Chapter 469: Star Shattering Advancement
Starting from the Qi Gathering and Qi Refining stages all the way to the Integration stage.
There is a commonality in the advancement rituals for advancing through these stages.
It is precisely the concept of 'building up.'
During the Qi Refining stage, one builds up Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. From the Qi Building stage, it's the spiritual power refined into pure spiritual force. From the Core Formation stage, spiritual power is even more densely packed inside the Golden Core, and in the Nascent Soul stage, spiritual power is divided and stored in the Nascent Soul.
During the Heavenly Being stage, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is used to build the Heavenly Circle.
In the Four-Axis stage, the Five Elements and Five Blessings are used to build the Earthly Bearings.
In the Integration stage, the Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings are combined to fill the Integrated Dao Domain with Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, building the Six Harmonies Divine Powers.
This is the commonality across all Immortal Cultivation that begins from the Qi Refining stage.However, there is a slight difference that emerges at the Star Shattering stage.
At the Star Shattering stage, there is no more building up.
One simply...breaks.
As I prepare for the Star Shattering advancement ritual, Blood Yin stops from immediately killing me and looks down at me.
They seem to be intrigued.
Well, that's only natural. When it comes to the Star Shattering ascension ritual, it's understandable to be looked down upon like this.
After all, the Star Shattering advancement ritual is notorious for being called a 'suicide ritual' by many Grand Perfection Integration stage cultivators, due to its extreme severity.
Perhaps They find it amusing because I'm choosing the most gruesome method of suicide for myself.
That infamous Star Shattering advancement ritual is, surprisingly, extremely simple.
Simpler than any other stage I've built up to so far.
Exploding.
The advancement ritual for the Star Shattering stage is to explode everything I've built since the Qi Gathering stage up to the Grand Perfection Integration stage.
'Yeah, keep looking down like that, Blood Yin.'
They seem to think I would die horrifically from failing the Star Shattering advancement, and even if I succeed, They have the confidence to still crush me the same way.
'You won't be able to look down for much longer.'
I'll make you into the dog that chases after the chicken.
The advancement to the Star Shattering stage, which brings one close to the peak of cultivation and referred to as a demi-god, is, amusingly enough, very similar to the Qi Building advancement ritual.
At the 13th star of Qi Refining, one gathers Heaven and Earth spiritual energy into one clump using the formula for 'Unified Origin.' Then, with the formula of the 14th star, 'Infinite Spiritual Cloud,' it is exploded to form a spiritual cloud and then a spiritual star, completing the advancement to the Qi Building stage.
The Star Shattering advancement is identical.
Just like the Qi Building advancement, one treats all of the cultivation and Integrated Dao Domain built as 'Unified Origin' and explodes it.
Kuarurung!
My Integrated Dao Domain, now entirely filled with the Glass Sword Mountain like my Heart Essence Domain, begins to rampage.
Integrated Dao Domain.
Colorless Glass Mountain Treading Sea (無色劍山蹈海).
My Integrated Dao Domain, which was named together with Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, faces its end as soon as it was named.
'Don't worry.'
This is not the end, but the beginning.
While consoling my Integrated Dao Domain, which is about to shatter as soon as it was named, I pour strength into it.
"Here I go!"
Kwagwagwagwang!
The small world within me is destroyed.
A tremendous roar and explosion reverberate through the Interdimensional Void, and an immense light bursts out from within me.
From the explosion that originates from me, a massive dust cloud forms and shapes itself into a nebula.
If the 14th stage of Qi Refining creates the Infinite Spiritual Cloud, then the Star Shattering stage is about exploding the Integrated Dao Domain to form a nebula.
Perhaps, the advancement from the Qi Refining stage to the Qi Building stage was merely practice for this moment.
Shiiiiiii—
I regain consciousness within the nebula.
Everything is hazy.
It's only natural.
I just exploded my domain with all my strength, which is practically no different from my main body.
Who could remain unscathed after blowing up their own body, soul, life, and cultivation to the point of turning it to dust?
Eight to nine out of ten Integration cultivators perish at this point of the Star Shattering advancement ritual, with their spirit completely disintegrating into dust alongside the nebula formed by the explosion.
'This is why the Void Refining Dharma Treasure is necessary.'
Through the Colorless Glass Sword shining in the center of the nebula, I begin to regain even more clarity in my consciousness.
The Void Refining Dharma Treasure, which an Integration stage cultivator synchronizes with their Integrated Dao Domain and connects to their heart essence, does not explode even during the explosion of the Star Shattering advancement ritual.
This is because even though it is synchronized with the cultivator, it is still an external object.
'But it is an external object that has been synchronized.'
Therefore, although it does not explode, it remains within the nebula as it is still connected to the heart essence, assisting in the reassembly of the scattered spirit and consciousness.
Ordinary Grand Perfection Integration cultivators would move to the edge of the Chaos Realm when performing the advancement ritual, stabilizing the space and setting up formations around them to help condense their consciousness.
By doing so, the Sacred Master of the Middle Realm could intervene to provide a faint amount of assistance.
They could use the laws of the Middle Realm to help condense the consciousness a little.
Of course, even with this assistance, eight-nine out of ten still die.
'It wasn't something to worry about too much, huh.'
Having already reached Void Shattering, I am able to quickly regain my consciousness even though it was completely scattered into the nebula.
Kiii—
Kieee!
Rather than that, Blood Yin's Heavenly Demons infiltrate my nebula to interfere with my efforts to gather my consciousness.
'Judging by the fact that They haven't completely scattered the nebula yet, it seems They plan to crush me even more painfully once I fully reach the Star Shattering stage.'
That arrogance will be what lets me escape.
After completely ignoring the Heavenly Demons and keeping my consciousness clear, I proceed to the next step.
'Now comes the most crucial part.'
Once a Grand Perfection Integration stage cultivator has fully regained their consciousness through the Void Refining Dharma Treasure within the remains of their exploded body, that is when the true advancement begins.
Just as the spiritual cloud is formed in the 14th star of Qi Refining, and the spiritual star is created in the first constellation of Qi Building,
During the Star Shattering advancement, one must use the nebula formed from the explosion of the Integrated Dao Domain to create a [real star].
Of course, it won't be at the level of a sun or planet, but rather a satellite like the moon.
Nevertheless, the star that is formed will become the cultivator's main body going forward, allowing them to travel across light years through the star's attraction force and wield cosmic authority.
Exploding everything and turning oneself into a cloud of dust, then creating a star from within that dust cloud!
That is precisely why Esteemed Ones are called Star Shattering (Shattered Star) cultivators.
And now.
The real problem begins.
'I've lost all my cultivation.'
Though I regained consciousness within the nebula, that's all.
I am now nothing more than a single soul inside the nebula.
I can no longer use the vast attraction force, spiritual power, spells, or even the dharma treasures I once controlled.
The Refining Void Dharma Treasure must focus solely on keeping my consciousness intact, and I've lost all other authorities due to the recent explosion of all my cultivation.
There's no hopeful scenario where, because the nebula originated from me, I can move it.
That nebula is no longer something that came from me, but rather the remains (遺骸) I left behind after my suicide.
How could a dead soul possibly move its own corpse?
That's impossible.
'Now I must do exactly that.'
To reach the Star Shattering stage, I must achieve the impossible.
Kurururung!
Heavenly Tribulation begins to crash down from within my nebula.
The nebula has become a cloud, and Heavenly Tribulation descends violently toward my consciousness.
Kurung!
Compared to the size of the nebula, the Heavenly Tribulation is still at a laughable level.
'But I need to advance quickly.'
Otherwise, the Heavenly Tribulation will continue to grow.
Kurururung!
Lightning sparks start to gradually increase within the nebula.
At first, it's just static crackling at the edge of the nebula, but gradually, the size and shape of the lightning become clearer.
Even now, the tribulation matches the level of a late Integration stage tribulation. If it continues to grow, I can't even imagine how terrifying it will become.
Moreover, this isn't even the true Heavenly Tribulation of the Star Shattering advancement yet.
It's merely the precursor phenomenon before the real tribulation arrives.
Wiiiiing!
While maintaining my consciousness with the Colorless Glass Sword, I begin to block the precursor Heavenly Tribulation using the other Colorless Glass Swords.
Since I've already reached Void Shattering, my reliance on the Refining Void Dharma Treasure is lower than that of other cultivators, making this possible.
'Alright, let's do this!'
In the Integration stage, one gains six divine powers.
According to what I learned from Cheongmun Ryeong, these six divine powers of the Integration stage are actually the basic Immortal Art, 'Various Omens.'
Furthermore, Immortal Arts can be activated purely with the heart, without the need for cultivation.
'It seems any cultivator who hasn't trained the six divine powers of the Integration stage into the domain of Immortal Arts won't even be able to attempt the Star Shattering advancement.'
At this moment, having lost all cultivation, what is necessary to condense a star is precisely Various Omens.
Rain (雨), Sunlight (陽), Heat (燠), Cold (寒), Wind (風), Time (時).
With the Immortal Art of Cloudiness (雨), I gather the nebula.
With the Immortal Art of Warmth (燠), I raise the temperature at the center of the gathered nebula.
With the Immortal Art of Wind (風), I shape the center of the nebula into the form of a star.
With the Immortal Art of Flow of Time (時), I begin the rotation of the star.
With the Immortal Art of Coldness (寒), I gradually cool the temperature of the star.
With the Immortal Art of Clearness (陽), I completely solidify the star's form.
Wiiiiing!
In an instant, the six Immortal Arts activate, sequentially completing the star inside the Interdimensional Void.
From now on, this is my new body.
My mind settles into the satellite I created.
Kurung, kururung!
I gradually solidify my consciousness inside the satellite, watching the signs of Heavenly Tribulation surging around me.
The size of the signs of the Heavenly Tribulation continues to grow, as if it is locking the entire satellite in a prison of lightning.
'Now, the true Heavenly Tribulation will come.'
I swallow and wait for the Heavenly Tribulation.
Woo-woong!
In my sight, the Middle Realms begin to appear.
Each of the Middle Realms has its own 'sky,' and in each of those skies, constellations are reflected.
Then, what are those constellations?
Their true identity is the Astral Realm.
The skies of the Middle Realms are all reflecting the Astral Realm.
Paaatt!
Why then, do the Middle Realms reflect the Astral Realm?
It is because, in the end, the light of the Astral Realm occupies the most important position for all living beings when it comes to cultivation.
Just like right now.
Woo-woong!
Beyond the Interdimensional Void, the starlight of the Astral Realm shines upon me.
And the Heavenly Tribulation begins.
Flash!
The Heavenly Tribulation starting from the Star Shattering stage is nothing like an ordinary Lightning Tribulation.
The Heavenly Tribulation of the Star Shattering stage is also known as a Star Tribulation (星劫), a tribulation directly sent down by the stars of the Astral Realm.
And...
Unlike the Heavenly Tribulations at the Integration stage, which have a set number.
The Star Shattering Heavenly Tribulation descends as one ray from each of [all stars that shine upon the cultivator] during the cultivator's advancement ritual in the Astral Realm.
Kwarurururung!
The Star Tribulation of the first star descends.
Kwa-jijijijik!
As I am exposed to the immense power of the star, I squeeze out all my strength to prevent the star I created from being destroyed.
Ordinary cultivators in the Star Shattering stage conduct their advancement ritual in the Chaos Realm regions of the Middle Realms.
Chaos Realm regions, like the Dead Earth Domain where Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll is located, often have periods when starlight doesn't shine well. Cultivators aim for those times to drastically reduce the number of tribulations they face.
But in the Interdimensional Void, such things don't work.
Kwarurururung!
'Kugh!'
An overwhelming amount of starlight shines down from beyond the Interdimensional Void, from the Astral Realm.
After all, the place where the Astral Realm clings tightly to, like the Netherworld, Fate Realm, and Flower Realm, is the Interdimensional Void.
This is a place where by just slightly adjusting the plane, it is possible to see as many starlights as one wants.
Kwa-jijijijijik!
Finally, the first ray of the Star Tribulation, which felt like eternal punishment, ends.
Since I've reached the realm of Void Shattering, I could endure it easily.
But the problem starts now.
'Ah...'
I let out a low groan as I gaze upon the endless starlight shining down from beyond the Interdimensional Void.
'Can I block all of that?'
Just roughly counting the bright-shining starlights alone already numbers in the hundreds of millions.
Including the dim starlights, I will have to endure tens, hundreds of billions of these Star Tribulations.
'I have to do it.'
At that moment.
: : How moving. : :
The voice of Blood Yin, who had been silently observing until now, sends a message with a sneer.
'He-heok...'
Seeing Blood Yin's true body I am hit with a shock that makes my mind feel like it's on the verge of collapsing, and my body trembles.
'Th-That's...a True Immortal's true body...!!!'
Having acquired the body of a star, I am finally able to perceive a higher dimension.
Only now am I able to understand just how terrifying an entity a True Immortal truly is.
The realm of Void Shattering is a different system, so even though I saw Blood Yin and understood the terror of a True Immortal, I couldn't fully grasp it.
However, at this very moment.
I feel my very existence forcibly collapsing in front of Blood Yin.
'Did I...miscalculate again?'
The very act of advancing to the Star Shattering stage—it seems I overlooked the possibility of becoming even more vulnerable in front of Blood Yin.
The more truths and understanding I gain, the more dangerous this action becomes, and I didn't even realize it.
It's when I'm trembling.
: : As a senior, I cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of a junior. : :
Blood Yin, in a manner as if feeling pity, starts doing something to my mind.
And I immediately recognize the nature of Their spell.
'Th-This is...!?'
Devilish Spell.
Baihui Melody (䏤曲)
Paaaatt!
In an instant, my mind starts to clear.
Attraction force enters through my Baihui point, rotates within my brain, and exits through my forehead.
Of course, in my star-formed body, I have no such physical organs, but that's how it feels.
At the same time, I sense my consciousness domain becoming endlessly clearer, and my sensory perception sharpens even more than when I ingested the poison Hong Fan gave me.
It's not something that's eroding me like Purple Soul Filling the Heavens or Heart Demons.
It's purely amplifying my abilities temporarily.
Yet, even though my sweat glands no longer exist, I feel cold sweat running down my back.
'This can't possibly be a blessing.'
It's undoubtedly a calamity in disguise.
In the next moment.
Devilish Spell.
Protecting Melody.
Only after Blood Yin gives me a blessing that increases my physical capabilities and life force do I understand Their true intention.
"Ah..."
After Blood Yin's [blessing] passes, the densely packed Star Tribulations in the sky are momentarily held back by Blood Yin.
"Ha...haha..."
Blood Yin looks down at me and smiles as if feeling thrilled.
As one Star Tribulation after another descends, they continue to amplify above the protective barrier created by Blood Yin.
: : Now, as a senior, I will help my junior. : :
Flash, paaaatt!
The starlight in the sky gradually brightens.
'Insane...'
Is this what they call karmic retribution?
It feels like I'm receiving back what I once did to Yuan Li.
Finally, as the Star Tribulation amplifies and amplifies...
When Blood Yin's protective barrier begins to crack.
Only then do I look at the massive torrent of Star Tribulations crashing down on me with a hollow, exhausted laugh.
'If Jeon Myeong-hoon offered up a finger as a sacrifice...no, no...even if he turned into Jeon Myeong-hoon juice for a human sacrifice...could that delay this Heavenly Tribulation for even one second?'
In the next moment.
I experience the Star Tribulations engulfing my entire body, and even my screams are crushed by the overwhelming power of the tribulation.
My senses, forcibly amplified by Blood Yin by billions of times, completely receive the pain of the Star Tribulation amplified by billions of times. My life force, strengthened and toughened by Blood Yin, survives for ten days while each grain of sand within my star-formed body cracks and explodes.
Amidst unbearable agony that feels as though it will turn me into an imbecile, a forgotten memory resurfaces.
'Ah...I see.'
The Heavenly Silkworm Controlling Ghosts Art, which manipulates multiple tools, was not a martial art I created.
It was a martial art I learned from someone.
Yes...
It was a martial art I learned from Hong Fan, who also has a talent for martial arts.
He once said to me.
—If there is a next life, I will follow Master in that life as well. So please, teach me martial arts then too. My Entering Heavens Beyond the Path will not change even then. Even if eternal and infinite time passes, my heart will remain unchanged...
Recalling a scene from my forgotten 16th cycle, I lose consciousness while searching for the clue to break free from this cycle of time.
'Hong Fan's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.'
Only that can help me in the current situation.
That is my 701st return.