Chapter Fifty-six: Human Woes

In the world of dinosaurs, even among their kind, there are many different types, mainly divided into ten clans. Of these ten, the Tyrannosaurus is the emperor of all dinosaurs, while the other nine clans are by no means weak. Among them, the Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Plateosaurus, Lambiosaurus, Pterosaurs, and Heavy-Clawed Dragons belong to the warrior clans, while the Water Dragons, Beam Dragons, and Double-Crowned Dragons are categorized as swarm-type dinosaurs. The latter three do not possess the individual combat prowess of the other seven, but their attacks come in overwhelming numbers, thousands at a time, allowing them to claim victory through sheer force of numbers. These three clans are renowned throughout the dinosaur world.

In the past, when the Kuya people existed, especially when there was a sufficient number of super Kuya, the status of humans in the dinosaur world was equal to that of the dinosaurs. The distribution of power between humans and dinosaurs was balanced, each occupying half of the dinosaur realm.

But once the strongest human stronghold, Kuya Star, was destroyed by the Tyrannosaurus clan, the living conditions for humanity began to deteriorate rapidly.

Without the perpetual wars, the dinosaur world would be a beautiful place. At least, both Qin Si and Qin Shuang felt this way. The dinosaurs loved living in nature; even when they transformed into human form, they mostly dwelled in forests, unlike humans who built city upon city.

The dinosaur world was vast, several times larger than the realms of immortals, demons, and monsters. Most of this expanse was occupied by the dinosaurs. The original Kuya Star, once the home of the Kuya people, had been obliterated. To find a suitable planet for the Kuya people to settle was no easy task. Qin Si and Qin Shuang could only lead Jiang Lan Realm to the areas where humans still survived, searching for a place where the Kuya could live in peace.

Only a small part of the dinosaur world belonged to humans. Compared to the living conditions of the dinosaurs, this tiny fraction was worlds apart.

On the planets where humanity lived, many were barren stars—places where no one would survive in the immortal, demon, and monster realms. Yet here, even these inhospitable worlds were crowded with immortal humans. The few planets with decent environments were home to cultivators and ordinary people, who lacked the power of immortals; attempting to cultivate on barren stars would only lead to death.

"Who would have thought humans in the dinosaur world fared so miserably!" The two, together with Jiang Lan Realm, had searched many planets but found none suitable for the Kuya people.

**************************

Iron Tree Star, the current base of humanity, was ruled by the eighth-level Immortal Emperor, Xuan Yuan Jie, who had been plagued by worries lately. The conflict between humans and dinosaurs had never ceased. Ever since the disappearance of the Kuya, humanity had been at a disadvantage, suffering attacks from the dinosaur clans every few centuries.

Recently, Xuan Yuan Jie had heard rumors that the ten great dinosaur clans were once again uniting to launch a campaign against humanity, vowing to eradicate every human from the dinosaur world.

Xuan Yuan Jie understood all too well: the last great war had only recently ended. If the dinosaur clans truly unleashed such a massive assault now, even if humanity survived, their future would be bleak. Once their last refuge was seized, the remaining humans would either become slaves to the dinosaurs or flee into the stars. In effect, humanity in the dinosaur world would be annihilated.

Qin Shuang and Qin Si were unaware of Xuan Yuan Jie's troubles. After several inquiries, they finally arrived at Iron Tree Star, the main stronghold of humans in the dinosaur world. To find a safe haven for the Kuya people, they needed to let humanity’s strongest know that hope—the Kuya—had returned.

"The only place in the dinosaur world where humans live somewhat prosperously is Iron Tree Star," Qin Shuang remarked as they walked through a city.

"Survival here is difficult. This planet, among human worlds in the immortal, demon, and monster realms, would be considered only middling. On a mid-tier planet in those realms, you might not even see a single immortal. Yet here, it's the best humanity can hope for," Qin Si replied.

"Tough circumstances have made the people here united. I believe finding a place for the Kuya won't be difficult," Qin Si continued after a moment's thought.

Humans in the dinosaur world were far more united than those in the immortal, demon, and monster realms, where there were cultivators, demon practitioners, and even the three major clans of the Dark Star Realm. Even among cultivators, rival factions abound, just as with the old Reverse Central and Emperor Yu.

The better the living conditions, the greater humanity’s greed becomes!

In the dinosaur world, humans gathered together, with a common leader and clear divisions of responsibility. Celestial immortals had their own places, and golden immortals their own duties. Rarely did humans here turn on each other, for they all faced a common enemy.

"Brother, let’s go find Xuan Yuan Jie. He might be very grateful to us," Qin Shuang said with a smile. With his cultivation in soul arts, Qin Shuang had already located Xuan Yuan Jie on Iron Tree Star.

Delivering sixty thousand Kuya people to humanity, though not powerful yet, was still a tremendous boost.

On the street, the two figures vanished abruptly; the surrounding people paid no heed. Instant movement was common—most walked only to browse goods, and once finished, they teleported away.

Xuan Yuan Jie's residence was modest, hardly befitting the leader of humanity. According to Qin Si, it wasn’t even as valuable as a single stone from Purple Mystery Mansion. In that mansion, a single stone was worth countless times more than Xuan Yuan Jie’s estate.

Today, Xuan Yuan Mansion was unusually lively. Over eighty percent of humanity’s strongest had assembled here.

More than one hundred and fifty, all at least at the sixth-level Immortal Emperor rank, with fifteen at eighth-level and seven at ninth-level. In terms of numbers, the humans of the dinosaur world were not inferior to those of the immortal, demon, and monster realms.

Yet with such strength, they still could not stand against the dinosaur clans—a fact that astonished Qin Shuang and Qin Si.

Years of battle indeed fostered more experts than peace. If the dinosaur clans invaded the immortal, demon, and monster realms, those humans might not even match them.

There were thirty seated in the council hall: fifteen eighth-level Immortal Emperors, seven ninth-level, and eight seventh-level. These eight seventh-level emperors held key positions in various sects; otherwise, they would not qualify for the council.

“Gentlemen!” Xuan Yuan Jie, at the host’s seat, rose first. “It has only been three hundred years since the last war, and now the dinosaur clans are gathering their tenfold might, seemingly intent on exterminating us completely.”

“Hmph, let’s fight them to the end! If they want humanity erased from the dinosaur world, we’ll make those beasts pay dearly,” declared one eighth-level Immortal Emperor, indignantly.

For millennia, they’d endured the oppression of the dinosaur clans—enough was enough.

“If they hadn’t schemed against the Kuya, they wouldn’t be so arrogant now,” another eighth-level emperor lamented.

The disappearance of the Kuya had cost humanity immeasurably.

“I still think we need a thorough plan. If we charge blindly, we’ll suffer the most,” said a ninth-level Immortal Emperor.

Everyone knew they needed a solution; none wished to see humanity wiped out from the dinosaur world. Yet, faced with the might of the dinosaur clans, humanity seemed so insignificant.

“Elder Song, you’re a master of formations. Last time, it was your array that delayed the enemy for a year, giving us breathing space. We’ll have to rely on you again.”

Around the council table, facing the impending all-out assault by the dinosaur clans, everyone strained their minds, suggesting every possible strategy.

“Sorry to interrupt your meeting.” Suddenly, a voice tinged with mischief rang out, and in the next moment, two figures appeared in the hall.

Instantly, the lively room fell silent. All eyes fixed on Qin Shuang and Qin Si, unable to discern their cultivation.

“Who are you?” Xuan Yuan Jie spoke first. As humanity’s leader, he had to take the lead. With all their strongest gathered to strategize against the dinosaur invasion, the sudden appearance of two strangers could only seem ominous.

“We simply came to deliver some people—people of great importance to you,” Qin Si replied with a slight smile, unruffled by the scrutiny, speaking leisurely.

“Please clarify—who are you delivering? How did you get here?” Qin Si’s words put great pressure on Xuan Yuan Jie, who realized Qin Si was a formidable expert but, as leader, had to stand his ground.

“Who we are isn’t important, nor how we arrived,” Qin Si continued, smiling. His voice was soft yet carried a certain oppressive force, making even these thirty top experts struggle to breathe.

“No need to ponder. If I wished to kill you, all it would take is a wave of my hand. I’m here to deliver some people,” Qin Si said easily.

“Please, senior, have a seat and speak,” Xuan Yuan Jie bowed respectfully. He fully believed Qin Si; to suppress them with mere voice, such power far surpassed even a hundred ninth-level Tyrannosaurus emperors.

“No need. You all come outside with us,” Qin Si said, waving his hand. A surge of energy enveloped the thirty Immortal Emperors, teleporting them instantly to a wide open space on Iron Tree Star.

“This…” The thirty, all at least seventh-level Immortal Emperors, could not conceal their shock. With a simple gesture, he had moved them all to another place, and most terrifying of all, they had not the slightest chance to resist.

(To be continued)