Chapter 872: Calmly Showing Off

One sword strike slew the Eight-Eyed Wolf Spider; a single palm crushed the Hundred-Foot Centipede.

These were two kings of the insect race, with power that reached the heavens, the mightiest insect kings that had driven humanity to the brink. Yet now they were instantly crushed by this person.

This scene shocked and terrified the crowd.

Li Hongjun's fingers trembled—not from fear, but from excitement.

He had fought against the insect race for five years. In those five years, countless humans had died at the hands of the insect kings. They had tried every means to preserve the spark of humanity, but as for those two insect kings, even if they had the will, they lacked the power.

But those two immensely powerful insect kings had been effortlessly slain by the young man before him. This was no less than a nuclear bomb exploding in Li Hongjun's heart.

"Human Emperor."

Li Hongjun murmured the title. It was domineering, but at this moment, he felt that only the young man before him was worthy of it.

He had cultivated for centuries, witnessing one dynasty after another, watching the winds of change without interfering. As long as the heavens did not fall, he was merely a passerby.

Pursuing the Great Dao was the sole goal in the hearts of all cultivators. But after the insect race descended, everything in this world changed.

According to ancient records, this was the opening of another dimension, an invasion of demons.

Yet the records were sparse, and he did not understand the full situation. But he believed that beyond the heavens there were heavens, beyond men there were men—there must be worlds they did not know of.

Now, the young man before him must surely be a human from those heavens beyond heavens.

Lin Fan's heart was calm as he casually showed off: "Ah, in just five years, things have changed so much, people are no longer what they were."

Li Hongjun listened to the words of this mysterious Human Emperor before him, and his heart jolted. Could it be that this Human Emperor was originally an Earth human, who had only left for five years?

"Boom!"

In the brief moment of Li Hongjun's shock, the entire Starlight City erupted with thunderous sounds, and countless humans cheered.

It was a long-suppressed release, an explosion of pent-up inner feelings.

Exhilarating, utterly exhilarating.

"The insect king is dead! The insect king is dead!"

"This young man saved us. With one sword strike he slew the insect king—he is a god."

"We don't have to die."

Countless people cheered. To them, Lin Fan was the legendary god, especially his figure, which stood like a pillar holding up the sky, unattainably lofty.

Countless young women, seeing this figure, were utterly enchanted.

They felt their hearts had surrendered. His upright posture, his calm expression—everything about him attracted them.

If Lin Fan were to crook his finger now, they would surely rush forward eagerly.

Hope City.

The Commander-in-Chief stood dumbfounded before the screen, then suddenly shouted, "Quick, open communications to all cities and broadcast the scene from Starlight City!"

"This is humanity's hope. For the first time, humans have slain an insect king. All humans must see this!"

The Commander-in-Chief roared, excitement written all over his face.

Humanity had been oppressed by the insect race, lifeless and despairing. Countless humans had even given up hope, merely waiting for death.

But now, an unknown young strongman had stepped forward, with a single sword stroke annihilating an insect king. This was a cause for exhilaration for all humanity.

"Commander-in-Chief, but the Insect God has appeared. If humans learn of the Insect God's appearance, it might cause unrest."

"If this young strongman is slain by the Insect God, then perhaps..."

Those around him spoke. What they feared was this: although the young strongman was powerful, the Insect God's strength was even more heaven-defying. If he were killed on the spot by the Insect God, it would cause even greater panic.

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

Especially now that the battle situation was extremely urgent, with major cities all under attack by insect swarms...

"Don't ask too many questions. This scene must be broadcast. Notify Li Hongjun: no matter what, keep this young man alive and bring him to headquarters. Such a powerful youth must be retained," the commander said.

"Yes."

Without any hesitation, everyone began to busy themselves.

In an instant, whether it was cities under insect swarm attack or those enjoying peace, all received the news at this moment.

Every major city had a giant screen, which had always been used to broadcast important news.

At this moment, these screens suddenly turned on.

"Breaking news: Mysterious young powerhouse slays two insect race kings."

Everyone stopped what they were doing, their hearts trembling, then looked up at the screens. Even those hiding at home praying ran out.

Various academies.

Countless young boys and girls were training desperately, with only one thought in their minds: to keep getting stronger and fight against the insect race.

Now, upon hearing this news, everyone stopped their actions.

To them, any news had become routine—either this city was destroyed today, or humanity suffered a defeat. But now, hearing that someone had slain two insect race kings shocked them.

In their eyes, this was simply a fantasy.

Could humans slay an insect race king? Even if the strongest experts joined forces, it was impossible.

At this moment, the streets of every major city were crowded with people.

The image unfolded.

A figure came into their view.

A giant longsword was thrust between heaven and earth, and atop the hilt stood a young man in white.

And on the blade's tip was the eight-eyed wolf spider, while not far away lay the corpse of the hundred-legged centipede, shattered into countless pieces, lying quietly.

This was utterly shocking to them, more stunning than any news.

"That's the insect race king, the eight-eyed wolf spider. It destroyed my hometown."

"The hundred-legged centipede, the most powerful insect race king. This... this..."

"Who is he?"

"Look, that's the Insect God. The Insect God has appeared."

"What? How is that possible? Why would the Insect God appear?"

...

And at that moment, on the screen, Li Hongjun spoke.

"Human Emperor, this is the Insect God. You are humanity's hope; you should not fall here. Go quickly to Hope City, where you can unleash your true abilities." Li Hongjun, having received orders from above, immediately shouted.

In Li Hongjun's view, such a powerful figure should not die here; only by living could there be the greatest victory.

But to countless humans, these words were a blow to the head.

And to the people of Starlight City, it was a terrified outcry.

They had thought this was hope, but now that hope was about to leave, their only fate was to die here.

"Don't abandon us! I don't want to die!"

...

But some humans understood that Li Hongjun was right. Human powerhouses were scarce; losing one was a huge loss.

Suddenly, however, the young man in white on the screen spoke.

"No need. The Insect God is just a tiny stinking bug..."