📍 Earth's Orbital Formation Layer – Celestial Shell Zone
Within the Celestial Shell Formation that protected Earth, four immense beings stirred in silence—each nested deep within their elemental node.
The planet trembled not in fear, but in reverence.
Above the poles, an aurora of divine brilliance marked the presence of Earth's newly awakened protectors—the Four Celestial Guardians, cultivated under Hong's guidance and stabilized by the Civilization Evolution System.
🐉 The Dragon of Insight – "Qingxu" (Clear Void)
From the eastern sky emerged a long, serpentine form of indigo scales and silver antlers. Eyes glowing with cosmic patterns, Qingxu was the beast of vision and foresight.
His breath could pierce illusions and break falsehoods in formations.
"I see every strand of causality woven through Earth's fate... none shall approach us unmarked."
🔥 The Phoenix of Fortune – "Jingyan" (Silent Flame)
Rising from the southern hemisphere was a phoenix of golden feathers tipped with blue fire. Every beat of her wings scattered golden leaves—blessings of luck and renewal—over Earth's land.
"Let Earth bloom. Where my flames fly, fortune follows."
🐢 The Turtle of Time – "Shouyi" (Ever Patience)
From the depths of the Atlantic Ocean rose a massive black turtle with glowing runes carved into his shell—each rune marking a moment in time.
"I hold the stillness between seconds. No enemy shall move faster than my domain allows."
🐯 The Tiger of Strength – "Baihu" (White Roar)
Thundering across the Arctic skies, a white tiger streaked with golden stripes unleashed a roar that echoed across ten dimensions. His claws raked the air, reinforcing Earth's outer formation with sheer might.
"Let them come. I will be the wall. I will be the sword."
🎖️ Jia Yi's Command – First Trial by Fire
Elsewhere, in Earth's Sky Fang Military Orbital Base, Jia Yi—second in command of the new Earth Defense Protocol—stood before a tactical holomap. Her unit, Vermilion Watch, composed of 20 hand-picked warriors, was on high alert.
"We have three unidentified warp signatures entering the no-fly zone. Class B+ reconnaissance vessels. No response to warnings."
"They're testing the outer formation," a soldier said.
Jia's fingers danced across the console. Her eyes were sharp, her breathing calm.
"Contact the Guardians?"
"Negative. This is our test."
She stood straight, projecting her voice through the intercom:
"This is Commander Jia Yi of Earth's Orbital Guard. By the authority of the King's Law, you are now in restricted sovereign airspace. You have one minute to respond or withdraw. This will be your only warning."
Seconds passed.
The invaders didn't reply.
Instead, one ship launched a probing pulse toward the Shouyi Formation Node, attempting to scan its structure.
💥 The Engagement Begins
"Weapons free. Strike pattern Theta-Xi. Disable engines, but if they resist—destroy."
Jia's command ship moved like a hawk.
Lasers lanced out. Kinetic disruptors pulsed. The Earth Defense fleet deployed net-like spatial fields that collapsed on the enemy vessels.
One was crippled instantly.
The second returned fire—wrong move.
"Tiger Node reacting!"
The space surrounding Earth pulsed, and from within the polar winds, Baihu manifested a phantom paw that struck the hostile ship with law-wrapped force, shattering its shielding like glass.
The third tried to escape.
"Let it run," Jia Yi said coolly. "We'll follow the trail back later."
Cheers erupted across Earth's defense platforms.
"Commander Jia Yi has passed her first trial," announced the system.
👑 Meanwhile, in the Celestial Hall
Hong sat cross-legged on the highest peak of Mount Heaven's Crown, with Lie Shen meditating beside him. The four Guardian Beasts circled overhead, their spirits now linked to Earth's Destiny Array.
"So… Earth has begun to bark," Lie Shen smirked.
"No," Hong replied softly. "Now… we bite."
🌌 System Mission Update – Celestial Beast Blessings Unlocked
🔸 New Buff Added to All Earth Citizens:Dragon Insight – Increases comprehension rate by 20% when on Earth.Phoenix Fortune – Raises resource drop quality by 30% in Earth missions.Turtle Time – Delays breakthrough bottlenecks slightly for safer transitions.Tiger Strength – Permanent 5% increase in physical resistance and offense during defense missions.
🔸 Law Extension in Force: Any cosmic entity within Earth Formation abusing power will face system-sanctioned execution.