24 Mutation

Tang Wulin returned to the school from the forging room, finding a small group gathered. "How's the investigation going?" he inquired.

Xie Xie, noticing Tang Wulin's somber demeanor, asked, "What's bothering you?"

Ignoring the question, Tang Wulin diverted the conversation, saying, "Let's focus on Class 1 information first."

Xie Xie persisted, "Trouble? Three two-ring soul masters in one class should be enough, right?"

Tang Wulin, pushing aside thoughts of his parents' disappearance, replied, "It's fine. Let's discuss Class 1."

Xie Xie revealed, "Almost everyone in the school knows about it. Class 1 is considered the strongest freshman class."

Gu Yuena added confidently, "We'll win."

Anping shared some news, "The academy changed the rules. The promotion competition will only be within the grade. No more skipping challenges. Tomorrow's our last match."

Tang Wulin, while attempting to remain optimistic, shook his head. He acknowledged Gu Yuena and Anping's strength, but the memories of facing Wu Zhangkong during special training lingered. He felt uncertain about their chances in the upcoming match.

Xie Xie's tone reflected his reservations, "If only we had more time. My injury will heal soon, and I sense a breakthrough to the second ring."

Tang Wulin, grappling with the gap between second-ring and first-ring soul masters, couldn't shake off his apprehension, realizing that the challenge ahead might be more formidable than they anticipated.

A resonant announcement echoed through the air, catching the attention of everyone on campus. "Teachers and students, please pay attention. An emergency broadcast will be played below. We have received notice from the meteorological department that a strong tropical storm will hit tonight. This strong typhoon is expected to continue for more than a week.

Therefore, in the next week, students are asked not to leave the academy easily. All classes are suspended, and please wait quietly in the dormitory. The promotion competition is suspended and will be resumed after the typhoon leaves."

The unexpected news of an impending typhoon and the suspension of the promotion competition sparked joy in Tang Wulin and Xie Xie. In unison, they exclaimed, "We still have a chance."

Tang Wulin pondered the golden figure in his thoughts. The latent power it held could make a significant difference. If he could unlock the seal in the coming days, the second ring might not pose a challenge.

With determination, he shared with his companions, "The typhoon is approaching, and I have matters to attend to. I'll leave first."

Anping, contemplating the coincidence, mused, "Typhoon? Is it such a coincidence?"

Gu Yuena, curious, approached and inquired, "A coastal city like Eastsea City having a typhoon isn't unusual, is it?"

Anping shook his head, "Maybe I'm overthinking."

As Tang Wulin departed, the duo exchanged a few words before returning to their respective dormitories.

Back in the dorm, Anping picked up "Mecha Structure" from the table, attempting to read. However, a restlessness lingered, prompting him to shake his head. "Let's practice."

Entering a meditative state with skillful ease, Anping absorbed the thick elements of wind and water brought by the impending typhoon. The air hummed with the sound of water drops, creating a soothing backdrop for his focused practice.

As the magic vortex formed a misty swirl, Anping carefully sensed the transformation of the heaven and earth's energy into magical power. A drop-shaped magic power took shape, surprising him with its early arrival.

Calmly settling into meditation, Anping observed the mist-like magic power slowly infusing into the liquid magic power drop. The vortex subtly contracted as he concentrated, marking progress in his magical endeavors.

As time flowed by, with the final infusion of magic into the vortex, the water droplets formed within Anping's consciousness space emitted a dim glow. This ethereal radiance represented the origin of his magic.

Observing the source of his magical power with consciousness, Anping noted its alignment with the meditation method's description. He silently anticipated the completion as the last glimmer of magic power diminished.

Unbeknownst to Anping, significant transformations unfolded in the external world. The newly formed magic light slowly emanated from Anping's body, creating a hazy shroud around him.

Anping found himself immersed in the martial spirit Truth Sky within his consciousness. The celestial expanse, wrapped in a hazy light, triggered invisible ripples extending outward. Much like the concentric circles produced by a stone dropped into water, these ripples traversed unknown territories, while Anping remained oblivious to the external world, absorbed in his consciousness space.

Meanwhile, in Tang Wulin's spiritual realm, the golden light and shadow guided him in lifting the first seal. A soft exclamation escaped Golden Light Shadow's form, the spiritual consciousness of Tang San manifesting profound perception. Tang Wulin, perplexed, inquired about the source of the surprise.

With a contemplative shake of his head, Golden Light Shadow responded, "I don't know. It feels like something happened, yet it also seems like nothing happened. If it were the main body, I might decipher it. Let's focus on our task and begin."

Tang Wulin nodded, conceding to the mysterious nature of the golden figure. He ventured into breaking the seal, prioritizing the pivotal moment.

Simultaneously, Gu Yuena, engaged in her practice within the dormitory, sensed a familiar disturbance. Discontinuing her exercises, she murmured, "It feels like this again."

Swiftly rising from the bed, a silver flash enveloped her form as she disappeared from the dormitory. In a series of movements, she reappeared on a rooftop, her clothes billowing in the wind. Fixated on the boys' dormitory, her purple eyes expressed curiosity and a desire to comprehend the enigmatic Sky of Truth.

Suppressing her eagerness, Gu Yuena returned to her dormitory with a gentle shake of her head. Meanwhile, in Anping's dormitory, the Sky of Truth flickered, signaling abrupt changes in progress.