And one star after another formed.
Sweat rolled down Kerus's face as pain spread through his body, but he did not stop. His breathing grew heavy, his muscles trembled, yet his focus never wavered.
After several hours, six stars shone steadily within his lower dantian.
A faint smile surfaced on Kerus's face.
But it vanished just as quickly.
He exhaled slowly. For him, this was not enough.
Forming stars only strengthened his physical foundation. It enhanced vitality, endurance, and overall strength, but this body had been fragile from the very beginning.
Kerus's eyes hardened. "I need more strength."
Without hesitation, he chose a technique that he created.
Dragon Tendon Art.
A brutal body-refining technique he had created long ago, one designed to temper tendons, sharpen reflexes, and push the human body beyond its natural limits.
But it was infamous for one reason.
The pain.
Kerus stood up and steadied his breathing. If he wished to surpass even his former self, this was a path he had to walk again, starting now.
Dusk had already arrived. Shadows stretched long across the forest as the world grew dim.
Kerus began cultivating.
His body twisted into unnatural positions.
Bones creaked.
Muscles screamed.
Each movement stretched his tendons to their breaking point, forcing blood to surge violently through his veins. His vision blurred as agony flooded every nerve.
Dark impurities seeped out with blood through his mouth, nose, and even eyes, staining his skin and robes.
Kerus clenched his teeth.
Pain meant nothing.
He had endured far worse.
At one point, his body agitated violently. He coughed and spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
The blood was dark and foul.
"Good," Kerus murmured.
Without stopping, he continued.
Again.
And again.
When the final movement ended, Kerus dropped to one knee, his breath ragged and uneven.
His body burned.
But it also felt different.
Stronger. More flexible. Alive.
He slowly rose to his feet.
"At least now," he muttered, "this body is no longer fragile."
His hand moved to his abdomen.
"I need nourishment."
Body refinement demanded food in large portions.
Meat.
Without wasting time, Kerus went deeper into the forest.
Before long, he found his target.
A wild boar.
Its body was massive, its tusks sharp, its aura violent. The beast charged the moment it sensed him.
Kerus sidestepped calmly.
His movements were smooth, almost effortless.
With a precise strike to the neck…
Crack.
The boar collapsed instantly.
In that dark night, Kerus quickly prepared a fire and roasted the meat. He ate in silence, each bite heavy and filling. Warmth spread through his body as nutrients were absorbed rapidly.
His muscles tightened. His frame became denser.
His shoulders broadened. His limbs gained definition.
He was no longer a walking skeleton.
Kerus clenched his fist and checked his condition right then…
Right when every disciple was busy in the forest, far away, at the academy, clear tea filled the tea pavilion with a faint fragrance. Two figures leaned back in their seats, enjoying a brief moment of rest. Wearing clean and long robe. By their looks, it was clear, they are teachers.
"Will he survive?" one said, swirling his cup.
"Even his body won't be found," another replied calmly. Then a gentle smile covered their faces as they had won something.
Back in the forest, Kerus felt much better after finishing his meal, "Better," he said softly. "But still not enough."
"I need another one."
Just as he turned…
A scream tore through the forest.
Sharp.
Desperate.
Kerus's eyes narrowed.
That scream…
It came from that side.
Without hesitation, he moved.
After a short while, he reached the source of the sound.
What he saw made his gaze darken.
Before him lay four figures.
Mei Ling.
And three other disciples.
They were sprawled across the ground, blood staining their robes. Bruises darkened their skin. One of them struggled to breathe, each inhale shallow and strained.
Kerus did not rush forward.
He leapt silently into a nearby tree and observed from above.
"…Yerin, Kang, Minseok," he murmured.
"They formed a team."
His gaze shifted.
Five figures stood before the Ling's group.
Laughing.
Their voices were loud, arrogant, and filled with mockery.
Kerus recognized them instantly.
Baek Seojin and his followers.
Disciples known for clinging to stronger seniors, bullying the weak, and stealing opportunities whenever they could.
The five kicked aside scattered bags, rummaging through them openly.
"Such miserable trash," one of them scoffed. "After all that effort, this is all they amount to?"
Another laughed. "They can't even protect what they gathered."
Baek Seojin stepped forward slowly, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze settled on Mei Ling.
"Hand over the pill refinement materials that you are hiding," he said coldly. "Consider it the price for keeping your limbs intact."
Mei Ling trembled as she forced herself upright.
"No," she said hoarsely.
Baek Seojin raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"We gathered those ourselves," she continued, teeth clenched. "You won't take them."
Silence fell.
Then Baek Seojin laughed softly.
"So naive." His smile sharpened. "Very well. If you refuse to give them up…"
He took a step forward.
"…then we'll simply collect them after teaching you what defiance costs."
One of his lackeys chuckled darkly. "Young Master, shall we start by crippling one of them?"
Fear filled the eyes of Ling and the others.
Even in the dim light, their desperation was clear.
Kerus watched quietly.
He had expected this.
But the moment Baek Seojin lifted his foot..
Kerus moved.
A shadow fell before them.
Boom!
Kerus descended from above and landed between the two groups. Dust and leaves exploded outward as the ground cracked slightly beneath his feet.
Everyone froze.
Then everyone saw his face.
"…Rick? Rick, is that you?"
Laughter erupted.
"Hah! I thought it was a senior."
"This useless thing?"
Baek Seojin sneered. "If you value your life, crawl away now."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Leave behind anything you happened to scavenge. That way, I might let you go."
Another disciple smirked. "Does he even have anything worth taking?"
Kerus did not answer.
His face was empty of emotion.
He turned his head slightly.
Mei Ling's bloodied form.
Her trembling hands.
Confirmed.
He faced forward again.
A voice came from behind him, "Rick, run, you are no match for them, they are all above five stars."
Something stirred within his chest just hearing Ming's voice in this agony.
Rick's emotions, he felt.
Kerus's gaze sharpened as it locked onto Baek Seojin.
"Three breaths," he said calmly.
"When they pass… I should no longer see you."
For a heartbeat…
Then laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"Has hunger finally driven him mad?"
One breath…
"This is the funniest thing I've heard all day."
Two breaths
One disciple frowned.
"…Wait."
His laughter faltered.
"Don't you think," he said slowly, staring at Rick,
"That Rick looks… different?"
Three breaths.
And…
BOOM!