Astral Soul Choices

Astral Soul Choices...

Cultivation had always been an arduous, monotonous journey. It demanded unyielding determination and unwavering willpower. Without these qualities, one could hardly hope to become a true powerhouse.

Within the ancient kingdom's palace, these young cultivators were not just geniuses in terms of talent; they possessed hearts resolute in their martial pursuit, driven by an insatiable thirst and unwavering belief in their path to becoming stronger.

Among them, Chu Mang was the first to ascend to the Heavenly Dipper Realm.

On this day, an astonishing surge of power erupted at Chu Mang's cultivation spot. The energy beam shot up to the heavens, seemingly capable of piercing through the entire formation world. This eruption did not go unnoticed, and soon, several figures appeared at Chu Mang's location.

They found Chu Mang seated cross-legged, surrounded by a radiant light. A starlit manifestation of a Heaven-Cleaving Axe danced around him.

Finally, the colossal axe merged with Chu Mang's Astral Soul, causing his radiance to intensify. His entire aura underwent a profound transformation, and it appeared as though Chu Mang himself had become that colossal axe, emanating an edge so sharp that nothing could withstand it.

Astral Nova – a clear sign of a Heavenly Dipper Realm cultivator.

The Astral Nova condensed by Stellar Martial Cultivators embodied their cultivation level, heart's state, and Martial Mandates. Lacking any of these factors would make success impossible. However, once an Astral Nova was formed, it marked the cultivator's entry into the Heavenly Dipper Realm.

Chu Mang rose to his feet, and a dazzling axe light burst out in all directions before soaring upward, creating a luminous dome that enveloped him entirely. The sharpness he emanated was so intense that onlookers felt as though their very beings might be cleaved just by meeting his gaze.

A potent aura radiated from him – the presence of a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. Chu Mang had successfully reached the Heavenly Dipper Realm.

"The rate at which these resources are consumed is truly astounding. Thankfully, I only aimed to condense two Astral Novas," Chu Mang remarked as he turned to face the crowd, wearing the same warm, honest smile as before, now tinged with newfound sharpness.

Many experts had perished within the Purgatory Vermilion Bird Formation, and a significant number of them were Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns. It was due to their sacrifices that Qin Wentian and his companions had acquired the resources necessary to break through to the Heavenly Dipper Realm.

Chu Mang's successful Astral Nova was a burning titan, emanating an intimidating presence.

Next in line was Ouyang Kuangsheng, whose Astral Nova took the form of a blazing titan, striking fear into those who beheld it.

Finally, it was Qin Wentian's turn.

A chilling buzz filled the air, creating a suffocating pressure that overwhelmed Bailu Yi and Luo Huan, despite their distance. A manifestation of a colossal Heavenly Hammer flickered in and out of existence, its intense radiance merging with Qin Wentian's Heavenly Hammer Astral Soul.

"RUMBLE!~" The fusion between the starlit manifestation and his astral soul reached completion, taking on a tangible form. Countless intricate runes adorned the surface of the Heavenly Hammer, and the pressure it emitted felt as heavy as a mountain. Luo Huan and Bailu Yi exchanged glances, both shocked by what they witnessed.

Unlike Chu Mang and Ouyang Kuangsheng's Astral Novas, Qin Wentian's felt different, much more potent, radiating a brilliance that outshone the others.

The pressure was so immense that Bailu Yi and Luo Huan couldn't comprehend why Qin Wentian hadn't broken through yet. Qin Wentian noticed their bewilderment, and with a thought, he reduced his gigantic Astral Nova to a miniature form, which then entered his Yuanfu, aligned with his Heavenly Hammer. His Yuanfu Receptacles had significantly expanded, and the quality of his stored astral energy had undergone a qualitative shift, rendering him more potent than before.

There was a barrier between the Yuanfu and Heavenly Dipper realms. This involved comprehending second-level Mandates, expanding one's Yuanfu, improving the quality of astral energy, and ultimately condensing an Astral Nova. For most Yuanfu Cultivators, this was an extremely challenging achievement that could take a lifetime, if not more. Yet for Qin Wentian and his companions, these requirements were easily met.

Although Qin Wentian emanated formidable energy fluctuations, it remained at the Yuanfu Realm level. This left Bailu Yi perplexed since she couldn't comprehend the situation.

"I'll wait until I've condensed my other two Astral Novas first," Qin Wentian explained. Most Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns typically only condensed one Astral Nova when they first ascended. This might have been due to resource limitations or their comprehension of other Mandates. But for Qin Wentian, meeting all the conditions encouraged him to condense all three Astral Novas before ascending to the Heavenly Dipper Realm. This way, his combat prowess would be substantially enhanced upon breaking through.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but click his tongue as he glanced at the dwindling pile of Yuan Meteor Stones surrounding him. Even after pillaging the interspatial rings of over ten Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still somewhat short on the resources he needed.

He smiled at Luo Huan, Bailu Yi, and the others before taking out yet another heap of Yuan Meteor Stones. With these, he proceeded to condense his second Astral Nova. The process was time-consuming.

As time flowed by, Bai Qing, Yun Mengyi, and Mu Feng all achieved Heavenly Dipper. Fan Le, however, lagged behind. His Mandates had been slower to reach the second level, which meant he needed more time to solidify his foundations. When he finally condensed his first Astral Nova, the others had already achieved their second or even third.

But one person's progress was slower than even Fan Le's – Qin Wentian.

Condensing an Astral Nova was particularly challenging for him, and it took an extended period to accomplish. Only after a considerable time had passed did he manage to condense all three Astral Novas, each residing within a separate Yuanfu.

Now, Qin Wentian's supply of Yuan Meteor Stones was nearly exhausted.

Nine months had elapsed since the conclusion of the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

"Boss, why are you still emitting Yuanfu Realm energy?" Fan Le inquired, perplexed by Qin Wentian's energy fluctuations. It was unusual for someone like Qin Wentian, who had already completed the condensation of three Astral Novas, to display a Yuanfu Realm aura. His foundation was undeniably rock-solid, and he had the optimal setup for a Yuanfu Cultivator with three Astral Novas. So, why was he seemingly stuck at the Yuanfu Realm?

"I'm not sure either, but it might be related to the cultivation art I've been practicing," Qin Wentian admitted. He suspected that the Nine Astariums Cultivation Art he acquired from Emperor Azure might be involved. While the Heavenly Dipper Realm should have allowed him to cultivate four Yuanfu, he currently possessed only three.

"I understand. Right now, only two of my Mandates have reached the second level. I'm struggling to deepen my understanding of my third Mandate, the Mandate of Psyche-force, which is preventing me from leveling it up and condensing my third Astral Nova. However, I'm thinking of condensing my fourth Astral Soul first. Do you have any advice, Boss?" Fan Le asked, sighing. Achieving Heavenly Dipper with two Astral Novas wasn't too shabby, considering most Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns only had one Astral Nova when they first ascended. Those from transcendent powers often started with two or three Astral Novas due to their abundant resources, creating a significant gap from the outset. Chen Wang, for instance, had two Mandates at the Advanced Boundary, and with sufficient time and resources at the ninth level of Yuanfu, his breakthrough was almost effortless. This exemplified the distinction between natural talents and ordinary cultivators.

Looking at it from another angle, despite Chen Wang's comparatively slower progress in reaching the Heavenly Dipper Realm, he faced no real disadvantages. He might lag behind in the Yuanfu Realm, but once he stepped into the Heavenly Dipper, his power would surge significantly. This fact justified why many cultivators held back and suppressed their cultivation bases for the sake of the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

Qin Wentian analyzed Fan Le's situation, "Your current three Astral Souls are fire-based, bow-based, and psyche-force control-based. Your precision in attacks and proficiency in sneak attacks allow you to effortlessly eliminate a thousand opponents. However, the issue lies in the explosive strength of your attacks. In the future, you might face difficulties against an opponent like Chen Wang."

He continued, "I recommend selecting an Astral Soul that enhances your attack and speed, maximizing your current strengths. As for strength, I've already explained. Regarding speed, imagine if you could boost it further. Your penetrating power would become unbelievably formidable. Who would be able to dodge or withstand such attacks?"

Qin Wentian understood Fan Le's potential and believed that, with the power of control, Fan Le could become one of the most fearsome archers in existence.

"Ultimately, it's essential to decide on your path for the future. I'm merely offering my perspective," Qin Wentian added, patting Fan Le on the shoulder. He didn't mind if Fan Le chose not to follow his advice. In cultivation, following one's heart was paramount. Only then could a cultivator maximize their potential and advance continually.

"Got it," Fan Le replied with a grin before saying, "You should think about your choice too. With your current capabilities, your perception and will are likely powerful enough to condense an Astral Soul from the 6th Heavenly Layer. I didn't use up many Yuan Meteor Stones condensing my two Astral Souls, so take these."

Fan Le handed over a pile of Yuan Meteor Stones before leaving. Qin Wentian didn't refuse the offer. While Yuan Meteor Stones were growing scarce, there was no need for formalities among brothers.

As Fan Le had suggested, Qin Wentian had to consider carefully what kind of Astral Soul his fourth one would be.

Author's Note: I understand that this chapter may feel somewhat dry, but it was necessary to explain the significant disparities between various tiers of Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns and the process of breaking through to the Heavenly Dipper. This foundation will be crucial for the upcoming battles. I apologize for any dryness and look forward to the next chapter when Qin Wentian condenses his fourth Astral Soul. What type of Astral Soul do you think he'll choose?