Chapter 479: Entering the Core Selection Phase
“The star beast core is truly a remarkable treasure,” Jiang Ye mused.
“It not only enhances the True Divine Manual,” he continued, “but also triggers a profound leap in my life level.”
Jiang Ye’s life level had now reached the quasi-sixth breakthrough stage.
“My body…” Jiang Ye internally examined himself.
He could see his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—the five viscera—emitting a faint, ethereal glow, each radiating immense life potential.
These were the refined five viscera.
“Incredible power,” Jiang Ye murmured, clenching his fist and feeling the boundless, ocean-like energy surging within him.
The fifth breakthrough marked the transcendent transformation of the five viscera.
During this process, the viscera would develop extraordinary abilities. For instance, the heart could beat tens of thousands of times per second, unleashing tremendous vitality.
The lungs could generate terrifying suction, making the mythical “whale-like gulping” a reality.
The liver could neutralize all toxins, rendering the body impervious to poisons and unharmed.
In essence!
A peak fifth breakthrough expert’s physical body had undergone metamorphosis to the pinnacle of mortal existence, becoming virtually indestructible and immortal for millennia.
Ancient legends of “achieving sainthood through physical cultivation” often described beings at this peak fifth breakthrough stage.
As for further advancement? The physical body had already reached its maximum metamorphosis limit, incapable of further transformation.
Therefore…
The physical strength of seventh, eighth, and even ninth breakthrough experts is fundamentally no different from that of a peak fifth breakthrough cultivator.
Of course, combat power is determined by far more than just physical strength.
Seventh breakthrough experts, having grasped the mysteries of heaven and earth, possess methods of long-range attack. With a mere thought, they can obliterate a peak fifth breakthrough cultivator from afar.
Moreover, higher-realm experts can enhance their physical defenses using the mysteries of heaven and earth, making them nearly impenetrable even to close-range attacks from peak fifth breakthrough cultivators.
Measuring combat power is always a multidimensional assessment.
“Besides my own realm,” Jiang Ye mused inwardly, “the Luoshen Spear Technique has also improved significantly.”
“Naturally.”
“Most importantly, my comprehension of the profound mysteries has deepened,” Jiang Ye thought with confidence. “My understanding of the mysteries of fire has already reached the peak seventh breakthrough level.”
“With both the mysteries of fire and earth now at the peak seventh breakthrough level,”
“I’ve begun to sense new possibilities,” Jiang Ye recalled. “By combining these two mysteries as a foundation, countless possibilities seem to emerge.”
Flowing light, radiant and divine, swirled around him.
“However, fire and earth are, after all, two distinct profound mysteries.”
“Though I sense a connection between them, combining them is incredibly difficult,” Jiang Ye thought. “For the past half-month, I’ve been using my heart fire to attempt their fusion, but all attempts have ended in failure.”
If the demigods outside knew what Jiang Ye was thinking, they would likely drop their jaws in astonishment.
Combining the mysteries of heaven and earth?
Even demigods hadn’t reached such a level!
But Jiang Ye, with the help of his upgraded heart fire, was now only one opportunity away from achieving that breakthrough.
In short, Jiang Ye had become the absolute top combat power within these civilization ruins.
“Senior Sister,” Jiang Ye said, turning to Chen Zilu beside him, “your progress has been significant too, hasn’t it?”
He could sense it.
Chen Zilu’s aura had become even more ethereal than before.
“Mm,” she replied.
“My mysteries of gold seem to be on the verge of a quasi-eighth breakthrough,” Chen Zilu said, a peculiar expression on her fair face.
“What? A quasi-eighth breakthrough?” Jiang Ye exclaimed in surprise. He had expected his senior sister to advance quickly, but this was beyond exaggeration!
He had also been cultivating the mysteries of earth for the past half-month.
Yet Jiang Ye hadn’t sensed any signs of a breakthrough.
It was well-known that Jiang Ye possessed extraordinary innate talent in the mysteries of earth.
If even Jiang Ye couldn’t break through, how could Chen Zilu have surpassed him?
Could it be the Martial Saint Bond? Jiang Ye pondered inwardly. The Martial Saint Bond must be affecting Senior Sister as well.
The Martial Saint Bond, combined with the mysterious “treasure” within Chen Zilu’s body, made her rapid advancement understandable.
“Good news,” Jiang Ye grinned. “Senior Sister, with us working together, who can possibly stand against us now?”
Chen Zilu rolled her eyes but didn’t retort. Even she hadn’t anticipated such rapid progress. Yet the thought of fighting alongside Jiang Ye again filled her with anticipation for the upcoming battles.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The pair rose together and soared toward the massive beam of light in the distance.
“The second phase has begun!”
“Quick, enter the core region!”
“Charge!” Over a hundred challenger received the urgent message.
They understood that current rankings were meaningless. Even the top ten and top hundred contenders showed little interest in climbing the leaderboard.
Only the rankings after entering the core region and battling the transcendent beings would determine the true standings of this year’s Great Stellar War!
Swiftly, the hundred challenger converged on the massive beam of light.
The core region of the civilization ruins was enveloped by a colossal beam of light that pierced the heavens and earth, forming a shield that isolated the area.
Before long, over a hundred challenger had gathered near the beam of light.
Each of them radiated an intense, dazzling glow. Those who had made it into the top hundred on the leaderboard possessed at least a hundred civilization fires.
A hundred civilization fires already shone as brightly as a full moon.
Upon arriving, the challenger refrained from conflict, instead waiting quietly for the core region to open.
Suddenly,
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two streams of flowing light streaked across the sky and descended upon the area, transforming into two radiant figures.
Whoosh! One of the figures erupted with an incomparably dazzling light, blooming like the Proud Sun itself, its brilliance reaching an extreme.
“It’s Jiang Ye, ranked first!”
“So blinding!”
“Retreat!” The other challenger scattered in panic, then stared in awe at the figure.
Jiang Ye’s civilization fire count had reached an astonishing 1,600. Over the past half-month, he had systematically eliminated numerous opponents.
This absurd number made him appear like the midday Proud Sun itself.
Even Chen Zilu, standing beside him with over a thousand civilization fires, seemed like a mere firefly, utterly overshadowed.
Without a doubt!
At that moment, Jiang Ye had become the undisputed focal point of the entire arena, his aura unmatched.
Just then, an ancient voice echoed through the arena:
“Core Selection Rule.”
“Within the core region, there are ten transcendent platform, each guarded by a single individual.”
“You may freely choose any transcendent platform to challenge. If you succeed, you will replace the current guardian. If you fail, you will be eliminated.”
“This process of elimination will continue until only ten remain.”
“The final ten guardians must then gather at the central platform for a peak showdown. The ultimate victor will claim the crown.”
“Ten transcendent platform?”
“Challenge the guardians?” Jiang Ye instantly grasped the tournament rules.
This is just a ring guardian battle, isn’t it?
As for the initial ring guardian, they must be the Transcendent Aptitudes already in the core region.
“Excellent.”
“This gives me the chance to choose my opponent.” A smile crept across Jiang Ye’s face.
Who to challenge? He had already made his decision.
“One hundred participants,” the ancient voice boomed again. “Please enter the teleportation array immediately to begin the core selection!”
As the words faded, a thunderous roar erupted.
The massive beam of light ahead pulsed with intense radiance, unleashing a vast wave of energy.
“The final stage has begun.”
“Whether we’ll make our mark on the Great Stellar War depends on this moment.”
“Charge!”
“Victory!” The assembled powerhouses erupted in excitement.
They understood that the Great Stellar War had reached its most critical phase.
Who would rise to prominence? Who would distinguish themselves? Their performance in the coming trials would determine their fate.
(End of the Chapter)