As Shen Yuan retreated to his abode, the moon's silver light bathed Shen Yuan's abode, its serene glow a stark contrast to the turbulence within. Shen Yuan sat cross-legged in the center of his chamber, the faint hum of circulating Qi echoing like the whispers of a storm. His cultivation chamber was filled with dense spiritual energy, flickering in colors that danced between azure and black.
He was stuck at the bottleneck of the 2nd Heaven Stage of the Heaven Path Realm. Beyond this stage was the 3rd Heaven Stage, a realm where only the most capable cultivators were considered veterans. Yet the gap was as vast as the distance between earth and sky, a river to a mountain.
The 3rd Heaven stage of the Heaven Path realm is considered a milestone among cultivators, as their strength, speed and overall power increases by a hundred fold.
Shen Yuan's brow furrowed as he directed his Qi in increasingly complex patterns, weaving it through the pathways of his meridians. His spiritual energy surged violently like a dammed river desperate to break free. With a single mental command, he pushed harder. His body tensed, his teeth clenched, and a faint crackling sound filled the chamber as the energy met resistance.
But then it dissipated, his efforts once again meeting failure.
"Damn it!" He muttered, his voice sharp, his frustration tangible. Opening his eyes, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. His normally composed expression cracked, revealing rare frustration. "What am I missing?"
Closing his eyes once more, Shen Yuan inhaled deeply, his breath slow and measured. This time, instead of forcing his way forward, he shifted his approach. His mind plunged into his inner world, where his Qi manifested as a vast ocean of black and azure waves crashing against an invisible wall.
He observed the waves, his gaze sharp, calculating. He replayed every failed attempt in his mind, dissecting them like a surgeon. Each time his Qi surged forward, there was a faint distortion, a ripple out of sync.
"Impurities," he murmured, the word striking him like a bolt of lightning.
He immediately understood the problem. During his rapid cultivation over the past months, a buildup of impure Qi had unknowingly seeped into his energy. Like sediment clogging a clear stream, it disrupted the smooth flow of his spiritual energy, preventing him from breaking through.
Shen Yuan's lips curled into a smirk. "So, it's not the brute strength I need. It's clarity."
Focusing inward, Shen Yuan began forming a series of intricate hand seals. Each movement was deliberate, his fingers weaving through the air like a master artist painting a masterpiece. His spiritual energy responded, swirling into a vortex around him.
A faint azure glow enveloped his body, and a subtle hum filled the chamber. As he activated a purification technique, the Qi within him churned violently, forcing out the impurities like toxins being exorcised.
The first wave of impurities emerged as a dark mist from his pores. The mist coiled in the air like a living entity, exuding a deadly, suffocating chill. Shen Yuan's expression remained stoic as he continued the process, his focus unwavering.
Minutes passed. The mist thickened, its presence so ominous that even Shen Yuan could feel the weight of its malevolence. Finally, with one last push, a pulse of energy erupted from his body, dispersing the mist entirely.
As the chamber fell silent, Shen Yuan felt a profound lightness within him. His Qi flowed freely, unshackled by the chains of impurity.
Suddenly, his cultivation surged. A vortex of spiritual energy formed around him, pulling in the essence of the heavens and earth with an intensity that shook the walls of the chamber.
Shen Yuan's aura expanded rapidly, its pressure suffusing the surrounding area. His robes fluttered violently, though no wind existed. In that moment, the barrier between the 2nd and 3rd Heaven Stage shattered like glass.
He opened his eyes as three purple halos span behind him, their depths gleaming with an ethereal, predatory light. A devilish grin spread across his face as he clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through him. "3rd Heaven Stage…" His voice was a low murmur, filled with satisfaction. "The real game begins now."
However, his breakthrough did not go unnoticed.
The expelled Qi, laced with remnants of his aura, spread across the Gui Clan like a creeping mist. It carried a chilling malevolence, its oppressive weight felt by every being sensitive to spiritual energy.
In the outer quarters, disciples halted mid-step, their faces pale. Some stumbled, clutching their chests as an inexplicable dread washed over them.
"What… what is this?" one whispered, trembling.
"It feels like… death," another muttered, their voice barely audible.
In the secluded halls of the elders, Elder Tian Xu abruptly opened his eyes, his meditative state shattered. His sharp gaze pierced the darkness, sensing the faint remnants of Shen Yuan's aura.
His expression darkened. "That child… he's advancing too quickly."
Other elders exchanged uneasy glances, their divine senses picking up the same ominous energy. Whispers filled the chamber, voices filled with a mix of apprehension and anger.
"A breakthrough? At this rate, he'll surpass us."
"We should act before it's too late!"
In the depths of the clan's central palace, Gui Zuwang sat on his black throne, a goblet of wine in hand. His golden eyes glimmered as he gazed at the rippling aura in the distance, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Stars," he murmured, his voice like a soft melody. "The brightest among them burn fiercely, only to fall. But some… some rise again from the ashes, far brighter than before."
He took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze distant. "Shen Yuan, what kind of star will you become?"
Back in his chamber, Shen Yuan rose to his feet, his body radiating strength. Yet his mind was already moving to the next step. The elders, now aware of his rapid growth, would undoubtedly accelerate their plans against him.
Walking to the window, he gazed out at the tranquil courtyard, his smirk returning. "If they're afraid now, let's give them a reason to fear even more. Ahahahaha!"