Chapter Twenty-Four: Spiritual Transformation?

After pouring out his heart to the great Master of the Divine Evolution Hall, Yang Luo felt a wave of emotion filling him from within, body and soul alike. It was a state of utter contentment, a sensation of unparalleled ease.

“As expected… Only by firmly embracing my resolve as a transcendent, with a will unshaken by worldly rules, can I be worthy of the title ‘Disciple of Divine Evolution.’”

A satisfied smile spread across Yang Luo’s face.

Yet, as that smile bloomed, he sensed a subtle change within his body.

“Oh? I feel as if my body has become lighter, and the strength within me has grown… How strange. I’ve already eaten my fill today, and the day’s physical transformation is complete. Why am I experiencing this?”

Yang Luo was genuinely puzzled.

Over the past days, he had learned that the “physical transformation” spoken of in the Divine Evolution Hall required external energy. Though it pushed his appetite to astonishing limits, as soon as he had consumed the necessary food, that energy would swiftly be converted into part of his being.

The process was rapid, and once finished, he needed to wait more than a dozen hours before the next transformation. With each cycle, the required food increased while the transformation’s effects diminished, until finally the process ended, after which his appetite would sharply decrease.

But—the change in his body just now had nothing to do with that transformation.

He had completed today’s cycle, and yet, just as he poured out his heart to Xigu, as his inner knots unraveled, his body had also evolved further.

“Could it be…”

Yang Luo recalled the messages left by the Master of the Divine Evolution Hall, his eyes shining ever brighter.

“…Is this what they call ‘spiritual transformation’?!

“Because my spirit evolved, my body grew stronger as well!”

…

“No way?!”

Xigu, sensing the changes within Yang Luo’s body, felt a shock unlike any since he had first developed the Blood of Evolution.

He knew full well that Yang Luo’s “rapid growth phase” from absorbing the Blood of Evolution was almost over, and the energy intake today had already peaked.

Yet—even in these conditions, his physical abilities had improved again?!!

This was something neither Black Moon nor Gray Shadow had ever displayed!

“Could it be… that those notions I came up with on a whim—‘spiritual transformation,’ ‘divine transformation’—are actually feasible?!”

Xigu remembered his early conjectures on the essence of his abilities.

“I once speculated that my powers operate on a higher order than the world’s natural laws, manifesting traits that defy the conservation of mass-energy and other material principles. If I decree a daily growth of one percent, then it is one percent, without compromise.

“But… after the Blood of Evolution is absorbed by other life forms, they don’t inherit the absolute nature of my own powers. Instead, there arises an uncertain state, a blend of subjectivity and material factors. Whether it’s Gray Shadow, Black Moon, or Yang Luo, they all possess strength and speed far beyond biological limits, exhibiting destructive force beyond biological explanation. Yet, they need external energy, food—massive amounts of high-calorie sustenance—to fuel their life cycle and transformation.

“Because the rules of the material world are reflected, to a degree, in the union between life and the Blood of Evolution, my experiments have always focused on the link between evolutionary advancement and energy intake. I overlooked that, in essence, my ability is a purely subjective superpower. Even if the Blood of Evolution is merely a derivative, it should retain some subjectivity…

“So… is this why Yang Luo’s body changed?

“Because of his transformation on the spiritual plane, those affirmations of self—a ‘strong man’s declaration’—his soul was cleansed, and so the change manifested immediately in his body. Under the influence of the spirit, his body was substantively altered?!”

Explosive conjectures surged in Xigu’s mind.

“But why did neither Gray Shadow nor Black Moon undergo such changes…”

A thought struck Xigu as he recalled the connection established between Yang Luo and the Blood of Evolution, and the difference he had sensed in Yang Luo.

“Is that it…? Human consciousness is infinitely more complex than that of animals. Though Gray Shadow and Black Moon now possess intelligence akin to adolescents, their minds remain simple and pure, lacking the complexity of humanity. Because of this, they cannot, like humans, fully realize the subjective qualities of the Blood of Evolution after its union with their bodies…

“Heh…”

At this, a look of great interest crossed Xigu’s face.

“As I thought… Only by introducing supernatural abilities into the human world can the greatest results be achieved. This is only the first transcendent, and already I’m surprised.

“If this trend continues, not only will the world become infinitely more interesting… it may even feed back into myself, pushing my abilities to an even higher realm!

“…Well then, let’s see how this storm unfolds—what changes it might bring—”

…

Elsewhere, Yang Luo, though delighted by the new strength within his body, could not help but feel a faint unease.

Even if he believed this was most likely the “spiritual transformation” spoken of in the Divine Evolution Hall’s legacy, without the Master’s definitive confirmation, he could not be at ease.

“Master…”

Just as he sought once more to consult the Master of the Divine Evolution Hall, that distant, magnificent, familiar voice echoed again within his mind.

“…Your confusion… I have understood… This is ‘spiritual transformation.’”

So it was spiritual transformation!

Yang Luo’s anxieties melted away, and he exhaled deeply, a smile of genuine relief lighting his face.

Yet the Master’s words, “I have understood,” lingered in his mind. Evidently, the Master knew of his earlier doubts and unease. Then, did that mean—

“…As you wish…”

The Master of the Divine Evolution Hall seemed to have heard his thoughts, answering calmly. And with that, the connection abruptly ceased.

Only a single, offhanded “as you wish,” given without the slightest care.

Yet to Yang Luo, it was as if he had swallowed a calming elixir; his heart was utterly at peace.

“The Master tells me to do as I wish, so clearly, this is not even worth His concern… In fact, I suspect if not for my spiritual transformation, He wouldn’t have deigned to speak at all. To Him, what matters most is how I utilize the legacy of the Divine Evolution Hall!”

Once again filling in the blanks with his own imagination, Yang Luo was convinced this was the Master’s true intent, and his smile became wholly unburdened.

And in a certain sense, he was not far from the truth.

“Mortal life is so fragile, the world’s rules shattered at a transcendent’s touch. What truly held me back was nothing but the shackles of my own heart.”

Yang Luo clenched his fists, his smile brimming with freedom.

“Now that I know breaking these shackles and freeing my mind leads to spiritual transformation—then there are still things I wish to do. Once those are done, my thoughts will be even clearer, and my progress in spiritual transformation will surely accelerate!”