At this moment, as the True Dragon Qi was infused into the Yin-Yang Eyes, and with the Innate Yin-Yang Diagram activated by true qi, the diagram's rotation accelerated dramatically—hundreds of times faster than before. Streams of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy surged into the Yin-Yang Eyes like a tidal wave, being refined into Innate Yin-Yang Qi, which filled the Yin-Yang space, giving it an extraordinarily mystical quality.
This Yin-Yang space within the Innate Yin-Yang Eyes was akin to a new divine sea. Of course, it wasn't actually a divine sea, but it possessed similar power. The Innate Yin-Yang Qi within this space was the energy source that fueled the Yin-Yang Eyes. Once this energy was exhausted, the eyes could no longer function. However, the true qi within the divine sea could be converted—via the Innate Yin-Yang Diagram—into Innate Yin-Yang Qi, which in turn powered the Yin-Yang Eyes.
This meant that every Life Aperture (命窍) had two sources of power: one from the aperture itself and one from the divine sea. The divine sea was a universal energy reservoir capable of supporting any Life Aperture. In contrast, the power within each aperture could only support its own specific ability.
That's why awakening a Life Aperture could unleash divine abilities—but only for a limited time. Only by opening the divine sea could one sustain Life Aperture abilities for extended durations. These two power sources made the divine sea the foundation of one's strength.
Moreover, true qi from the divine sea could accelerate the absorption of Heaven and Earth energy by several to even dozens of times. Only true qi could provide such an astounding boost.
Feeling the slow yet steady increase in the Yin-Yang Eyes' foundation, Yi Tianxing couldn't help but feel a growing sense of confidence. In this chaotic world, the Innate Yin-Yang Eyes were his ultimate trump card—his greatest means of survival. Without them, his strength would be severely diminished.
On the Yin-Yang Divine Diagram, the sixth Yin-Yang Lock had already begun to condense, though it remained in a phantom state. Only the first Yin-Yang Ring had materialized fully; the others were still illusory. A vast number of souls would be required to forge the rest.
Time always flew by during cultivation.
He occasionally awoke to eat and check on the outside. The stars were still shining as brightly as before, illuminating the land like daytime. Yet the eerie atmosphere kept most survivors hidden, even under such brightness. The endless string of catastrophes had left people too terrified to venture out.
This world had become far too terrifying.
Disaster after disaster... who knew what would come next?
Hiding had become humanity's most primal instinct.
Only extreme hunger drove people to venture out in search of food—but with buildings collapsed and supermarkets destroyed, finding anything edible was no easy task.
"Brother, I awakened my Life Aperture!"
Midway through, Zhao Ziyan awoke and exclaimed with joy. Her eyes shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance—colorful and dazzling. A single glance could make one's mind falter.
"What a powerful charm! You've awakened an eye-based Life Aperture—a pupil technique." Yi Tianxing's eyes lit up in surprise. A Life Aperture awakening in the eyes was undoubtedly top-tier—known in the outside world as Pupil Arts. Among equal ranks, pupil arts were some of the most formidable, known for their mystery and lethality.
And the potential was massive—silent yet destructive, often delivering terrifying force with a mere glance. His own Innate Yin-Yang Eyes were among the strongest of such arts, with untold potential and power even he couldn't yet fully comprehend.
"It's called the Illusory God Eyes (幻神瞳). The Life Aperture is named Illusory God! Right now, I can only use it to create simple illusions. As for what heavenly materials are needed to develop the aperture, I don't know. I only know how to cultivate it—ideally by absorbing cloud aura and mirage essence to temper the Life Aperture," Zhao Ziyan whispered beside Yi Tianxing.
Such spontaneously awakened Life Apertures could only be fully understood once cultivation had reached a profound level—only then could one determine what rare treasures were required for development. For now, it was all guesswork.
Yi Tianxing was in the same boat.
He had the Innate Yin-Yang Eyes, but no clue how to expand or evolve them—or what rare items might be needed.
"Good. With your Illusory God Eyes, if you focus on cultivation and refining your aperture, it'll become an extraordinary life-saving technique. According to legends, when developed to the extreme, Life Apertures could shake even gods and immortals. Any Life Aperture, when taken to the limit, possesses unimaginable power." Yi Tianxing nodded with a smile.
"Brother Yi, I awakened one too. It's also in my eyes—but mine turns people to stone. It's called the Stone Eyes (石瞳)," said Tang Zitong. "It only works on those weaker than me, and the effect isn't permanent yet. I doubt it'd even affect you."
She too had awakened a pupil technique. The Stone Eyes, integrated into her gaze, allowed her to petrify others. Though temporary for now, it was undeniably potent. Legends spoke of Medusa, whose eyes could permanently petrify anyone. If her Stone Eyes reached such heights, the results would be terrifying.
"I've awakened as well," said Chen Xuerou gently. "Mine's called Immortal Dew (仙露). It turns into healing rain that restores wounds. I'm not sure how effective it is yet—I haven't tested it."
"It can heal wounds?" Yi Tianxing immediately drew a military knife and cut his arm open.
"Brother, what are you doing?!" Zhao Ziyan cried out in alarm.
"It's just a test. Xuerou, try healing my wound with your Dew Technique," Yi Tianxing said calmly.
"Alright!"
Chen Xuerou focused and activated her Life Aperture. A drop of crystal-clear dew materialized, indistinguishable from ordinary rainwater. As it fell onto his wound, a refreshing sensation spread through the area. A gentle white light followed, and the wound began to heal rapidly before their eyes. Within moments, it was as if it had never existed—only the bloodstains remained as proof.
"This is amazing! The Immortal Dew has tremendous healing properties—far better than any surgical method. Simple, direct, and miraculous. Xuerou, your Life Aperture is truly remarkable," Yi Tianxing praised.
Such an ability was invaluable—especially now, when medicine and hospitals were no longer viable. Even the best doctors couldn't help without equipment or supplies. But Chen Xuerou didn't need any of that—her divine technique alone could save lives.
"Yes, Miss Chen's ability is critical," added Li Zhilin. "She can ensure our safety and treat injuries. In these chaotic times, that's a rare and precious power."
As the group chatted, time passed quickly—and the sixth day arrived.
"What's going on?! Why am I in the air?!"
"I was sleeping! How am I suddenly floating in the sky?! This makes no sense!"
"This is impossible! It defies gravity! I was in a bomb shelter—how am I up here now?! Is this the work of gods?!"
Cries of shock and fear erupted.
Yi Tianxing awoke instantly, his heart equally shaken.
With his abilities, he hadn't sensed anything out of the ordinary—yet he'd been lifted from an underground parking lot and brought to mid-air. If this power wanted to kill him, it could have done so effortlessly.
Looking around, the scene was surreal.
The sky remained filled with brilliant stars, each radiating powerful starlight, illuminating the world like daytime. On many stars, strange, flickering images appeared—familiar yet foreign.
All around, people floated mid-air, as if gravity had been turned off. Not just Yi Tianxing—Zhao Ziyan, Tang Zitong, Chen Xuerou, even the other residents and students from the underground garage. Survivors from Shanghai, from other cities, and from all over the world were suspended in the sky.
Screams of fear and agony echoed through the air.
Just in Shanghai's skies alone, there were likely hundreds of thousands of people floating—perhaps more in other regions. But even at maximum, they were unlikely to exceed a million.
It looked like a lot—but compared to the billions who once lived on Earth, it was barely a fraction.
The devastation had been unimaginable.
In just five days, over ten billion people had perished, leaving only this scattered remnant. The sheer destruction wrought by the catastrophes was inconceivable. Every family had known death; everyone wore mourning. CEOs, billionaires, celebrities—none were spared. In the face of calamity, all fell equally.
"Brother… what's happening? Why are we in the sky all of a sudden?" Zhao Ziyan looked toward Yi Tianxing and quickly asked.