Chapter Seven: The Stellar Body-Forging Technique

A thousand miles from Cloud Beast City, atop a mountain peak that soared into the sky.

Xu Chen and Jiang Beici were sitting there, enjoying hotpot.

“I still can’t believe it—even now. You’re so clever, your comprehension so keen, and yet, you possess only ordinary aptitude.” Jiang Beici couldn’t help but sigh. Ordinary aptitude meant that in this life, without some heaven-defying stroke of fate, one would never reach the realm of immortality.

“It is what it is—what else can I do?” Xu Chen picked up a slice of mutton, dipped it in sesame sauce, and savored it with a satisfied expression.

“According to my plan, I’ll step into the Immortal Path within a thousand years. Then, I’ll get you a pill to change your talent, brother.”

At these words, Xu Chen promptly waved his hand.

“No need. I won’t last that long anyway. When the time comes, just remember to burn some incense for me at my grave.” Xu Chen gazed out at the scenery below the mountain, his expression tranquil.

“How could that be? You have your own fate, your future will surely be bright.”

Xu Chen smiled at his friend’s words. Counting both past and present lives, he was already forty years old. Jiang Beici, before him, was only twelve—a mere child in his eyes.

Just then, Jiang Beici suddenly looked over toward a spot not far away.

There, a stone statue in the shape of an old man was slowly walking toward them.

“I am the spirit of this Wangyun Mountain, officially recognized by the order of Leizhou. Since you two young friends are dining here, I have come to offer you stalactite spirit nectar, hoping to form a good bond.” The old man’s gaze was deferential, fixed on Jiang Beici.

Two stone cups appeared in his hands, each filled with milky-white stalactite spirit nectar that emanated a rich spiritual aura.

“It’s all because of your reputation.” Xu Chen laughed.

It was like when the poorest village suddenly produced a student admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University—the only one in the village. Even years later, everyone would remember his name.

Jiang Beici was that student in Cloud Beast City.

“Just leave it here.” The smile vanished from Jiang Beici’s face, which became impassive as he looked at the mountain spirit.

“Very well, very well.”

The old man nodded obsequiously, set the two cups on the table, bowed slightly, and withdrew.

“Haha, your legend still lives on in Cloud Beast City. Since you entered the Dao Palace of the Human Sovereign, every child lives in your shadow.”

“Stop teasing me.”

“Hurry and eat. When we’re done, I’ll show you something good.”

“All right.”

Half an hour later, on the grassland by a great lake, Xu Chen and Jiang Beici sat cross-legged on the ground.

“This is the blood-essence body-forging method I found for you in the Dao Palace of the Human Sovereign. This version isn’t available in Leizhou’s Dao Pavilion.” Jiang Beici took out a book and handed it to Xu Chen.

“The Stellar Body-Tempering Method—at the highest level, one can reach the pinnacle of the Treasure Body Realm. As long as you fuse the power of the stars within, you can step into the Return-to-Void Realm.”

“The Zhou family—the semi-saint clan? Am I even allowed to read this?” Xu Chen was startled by the signature on the cover.

“It’s an internal edition of the Dao Palace. I have one slot to transfer, so I’m giving it to you.”

“This blood-essence forging method is quite unique. Even if you’re over twenty, you can still practice it.”

“From now on, just focus on cultivating the Stellar Body-Tempering Method—forget about those miscellaneous blood-essence techniques. By the time you’re eighty, I guarantee you’ll reach the Return-to-Void Realm.”

Jiang Beici pointed, and a flash of spiritual light flew into Xu Chen’s body.

In that instant, the book in Xu Chen’s hand dissolved into specks of spiritual light that burrowed into his brow. The entire content of the Stellar Body-Tempering Method emerged in his mind.

“I owe you one.” Xu Chen was not one for false modesty—if it was given, he would accept.

“As long as you’re willing to accept. I can’t have you turning to dust while I ascend to immortality.”

That night, the busiest streets of Cloud Beast City were bright as day. In the most luxurious restaurant, the finest private room.

Xu Chen and Jiang Beici sat facing a table set with sixty-four dishes.

“It’s free—eat to your heart’s content.”

“It’s a pity Uncle Xu and Aunt Wei aren’t here. Otherwise, we could have eaten together,” Jiang Beici lamented.

“They saw how nervous you were—of course they wouldn’t come.” Xu Chen grinned as he ate.

“If they won’t come, I’ll just go eat at your place,” Jiang Beici replied with a faint smile.

After dinner, the two parted ways at the restaurant.

The next day, at the city’s teleportation array, Xu Chen waved farewell to Jiang Beici.

Back at home, Xu Chen sat in the pavilion, reviewing the Stellar Body-Tempering Method now imprinted in his mind.

“I have to say, this really suits me—using the body as a vessel to draw in the power of the stars and temper oneself. The rest is just a matter of steady accumulation. It’s as solid as it gets.”

“No wonder it’s a technique used by the great clans. I guess I’m finally eating the fine grain now.”

Xu Chen planned to cultivate this method until he mastered the basics, then see if he could defeat his clone and absorb its insights.

“Time to begin. I took a day off yesterday—today I can’t slack off!”

He practiced the Six Forms of the Sacred Ape, the Twelvefold Wave Body-Tempering Method, and the Savage Blade Technique—he neglected none.

That night, he entered the Sacred White Space once more.

“Come on, today I’m going to last twenty moves!” Xu Chen beckoned provocatively to the clone practicing the Six Forms of the Sacred Ape.

“I’m truly pleased to see you grow braver with every fight!”

On his tenth attempt, Xu Chen finally withstood twenty moves, but was still pinned underfoot by his clone.

“Has your QQ Farm sent you any messages?”

“Bang!”

Xu Chen was instantly stomped to bits by his clone.

In his room, Xu Chen jolted upright, indignant.

“Damn it, he dared call me hopeless!”

Time passed swiftly, and three months slipped by.

In the courtyard, as he practiced the Sacred Ape Stance, Xu Chen suddenly felt something within him break through a barrier.

His blood and energy surged, as if a country road had suddenly merged onto a highway.

“I’m about to break through to the Blood-Essence Realm!”

A powerful flow of blood and energy pulsed, his heartbeat thundered in his chest.

Xu Chen immediately began practicing the Six Forms of the Sacred Ape, each move thudding heavily in the air.

“Bang!”

Like a hammer striking a drum, the wild force whipped up a gale in the small courtyard.

“The strength of nine bulls—the Blood-Essence Realm.”

“Half a year of relentless effort and pills day and night, I’ve finally entered the Blood-Essence Realm.”

Feeling the power coursing through him, Xu Chen felt his years of toil were not in vain.

By now, dusk was falling, and the formation bell at the courtyard gate chimed.

Xu Chen opened the door to find a tall man in city guard armor standing outside.

“Uncle Zhao,” Xu Chen called. This was his father’s former lieutenant, now promoted to centurion.

“Your strength resounds like a drum, your blood surges like a river.”

“I came at just the right time.” Zhao Sheng smiled at his young nephew.

“I just broke through, and here you are, Uncle Zhao.”

Xu Chen led him into the living room and brewed tea for him.

“I figured it was about time, so I came to check on you.”

“Now that you’ve reached the Blood-Essence Realm, when do you plan to enter the Daxi Sect? When you’re ready, I’ll take you there.”

Zhao Sheng sipped his tea. His nephew had admirable perseverance, though his talent was lacking.

“Tomorrow, then. Let me tidy up the house a bit,” Xu Chen replied after some thought. Entering the Daxi Sect only required a few essentials—his father had already prepared all the necessary resources.

“All right. I’ll come for you after noon tomorrow.”