Phenomenon in the Sky
Phenomenon in the Sky . . .
Qin Wentian's perception soared, reaching for the celestial heights of the Nine Heavenly Layers. As a half-step Immortal Foundation expert, his perception had grown immensely stronger since the time it had first ascended to the 5th Heavenly Layer. Now, it could comfortably linger within the 7th Heavenly Layer almost indefinitely.
Within this celestial expanse, Qin Wentian's perception wandered through the starry void of the 7th Heavenly Layer. There, he encountered constellations of strange and fearsome shapes, each emanating an aura of immense power. Yet, his perception remained undeterred, stretching further and further, toward the outermost boundaries of this cosmic realm. His goal was to discover whether he could improve himself by attempting to condense a constellation from the 8th Heavenly Layer.
What mysteries lay beyond the confines of the 7th Heavenly Layer? What kind of constellations could he conjure forth?
Anticipation burned within Qin Wentian's heart. Gradually, he began to feel an oppressive force bearing down upon him, but he was no longer the fledgling cultivator he once was. As a half-step Immortal Foundation expert, his perception had evolved significantly. He could withstand the mounting pressure, and eventually, he reached the precipice between the 7th and 8th Heavenly Layers. Here, an overwhelming force barred his passage.
"DASH THROUGH!" Qin Wentian's perception surged, determined to pierce the barrier. He knew that even the weakest constellation in the 8th Heavenly Layer would eclipse the mightiest in the 7th. The law energy surrounding these constellations would be more pronounced, making them ideal foundations for Immortal Foundations, amplifying his power to astonishing levels.
Success in forming a saint-grade Immortal Foundation was uncertain, but he was resolute in his pursuit.
With a resounding explosion, his perception thrust toward the 8th Heavenly Layer. But as he did, an excruciating headache descended upon him, a searing pain that seemed to rend his very mind. Clenching his teeth, he persevered, his brows furrowing with intensity. He had weathered the agony of shattering his Immortal Foundations before—surely he could endure this trial and break into the 8th Heavenly Layer.
Higher and higher he climbed, his willpower an unyielding companion. After a grueling struggle, his perception finally tore through the barrier, entering the 8th Heavenly Layer. Yet, the moment he crossed that threshold, an overwhelming force crashed down upon him. An explosive boom resonated through his being as he coughed up blood, his body growing limp. Unconsciousness enveloped him, his consciousness slipping away in the face of this mighty onslaught.
After several days of unconsciousness, Qin Wentian finally stirred. As he sat up, his body once again radiated with an ethereal immortal light, and his gaze fixated firmly on the heavens above.
"The more they try to impede me, the more determined I become to succeed. Constellations of the 8th Heavenly Layer, how formidable are you?" Qin Wentian's resolve burned brightly as his perception soared into the starry expanse of the Nine Heavenly Layers. A cascade of astral radiance enveloped his astral projection. The breathtaking beauty of this celestial realm was undeniable, but Qin Wentian had no time for admiration; his sole focus was on success.
In the following month, he experienced three failures, each leading to unconsciousness. Yet, with unwavering determination, his perception persisted within the 8th Heavenly Layer long enough for him to behold a constellation—an ancient halberd. This colossal halberd constellation emitted a dark, foreboding aura, promising absolute devastation.
"A weapon-type constellation, containing the law of destruction," Qin Wentian mused. This marked his fourth entry into the 8th Heavenly Layer that month, and the sight of the towering, halberd-shaped constellation filled him with awe. Its terrifying emanations hinted at the power to bestow destructive prowess upon its possessor. The Mandates and Laws derived from this constellation would be linked to destruction, offering the potential to forge an Immortal Foundation rooted in the energy of annihilation. With such a foundation, one's combat abilities would reach unparalleled heights.
Although he might have had the opportunity to explore other constellations in the 7th Heavenly Layer, Qin Wentian made no hesitation in his choice. He sacrificed those potential options for the chance to condense an astral soul from an 8th Heavenly Layer constellation.
However, this endeavor was far from easy. He encountered countless failures as his perception projection body was repeatedly torn asunder, subjecting him to excruciating torment.
Months of relentless effort, coupled with indomitable willpower, finally bore fruit. A radiant beam of astral light descended from the 8th Heavenly Layer, shattering all obstacles, and enveloped Qin Wentian.
Meanwhile, in the White Emperor Palace, a figure clad in white robes stood resolutely with arms folded behind his back. His gaze was fixed on the heavens, and a formidable white light radiated from his eyes.
"The 8th Heavenly Layer," a figure murmured, his voice resonating with an eerie calmness that concealed a tumultuous storm raging within. It was as though the placid surface of a lake hid the ferocious currents churning beneath. For a fleeting moment, his eyes were fixed on the heavens, witnessing something beyond mortal comprehension. Then, just as quickly, he withdrew his gaze, returning to the realm of the ordinary, or so it seemed.
Nearly three years had elapsed since the day Qin Wentian and Qing'er embarked on their seclusion. During this time, they remained hidden from the world, a mystery enshrouded in a veil of anticipation. Within the royal palace, whispers of their endeavor circulated among the courtiers. Speculation and wonderment permeated the air. Could they accomplish the seemingly impossible? Would they transcend the bounds of half-step immortality and reach true immortality with a single, audacious stride?
The passage of time posed an unanswerable question. How long would it take for them to complete their Immortal Foundation? It was a rite of passage, an arduous journey every mortal yearning for immortality must undertake. Success in a single attempt was the dream, failure a looming shadow that could erode their confidence, potentially casting them adrift in the sea of half-step Immortal Foundation experts.
A single step to immortality, a seamless foundation forged in one breath—such was the aspiration of every stellar martial cultivator.
Qin Wentian embarked on his journey, forging a connection with the constellation, unlocking an astral gate, and crafting a new Yuanfu with meticulous care. Step by methodical step, he absorbed the awe-inspiring astral energy from the 8th Heavenly Layer constellation, all the while seeking to grasp the formidable energies of destruction.
To establish an Immortal Foundation, one first had to comprehend the essence of the law, to fathom its attributes. Only then could they draw the motes of law energy into themselves, fashioning potent Immortal Foundations through the conduit of immortal energy.
This process was not for the faint of heart, nor the feeble-willed, for those lacking in perception or comprehension. Immortality eluded many, with countless souls stagnating at the pinnacle of Celestial Phenomenon or perpetually dwelling in the realm of half-step Immortal Foundation. Though they bore the title of immortals, the chasm that separated them from their true immortal counterparts was vast, a gaping maw in the immortal realms.
Qin Wentian persisted in his seclusion, now aware of why such sessions, at the immortal level, stretched to the span of a mortal's lifetime—a truth that was no exaggeration.
Four years came and went, a testament to Qin Wentian's unwavering dedication. His sixth Immortal Foundation, after a series of trials and tribulations, finally attained perfection. Immortal sense probed his inner sanctum, revealing the six distinct foundations. Though they did not fuse together like those of others, an intricate connection wove them together, their motes of law energy intertwining in a mesmerizing dance of cosmic order.
Qin Wentian's form had transcended mere mortal beauty. His once flawless skin now radiated an ethereal luminescence, while the contours of his face etched an even more captivating allure.
This was immortality incarnate. In the realm of the immortal, physical imperfections were all but erased. Only those who intentionally forsook their appearance or were cursed with innate ugliness remained untouched. Otherwise, upon reaching the immortal echelons, their very beings underwent a profound transformation. Flawless flesh and skin, an air of gravitas, and the halo of immortality bestowed upon them a resplendent handsomeness or an otherworldly beauty.
The limitations of their outer transformations were evident, yet within the sanctum of their bodies, an endless metamorphosis unfolded like an ageless epic.
In the crucible of destiny, the immortal light emanating from Qin Wentian's six Immortal Foundations intertwined, crafting a symphony of transformation. For those who had embarked on the path to Immortal Foundation, the ultimate endeavor was to perfect this sacred construct. In the realm of possibility, Qin Wentian stood on the precipice of this glorious culmination.
Within the hallowed vessel of his body, a candle-like radiance, pristine as alabaster, danced around his six Immortal Foundations. Unyielding, it defied the might of their law energy, infiltrating their very essence. A tempestuous maelstrom brewed within Qin Wentian's corporeal form, where countless laws intermingled and melded into the ethereal glow.
With immortal sense as his guide, Qin Wentian explored the profound changes transpiring within his being, his heart pounding in awe. The completion of an Immortal Foundation typically hinged upon one's mastery of law energy. Yet, as an exception, Qin Wentian discovered that this intricate process unfolded autonomously.
In the outer world, in the celestial expanse above, astral light cascaded from his constellation, an unceasing cascade of law energy.
In the heart of his six foundations, Qin Wentian marveled at the convergence of boundless law energy, converging into a pristine, resplendent Immortal Foundation. Its visage mirrored that of a divine being, its allure transcending mortal comprehension.
The energies from his six foundations converged upon this human-shaped form, resonating with thunderous reverberations. Gradually, the ethereal figure solidified, radiating brilliance as the original six Immortal Foundations faded into transparency. Yet, they persisted, a ceaseless flow of law energy nurturing the human-shaped Immortal Foundation.
A cataclysmic transformation surged within Qin Wentian's corporeal vessel, unleashing a ravenous appetite that hungrily absorbed the residual energies of his surroundings. Over time, as the last vestiges of energy were assimilated, layers of luminosity cocooned him, resembling a chrysalis as he digested the newfound power.
Then, on a fateful day, after the complete digestion of every lingering trace of energy, Qin Wentian's body erupted with a boundless radiance that pierced the heavens, birthing a resplendent phenomenon that marked his divine ascent into the world.
Within the hallowed halls of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor's palace, bewildered gazes were cast skyward, as countless souls witnessed the breathtaking spectacle unfolding in the heavens above.
A hushed gasp of awe swept through the gathering like a breeze over a still pond. All eyes were riveted on the kaleidoscope of colors streaking across the heavens, a breathtaking spectacle that defied comprehension. Amidst the radiant cascade, the faint contours of a human-shaped figure began to take form, as though sculpted from the very essence of light itself.
"By the heavens, what is this marvel?" whispered a voice, tinged with both wonder and trepidation. As the enigmatic display unfolded above, a shiver of profound uncertainty coursed through the crowd. Kings and marquises, normally ensconced within the sanctity of their estates, now stepped forth, their hands clasped behind their regal robes, their gazes locked onto the celestial canvas above.
What did this celestial phenomenon herald?
Within the hallowed halls of the imperial palace, the Evergreen Immortal Emperor himself stood in contemplative silence, his imperial countenance etched with intrigue as he too beheld the celestial enigma that had materialized before him.
The royal palace, once cloaked in an aura of stoic tranquility, had now been set ablaze with vibrant fervor and animated chatter. Inquisitive souls of all ages sought wisdom from their venerable elders, their voices trembling with curiosity. What could this otherworldly display signify? Even the most venerable of immortal kings found themselves grappling with the mysteries of the heavens, their brows furrowed in contemplation.
The emergence of a mystical phenomenon, a spectacle born of the very fabric of the cosmos, invariably signaled the advent of a prodigious genius—an ascendant among mortals. And strangely, the locus of this celestial display was none other than the illustrious Princess Changping's estate. A realization struck like lightning in the minds of those who bore witness to this phenomenon: Wasn't Qin Wentian still ensconced in his seclusion, laboring tirelessly on his quest for immortality within those very walls?