The spaceship Meteor, resembling a silver meteorite, sped through the cosmic forest. It was steadily approaching the very center of the Hunting Bow. They encountered more and more ships along the way, and occasionally came across checkpoints manned by the Hunting Bow patrols. However, under the banner of the Star Spirit Flower Clan, the Meteor's passage remained largely unimpeded.
Inside the ship at that moment, Haiji Dao, Anon Turing, Pablo, and Zoe—the four of them—were resting in the spacious common lounge. A crew member bearing the distinctive physical traits of the Star Spirit Flower family stood before them, reporting respectfully.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should reach the heart of the Celestial Serpent galaxy in just half a day." Hearing this, the four of them instinctively turned to look out the window. Through the ship's holographic exterior projection, they could clearly see that they were steadily approaching a dazzling star cluster.
While Haiji Dao and Pablo remained composed, Anon and Zoe both wore expressions of subtle anticipation. For within that dazzling star cluster lay the ultimate destination of their journey. The highest martial arts academy in the Celestial Serpent—The Celestial Throne Academy!
Anon couldn't help but stand up. He stared intently at the star cluster through the window for a moment; his green hair fluttered slightly, revealing the excitement surging within him.
"My Lord." Anon suddenly withdrew his gaze, turned to look at Haiji Dao, and asked, "Should I go inform Lu Sheng?"
Upon hearing the name "Lu Sheng," Pablo and his daughter's eyes flickered slightly. Zoe, in particular, seemed to pout in slight displeasure.
Haiji Dao thought for a moment before replying, "Let's wait a bit longer. We'll notify him when the time comes." He wasn't sure exactly what kind of training Lu Sheng was undergoing, but from the surging energy that occasionally leaked out from his resting area, he could make an educated guess.
Lu Sheng was likely in the midst of a rather critical phase right now. Breaking through to Level 13? Haiji Dao dared not confirm it. If that were truly the case… It would be simply too outrageous.
Lu Sheng had only just ascended to Level 12 in the Interdimensional Battlefield—how long had it been since he emerged from there? And now he's ascending again?
How long did it take himself to go from Level 12 to Level 13 back then? But… Up to this point, Lu Sheng had displayed far too many extraordinary feats; things that defied common sense seemed perfectly natural when it came to him.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. Now, the Meteor spacecraft had fully entered that dazzling star cluster. The ship headed toward the largest star at the center of the cluster.
Haiji Dao and Pablo both stood up. Haiji Dao exchanged a glance with Anon. The latter understood immediately and was about to turn to call Lu Sheng out. But just then…
"Whoosh—"
A strange energy fluctuation, like an invisible ripple, pierced the void and instantly swept past the four people in the cabin. Swept by this invisible ripple, they looked up almost simultaneously, all turning their gaze in the same direction.
In their field of vision, a beam of light rapidly grew from a tiny speck to a brilliant glow. And in the instant that light blossomed, countless silvery-white specks swiftly appeared in the vast expanse of the starry sky before them.
Countless specks of light coalesced into bands of light, and these bands formed rivers. Countless silver-white rivers of light emerged from the void, all surging majestically toward a single point. In the blink of an eye, an immense silver vortex—so magnificent it defied description—appeared before them.
"What… what's happening?!"
Anon stared blankly at the birth and growth of this extraordinary spectacle, somewhat bewildered. Haiji Dao and Pablo, however, both flinched slightly, and the latter spoke in a low voice: "This is... a cosmic energy tide... A cosmic energy tide triggered by human power. Someone is breaking through to Level 13."
"What?!"
Anon was startled and immediately leaned forward, a gasp escaping his lips.
"Is the commotion of advancing from Level 12 to Level 13 really this intense? The cosmic energy tides unleashed now are simply too terrifying."
Haiji Dao at his side answered, "No, a typical Level 13 ascension doesn't produce phenomena nearly this massive…"
Anon turned his head and was surprised to see shock and emotion flicker across the Haj Dao's poker face, which had remained virtually unchanged for ten thousand years. Then he heard him say, slowly and deliberately, in a low voice, "Not even one percent of that."
Upon hearing Haiji Dao's words, Anon's eyes widened suddenly, and he turned to look at the silver vortex of cosmic energy. To his astonishment, he discovered that the tidal phenomenon—which, according to Haiji Dao, was a hundred times larger than the scale typically seen when a Level 12 martial artist ascends to Level 13—was actually continuing to expand rapidly at that very moment.
Meanwhile, Pablo and Zoe, standing nearby, seemed to have drawn some connection from this, their faces both betraying an unusual expression. Zoe's beautiful eyes shone with an intense radiance, revealing more anticipation than she had ever shown before.
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"So, you say you secretly gave all thirty Third-tier Star Cores to a so-called martial arts prodigy who is merely at level 12? And on top of that, you handed over the clan's Level 5 Honorary Member ID card without the Elders' Council's approval?"
On a planet radiating a faint purple glow, Elder Shadostar, tall and imposing, shot a piercing glare at Zi Yanxin before him. An overwhelming aura of power emanated from every inch of his being, pouring unreservedly onto Yanxin.
Facing his fury, she remained calm, speaking with neither humility nor arrogance: "Regarding the data on Lu Sheng and the analysis report on his talents, I had already forwarded them to the Clan Elders' Council before coming to see Elder Shadostar. I believe we will have results very soon."
"Hah…"
Elder Shadostar couldn't help but laugh, though his laughter was as cold as cosmic ice.
"Impressive, truly impressive."
Clapping his hands, he loudly "praised" Yanxin, his laughter tinged with fury: "Zi Yanxin. Back when the Elders' Council was deciding whether you had the ability and qualifications to enter the clan's business management system, I even cast a vote in your favor. Now it seems that was the most foolish decision I've ever made in my life. You're wonderful, truly wonderful—far exceeding everyone's expectations..."
Elder Shadostar's derisive laughter continued unabated; he clearly looked as though he was nearly driven to the brink of madness by rage. Upon hearing his words, a flicker of shame instinctively welled up in Yanxin's heart. But she quickly forced that shame down.
"Zi Yanxin is grateful for the Elder's support," she said calmly, "but I also implore the Elder to trust my judgment. The Elder can review Lu Sheng's records. Although his martial arts cultivation is only at level 12, he is…"
"There's no need."
Elder Shadostar did not wait for Zi Yanxin to finish speaking; instead, he waved his hand listlessly. He looked at her with extreme coldness and added, "I have no interest whatsoever in this so-called genius you speak of. Do you know why I've requisitioned these thirty Third-tier Star Cores?"
Yanxin shook her head.
Elder Xingying offered no explanation; he merely gave a light wave of his hand. In an instant, he transported her into the starry sky. At that moment, in the starry expanse before them, an immense silver vortex of energy was constantly expanding, dominating the vision of everyone who witnessed it.
Yanxin was also drawn in by this strange sight, a hint of awe appearing on her face. At that moment, Elder Shadostar's voice sounded softly in her ear.
"The possessor of a Sovereign-level Extraordinary Physique—a being that appears only once every hundred thousand years in the Celestial Serpent galaxy—is currently breaking through to level 13 of the Martial Dao."
"Those thirty Third-tier Blue Cosmos Star Cores were originally intended for him. I believe you hold that so-called martial arts prodigy in the highest regard, and that the information and analysis you provided regarding him are all true. But…"
Elder Shadostar's voice grew icy and indifferent as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly. "Do you think he can compare to a future Galaxy Lord-level figure? In this entire galaxy, what genius could possibly be more extraordinary and noble than a Sovereign-level bloodline?! Zi Yanxin, do you realize... Because of your foolishness and your insistence on making decisions on your own… You have very likely destroyed the clan's golden opportunity for a hundred thousand years of upward progress! Do you still think you're in the right now?"
Elder Shadostar's words pierced Yanxin's heart like nails, one by one. Her composure and confidence finally crumbled to pieces. Her face turned deathly pale, and her body swayed as if about to collapse. Gazing at the ever-expanding vortex of cosmic energy before her, her body began to tremble almost uncontrollably.
"S… Sovereign-level Extraordinary Physique… The future ruler of the Celestial Serpent galaxy?!"
In an instant, it was as if her soul had been forcibly ripped from her body. She became utterly dazed and forlorn, as if abandoned by the entire cosmos.
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Translation notes by dhoo
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Level 5 Honorary Member ID Card
The VIP Card that Yanxin gave Sheng in chapter #621/#622
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hundred thousand years
一亿年 (trad. 一億年), yī yì nián: 一 one 亿 hundred million/thousand 年 year
亿 means hundred million nowadays, but used to mean hundred thousand, which seems much more plausible here, since strong martial artists live several thousands of years