Translator: CinderTL
A vast aura swept through the entire Cosmic Tempering Pool.
Rumble!
Within Jiang Ye's body, a thunderous roar erupted like an avalanche, signaling the rapid surge of his life aura.
Had anyone else been nearby, they would have been overwhelmed by this astonishing energy.
Fortunately, after three hours of tempering, Jiang Ye was the only one left in the Purification Pool.
After all, enduring three hours in a second-tier stellar energy tempering pool was a feat beyond the capabilities of most.
"Finally!"
"Peak-second breakthrough." Jiang Ye opened his eyes, a faint smile gracing his lips.
At that moment, all twelve of his Star Meridians lit up, their radiant glow intertwining and illuminating him with an almost transcendent aura.
"Congratulations! You've reached peak-second breakthrough," Bai Gui's voice suddenly echoed.
"However, I have a question..."
"Senior Bai Gui, what is it?" Jiang Ye asked curiously.
"Your rate of stellar energy absorption seems to far exceed the standard for Nascent Aptitude."
"Even among those with Dao Bone Aptitude, your talent would be considered above average," Bai Gui said, puzzled. "But you clearly have Nascent Aptitude."
Jiang Ye couldn't help but smile.
Indeed!
His cosmic tempering this time had been far more efficient than before.
In just three hours, he had completely crossed the threshold of the peak-second breakthrough.
Previously, it would have taken at least several days.
"Senior Bai Gui," Jiang Ye said with a smile, "is it possible that my innate talent has improved?"
"Improved innate talent?" Bai Gui blinked in surprise.
But she immediately shook her head. "Impossible. Just two months ago, you still had Nascent Aptitude."
"Two months isn't enough time to reach this level," Bai Gui insisted firmly.
"Oh?" Jiang Ye asked, his curiosity piqued. "Why not?"
"Improving innate talent isn't something that happens overnight," Bai Gui explained. "It requires gradual accumulation over time."
"At least, that was the case in the White Dragon Civilization," she continued. "Advancing from Nascent Aptitude to Dao Bone Aptitude would take at least a year."
"A year?" Jiang Ye was inwardly shocked.
He finally understood Bai Gui's confusion.
How could she possibly imagine that in just a few days, Jiang Ye had already transformed from his original Nascent Aptitude to Dao Bone Aptitude?
Even within a third-tier civilization, enhancing one's innate talent was no easy feat. It required years of painstaking accumulation to gradually transform one's aptitude.
Yet Jiang Ye had achieved this metamorphosis in an instant.
"It seems your physique truly is extraordinary," Bai Gui remarked, dismissing any further speculation.
Her reason for choosing Jiang Ye had always been precisely this exceptional quality. If he weren't special, how could he, with only early-second breakthrough strength, have slain a powerhouse nearing the third breakthrough? At the time, he possessed only a Nascent Aptitude.
Seeing Bai Gui's acceptance, Jiang Ye offered no further explanation. He calmed his mind and focused on sensing the changes within himself.
"Reaching the peak-second breakthrough has indeed brought about a profound transformation. The twelve Star Meridians now form a complete circulatory system."
After breaking through, Jiang Ye's understanding of his own strength had become far clearer.
"Now..."
"If I were to return to the White Dragon's Court and face that opponent nearing the third breakthrough again," Jiang Ye mused, "I likely wouldn't need to detonate my Guanyuan Acupoint to defeat him."
This confidence stemmed from his twelve Star Meridians.
The Star Meridians themselves were extraordinarily mystical, possessing transcendent properties that allowed them to channel cosmic energy.
A single Star Meridian could hold up to ten thousand strands of stellar energy.
Twelve Star Meridians? That meant a capacity of one hundred and twenty thousand strands of stellar energy!
When these twelve Star Meridians formed a complete circulatory system, they could unleash over one hundred thousand strands of stellar energy in an instant—a terrifying concept.
"More importantly," Jiang Ye murmured to himself, "the White Dragon True God Manual I'm cultivating allows me to harness even higher-tier stellar energy. Even second-tier stellar energy only needs to be diluted tenfold to become usable."
Second-tier stellar energy was dozens of times more potent than Primordial Stellar Energy.
Even after being diluted tenfold, it remained far superior to Primordial Stellar Energy.
This was the advantage of cultivating a high-tier technique.
Sensing the transformation in his own power, Jiang Ye re-entered the tempering process.
"Second-tier stellar energy tempering offers far greater benefits than Primordial Tempering."
"Let's continue tempering," Jiang Ye said, closing his eyes.
Although he had already reached the peak of the second breakthrough, he still had a considerable distance to go before achieving the third breakthrough.
Leaving aside the progress of his cultivation technique, the gap in life level alone would require at least several more rounds of cosmic tempering.
"Second-tier cosmic tempering costs five million credits per session."
"I can't afford to waste it."
Jiang Ye activated the White Dragon True God Manual, focusing intently on absorbing the surrounding second-tier stellar energy.
His life level continued its slow transformation, drawing him ever closer to the elusive third breakthrough.
After a day, Jiang Ye finally couldn't endure the excruciating pain any longer and emerged from the Purification Pool.
His cosmic tempering session had come to an end.
Back at Star Garden No. 11, he mused, "As expected of second-tier stellar energy tempering."
"It was truly agonizing—even I struggled to withstand it," Jiang Ye thought, shaking his head. "I could barely endure two days."
"Fortunately, I now possess the Dao Bone Aptitude."
"In these two days, my life level's transformation has reached its maximum potential," Jiang Ye reasoned. "Staying any longer would only prolong the suffering."
Every life transformation has its limits.
Even Heavenly Prides with Transcendent Aptitude require multiple transformations to reach the threshold of life's shackles.
Cosmic energy's effects on the body are gradual and cumulative, requiring time to accumulate.
"However," Jiang Ye concluded, "this tempering session reveals that my willpower remains insufficient. I must strengthen it through further trials in the future."
During this period, Jiang Ye had been completely focused on cultivation, significantly reducing his visits to the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.
But now, he felt the need to revise his training plan. He needed to allocate time for mental fortitude training.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to withstand second-tier stellar energy.
How would he ever endure third-tier or fourth-tier stellar energy in the future?
As this thought crossed his mind, Jiang Ye's expression shifted slightly.
"My senior sister endures pain thousands of times greater than Primordial Tempering during each cultivation session. How does she manage to persist?"
"This second-tier stellar energy is only dozens of times stronger than Primordial Stellar Energy."
"Yet it's already excruciatingly difficult to endure," Jiang Ye said, his expression grave.
"That's why God-Devouring Syndrome is considered an almost incurable disease," Bai Gui's voice echoed. "Even in third-tier civilizations, very few can withstand it."
Jiang Ye sighed inwardly at her words.
"After the Memorial Day..."
"I should check out the B-grade opportunity zone, the 'Extreme Sea Star System Cosmic Passage'," Jiang Ye planned. "I've heard you can obtain the Extreme Sea Primordial Liquid there."
Buzz!
Just as Jiang Ye was strategizing his next move, his smart wristband suddenly vibrated.
"School notification?" Jiang Ye tapped the wristband projection.
Student Jiang Ye, the items you ordered have been delivered to the entrance of Star Garden No. 11. Please retrieve them promptly.
"My new gear has arrived!" Jiang Ye's eyes lit up.
Whoosh! He swiftly dashed out the door.
Moments later, Jiang Ye entered the training room.
He raised his silver wristband and focused his thoughts.
Boom!
A massive treasure chest crashed to the ground with a resounding thud.
"Open the chest." After verifying his biometric authentication, Jiang Ye heard a click as the chest slowly creaked open.
Inside lay three items:
A pitch-black long spear.
A silver-white bow and arrow.
A jet-black wristband.
Jiang Ye first picked up the wristband and fastened it to his wrist.
Beep! He pressed the wristband's button.
Whoosh!
Streams of dark energy surged forth, weaving together to rapidly envelop Jiang Ye's entire body.
In the blink of an eye, he was clad in jet-black Cosmic Battle Armor, golden patterns shimmering across its joints.
"Truly worthy of an earth-rank Cosmic Battle Armor."
"Comfortable." Jiang Ye felt as if he were immersed in a summer ice spring—a built-in feature of the armor.
Beyond its superior flight speed, attack power, defense, and agility compared to lower-ranked armor, the earth-rank Cosmic Battle Armor's most crucial advantage was its ability to channel higher-tier stellar energy, significantly boosting Jiang Ye's combat prowess.
Jiang Ye picked up the long spear and bow.
"Cold Sun Spear, Falling Star Bow," he murmured, testing the power of his new equipment with a few quick strikes.
He then compared it to his previous Black Dragon Spear.
Soon, Jiang Ye had a rough benchmark in mind.
"The Cold Sun Spear's power output is about three times that of the Black Dragon Spear," he said, a smile spreading across his face.
This was an astonishing difference.
Three times the power was equivalent to a small realm's worth of advancement.
"Good."
"With these," Jiang Ye murmured, a smile playing on his lips, "my chances of surviving the upcoming life and death trials have increased significantly."
Jiang Ye's anticipation for the trials grew stronger.
A C-Tier Opportunity?
No, he was aiming for a B-grade opportunity zone!
Only a B-grade opportunity zone offered the potential for Jiang Ye to break through directly from peak-second breakthrough to third breakthrough.
This prospect was immensely tempting.
"Tomorrow is Federal Memorial Day."
"First, I'll return to Ancheng with the class monitor to meet her parents. I should meet her mother," Jiang Ye planned. "I'll focus on cultivating during this time."
He glanced at his status panel:
[Cultivation Techniques]
[Nine Luminaries Star-Treading: Major Success (10%)]
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Major Success (55%)]
[Heavenly Tribulation Fist: Major Success (9%)]
[White Dragon True God Manual (Upper Volume): Uninitiated (20%)]
[Star-Piercing Arrow Technique: Uninitiated (50%)]
[Cold Sun Spear Technique: Small Success (50%)]
"Great Sun Spear Technique, Cold Sun Spear Technique, White Dragon True God Manual, Star-Piercing Arrow Technique."
"For now, I'll focus on improving these four," Jiang Ye silently planned. "I can cultivate the others later when I have time."
He placed the Enlightenment Divine Jade in his mouth and walked to the center of the training room.
He began practicing his spearmanship.
Whoosh! Jiang Ye wielded the Cold Sun Spear, its shadow shifting in a continuous, fluid motion.
In an instant, he entered a state of perfect clarity, his spearmanship steadily improving.
Time flew by.
May 1st, Federal Memorial Day.
Jiang Ye boarded Zhao Qingli's circular aircraft, taking off from Penglai University and heading toward West Mountain Province.
Inside the aircraft:
"Jiang Ye, you've already reached the peak of the second breakthrough?"
"That's so fast!" Zhao Qingli exclaimed, crossing her snow-white legs and staring at the young man in astonishment.
She remembered when Jiang Ye first enrolled as a freshman, he was only at the mid-stage of the first breakthrough.
Less than a year later, he had already reached the peak of the second breakthrough?
"I just broke through yesterday," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "What about you, Class Monitor? You should be close to your second breakthrough, right?"
"Yeah, just a few more cosmic temperings needed," Zhao Qingli nodded, her expression complex.
She hadn't even reached the second breakthrough yet, and Jiang Ye was already nearing the third!
This guy... he's a monster.
Jiang Ye could only smile at Zhao Qingli's complicated emotions.
In truth, he hadn't just reached the peak of the second breakthrough. Over the past few days, he had made significant progress in other areas as well.
Jiang Ye glanced at his status panel:
[Cultivation Techniques]
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Major Success (59%)]
[White Dragon True God Manual (Upper Volume): Uninitiated (24%)]
[Cold Sun Spear Technique: Small Success (58%)]
Just two days.
Yet all three cultivation techniques had improved remarkably!
"The Dao Bone Aptitude is truly terrifying," Jiang Ye marveled inwardly. "Combined with the Enlightenment Divine Jade, my cultivation speed is practically rocket-like."
Zhao Qingli remained unaware of Jiang Ye's thoughts.
At that moment, she continued, "Jiang Ye, do you have any other plans for our trip back to Ancheng?"
"No," Jiang Ye replied, shaking his head.
"Then we'll stop by the mall to get some things, and I'll take you to meet my mother," Zhao Qingli said, carefully planning their itinerary.
Jiang Ye listened patiently.
"Sounds good."
"What should I call your mother?" Jiang Ye suddenly asked.
"Just call her Aunt Chen," Zhao Qingli said, rolling her eyes. "What else would you call her?"
Jiang Ye cleared his throat and chuckled. "I meant, should I address her by her title?"
"No need. Just Aunt Chen is fine."
"Got it."
Time passed.
Several hours later, Jiang Ye and Zhao Qingli had returned to Ancheng and purchased gifts at a nearby mall.
It was 2 PM.
The two of them stood before a hundred-meter-tall skyscraper in the heart of Ancheng.
"This is where my mother works," Zhao Qingli explained.
"It's my first time here," Jiang Ye said, gazing up at the towering structure in awe.
This skyscraper was the only one in Ancheng to reach a hundred meters, making it the city's most iconic landmark.
As a child, Jiang Ye had often dreamed of working here when he grew up.
But now, having experienced the bustling prosperity of Donghai Province, the place seemed rather ordinary.
"Let's go," Zhao Qingli said. "I'll take you to meet her."
"Okay."
They entered the building.
On the top floor, in a spacious office:
"Mom, I brought Jiang Ye," Zhao Qingli announced as she walked in.
Jiang Ye followed closely behind. The office was simply furnished, with a desk, a chair, and a built-in bookcase lining one wall. A framed photograph sat on the bookcase.
A mature, beautiful woman in a cyan dress sat at the desk.
It was Zhao Qingli's mother, Chen Qingyun.
"Hello, Aunt Chen," Jiang Ye said, placing the gift on the desk.
"Hello, Jiang Ye," Chen Qingyun replied with a warm smile, nodding slightly. Her gaze fell on the gift. "You didn't need to bring anything."
"You're my superior," Jiang Ye said with a grin. "And it's our first meeting. I wanted to make a good impression."
Chen Qingyun gave him a surprised look.
This kid knows how to talk.
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Qingli's face.
Before coming, she had worried that Jiang Ye and her mother might not get along. But now, seeing his communication skills, she realized there was nothing to worry about.
Chen Qingyun turned to her daughter. "Qingli, you can leave now. I need to discuss something with Jiang Ye."
"Okay," Zhao Qingli said without hesitation, turning to leave.
Once Zhao Qingli had left, Jiang Ye looked at the mature, elegant woman with a puzzled expression. "Aunt Chen, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Chen Qingyun replied. "It's about your status as a Star Practitioner."
"First, let me introduce myself," Chen Qingyun said with a gentle smile. "I'm Chen Qingyun, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Star Practitioner Center stationed in Ancheng."
"Hello, Aunt Chen," Jiang Ye replied.
"I'm aware of your victory in the Genius Cup," Chen Qingyun continued.
"Your performance and potential are truly exceptional," she said, smiling. "Therefore, I've decided to promote you to Fifth-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner."
"Fifth-Tier?" Jiang Ye was taken aback.
The Reserve Star Practitioner ranks were divided into five tiers, with Fifth-Tier being the highest.
Yet Jiang Ye wasn't overly surprised.
As Chen Qingyun had said, his performance and potential clearly met the requirements for this promotion.
"Here are the benefits for Fifth-Tier Reserve Star Practitioners. Take a look," Chen Qingyun said, waving her hand.
Buzz! A holographic projection materialized.
Jiang Ye studied it carefully.
Annual resource subsidy of ten million credits
Three free second-tier stellar energy temperings per year
Access to the highest-level Star Profession Missions
"The benefits for Fifth-Tier Reserve Star Practitioners don't seem particularly generous," Jiang Ye muttered to himself.
No wonder only a small fraction of the geniuses from Donghai Province choose the path of becoming Star Practitioners.
Six months ago, this level of treatment would have seemed exceptionally generous to Jiang Ye.
But now?
Even he found it somewhat underwhelming.
"Do you think the compensation is insufficient?" Chen Qingyun asked, as if reading his thoughts.
"That's perfectly normal," she continued. "The Federation established the Reserve Star Professional Cadre to provide support, not training." She shook her head. "Moreover, the subsidies for Reserve Star Practitioners only apply until their third breakthrough."
"Once you achieve your third breakthrough, you'll become a full-fledged Star Practitioner, and these subsidies will cease," Chen Qingyun explained.
"Understood," Jiang Ye nodded.
"You've already reached the peak of your second breakthrough," Chen Qingyun said. "Promoting you now wouldn't make much difference." She shook her head. "That's why I called you here today for something far more important."
"Something that concerns the lives and safety of a million people in Ancheng."
(End of the Chapter)
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