Chapter 181: Breakthrough

A special unit composed of mysterious spirit masters quietly set out. Skilled in concealing their presence and moving in secret, they slipped past layer upon layer of Sun Army sentries.

At the same time, Xu Yang's Nascent Soul transformation had reached the most critical phase. The newly fused Sun True Intent surged wildly into his soul, and a blinding light erupted around his body, as though it might burst through the walls of the closed cultivation chamber.

Golden light pierced through the walls. The radiance was so intense that many of the disciples guarding outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were filled with dread, fearing the entire chamber might explode and take them with it.

Then, the golden light vanished—replaced by a wave of scarlet brilliance.

Inside the chamber, Xu Yang levitated with his eyes shut. Between his brows, the mark of the Asura Demon Sword radiated dazzling light. Threads of crimson light extended from that mark, spreading downward through his body.

Wherever the crimson light passed, it infused into Xu Yang's flesh, reinforcing his muscles, bones, and cells. The remaining crimson energy finally gathered in his right hand and was absorbed into the Sun Sacred Blade.

A low, dignified voice followed:

"Using Slaughter Will and Sun True Intent to transform your Nascent Soul—Trial passed. You remained composed in adversity, made wise choices, and successfully fused Slaughter Will and Sun True Intent through your effort and insight. First Trial complete. Asura Affinity increased by 5%. Current total: 5%."

An electrifying itch spread through Xu Yang's body, nearly making him moan. It was a pleasing sensation—but still far inferior to the warmth radiating from his newly formed Nascent Soul.

Xu Yang turned his gaze toward a stone in the corner of the chamber. With a mere thought, the stone floated into the air, drifting freely throughout the room in sync with his will. The whirring sound it made echoed loudly.

"The quality of divine sense truly surpasses spiritual power."

Now that his spiritual power had transformed into divine sense, it was no longer formless. It had become tangible, capable of exerting physical force—hence why it could grip the stone and move it through the air.

But divine sense wasn't meant for offense. Its true power lay in perceiving the world. At this stage, Xu Yang's sensory perception had reached the molecular level. His soul skills and God Skills would now consume less, deal more damage, and recover faster—nearly perpetual in efficiency.

With that control established, his cultivation quickly stabilized. He opened the door and stepped out of the chamber.

Staring at the clear sky, Xu Yang felt extraordinarily relaxed. He greeted a few disciples nearby before turning into a streak of light, flying toward Heaven Dou City.

Though he'd been in seclusion for some time, he hadn't been cut off from the outside world. Chen Xin regularly kept him informed of changes in the continental landscape. Xu Yang already knew that Ning Fengzhi was in Heaven Dou's royal palace working to stabilize the situation.

And so, his first move after emerging from seclusion—was to head straight there.

Soaring through the sky, Xu Yang looked down at the desolate cities and bustling crowds below. Soldiers and knights were everywhere, each holding weapons that resembled rifles from his previous life—newly developed spirit power rifles, powered by soul batteries and crafted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

These were only second-grade Soul Tools—not powerful enough to threaten Soul Emperors, but their strength lay in rapid fire and usability by non-spirit masters.

Combined with fixed-installation soul cannons and explosive projectiles, it was no wonder the Sun Army had held Jialing Pass so effectively and inflicted such lopsided damage.

Flying overhead, Xu Yang could feel the anxiety and unease of the civilians and soldiers below. His heart sighed softly.

"How much better peace would be… no fear, no dread. When did I stop considering myself one of these ordinary people? I, too, rose from the bottom."

At this moment, Xu Yang's heart became exceptionally calm, and his goal was clearer than ever: to unify the entire continent and lead it down the same path as China on Blue Star in his previous life.

Now, he had finally achieved a form of true freedom.

According to the saying from his previous life: freedom isn't about doing whatever you want, but about not having to do what you don't want to do. Since he didn't want the world to be this way, he would let this world see what it meant to have an overwhelming advantage in knowledge and understanding.

As his thoughts settled, Xu Yang arrived at Heaven Dou City.

"Teacher."

Inside the royal hall, Xu Yang immediately spotted the busy figure standing before the sand table and called out softly.

"Yang'er, you're out of seclusion!"

Ning Fengzhi looked up from the reports. The moment he saw the young man's calm and handsome face, the anxiety in his brows vanished. He hurriedly put down the intelligence papers and smiled. "I thought your God Trial would take longer."

Xu Yang replied with a gentle smile, "You've worked hard during this time, Teacher. I couldn't even focus properly on my cultivation."

"Hah! What's hard about it? If it weren't for you, Yang'er, I might still be just an ordinary Spirit Sage, tirelessly trying to revive the sect."

…

After a brief chat, Ning Fengzhi handed over the latest intelligence.

"Over the past few days," he said gravely, "several border cities that were once stable have descended into chaos. And it just so happens that the Spirit Empire is advancing on the Star Luo Empire. I suspect Spirit Hall is stirring up unrest to stop us from sending aid."

Xu Yang skimmed through the reports, nodding slowly.

"Bibi Dong must have realized we lack the manpower to intervene—this move is pure exploitation."

Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Exactly."

Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now held former Heaven Dou Empire territory, they were critically understaffed. Those with both strength and administrative ability had already been dispatched. The former nobles and officials of the Heaven Dou Empire were mostly incompetent and untrustworthy—Ning Fengzhi had no intention of using them.

This left the Sun Empire in a precarious state—strong on paper but hollow within, unable to contend with either the Spirit Empire or the Star Luo Empire.

Even Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan had been sent to manage affairs in Winchester City.

It wasn't a matter of strength—it was manpower. Even though Xu Yang now stood at the peak of the world, he couldn't be everywhere at once. The only real solution was to cultivate talent and solidify control.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Yang spoke:

"Teacher, I heard you say just now that Madam, Uncle Ning, and Senior Dugu were sent to Sky Water, Blazing Fire, and Godwind Academies. That should help resolve our manpower crisis."

"So right now, the bigger problem is the instability of our territory. The root cause lies in the nobility of these cities—they don't truly submit to our rule. With Spirit Hall fanning the flames, rebellion is inevitable."

"The empire I envision has no place for these parasites. I intend to handle this personally—sweep across the entire empire and crush any voices of disobedience."