Twenty Third-tier Star Cores were neatly arranged before Lu Sheng. He casually picked one up and placed it in his mouth. He then grabbed one in each hand and entered a state of cultivation.
Building upon the 85 million Extreme Yang Immortals within his body, he could now effortlessly absorb three Third-tier Star Cores simultaneously. The surging energy was like a bursting starry sea, rushing wildly through every corner of his body.
During this process, the Law runes within his martial body grew rapidly. New Extreme Yang Immortals emerged in rapid succession, wave after wave. One million, two million, three million… The total number of Sheng's Extreme Yang Immortal Cells soon surged past the 100 million mark.
Just as he had anticipated, even after breaking through the 100 million mark, he still did not feel he had reached his limit. The Third-tier Star Cores in his palms dimmed and eventually flickered out like candle flames. The energy was exhausted.
Sheng paid it no mind and immediately replaced them with three new ones. The sensation of energy surging through him returned once more. The speed at which his power was rising was almost comparable to the speed at which the Meteor spacecraft was racing through the starry sky.
Sheng's body continued to radiate light. The Law-inscribed patterns within it resembled the roots of a tree or the web of a spider, linking together layer by layer, piece by piece, in a tight and harmonious network.
If one could completely unfold his body from the inside out, what would be revealed before the world's eyes would undoubtedly be the most dazzling and magnificent picture imaginable. Sheng could clearly sense the immense power of his martial body. He felt a sense of surprised delight.
"Is this… a Law Body?"
The unbridled growth of the Immortal Martial Emperor Body had reached a point where it now gave him a sensation somewhat akin to the Law Body that only a 14th-level martial arts master might possess.
"Though it's still far from the power of a true Law Body, it seems… It already possesses some of the aura of a Law Body."
Sheng reached out and gently pressed against his skin and muscles, sensing the patterns and veins of the Extreme Yang Law seeping through the flesh beneath. The power of this Law was seeping into his skin and flesh, already attempting to construct a more powerful and advanced physical form. Of course, there was still a very long way to go before reaching a true Law Body. But for Sheng, it was more than enough of a surprise.
"Even if only the outermost layer is completed, it will be enough to massively boost the defensive power of my martial body. By then, even a Level 14 martial artist would need to strike me several times to kill me…"
This was truly excellent news. If Sheng could withstand one or two attacks from a Level 14 being, what would that prove? It would prove that he'd finally gained the confidence to face a Level 14 being head-on. By then, even if the Lord of Oblivion from the Interdimensional Battlefield came to ambush him again—even without Mokodo's protection—he'd have a strong chance of escaping.
"Once the prototype of the Law Body is fully formed, even if I'm not at Level 14, I'll no longer be a worm that can be crushed at will."
"Huuu…" Seeing that he had taken another giant stride toward level 14, Sheng exhaled a long, heavy breath, and the pressure in his heart eased slightly. His expression then grew even more resolute.
He extended a finger and tapped lightly. Five small silver boxes before him opened simultaneously. Another five Third-tier Star Cores flew out. Sheng opened his mouth and swallowed them all, as if they were candy beans. The three from before, plus these five. A total of eight third-tier star nuclei absorbed at once.
"Boom!
Deep blue energy, so dense it was almost tangible, roared forth, instantly engulfing Sheng's figure. In this expanse between sea and sky, atop the coastal reefs, it was as if a deep-blue sun had suddenly been born. The terrifying pressure of the energy directly crushed and pulverized the surrounding reefs and land. Vast amounts of seawater were swept aside and drained away. In an instant, the entire area seemed to be plunged into a terrifying apocalyptic scene.
-
In the Star Spirit Flower spaceship, Zi Yanxin stood in an empty room, facing the vast, deep night sky, gazing at it in silence. Not long ago, she had just taken the biggest gamble of her life. She had secretly diverted resources far beyond the scope of her authority; once the family's Council of Elders found out, she would face severe punishment.
However, she was fully confident. If the Elders' Council traced the whereabouts of these resources, they would surely understand her actions. By then, misfortune would turn into fortune, and punishment would naturally become a reward. After all. That was the most prodigious martial arts genius she had ever seen, one with a future so boundless it defied imagination. With these thoughts, Zi Yanxin's restless heart gradually settled.
Just then, her expression suddenly shifted. Her gaze fell to a spot before her, where a virtual display screen materialized.
"My Lady, the clan has received a message from the Hunting Bow Merchants' Guild requesting an immediate audience with you."
"Bring them in."
"Yes."
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The virtual screen before Yanxin vanished, and immediately afterward, the figure of a tall, muscular, and imposing man appeared before her. A massive purple pentagram shone brightly between his eyebrows. Upon seeing the man, Yanxin respectfully performed the clan's ceremonial bow and addressed him by his name.
"Your junior, Zi Yanxin, greets Elder Shadostar."
The man looked at her with a detached expression and spoke coldly, "I never expected the clan to send a woman to lead this expedition. It is quite surprising…"
Zi Yanxin lowered her head slightly, a faint flicker passing through her eyes. She took a light breath but said nothing. The imposing man she addressed as Elder Shadostar gave a cold chuckle.
He did not continue his mockery, but spoke directly: "I won't waste my breath on you. Once the Star Spirit Flower docks, bring all the third-tier Star Cores from this shipment to see me. I have a great use for them."
"What?!"
Upon hearing his words, Zi Yanxin's expression immediately betrayed her shock. Noticing this slight emotional flicker, he immediately frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"
Zi Yanxin forced herself to suppress the panic welling up inside and replied calmly, "I'm afraid this goes against the rules. If the Elder wishes to requisition Star Cores, I must first report to the Elders' Council and submit an application."
"I've already made arrangements with the Elders' Council." The imposing man interrupted Zi Yanxin with a hint of impatience, adding, "The Elders' Council has already given its approval. All you need to do is bring the Star Cores over. I've reviewed the inventory list for this shipment. If I recall correctly, there should be a total of thirty Third-tier Star Cores. Bring them all to me—not a single one missing."
"But…" Yanxin wanted to say something else. But the man had no intention of wasting any more words on her; he cut off the transmission and vanished into thin air.
Yanxin's face was as still as water as she stared silently at the spot where the man had disappeared. After a long while, she exhaled softly, her expression growing increasingly grim. She had known all along that her unauthorized use of resources would be exposed, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Moreover, the person about to expose her audacious act didn't seem like someone easy to deal with.
"It doesn't matter." Yanxin quickly regained her composure and muttered to herself, "What's meant to happen will happen sooner or later. Lu Sheng's talent is enough to convince anyone. I'll just stick to the original plan; there's nothing to worry about…" she reassured herself.
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Translation notes by dhoo
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Elder Shadostar aka Elder Xing Ying, Elder Shadow Star
星影长老 (trad. 星影長老), xīng yǐng zhǎnglǎo: 星 star 影 shadow, image 长老 elder
Yanxin addresses them as xīng yǐng zhǎnglǎo