92: Cracks first appear, tempering and testing the waters.

The energy activity on the edge of the Abyssal Erosion Zone was trembling more and more noticeably, like a drum surface being constantly struck.

The Chaos mark left by Yun Feng clearly captured that in a desolate star belt several Star Domains away from the Demon Spirit Continent, the spatial structure was becoming extremely unstable, and a rift larger than the previous one was being slowly and firmly torn open!

Through the blurry image transmitted by the mark, one could vaguely see the twisted and rolling demonic shadows behind the rift; their numbers and the aura they emitted far exceeded the three Legendary demonic creatures from before.

"The probing is over... This time, it is the true vanguard."

Yun Feng stood inside the Star Gazing Hall, where a glaring red dot was flickering on the edge of the dark red area on the star map.

He could feel an intent filled with destruction and hunger, firmly locking onto the coordinates of this newly born rift.

The news was not made public to ordinary students, but a heavy atmosphere began to permeate among the high-ranking officials of the Cloud Court and the instructors of the Void Academy.

Yun Hao increased the frequency and range of the Sky Patrol Guard's patrols, Yun Qiao began to refine a large quantity of Advanced healing and purification Medicinal Pills, and Nie Li invested all the resources he could mobilize into upgrading the academy's defense system and the students' practical combat training.

"The true test is coming." Nie Li stood in the newly reinforced main control room of the academy's defense, looking at the red dot on the light screen representing the distant rift, his eyes sharp. "We must let them grow up as quickly as possible, even if the process is a bit cruel."

Soon, a high-intensity practical combat drill codenamed "Tempering" unfolded within the Void Academy.

All students were mixed into dozens of combat squads, and the instructors simulated various extreme Void Realm environments and different types of Abyssal demonic creatures (using energy aggregates to simulate their combat styles and characteristics) to conduct near-real confrontations.

At first, the casualties (simulated) were heavy.

Facing the "demonic creatures'" fearless, strange, and ever-changing attack methods, as well as the harsh Void Realm environment, the students appeared flustered.

Even the squads that had performed well in previous exercises frequently suffered "casualties" under the more complex and sudden combined attacks.

"Steady! Gold Stone Fortress, your shield is off by three points! Lava Realm, control your anger; don't drag your teammates in with you!"

"Green Source Star Realm, Life Entanglement is not for show! Restrict its movement!"

"Demon Spirit Soul Master, aim your Soul Impact at its energy core, don't just fire randomly!"

The instructors' scolding and guidance rang through every simulated battlefield.

Failure, review, adjustment, battle again... repeating the cycle.

Sweat, tears, and even blood occasionally spat out due to mental exhaustion or energy backlash, were spilled on the training ground.

No one complained; all the students gritted their teeth, their eyes burning with an unyielding flame.

They knew this was not child's play, but a struggle to secure a glimmer of hope in the potential catastrophe of the future.

High-intensity pressure and practical combat were like the most potent catalyst.

The students' potential was frantically squeezed, their cooperation became proficient at a speed visible to the naked eye, and their understanding and application of their own power improved rapidly.

Techniques between different civilizations began to truly merge, deriving many innovative tactics that even made the instructors' eyes light up.

A month later, when the simulated "Abyssal Vanguard" — consisting of dozens of Advanced energy aggregates with Black Gold Rank combat power — launched a general attack on the academy under even harsher Void Realm storm conditions, all the student squads participating in the "Tempering" operation displayed a transformation as if reborn.

They no longer fought individually but operated as units, meshing together like precise gears.

The students of the Gold Stone Fortress stood at the very front, the flames of the Lava Realm and the vines of the Green Source Star Realm intertwined into a web of destruction and restraint, and the interference of the Demon Spirit Soul Master struck precisely at the key nodes of the energy aggregates' operation.

They were even able to utilize the simulated Void Realm storms, converting them into an environment favorable to their own side.

A fierce (in terms of simulated data) yet orderly defensive and counter-attack battle raged on the periphery of the floating mountain range.

In the end, after paying the price of nearly thirty percent of the squads being "wiped out," the simulated "Abyssal Vanguard" was successfully repelled!

When the news of victory was relayed back, the entire academy was first deathly silent, then erupted into deafening cheers!

Many students hugged each other and wept; this was not just a victory in a simulated battle, but an affirmation of their month-long, hellish tempering, and proof that they had the ability to protect their home!

Yun Feng quietly watched the frozen victory scene on the light screen, looking at those young faces that were exhausted but had shining eyes, and nodded slightly.

"The tempering is complete, the blade's edge is revealed," he whispered to himself.

His gaze turned again toward the flickering red dot on the star map, his eyes cold.

"Come, let us see whether your tide of destruction is more ferocious, or the blade of hope we have tempered is sharper."