As the energy released from the pyramid collided with an invisible barrier, a transparent shield covering the entire Earth became visible. The energy could not penetrate it, but instead, it spread in the directions of the pyramid’s four corners, accelerating across the world faster than the speed of sound, glowing like a fleeting flash that illuminated the sky in an instant.

  Everyone looking at the sky, whether they were following the news or not, witnessed this mysterious energy that seemed to engulf the world. Some attempted to flee, but it was futile. Within just half an hour, the energy had covered the entire Earth, making the barrier surrounding the planet clearly visible.

  A Changing World and the Fear of the Unknown

  Once the energy settled and merged with the Earth, everything changed. The world seemed as if it had been reborn, a scene beyond imagination, as though everyone had stepped into another reality. But despite this strange beauty, humanity could not help but feel fear—fear of the unknown was part of their nature.

  The Great Shock

  In a hidden sect, the sect master stood before his disciples, his expression filled with excitement, as if the true era of immortality had finally begun.

  With a passionate voice, he declared:

  "The spiritual energy has returned! From this day forth, we shall seek true immortality! We will reach heights never seen in thousands of years! We will triumph over the other sects, eliminate the demonic factions, and usher in the era of heroes!"

  The disciples cheered enthusiastically and immediately began meditating to absorb the new energy. However, in an instant, screams of pain filled the air. One disciple fell to the ground, followed by another, and then another. The agony spread among them as if the energy was burning their bodies from the inside.

  Even the sect master, despite his strength, felt excruciating pain. He fought through it and urgently commanded:

  "This is not spiritual energy! Stop absorbing it immediately!"

  The other sects soon faced the same phenomenon. In a distant tower, a grand mage had also instructed his disciples to absorb the energy. But as they collapsed in pain, he too realized the truth.

  With a stern voice, he ordered:

  "Cease absorption immediately! This energy is completely different… we must first understand it."

  The Gathering of the Great Powers

  Due to these shocking events, the most powerful factions—the cultivators, the sorcerers, and the shamans—held an unprecedented meeting, one of the largest in history.

  In an enormous hall adorned with ancient Chinese designs and breathtaking engravings, the leaders of the sects sat across from one another. Alongside them were the heads of the great magical towers and the infamous demonic sects, all present for this fateful gathering.

  The master of the Golden Sect spoke with a commanding voice:

  "What is happening here? Is this truly spiritual energy, or are we facing something else? I demand answers—real ones, not lies!"

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  He released his aura, and though his strength was not what it had been in ancient times, he remained the most powerful cultivator of the past hundred years. No one had reached the Foundation Establishment stage in the last five centuries.

  The master of the Heavenly Demonic Sect smirked and responded with sarcasm:

  "You seem angry… but rage won't solve the problem."

  Tension rose, and conflict nearly erupted, but an elderly sage cut through the tension with his calm voice:

  "I have studied all the ancient records, yet I have found no mention of such a phenomenon. It seems that even our history… is full of errors and may have been fabricated."

  Silence filled the hall. Soon, investigations into the old archives began, and after an hour, expressions of shock spread across everyone's faces—what the sage had said was true.

  An Unprecedented Decision

  One of the great trade tower masters spoke up:

  "Why don’t we ask the sorcerers? Perhaps they have an answer."

  Displeasure appeared on some faces; cultivators had little respect for sorcerers. However, with few options, they reluctantly agreed.

  A message was sent to the leader of the sorcerers, and before long, a response arrived:

  "We were already in a meeting with the leaders of the magical cities, and we were about to contact you. This energy is not mana, and for that reason, we have also reached out to the shamans."

  Soon, an extraordinary gathering took place—a meeting that brought together the most powerful figures from different factions.

  After extensive discussions, they all reached the same conclusion: no one knew what this energy was, and no records mentioned it.

  A sorcerer, his tone cautious, then suggested:

  "What if the cause is… ordinary humans? Perhaps we should descend into their world to uncover the truth."

  At the mention of humans, expressions of disdain filled the hall. Most of those present viewed ordinary humans as weak beings unworthy of their attention.

  But the reality was undeniable—there were no answers. And with the rapid advancements in human technology, they could no longer ignore them.

  At last, they came to a decision:

  "We shall descend into the human world."

  The next day, world leaders were shocked as mysterious figures appeared in China, Russia, Europe, and America—emerging from the hidden corners of the Earth, carrying questions that could change the fate of the entire world.

  Next Stop: Understanding, Pressure, and Public Revelation…

  ----

  [Author's Note]

  "Now that we've reached Chapter 8 and glimpsed the first hints of the story's true shape, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

  - What do you think of the story so far?

  - Any predictions about what's coming next?

  I'll be waiting for your comments—your feedback truly matters. Is there anything you'd like me to improve? Anything you're particularly enjoying? Let me know!"

  fear is the first tool of knowledge