The atmospheric pressure around the Northern Branch of the Conferred Pagoda had reached a point of absolute physical displacement.
The air vibrated and groaned under the weight of the celestial judgment descending from the churning, violet-gold vortex above.
In the center of this localized apocalypse, Shangguan Mu'er stood atop the highest balcony of her secluded residence, looking ecstatic.
Her breakthrough was complete. The bottleneck that had held her at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm for years had been shattered like glass under a hammer.
Now, she felt the surge of a new, terrifying vitality—a density of spirit that transcended the mortal coil.
She had finally broken through to the Spirit Ascension Realm!
But the heavens were not offering a congratulatory embrace.
High above, the sky let out a guttural, sentient roar as the golden lightning dancing in the clouds began to hiss with a concentrated, divine hatred.
