Star Power is the most tangible form of power on this continent. Whether practicing martial skills or advancing realms, it is indispensable. The higher the realm, the stronger the Star Power.
If a strong practitioner reaches the Celestial Martial Realm, they can absorb Star Power even during the day. If they are within the Divine Martial Realm and have opened up a celestial river, it goes without saying.
Upon hearing the Sword Spirit's words, Chu Linfeng became even more eager to increase his strength, "Do you mean to say that using Star Power to practice martial skills is faster and more powerful?"
"Pretty much. Your physique is unlike others; you absorb Star Power several times faster than others, but advancing your realm is several times slower.
Everything has its pros and cons. Only by spending more time can you gain the corresponding reward. That's one reason I appeared within you."
The Sword Spirit slowly spoke within Chu Linfeng's mind, "How good it would be if you awakened your bloodline. It's been a thousand years; master, I have searched for you for a thousand years, but with your current strength, you are nowhere near even a tenth of what you need to avenge that massacre!"
These words were naturally unheard by Chu Linfeng, and if he heard them, who knows what he would think.
However, he had already made up his mind. At night, he would absorb Star Power with all his might, and during the day, practice martial skills. He found that after absorbing Star Power, he didn't feel sleepy at all.
This meant he could practice both day and night, effectively doubling his time compared to others.
For the next three days, Chu Linfeng absorbed Star Power at night and practiced the Phantom Finger during the day. With the Sword Spirit's guidance, which bordered on insane, Chu Linfeng made rapid progress.
Within three days, he had mastered the Phantom Finger. If others knew he had mastered a martial skill in just three days, they might think he was out of his mind.
Chu Linfeng was very satisfied with the power of the Phantom Finger. During the day, he used the Phantom Finger to puncture a large tree as thick as a bowl. The hole was smooth, as if polished, without a doubt, the same effect would occur if targeted at a human body, leaving a blood hole.
Chu Linfeng noticed that the Star Power within his dantian had accumulated considerably, beginning to slowly circulate around it, and the amount was not much less compared to his Spiritual Power at the dantian.
"Sword Spirit, if I go to the Library Pavilion's Second Layer now, can I activate that door?" Seeing the Star Power within him, Chu Linfeng was very confident.
After a while, the Sword Spirit's voice emerged, "You can, but not now. You should absorb Star Power for another week, until it becomes more immense within you.
Because some martial skills in the Second Layer require Star Power to be read. While your current Star Power may barely unlock the Second Layer, there wouldn't be much left when you get there; it would be all for naught!"
Chu Linfeng deeply believed the Sword Spirit's words. To enter the Celestial Dragon Academy, he had to work harder.
A week quickly passed, during which Chu Linfeng continued to practice the Lower Yellow Martial Skill, Phantom Finger, during the day and fully absorbed Star Power at night.
Now, the Star Power within him had become extremely vast, more than even those at the Fourth Layer or Fifth Layer of the Black Tortoise Realm.
The Phantom Finger had been comprehensively mastered, and he could execute it with either hand.
He tried to execute the Phantom Finger with both hands simultaneously but was unsuccessful. However, the Sword Spirit told him that once he reached the Sixth Layer of the Black Tortoise Realm, he could, and would be taught a method to multitask, but now wasn't the time.
That day, Chu Linfeng arrived early at the Library Pavilion. After presenting the token given to him by Chu Yuanba, the family guards did not stop him, though they were quite puzzled—what was this waste doing here to read martial arts manuals again? How long would it take this time?
After entering the Library Pavilion, he did not immediately attempt to activate the entrance to the Second Layer because he saw someone familiar yet strange. In his memory, he hadn't seen her for about two years, his second uncle's daughter, Chu Linyue.
Chu Linyue was considered the second genius in the Chu Family aside from Chu Linfeng. Chu Linfeng reached the Black Tortoise Realm at fourteen, whereas she broke through from the Spirit Martial Realm to the Black Tortoise Realm at fourteen, three months later than Chu Linfeng.
Chu Linyue, half a year younger than Chu Linfeng, seldom interacted within the family, but she knew of Chu Linfeng's situation.
Previously she had greatly admired Chu Linfeng, but now she dismissed him disdainfully. In this world that revered martial prowess, strength is the king. With her current Fifth Layer Black Tortoise Realm strength, she naturally no longer held Chu Linfeng in regard.
She had also heard about Chu Linfeng's recent events but paid them no mind. Today, she was merely curious about ways to enter the Second Layer of the Library Pavilion, unexpectedly encountering Chu Linfeng here.
"Chu Linfeng, what are you doing here?" Chu Linyue asked, her face filled with confusion.
In Chu Linfeng's memory, Chu Linyue used to call him Second Brother, but now she referred to him by name. Truly, times had changed, "I naturally have my own matters here. Why are you here, no longer calling me Second Brother?"
Chu Linfeng's testy reply left Chu Linyue slightly annoyed, "I've heard you defeated Lin Long of the Lin Family; it seems you've made a breakthrough. I wonder which layer of the Black Tortoise Realm you're at now. Why don't we compete?"
Chu Linfeng was indifferent to Chu Linyue's provocation, "Linyue, don't think you're smarter than me. With your talent, you've surely reached the Fifth Layer of the Black Tortoise Realm by now.
If I'm not mistaken, you're here today to see if there's a way to enter the Second Layer. After all, the martial skills in the First Layer are too trashy.
Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, after two years apart, that area is still just as flat. What's the point of eating for two years if the meat isn't going anywhere?"
Chu Linyue uncontrollably looked down at her firm figure and angrily retorted, "Chu Linfeng, are your eyes blind? How am I flat here?"
Chu Linyue's appearance is quite decent, but she spends little time practicing outdoors. In Liuyun City, her beauty ranks in the top five without a doubt.
Seeing Chu Linyue nearly blow her top, Chu Linfeng nearly burst into laughter, "My eyes are fine. I meant your head's flat, that you lack basic respect for elders and are ignorant that I'm older than you!"
"So what." Chu Linyue replied irritably.
"Shouldn't you call me Second Brother then?"
"Call you my foot. Chu Linfeng, stop being cheeky. You know my temper. If provoked, bear the consequences yourself."
Chu Linyue's fiery temper was well-known to Chu Linfeng. Provoking her seriously wasn't wise, given her Fifth Layer Black Tortoise Realm strength was no joke, so he promptly changed the subject.
"Linyue, have you learned all the martial skills in the First Layer? Do you have the strength to enter the Second Layer?"
Chu Linyue rolled her eyes at Chu Linfeng, "I am already at the peak of the Fifth Layer Black Tortoise Realm. Today, I'm here to see if it's possible to enter the Second Layer. Isn't that also your goal?"
"What do you think?" Chu Linfeng didn't answer directly. Chu Linyue's Fifth Layer Black Tortoise Realm peak strength sincerely surprised him; her talent truly was exceptional.
"I reckon you're here to choose one of the First Layer's martial skills after all. By the looks of it, you've indeed made a breakthrough and rumors about needing Star Power for studying martial skills are considered true." Chu Linyue looked at Chu Linfeng with disbelief.
For the need to practice martial skills using Star Power, Chu Linfeng realized he was lagging behind, overlooking such a basic truth, honestly secluding himself for too long.
"You're right, oh, I'm just here to choose a martial skill, not from this layer, but the one above, same as you." Chu Linfeng gestured upward.
"Second Layer? Don't joke. Chu Linfeng, others might not know you, but I do.
Your former strength barely surpassed mine. For two years you couldn't absorb Star Power. Do you think within mere days you could possess Star Power at the Sixth Layer of the Black Tortoise Realm?"
Chu Linyue paid no mind to Chu Linfeng's words, believing them absurd. If he could enter the Second Layer, she would be able to break through to the Earth Martial Realm.
"Words are wasted; let's go. I'll see if you can open the Second Layer's prohibitions. If not, I'll give it a try." Chu Linfeng ignored Chu Linyue's disparaging remarks, used to people doubting him.
"Why should I try? Isn't entry your desire too?" Chu Linyue retorted.
"I was just joking. Do you really think I can go in?" Chu Linfeng feigned ignorance, eyeing Chu Linyue testing the prohibitions might yield some insights.
"I knew you'd fail. Watching me break into the Second Layer's prohibitions, not a chance! Just stay put here!" Chu Linyue said, walking right toward the Second Layer's entrance.