As the final shadows of their peak forms dissolved and merged back into their bodies, a profound change began to ripple through the students. The battle they had fought against themselves was not just physical or mental—it was transformative on a deeper, cosmic level. Their inner worlds, once fragmented and flawed, now began to expand violently, filling with chaotic energy and then settling into a state of balance. The students had ascended beyond mere immortality. They were now entering the realm of the World Gods.
The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly as their inner worlds, once dormant, exploded into life. A massive shift in energy surged through each of them as their foundations, now perfect and healed, ensured their rise to World God status.
Kai Ren was the first to feel the change. His inner world, submerged in a dark void, suddenly stirred. At the core of his being, where once only shadows and emptiness existed, a dim radiance began to flicker. It was not light in the traditional sense—it was darkness, but a radiant, controlled darkness that spread slowly through his vast inner universe.
“Step back,” Zui Tian called out, his voice carrying an unusual seriousness. “Kai Ren is about to ascend to Godhood. The energy he’s emitting is unlike anything you’ve experienced before.”
The other students, still grappling with their own changes, quickly retreated, giving Kai Ren the space he needed. His body trembled as his inner world expanded even further, revealing the true scale of the cosmos inside him. Stars that had long been dormant now appeared, scattered like grains of sand across the vastness of his inner universe, though they had yet to ignite. And still, there was no traditional light—only the dim radiant darkness that Kai Ren could now command.
Zui watched with an approving nod as Kai Ren’s World Godhood took shape.
“Welcome to the World God level,” Zui said quietly, mostly to himself but loud enough for the students to hear. “Where your inner world is no longer just a place—it’s a living, breathing cosmos. And you are its God.”
He stepped forward, his usual carefree attitude returning as the weight of the moment began to settle.
“Now that you’ve reached this stage, it’s time to understand what comes next,” Zui continued, turning to address the rest of the students, who were still processing their own ascensions. “This is just the beginning. Let me explain the Heavenly Coil and the Godly Coil—the paths you’ll take to true power.”
Heavenly Coil
Immortal: “The first step, as you all know, is reaching immortality. This is the stage where you transcend the mortal realm and begin to cultivate your inner world. You’ve all passed this already.”
World God: Zui pointed to Kai Ren, who was now deep in the process of refining his world. “This is where you are now. As a World God, you gain dominion over your inner world. You control its laws, its creation, and its destruction. For Kai, the seed of darkness has taken root, allowing him to command the celestial laws of darkness.”
The other students looked at each other, their inner worlds also stirring as they felt the seeds of power begin to bloom within them, each connected to their own unique laws.
Way Lord: Zui’s eyes sparkled with knowledge. “The next step is becoming a Way Lord. At this level, you will gain mastery over the Way itself. It’s no longer about controlling your inner world—it’s about becoming a lord of the Dao, bending the very fabric of reality to your will. This is where you truly begin to transcend.”
Godly Coil
Zui then moved on, his tone shifting as he spoke of the Godly Coil, the path beyond the Heavenly Coil—a level so far beyond what most immortals could comprehend that it bordered on myth.
Eternal Fruit: “After you master the Way, you’ll seek the Eternal Fruit. This isn’t a literal fruit, but a metaphor for attaining eternal essence. Once you’ve grasped this, you’ll no longer fear death or the limitations of time. You will be an eternal being, and your power will be limitless.”
The students listened intently, their minds racing with the possibilities that lay ahead.
Boundless Space: Zui continued, his hands moving through the air as if illustrating the vastness of space itself. “Next, you’ll command Boundless Space. At this stage, you transcend physical limitations entirely. Space, time, dimensions—all of these will become tools at your disposal. You’ll be able to travel anywhere in the infinite cosmos with just a thought.”
The students’ eyes widened as they imagined the scale of such power. To transcend even space itself was a concept beyond their wildest dreams.
Infinite Law: “Beyond space, you will seek to understand and master the Infinite Laws of the universe. These are the fundamental principles that govern everything—light, darkness, time, creation, destruction. Only those who understand all the laws can truly be called Gods.”
Tree of Way: Finally, Zui’s expression softened, his tone filled with a strange reverence. “At the peak of your journey, you will merge with the Tree of Way. This tree represents the ultimate growth and connection with the Dao. It is where everything comes together—life, death, creation, destruction—and you will be one with the universe itself.”
The room was silent as Zui finished explaining. The enormity of the path ahead weighed heavily on the students, but there was also excitement. They had ascended to World Gods, and now they could see the path forward, the journey that would take them to unimaginable heights.
Kai Ren, still standing in the center of the room, felt his inner world finally settle. The dim radiance that had spread across his universe now pulsed with a steady rhythm. He could feel the stars waiting to ignite, the darkness waiting to bend to his will.
He opened his eyes, and for the first time since his ascent began, he felt truly in control.
“I can feel it,” he whispered. “The darkness… it’s mine to command.”
Zui nodded approvingly. “Good. You’ve passed the first step. You’ve become a World God. But remember, this is only the beginning. The Heavenly Coil will take you further, and eventually, you’ll step onto the Godly Coil, where your true power lies.”
The other students looked at Kai, then at Zui. They could feel their own inner worlds stirring, eager to follow in Kai’s footsteps. The ascent to World God was theirs to claim, but the path forward was long and filled with challenges.
But for now, they were ready.
Zui, sensing the anticipation in the air, grinned. “Well, that’s enough philosophy for today. You’ve all got some serious work ahead of you. But don’t worry—Godhood is just around the corner.”