The scorched earth of Sky-Pillaring Square had yet to cool.
A thick, acrid smell hung in the air, a strange blend of ozone left by the lightning tribulation and spirit stones melted by instantaneous, searing heat. The once smooth, polished bluestone ground was now covered in crisscrossing black fissures, like a shattered spiderweb. Around the square, the twelve sky-pillaring stone columns still stood, but most of the ancient, rustic runes on their surfaces had lost their luster, clearly damaged by the world-shattering aftershocks of the tribulation.
Han Li hovered in midair, his blue robes snapping in the wind. He was now utterly different from the "Li Feiyu" who had kept his aura restrained. Not a trace of worldly warmth remained around him, only a profound serenity that had returned to its pristine origin, as though he had become one with heaven and earth. Silver radiance swirled in his left eye like a galaxy flowing in reverse, while demonic flames filled his right like an abyss. Deep within both eyes, there was now a thread of silver-black Primordial Magnetic Divine Light, constantly twisting and changing shape!
Deity transformation early stage!
"Whew-"
Han Li let out a long breath, carrying an almost imperceptible trace of magnetic essence power. He could clearly feel the transformation within his dantian: his nascent soul, previously at the peak of the nascent soul late stage, had become a purple-gold figure only three inches tall, yet as solid as adamant. This was his primordial spirit! With every movement, he could now stir the laws of heaven and earth. He was no longer remotely comparable to his former self.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li, on ascending to the deity transformation realm!"
The Taiyi Sect Master and Shi Jian had long been waiting. Both bowed deeply, their voices filled with heartfelt