Rain began falling again by evening.
Soft at first.
Then steady enough to blur the distant mountains surrounding the academy valley.
Lights glowed across the unfinished campus while workers continued moving through the rain carrying steel beams, formation cores, and construction materials beneath temporary spiritual barriers. The academy had expanded too quickly during the past month, leaving several sectors incomplete, but nobody complained anymore.
Too many things were changing across the world.
And this valley had become one of the few places where people still felt direction existed.
Inside the central strategy hall, the earlier meeting had finally ended.
Most of the government representatives left with complicated expressions after hearing Krishak's proposal. Some remained skeptical. Others clearly feared what an independent cultivation academy might eventually become.
A few, however
Had quietly agreed.
Because deep down, they understood the same truth.
Modern humanity was unprepared.
Rudra stood near the large balcony overlooking the rain-covered valley below.
"You made several powerful people nervous today."
Krishak stood beside him calmly.
"That was unavoidable."
Rudra gave a tired laugh.
"You said the academy should become humanity's foundation for the coming era.
His gaze shifted sideways slightly.
"Do you realize how dangerous those words sound politically?"
Krishak remained silent for a moment.
Rain struck the stone railings softly around them while distant training lights flickered through the valley below.
Then he answered simply.
"It doesn't change whether they're true."
Far below the tower, students continued training despite the weather.
Some practiced weapon forms beneath covered structures.
Others meditated under spiritual gathering arrays recently installed around the campus.
The atmosphere had changed significantly since the prison incident.
Training no longer felt like competition alone.
Now it felt necessary.
Dev entered the balcony area carrying several food containers stacked dangerously in his arms.
"I bring peace offerings.
"
Ananya glanced at him suspiciously.
"Why are you acting helpful?"
"Because I stole half of this from the instructor kitchen."
"
That explains everything."
66
Even Raghav smirked slightly as Dev dropped the containers onto the nearby table dramatically.
"Anyway," Dev continued while sitting down, "the entire lower campus is talking about today's meeting."
"That was fast," Ishita muttered.
"Of course it was fast. This academy leaks information faster than broken formations leak spiritual energy.
Ananya opened one of the containers before pausing slightly.
"They're nervous.
Her voice grew quieter.
" "Not just students. Everyone."
Nobody disagreed.
Since the underground prison incident,
the atmosphere around the world had become increasingly unstable. Reports of awakened beasts, ancient ruins, and unexplained spiritual disturbances continued spreading daily through hidden networks.
The public still knew only fragments of the truth.
But fear traveled quickly.
Raghav leaned against the wall with his arms folded.
"So what exactly are we building here?"
His question wasn't casual.
Everyone understood that now.
The academy had already grown beyond an ordinary awakened institution.
Researchers.
Formation specialists.
Combat instructors.
Government observers.
Even independent cultivators had started arriving quietly during recent weeks.
The valley was changing into something much larger.
Krishak looked toward the rain-covered campus silently before answering.
"A place where humanity learns to survive the next era."
The words settled heavily across the balcony.
Dev broke the silence first.
"You know, most academy founders usually talk about prestige and rankings."
He pointed at Krishak with chopsticks.
"You skipped directly to preparing civilization for cosmic disaster."
"Very ambitious branding."
Ananya sighed.
"
"You joke too much.
"I cope too much," Dev corrected immediately.
Despite the conversation, Krishak's thoughts remained elsewhere.
On the coordinates inside the underground prison.
On the weakening planetary seals.
On the projection's warning.
Prepare Earth.
The problem was
Humanity still lacked even the most basic cultivation foundation compared to ancient civilizations.
Most awakened individuals relied purely on instinct or natural talent.
Techniques were fragmented.
Training systems incomplete.
Even spiritual energy circulation remained primitive by ancient standards.
If Earth truly reconnected with the greater cosmos someday.
The current awakened world would collapse instantly.
Rudra seemed to sense where Krishak's thoughts were drifting.
"You're planning something beyond normal academy education."
It wasn't a question.
Krishak nodded once.
"The current cultivation system creates too much division."
Several people looked toward him now.
He continued calmly.
"Awakened elites monopolize techniques and resources."
"Most ordinary humans never receive proper training opportunities."
"Even talented individuals are ignored if they lack status or wealth."
Rain continued falling quietly around the balcony.
"And that weakness affects humanity as a whole."
Ishita's expression sharpened slightly.
"You want to change the structure itself."
Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
For thousands of years, Earth's cultivation development had become fragmented after the ancient collapse.Small awakened factions guarded knowledge selfishly while governments prioritized military applications over long-term growth.
No true foundation existed anymore.
Only isolated power structures.
Ananya looked toward the valley below thoughtfully.
"So what kind of academy are we actually creating?"
For the first time that evening, Krishak's gaze softened slightly.
"A place where cultivation belongs to humanity."
The balcony became silent again.
Because the meaning behind those words felt enormous.
Not an academy for elites.
Not a training ground controlled by wealthy awakened clans.
Not a military project.
Something else.
Something larger.
Far below, thunder rolled across the mountains again while students continued training beneath the rain.
Some were powerful awakened talents.
Others barely understood spiritual energy yet.
But all of them stood beneath the same storm now.
Dev slowly leaned back in his chair.
"..You realize powerful organizations are going to hate this idea, right?"
Krishak answered calmly.
"They already do."
That earned quiet laughter from everyone nearby.
Even Rudra smiled faintly this time.
Suddenly, one of the communication devices inside the hall activated.
A Bureau operator's voice echoed urgently through the speaker.
"Director Rao is requesting immediate contact."
The relaxed atmosphere disappeared instantly.
Raghav straightened away from the wall.
"What happened?"
Static crackled briefly before the operator answered.
"We've confirmed activity at one of the coordinates from the underground records."
Silence.
Rain continued falling outside.
Then the operator spoke again.
"An ancient ruin has awakened in northern Tibet."