Heaven Dou City, Xue Yao's private cultivation chamber.
Ever since returning from his travels, Xue Yao had declined all social engagements and visitors, shutting himself away in the chamber.
The surroundings were so quiet that the only sound was his steady, deep breathing. Yet beneath this outward calm, an unprecedented upheaval was taking place within Xue Yao.
A deep, sacred note rang out from the depths of his dantian, and then that familiar stirring sensation swept through his body once more.
The sensation had grown increasingly frequent lately. Each time it came, a scorching golden Soul Power surged wildly through his meridians.
Xue Yao sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed, a grave look between his brows.
With a slight shift of his thoughts, brilliant golden light instantly illuminated the entire dim chamber.
Accompanied by a clear, majestic cry, the Four-Winged Holy Griffin appeared in midair.
Unlike its usual calm demeanor, the Holy Griffin seemed unusually excited now.
Its enormous body, covered in golden feathers, circled incessantly through the air. Its four broad wings beat forcefully, and its eyes brimmed with longing for some higher power.
Xue Yao quietly watched his Martial Soul, his vast spiritual power finely attuned to every emotional ripple the Holy Griffin conveyed.
"So that's it..." After a long while, Xue Yao slowly opened his eyes. A glimmer of understanding and anticipation flashed in their depths.
He had finally figured out the source of that stirring.
His Martial Soul's instinct was conveying an extremely important message: the ultimate opportunity for evolution was drawing near.
Since his Martial Soul Awakening, his Holy Griffin had already displayed a terrifying foundation far beyond that of a top-tier Martial Soul.
But Xue Yao knew all too well that this was not yet its final form.
Now, as his cultivation continued