Chapter 15: The Jinling Battle

Lu Yin never expected that he could cultivate on Earth using this method. Furthermore, the Heavenly Star doubled his cultivation speed, making his energy absorption rate far surpass that of disciples like Granny, likely ranking him among the top in the Great Yu Empire.

Before long, an entire Star Energy crystal was completely consumed, and the Star Energy Lu Yin had absorbed into his body significantly increased.

Afterward, Lu Yin crushed another one and began absorbing.

Having sufficient Star Energy crystals doesn't mean one can cultivate their current realm to its peak. They still contain energy impurities that need to be condensed, and only those who cultivate the Body Forging Art can achieve this.

Those who directly absorb Star Energy crystals for cultivation can only remove impurities when they reach the Fusion Realm. Therefore, their energy intensity is not high, and their combat power is unstable. Moreover, their cultivation relies on Star Energy crystals, but these crystals are hard to come by, forming a vicious cycle. This is why terms like Rogue Cultivators and Combat Slaves exist.

Lu Yin absorbed all five Star Energy crystals. Only then did he feel the surging energy within his body. He had reached the peak of the Gaze Realm, which is the peak of the Earth Grade on Earth, just a step away from reaching the Contemplation Realm. This step requires the Body Forging Art.

Lu Yin lay on the villa's rooftop, rested for a night, and the next morning directly sought out Granny, "Let's spar."

Granny was silent, "You want to spar with me first thing in the morning? Although I am a cultivator, I am also a woman. What kind of man seeks out a woman for a fight first thing in the morning?"

Lu Yin also felt it wasn't quite right, but he really wanted to know the difference between himself and an elite Contemplation Realm cultivator from the academy, "Then I'll come find you this afternoon."

"No need, if you want to fight, then fight," Granny said. She didn't even put Lu Yin in her eyes. If it weren't for that unobstructed Wave Palm, she wouldn't have sought Lu Yin's cooperation.

The two found an empty space, 10 meters apart. Faint roars of beasts echoed from both sides, and a subtle scent of blood drifted on the strong wind.

"Make your move, I won't retaliate," Granny said calmly, her eyes proud.

Lu Yin clenched his right hand, then released it. The air rippled like a curtain being pulled back. He stomped his feet forcefully, and a wave of qi shattered the ground. His body directly shot towards Granny, unleashing a palm strike. This was a pure Wave Palm, Lu Yin's full-power attack.

This one move of Wave Palm surprised Granny. She originally intended to block with one hand, but ultimately had to raise both arms.

Bang!

A wave of qi swept across, the immense pressure crushing obstacles on the ground and shattering the earth. Lu Yin's palm strike pressed Granny's legs deep into the ground, creating a several-meter-wide crater.

Granny was astonished, "Not bad power. I'm afraid even our academy's Contemplation Realm disciples might not be able to deliver such a fierce palm strike. If it were a sneak attack, it would be enough to kill a Contemplation Realm cultivator with less than 2000 combat power."

Lu Yin smirked. He had indeed used the Wave Palm to kill Yasta. Although at that time the power wasn't as great as it was now, Yasta also hadn't reached 2000 combat power. "It's not over yet, continue," he said, then unleashed another palm strike, still the Wave Palm. The power of this palm was not much different from the previous one, pushing Granny a little deeper into the ground.

Granny frowned, her hands trembling, "Enough. Your attacks have no effect on me. My combat power exceeds 2000. You should know, for every thousand increase in combat power, the energy intensity is different, and the strength is also different."

Lu Yin shouted, "One last palm!" As he spoke, a faint starlight appeared on the surface of his right hand. The moon revolved around his palm, and further out, there was an air current similar to the Wave Palm. This was -- the Heavenly Star Palm.

The moment Lu Yin unleashed his final palm strike, Granny's heart pounded. Her body turned into an afterimage and vanished. On the spot, where Granny had stood, it was shattered by Lu Yin's palm. The ground within a hundred-meter radius was pulverized, and qi force burst outwards, gradually spreading, creating an immense roar. Even the air itself was vibrated by the qi wave, causing the air to twist.

Granny's figure appeared several meters away, looking at the scene in shock, "What is this?"

Lu Yin proudly said, "This is what my grandfather taught me, the ultimate Wave Palm."

Granny narrowed her eyes. With her basic knowledge, she couldn't recognize the Heavenly Star Palm, but to call it Wave Palm, its power was too strong. It could make her feel a sense of danger. "I've heard that the Wave Palm can be stacked. That last palm strike should be a Doubled Wave Palm," Granny said seriously.

Lu Yin shrugged, "Possibly. The names might be different."

Granny looked at Lu Yin, her eyes no longer arrogant, but filled with solemnity. Her tone was calm, "The Doubled Wave Palm requires extremely high demands on the body. Even Contemplation Realm cultivators, few can achieve it. Our academy doesn't have a single one. You are very powerful. Once you reach the Contemplation Realm, you will be able to contend with any elite, and perhaps even enter the empire's highest academy -- the Martial Hall."

Lu Yin was surprised, "Martial Hall? Me?"

Granny said, "Possibly. With your body's strength, there's hope. Alright, I'm tired, let's go," Granny said and left.

Lu Yin watched Granny's retreating back, raising his hand and looking at it. Sparring was one thing, but more importantly, he wanted to see if he could -- defeat her. This woman reacted very quickly, using combat footwork to dodge at the crucial moment. As expected of an academy elite.

But he wasn't bad either. The moment she dodged, the power of the Heavenly Star Palm contracted. If this woman thought that was his full strength, then she would be disappointed.

Jinling couldn't be contacted, so Lu Yin told Luo Yun and the others to stay at the base. Granny didn't care about Luo Yun and the others, which saved Lu Yin the trouble of explaining.

However, after waiting two days, Luo Yun came to Lu Yin.

"Brother Lu, how long do we have to stay here?" Luo Yun asked, staring at Lu Yin. She knew from two frontline battalion commanders that this was a frontline supply station, but she always felt something was off. People here often talked about Heavenly Grade powerhouses, but where were these Heavenly Grade powerhouses coming from?

Lu Yin replied, "Don't ask too many questions. I'll give you a convincing answer in a few days."

Luo Yun was about to ask again, but suddenly her expression changed, looking up at the sky. Lu Yin turned his head to look, and Granny landed with a worried expression, "Go, Aodhan and his group have gone to Jinling."

Lu Yin was startled, grabbing Granny's arm, and was carried by her as they flew towards Jinling.

Luo Yun was surprised. If she wasn't mistaken, the combat armor the woman was wearing was identical to that of the aliens who had attacked Jinling some time ago.

Not far away, Xu San also arrived, equally surprised.

In the sky, air currents sliced through. Granny flew towards Jinling at her fastest speed, but carrying Lu Yin, her speed wasn't significantly faster.

"How do you know Aodhan went to Jinling?" Lu Yin asked.

Granny said coldly, "It's none of your business. Remember, once you arrive at Jinling, act according to the situation. Our goal is to seize Jinling. Aodhan didn't go alone. His assistants are definitely not weak. Take care of yourself."

Lu Yin's eyes were grave. Aodhan dared to disregard Granny, proving that the person he chose must be stronger than Granny. According to his calculations, Yasta's combat power was around fifteen hundred, Aodhan's might be close to 2000, and Granny exceeded 2000. So, the person allied with Aodhan must have combat power far exceeding 2000, and there might not be just one person.

He hoped Zhou Shan could hold on. Lu Yin looked towards the south.

Half an hour later, Granny quickly approached Jinling with Lu Yin. Above Jinling, two figures floated. One of them was indeed Aodhan; a large piece of his ring-shaped combat armor was shattered. Beside him stood a young man, hands clasped behind his back, his eyes arrogant.

All the survivors in Jinling looked up, fearfully gazing at the sky. Two Heavenly Grade powerhouses?

Mount Zhong issued a strong warning. Zhou Shan flew into the sky, a hundred meters away from Aodhan and the other man, his expression grave, "It's you again?"

Aodhan sneered, "Wasn't it a shame you didn't kill me last time?"

Zhou Shan narrowed his eyes, "Extremely regrettable."

"Hmph, it's a pity you'll never have the chance. This is my senior, Tres," Aodhan said proudly.

Zhou Shan's gaze turned towards Aodhan's side, feeling the energy fluctuations emanating from Tres. His heart sank. This person was much stronger than Aodhan.

Tres looked at Zhou Shan, haughtily saying, "I didn't expect there to be a powerhouse like you among the natives. I can help you establish yourself in the Starry Sky. Come with me."

"Senior Tres, there's no need to say much to him. This kind of native is all muscle-brained, he won't agree," Aodhan said.

Tres cast a cold glance at Aodhan, "When I'm speaking, it's not your turn to interject."

Aodhan quickly fell silent, grinding his teeth and glaring furiously at Zhou Shan, a look of hatred flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Shan tightened his grip on his great axe, coldly saying, "For me to follow you is impossible. You aliens want to seize Jinling, don't you? First, defeat me, then we'll talk," he said, then flew towards the north of Jinling City. He didn't want to start a battle above Jinling.

Unfortunately, things weren't up to him. Zhou Shan had barely flown a thousand meters when Aodhan's sword slashed towards Mount Zhong. A sword energy similar to a cleave cut off a corner of Mount Zhong, causing countless cries of agony.

Zhou Shan roared, "You want to die!" As he spoke, he swung his axe towards Aodhan.

Aodhan sneered, drawing his sword to attack.

On the other side, a few minutes later, Granny brought Lu Yin into Jinling. They immediately arrived at the damaged Mount Zhong and the Jinling base, which was filled with cries of agony. Countless people fled outside the city. The ground had cracked open with several fissures, swallowing everything. Energy fluctuations in the void destroyed countless buildings.

Even the clouds in the sky were dispersed.

In Jinling City, Zhou Shan spat out a mouthful of blood, difficultly propping himself up with his great axe and glaring at the sky.

Tres and Aodhan looked down coldly, "Your strength is not bad, enough to rank among the top 15 in the Military Academy, but unfortunately, you met me," Tres said coldly.