Chapter 320: Global Evolution

The world had transformed, and life was reawakening. On Kunlun Mountain, ancient trees sprouted, the grass was a fresh, vibrant green, and a new layer of tender shoots emerged.

The heavens had changed many things. The snow and ice had completely receded, the clouds that covered the sky parted, the sun shone down, and the essence of spring permeated the land. As far as the eye could see, plants were clearly visible and teeming with life. Furthermore, all plants now possessed a spiritual quality; their leaves had a crystalline luster, appearing lush, vibrant, and colorful. The ambient energy in the world had also grown dense.

Earth was undergoing a profound transformation, with astonishing changes occurring across the entire globe. In just a few days, the number of extraordinary humans and anomalous creatures had surged. Large numbers of beings awakened, becoming evolved individuals. However, this transformation came at a great cost. A massive snowstorm had blanketed the land, and the severe cold endured for so long that at least one-third of the world's population perished.

It was an unprecedented catastrophe, with casualties numbering in the hundreds of millions. The ice and snow had struck so suddenly and lasted for such an extended period that no region was prepared. Temperatures were horrifyingly low, far more severe than a normal winter. In many areas, houses were completely submerged under ice and snow.

In the aftermath of the disaster, to prevent epidemics, efforts were underway everywhere to cremate and bury the deceased. For many days, humanity endured a tragic scene, with wailing heard from all corners of the world as countless individuals had lost loved ones forever. Days later, the sorrow persisted. Such a cataclysm had never occurred before; the global population had drastically decreased, and countless families were shattered.

Chu Feng’s heart was heavy. Too many people had died, yet he was powerless to alter the grand environment. The rapid transformation of the world was simply beyond human reversal. Now, with life reawakening, vitality flourished everywhere.

The most striking change was that the number of extraordinary plants and trees had increased tenfold, and evolved individuals were growing in number daily. Some speculated that if this trend continued, all living beings on Earth would embark on the path of evolution, and eventually, there would be no ordinary humans left.

On every renowned mountain, spiritual energy permeated the air. All withered ancient trees were sprouting, imbued with creation, destined to bear abundant fruit one day. After the ice and snow receded, the changes in agricultural fields were most astonishing. Some crops, surprisingly, had not completely frozen to death; they revived and grew rapidly, maturing within days. Moreover, large quantities of new sprouts emerged from the roots of other crops, growing rapidly. In just a few days, they had already reached half a person’s height. The grains yielded abundant harvests and emitted a faint glow.

Many botanists could no longer remain still; the changes in various crops were too astonishing. Rice grains were silvery-white and crystalline, while wheat was plump, radiating a faint golden luster. Soybeans, millet, and other grains also shone brightly, appearing different from before. Upon testing, all crops had transformed into high-energy foods. Their very structure had changed, now imbued with mysterious energy.

"It has finally begun. This is the initial stage of spiritual grain," the Yellow Ox said after learning of the development. He informed Chu Feng that this was normal. Earth, in its powerful past, had ranked among the "Top 100 Worlds," possessing exceptionally dense energy. The grains chosen by the great sages among the ancient evolvers were all premium quality. Now that Earth was recovering and undergoing rapid transformation once more, the foods of ancient evolvers would naturally reappear in this era, showcasing their true value.

A month passed quickly. During this time, many humans, birds, and beasts consumed the grains, and their physiques significantly strengthened, with astonishing results. Even ordinary people experienced a significant increase in strength after consuming these grains. Some theorized that even without extraordinary fruits, simply by consuming regular grains, there would be no ordinary humans left on Earth within a few years; all would awaken and become evolvers.

Within the ocean, the changes were equally astonishing. Seaweed and other marine plants glowed, and many sea creatures, consuming them, rapidly enhanced their physiques. The entire world was undergoing a dramatic transformation, completely different from before. "Is this the dawn of a new era of gods and devils?" people wondered, utterly shocked. Many scientists were now deducing and predicting what Earth would look like in a few years, with the conclusion that superhumans would be ubiquitous. Perhaps in a few more years, truly god-like beings would emerge, capable of flight, burrowing, venturing beyond Earth, and traversing the cosmos using their own energy. This was no longer mere speculation; it might well become reality.

The cessation of the snowstorm marked a truly drastic change. After nearly fifty days, new species began to appear on Earth, astonishing everyone. In isolated mines in Africa, small numbers of Diamond Beings emerged. Evolved from diamonds, they were impervious to blades and difficult to harm with firearms, seemingly possessing indestructible bodies. This species was exceptionally powerful, subtly gaining an advantage. They grew rapidly, and after awakening their intelligence, they frantically absorbed all kinds of knowledge, developing unparalleled physiques. Additionally, various forms of metallic life were equally astonishing, appearing sequentially across different regions.

Furthermore, various types of plants were rooting in outer space, growing in the void, and reproducing on land and in the oceans. They awakened their spiritual roots, with large numbers gaining consciousness. Indeed, if someone sat down to rest in the wilderness, even a stone might speak. The entire world was utterly transformed, truly a global evolution.

However, the situation on Kunlun Mountain was not optimistic. Chu Feng and his companions had returned over a month ago, and their individual conditions were very poor. If not for the Snow Leopard King carrying them, they wouldn't have made it back on their own that day. Both the Yellow Ox and the powerful Old Lama had been cast down to the mortal realm, stripped of their cultivation and reduced to ordinary individuals, leaving the Snow Leopard King dumbfounded. This news had been kept strictly confidential, as its revelation would bring catastrophic ruin upon Kunlun.

Fortunately, in recent days, the Yellow Ox and the Old Lama had begun to recover, finally able to draw upon the increasingly dense energy in the world. "This is an opportunity, not a misfortune!" the Yellow Ox exclaimed with joy as his body began to recover, having reached this conclusion. Their apparent loss of cultivation was actually an illusion. As they recovered, benefits gradually emerged: their physical bodies grew stronger, their foundations were rebuilt, and their potential was continually unleashed, making them more powerful at the same level than before. Most notably, Chu Feng had imparted the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique to the Yellow Ox, making him increasingly excited and joyful during his recovery. This technique was exceptionally potent and astonishing, being the most dominant method for tempering flesh, blood, and spirit.

Only the two of them knew this technique; they dared not pass it on to the Old Lama because it was an ultimate Buddhist breathing method. Its revelation would undoubtedly lead to grave consequences. In the future, when the extraterrestrial Buddhist clan descended, any young Buddha would seek to eliminate them and reclaim the technique, as it was not permitted to remain outside their lineage. The Old Lama was a Buddhist adherent, destined to join that clan in the future. Heaven knew what might happen; even if he kept silent, the Buddhist clan would be able to detect it upon his initiation.

Unfortunately, even after more than fifty days since their return, the Yellow Ox and the Old Lama remained in the Awakening Realm. Although their strength was increasing, reaching the King Realm would still require time. Kunlun thus appeared vulnerable. If their lack of peak strength were discovered, the entire mountain range would be in peril. In this state, they naturally declined the Sea Race's invitation.

Currently, the seas were flourishing. The emergence of the 'Magic Cube' provided an opportunity for various marine races to grow stronger, and after some inheritances were mastered by the great clans of the deep, their power greatly increased. This time, their invitation to land beings stemmed from a divine oracle. The metal Magic Cube bore a warning, advising them that when extraterrestrial beings descended, there would be more foes than allies. They should unite with land dwellers to encircle and eliminate the invading divine sons and saintesses.

Initially, some of the Sea Race were reluctant, harboring animosity towards land dwellers. They even desired to use their newfound strength to invade the land, cleanse various regions with blood, and seize the world's renowned mountains. However, the sleeping woman within the Magic Cube actually appeared in their dreams, warning those members of the Sea Race that extraterrestrial powerhouses were about to emerge, and if they did not unite, a great calamity might befall them. Consequently, some factions of the Sea Race, abiding by the divine oracle on the Magic Cube, sought to ease relations and invited certain land experts to a banquet.

The Yellow Ox and the Old Lama, having had their energy stripped, would not attend. As for Chu Feng, he absolutely could not go, as some of the Sea Race harbored intense animosity towards him. Moreover, his current condition was even worse than that of the Yellow Ox and the Old Lama. This was also a recent concern for the Yellow Ox. The substances within Chu Feng's body were undergoing violent transformations between black and silver-white at a terrifyingly high frequency. In one instant, he would be reduced to an ordinary person, only to become a top-tier king the next. He wished to use this to break through the sixth genetic lock, but the time afforded to him was too brief. His strongest state only lasted for an instant, making it impossible to attempt a breakthrough. Even the Yellow Ox couldn't comprehend this situation, unsure how to resolve it or predict Chu Feng's future condition.

A few days later, they decided to go rescue the great demon of Kunlun in the ancient temple. Too much time had passed, and the demon might have died in its slumber. Without food or water for so long, any ordinary creature would have perished already. This time, Chu Feng, the Snow Leopard King, the Yellow Ox, and the Old Lama entered the ten-mile Pure Land together, protected by Buddhist artifacts. Unfortunately, the Yellow Ox and the Old Lama had not yet fully recovered and had not entered the King Realm. Thus, the Snow Leopard King served as the main force, with Chu Feng, whose condition fluctuated, as support.

Ultimately, as soon as the Snow Leopard King approached the Bodhi tree, he immediately fell into a deep slumber from which he couldn't awaken. This left them speechless, especially since they had already informed him about everything in this place. With the Old Lama and the Yellow Ox still not having recovered to the King Realm, Chu Feng ultimately had to act again.

It went relatively smoothly. Amidst a rumbling sound, the ancient tree shook, and many rotten branches rustled down. The great demons scattered across the ground slowly began to awaken. Unfortunately, no scriptures were chanted this time. In fact, the entire ancient tree was cracking, on the verge of collapsing and being destroyed.

A grand and sacred temple re-emerged, radiating immeasurable Buddhist light. Adjacent to the decaying Bodhi tree, several prayer wheels stood before the temple. Chu Feng was very close to them and felt a strong urge to walk over. At that moment, just like last time, his body was covered in cracks and blood. He stared intently at one of the stone prayer wheels, sensing that the scriptures of the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique were hidden within it.

"Chu Feng, come back! Why has your body become like this? That stone prayer wheel is a stone casing containing black matter, and it's stimulating the terrifying substance within you," the Yellow Ox cried out anxiously. According to the Yellow Ox, this peculiar substance, which only demon saints could refine, was extremely rare and encased in special stone casings that ordinary people couldn't detect. That particular prayer wheel was one such special stone casing, resonating with the black substance in Chu Feng's body and causing his poor physical state.

Chu Feng didn't retreat immediately. The substance within his body became even more frantic, changing incredibly fast. Simultaneously, he felt the stone prayer wheel resonating with it. He even sensed scriptures! The last time, the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique he had obtained was incomplete, only a fragment, as the scriptures on the Bodhi tree had been torn in half. Now, he genuinely yearned to complete it.

"Come back, that prayer wheel is empty, it's all an illusion," the Old Lama said with a sigh.

"Is that so?!" Chu Feng walked forward, his body tearing apart with excruciating pain. Yet, he continued to advance, determined to touch the prayer wheel. He attempted to use his mental energy to retrieve it, but his mental energy was covered and blocked by the Buddha light, preventing him from approaching. Finally, he managed to move, each of the dozen steps seemingly draining all his strength. He eventually touched the stone prayer wheel, and indeed, the moment his finger made contact, the scroll of scriptures vanished. Behind him, even though the Old Lama and the Yellow Ox knew it was all an illusion, they couldn't help but sigh with immense regret.

Chu Feng clutched the stone prayer wheel and walked back, his body covered in blood. With every step, pools of blood stained the ground, a shocking sight. Throughout this process, he was inwardly shaken, for his senses had not deceived him. The special stone prayer wheel resonated with the black substance within his body, their pulsations in perfect sync. Surprisingly, the ancient scripture sounds from within the prayer wheel faintly echoed within him, surfacing upon those special substances. Soon, the stone prayer wheel shattered and turned to dust, falling from his hand to the ground. However, within his body, a breathing technique emerged—a complete one! Even the ancient Buddhist masters who once resided here could not have imagined that the stone prayer wheel would restore and reproduce the ancient scriptures upon the black substance within him.

Chu Feng staggered, covered in blood, his body feeling as though it would tear apart—a far more severe state than last time. Yet, his heart was filled with joy. As he walked back, he collapsed into unconsciousness just as he neared the Yellow Ox and the others. A group of great demons rushed over and quickly helped him up. They had just woken up and were still somewhat dazed. After the Yellow Ox's explanation, they finally learned how long they had been unconscious. The Snow Leopard King also awoke, feeling a bit ashamed.

*Boom!*

Behind them, the Bodhi tree split into pieces, finally turning to dust and vanishing. However, the grand temple behind them remained, and other prayer wheels continued to glow, with scriptures shining within them.

"Perhaps there are indeed Golden Body Arhat-level breathing techniques, merely preserved to ensure the Buddhist lineage's survival on Earth," the Old Lama sighed softly. "But Bodhisattva-level breathing techniques could never be left here so casually; those scriptures are illusory."

Ultimately, they all retreated. Chu Feng woke up on the way back, his heart filled with the joy of accomplishment. He knew that this time, the scriptures should be complete. With two breathing techniques, he now possessed the capital to contend with the powerful beings from beyond Earth in the future. With global evolution underway and factions everywhere growing stronger, extraterrestrial beings could appear at any moment, or perhaps had already arrived. Obtaining the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique was incredibly significant for him.