Since the division into two major systems and the establishment of distinct cultivation paths, the atmosphere in the Celestial Academy has noticeably changed. An invisible sense of competition has emerged, compelling everyone to strive harder.
Slacking off even slightly means being overtaken by others!
**”Boom!”**
Amid a pile of scattered rocks, a bare-chested young man with bronze skin sat in meditation. With each breath he took, massive boulders rose and fell in sync with his rhythm, some even exploding midair!
The sight was terrifying—a mere exhale and inhale could stir such immense blood energy that it lifted boulders, a feat rarely seen in the world.
Undoubtedly, upon embarking on this path and pursuing the pinnacle of the present-world method, a beacon seemed to ignite in everyone’s hearts, guiding them toward the brilliance ahead.
The academy elders had given them clear guidance: there existed a Sacred Academy where pioneers of this path had already proven its radiance.
And these disciples of the Celestial Academy, the chosen elites of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, with the guidance of ancient predecessors, were destined to advance by leaps and bounds.
Since childhood, they had been the strongest in their regions, mastering anything taught to them in an instant.
Now, with a proven, luminous path before them and the distilled wisdom of ancient masters, how could they fall behind? Every one of them aspired to soar to the heavens.
None in the Celestial Academy were ordinary—all harbored ambition. Now that the opportunity had arrived, many believed that when they rose, they would not be inferior to those who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy!
**”Ssshh!”**
The next moment, as the meditating man exhaled, the boulders still floated, moving with his breath—but none shattered.
Instead, the scene grew even more astonishing. Some boulders turned red-hot, melting into molten lava that dripped like blood from the sky.
This was not achieved through divine power but merely the natural release of his blood energy—so overwhelmingly yang that it could melt stone, a testament to the sheer magnitude of his vitality.
**”Progress!”** His eyes snapped open, emitting two cold flashes as surging blood energy enveloped him like a blazing furnace, his essence roaring like flames.
This was the epitome of supreme yang energy—a body pushed to its limits!
Indeed, upon choosing this path and acquiring ancient techniques and secret manuals from predecessors, many had begun to shine in ways they never had before.
Wang Yang was one such example. Over the past few months, his strength had surged, his body growing ever more formidable. With each breath, his yang energy surged like thunder!
**”Brother Wang Yang, you are truly a prodigy. In just a few months, you’ve undergone a complete transformation—unrecognizable from before!”** A blue-robed man approached with a warm smile, offering sincere praise.
He spoke the truth. Compared to his past self, Wang Yang had indeed erupted like a different person.
**”Lan Meng, you came to assess my progress, didn’t you? Everyone knows you’ve made breakthroughs in the Cave Heaven and Spirit Nurturing realms—raising spirits has evolved into nurturing divine embryos.”** Wang Yang’s gaze was sharp as lightning as he sat bare-chested among the rocks.
**”Not as profound as your foundation. You cultivate from the flesh and blood, emphasizing the roots, solidifying your core.”** Lan Meng chuckled, though his heart skipped a beat at the sight of the molten lava. **”Given more time, you might even surpass Cao Yusheng.”**
**”Some are truly blessed by fortune. He hails from the Three Thousand Dao Provinces, not one of the Nine Heavens, yet he obtained a supreme opportunity—successfully engraving one of the Three Great Killing Arrays into his body. Few could achieve such a feat.”** Wang Yang’s eyes gleamed with a hint of wild defiance.
**”Just a lower realm upstart who lucked into engraving an immortal-slaying array. If he continues cultivating, what of it?”** Lan Meng scoffed.
**”Luck is also a form of strength. Though from the lower realms, he has grown formidable, obtaining great fortune. He cannot be underestimated.”** Wang Yang countered.
Lan Meng smirked. **”Well, when will you step forward and make a statement? The competition has grown fierce lately. Though some from the lower realms have been suppressed, others are rebelling.”**
**”Which lower realms?”** Wang Yang asked.
To the denizens of the Nine Heavens, the Ten Earths were all considered inferior, hence the distinction between the two.
**”Three or four ancient realms are causing trouble, but none can match the cultivators of the Nine Heavens. Rumor has it the Three Thousand Dao Provinces are receiving ‘special attention.’”** Lan Meng grinned.
Wang Yang laughed meaningfully, his black hair cascading like a waterfall, his bare chest gleaming with radiance. **”With Cao Yusheng emerging from there, of course they’d be targeted. Has he left seclusion?”**
**”At least that ‘Huang’ is gone. Otherwise, he’d have been a troublesome opponent.”** Lan Meng remarked.
**”A dead man is no opponent.”** Wang Yang dismissed.
The Celestial Academy had long heard of Huang—a prodigy who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy and unified ten Cave Heavens, an unprecedented feat. However, aside from those cultivating the ancient method, those on the present-world path remained unaware that Shi Hao had returned, revealing his true self—alive!
Clearly, regional rivalries ran deep. Different ancient realms clashed, and the Three Thousand Dao Provinces, having produced two extraordinary figures leading the present-world method, became targets.
This was both competition and an outlet for grievances!
—
Elsewhere, amidst towering mountains, a silver waterfall cascaded from the heavens. At its base stood a gray-robed figure, unmoving as the torrent crashed upon him.
The waters parted around him, revealing intricate patterns—mystical runes engraved during the Inscription Realm, now manifesting and distorting space itself.
Soon, fragments of time swirled around him, bending the very flow of moments.
He did not cast any spells deliberately. The runes within his flesh activated naturally, creating these celestial phenomena.
**”Boom!”**
Suddenly, the thousand-zhang waterfall reversed, surging upward before a segment vanished—as if swallowed by another realm.
Another portion became encased in time fragments, isolated in a separate temporal flow.
**Inscription runes that influenced time and space—this being was extraordinary!**
**”Brother Yuan Teng, your skills are remarkable. You’re on the verge of a groundbreaking transformation in the Inscription Realm—daring to dissolve two strands of immortal energy into your flesh. Such boldness!”** A silver-robed woman approached, admiration in her voice.
Yuan Teng, clad in gray robes, was a genius who had cultivated two strands of immortal energy. Recently, to focus on the present-world method’s pinnacle, he had chosen to disperse his immortal energy, nourishing his body and soul—leaving himself no retreat.
**”Jin Yun, what brings you here?”** Yuan Teng asked.
**”Hehe, things have been chaotic lately. Aren’t you going to take a look? The competition is fierce.”** Jin Yun smiled.
**”I heard you seized a treasure from a lower realm girl named Feng Wu. Did you stir up trouble?”**
Jin Yun’s palm glowed, revealing a seven-colored arrow—a divine artifact forged from rainbow-hued immortal gold, exuding a hazy immortal light.
**”A supreme treasure crafted from Seven-Colored Immortal Gold—worth my effort. Who’d have thought a wild girl from the lower realms would possess such an artifact?”** She laughed.
Had Shi Hao been present, he would have recognized it instantly. Back in the Fire Province’s grasslands, Feng Wu and Qing Yi’s academy had sought this very material to forge a divine weapon for her.
**”The lower realms have formidable figures. Stirring trouble may invite retribution.”** Yuan Teng warned.
Jin Yun smirked, unconcerned. **”What formidable figures? The so-called ‘Champion of Ten,’ the Banished Immortal—they’re exceptional, but they originated from the Nine Heavens, not the lower realms. As for ‘Huang,’ who was close to Feng Wu and Cao Yusheng, he died in the Primordial Ancient Mine. Can a dead man seek vengeance? This is a place of survival of the fittest. Losers must yield their treasures. I merely wounded her and spared her life—that’s mercy enough.”**
In truth, while challenges were permitted, outright killing was forbidden. Jin Yun had no right to take lives.
**”Be careful. The lower realms have hidden experts. Provoking them may bring unforeseen consequences.”** Yuan Teng cautioned.
**”That’s why I sought you out. Let’s go witness the excitement. When the time comes, we’ll act.”** Jin Yun grinned.
At that moment, two figures approached from afar—a delicate young man and an ethereal woman in white, both exuding an immortal aura.
Shi Hao and Qing Yi had arrived.
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