The arrival of the National Spiritual Research Bureau caused immediate tension across the academy.
Students gathered along pathways and balconies, whispering among themselves as the black convoy entered the central grounds. The armed awakened guards moved with disciplined precision, their sharp gazes scanning the surroundings constantly.
This was unlike an ordinary official visit.
Even the instructors seemed unusually alert.
From the rooftop of the Special Student Pavilion, Krishak watched silently while Lunafang stood beside him.
The silver wolf let out a low growl.
"You sense it too,"
Krishak murmured.
The visitors were strong.
Not overwhelmingly powerful by true cultivation standards, but far beyond ordinary awakened humans.
Most importantly, they carried the aura of people accustomed to dealing with dangerous situations.
Below, Headmaster Rudra welcomed the group personally before escorting them toward the council building.
Krishak's eyes narrowed slightly.
If the government had sent the Bureau directly, then the recent spiritual incidents were likely more serious than public reports suggested.
An hour later, a message arrived for Krishak.
Headmaster Rudra requested his presence immediately.
Inside the council chamber, the atmosphere was solemn.
Several academy elders sat around the long table, while the government representatives occupied the opposite side.
The leader of the delegation stood as Krishak entered.
He appeared to be in his mid-forties, with sharp eyes and streaks of gray at his temples. A silver insignia shaped like a seven-pointed star rested on his coat.
"This is Director Arvind Rao,"
Headmaster Rudra said. "Head of the Bureau's Northern Operations Division."
The man studied Krishak carefully.
"So this is the young genius I've heard so much about."
Krishak inclined his head politely but said nothing.
Director Rao smiled faintly.
"You're calmer than most adults."
Krishak took a seat beside Rudra.
"I assume this meeting concerns recent spiritual activity."
Several elders exchanged surprised glances.
Director Rao nodded slowly.
"It does."
He activated a holographic projection above the table.
A map of Earth appeared.
Across multiple continents, red markers pulsed ominously.
"Over the past two months," Rao began, "spiritual incidents have increased by nearly three hundred percent worldwide."
The room grew quieter.
"Ancient ruins are emerging. Spirit beasts are becoming more aggressive. Previously dormant individuals are awakening abilities at unprecedented rates."
The projection shifted.
Images appeared one after another.
Collapsed mining tunnels filled with glowing crystals.
Military forces battling oversized mutated creatures.
Storms infused with unstable spiritual energy.
Entire villages evacuated after beast outbreaks.
Even Devika's expression darkened.
Rao continued.
"Governments around the world initially attempted to suppress this information."
He paused.
"That is no longer possible."
Krishak remained expressionless, though internally he was unsurprised.
Once planetary spiritual energy began rising, such changes were inevitable.
The Great Awakening had already started.
The projection changed again.
This time, it displayed a blurred image of ancient ruins deep beneath a desert.
Krishak immediately recognized the location.
One of the bright points from the Stellar Compass.
"We recently lost an elite exploration team here," Rao said quietly.
The atmosphere became heavy.
" Surveillance recorded coordinated attacks from intelligent spirit beasts and active defensive formations."
He looked directly at Krishak.
"The Bureau believes modern humanity lacks the knowledge necessary to handle these ancient sites safely."
The implication was obvious.
They wanted help.
More specifically.
They wanted Krishak.
Director Rao folded his hands.
"Headmaster Rudra informed us that your expedition achieved remarkable success within the Starlit Ruins."
The elders remained silent.
Rao continued carefully.
"We are not here to confiscate your discoveries."
That statement eased some tension in the room.
"Instead, we wish to cooperate.
He gestured toward the map.
"The world is changing faster than expected. Humanity needs individuals capable of understanding these ancient systems."
Krishak finally spoke.
"And what exactly does the Bureau want?"
Rao answered directly.
"A partnership."
The room fell silent.
"We intend to establish a specialized task force focused on ancient ruins, spiritual disasters, and beast threats."
His eyes sharpened.
"We want the academy's cooperation."
Headmaster Rudra leaned back slightly.
"And the role of our students?"
Rao hesitated briefly before answering honestly.
"To train for the future."
The meeting lasted for hours.
The Bureau revealed only limited information, but even that was enough to confirm Krishak's suspicions.
Around the world, hidden factions were becoming active.
Some governments sought to maintain order.
Others wanted control over spiritual resources.
Private organizations, wealthy families, and underground groups were also entering the competition.
Humanity was entering a new era.
And no one fully understood what that era would become.
At one point, Rao addressed Krishak directly.
"I know you possess unusual insight."
The room became still.
"I won't ask where it comes from."
Krishak met his gaze calmly.
"But I will ask this," Rao continued. "Can humanity survive what's coming?"
For several seconds, silence filled the chamber.
Finally, Krishak answered.
"Yes."
Relief flickered across several faces.
Then Krishak continued.
"But survival alone is not enough."
Everyone listened carefully.
"The world ahead will not belong to the weak, the arrogant, or the divided."
His voice remained calm, yet every word carried weight.
"If humanity fights itself while the world transforms, countless lives will be lost."
Director Rao's expression grew serious.
"You believe the danger is that severe?"
Krishak looked at the glowing red markers across the holographic Earth.
"This is only the beginning."
That evening, after the meeting ended, Headmaster Rudra walked beside Krishak through the quiet academy grounds.
Moonlight illuminated the stone pathways.
Students in the distance continued their ordinary routines, unaware of the discussions that had just taken place.
Rudra spoke quietly.
"The government will push for stronger cooperation moving forward."
Krishak nodded.
"They no longer have a choice."
Rudra stopped walking.
"There is another matter."
He looked directly at Krishak.
"The Bureau wishes to formally recruit you in the future."
Krishak was unsurprised.
A person with his knowledge would inevitably attract attention.
"And your opinion?" he asked.
A faint smile appeared on Rudra's face.
"I believe no organization will ever truly control you.
Krishak laughed softly.
That was probably true.
Above them, the stars shimmered silently.
And far beyond the academy, ancient ruins, hidden beasts, and forgotten powers continued awakening across the world.