At the deepest part of the slums stood a low house, where sunlight rarely penetrated and the air hung damp.
Yet within, golden radiance filled the room, as if sprinkled with shattered gold, almost blinding.
A shadow emanated wisps of golden ripples, wrapped in dense essence, causing the surrounding air to tremble—this energy was remarkably powerful.
"Boom!" Dao Ling's aura suddenly erupted, the golden ripples thickening severalfold. The very天地 (heavens and earth) vibrated, and the house shook as if about to collapse.
His eyes opened, golden light swirling within. His overall aura surged, and joy lit up his young face.
So strong!
First, his physique felt incredibly powerful, muscles brimming with surging energy as if he could shatter a hill with one punch. His body had undergone a transformation.
Second, chaos!
His blood qi raged like a runaway horse, hard to control, and his twisting muscles ached.
"I can't keep improving at this rate. It's too fast. I must temper my body—if I continue, my flesh will collapse!"
Dao Ling stood, musing inwardly. His rapid cultivation had left his body unrefined, risking unstable foundations.
Still, he was thrilled. The 4th-grade Foundation Establishment Liquid had exceeded his expectations, revitalizing his entire physique. Though unstable, it could be mastered with tempering.
"Zi Yu, I owe you a debt," Dao Ling chuckled, recalling the mysterious art. His eyes flickered, then frowned: while refining the liquid for three days, he had studied *Yin-Yang Palm*.
The palm technique seemed impossible to master, requiring both yin and yang energies. Dao Ling's energy was extremely hot; he needed icy energy to balance it, leaving him perplexed.
Combining these opposing forces was daunting—he didn't know where to start.
"Maybe I need to find an icy ferocious beast to transform my body." This might be the true meaning of the Primitive Saint Physique: the ability to reshape the body at will!
"My body seems to have reached a limit," Dao Ling thought. "This is the physical limit—*Devouring Heaven* should help me break through!"
"Once my foundation stabilizes, I'll absorb the true blood of the ancient ferocious beast!" Excitement filled him as he headed for the academy, having secluded himself for three days.
Today, Qingshan Academy bustled with activity. A few were elated, but most looked glum—it was the registration day for Star Academy, and failing the initial test meant no chance at the trials.
Star Academy, one of Qingzhou's largest, stood in Qingzhou City—the hub of power, where prodigies thrived and the world's grandeur unfolded.
The martial hall buzzed with chatter. When a youth appeared at the door, the room fell silent, then erupted in laughter.
"This waste hasn't been to the academy for days—I thought he had the sense to drop out."
"Hilarious! He skips class but shows up for registration? Does he really think he can join?"
"Haha, the Sleep God wants to register? He must be sleepwalking!"
"Damn you, waste!" Qian Yi seethed, glaring at Dao Ling. Then he smiled wickedly—he'd thought Dao Ling was too afraid to come.
Now he could exact revenge! "Wait for death! I'll make you suffer for offending me!"
Qian Lin's cold gaze also fixed on Dao Ling. Though unsure how the waste had gained strength, daring to strike Qian Yi was a death sentence.
Listening to the鄙夷 (contempt) and mockery, Dao Ling rubbed his chin helplessly. As he stepped inside, a freezing gaze made him shiver—all too familiar.
He turned to see Ye Yun's cheeks flushed with anger. He苦笑 (smiled bitterly) inwardly but couldn't help admiring her beauty even in wrath.
Tall and fair-skinned, Ye Yun exuded elegance. Now furious at his absence, she snapped: "Come here."
"Master, I had matters to attend to," Dao Ling whispered,头皮发麻 (nervous). Skipping class was normal, but he never expected Ye Yun, of all people, to care about a waste. Gratitude and amusement warred within him—she was the only one at the academy who showed him any concern.
"Look at you—disappointing," Ye Yun chided, tapping his shoulder gently (afraid to send him flying). Her finger suddenly stiffened, eyes widening in shock. His muscles were taut, brimming with hidden strength.
"Dao Ling... did you succeed?" she asked, excitement rising. His physique felt different—not like someone who had never trained.
"Yes, I did," Dao Ling replied, looking up with a smile.
Ye Yun's eyes lit up. Seeing his confident expression, she nodded happily: "Great! Keep working hard—strive to join Star Academy next year!"
*I intend to join this year,* Dao Ling thought, but nodded: "I will."
"Amazing! What a pleasant surprise," Ye Yun beamed. Then she sighed: "可惜 (What a pity) I'm returning to Star Academy soon. This miracle came too late—otherwise, I could have taken the Sleep God with me."
The martial hall gaped as Dao Ling walked in unharmed. Why had the master spared him again?
Qian Lin approached coldly, looking down: "Watch yourself. You won't survive today. Enjoy this test—it's your last."
"I'll wait," Dao Ling replied, returning to his seat.
"How dare you ignore me!" Qian Lin clenched his fists, livid. *This waste dares speak to me like that? He's tired of living!*
"Just wait—you'll die a miserable death!" he vowed.
Half an hour later, a sprightly elder entered—the vice-principal, beaming. Other martial halls had seen success: two students had reached Rhyme Spirit Realm!
To his surprise, Wang Ya, a previously unknown girl, had also stepped into Rhyme Spirit. Delighted, he knew Rhyme Spirit made joining Star Academy easier.
"Students, this test determines your eligibility for Star Academy. 10,000 catties of punching strength is the standard."
The vice-principal's words silenced the room, many frowning. Only a few in this hall had 10,000 catties—registration was steep.
"To save time, those with weak strength need not test," he said, sitting to begin.
Only five dared step forward. Ye Yun watched, disappointed—she'd taught nothing but rookies, no Rhyme Spirit among them.
But then she looked at Dao Ling, feeling more pleased: *At least a miracle emerged. Not a total failure.*
*Bang!* The testing stone shook. Ye Yun saw Qian Lin had barely met the standard—still insufficient for Star Academy.
"Qian Lin: 11,000 catties," the vice-principal nodded, inwardly scoffing. Ye Yun might be a Star Academy legend, but she was green as a teacher.
Qian Lin preened under admiring glances, radiating arrogance like a deity overlooking mortals.
Then his eyelids twitched—Dao Ling was standing, walking toward the stone. What was he doing?
The hall gaped. What was the Sleep God up to?
"Dao Ling, are you sleepwalking? Get down! That's no place for you!"
"Yeah, come down before you embarrass us! You have zero strength—don't kill yourself."
Laughter erupted. Ye Yun frowned, studying Dao Ling's confident face. *Could the Sleep God be a dark horse?*
"What are you doing here? Go down," the vice-principal snapped, annoyed. *This waste, the Sleep God—does he think he can test his strength?*
"Vice-Principal, I want to test my punching strength," Dao Ling said calmly.
Dead silence. Had this waste gone mad? Didn't he fear the vice-principal's wrath at his zero strength?
"You want to test? Get down! I haven't time for—" The vice-principal's scolding trailed off as Dao Ling ignored him and raised his fist.
Some closed their eyes, bracing for bloodshed...
Dao Ling clenched his fist, struck the stone. It trembled, then shook violently.
Eyes fixed on the stone—this vibration... similar to Qian Lin's strike?