Confusion clouded Chen Yunlong's expression as he gazed at the empty page before him, void of any markings or text.
"There's nothing here," he remarked, the corners of his mouth drawn downwards in skepticism.
How was he to practice a technique that seemingly didn't exist?
Chime, sensing his bewilderment, emanated a soft glow, casting a celestial aura that bathed the room in ethereal light. Drawing nearer to Chen Yunlong, Chime's presence captivated him, shrouded in enigma.
"It's natural that your eyes lack the ability to read the 'Astral Constitution.' I must assist you in cultivating the first stage, which is vital to this technique," Chime began, its voice resounding with ancient wisdom.
"This initial stage is called 'Cosmic Pupils,' a crucial step toward unlocking the hidden celestial knowledge within these pages."
Chen Yunlong listened intently, his gaze fixed on the mysterious spirit. The room seemed to dissolve as Chime's words transported him beyond the mundane realm.
"The Cosmic Pupils serve as a gateway to perceiving the grandeur of the cosmos. They bestow upon you the power to see beyond mortal vision and delve into the celestial tapestry," Chime continued, its voice echoing with cosmic resonance.
"Chen Yunlong, I will guide the cosmic energy of the Ethereal Star Pavilion into your soul. You must endure the pressure of this awakening. The energy will travel from your soul, into your physical body, and finally they will cleanse and rewrite your eyes."
As Chime spoke, the constellations decorating the walls flashed with a flaring blue brilliance while the ambient energy in the room shifted, as if responding to the cosmic spirit's guidance.
Swirls of luminous energy materialized, encircling Chen Yunlong and permeating the very air he breathed. The cosmic energy coalesced around Chen Yunlong, pulsating with a vibrant luminescence.
He could feel its presence, an otherworldly force that seemed to penetrate every fiber of his being.
Yet, accompanying this surge of power, an overpowering discomfort arose.
The energy intensified, swirling around his eyes like a tempestuous storm. It was as if invisible hands were fervently probing and reshaping the delicate structures within.
Chen Yunlong's body tightened, his muscles instinctively responding to the unsettling sensations coursing through him.
A sharp pang of agony lanced through his eyes, causing him to wince and grasp at his temples. It felt as though hot needles were being inserted into his eye sockets, teasing at the brink of unbearable torment.
His vision became hazy and unsteady, the world around him transforming into a swirling vortex of colors and forms.
In the midst of the torment, Chime's soothing voice reached his ears, cutting through the haze of pain.
"Endure, Chen Yunlong. The awakening of your Cosmic Pupils is a test that challenges both body and soul. Embrace the pain, for it is the crucible in which your celestial sight will be forged. It serves as the threshold between your mortality and a new realm of enlightenment."
Chime's voice resounded with solemnity, its ethereal presence growing more potent as it filled the room with a surge of cosmic energy.
The atmosphere crackled with an electrifying aura, swirling with celestial hues of shimmering blue and iridescent gold, casting a mesmerizing glow that bathed Chen Yunlong and the surrounding space.
Chen Yunlong braced himself with gritted teeth, steeling his inner resolve to withstand the impending torment.
Once again, an intense thumping sensation reverberated within Chen Yunlong's eyes. It felt as if countless bees were puncturing their stingers into his eyes for a fleeting moment, only to be swiftly withdrawn, repeating this pattern time and time again.
The sensation of hundreds of stings assaulting his eyes was a torment that overwhelmed his senses, driving him to the brink of madness.
With each agonizing moment, he focused his thoughts, channeling his determination to endure the torment and emerge stronger on the other side.
As the relentless pain persisted, he began to perceive a subtle change, like a faint whisper amidst the chaos.
Gradually, the pain subsided, replaced by an indescribable sensation of transformation.
The searing agony had transformed into a peculiar warmth, like the gentle caressing of a lover's hand.
With each passing second, the energy seeped deep into his eyes, now gently rewriting their very composition.
Chen Yunlong cautiously opened his eyes, blinking away any remaining discomfort as he fell into shock, looking into what felt like a completely different world.
Still in the Ethereal Star Pavilion, his soul experienced the change that had occurred to his body.
His once ordinary eyes, once devoid of any remarkable qualities, now gleamed with an otherworldly radiance. Gone was the monotonous deep grey; in its place, an awe-inspiring palette of colors unfolded.
A vibrant azure, akin to the expanse of a cloudless sky, formed the outer ring of his irises. It gradually transitioned into a deep sapphire, speckled with flecks of stardust. At the center, a mesmerizing golden hue, reminiscent of a cosmic ember, burned with an intensity that seemed to draw one into its fiery depths.
The irises, now transformed by the cosmic energy, shimmered with a mesmerizing iridescence. Swirls of celestial hues, reminiscent of distant nebulas, danced within the depths of his gaze.
Chen Yunlong blinked, marveling at the beauty and power that now resided within his eyes.
They were no longer mere windows to the soul; they were celestial orbs, gateways to the mysteries of the cosmos. He could feel the cosmic energy pulsating within, resonating with the vastness of the universe.
And with his newly awakened Cosmic Pupils, Chen Yunlong's vision transcended the limitations of the mortal realm.
He could perceive the ebb and flow of cosmic energy that permeated throughout the Ethereal Star Pavilion. The subtle fluctuations of the glowing constellations became apparent to him, and he felt deeply connected to their surging energies.
But it was not only the ability to perceive the cosmic energies that his Cosmic Pupils bestowed upon him.
As he glanced at the blank page of the 'Astral Constitution' once more, he realized that the words had materialized before his eyes. The celestial script shimmered and glowed, revealing the profound knowledge inscribed within.
Chen Yunlong's heart swelled with gratitude toward Chime, the cosmic spirit that had guided him through this arduous awakening. He understood now that the pain and torment he had endured were necessary steps on his journey to unlock the secrets of the universe.
Chen Yunlong bowed deeply, "Thank you, Chime."
"Mm. It's good you still know how to say thanks," Chime appeared to nod. "However, in the future don't expect access to the Ethereal Star Pavilion's cosmic Qi reserves. Much of your technique will be cultivated by the much more accessible star Qi, which is far easier to control and can easily be cultivated in the outside world."
"I understand. Tender seedlings do not fear scorching sun or strong winds. It is through enduring the wind and rain that they thrive and grow strong. I will be sure to put in the work and grow with my own efforts."
"Good. Now, review your technique in the outside world. I need to rest after that arduous task."
Chime waved his hands abruptly, ejecting Chen Yunlong's soul from the Ethereal Soul Pavilion.
Yawning lightly, Chime dispersed into the surrounding constellations.
* * *
[Stage 1: Cosmic Pupils]
[From the veil of mortal vision, the Cosmic Pupils awaken, unveiling the boundless mysteries of the universe. Amidst the fleeting brilliance of mortal existence, they perceive the fading light of stars. Yet within the depths of these celestial eyes, a spark of eternal insight resides. With each gaze, the brilliance of cosmic knowledge ignites, forever radiating with a luminosity that transcends mortal bounds.]
[Cosmic Pupils, the introductory technique of the 'Astral Constitution.']
[Only by cultivating the Cosmic Pupils to the basic level will one be able to perceive the subtle Qi of the stars and cosmos, allowing advancement in the 'Astral Constitution.']
[There exist a variety of techniques that can be cultivated alongside the Cosmic Pupils, such as: Astral Perception, Cosmic Trance, Astral Illusion, Stellar Resonance, Cosmic Empathy...]
[The cultivation methods vary depending on technique...]
[In the pursuit of mastery, it is advisable to focus on a select few techniques. A single mastered technique surpasses several unrefined ones.]
As Chen Yunlong delved into the intricacies of the first stage, the page before him shimmered with profound knowledge.
The script seemed to come alive, dancing across the parchment as if infused with the very essence of the cosmos. The words described the Cosmic Pupils in meticulous detail, unveiling their true power and potential.
He learned that the Cosmic Pupils were not merely a tool for perceiving the cosmic energy but also a gateway to unlocking extraordinary abilities.
With the awakened pupils, he could even peer into the depths of space and time, observe the celestial movements, and decipher the hidden laws governing the universe.
Certainly, achieving a higher level of mastery in both his eyes and cultivation base was essential for attaining many of these abilities.
The awakening of his Cosmic Pupils marked the beginning of a new chapter in Chen Yunlong's life.
Empowered by the cosmos, he would now stride upon a path paved with celestial marvels and boundless opportunities.