Inside the cave, Lin Yuan's "Starry Ape Imitation Show" finally came to an end. He collapsed onto the cold stone ground like a lump of mud, his muscles groaning and his bones aching, sweat staining the ground in a small dark patch.
"Hiss... This Immortal King level body tempering... it's not for humans..." He grimaced and gasped, feeling like every part of his body was about to fall apart. But strangely, although he was exhausted like a dead dog, the meager Qi Induction Realm spiritual power within him seemed to... have solidified a little? The swelling and pain in his meridians had also lessened somewhat? The warm energy from the Star Fruit Preserves seemed to be working hard to repair his overstretched muscle fibers.
"Could it be... that it really works?" Lin Yuan was overjoyed and, ignoring the soreness all over his body, quickly looked inward.
Upon seeing this, he almost burst out laughing!
Under the vision of the [Eye of Insight], his meridians, which were originally as thin as a slender stream and almost dried up, were still narrow, but the walls seemed to have become slightly more resilient! Spiritual energy flowed within them, still slow and thin, but less ethereal and more solid. What surprised him even more was that some of the finest, capillary-like veins, normally impervious to spiritual energy, had actually been forcibly pried open by the "Monkey Dance," greedily absorbing the remaining energy of the Star Fruit and the thin spiritual energy in the air!
"It works! It really works!" Lin Yuan was so excited he wanted to pound the ground, but the movement strained his aching muscles, causing him to yell out in pain. But the pain couldn't hide the ecstatic joy in his eyes! Although the progress was minuscule, it was a real improvement! And a passive improvement at that! Double the fun: AFK chain repair plus actively "taking hits"!
Just then, a system notification sounded:
"Ding! The host has begun practicing the [Star Tempering Body Technique] (Introductory Chapter). The physique has slightly improved, the meridian resilience has increased by 1%, and the spiritual energy condensation has increased by 1%."
"Given the host's 'diligent study and practice' (?), a special achievement has been triggered: [The Indomitable Newbie]! Reward: [Star Tempering Body Technique - Qi Induction Chapter] Cultivation Comprehension Acceleration Card (1 day) x1!"
Acceleration Card? Lin Yuan's eyes lit up! Good stuff! Even if it's only for one day, every little bit helps! He immediately used the acceleration card with great satisfaction, and instantly felt that his understanding of those strange movements in the Qi Induction Chapter had become much clearer, as if he had practiced them dozens of times out of thin air.
"Hehe, looks like being a monkey isn't so bad after all..." Lin Yuan grinned foolishly, feeling his future was bright. He struggled to his feet, ready to persevere and continue his "high-gloss chain cultivation." So what if it hurts? For the peak of the Tribulation Transcending Realm, he'd give it his all!
However, he had just assumed a "bear-like, butt-up" starting stance—
"Master."
A clear and melodious sound, like the flow of an icy spring, came through the stone door.
Lin Yuan jolted, nearly straining his back! He hurriedly straightened up, took a few deep breaths to try and look less disheveled, and then asked in a composed tone, "What is it?"
The stone door slid open silently, revealing Feng Qinghuang's stunningly beautiful figure standing outside. Her moonlit dress shimmered with a cool luster under the starlight. Her gaze calmly swept over the drenched sweat on Lin Yuan's forehead, his slightly disheveled clothes, and the lingering... faint scent of sweat and the aura of intense spiritual energy fluctuations in the air.
"This disciple has made some progress in cultivation," Feng Qinghuang's voice was calm and composed, as if she were merely stating a fact, "and I have come to ask my esteemed teacher for verification."
Verification? Lin Yuan's heart skipped a beat. The Empress wanted to pick a fight? Who else was on Starfall Peak besides himself, a mere Qi Refining Realm newbie? Surely she wasn't looking for stones to verify it?
"Ahem," Lin Yuan forced himself to remain calm, walking out of the cave with his hands behind his back, trying to ignore the soreness in his muscles. "Oh? You've gained something? Tell me about it." He adopted a profound posture as if he had already seen through everything.
Without wasting words, Feng Qinghuang pointed her slender finger at a jagged black rock about half a person's height at the edge of the stone platform!
Buzz!
A single, more concentrated and purer icy-blue starlight burst forth! This time, the starlight was no longer a single point, but transformed into a thin, hair-like, yet extremely concentrated icy-blue ray of light, shooting out silently!
Pfft!
Like a hot knife through butter, the icy blue light pierced through the incredibly hard black stone without any hindrance! It left a tiny hole in the center of the stone, smooth as a mirror, with edges that still emitted wisps of cold air! Even more terrifying, the stone within half a foot of the hole instantly turned black and brittle, as if all life had been frozen by the extreme cold and the last traces of its structure had been burned away by the intense heat within!
Hiss! Lin Yuan's eyelids twitched! This power was far greater than when he dealt with Zhao Kun last night! And the control was even more refined! Is this the benefit of the Star Origin Pill and deep enlightenment? This cheat code is too overpowered!
"This disciple observed Master's 'guidance' of Zhao Kun last night," Feng Qinghuang withdrew her finger, her tone flat as if she had merely crushed an ant, "saying, 'Extend a claw, chop off an ant.' This disciple has learned from this teaching and comprehended the meaning of 'a single line of starlight,' taking its essence of condensing and breaking through the solid, extinguishing all life. I wonder... what Master thinks?"
Lin Yuan: "..." I was just threatening you, boss! I didn't ask you to develop a new skill! And the name of your skill... "A Line of Starlight"? It sounds quite poetic, but its destructive power is too brutal!
He mentally ranted, but on the surface he tried his best to maintain a pleased expression of "a promising student," even stroking his non-existent beard (he realized halfway through the action that he didn't have a beard, and awkwardly changed it to touching his chin): "Hmm... not bad! Condensing and breaking through the solid, extinguishing life force, it deeply grasps the essence of the way of attack! This technique... has great potential! Given time, it will definitely become one of your major killing moves!" He racked his brains, searching through the vocabulary of the fantasy novels he had read in his previous life to comment.
Feng Qinghuang nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with Lin Yuan's "comment." She then changed the subject: "This disciple has another matter. To accelerate the mastery of the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Jue,' more Zhou Tian star power is needed to temper the Dao foundation. Although this Star Spirit Guiding Array is wonderful, its range is limited, and the gathering of star power also has its upper limit."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan understood. This was because the array's "power" was insufficient, and it needed an upgrade! He immediately recalled the description of the [Star Spirit Guiding Array] in the system space—Peak Master level! Since it was "Peak Master level," theoretically it should be able to cover the entire Starfall Peak, right? It was just that his spiritual power was too weak before, and he could only activate this small area of the stone platform.
"Hmm, I have already considered this matter." Lin Yuan once again adopted an air of "everything is under control," pointing to the stone platform beneath his feet and the nine star stones embedded in the grooves. "The foundation of this formation is complete, and its potential is far greater than this. However..." He deliberately paused, revealing a perfectly timed "difficulty" on his face, "To expand its power, cover the entire Starfall Peak, and draw upon the vast stellar power, one needs immense spiritual energy to activate the core of the formation plate. My current cultivation level... cough, Qi Induction Realm, truly, I have the will but not the strength."
After Lin Yuan finished speaking, he looked at Feng Qinghuang expectantly. The meaning was clear: Upgrading the formation? Sure! But it'll depend on you, disciple! Your Qi Refining Realm "small pipe" simply can't handle this "big pump"!
Feng Qinghuang was incredibly intelligent, and she instantly understood Lin Yuan's "difficulty." A hint of understanding flashed in her clear, cold eyes, even... a very subtle "I knew it" expression. The Qi Refining Realm was, after all, a fatal flaw.
"Disciple understands." She nodded, and without the slightest hesitation, walked directly to the floating array plate. "Please instruct me, Master, how do I activate it?
Lin Yuan was overjoyed and quickly repeated the key points that the system had instilled in him on how to infuse the core of the array plate with spiritual power and expand the range of the array, in his own words as simple and easy to understand as possible.
Feng Qinghuang listened intently, and after confirming that everything was correct, she extended her slender hand and gently placed it on the core of the array plate. The vast and boundless spiritual power of the mid-stage Breaking Illusion Realm within her body, as if finding an outlet, surged forth instantly!
Buzz—! !!! !
This time, the buzzing was more than ten times louder than when Lin Yuan activated it last night! The entire Starfall Peak trembled violently! Deep within the cave, the faint starlight flashed by again, seemingly triggered by some kind of resonance!
The nine star stones erupted with unprecedented brilliance! Thick silver beams of light shot into the sky, intertwining and spreading above the peak! Countless more complex and profound star trail runes emerged and flowed within the beams of light!
Centered on the stone platform, the pale silver light shield spread rapidly across the entire Starfall Peak like mercury spilling onto the ground! Wherever it passed, the previously pitifully thin spiritual energy concentration began to soar at a visible speed! The star-like Daoist aura permeating the air became several times more concentrated! The entire Starfall Peak seemed to awaken from its slumber, greedily absorbing the starlight falling from the heavens!
In just a few dozen breaths, the entire Starfall Peak was enveloped in a faint silver halo! Although it was still far inferior to the other main peaks, it was a complete transformation from its previous desolate and lifeless state! The sparse vegetation on the peak seemed to have come back to life, with tiny dewdrops condensing on its leaves!
"It's done!" Lin Yuan felt the spiritual energy and starlight Dao rhythm around him, which were several times denser, and he was so excited that he almost jumped up! This environment was simply a blessed land for him, who was at the Qi Refining Realm! His offline cultivation speed had at least doubled!
Feng Qinghuang withdrew her hand, her face slightly pale, clearly indicating that the exertion she had just experienced had been considerable. However, looking at the mountain shrouded in starlight and feeling the surging stellar power, a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes. This environment was indeed highly beneficial for her in repairing her Dao foundation and cultivating the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Jue" (a Daoist technique).
"Master," she turned to Lin Yuan, her tone carrying a barely perceptible solemnity, "this formation is complete, and the spiritual energy of Starfall Peak is beginning to emerge. However, this peak is vast, and with only the two of us, it is rather desolate. I have heard that the sect has a rule that each peak can recruit a small number of disciples to handle mundane affairs, and also to assist in the operation of the formation and gather spiritual energy..."
Recruiting handymen? Lin Yuan's eyes lit up! That's right! He almost forgot about that! What kind of image would it be for the dignified master of a peak to be all alone? Besides, with handymen, there would be people to clean, run errands, and even... help plant some spiritual herbs (if they become available later). More importantly, more people would make it more lively and let those who were laughing at him know that his Starfall Peak was not a desolate mountain that no one wanted!
"My disciple is absolutely right!" Lin Yuan waved his hand, his spirit soaring. "Our Starfall Peak is no longer what it used to be; it's time to recruit some manpower! This matter will be handled by you..." He initially wanted to pass the buck to Feng Qinghuang, but seeing her cold gaze, he swallowed his words and changed his tune: "Yes, I will personally post the notice! Recruit... um, first recruit thirty menial disciples! The requirements... hardworking and quick-witted are all that's needed!"
He was already fantasizing about the "impressive" scene of himself inspecting Starfall Peak with his hands behind his back, surrounded by a group of respectful servant disciples!
Looking at Lin Yuan's smug expression, as if he were finally going to be a master, Feng Qinghuang's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile again. Recruiting servants? Good. At least... when Master performs that strange "body-refining dance" in the future, there will be a few more spectators? This thought inexplicably flashed through her mind.
"Master is wise," she replied calmly, turning to walk towards the edge of the cliff where the spiritual energy was most abundant, preparing to continue her cultivation. With this upgraded Star Spirit Guiding Array, plus the Star Origin Pill, she felt that the bottleneck in the late stage of the Breaking Illusion Realm seemed to... have loosened a little?
Lin Yuan excitedly ran back to his cave to draft his "Recruitment Order for Miscellaneous Disciples of Starfall Peak." While brainstorming how to make the recruitment notice sound impressive (e.g., "We sincerely invite ambitious individuals to join us in the grand undertaking of Starfall Peak's rise!"), he smugly thought, "Hehe, being the peak master... it feels really good! With the system in hand, the Empress by my side, and miscellaneous disciples coming soon... this transmigration seems to be getting on track?"
Unbeknownst to him, a vast net, secretly woven by Zhao Hao and aimed at him and Starfall Peak, was being quietly cast. Recruiting handymen? Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity for someone to "sneak" in.