26: System upgrade

Following Yun Feng's command, the System interface in his mind burst forth with light.

[Upgrade Complete! "myriad manifestations sublimation system" Current Rank: 3.]

[Rule Energy Limit Increased to: 10000.]

[Natural Absorption Rate Increased by 150%.]

["Life Sublimation" Function Enhanced: Capable of deeper Bloodline tracing and potential activation, cost reduced by 15%.]

["Rule Analysis" Function Enhanced: Analysis speed and depth significantly increased; can attempt to analyze fragments of the world's underlying rules.]

[New Function Unlocked: "Spacetime Beacon".]

[Function Description: Can consume a large amount of Rule Energy to leave a hidden Beacon on specific objects or locations, enabling ultra-long-distance sensing, one-way information transmission, or, upon meeting specific conditions, opening a short-distance temporary spatial channel. Note: Inter-planar transmission requires astronomical energy consumption and special conditions.]

Spacetime Beacon!

A sharp light flashed in Yun Feng's eyes; the significance of this function was extraordinary!

This meant his influence would no longer be confined to a corner of the City of Radiance, but had the potential to extend to a much wider world!

He suppressed the urge to immediately test the new function and refocused his attention on reality.

The downfall of the Ye Family and the Sacred Aristocratic Family was like leaves swept away by a fierce wind; their remaining forces quickly collapsed under the cleanup efforts of the Yun Family combined with the City Lord's Mansion (Ye Zong, having witnessed Yun Feng's terrifying strength, wisely chose cooperation).

Their industries, resources, and territories were divided and absorbed by the Yun Family and its allies, causing the Yun Family's influence to expand rapidly like a snowball.

The entire structure of the City of Radiance was completely reshaped.

The Yun Family became the undisputed hegemon, while the City Lord's Mansion acted more like an organization responsible for daily management and coordination, deferring to the Yun Family.

The minor and medium-sized Families followed the Yun Family's orders absolutely.

After returning, Nie Li successfully achieved a Breakthrough to Gold Rank, significantly increasing his strength, relying on the gains from the Secret Realm and the Illusion God Crystal.

He integrated the Tianhen Aristocratic Family and, relying on his "good relationship" with Yun Feng, became one of the most influential powers beneath the Yun Family.

His reverence and gratitude toward Yun Feng deepened, understanding that his cooperative relationship with him was a gift based on the other party's absolute strength.

Yun Feng did not indulge in the taste of power.

He knew deeply that the City of Radiance was merely a starting point in the Tales of Demons and Gods world; the outside world held vast expanses, stronger enemies, such as the watchful Dark Guild headquarters and the Yao Race army that might descend in the future.

He handed most daily affairs over to his Grandfather Yun Fengs Grandfather and the Elder Council, while he once again immersed himself in Cultivating and utilizing the System.

He first utilized the abundant Rule Energy (560 / 10000 remaining after the upgrade) to perform a new round of "Life Sublimation" on the core members of the Yun Family.

Especially his Grandfather Yun Fengs Grandfather, who, after consuming 800 points of energy, finally broke through his restraints and stepped into Legendary Rank!

He became the second Legendary expert of the Yun Family in the open (the first, naturally, being Yun Feng himself).

The Aptitude and cultivation of core disciples like Yun Hao and Yun Qiao were also raised again, solidifying the Foundation of the Yun Family's second and third generations.

Next, he began massive "sublimation" and "analysis" of the vast resources, Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals received from the Ye Family and the Sacred Aristocratic Family.

A large number of ordinary resources were upgraded to high-quality goods, and incomplete Cultivation Techniques were completed and optimized, allowing the Yun Family's reserves to accumulate at an astonishing rate.

Simultaneously, he continuously familiarized himself with and tested the new function, "Spacetime Beacon."

He secretly placed "Spacetime Beacon" markers in the Yun Family's core secret chamber, the Family treasury, and the entrance to the Secret Realm outside the city, which was now controlled by the Yun Family.

Through the Beacons, even if he were thousands of miles away, he could clearly perceive the situation at these critical locations and transmit short, one-way messages.

"Unfortunately, opening a temporary spatial channel consumes too much energy, often requiring thousands or even tens of thousands of energy points, so it cannot be used as a routine method yet."

Yun Feng felt a slight regret, but this had already greatly enhanced his control over the overall situation.

One day, Yun Feng was analyzing a fragmented ancient Formation manual obtained from the Sacred Aristocratic Family's secret vault, attempting to optimize the Yun Family's city protection Formation.

Nie Li came to visit.

The current Nie Li possessed a more stable demeanor, with sharpness in his brow.

"Brother Yun Feng, I received some news from the border; the activity of the Yao Beasts has been unusually frequent recently, far exceeding previous years, and... there seem to be signs that people from the Dark Guild are guiding them from behind the scenes."

Yun Feng raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing the walls and looking toward the distant border.

His Divine Sense, combined with the sensing ability of the "Spacetime Beacon," had long detected the unusual activity there.

"The Dark Guild's ambition hasn't died; they want to create chaos at the border, test our reaction, or... try to lure the tiger away from the mountain."

Yun Feng's tone was calm, "It seems their headquarters has already noticed the changes here."

"How should we respond?" Nie Li asked.

Currently, Yun Feng was the pillar of strength.

Yun Feng stood up, walked to the window, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Passive defense is absolutely not the best strategy."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "It is also time to let the outside world know that the City of Radiance has changed owners.

And while we're at it... let's test our current strength."

He turned to look at Nie Li: "Send the notice, gather the elites.

In three days, we march to the border, sweep out their nests, and clean up the tentacles of the Dark Guild along with those restless Yao Beasts!"

Nie Li's spirit was roused. Feeling the world-defying confidence and decisive killing intent in Yun Feng's words, he immediately cupped his fists: "Understood!"

Watching Nie Li's retreating back, Yun Feng's gaze once again turned toward the distance.

"The Dark Guild... this will be a good practical exercise, and it will also allow me to understand the 'general trend' of this world more clearly."

"Furthermore, large-scale wars change the fate of countless people... presumably, the harvest of Rule Energy will be quite substantial, right?"

[Large-scale regional event "Border Sweep" triggered, which will significantly affect the fate and worldline of countless beings. Expected to yield massive Rule Energy upon completion.]

The corner of Yun Feng's mouth curled into an arc of anticipation.

His journey was finally about to step out of the City of Radiance and onto a grander stage.