201: The world is changing! (First update!)

Boom!

An indescribably terrifying energy exploded within Li Heng's body.

On the sturdy walls of the Principals Office, dense Formation runes instantly appeared, their light flickering, clearly enduring immense pressure.

His Nascent Soul shattered.

In its place, a Primordial Spirit figure, identical to Li Heng's face and radiating brilliant golden light, sat cross-legged atop his Dantian Qi Sea.

The Primordial Spirit's eyes opened and closed, as if suns, moons, and stars were born and extinguished within them.

Soul Transformation Stage!

It's done!

Li Heng slowly opened his eyes, and the entire world instantly transformed in his perception.

It was no longer a simple accumulation of matter, but a tapestry woven from countless invisible threads of Law and Karma.

He could see the flow of Spiritual Qi in the air, sense the breathing of the Spiritual Vein deep beneath the Kunlun Mountains, and even vaguely touch the tough yet fragile edges of space and time.

This was a leap in the level of life.

A profound realization, from 'seeing mountains as mountains' to 'seeing mountains not as mountains,' and then back to 'seeing mountains as mountains.'

His Divine Thought extended infinitely, instantly enveloping the entire Kunlun Academy, then spreading outwards, easily covering the entire Kunlun Mountains.

Li Heng could feel that this was not his limit.

The power of the Soul Transformation Stage was evident from this.

Just then, he 'saw' something different.

The Earth... was 'breathing.'

Each breath was accompanied by an extremely subtle expansion.

Spiritual Qi was slowly but steadily permeating outwards from the deep core of the planet, gradually recovering.

This azure planet was slowly 'growing.'

A thought suddenly clicked in his mind.

Ancient Demons... Great Changes in Heaven and Earth... so that's how it is.

The so-called descent of Ancient Demons was not just the lifting of a Seal, but also accompanied by drastic changes in the entire world's environment.

By that time, the Earth's volume and Spiritual Qi concentration would likely reach an unimaginable level.

For Mortals, this might be a disaster.

But for Cultivators, it was an unprecedented opportunity.

Li Heng's expression grew even more solemn.

Time was running out.

He had to accelerate, cultivating enough powerhouses before the Great Changes in Heaven and Earth were fully complete and the Ancient Demons fully revived.

He glanced at the students on the Martial Arts Training Ground, still excited about the results of the finals.

Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage... in the face of the future catastrophe, these powers were far from enough.

Golden Core Stage, at best, could only be considered a backbone force, elite soldiers on the battlefield.

Those who could truly determine the direction of the battle were Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, and even higher existences.

He had to give them more motivation, and a clearer plan.

Li Heng made a decision in his heart.

Once this mountain descent trial assessment was over, it would be time to announce the new academy rules.

All students who broke through to the Golden Core Stage would have two choices.

First, remain at the academy to teach, serving as mentors for Foundation Establishment Stage students, earning academic credits while steadily Cultivating.

Second, become core combat personnel of the academy, focusing on Cultivation to break through to higher Realms, and the academy would allocate more resources to them.

Teaching and specializing in combat, two paths, let the students choose for themselves... Meanwhile, at the Peak of Kunlun.

Lin Xiao slowly stood up.

The accumulated snow on the cliff rock beneath his feet had long melted, not due to temperature, but cut and evaporated by an invisible sharp Qi.

He looked down at 'snow name' in his hand.

The sword hummed, conveying feelings of joy and excitement.

Man and sword, at that moment, had truly achieved perfect synchronicity.

An unprecedented powerful force flowed quietly within him.

The power of the Golden Core Stage.

He could feel that if he wished, he could easily cleave the mountain beneath his feet.

His thoughts were clear and unobstructed.

This was the feeling of clear and unobstructed thoughts.

His Dao was the Sword Dao.

To advance without hesitation, to cut down all enemies before him.

Since he had entered the Golden Core Stage, he should do what a Golden Core Stage Cultivator should do.

His Divine Thought extended with his Sword Intent, perceiving the world.

He could feel that outside the Dragon Country, on that long, narrow island to the east, there were cold, evil, and repulsive auras lingering.

Those auras were of the same origin as the evil Cultivators that student Fang Yuan had encountered earlier.

Japan.

Lin Xiao's expression did not change in the slightest.

His Sword Dao did not question reasons, only cut down evil demons.

Since he had perceived them, he would go and cut them down.

He was not Fang Yuan; he did not need to investigate and gather evidence, nor did he need to strategize and plan.

He only needed a sword.

A sword that was strong enough, sharp enough.

He had decided.

To go alone to the Japan.

To exterminate those lingering evil demons one by one.

But before that... he still needed to return home.

The Lin family.

To complete a task.