Translator: CinderTL
Just as Jiang Ye was about to begin refining the Thunder Essence Spirit Nectar within him, a series of system notifications flashed across his vision:
[Killed 3 foreign race members. 'Territorial Expansion' effect enhanced.]
[Territorial Expansion: When battling foreign races, within a 100-meter radius centered on you, all attributes of you and your allies are increased by 30% (+4%).]
Jiang Ye opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the panel.
"An achievement upgrade," he murmured, slightly surprised. "A 3% increase this time?"
He recalled that last time, killing four foreign race members had only granted a 1% boost.
This time, with just three kills, he'd gained 3%?
"Could it be because I killed an Upper A-tier Profound Physique genius?" Jiang Ye speculated inwardly.
"Upper A-tier Profound Physique cultivators are indeed difficult to kill."
"If that opponent hadn't underestimated me and failed to immediately unleash their Innate Domain and ultimate move, I would have struggled to defeat them," Jiang Ye mused. "I might even have been killed instead."
The recent battle had made Jiang Ye realize that Upper A-tier Profound Physique geniuses possessed both monstrous combat prowess and extraordinary vitality.
Extremely difficult to kill!
Of course, this was mainly because Jiang Ye's cultivation realm was lower than his opponent's.
Moreover, Jiang Ye currently possessed only an Upper B-Tier Profound Physique.
The gap between this and an Upper A-Tier Profound Physique was a full major realm.
Under these double disadvantages, Jiang Ye's ability to slay his opponent was already astonishing. Yet he remained unsatisfied.
"Judging by that person's final burst of innate ability," Jiang Ye mused, "if he had unleashed his full power from the start, I would have struggled to gain any advantage. And that was even with my Blood Sea Domain activated."
Within the Blood Sea Domain, all enemy attributes were reduced by up to 50%.
However, this didn't guarantee a full 50% reduction.
Against Zhu Hua, for instance, the reduction might have been only around 20%.
The stronger the enemy, the weaker the Blood Sea Domain's suppressive effect. When fighting across realms, its impact diminished even further.
"The root cause of everything," Jiang Ye murmured, taking a deep breath, "is my own lack of strength!"
If he had already achieved his third breakthrough, slaying Zhu Hua would have required far less effort.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, coalescing into a singular conviction.
"Third breakthrough," Jiang Ye declared, his gaze unwavering as he slowly closed his eyes.
Whoosh...
As he began refining the Thunder Essence Spirit Nectar, the boundless spiritual substance within his body surged like a tidal wave. This substance seemed to possess a life force of its own, fusing with every cell in Jiang Ye's body and causing his life aura to steadily rise.
Moreover, as Jiang Ye refined the nectar, strands of spiritual substance seeped into his sea of consciousness, bringing a wave of clarity to his mind.
"What's this?!"
"The Thunder Essence Spirit Nectar truly isn't like a Low B-tier Opportunity," Jiang Ye realized. "It's actually nourishing my sea of consciousness and strengthening my Martial Will Perception?"
He was astonished.
Improving one's Martial Will Perception was notoriously difficult. Before the fourth breakthrough, it was virtually impossible for most cultivators. Jiang Ye, relying on the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder to constantly temper his Martial Will and the effects of Universal Observation, had only managed to extend his perception to a radius of just over a hundred meters.
Yet now, as he refined the Thunder Essence Spirit Nectar, he could clearly sense his Martial Will Perception slowly expanding. In just a few minutes, it had already increased by an inch.
This rate of improvement was terrifyingly rapid.
"Truly worthy of an Upper B-Tier Opportunity."
"Coming to Thunder Sound Valley was the right decision," Jiang Ye thought, his heart filled with joy. "Once I've fully refined this, my strength will skyrocket."
He closed his eyes again, focusing intently on refining the Thunder Essence Spirit Nectar.
Under its influence, Jiang Ye's physical body and Martial Dao Will were undergoing a slow transformation, his life level steadily climbing toward higher peaks.
While Jiang Ye continued refining, striving for a higher realm of existence...
In Donghai Province, outside the Cosmic Void Passage leading to the Extreme Sea Star System:
"He won."
"Jiang Ye actually defeated a third breakthrough genius comparable to Su Haiyue?"
"Jiang Ye's combat power is truly astonishing!" Huang Canglong and Mo Sheng stared at the projected image in disbelief.
Defeating a Fallen Star-Level Genius while being at a lower cultivation stage...
Such a feat could only be accomplished by a select few with Dao Bone Aptitude or those with Transcendent Aptitude!
"Heh."
"I told you not to rush," Qiu Cang said with a calm smile. "Jiang Ye would naturally make his move."
Huang Canglong and Mo Sheng fell silent.
That old fox got to show off again!
This time, however, they had no retort.
"Jiang Ye has truly been a great help this time," Huang Canglong sighed. "This old man must properly thank him on behalf of Su Haiyue and the others."
"If it weren't for him, my students would have been in real danger this time."
"Speaking of which," Huang Canglong couldn't help but turn to Qiu Zangdao. "Is Jiang Ye truly a Primitive Aptitude?"
As a senior professor at Starry Sky University, Huang Canglong occasionally followed news about the Genius Cup. He had heard some rumors about Jiang Ye, but now he was increasingly skeptical of their accuracy.
How could a Primitive Aptitude possess such absurd combat power? He was almost on par with a transcendent!
"I'm puzzled too," Mo Sheng said, his expression equally strange. "Just now, I sensed fluctuations in an Innate Domain. Isn't that something only Dao Bone Aptitudes possess?"
Qiu Zangdao shook his head. "You must be hallucinating. Jiang Ye's birth records and College Entrance Examination files both list him as having a Primitive Aptitude. How could he possibly manifest an Innate Domain?"
"I sensed it too," Huang Canglong added.
"Then you're both hallucinating," Qiu Zangdao chuckled. "The tension must have been too high, causing you to misinterpret the signals."
Huang Canglong and Mo Sheng exchanged puzzled glances.
Could they really be hallucinating?
Qiu Cang glanced at the two men, his expression unwavering, but his inner calm was far from his outward composure.
Because he had just sensed the fluctuations of an Innate Domain!
After all, he had the clearest perception of the battle situation on Jiang Ye's side.
No matter how awakened a martial bone becomes, it shouldn't manifest an Innate Domain, Qiu Cang thought to himself. What exactly is going on with this kid?
Could he have somehow transformed his Primitive Innate Talent into a Dao Bone Aptitude?
That's utterly impossible.
I'll question him thoroughly later, Qiu Cang mused. If that fails, I'll have his innate talent re-evaluated back at base.
Ancient Star No. 7 stretched across vast, boundless expanses.
Since the cataclysmic civilization war countless years ago, the planet's civilization had collapsed, leaving it utterly desolate. Yet, over eons, numerous natural wonders and mystical phenomena had emerged.
Beyond extraordinary sites like Thunder Sound Valley, the star harbored countless other places brimming with divine mysteries.
One such place lay tens of thousands of miles from Jiang Ye's secluded training grounds: a scorched mountain range known as Black Blaze Ridge.
Unlike Thunder Sound Valley, which radiated an obvious aura of extraordinary power, Black Blaze Ridge appeared utterly ordinary at first glance.
In contrast, this place appeared utterly ordinary at first glance.
Yet within this seemingly unremarkable area, several figures stood on a patch of scorched earth.
"Still haven't found her?"
"If this continues, we should abandon the search," a demonic youth with three crimson brands between his brows and blood-red pupils said coldly. "Though she's special, we shouldn't waste too much time on one person."
"Indeed."
"We've already wasted two days. Continuing like this would be a losing proposition," the others agreed, each bearing three crimson brands between their brows.
At that moment, the leader spoke icily, "Continue searching."
His words silenced the group instantly.
The leader turned around, his features unremarkable, but his eyes were piercingly sharp. His gaze swept across the group, sending shivers down their spines.
What truly set him apart were the three golden-red brands between his brows. These marks seemed to glow with an blinding radiance.
The strongmen of the Fire Ember Civilization understood the significance of these brands:
One crimson brand signified a Dharma Manifestation-level genius.
Two crimson brands signified a Sea-Scorching-grade genius.
Three crimson brands signified a Fallen Star-Level Genius.
Three golden-red brands marked him as a top-tier Heavenly Pride among Fallen Star-Level Geniuses.
Even within the Fallen Star-level, there were vast differences.
Some Fallen Star-Level Geniuses possessed only two innate abilities, while others boasted three or even four.
The gap between these two groups was immense.
The man with the three golden-red brands belonged to the latter category.
"Find the foreign race," he said calmly. "She possesses something of vital importance to our race. Finding her is more crucial than securing an Upper B-Tier Opportunity."
"Yes, Senior Brother Bei Li," the others replied, bowing their heads slightly.
Just then, their wristbands began to vibrate simultaneously.
Buzz!
Buzz!
They raised their hands to check the devices.
A moment later, shock rippled through the group.
"Zhu Hua is dead?"
"How did he die? Killed by a Blue Star Genius?"
"Who killed him?" The Fallen Star-Level Geniuses were stunned.
They had only been on Ancient Star No. 7 for three days.
And already one of their peers had fallen?
Even within the Fire Ember Civilization, Fallen Star-Level Geniuses were rare—not common as cabbages. Each death represented a significant loss.
"Zhu Hua, that useless fool," Bei Li, the gold-and-crimson branded man at the forefront, sneered. "To be killed by Blue Star People—what a disgrace to Master Canghai!"
He, too, was a disciple of Old Man Canghai, holding a higher status than Zhu Hua.
"Zhu Hua was ignorant and unskilled," one of the others remarked. "He's far inferior to Senior Brother Bei Li."
"Indeed."
"He probably encountered a Fallen Star-Level Genius from Blue Star," another added, shaking his head.
They didn't underestimate Blue Star Civilization.
Having risen rapidly in just a few centuries, Blue Star Civilization was a nascent power in the stellar sea, though its strength was considerable. Fallen Star-Level Geniuses were not uncommon there.
Of course, they still paled in comparison to the Fire Ember Civilization.
In terms of Dao Bone Aptitude, finding a genius of Bei Li's caliber on Blue Star would be nearly impossible. Yet within the Fire Ember Civilization, several others rivaled him.
"Senior Brother Bei Li," a red-eyed youth suddenly said, "Zhu Hua's family has issued a substantial bounty. Should we accept it?"
The Fire Ember Civilization's technology far surpassed that of Blue Star Civilization.
Their communication wristbands allowed them to contact their clan even on Ancient Star No. 7.
Of course, this was a unique technology of the Fire Ember Civilization. If taken to other civilizations, this communication method would become useless.
"Answer it," Bei Li said calmly.
"Thunder Sound Valley is only a few hundred thousand li from here," Bei Li said indifferently. "The person who killed Zhu Hua will likely come this way."
"However, our primary goal isn't to avenge Zhu Hua."
"Our top priority remains finding that special foreign race," Bei Li said slowly. "She carries an astonishing secret. My senses never fail me."
"And she might not even be aware of it herself."
Bei Li narrowed his eyes.
He possessed an extremely rare innate ability: Universal Observation, which allowed him to perceive all phenomena and uncover hidden treasures.
Though this ability had no direct combat applications, it had granted him countless extraordinary benefits throughout his trials.
This was partly why Bei Li had become one of the top Heavenly Prides among Fallen Star-level cultivators.
When he first encountered the foreign race, he immediately noticed contradictions in her aura.
These contradictions might have gone unnoticed by others, even ninth breakthrough experts.
But from Bei Li's perspective, he sensed an unimaginable secret hidden within the foreign race member—a gut feeling honed through years of treasure hunting.
Bei Li was certain it was an extraordinary opportunity beyond comprehension.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Bei Li's eyes flickered as he abruptly turned forward. "I sense it—the foreign race member's aura."
Meanwhile, Jiang Ye remained oblivious to the commotion outside.
He had been sitting motionless in the hidden mountain cave for an entire day, appearing as still as a statue, radiating no discernible energy.
But then...
Buzz...
The ground around him began to tremble faintly.
A peculiar energy wave emanated from Jiang Ye, spreading downward through his body and causing the entire cave to vibrate subtly.
If Qiu Cang were present to witness this, he would have been astonished.
For what Jiang Ye was currently experiencing was unmistakably the phenomenon that occurs during a major breakthrough!
Suddenly,
Boom! A vast Martial Dao Aura erupted from Jiang Ye's body.
Immediately afterward,
waves of energy surged from Jiang Ye's body in rapid succession, each one stronger than the last, as if his life aura were continuously rising.
95%
97%
99%
100%!
Boom!! An utterly terrifying Martial Dao Aura exploded forth, as if shattering a barrier and soaring wildly upward.
In the blink of an eye,
he had completely surpassed the threshold of the second breakthrough,
entering a new realm entirely!
"Finally."
"Third breakthrough!!" Jiang Ye's eyes snapped open, brimming with joy. "My life level has fully ascended to the third breakthrough!"
At that moment, his body was undergoing a rapid transformation.
His physical strength, nourished by his elevated life level, was rapidly approaching the third breakthrough threshold.
It was a paradoxical sight.
Logically, one's physical strength should reach the third breakthrough first, followed by the life level naturally reaching the same milestone.
But Jiang Ye? He had reversed the process.
His life level had reached the third breakthrough, and now it was nourishing his physical body.
All of this was naturally due to him consuming the Thunder Essence Spirit Nectar, a supreme treasure of heaven and earth, which had forcibly elevated his life level to the third breakthrough.
However, his cultivation technique, the White Dragon True God Manual, had yet to reach the threshold of the third breakthrough.
This rare situation had thus arisen.
Regardless, Jiang Ye had now truly stepped into the third breakthrough!
"However," Jiang Ye murmured, inwardly examining himself, "the Guanyuan Acupoint, the most critical point for a third breakthrough powerhouse, has yet to fully transform. I'll have to wait until I cultivate the True God Manual further to complete the breakthrough."
He wasn't concerned.
With his life level already advanced, mastering the True God Manual was now merely a matter of time.
At most, his combat strength hadn't yet reached the true third breakthrough level.
But combat strength...
"Combat strength is the one thing I lack the least," Jiang Ye said, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Whoosh!
Jiang Ye abruptly rose, a spear-like energy coalescing in his hand before erupting with explosive force.
A terrifying spear strike swept outward.
Boom!
In an instant, the entire cave shattered into dust, the ground collapsing to form a massive crater over a hundred meters in diameter.
The terrifying energy wave surged outward in all directions, bending trees hundreds of meters away.
(End of the Chapter)
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