wildly growing tendrils, and he completely turned into a mindless, utterly insane monster.

Roar! With a loud roar, he wanted to pounce towards Zhou Bai.

Zhou Bai looked at the aberrant charging towards him and didn't take it too seriously; he was more concerned about what the attitude of the Immortals and Gods would be towards the current situation.

Depending on their attitude and actions, he would decide whether or not to use the Gem Time Reversal.

...

Up on the high platform, Tu Tianmo snorted coldly, "How presumptuous."

Streams of blue light had already emerged in the spacetime of Daluo Heaven, directly suppressing Sun Jingping, who had become aberrant.

As for how to handle Zhou Bai, the eight Immortals and Gods present seemed to have different plans.

Zi Yang True Monarch said, "Brother Tu, take Zhou Bai into custody as well. It is evident that there is still something wrong with him."

Ming Yue Immortal spoke up suddenly, "The Human Emperor Sword is the sacred sword of humanity, powerful enough to suppress the destiny of the race. Since the Human Emperor Sword has recognized him, then Zhou Bai must be a genuine human, not some aberrant."

As she spoke, her gaze towards Zhou Bai changed, appearing to carry a hint of protection, subtle yet discernible.

Greedy Wolf True Monarch frowned and said, "This is an era with the Heavenly Dao distorted; who knows if there might be something wrong with the Human Emperor Sword? We cannot judge solely by the sword. For caution's sake, we should detain Zhou Bai first."

Tianyangzi argued back, "The Human Emperor Sword has been on Wanxian Island for over four hundred years; we are quite clear about whether or not the Human Emperor Sword can distinguish humans.

The Human Emperor Sword has gathered the destiny of the human race, recognized by all humanity in the dark. It can distinguish different races through destiny.

This sacred sword, which only humans can wield and exert its power, has recognized Zhou Bai, so he is definitely human—a pure and genuine human being."

Tianyangzi's gaze towards Zhou Bai fluctuated with thought, seemingly filled with incredibly complex emotions.

Upon hearing this, Zi Yang True Monarch retorted coldly, "You are being too careless. What if there is something wrong with Zhou Bai?"

Tu Tianmo declared decisively, "If a problem arises, I will take responsibility."

Greedy Wolf True Monarch coldly stated, "I will report this matter to the Celestial Emperor. You all are being too reckless."

Tianyangzi countered sharply, "We will also report to the Heavenly Venerable that the Human Emperor Sword recognized Zhou Bai. This is a great fortune for the human race; the Heavenly Venerable will surely be delighted to know."

Tianyangzi, looking at Zhou Bai, thought excitely, "Could there still exist a true member of the human race? We must make him one of us. As long as we cultivate his bloodline and slowly eradicate the remaining mixed blood of humans and demons, the human race can rise again... and the Immortal race shall be resurrected."

Greedy Wolf True Monarch watched the projection of Zhou Bai and slowly narrowed his eyes, emitting a dangerous glow, "Tsk... just at this time."

...

Unlike the tense and contentious atmosphere among the four Gods and four Immortals on the platform

the atmosphere at the entire site had reached a fever pitch. Countless eyes turned to Zhou Bai, who held the Human Emperor Sword in Daluo Heaven's spacetime; all were visibly flushed with excitement and emotional fervor.

Some were moved to tears, looking at the projection of Zhou Bai and murmuring, "The Sword Master of the Human Emperor Sword has appeared."

The Human Emperor Sword, as the sacred sword of humanity, has been passed down through the generations, over dozens, hundreds, thousands of years... Countless people have grown up with stories of the Human Emperor Sword, which embodies the spirit of the human race's legacy across generations.

This sword, a congregation of human destiny, has, with each emergence, selected a wise leader, helping the heroes of the era slay demons and monsters, make great achievements, and rejuvenate the human race.

It once accompanied the human race in slaying Demon Gods, securing victory in the great war between humans and demons.

It assisted human heroes in slaying Evil Gods, wiping out the strongest demonic sects of the era.

It personally beheaded the resurrected primordial beasts, saving billions of humans from calamity.

Watching Zhou Bai wield the Human Emperor Sword, releasing Sword Qi with each swing, no one doubted anymore that he was some kind of aberrant.

In that moment, he seemed more like a light that had at last appeared after a century of dark human history; despite the countless suffering and troubles endured, he brought a hope to countless people. Although somewhat elusive and faint, it was bright enough to stand out against the surrounding darkness.

Meng Ruocun watched Zhou Bai ascend into the sky, pointing with the Human Emperor Sword, seated upon the Sword Energy Throne, and felt as though his entire being was glowing.

While Ying Hui, looking at the projection of Zhou Bai, suddenly burst into hearty laughter, his tears flowing while he laughed, "Good! Good! Good!"

Beside him, Yun Chonghe, who had a tense expression, finally relaxed and let out a sigh of relief. He too did not want Zhou Bai to be replaced by an aberrant; that would be the worst outcome.