UGH—
PFFT!
COUGH, COUGH!
Inside the large tent, two people occasionally bent over, vomiting blood, creating a rather frightening scene.
Lin Suqing wiped the corner of her mouth. The faint power of the Stars around her had completely dissipated, and she looked pitifully at Wu Wang.
"Young Master, going on like this isn't a solution. Every time I cultivate the Praying Star Technique, my blood churns. As Cultivators don't consume blood food, I hardly have enough blood to vomit. I really can't endure it anymore. PFFT!"
"Let's stop for now."
Wu Wang slowly exhaled and gestured for Lin Suqing to rest for a while. He called a guard to clean the room and, incidentally, to bring some blood-nourishing food.
Why has it come to this?
Whether he based his Cultivation on the Praying Star Technique and then practiced the Cultivation methods of the Human Domain, or Lin Suqing did the opposite, the result was the same. This path was a dead end, resulting in them vomiting copious amounts of blood.
Why can't the two coexist and be compatible?
Wu Wang tried to recall the many details from earlier, propping his chin and sitting there, gradually becoming lost in thought.
Had he misunderstood something before?
The Praying Star Technique involves the Priest praying to the gods of the Stars to obtain the power of the Stars granted by them, thereby controlling wind, frost, rain, snow, and thunder.
—This is the official explanation of the Praying Star Technique.
Wu Wang's understanding of the Praying Star Technique was much more direct.
There exists a certain Dao rule between heaven and earth that allows beings to wield the power of the Stars. Beings, through prayer and self-suggestion methods, continuously strengthen their spirit and resonate with the Dao rules of the Stars. In the end, using a fixed method, they consume their own spirit to draw upon the power of the Stars and release different Praying Star Techniques.
This understanding had always been correct until now.
Wu Wang, via various methods, enhanced his self-suggestion, constantly honing his 'divine spirit', and in a short period, he mastered many Praying Star Techniques.
The process of enhancing self-suggestion... was a bit embarrassing.
Typically, late at night, one would don a cloak, wear a mask, stand before a mirror in the quiet, make some embarrassing gestures, and shout to oneself that one was 'Star Ultraman'.
When one truly believes in one's heart that one can be powerful, one will become powerful.
In addition, one must also be supported by various precious medicinal materials and training.
According to Wu Wang's understanding, whether it was Cultivation Spells or the Praying Star Technique, in the end, it was about resonating one's essence, energy, and divine spirit with the Dao rules between Heaven and Earth.
The Praying Star Technique emphasized 'divine spirit'.
The Human Domain Cultivation methods focused on 'essence', 'energy', and 'divine spirit'—refining essence to nurture energy, transforming energy into divine spirit, and returning the divine spirit to the void, becoming one's own God and enjoying a long Lifespan.
Therefore, the Praying Star Technique doesn't extend Lifespan, which was the main reason Wu Wang persisted in trying the Human Domain's Cultivation methods with Lin Suqing, despite their repeated blood-vomiting.
Then why do the Foundation Building Technique of the Human Domain and the Praying Star Technique repel each other? No, that's not right. It seems like the Praying Star Technique unilaterally repels the Cultivation method of the Human Domain.
Wu Wang looked up and asked, "Suqing, was the power of the Stars the first to act abnormally?"
"Hmm?" Lin Suqing thought carefully and nodded. "My breathing wasn't chaotic; rather, the power of the Stars I attracted disrupted its flow. Young Master, I've heard others speak of the Northern Wilderness's Praying Star Technique before. They say it's an incredibly powerful and mysterious Spell, exclusive to the Priests of the Northern Wilderness's Large Family Clans. Could it be that the Praying Star Technique itself has some sort of limitation?"
Wu Wang responded simply, "Stay a bit further away from me while I investigate the cause."
Following his words, Lin Suqing retreated to a corner of the large tent, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Wu Wang close his eyes in concentration, seemingly about to perform some mysterious ritual.
Suddenly, Wu Wang opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Lin Suqing, and smiled, "Haven't we known each other for just two or three days?"
Lin Suqing's forehead instantly furrowed with confusion. Before she could understand what Wu Wang meant, she saw him gesture, and a group of brawny men exuding the scent of manly grassland sweat rushed in, isolating her in the corner.
Wu Wang's voice carried a trace of apology, "This is the awareness that comes with being an heir to the clan."
Lin Suqing's mouth twitched slightly, and she stood there obediently, her expression very docile for a moment.
She only saw—
Wu Wang maintained a seated posture, his hands rapidly forming a series of intricate and complicated hand seals. In just a moment, dazzling spots of light began to emerge slowly on Wu Wang's palms, elbows, shoulders, back, and legs, just like the Stars dotted in the night sky.
Wu Wang's lips moved softly, uttering some strange syllables that echoed within the tent. With these murmured sounds, the starlight around him intensified, and his figure even became somewhat transparent. Inside his body, a magnificent star river formed, connecting to some unknown point in the void.
Lin Suqing held her breath, unable to comprehend what was happening at the moment, but she could feel the formidable nature of this power of the Stars. It was on par with her Sect's Golden Core stage Sect Leader—no! She had only felt such profound depth from those silver-haired Elders at the neighboring great Sect!
The guards in front of her seemed even more anxious, always on guard for any sudden movements from her, making Lin Suqing slightly uncomfortable.
Oh well, I'm just passing through this place, stuck here for six years anyway. But to be fair, the Young Master, currently performing some Spell, is indeed quite handsome.
「An hour later.」
The starlight surrounding Wu Wang occasionally shone brightly and then dimmed, while his closed eyes remained shut. Lin Suqing couldn't help but rub her eyelids as the guards around her stood still like iron towers.
Might as well meditate, since I'm free anyway.
「Six hours later.」
"HAAH... YAWN."
An elegantly covered yawn couldn't stop Lin Suqing from tearing up. Just as she was about to raise her hand to wipe her eyes, several guards turned their heads and glared at her. Then, the figures inside the tent began yawning one by one.
「Three days later.」
In the midst of orderly footsteps, two squads of guards filed in, replacing their companions who had been on duty for half a day. Lin Suqing glanced at Wu Wang, who was still meditating, her eyes roving over these guards.
Tsk, tsk. The more she looked, the more she felt that these guards were quite impressive too. But then again…
Lin Suqing looked towards Wu Wang with a hint of worry. By now, the starlight around Wu Wang had dimmed somewhat, but within these dim lights, various visions occasionally revealed themselves: ancient stone temples floating from the void, exotic beasts swimming among the Stars, figures fighting each other. Things like this, each different from the last.
Is this the way to cultivate the Praying Star Technique?
Yet Lin Suqing faintly felt that Wu Wang's current state seemed somewhat amiss.
...
Where exactly is the problem? Why does it reject other Cultivation methods?
In the starry sky, Wu Wang's phantom sat quietly, a curtain of starlight before him. Each strand of light, converged from the Stars, represented one of the Praying Star Techniques Wu Wang had mastered. His grandmother was the chief Priest of the clan, so naturally, he lacked no ways to learn the Praying Star Technique.
At this moment, his figure appeared translucent as he twirled the strands with his fingertips, resembling an ancient Divine Spirit weaving the canopy of heaven.
Wu Wang had been in the world known as the Great Wilderness for twelve years. The thing he spent most of his time on was gathering knowledge and pondering the Praying Star Technique. His ability to quickly master the Praying Star Technique and swiftly enhance his 'divine spirit' benefited greatly from the memories of his past life.
No joke, Wu Wang had stood out among thousands of volunteers to become the sole designated member of the Wormhole exploration suicide squad, thanks to his absolutely solid psychological fortitude and several years of extremely rigorous training. The 'divine spirit' in one's essence, energy, and spirit primarily depends on willpower. It was this tempered willpower, plus a tiny bit of help from his grandmother and mother, that led to his modest achievement of becoming a Grand Star Ritual at the age of twelve.
I'm quite ashamed; I've let down my home on Blue Star.
—In the hierarchy of the Praying Star Technique, the Star Festival is ranked above the rituals of Blessing, Great Blessing, Prayer, and Great Prayer. The Grand Star Ritual is second only to the Moon Ritual and Sun Rituals, who often have their own unique titles.
There are no more than seven Sun Rituals in the entire Northern Wilderness, and a Moon Ritual can already serve as the chief Priest of a Large Family Clan.
Wu Wang had always had smooth sailing in the Cultivation of the Praying Star Technique. Whenever there was something difficult to understand, he would draw inferences, think creatively, make bold hypotheses, and test them cautiously, eventually overcoming all challenges.
However, today, as he attempted to step outside the realm of the Praying Star Technique and try the vital Cultivation methods of the Human Domain, the Praying Star Technique seemed to bind his steps in return. And the answer to this problem should be hidden within the Praying Star Technique itself.
In Wu Wang's understanding, the essence of every Cultivation method could be simplified to mastering the method to resonate with the Dao rules, achieving resonance with them, utilizing the Dao rules to wield the corresponding Spiritual Energy, and thus forming Spells. Be it the power of the starry sky or the power of the Five Elements, in the end, they are all just forms of 'Spiritual Power' pervading the Great Wilderness World.
If one were to think deeper, what's blocking my Cultivation of the common Foundation Building Technique of a Human Domain Cultivator is likely the Dao rules behind the Praying Star Technique. The Dao of the Stars. Was it that a powerful practitioner of the Praying Star Technique once set restrictions for this Dao? Or is it that the Dao itself inherently contradicts the fundamental Dao of the Human Domain's Cultivation methods?
Is this strange illness of mine really related to the Praying Star Technique? The onset of this strange illness almost coincided with my exposure to the Praying Star Technique. Though both Grandmother and Mother say the Praying Star Technique is a gift from the Star Sky God, I've always had my doubts. I must find the answer. I must understand this Dao. If there truly is a will dominating this Dao, could I contact such an existence through it?
Question after question melted in his heart as Wu Wang continuously attempted to enter a state of self-forgetfulness. Merging with the starry sky, he sought the underlying logic in the operation of the Praying Star Technique, searching for that Dao ruling all under the Stars, to condense it into his own Spell.
Unaware of the passage of time, unconscious of the changes in Heaven and Earth. Faint starlight from the starry sky entered his body, his Divine Thought grew slowly but steadily, his body felt comfortably numb. This was actually the norm for Wu Wang when he practiced the Praying Star Technique.
Hm?
A Spirit Light suddenly flashed through Wu Wang's mind.
If I followed the foundational Cultivation methods of the Human Domain and treated the power of the Stars as Spiritual Energy to be absorbed, allowing it to circulate within my body—wouldn't that be... Star-tempered body refinement? It seems I've inadvertently unlocked a great door!
Wu Wang raised an eyebrow, ready to try just that. But as he was about to begin, he faintly heard a distant call from the depths of the cosmos:
"'Steady your hand, young man~ Steady your hand~'"
Wu Wang's mouth twitched slightly as he calmly closed his eyes and clasped his hands before him in concentration.
This isn't some dangerous experiment. I'll only use a faint trace of the power of the Stars. At most, it'll cause some internal conflict and I'll spit up some blood—surely it won't be lethal? Enough talk, let's do it!
With focused mind and eyes closed, Wu Wang took a gentle breath, drawing a thread of the power of the Stars into his body through his mouth. He converged it at his dantian and sent it roaming his meridians, attempting to circulate it through a Small Heavenly Circuit.
My Dao can merge myriad Spells; I dare to make ten suns revolve in a gourd-heaven!
The power of the Stars, like a meandering stream, slowly revolved within Wu Wang's chest, passing through numerous checkpoints, heading towards the dantian.
Could this technique actually succeed? Could it be that the Dao of the Stars is incompatible with other Daos, manifesting as an inability to co-cultivate different systems?
Wu Wang stared intently at the thread of the power of the Stars; the closer to success, the easier it was to fail.
Without warning, this thread of the power of the Stars strangely exploded and dispersed.
Wu Wang suddenly opened his eyes, greeted by a dazzling starry sky. Before him, strands of Stars formed a curtain of beads, and within this curtain, a faint grey, dim thread was about to dissipate!
That's it!
Without time for much thought, Wu Wang's Divine Thought 'reached out,' clutched the thread, and 'forcefully' tugged it.
The scene before his eyes suddenly shifted dramatically. The previously tranquil and auspicious starry sky transformed into endless flowing light. Ahead, in the darkness, a single beam of light suddenly expanded, morphing into a majestic Temple standing atop an array of Ten Thousand Stars! The whole Temple was constructed of semi-transparent star-jade, featuring only a simple dome, foundation, and twelve supporting pillars.
The dim thread Wu Wang's fingertips had been twirling had vanished without a trace. He now hovered outside the grand Temple, staring blankly at the scene within.
This place held the ultimate mysteries of the Praying Star Technique; this place contained the complete exposition of the Dao rules of the starry sky.
With just one glance, a boundless amount of information spontaneously appeared in Wu Wang's mind. His gaze suddenly caught sight of a figure standing in the center of the Temple of Ten Thousand Stars, statue-like. She was clad in a resplendent star robe, holding a jet-black Staff. Now, she was slowly turning around, her eyes devoid of expression, filled with Divine Light, fixed upon Wu Wang.
Wu Wang's head tilted slightly, his pupils quivering.
This... this... this!?
The Goddess spoke a phrase in an obscure and difficult tongue, yet Wu Wang instantly understood its meaning: "Death to those who trespass the Holy Temple."
Before the word "death" fully left her lips, a thunderbolt flew out from her Staff, smashing down upon Wu Wang's Divine Thought!
「And at that very moment, above Wu Wang's tent in the Human Domain!」
A green thunderbolt appeared mysteriously in the depths of the starry sky, ruthlessly striking down towards Wu Wang's large tent. Those within, not even having time to notice the thunderbolt's attack, seemed doomed to be obliterated!
「In that instant!」
「In that very instant!」
Wu Wang's Divine Thought was before the grand Temple, while his body was in the large tent. His actions froze, confusion filled him, and he exclaimed in utter surprise.
「It was this call!」
The figure inside the Temple closed her eyes and opened them rapidly. The Divine Light in her eyes quickly receded as she urgently spread open her left hand towards Wu Wang.
In Wu Wang's large tent, closely pressing against its canopy, a greenish barrier appeared out of nowhere. Before Wu Wang, a figure had unexpectedly arrived, her long hair and wide robes still gently floating.
Lin Suqing stood by, completely dumbfounded. The guards, however, had already knelt on one knee, placing a hand over their chests and bowing in salute.
The word Wu Wang had shouted seemed to still be lingering in the tent. It was a call...
"Mother?"