Daoling's eyes met the elder's, and his pupils suddenly constricted. This man was terrifying. Even though the space suppressed power, the elder's imposing aura could not be contained—this was the bearing of a true master.
He stored the Human Elixir and scanned their silver battle suits. The golden runes inscribed on them must resist the space's pressure. Startled, Daoling realized these were no ordinary garments—likely crafted from rare treasures and inscribed with profound runes by a powerful expert.
"Miss, are you unharmed?" The elder's anxious gaze fell on Qian Yao's disheveled form. He had rushed up immediately after receiving her message, but only the battle suits allowed them to ascend—the Spirit Pagoda's space uniquely suppressed cultivation to the Body Forging Realm.
"Who are you?" A high-spirited youth frowned, cold eyes fixing on the sitting teenager. He brandished a battle spear, radiating murderous intent.
Daoling frowned. Why so hostile?
The elder also looked over, golden light flashing in his eyes. Anyone reaching the seventh floor was extraordinary.
"Presumptuous!" Qian Yao's pretty face darkened. This was Wang Junyi, whose clan had followed the Human Emperor in founding the Great Qian Dynasty. The Wang family held great status, and Wang Junyi had long pursued Qian Yao.
Wang Junyi's face fell. Where had this brat come from to anger Qian Yao?
"Qian Yao, where did this beggar come from?" He lowered his spear, voice cold.
Qian Yao fumed. If not for Daoling, she'd be gravely injured or dead. "He's my savior. Watch your tongue," she snapped.
"Haha, so it was you, young friend. Thank you kindly," Qian Qingshan interjected, nodding to Daoling.
"Not at all, elder," Daoling smiled faintly.
Wang Junyi's heart chilled. He turned to Qian Yao: "Qian Yao, are you hurt? Who did this?"
Qian Yao ignored him, instead smiling at Daoling: "I must go."
Daoling nodded, watching her leave. He met Wang Junyi's fierce glare. "Kid, don't think saving Qian Yao makes you special. Remember your place before acting, understand?" In Wang Junyi's eyes, Daoling was a nobody who'd lucked into Qian Yao's favor. Geniuses often fell young.
"Ridiculous," Daoling scoffed, closing his eyes. He had no idea Wang Junyi saw him as a rival.
"You!" Wang Junyi's spear vibrated, itching to strike.
"Master Wang, let's go. The miss will worry," Qian Qingshan warned. Killing Daoling would invite trouble, and Wang Junyi was nothing without his grandfather.
Wang Junyi shot a阴冷 (sinister) glance and left, fearing Qian Yao's wrath if he harmed Daoling.
Alone, Daoling absorbed energy until his body peaked. He opened his eyes and drank the Cold Flood Dragon's true blood. It wouldn't boost power directly but unlock physical potential—precisely what he needed. His body craved diverse true bloods to unleash its potential.
As the blood entered him, guided by the Devouring Heavens Scripture, Daoling's body transformed. His absorption of wood-attributed energy surged,天地间 (heaven and earth) energy pouring into him. Mysteriously, his physical space expanded, filled with emerald energy, and his aura grew rapidly.
Half a day later, he swallowed the Human Elixir. Golden energy surged, tempering his flesh. Overnight, the earth trembled, rocks flew, and a golden storm erupted, tossing ten-thousand-jin boulders. A terrifying torrent emerged, and Daoling stepped forth, aura mighty, thunderous sounds resonating within.
"This Human Elixir is incredible," he marveled, feeling his body drastically stronger, reaching a peak. He could now withstand the space's pressure long enough to enter the eighth floor.
"The second limit!" Daoling clenched his fist and leaped out. The Star Academy trials were near. After passing, he'd return to break through to Soul Convergence.
Exiting the pagoda, he saw Ye Yun waiting anxiously. Her fury vanished at the sight of his blood. "Trouble inside?"
"Minor. Is the trial starting soon?" Daoling shrugged. He hadn't expected Ye Yun to wait.
"About time! You almost missed it," she chided, pulling him toward the trial grounds.
"Which floor did you reach?" Ye Yun asked eagerly. Reaching the sixth floor would secure a good ranking.
"Should make the eighth," Daoling said.
Ye Yun nodded, grinning: "I should reach the tenth!"
"Liar," Daoling scoffed. The tenth floor was a myth, never conquered.
"You too!" Ye Yun huffed. The eighth floor was deadly—many prodigies had perished there.
"Believe what you want." Daoling rolled his eyes. With more cultivation, the ninth floor was feasible.
Outside Qingzhou City, a dense crowd gathered before a primeval forest, divided into ten groups. Only a thousand would be admitted, leaving many to be eliminated.
The atmosphere was tense. Daoling headed for the tenth area as Wang Ling's阴冷 (sinister) eyes fixed on him. "Finally showed up. I thought he'd cower," Wang Ling sneered. He had bribed officials to place Daoling in his trial zone—Daoling's death awaited.
Daoling noticed Wang Ling's gaze, eyes cold. *I hope he has the Blue Crystal.* Wang Ling sought to kill him, but Daoling would not let him live.
He had asked Ye Yun about treasures and learned of Blue Crystal's value—a rare ore for forging armors. Even a trace enhanced quality, and it resisted time, remaining intact for millennia. The five-jin chunk Wang Ling stole could make an inner armor to survive deadly crises.
"Those up front will likely join Star Academy directly," Daoling observed, spotting Qian Yao among imposing figures who needed no trial. Academy elders were thrilled—more prodigies than ever had come for the Starry Hall, but none had claimed *Battle Through the Stars*, so they were at ease.
An elder in silver robes appeared, sitting on a stone. "First, the trial rewards," he announced to the hundreds of thousands.
"Top 100 finishers will receive a Yunling Elixir!"
Shock rippled through the crowd. A second-grade high-level elixir to aid突破 (breakthrough) to Soul Convergence—one hundred of them!
"Top ten get a Purple Heart Yunling Elixir and access to the academy's Scripture Pavilion!"
Gasps arose. A fourth-grade low-level elixir, the Purple Heart version contained rare Purple Heart Liquid, coveted even by great powers. The Scripture Pavilion, a treasure trove of ancient techniques, made even Qian Yao's eyes light up.
"Top ten!" Daoling's fist clenched. The rewards were irresistible. Advancing to Soul Convergence normally took half a year or years, but elixirs—especially the Purple Heart variety—could speed it. Daoling, with immense Body Forging potential, needed it desperately; awakening naturally might take years.