Starfall Academy sprawled across an immense expanse, with figures moving through its ancient grounds. It boasted bazaars, trading districts, sparring arenas, and more—functioning like a small ancient city.
"No wonder it's Starfall Academy—Green Mountain Academy can't compare," Daoling mused, surveying the bustling trading area. He recalled Ye Yun's tales of martial holy lands and ancient divine mountains. *The path of a强者 (powerhouse) has only just begun*, he thought with a smile.
Beyond the lively areas lay the cultivation zones. Spiritual mountains loomed, each radiating distinct energies: some surged with dense aura, while others paled in comparison.
Daoling's residence was a blessed cave paradise, nestled deep within, adjacent to the star river—one of Starfall Academy's high-grade spiritual mountains. Though inhabited, the peak stood empty, its occupants likely in seclusion. He approached an ancient hall in a purple bamboo grove.
"In seclusion?" Daoling frowned at the sign by the door. Confirming he was in the right place, he knocked.
After ten breaths, a bronze gate creaked open. A scruffy青年 (youth) emerged, eyes blazing with暴戾 (fierce) energy. "You'd better have a good reason!" he roared.
As Lin Mu spoke, his disheveled hair whipped about, astral winds surging from his body, shaking the purple bamboo grove and threatening to rend the sky. Daoling stiffened, feeling as if a mountain pressed down on him. *This man's cultivation is terrifying—likely a profound foundation in Soul Convergence, far beyond the likes of Wang Junfei*.
Lin Mu had been in seclusion for nearly three months, on the verge of breaking through to the next minor realm. Being disturbed enraged him.
"The steward sent me," Daoling said, producing his silver token and the steward's note.
Lin Mu's face twitched. He longed to thrash Daoling but held back—Starfall Academy forbade attacking new arrivals. Scanning Daoling, he snorted, "Newcomer?"
"Indeed." Daoling shrugged, smiling faintly.
Clenching his fists, Lin Mu warned, "Wait three months. You'll be driven from this high-grade spiritual mountain. Not just anyone can occupy it!"
Daoling苦笑 (smiled bitterly). He knew the rules: the high-grade cultivation chamber was his for three months, but challenges would come. Every three months, mandatory duels determined who kept the prime training grounds—history showed all前十 (top ten) spots were eventually seized.
High-grade spiritual mountains were blessed lands, accelerating cultivation by 20-30% compared to ordinary ones, making them prime targets for challengers.
Entering the chamber, Daoling took out the beast-hide pouch from the Fiendfire Spirit Bird, which masked auras. The pouch had barely opened when a fierce wave erupted: the sable, radiating divine light and surging vitality, lay coiled, distorting the vacuum around it.
"Little guy absorbed so much energy," Daoling marveled. *When it wakes, it might leap into Soul Convergence. Its future achievements could be terrifying!* Merging with divine beast blood, the sable's origins were clearly extraordinary—Daoling expected it to rival ancient fiendbeasts.
After settling the sable, Daoling沉吟 (pondered) and produced the green bamboo from earlier. As it came into view, its roots began absorbing heaven and earth energy autonomously.
"No doubt—it's become a spirit!" Daoling grinned. "This is more valuable than a Spirit Enlightened Fruit." Ordinary plants ceased absorbing energy after being uprooted, but the bamboo thrived, proving it had awakened intelligence. As long as its roots remained, it would grow stronger by absorbing energy.
Channeling surging energy into the foot-tall bamboo, Daoling triggered a hum. The dim bamboo burst into dazzling green radiance, unleashing a storm of terrifying spiritual qi. In an instant, half his energy was drained. Withdrawing his hand, he exclaimed, "A treasure—more fearsome than the Purple Pagoda! This is a rare exotic treasure!"
The bamboo now glowed with emerald divine light, its aura deceptively gentle but its attack power lethal—Daoling felt it could slice his flesh. *I need to reach Soul Convergence to wield it初步 (initially)*.
"Perhaps it can even cultivate into a humanoid spirit!" Daoling marveled. Securing an exotic treasure was beyond fortunate.
Stowing the bamboo, he hung a "Secluded Cultivation" sign and headed for the Spirit Pagoda.
"See that? The new disciple, one of the top ten," someone sneered, dismissing Daoling. "No matter his talent, we've seen too many prodigies fall."
"These blessed caves are prime targets. There'll be chaos in three months—I might challenge too."
"Forget it. I heard he offended Senior Brother Lin Mu. No one can take this from him."
Others sighed. Lin Mu was a powerhouse; only those vying for ancient spiritual mountains—treasures coveted by even ancient clan prodigies—would dare cross him.
Ignoring the whispers, Daoling marched to the Spirit Pagoda, face dark.
…
In a Starfall Academy hall, Wang Junyi's脸色 (face) was deathly阴冷 (icy), servants too terrified to breathe. His brother was dead.
The Wang Clan, a top family of the Great Qian Dynasty, rarely faced defiance in Qingzhou. A death within the clan was grave.
Knuckles cracking, Wang Junyi glared at Wang Ya. "Are you certain your cousin had a grudge with Zone 10's first-place winner?"
Wang Junfei's death was one thing, but the loss of a Void Bracelet—precious beyond measure—demanded revenge.
Wang Ya paled. If Wang Ling had indeed been killed by Daoling, she might be next. Aligning with Wang Junyi, a core clan member with滔天 (overwhelming) power, was her best chance. "Yes! Daoling is vicious. My cousin found a Blue Crystal recently—Daoling coveted it. He must have killed for it!"
"Blue Crystal!" Wang Junyi's eyes lit. Extracted from Abyssal Ancient Mines, Blue Crystals were priceless. He never expected such a treasure among nobodies.
Seeing his interest, Wang Ya embellished, "It's a five-jin Blue Crystal! My cousin planned to offer it to the clan after joining Starfall Academy, but that villain Daoling stole it!"
Wang Junyi nearly collapsed. *Five jin?* A整块 (whole) five-jin Blue Crystal could be refined into inner armor—its value was incalculable, far exceeding scattered crystals. Such a treasure was a眼红 (jealousy-inducing) prize for even elder powerhouses.
"Perfect. We'll settle all scores," Wang Junyi laughed. Securing the crystal would earn him great merit and rewards.
Wang Ya relaxed. With Wang Junyi's might, crushing Daoling would be effortless.
"Find Daoling at all costs. Rewards await those who succeed!" Wang Junyi ordered, servants scurrying to obey, knowing the stakes.