Thunder boomed endlessly between heaven and earth, causing the surrounding heaven and earth energy to tremble. Clearly, the sound waves were so terrifying they could震死 (kill) someone!
A teenager covered in red flames, with fire coiling around his arms, spoke: "Thunder Drum Celestial Sound—a physical异象 (aberration). Truly fearsome."
"Indeed. I heard from elders that those who achieve greatness in the Body Forging Realm can manifest internal aberrations. To witness it today..."
"I've heard of a heavenly technique called Thunder Drum Celestial Sound, a rare sound-wave divine ability. I wonder if this aberration can unlock its might."
A crowd gathered, astonished eyes fixed on the meditating figure. Clouds swirled around him, life energy steamed, and thunder rumbled from within. This was the sign of physical cultivation reaching a level where the body mutates, birthing extraordinary aberrations.
Daoling was also startled. He opened his eyes, the aberration dissipating. Clenching his fist, he felt endless energy surging within. "Incredible! The Primitive Saint Body can imprint the Purple Light Pagoda's energy attributes onto my flesh!" he thought, thrilled. This constitution was逆天 (heaven-defying).
The pagoda's energy felt亲和 (affable), resonating with him and reducing the surrounding pressure. "Does this mean I can refine pills?" His eyes lit up. Alchemists needed wood and fire attributes—he now had both. "Strengthening my wood attribute might make alchemy easier." Smacking his lips, he rose to find the seventh floor's portal. The sixth floor's pressure no longer threatened him; the seventh floor should have far richer wood energy.
The crowd exchanged glances. "Is he heading for the seventh floor?" the flame-cloaked teenager wondered. "Impossible. The seventh floor's pressure is terrifying. I could barely last a moment there a few days ago." "Only天之骄女 (heaven's favored ones) like the Little Imperial Princess can enter safely." Others nodded—reaching the seventh floor was already remarkable.
Daoling walked through thick mist, blinding his vision. The space was vast; it took an hour to find a portal. As he stepped through, his body sank, feet burying into the earth, bones humming as if ready to explode. "Fearsome pressure!" he gasped. The天地 (heaven and earth) pressed like raging waves.
Taking a deep breath, he circulated his technique, summoning endless wood energy to ease the pain. Though the pressure remained brutal, his breathing steadied. The air was rich with spiritual qi, the ground pockmarked like a battlefield. He stumbled upon an ancient药园 (herbal garden), but it was barren—once-full of rare herbs, now dug up.
"Even if treasures existed here, they're gone. Maybe the ninth or... tenth floor!" His eyes burned. The tenth floor, never reached, might hold incredible treasures.
Passing药田 (herbal fields) and small palaces, he marveled at what this place once was—likely a powerful being's abode, now ransacked. Sweating profusely, he meditated to absorb energy and prepare for further physical tempering.
Half an hour later, he frowned at distant shouts. Star Academy's enrollment should have kept others away. He approached and was stunned to see Qian Yao, disheveled and bloodied, facing two fearsome ancient凶兽 (ferocious beasts).
A silver-robed youth with icy horns喝道 (shouted): "Qian Yao, hand over the treasure!" Qian Yao had found a mysterious item in the Little Martial Stele, sparking rumors. This Cold Flood Dragon had rallied friends to steal it, but she'd killed one.
"Dream on! Do you think I'm an easy target?" Qian Yao snapped, summoning life energy to heal. The dragon's arms flashed, unleashing a freezing river that shattered rocks and cracked the earth, crashing toward her.
Qian Yao's hand formed a claw, summoning a dragon's talon—Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Claw, derived from true dragon techniques. The river shattered, but a beam shot from the dragon's three-eyed companion, whose vertical eye fired a sword-like light.
"The Little Imperial Princess is mine," the dragon sneered. The three-eyed being tracked Qian Yao's movements, making the dragon's attacks deadly. Daoling watched, noting the three-eyed one's skill.
"Who's spying?" the three-eyed being喝道, his vertical eye glowing. Qian Yao's eyes lit up. "Friend, help me send a message! I'll repay you handsomely."
The dragon's face darkened: "Boy, don't interfere. You can't afford this." Though Daoling reached the seventh floor, the dragon dismissed him—he was confident of crushing Daoling, but was occupied.
"What's in it for me?" Daoling squinted. The Little Imperial Princess was wealthy. Qian Yao twitched—greedy wretch!
"Arrogant! Three-Eyed Brother, kill him! I'll subdue Qian Yao." The dragon祭出 (summoned) a silver net of starlight, an ancient treasure of star sand. It fell like a galaxy, each ray weighing tons, curling toward Qian Yao.
Daoling eyed the net—it was extraordinary, but wielding treasures here drained too much energy; the seventh floor's pressure was lethal.
"You court death," the three-eyed being sneered, charging. "Three-Eyed freak, show me what you've got," Daoling冷哼 (snorted). The being's face contorted—outsiders called them the Three-Eyed Saint Clan; this brat dared mock him!
"Die!" The three-eyed being's palm slammed down, powerful enough to crush mountains. Daoling's palm met it—BOOM! The earth trembled, both sinking into the ground. The three-eyed being's surprise turned to a sneer: "Bold, but your end is near!" His vertical eye fired a lightning-like beam, sharp as a drawn sword.