In the alchemy chamber, a sweltering aura lingered as an ancient bronze alchemy furnace blazed, flames leaping from its mouth.
Drops of copper-colored medicinal liquid floated within, radiating divine light. Each drop was crystal-clear like jade, shimmering brilliantly.
Dao Ling sat cross-legged before the furnace, his slender hands forming seals as internal energy surged. The flames inside the furnace burned ever more intensely.
Beside him, a jade bottle held Copper Body Liquid—the more, the better, for succeeding in the First Revolution depended on it.
After two days of effort, Dao Ling refined nearly a hundred drops of Copper Body Liquid, exhausting all药材 (medicinal herbs) before rising to leave.
These days, many powerhouses had arrived in Qingzhou City, including great figures from other major states. The disappearance of the Spirit Pagoda's Tenth Layer treasure caused a huge stir.
The pagoda had existed for eons. Powerful beings once deduced that the Tenth Layer held an extraordinary treasure. Now, whether the treasure had flown away or been taken stirred greed—who could have accessed the Tenth Layer's terrifying realm? Had a fearsome genius emerged in Qingzhou?
Strong battles also erupted in Qingzhou City. Witnesses saw the sky twisting as great figures clashed, shaking stars from the sky—apparently fighting over the Inheritance Hall.
Outside was tumultuous, but Star Academy bustled with activity. News spread that the Star Palace's出世 (emergence) grew imminent, its time drawing near.
At Star Academy's deepest core, star rivers plunged, each with massive stars floating—an awe-inspiring sight.
This ancient land had existed since antiquity, its earth etched with complex patterns—Dao runes laid by强者 (experts) using rare ores and array dao, channeling star power to form a cultivation holy land.
This was Star Academy's foundation. Prodigies from all clans flocked here for the Star River.
Moreover, the Star River had existed for untold ages, often forming Star Pearls—essences of star energy. Finding one could drastically boost strength.
Dao Ling arrived, gazing at the fearsome Star River before him. Its essence surged in countless layers, waves so滔天 (soaring) they could震死 (shock to death) a person.
The Star River shimmered with dreamlike colors, illusory giant stars sinking within, a terrifying sight.
On the river's surface stood Dao platforms as large as small mountains, with figures seated upon them, absorbing star power below.
Dao Ling leaped, landing on a Dao platform. He felt surging essence around him, like a dragon of essence coiled there.
"What a terrifying secret realm," Dao Ling marveled. Cultivating here would be far faster than the outside world. As a top ten freshman, he could train here for ten days.
Calming his mind, he flicked his sleeve, summoning three drops of Copper Body Liquid. He inhaled them, feeling scalding heat erupt within.
A tearing pain shot through him, making his young face twitch. It felt like countless swords vibrated within, tearing his flesh.
Gritting through the agony, he assumed a strange pose: legs bent, hands holding the "sky," a deeply awkward stance.
As the pose formed, an inexplicable aura surged from the hazy sky. The heavens seemed to sink, crashing down upon his body with a boom.
His young face contorted; he felt his body would explode under the可怕的 (terrible) pressure, as if carrying a mountain—every bone threatened to shatter!
Dao Ling realized why Sun Yuanhua had warned him. This divine ability was so霸道 (domineering) that ancient ferocious beasts would have their bodies destroyed cultivating it.
Taking a deep breath, he found the pressure bearable. As he held the pose, the scorching Copper Body Liquid began flowing through his body.
Simultaneously, the "Heaven Devouring" scripture运转 (operated), and his body rumbled like a small world opening to connect with the great world. His pores dilated,疯狂 (madly) absorbing star power around him.
Guided by the technique, star power surging beneath the Dao platform was drawn up, submerging half his body.
Dao Ling floated in the essence river, greedily absorbing star divine power. This high-grade energy made his internal energy roil, being tempered and condensed.
The pressure lessened, but he felt his body subtly transforming under the pressure and Copper Body Liquid.
Five more drops of Copper Body Liquid entered his body. This energy was strange, like a body-refining treasure liquid forming a membrane in his muscles that strengthened as more liquid was absorbed.
After a day of cultivation, Dao Ling felt his internal energy surge. At this rate, he would soon break through to the next minor realm.
Dao Ling's physical body was so terrifying that he could cultivate unbridled, and now with Three Revolutions Golden Body, he thrived.
Night fell, stars shining brightly. The empty void grew cold, but great stars twinkled, adding warmth to the frigid sky.
Night stars were格外 (especially) dazzling and large. The ancient land trembled, channeling the Star River faster, with strands of extremely pure energy.
Silver beams descended as a shadow inhaled, drawing this energy into its body with可怕的 (terrible) suction.
The pure star power tempered his bones and muscles, then merged with internal energy, boosting his strength rapidly.
With a boom, thunder rumbled within Dao Ling—a heavenly drum sound growing stronger as his cultivation deepened.
Stars dotted his body, their light heavy. This energy exceeded his expectations; long-term cultivation would surely lead to great achievements in the Spirit Nourishing Realm.
He疯狂 (madly) plundered surrounding star power, the Heaven Devouring technique spinning faster like a windmill, absorbing and refining untold essence with each breath.
Dao Ling sensed the technique's growing terror. He had a hunch it would bring a可怕的 (terrible) surprise in the next martial realm!
As time passed, after five days, Dao Ling's internal energy roiled, each strand wrapped in starlight—a qualitative change. Such energy would surely碾压 (crush) ordinary energy in a head-on clash.
"Break!" he roared inwardly, feeling energy compressed to the limit. A fierce wave erupted, his energy thickening as starlight grew more dazzling!
Dao Ling had read in the Scripture Pavilion about fearsome prodigies who, by long-term star power absorption, could manifest stars within their energy—an极其可怕的 (extremely terrifying) ancient异象 (omen)!
Imagine energy hiding star after star (even illusory ones)—a divine ability in itself, devastating against enemies.
But this "Stellar Glow Over Heaven" omen was notoriously hard to cultivate, hailed as an ancient wonder. While many great figures could manifest it, doing so in the Spirit Nourishing Realm was incredibly difficult.
Dao Ling's strength in the minor realm leaped, his foundation thickened by star power.
One day, his body underwent a异变 (mutation): skin taking on an ancient bronze hue. Though still young, his body radiated a divine martial aura.
Having absorbed seventy to eighty drops, the Copper Body Liquid was nearly耗尽 (depleted). Dao Ling felt his body transformed, murmuring: "The Copper Body Liquid's quality is insufficient. Its potency must be enhanced to complete the cultivation."
Some medicinal herbs for Copper Body Liquid were missing, replaced by substitutes of lesser effect.
Even so, Dao Ling found Three Revolutions Golden Body terrifying. Completing the First Stage would drastically boost his combat power.
As he prepared to resume cultivation, he sensed an extremely pure energy beneath the essence river. His eyelids twitched; he looked down and saw a dazzling object burst upward.
"This is..." Dao Ling stood, excited. "A Star Pearl!"