Beneath the Star River, a pearl wrapped in starlight burst upward, dazzlingly bright. Within it蛰伏 (lay hidden) an extremely pure energy that anyone could sense.
Cultivators around were jolted awake. Their gazes scanned over, turning scorching at the sight of the Star Pearl. Someone roared: "A Star Pearl! A Star Pearl has emerged!"
"Haha! I never expected a Star Pearl to appear now. What good fortune!"
"Star Pearls usually appear only on full moon nights, but this one's early! If I can get it, I'll definitely break through a minor realm!"
Excitement rippled through the crowd. Breaking through a minor realm was enticing—advancement in the Spirit Nourishing Realm usually took half a year, and this Star Pearl could save half a year of hard work.
This was a rare treasure, capable not only of aiding a minor realm breakthrough but also of tempering internal energy for a qualitative change—truly a rare find.
Dao Ling had already sensed the energy within the Star Pearl, and it was right beneath his Dao platform. Without hesitation, he reached for the floating pearl.
"Courting death!" Someone raged. This treasure was already earmarked, yet someone dared snatch it—utterly reckless.
A purple-robed youth charged over, face cold. Without a word, he struck at Dao Ling while aiming to seize the Star Pearl.
Feeling the gale behind him as his hand neared the pearl, Dao Ling frowned, twisting mid-air and lashing out with his right leg.
The purple-robed youth冷哼 (snorted), neither dodging nor parrying. Their blows clashed, shaking the surrounding Star River. They staggered apart, energy surging under their feet as they stood on the river.
"I have my eye on this. Find another," Ji Xingbo said coldly.
"So do I," Dao Ling snorted, fist tightening. He'd almost grabbed the pearl before this interloper intervened.
"Courting death!" Ji Xingbo's aura chilled. He stepped on the Star River, advancing to claim the pearl.
Dao Ling's clothes fluttered, long hair dancing. Standing as still as a banished immortal, his body radiated a bronze glow. Wishing to test his Copper Body, he threw a punch.
Their fists collided. Ji Xingbo's body trembled, feeling his fist might explode. Surprise flashed in his eyes, but upon noticing the异样的 (strange) aura on Dao Ling's fist, he sneered: "So you rely on a physical body divine ability. Watch how I suppress you!"
He长啸 (howled), body surging with airwaves. A purple mountain materialized within, complete with flowing springs, waterfalls, birds, beasts, and a蛮荒 (barbaric) aura—truly extraordinary.
"This is a Star Academy divine ability! No wonder Ji Xingbo grows stronger by the day!" Onlookers marveled at his mastery.
"Suppress him!" Ji Xingbo stood with hands behind his back, aura arrogant.
Dao Ling's body vibrated, internal energy roiling. The bronze light on his body blazed, his bronze form ringing like a copper mountain.
"Break!" Dao Ling长啸 (howled), blood qi surging. He unleashed his fist, smashing forward.
"Is this kid crazy? He dares confront this divine ability head-on! Isn't he afraid his fist will shatter?" someone exclaimed.
"Hmph, he probably overvalues physical divine abilities. How can such bitterly cultivated arts compare to real divine abilities?"
"Right! That mountain will surely suppress him in one blow."
But the next moment, everyone gaped. Dao Ling's punch was ferocious, tearing the sky and shaking the earth as it blasted the mountain apart!
Some faces twitched in disbelief. Could physical divine abilities really be this terrifying?
Little did Dao Ling know that this punch would drive many to desperately seek physical body divine abilities, leading to numerous severe injuries.
"So sturdy..." Several female disciples nearby stared at Dao Ling's bronze body, one maiden licking her lips involuntarily.
"Xiao Ling, you have a fiancé."
"Die!" Xiao Ling blushed, scolding her teasing friend.
Ji Xingbo's arrogant expression froze, eyes darkening as he attacked again without a word.
Dao Ling's aura surged, muscles vibrating. He长啸 (howled), blood qi exploding to shatter the vacuum as he charged, eager to release his pent-up energy.
Ji Xingbo looked grim. Unexpectedly on the defensive, he unleashed a more汹涌 (surging) aura, channeling the天地 (heaven-earth)'s energy.
Boundless star power awakened. With the area's rich essence, his attack power soared as he suppressed Dao Ling.
Facing the surrounding resistance, Dao Ling's attacks were simple and direct. His arms spread like a roc tearing the sky, lunging like a peerless beast.
Ji Xingbo braced himself, punching forward with rolling essence toward Dao Ling's chest.
Dao Ling's long hair狂舞 (flailed), bronze light radiating. He blocked the punch with his elbow, then shifted his left leg to strike.
Ji Xingbo's expression changed, feeling his fist on the verge of exploding. He grunted, swinging his other palm to chop Dao Ling's leg—but was hit by immense force, nearly falling.
Dao Ling pressed his attack, converting his punch to a palm strike aimed at Ji Xingbo's chest.
"Damn it!" Reeling from successive defeats, Ji Xingbo angrily summoned a sword, stabbing at Dao Ling's palm.
It was a hair-raising moment. If the sword struck, Dao Ling's palm would surely bleed profusely.
As palm and sword neared, Dao Ling splayed his fingers, clamping the blade.
"Damn you! Die!" Ji Xingbo roared, pouring energy into the sword. It unleashed sword lights capable of splitting boulders.
But when the sword qi hit Dao Ling's fingers, it rang out like striking iron, sparks flying.
"What?" Many gaped, rubbing their eyes to check if he wore any protective gear.
"He's resisting sword qi with his body? How terrifying is his flesh!" someone stammered. "Is he made of iron?"
"This is a physical body divine ability! It's amazing. I've decided to cultivate one too, so I can resist weapons!" A youth fantasized about blocking divine weapons.
Dao Ling repelled the stunned Ji Xingbo with a palm. Glancing at his fingers—now slightly bloody—he grinned: "Not bad! If I complete the First Revolution, I can definitely resist ordinary weapons!"
The Three Revolutions Golden Body rose infinitely in his estimation, though he regretted the missing Golden Body stage. What power would the final revolution hold?
As he turned to the Star Pearl, no one dared move—he was too strong.
Suddenly, a可怕的 (terrible)波动 (wave) surged from the Star River's surface: a foot-long Golden Bee,通体金黄 (entirely golden) and dazzling. Its cicada-wing-thin wings could shatter boulders with a flutter!
Dao Ling eyed the Golden Bee, sensing its strength. He held the Star Pearl—a thumb-sized orb wrapped in starlight, pulsing with extremely pure energy.
"Good stuff! The energy is incredibly pure!" Dao Ling's face lit up. Refining this pearl would drastically boost his cultivation.
The Golden Bee regarded him coldly. After a moment, it said flatly: "Human youth, my master wants to see you."
Its words shocked onlookers. The Golden Bee's gaze was icy, brooking no argument. With those powerful wings, it could tear through mountains.