Starlight beams fell from the sky, growing increasingly dazzling. The illusory giant stars within them became heavier and heavier, exuding a terrifying pressure.
Many people gathered by the Star River, waiting for the Star Pearl to emerge. Some powerful figures from the Star Academy sat cross-legged around, well aware that this night would not be peaceful. They were here to maintain order—after all, any death would be a major incident.
The Golden Bee wandered around, inviting many helpers. The Red Flame Spirit Bird peeked out cautiously, shuddering involuntarily when it saw Dao Ling. The memory of nearly being slapped to death not long ago was still fresh in its mind.
"Why is this demon here too?" The Red Flame Spirit Bird wisely kept its distance, knowing that Dao Ling mastered an extremely terrifying divine ability—such people were best avoided.
Envious glances fell on a group of people in the front. Everyone knew they might venture into the river; though some had done so before and reaped great benefits, many had also perished.
It was said that the Star Pearl was incredibly unique, aiding in condensing the "Starlight Shining upon the Azure Sky" 异象 (vision). However, it was extremely rare, and dozens alone were insufficient to achieve this.
Tonight, the moon was perfectly round, casting a bright silver glow. The stars grew more dazzling, their descending energy growing vast, and the Star River began to rumble and shake.
"It's about to start!" Someone stared intently at the river, waiting for Star Pearls to float up as the galaxy surged.
Rumble!
Huge waves rolled endlessly, their collisions deafening, as if the eardrums might burst. The Star River's commotion was so immense that it seemed the river might rise up. As it fell, it shook violently, and dazzling Star Pearls began to emerge.
The surrounding crowd erupted in chaos, but one group waited in silence, their gazes fixed on the youth shrouded in misty divine light. His eyes glowed with golden radiance, and a ladder shimmering with starlight appeared before him.
The ladder looked ancient, only the size of a palm, crystal-clear and dazzling, shimmering with dreamlike colors.
"What is this?" An old man sitting on a nearby bluestone stood up, exclaiming, "An ancient treasure—the Star Ladder!"
"Indeed, the Star Ladder, refined from Star Sand and an ancient star, capable of connecting heaven and earth." A group of elderly from the Star Academy discussed, amazed by the heritage of the Ancient Divine Mountain, which had bestowed such a treasure upon a younger generation.
The Star Ladder floated in the air, pouring down star rivers. It expanded, sinking into the Star River and emitting profound Dao patterns that unexpectedly blocked the terrifying surrounding pressure.
Descending into the Star River was difficult due to the immense pressure—only powerhouses could do so, but such figures disdained Star Pearls.
"An excellent treasure." Walking on the Star Ladder, Dao Ling felt the surrounding Dao patterns, which were mysterious and accompanied by terrifying fluctuations.
After descending for a while, Dao Ling's eyes suddenly shrank in surprise—there were buildings below!
Ancient and weathered palaces radiated divine light, depicting scenes of star rivers shattering and suns and moons falling. Each palace resembled a star temple, inspiring trembling.
While the Star River raged, the area below was peaceful, like a pure land.
"These structures existed in ancient times and were later submerged by the star river, yet they remain intact."
"Yes, the array patterns lie below. Many Star Pearls are swept up from here, though it's unclear how long it's been since the last collection by the elders."
As people 议论 ed (discussed), the Star Academy periodically sent people to collect Star Pearls, distributing them to talented students. This was the academy's greatest specialty, drawing many to the Star River and its pearls.
The area below was vast, like an underwater world, astonishing Dao Ling. Sharp-eyed individuals had already spotted Star Pearls in the ancient land and rushed to collect them frantically.
The Ancient Divine Mountain disdained such trivial gains. Dao Ling didn't follow them but dashed inward, aiming to find Star Pearls.
The energy here was incredibly rich—pure star power, the essence of the Star River. It was said that some 逆天 (heaven-defying) talents from the Star Academy had the opportunity to cultivate here for a period.
The architectural complex was enormous, with strong winds occasionally raging, sweeping Star Pearls upward.
Dao Ling's face lit up. He stomped the ground, leaping into the air, and quickly collected the Star Pearls carried by the wind—three in total.
"I wonder how many more I can find." Dao Ling was delighted. If he could find hundreds, his cultivation in the Yunling Realm would be 无忧 (无忧,worry-free). This was indeed a treasure land.
"The star power in this palace is so dense." Dao Ling entered a Star Palace, where energy surged. A brilliant star river converged in the palace's high altitude, dazzling the eyes as if he had entered a divine temple.
Scanning the palace, he saw complex Dao patterns engraved on the walls and exclaimed in surprise, "I understand now—this Star Palace is actually a formation! What a grand scheme!"
He quickly left, unwilling to waste time, for the Star Pearls here would likely be looted soon.
Others had already broken in, silently seizing gains. Dao Ling pressed deeper, moving swiftly and encountering Star Pearls from time to time.
"The sixth one." Dao Ling happily found one in a stone crevice.
Hum! Suddenly, a fierce aura burst forth. A golden arrow tore through the sky like a golden lightning bolt, hurtling toward him.
Caught off guard, Dao Ling felt a chill down his spine. His body instantly dodged to the side.
The attacker struck swiftly. Though Dao Ling avoided the vital spot, the arrow grazed his waist, drawing blood even from his sturdy physique.
"You dodge quickly." The blonde youth frowned. Failing to kill him in one strike would require more effort.
Dao Ling's eyes chilled, glaring at the blonde youth as icy killing intent surged from his body. He stepped forward in silence.
"Want to kill me?" The blonde youth sneered, sensing the 杀气 (killing intent). "If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"
He drew a golden bow—an upper-grade treasure tool—emanating powerful fluctuations. Nocking a golden arrow, he aimed and shot at Dao Ling.
"If you want to die, I'll grant that too!" Dao Ling roared, his blood qi bursting forth. He evaded the attack and charged forward.
The blonde youth 冷哼 (snorted coldly), firing five golden arrows in succession, each like a golden lightning bolt capable of splitting boulders, bombarding Dao Ling in an instant.
The scene was filled with cold killing intent and mournful sounds. The five arrows, forged from ore, would maim or kill if they hit.
Dao Ling's body was incredibly agile. He leaped and dodged, closing in while his overwhelming blood qi pressed forward.
"Such speed." The blonde youth's eyes darkened. Brandishing the golden bow, he smashed it toward Dao Ling.
The bow, crafted from a ferocious beast's sinew, revealed a faint beast shadow when its divine might awakened, exuding terrifying waves.
His clothes fluttering and hair flying, Dao Ling's eyes were cold. Clenching his fist, his body turned bronze, and his surging aura grew fiercer. He punched through the beast shadow.
"Die!" As the beast shadow attacked, the blonde youth drew the golden bow again, the arrow aimed point-blank at Dao Ling's chest.
The golden arrow slashed down, only a foot from Dao Ling's chest—close enough to pierce his body in an instant.
"Break!" Dao Ling 长啸 (let out a long howl), his hair fluttering wildly. His blood qi roiled as he thrust his arm forward. His bronze palm, imbued with invincible strength, slapped the golden arrow sideways with a clang, sending it flying.
"What?" The blonde youth was shocked. To swat away a golden arrow required terrifying strength. Then, noticing the skin of Dao Ling's slender palm, his eyelids twitched. "This is the physical cultivation method recorded in the Golden Beast Skin!"
Burning with excitement, the blonde youth threw back his head and laughed. "Excellent! Today's harvest is immense. Die, boy! This divine ability is mine!"