Chapter 330: A Single Slap

The moment Zuo Meng sensed the anomaly, chains of power coiled around it twice, binding it until half-dead before yanking it back violently.

Under the shocked gazes of countless witnesses, the Octopus Anomaly was dragged over like a lifeless dog. All theories about killing patterns and anomaly immortality were crushed by the superior power of rules.

“Study this.”

After capturing the Octopus Anomaly, Zuo Meng casually tossed it to the ground. Now wasn’t the time to make trouble—he hadn’t found any noteworthy talents yet. Throwing these scraps would keep the seminar attendees occupied.

Freed from Zuo Meng’s restraints, the Octopus Anomaly began moving again.

Where it stirred, the ground decayed at visible speed. Tiles turned deathly gray while steel corroded. A nearby researcher brushed against its aura and dropped dead instantly. The corpse rotted within moments as if decomposed for years.

“Anomaly revival!” A panicked researcher turned green-faced.

This Octopus Anomaly clearly wasn’t ordinary—it killed without revealing its murder pattern. The victim had been a mid-level Transcendent of the fourth tier, someone who should’ve survived brief encounters with anomalies in outside states. Yet exposure to its aura caused instant death without even a scream.

“Is this truly an anomaly?”

While some feared, others doubted. Zuo Meng’s effortless capture made them think “I could do that too.” Congress’s ironclad law stated anomalies couldn’t be captured—perhaps this was just a lookalike fraud. Such scams weren’t rare in the Underworld. The dead mid-tier? Mere energy-pumped trash! Several high-ranking extraordinary beings grew eager, confident in their abilities.

“Audacious anomaly!”

An Iron-headed Fool charged first to show off, attacking the Octopus Anomaly.

“I’ll handle this!”

Other Iron-headed Fools shouted about cunning enemies and joined the assault.

Then—

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Four cold corpses hit the ground. One even lost its skull.

“Fierce Anomaly!”

An expert identified its classification.

Anomalies were world-mandated calamities—ordinary people died instantly upon contact. Transcendents could only flee. Through generations of struggle, humans categorized them:

Weakest: Strange Anomalies (escape possible even for ordinary people).

Stronger: Demonic Ghosts (ordinary people die instantly; Transcendents might escape).

Deadlier: Fierce Anomalies (high-ranking Transcendents perish without resistance).

Strongest: Cursed Beings (only Congress big shots wielding artifacts survive encounters).

Strange Anomalies. Demonic Ghosts. Fierce Anomalies. Cursed Beings.

This is Zhongzhou’s four-tier classification system for anomalies. From this alone, Zhongzhou stands ahead of other regions. Within the Shending Realm, only Zhongzhou categorizes anomalies – other regions like Qiongzhou, where Zuo Meng first arrived, can only flee or await death when facing anomalies. To other regions, anomalies are natural disasters where survival depends on luck, unlike Zhongzhou’s extraordinary beings who actively resist. This difference stems from Zhongzhou’s strength – only the capable can afford such considerations. Like how the wealthy pursue quality living while the destitute worry about their next meal, not whether instant noodles are unhealthy.

Boom!!

An anomaly killing someone became an emergency.

As the host, Dugu Shang immediately moved to suppress the Octopus Anomaly. Fellow guests Murong Longcheng and Zhu Kuangren joined the assault. These three Underworld leaders could restrain even fierce anomalies. The mindless Octopus Anomaly operated purely on killing instincts – after claiming one victim, its gray mist expanded toward Zuo Meng’s clothes.

“Quiet.”

Zuo Meng frowned at the restless anomaly and slapped it.

Thud!

The rampaging Octopus Anomaly instantly collapsed into a mud-like puddle, all power sealed. The Silly Dog beside Zuo Meng grinned widely.

This brainless creature took quite the beating.

Slapping an anomaly?!

The sight froze all arguments in the hall.

Someone actually treating an anomaly like dirt! Was this human? This single act revealed terrifying capabilities – many shuddered at the Great Sage’s unfathomable, inhuman power.

Dugu Shang and Murong Longcheng’s belated attacks struck the anomaly uselessly. The iron rule of anomalies being invulnerable still held… except…

The three men exchanged stunned glances at Zuo Meng, now meditating again.

“The Congress severely underestimated the Divine Miracle Society’s Great Sage.”

“Such power might rival artifacts.”

These thoughts flashed through their minds.

Previously vocal spectators trembled, suddenly remembering the Great Sage’s notorious habit –

Feeding dogs!

“Sir Sage, we…”

But Zuo Meng had already withdrawn into meditation, ignoring them.

“Hmm?”

The unprecedented event disrupted hidden arrangements. During meditation, Zuo Meng suddenly paused. He opened his eyes to study the clouds above the Dugu family compound – seemingly ordinary, yet his lips curled into a faint smile upon seeing them.

“Interesting.”