The night sky above the forest was clear and endless.
Countless stars shimmered like distant lanterns scattered across the dark heavens. The moon had not yet risen, leaving the sky deep and black, making the stars appear even brighter.
For most people, the stars were only beautiful lights far away.
But for cultivators like Lin Tian, they represented something far more important.
Cosmic energy.
Energy that came from the vast universe itself.
Energy that had nurtured countless civilizations and powerful cultivators.
Energy that Lin Tian had once mastered in his previous life.
Tonight, as Lin Tian stepped into the hidden ruin beneath the forest, his mind was focused on a new goal.
He had already strengthened his body.
He had stabilized his cultivation foundation.
But if he wanted to advance faster, he needed something more powerful than the weak spiritual energy of Earth.
He needed to reconnect with cosmic energy.
Inside the underground chamber, the ancient stone pillars stood quietly as always.
Lin Tian walked toward the center platform and sat down cross-legged.
But tonight, he did not immediately begin cultivation.
Instead, he closed his eyes and recalled memories from his past life.
Long ago, when he was still a young cultivator traveling among the stars, he had learned a rare technique known as Star Breathing.
Unlike normal cultivation methods, Star Breathing allowed a cultivator to draw energy directly from celestial bodies—stars, planets, and cosmic radiation.
It was extremely powerful.
But it was also very difficult.
Without strong control, the vast cosmic energy could easily damage a weak body.
In his previous life, Lin Tian had practiced this technique after reaching a much higher cultivation stage.
Trying it now was risky.
But Lin Tian had already considered the dangers carefully.
"My body is still weak… but my soul is strong enough to control the process."
He opened his eyes and looked toward the ceiling of the ruin.
Small cracks allowed faint starlight to enter the chamber.
It was not much.
But it was enough.
Lin Tian slowly stood up and walked outside.
Instead of staying underground tonight, he climbed to the top of the hill above the ruin.
From there, the sky looked enormous.
The stars stretched endlessly in every direction.
A gentle wind moved through the trees as Lin Tian stood alone beneath the vast heavens.
He took a deep breath.
"The first step is resonance."
In order to absorb cosmic energy, he needed to connect his spiritual awareness with the stars.
Lin Tian sat down on the grass.
His posture was straight and steady.
Slowly, he closed his eyes.
He began circulating the Heavenly Origin Breathing Technique, but this time he slightly modified the flow of energy.
Instead of gathering spiritual energy from the surrounding air, he extended his spiritual awareness upward.
Higher.
Farther.
Toward the stars.
At first, nothing happened.
The night remained quiet.
But Lin Tian continued focusing.
Minutes passed.
Then half an hour.
Gradually, his senses began to change.
He could feel the faint flow of energy moving through the sky.
Cosmic radiation.
Stellar energy.
Invisible forces drifting through space.
Although the distance between Earth and the stars was enormous, tiny fragments of their energy still reached the planet.
Normally, humans could not detect this energy.
But cultivators with strong spiritual awareness could sense it.
Lin Tian focused carefully.
His breathing slowed.
His mind became calm and empty.
Then—
Suddenly—
He felt it.
A faint spark of energy touched his spiritual awareness.
It was incredibly distant.
But it was real.
Lin Tian's eyes opened slightly.
"I found it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He immediately began guiding that distant energy toward his body.
The process was slow.
Extremely slow.
The cosmic energy had to travel across enormous distances before reaching him.
But even the smallest amount was incredibly powerful.
A tiny stream of starlight seemed to descend from the sky.
Of course, ordinary people could not see it.
But Lin Tian could clearly feel it.
The energy entered his body through the top of his head.
Immediately—
A sharp burning sensation spread through his meridians.
Lin Tian frowned slightly.
"As expected… cosmic energy is much stronger."
Compared to Earth's spiritual energy, cosmic energy was far more concentrated.
It was like comparing a small stream to a raging river.
If he absorbed too much at once, his body would not survive.
Lin Tian carefully slowed the energy flow.
He guided the cosmic energy through his meridians step by step.
The burning sensation gradually softened.
His body slowly adapted to the powerful energy.
Minutes passed.
The small stream of cosmic energy continued flowing into him.
Inside his body, the energy merged with the spiritual energy he had already cultivated.
The result was immediate.
His cultivation speed increased dramatically.
Lin Tian could clearly feel his strength growing.
His bones became stronger.
His muscles more refined.
Even his senses became sharper.
The process continued for nearly an hour.
Finally, Lin Tian slowly stopped the technique.
He opened his eyes and looked up at the stars again.
His breathing was slightly heavier than before.
But his expression showed excitement.
"It works."
Even though the amount of cosmic energy he absorbed was small, its effect was incredible.
If he continued practicing this technique every night, his cultivation speed would increase many times.
However, Lin Tian also understood the risks.
Cosmic energy was powerful but unstable.
Absorbing too much could cause serious damage.
For now, he could only absorb a small amount each night.
Over time, as his body grew stronger, he could gradually increase the amount.
Lin Tian stood up and stretched his arms slightly.
His body felt different.
Lighter.
Stronger.
More energetic.
Even the night air felt clearer.
He looked at his hands thoughtfully.
"This is only the beginning."
If he could master cosmic energy again, his cultivation path would become far more powerful than before.
Because cosmic energy was not limited to Earth.
It existed everywhere in the universe.
Which meant—
No matter where he traveled in the future, he could continue growing stronger.
Lin Tian walked to the edge of the hill and looked down at the city.
The lights below flickered quietly.
People were sleeping, unaware of the silent cultivation happening beneath the stars.
Lin Tian raised his eyes to the sky again.
Countless stars watched over the world.
Somewhere out there were the powerful civilizations he once knew.
Somewhere out there were the enemies who destroyed him.
But tonight, Lin Tian had taken another important step toward returning to that universe.
He had reconnected with the stars.
A calm smile appeared on his face.
"Soon… I will grow strong again."
The wind gently moved through the forest.
Above him, the stars continued shining silently.
And beneath their distant light, Lin Tian had begun mastering the power of the cosmos once more. 🌌⚔️