The ten thousand giants, who had been clamoring incessantly, became like robots under Zhou Hong's control, moving in perfect unison.
Beside Zhou Hong, his grandfather also appeared, chuckling. "Such synchronized movements. If this were the Zhuxian Formation, its power would be immense."
"Grandfather, the setup and training for the Zhuxian Formation will be your responsibility. I've already granted you authorization, so you can also control these ten thousand giants."
"Rest assured, the Zhuxian Formation is in my hands."
"Mmm-hmm, I should be returning to the base camp too. I thought I'd be out for a month, but it's been half a year now," Zhou Hong said with a hint of resignation.
Afterward, Zhou Hong left the sub-world, preparing to return to the main base camp of the Primordial Academy.
However, as soon as Zhou Hong exited the sub-world and entered the open air, he saw at least a hundred giants in the sky. These giants all possessed strength at the Tribulation Crossing stage.
Zhou Hong felt a pang of alarm. How could there be so many Tribulation Crossing level giants in the sky?
"Have you found anything?" one of the giants in the sky roared.
"Not yet. It's truly strange. Why would so many giants suddenly disappear from Wudong County?"
"Keep searching! You must uncover the truth!"
"Yes, sir."
Hearing the giants' conversation in the sky, Zhou Hong finally understood. They were here to investigate the mystery of the ten thousand missing giants.
Zhou Hong smiled faintly. Little did they know that the missing ten thousand giants were with him.
Zhou Hong dared not linger, and quickly departed. He had previously studied maps of the Deep Sky Continent and had a decent understanding of it.
The place Zhou Hong was currently in was called Wudong County, one of the thirty-six counties of the Giant Kingdom.
The main base camp of the Primordial Academy was on the outskirts of Wudong County. The ten thousand giants Zhou Hong had controlled over the past half-year were all from various territories under Wudong County's jurisdiction.
The total population of Wudong County alone was estimated to be between eight to ten million giants. With thirty-six such counties in the Giant Kingdom, its population was clearly immense.
Half a month later, Zhou Hong finally returned to the Primordial Academy's main base camp.
"Zhou Hong, where have you been?" As Zhou Hong entered the underground palace upon his return, a furious voice boomed.
Zhou Hong looked up and saw an elder seated in the grand hall. This elder was none other than the previous supervisor.
"Supervisor Xiao, why are you here? Didn't you say you were going out to find a place to cultivate?" Zhou Hong asked with a smile.
"Zhou Hong, you have quite the audacity!" Supervisor Xiao became even more infuriated by Zhou Hong's cheerful demeanor. Supervisor Xiao had indeed gone out to cultivate, but he hadn't expected Zhou Hong to abandon his post and be gone for over half a year with no trace. The other elders at the base camp had no choice but to order Supervisor Xiao to resume his duties, and Zhou Hong would face severe repercussions for his unauthorized absence, pending his return. If Zhou Hong had perished outside, the matter would have been dropped.
"I'm very sorry, Supervisor Xiao. I thought I'd be back within a month, but it ended up being so long. I truly apologize," Zhou Hong said with genuine remorse.
"Don't tell me that. Tell that to the elders. Guards, go and summon all the elders of the base camp. Tell them Zhou Hong has returned," Supervisor Xiao commanded irritably.
"Yes." A guardian immediately went to notify the other elders of the base camp.
These "other elders" were comprised of eight Grand Ascension stage cultivators and over forty Tribulation Crossing stage powerhouses.
Lu Qianqian, upon learning of Zhou Hong's return, rushed out. Seeing him, her heart was filled with worry, for she knew Zhou Hong had truly caused a major problem this time. The elders of the base camp would not let him off easily and would likely make an example of him.
"Zhou Hong, why were you gone for so long?" Lu Qianqian asked, on the verge of tears.
"Heh, Qianqian, I'm sorry. I miscalculated the time. By the way, how long have I actually been out?" Zhou Hong hadn't kept track of time and was unsure of the exact duration.
"Over eight months."
"Oh, oh, it has indeed been a while," Zhou Hong gave a bitter smile.
"You can still smile? Do you know how serious it is to abandon your post and leave hundreds of lives at the base camp behind? All the elders at the base camp have been alerted. I thought you had died out there!" Lu Qianqian cried, hitting Zhou Hong's chest.
Zhou Hong grabbed Lu Qianqian's hand and said, "Wife, I'll be fine."
"It's already this serious, and you're still comforting me. By the way, what did you just call me?" Lu Qianqian suddenly realized and quickly asked.
"Wife."
"Who is your wife?"
"You are, of course. From today onward, you are my wife."
At this moment, Supervisor Xiao, seated above in the palace, snorted in anger. "Zhou Hong, you dare to flirt here? Don't you realize you're on the brink of death? Do you think no one here dares to kill you? You abandoned your post and left hundreds of lives at the base camp behind. You deserve to be killed ten times over!"
However, Zhou Hong felt no fear. In the past, he might have been worried, but now, he had ten thousand giants in his sub-world, each at the Nascent Soul stage. Even the weakest, at the early Nascent Soul stage, would be a match for a Grand Ascension human cultivator.
This meant that any one of the ten thousand giants in Zhou Hong's sub-world could easily defeat all the elders at this base camp.
Under such circumstances, why would Zhou Hong be afraid?
"Heh, Supervisor Xiao, you don't need to worry about me," Zhou Hong chuckled.
"Who's worried about you? Just wait. You've caused such a huge mess; all the elders of the base camp will come out to judge you soon."
Zhou Hong shrugged indifferently.
Supervisor Xiao mistook Zhou Hong's composure for utter helplessness, a "dead pig not afraid of boiling water" attitude.
Lu Qianqian said tearfully, "Zhou Hong, when the elders arrive, immediately kneel and beg for mercy. Perhaps they'll spare you, considering your talent."
"Heh, don't worry, I know what to do."
"Zhou Hong, if the elders truly decide to execute you, I will die with you. If you die, I feel there's no point in living. Rest assured, you won't be lonely on the road to the underworld; I'll accompany you." Lu Qianqian held Zhou Hong's hand, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.
"Silly wife, don't talk about death so casually," Zhou Hong playfully flicked Lu Qianqian's nose.
Supervisor Xiao, seeing Zhou Hong still acting as if he were unaware of his impending doom, couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. His psychological fortitude was truly immense. Anyone else would have been trembling with fear long ago.