The very essence of strength originates from the intensity of one's Dou Qi, and my greatest reliance has always been the Nine Dragons Guardian Body!
It seems my Dou Qi energy will only undergo another qualitative leap once I manage to break through to the sixth layer of cultivation. However, mastering the Nine Dragons Guardian Body hinges entirely on fate and opportunity!
The seventh layer, achieved after the rebirth of breaking the cocoon, is known as the Sorrowful Heaven Tribulation!
Grief begets sorrowful darkness, blood begets hatred for the heavens—this is the Sorrowful Heaven!
This is the sole clue left in the notes penned by the first Dragon Shadow regarding the cultivation of the Sorrowful Heaven Tribulation!
It's a pity that even now, I still haven't grasped the true meaning hidden within this phrase!
Grief begets sorrowful darkness, blood begets hatred for the heavens!
Based on a literal interpretation, the cultivation for this layer must be intrinsically linked to one's personal state of mind! Could it be that mastering this layer relies not on the circulation of one's own Dou Qi, but on deliberately inducing a peculiar mental state?
Yet, what kind of mental state this is, I still haven't the slightest clue!
The deep roar of the big fellow interrupted my train of thought.
Only then did I snap back to reality! Simultaneously, I took in the sight of the big fellow's wretched, injury-riddled state.
Although the fierce battle just concluded resulted in defeating the Snow Region Strongman, the big fellow emerged utterly battered, covered in wounds inflicted by flying fragments of rock!
Blood was still oozing constantly from the gashes, and the sight of it wrung my heart with pain!
I quickly fumbled for the healing medicine from my spatial pouch and poured it all into the large bucket!
The big fellow let out a muffled groan and dipped its head into the pail.
While the beast was drinking, I carefully cleaned its wounds and bandaged them.
After a flurry of activity, I finally managed to clean the entirety of the big fellow’s body!
Having drunk the healing draught, the beast's stamina recovered considerably!
We then resumed our journey northward!
The journey remained tedious and monotonous.
We rarely encountered other snow region creatures along the way. I wonder where they all managed to vanish to!
Nevertheless, the big fellow and I proceeded with even greater caution.
Finally, five days later, we arrived at the location marked on the map as the Heavenly Gate!
What was called the Heavenly Gate was no specific doorway, but rather an ancient ruin!
It looked very much like a long-abandoned ancient city. The city walls, the watchtowers, even the age-old thoroughfares were all still intact! However, at this moment, I had no inclination whatsoever to admire any of it!
Because standing before me was a person, and I hadn't even sensed when he had appeared.
He was clearly right before my eyes, yet felt as intangible as the air, lacking even the slightest sense of presence!
"Ah! How is this possible!" I gasped in shock. To be approached so closely by someone without my cultivation detecting it was simply unthinkable!
The big fellow also let out a low, uneasy growl!
Staring intently at the indistinct figure before us!
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
The heavy footfalls sounded exceptionally deep and abrupt! They carried a peculiar, almost magical resonance! Completely different from the ethereal void I had sensed moments before!
My heart began to pound uncontrollably!
Standing before me was a warrior clad in strange, brilliant gold armor!
A golden helmet, golden armguards, a golden belt, golden battle boots—every piece of equipment was an eye-catching gold. The design was ancient yet possessed an innate nobility, emanating a natural, commanding aura!
In the Marfa Continent, I had never seen armor like this! Nor the helmet, belt, or jewelry, yet there was a strange, inexplicable familiarity to it! I felt certain I had seen it somewhere before!
The newcomer was exceptionally tall, and with every measured step, an undeniable kingly might radiated from him. His breath was marked by an indescribable ease and composure, yet it exuded a majesty that dared not be met with direct gaze. He was like a deity descended from the heavens!
It stirred an impulse in me to bow down in worship!
This sheer presence was even more imposing and dominant than that of my imperial father, Jiuyang Chongyang!
Who in the world could this be!
Involuntarily, I suddenly realized my own breathing had become heavy, as if my chest were constricting, leaving me breathless. I had never experienced such an anomaly before; this was the very first time.
My hands and feet were even trembling slightly beyond my control!
What was happening! Was this fear?
I found it impossible to believe that such a person existed in this world—someone capable of paralyzing me with mere aura!
"Who are you?" I forced myself to suppress the rising panic and tension within.
"As expected, a hero emerges from the youth!" The golden-armored warrior’s voice was deep and resonant, full of vigor, yet laced with the weariness of ages. It was a very strange sensation.
However, his pair of silver-white eyes were like two razor-sharp sword points, fixed squarely upon me!
For no discernible reason, I felt an inexplicable chill, as if all the thoughts in my mind were being pierced through!
Facing this man, I couldn't muster even a shred of fighting spirit! Yet, instinct alone compelled me to desperately resist this dreadful feeling: "You haven't answered me yet, who exactly are you."
The man in gold armor let out a soft chuckle, apparently unaffected by my rudeness, instead examining me with an air of deep scrutiny! "My name is Bing Chi. I believe you must have heard of me."
"Bing Chi!"
Heavens! Could it really be that ancient monster who is over two hundred years old!
For a moment, I was utterly stunned!
"Haha!" Bing Chi laughed, "It seems I haven't shown myself in too long! Young people these days don't remember someone like Bing Chi exists!"
Truly, what I feared most had come to pass! I knew today's survival was likely impossible! Even if the big fellow were as fast as he could be, I instinctively felt there was no escaping this time!
Encountering this ancient master who rarely appears is certainly unexpected, but what baffled me more was that this man seemed to be waiting specifically for me here!
However, what preoccupied me even more were that peculiar set of armor and accessories! I was certain I had never seen them before, yet why did they feel so familiar!
Could it be!
The Star King Set! Suddenly, the Star King Set from the legends flashed through my mind!
The equipment Bing Chi wore was exactly the Star King Set from the legends! Although I was shocked that the Star King Set actually existed, I also knew this wasn't the time for astonishment!
How to escape the current predicament was the most important thing!
"Hmph, not bad for the Frost Ice Tribe." Not willing to concede defeat while standing ground, I scoffed: "Old man, you only dare to challenge this King because you're wearing the Star King Set."
"The Star King Set!" Bing Chi looked at me with some surprise: "What is that?"
I felt a touch of confusion: "Aren't you wearing the Star King Set?"
"The Star King Set." Bing Chi seemed to grow agitated: "You call this the Star King Set."
"That is strange," I said, perplexed. "Do you not even know what your own equipment is called?"
"Interesting." Bing Chi beamed with delight: "I obtained this set of equipment by chance; no one in this world recognizes it. However, every piece of jewelry has the character 'Star' engraved on the back!"
At this, Bing Chi stared intently at me: "But this secret is known only to me in the world, how did you come to know it?"
What kind of situation was this!
Perhaps not many people on the Snow Region Continent knew of the Star King Set! And judging by Bing Chi's demeanor, he seemed deeply invested in these secrets!
In that instant, I suddenly grasped a sliver of hope!
That's right, I can't win, and I can't run, but I still have my tongue! Whether I survive might depend on this mouth!
"It seems you don't know the secrets of the Star King Set." I strove to calm myself down!
Damn it, I hadn't expected my decades-old God-level Bluffing Skill would need to be put to use again!
"....." Bing Chi offered no reply but stared fixedly at me: "You still haven't answered my question—why do you know it's called the Star King Set."
"You should know my title, shouldn't you." I tried my best to appear relaxed.
"Jiuyang Shenzhen." Bing Chi pronounced each syllable deliberately, yet he still fixed me with an unblinking stare: "What does that have to do with anything."
"I mean the other name." I continued leisurely.
"The other name." Bing Chi looked momentarily bewildered before involuntarily saying: "Xing Chen (Star)."
"Exactly!" I deliberately cast a diversionary net: "Jiuyang Shenzhen is the name my father, the King, gave me, but Xing Chen is my true name. How could this King not know the secrets of the Star King Set."
"Xing Chen!" Bing Chi's expression changed drastically: "Star King! Could it be that this Star King Set..."
"Precisely." I stated solemnly: "It is something that rightfully belongs to my Xing Clan."
"Haha." Bing Chi burst into hearty laughter: "This old man was almost fooled by you!"
"Fooled?" I felt a pang of guilt but maintained my composure: "What do you mean by that."
My laptop was stolen! I’ve been so frustrated these past few days I could smash my head against a wall! All my outlines and drafts are gone!
This chapter was typed out at an internet café; everyone just has to make do for now!
I curse every thief in the world—may you be hit by a car stepping out, and may you have no sons!