The Devouring Heaven Demon Art of the Ruthless Empress's lineage was a notorious variable in the history of Beidou. Its principle was viciously elegant: perpetual growth through consumption. Weak? Devour the strong. Talent lacking? Devour special physiques. The early power surge was intoxicating and corrosive, inevitably leading to a madness that had once plunged the cultivation world into panic. After a concerted purge by the major powers, the lineage did not die. It adapted, retreating from the light to thrive in the shadows, becoming a patient, hidden predator.
The Supreme Saint Lineage of the Yao Guang Holy Land was one such shadow. Its existence predated memory, woven into the holy land's foundations. For generations, its members had quietly searched for suitable vessels and special physiques—resources for their unique path.
The recent commotion over a new disciple, Li Yao, had registered on their sensors.
"Intelligence from both Rising Sun Island and Dragon Head Peak confirms the subject, Li Yao, possesses no special physique."
"A smokescreen, perhaps? Both factions would downplay his value to deter wider interest."
"Unnecessary. All twelve lineages are already aware of his existence."
"If not a special physique, what merit sparked such a conflict? The degree of inherent talent must be exceptional."
Voices debated in the dim hall. Without direct observation, conclusions were fragile. The optimal course was clear: acquire a firsthand assessment. The subject, Li Yao, warranted closer inspection.
On Rising Sun Island, Li Yao remained immersed in his cultivation cycle, oblivious to the predatory gaze now turning his way.
A month of focused cultivation with ample resources and the Heavenly Book's environmental purification had yielded efficient progress. His Bitter Sea, once the size of a grain of rice, now churned with the volume of a fist. Black waves capped with divine light surged against its confines. Occasional arcs of lightning—manifestations of vibrant life force—crackled above the waters.
This was the result of a systematic approach: using resources not for reckless expansion, but for foundational consolidation. Above the sea, thirty-six divine chains—Dao Runes condensed from his life essence—arched like primordial shackles. The number was significant; an average Bitter Sea cultivator might forge three or four. A dozen would be considered excellent. Thirty-six indicated a foundation of ridiculous, wasteful solidity by conventional standards.
Li Yao's assessment was clinical. He had consumed roughly 130 jin of Pure Source this month, with the Heavenly Book's passive absorption contributing energy equivalent to another 20 jin. This was not extravagance, but strategic resource allocation to maximize foundational ROI. A stronger foundation now would increase efficiency and capacity at every subsequent stage. The support of Rising Sun Island made this optimal path possible; without it, the process would have taken thrice as long.
His Bitter Sea was now consolidated to its current limit. The next step was imminent.
"Foundation is solidified. Proceeding to the Life Spring Realm breakthrough will increase my monthly resource allocation from 500 to 700 jin."
The additional 200 jin per month represented a 40% increase in operational capital. More importantly, advancing to the next realm would bring deeper comprehension of the Yao Guang Scripture's principles. This deeper understanding—the true fuel for the Heavenly Book—would accelerate its ability to deduce and evolve the Life Spring chapter.
The Book's needs had been clarified. It thrived on profound comprehension and Dao insight, with raw energy acting only as a secondary, slow-charging mechanism. His personal advancement was therefore the primary driver for both his power and his ultimate tool.
He would not stall. A life of scarcity and struggle was an inefficient model. The optimal path was to consistently demonstrate high growth yield, justifying continued and increased investment from his backers on Rising Sun Island. His "genius" was a performance of optimized output.
He took a piece of Pure Source and initiated the final steps.
Boom.
The center of his Bitter Sea erupted. Not with water, but with concentrated life force—billowing clouds of essence that spewed upward like a geyser. Divine light erupted from his body, a corona of refining energy. Strange phenomena flashed within his sea: volcanic eruptions of vitality, lightning of awakening, tsunamis of released potential.
His life force intensified, essence cycling through his limbs and bones in a powerful, reinforcing loop. His physical body, already tempered, underwent another qualitative strengthening.
He was not ascending in a burst of emotion, but executing a calculated, procedural upgrade to his operational system. The Life Spring Realm was the next logical module to come online.