High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 373: Chapter 213: Changning King—Li Wen

With a mere thought, energy could be gathered to a single point in an instant, unleashing power far beyond what was previously possible.

He could also instantly form a solid energy shield, his Defense Power multiplied.

The efficiency of energy circulation and the speed of its condensation both reached a level unattainable for the Star Dome Domain.

The suppressive force increased exponentially. This was the most direct and terrifying change.

If the Star Dome Domain made an enemy feel like they were carrying a heavy load, then the Cosmic Domain was like placing them at the bottom of a ten-thousand-fathom sea.

The immense spatial pressure affected the physical body, energy, and even the spirit of every living being within the domain.

An ordinary Marquis Level expert within it would have their strength suppressed by at least fifty percent, finding it difficult to move and their True Essence circulation sluggish.

Even a King-level expert of the same rank would feel a noticeable restriction, their strength weakened to a considerable degree. The extent of this weakening depended on the opponent’s comprehension of the Cosmic Domain.

Against a King-level expert as strong as the Celestial Martial King, Li Wen estimated he would struggle to use even half his strength within their domain.

Energy absorption was like a whale swallowing the sea.

The domain itself was like a massive, highly efficient filter.

When Li Wen activated the Cosmic Domain, his speed of absorbing external energy was more than ten times that of the Star Dome Domain!

Boundless energy surged into the domain like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, then was optimally channeled through the domain’s structure.

It continuously replenished Li Wen, greatly enhancing his sustained combat ability and his recovery speed after unleashing bursts of power.

An unprecedented sense of power and control welled up within him.

This was no longer the ”borrowing” of space like with the Star Dome Domain, but true, initial control over space!

The moment the Cosmic Domain completely stabilized, Li Wen clearly felt that all the conditions within his body had been met.

The King-level realm was a natural next step!

”It’s time!”

He focused his mind. The stable Cosmic Domain suddenly expanded outward while simultaneously contracting inward, completely merging with his body.

RUMBLE—!!!

Inside the Cosmic Grotto, the vast spatial energy, like a Star Sea accumulated over millions of years, was instantly stirred.

It was no longer a gentle envelopment but a monstrous tidal wave that had found a floodgate, surging madly toward Li Wen at the core of the domain.

A storm of energy howled and spiraled within the grotto, letting out a thunderous roar.

The breakthrough began!

Every cell in Li Wen’s body seemed to sing with joy in the face of this unstoppable torrent of energy.

Within his Dantian, the True Essence that was once as vast as an ocean began its most crucial qualitative transformation under the tempering of the Cosmic Domain’s powerful gravity and the Space Law—condensing into Adamant Essence!

A massive amount of True Essence was compressed to its absolute limit by the special force field created by the Cosmic Domain. Its density increased a thousandfold as it transformed from a gaseous and liquid state toward a solid, crystalline form.

Fragments of pure Space Law within the grotto were carried by the energy torrent and forcibly branded into every wisp of compressed True Essence.

His True Essence was no longer just simple energy; it began to contain a trace of the might of the Space Law.

When the compression and branding reached their peak, wisps of ”Adamant Essence” were born—condensed as if tangible, shimmering with a faint light, and possessing the dual properties of spatial sharpness and stability.

It flowed through his meridians like liquid metal, heavy and filled with explosive power.

Wherever the Adamant Essence passed, his meridians were widened and strengthened, his bones became like jade, his blood like mercury, and his internal organs resonated faintly.

His entire physical body was undergoing a complete sublimation, evolving toward the body of a King-level Godfiend.

The Cosmic Domain was no longer an external aid but a natal domain, intrinsically linked to his physical body and soul.

During the breakthrough, it proactively adjusted its internal spatial structure, forming an optimal ”energy furnace.”

It accelerated the conversion of True Essence into Adamant Essence while more efficiently guiding the scattered Space Law for Li Wen to absorb.

...

「Outside. Torchlight University, Cosmic Peak.」

It was the middle of the afternoon, and a calm silence hung between heaven and earth.

Suddenly—

An indescribable, incredibly thick, seven-colored pillar of light suddenly shot up from the entrance of the Cosmic Grotto!

The pillar of light ignored all obstacles and pierced the heavens, instantly churning the clouds for ten thousand miles and forming a massive energy vortex.

At the center of the vortex, countless rays of rosy light and thousands of auspicious streamers painted the sky above Torchlight University in magnificent colors.

Along with the pillar of light, an invisible, vast, and majestic spatial fluctuation spread out from the Cosmic Grotto like a giant stone dropped into a calm lake!

The air rippled violently like water, emitting a low hum.

The sense of majesty and power contained within the fluctuation made the hearts of all who felt it palpitate, and they couldn’t help but look toward the source of the light pillar.

Immediately after, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within the entire grounds of Torchlight University seemed to have been summoned by the highest order.

It converged madly toward the Cosmic Grotto, forming a tide of Spiritual Qi visible to the naked eye that let out a tsunami-like roar.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi peaked in a short time, and many students who were stuck at bottlenecks even felt their cultivation barriers begin to loosen.

”Is... is that... the Cosmic Grotto?!”

”It’s Marquis Changning!”

”A seven-colored pillar of light! Spatial tremors! An energy tide! This... These are the signs of successfully condensing a Cosmic Domain and triggering the phenomenon of ascending to King-level!”

”Heavens! It’s only been a month! The Cosmic Domain is incredibly difficult to comprehend. The fastest record in history was over half a year!”

”Marquis Changning! It must be Marquis Changning, Li Wen! He’s the only one in there attempting to reach King-level!”

”A month... He completely mastered the Cosmic Domain in just one month?! Is... is he even human?!”

Cries of alarm and disbelieving discussions erupted all across Torchlight University.

Whether they were newcomers who had yet to enter the Flying Star Realm, old-timers who had been cultivating painstakingly for years, or the Marquis Level experts who had temporarily returned, everyone was stunned by the earth-shattering phenomenon.

Condensing the Cosmic Domain in one month—this speed shattered the limits of everyone’s understanding.

It brought nothing but profound shock and endless reverence for the figure inside the grotto.

Inside the grotto, the energy storm gradually subsided.

Li Wen slowly opened his eyes.

As his eyes opened, illusory images of a Star River being born and destroyed, of space being created and annihilated, flashed past.

An indescribably powerful aura naturally spread out from him.

It wasn’t a deliberately released pressure, but a natural fluctuation resulting from the sublimation of his power’s essence after a leap in his life’s hierarchy.

It was as if his every move could command a response from the space around him.

He gently clenched his fist.

Inside his body, what surged and flowed was no longer True Essence, but the condensed, heavy Adamant Essence that contained the terrifying power of spatial cutting and stabilization.

Every wisp of Adamant Essence was like a living thing, containing explosive power and a natural affinity for space.

He could clearly feel that his physical strength, explosive power, and endurance had all undergone a qualitative leap. He felt like a single punch could collapse a mountain.

His speed had also increased dramatically.

He estimated that with the enhancement from his King-level Adamant Essence, his Body Technique’s speed would rise to another level. His normal flight speed would probably far exceed that of an ordinary Venerable.

His perception had also transformed.

His Spiritual Power had also been baptized and sublimated during the breakthrough, becoming sharper and more condensed.

His perception of space was particularly clear; he could even ”see” the subtle flow of energy and the veins of the Law in space.

Of course, the biggest change was to the domain itself.

The Cosmic Domain was now like an extension of his body.

With a mere thought, he could cover a vast area, have complete knowledge of everything within it, and exert absolute spatial control and suppression.

The Adamant Essence and the domain were one. As long as the domain was not broken, the Adamant Essence would be inexhaustible; as long as the Adamant Essence was strong, the domain would be impregnable.

He, Li Wen, had officially become a King-level expert as of this day!

Li Wen rose to his full height and straightened his robes, which were still intact despite the energy storm.

The divine light in his eyes receded, returning to a state of calm, yet they now held a much deeper sense of power.

He walked toward the grotto’s exit.

「Outside the Cosmic Grotto.」

A sea of people had already gathered.

Alerted by the phenomenon, almost all the upper echelons and experts of Torchlight University, as well as the many teachers and students who had rushed over after hearing the news, had surrounded the grotto entrance, blocking it completely.

The three Venerables—Principal Ye Qin, Venerable Xingxuan, and Venerable Gu He—were also present, hidden above the crowd within their own Venerable domains.

The crowd was unusually quiet, with only the sound of heavy breathing rising and falling.

Everyone’s eyes held an incredibly complex mix of emotions: ineffable excitement, anticipation, and joy, but also a hidden thread of anxiety and worry.

After all, one month was an incredibly short time, and the risk of failing to condense the Cosmic Domain had never disappeared.

When the heavy stone gate of the grotto slowly rumbled open, everyone’s hearts leaped into their throats.

A tall, straight figure emerged calmly, bathed in the specks of starlight that had not yet dissipated within the grotto.

There was no earth-shattering burst of aura, but the powerful presence that flowed from him naturally—as vast as the deep sea and belonging to a King-level Godfiend—was like the most powerful declaration, instantly sweeping away all doubt and worry from everyone’s eyes!

That was the genuine aura of a King-level expert!

After a brief, suffocating silence.

ROAR—!!!

A tsunami of cheers erupted, like a volcano that had been accumulating pressure for a hundred million years suddenly erupting.

”He succeeded! Senior Brother Li Wen succeeded!”

”King-level! It’s really a King-level aura!”

”Changning King! Changning King! Changning King!”

It’s unknown who was the first to shout this title, a name filled with deep regional pride and infinite respect.

It instantly ignited everyone’s emotions, turning into a deafening wave of sound that grew louder and louder, echoing throughout Torchlight University as if it would shatter the heavens!

”Changning King!”

”Changning King!!”

”Changning King!!!”

Ye Qin, Xingxuan, and Gu He, the three Venerables, exchanged a look. Deep in their eyes was joy and boundless hope for the future of the Human Race.

With the threat of the Demon Race’s annihilation hanging over their heads, the Human Race had long ago abandoned internal strife and become unprecedentedly united.

At this moment, witnessing the birth of such a stunningly talented and limitlessly potential new King-level expert in their own camp, their joy and excitement were pure and fervent.

Every breakthrough Li Wen made, every time he surpassed his limits, was like lighting a brighter lamp in the darkness.

It illuminated the difficult path forward for the Human Race amidst the crisis and ignited the unyielding flame of hope in everyone’s heart.

Li Wen stood at the center of the roaring ocean of cheers, feeling the sincere and fervent gazes and hearing the title they called him by.

His expression was calm as his gaze swept over the excited, joyful faces, finally settling on the distant sky shrouded by the phantom of the Demon Realm.

Deep within his eyes, battle intent and determination quietly lit up like stars.

Changning King was not just a title, but also a heavy responsibility.

His path of guardianship had now entered a new Chapter.