The unusual vision that flashed through everyone's minds lasted only a few seconds before fading away.
Because the scope had been so vast — affecting countless minds — no one dared step forward to admit it, and no physical trace remained.
In the end, there was no answer… at least not yet.
— — —
Inside the Prison
In the cramped cell number seventeen, Liang Xiao slowly opened his eyes — surprise flickering in them.
The improvement after weaving the second layer of the Golden Core was far greater than he had imagined.
First, the miraculous baptism had expanded his dantian noticeably. Though he hadn't tested it yet, he could feel that the rate at which his true qi dissipated had slowed significantly.
That meant the baptism could repair the dantian.
Although he now possessed a special golden core that replaced the dantian's function, if his original one could recover — even partially — it would be a tremendous advantage.
Secondly, that mysterious baptism seemed to enhance comprehension itself.
Even the difficult questions from previous exams that had once troubled him now seemed simple in retrospect — not only solvable, but solvable in multiple ways.
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the baptism had reawakened the "evolution" within his body.
But unlike before, food was no longer the catalyst — instead, it was true energy that fueled the strengthening of his physique.
This, in turn, connected to the fourth transformation.
Previously, when only one layer of the golden core existed, the base consisted of three strands of true energy.
Now, after the second layer had been woven, that base had expanded to nine strands.
These nine strands automatically formed a small vortex within the innermost layer of the golden core — a clear sign that his cultivation had advanced to the first level of Qi Refining.
And whenever the number of those nine strands fluctuated, the recovery speed spiked dramatically.
Before, a single wisp took three seconds to recover.
Now? One strand per second.
At this very moment, Liang Xiao could feel his body constantly absorbing true energy, strengthening his physique — consuming one strand per second, only to have it instantly replenished.
One loss. One recovery.
The cycle repeated endlessly, maintaining a perfect equilibrium at eight active strands.
Unlike before — when he relied on Refining Essence into Qi to convert bodily energy — his second-layer Golden Core now directly absorbed spiritual energy from heaven and earth.
And as a result, even though he was producing true energy nonstop, he didn't feel weak or hungry.
In fact—
He realized with some astonishment that he hadn't eaten since yesterday's exam.
By the time he was imprisoned, he had been famished.
Yet now, his hunger was gone.
His true energy was sustaining him — maintaining bodily functions and even simulating the effect of fasting.
Is my special Golden Elixir method finally starting to show the true characteristics of a "Golden Elixir"?
The thought filled him with joy as he felt the strength pulsing through his body.
Ten minutes later, the evolution ended.
His body had been reforged — his base energy stabilized at nine strands, no longer fluctuating.
His vision and hearing had also sharpened to superhuman levels.
Peering through the bars of his cell, Liang Xiao could clearly make out faint whispers from other prisoners down the corridor.
Most were gossiping about the "Small Reflection Phenomenon" that had shaken the city — speaking in tones of envy, bitterness, and mockery.
He ignored them. So long as no one suspected him, that was all that mattered.
Then—
A chill prickled at the back of his neck. His enhanced senses detected a malicious gaze locked on him.
He turned instinctively.
A man nearly two meters tall — built like an iron tower — was staring at him coldly from another cell.
When Liang Xiao met his eyes, the man casually turned away, feigning disinterest.
Who is that? I've never even seen him before. Why's he staring at me like that?
Liang Xiao's eyes narrowed.
This was a law enforcement prison. Most inmates here weren't small-time offenders — they were dangerous cultivators, often tied to the Changsheng Cult or other forbidden organizations.
Captain Huang had mentioned it before — these prisoners were usually traitors under investigation, the kind who would've already been executed if concrete evidence existed.
If this guy's targeting me, it's definitely not good news.
But Liang Xiao wasn't worried. His strength now was more than double what it had been before.
That was just counting internal energy and physical might — not his trump card, The Destruction Needle.
He'd had a hunch earlier: once the second layer of the golden core was complete, the Destruction Needle's power would skyrocket.
Now, it was time to test that theory.
Silently, he activated the spell.
Two strands of true qi surged through his body, converging in his palm — twisting together into a faint, spinning needle of light.
The new Destruction Needle was completely different.
Before, it had been a single, hair-thin spike, no longer than a fingernail.
Now, it was two filaments intertwined, double the thickness and twice the length — a two-centimeter dark-golden coil that flickered faintly in and out of sight.
No spiritual fluctuations. No energy leak. Only deathly silence.
Liang Xiao held the needle between his fingers and tested it against the wall.
A faint hiss.
A hole the size of a chopstick appeared silently, the stone around it disintegrating into dustless nothingness.
His eyebrows rose.
Even the walls here can't resist it.
These were prison-grade walls, built to contain cultivators — and yet his needle pierced them like paper.
He turned to test the metal door frame of his cell.
"Chi—"
A sharp sound, then resistance. A small dent appeared in the metal — and immediately, light flared across the bars.
Startled, Liang Xiao pulled back.
There's a formation here… makes sense. A prison for cultivators wouldn't be so simple.
As soon as he stopped, the glow dimmed and vanished. No alarm sounded. The guards remained unaware.
He smiled faintly.
If the needle is this destructive when idle… its full force, when launched, might be terrifying.
After all, when fired, the Golden Core itself provided the kinetic thrust — and now that it had reached the second layer, both its range and power should have increased.
Increased range means increased kinetic energy.
Judging by this… my Destruction Needle might be able to kill a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator outright.
A thrill of awe ran through him.
Based on his last battle experience, the needle's effects weren't limited to annihilation — it also carried a hidden, explosive force when detonated under pressure.
— — —
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
A harsh gong echoed through the prison halls, followed by a guard's shout:
"It's meal time! Half an hour — move!"
One by one, the arrays across the cells lit up, doors sliding open automatically.
The prisoners shuffled out toward the cafeteria.
Even though he no longer needed food, Liang Xiao decided to join them — better to blend in than draw suspicion.
On the way, he glanced around discreetly, half-expecting to see Tan Weifeng.
But the man was nowhere to be found.
Then, the same sinister gaze returned — heavier, more deliberate this time.
That guy again… either he's got a problem, or… he's planning something.
Liang Xiao's eyes flickered coldly. He pretended not to notice.
Soon, they arrived at the massive canteen.
He received his portion from a guard — a steamed bun the size of a basketball.
The smell hit him immediately — rancid, sour, unpleasant.
He stared blankly for a moment.
This thing's a weapon of mass destruction, not food…
Suddenly—
"Bang!"
A dull impact echoed.
An old man went flying, his enormous steamed bun snatched away by the towering brute — Zhang Jiadong.
Liang Xiao frowned and glanced toward the guards. None moved.
They were clearly used to this. As long as no one died, they didn't care.
"Damn that bastard Zhang Jiadong, stealing again!"
"Move! Just stay out of his way…"
The nearby prisoners scrambled aside, unwilling to provoke the brute.
The old man walked away silently, face dark. He knew he'd get no replacement bun.
Then Zhang Jiadong turned his cold gaze toward Liang Xiao.
"What are you staring at, brat? Hand over your bun, or I'll mess you up!"
Liang Xiao ignored him and casually lifted the bun to his mouth.
Zhang Jiadong's face darkened.
"Didn't you hear me?"
He threw a punch straight at Liang Xiao's face.
Liang Xiao's lips curved slightly.
I've been waiting for you.
He snorted coldly, fingers tightening around the Destruction Needle — and launched his own punch to meet the attack head-on.