Chapter 628 - 2: Multi-stage Transformation

It was almost the end of the year. Noting the date, Su Zhou couldn’t help but nod. "Before I go to the Moon, it’s about time I made a trip back to the Divine Wood World."

"I wonder how Qiming is preparing. This is a good chance to head back to Hongcheng and ask."

Just then, the speeding car left the no-fly zone next to the military base.

Noticing this, Su Zhou immediately had the AI stop the car. He got out, ready to fly back to Hongcheng himself. He instructed the AI, "I’m going back to Hongcheng. You drive yourself back to the Western Capital. You should have my account details, right? If you’re low on gas, just pay for it and fill up yourself."

"Of course, sir," the car’s AI replied in its consistently gentle tone. Then, it started up on its own and headed for the Great Dao.

Meanwhile, Su Zhou flew high into the sky, activated his Gale Armor, and prepared to enter supersonic flight mode.

He did have permission to fly within the military zone, but sometimes, you didn’t have to use a privilege just because you had it. ’Why put the military base on alert for no reason? It would just lead to all sorts of special declarations and post-incident reports.’

Su Zhou had always been mild-tempered and amicable, preferring to avoid trouble.

The flight itself was uneventful. It didn’t take long for the human rocket, Su Zhou, to arrive in his hometown of Hongcheng, all while cultivating as he flew.

As he descended, Su Zhou passed through layers of rain clouds. He could see the city below, glittering in the intermittent winter rain.

A massive 3D projected advertisement flickered and floated in the city’s central plaza, adorned by the brilliant neon lights surrounding it. Skyscrapers stood in the rain, their dim silhouettes accentuating the light spilling from within. A fleet of new, self-driving cars shuttled back and forth along the wide Great Dao and the recently constructed Celestial Bridges.

It sounded very cyberpunk—

But in reality, looking at the content of the ads, it wasn’t very cyberpunk at all.

"Fulu City’s new clay pot soup! New cooking techniques, a broth full of Spiritual Energy—the best choice for the New Era!"

"Sanhao Family’s all-new automated barbecue! A different process, absolutely attentive service, and beef and mutton raised with the latest technology from the Beast God Realm! The taste of an Otherworld—what are you waiting for? Come try it!"

"Authentic Hongcheng-style hot pot! I can already feel your desire! Spicy! Extra Spicy! Insanely Spicy! Fifty times the spice level! A hot pot this wicked—who in this world could possibly resist?!"

The bright red advertisement flashed in the very center of the city.

If this counted as cyberpunk, then at most, it was cyber-foodie-punk.

"What?!"

The food ad, showcased with brand-new technology, instantly made Su Zhou’s heart race. "Fifty times the spice level? What would that even taste like... A hot pot that wicked... I have to try it!"

Just as Su Zhou was wondering when he could find the time to try this hot pot, Yara, disguised as his watch, spoke up. "By the way, Su Zhou, you’ve completely mastered your Divine Techniques and other powers recently, haven’t you?"

"Huh?"

Su Zhou blinked at the Snake Spirit’s words, not quite understanding what it was getting at. He continued to descend as he replied, a little confused, "Yeah, I’ve mastered them completely—Evil-Devouring Demon Lord, Fire of Sin, Thunder Technique, Wind Technique, Water Control Power, and Sacred Geometry, I’ve mastered them all. Even the Thoughtless Mind I gained a while back. I just need to accumulate a bit more Spiritual Power and I can advance to the Commander Middle Stage."

The dividing line between the Commander Middle Stage and the Initial Stage Commander was the complete mastery of one’s Divine Techniques. If Su Zhou hadn’t recently acquired the new Divine Technique, Fire of Sin, through his True Soul, and if his Evil-Devouring Demon Lord Divine Technique hadn’t also been enhanced—both requiring time to master—he would have likely advanced in early October.

"Mm, your progress is indeed excellent. As expected of the one I chose."

Yara had always been satisfied with Su Zhou’s Cultivation speed, but it quickly changed the subject. "Since you’ve already reached this point, you should have a multi-stage transformation by now."