Protectorate Xiong Yuan, being a body refiner himself, could appreciate Wu Yuan’s moves with a discerning eye. “But the most crucial aspect is his Dao comprehension. I estimate it has reached the fifth or sixth-level True Intent stage,” he remarked, his voice tinged with awe.
The significance of this achievement wasn’t lost on either man. The fifth or sixth-level True Intent stage was a Dao Comprehension level beyond the reach of ninety-nine percent of Amethyst Cradle cultivators. And Wu Yuan? He was merely a seventh-stage Spiritual Body cultivator.
Both men continued watching the light screen projection. As anticipated, the guardian of level seven manifested as a first-stage Amethyst Cradle cultivator at the seventh-level Domain stage. He could exhibit the combat prowess of a true Amethyst Cradle cultivator.
Yet, after a few exchanges, Wu Yuan dispatched the guardian with a single, earth-shattering slap.
Level seven, cleared!
The light screen abruptly turned gray, cutting off their view. The elderly man in white robes shook his head. “With our authority, we cannot view combat projections beyond level seven. Truly, a peerless genius. After this battle, he’s destined to soar through the ranks.”
“Hehe,” Protectorate Xiong Yuan chuckled, his emotions a turbulent mix of astonishment and delight. For him, the stronger Wu Yuan was, the better.
“Old Luo, it’s time to pass the news along, isn’t it?” Protectorate Xiong Yuan grinned.
The old man in white robes muttered, “You must be thrilled. A Bloodforge Seed has finally emerged in High Immortal Wu Tian’s camp.”
“Enough grumbling, just pass it on,” Protectorate Xiong Yuan urged.
As dictated by the rules, news of a new Bloodforge Seed’s selection must be conveyed to the thirty-six High Immortals in charge of disciple training, as well as the other Golden Core Bloodforge Seeds.
Soon, the elderly man in white robes broadcasted the news: A new Golden Core Bloodforge Seed under High Immortal Wu Tian, named Wu Yuan, has been selected.
The news reached the eighty-six Golden Core Bloodforge Seeds and thirty-six High Immortals simultaneously.
Just as he finished passing along the message, his eyes bulged, “He’s advanced this fast? Impossible!”
“What’s going on?” Protectorate Xiong Yuan asked, momentarily taken aback.
A heartbeat later, a smile spread across his face, and he erupted into laughter. “Well done! Very well done!”
The source of their shock and elation was clear – Wu Yuan’s name had appeared on the Dark Star Leaderboard, claiming third place! In an astonishingly brief span, he had stormed through levels eight, nine, and ten of the Dark Star, and was now challenging the eleventh level.
The elderly man in white robes spoke gravely. “In the past century, the Origin Blood World has trained millions of disciples. Although there are over eighty Bloodforge Seeds, only two peerless geniuses have managed to advance past level eleven of the Dark Star. I wonder if Wu Yuan can make it through.”
Unable to witness the battle projection directly, they could only rely on updates from the leaderboard to track Wu Yuan’s progress beyond level ten.
“Old Luo, I believe you should pass along the message,” Protectorate Xiong Yuan teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.
The rules were clear – whenever a Bloodforge disciple advanced past level ten of the Dark Star, the supervisors were required to relay the news. It was their duty.
“No rush,” the elderly man responded calmly. “This Wu Yuan has exceptional abilities. We can wait until he finishes challenging level eleven before passing on the message. Once he advances, he’ll be on par with the other two peerless geniuses of the Origin Blood World.”
“Do as you please,” Protectorate Xiong Yuan replied, his demeanor relaxed. To him, as long as Wu Yuan became a Bloodforge Seed, he had fulfilled the expectations of the High Immortal.
Anything beyond that? That was up to Wu Yuan’s performance.
…
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Origin Blood World, within District One, stood Mansion One.
This wasn’t merely a residence; it was a symbol of supremacy. The million Golden Core disciples scattered across the Origin Blood World were divided into ten districts, with those in District One being the cream of the crop, each a top-tier genius. All of them were Bloodforge disciples.
The individual residing in Mansion One held the distinction of being the strongest among the million Golden Core disciples.
The rules of the Origin Blood World were brutally simple, disregarding differences in age, mana, or cultivation. Any Bloodforge disciple could challenge the master of Mansion One, with victory granting not only the right to reside there but also substantial rewards.
Inside the mansion.
“There are only three years left before the Bloodforge Battle begins.”
“I must strive harder, I can’t let Grandfather down.” A young girl, dressed only in a sheer white garment, sat in the lotus position on a jade platform, her bare feet untainted by dirt or blemishes.
Her eyes were extraordinarily lively, and her porcelain-doll face held a hint of maturity that belied her age.
“Grandfather, I’ll definitely return with honor, revitalize our family, and personally annihilate the Thousand Origin Gate.”
The memory of her grandfather risking everything to send her into the Bloodforge Devil Hall years ago, under the oppressive shadow of the Thousand Origin Gate, burned bright in her mind. For years, the fate of her entire family had remained a mystery, shrouded in uncertainty and fear.
It wasn’t until decades later, as her power grew and her status in the Bloodforge Devil Hall rose, that she learned the harsh truth – her entire family had been reduced to servants by the Thousand Origin Gate, with many losing their lives in the process.
Her rising influence had provided some protection for her family, deterring further oppression from the Thousand Origin Gate. But the humiliation of her family, the ache of separation from her kin – how could she ever forget that?
In this Origin Blood World, no Golden Core cultivator is my match. Shui Heng is currently my equal in strength, but he has been training for over 150 years. I have only trained for a hundred. In a few more years, I will undoubtedly surpass him.
I am the strongest in the entire Redmoon division. However, this is just the beginning. The Bloodforge Battle brings together thousands of second-tier division geniuses from across the immortal nation. I’ve heard of some who have even cleared level fourteen of the Dark Star.
A fire burned in her eyes as she concluded. My strength is not enough. I need to get stronger. I must not only acquire a Bloodforge opportunity but strive to seize the best one.
She was none other than Bai Li, the peerless genius who currently ranked first in the Golden Core phase of the Origin Blood World. Her prowess was legendary, having cleared level eleven of the Dark Star.
In three years, I must make further progress. Bai Li mulled, her brow furrowed in concentration. I need to cultivate the Law of Wind to a higher level and strive to clear level twelve of the Dark Star. Once I pass level twelve, I can receive even more treasures.
However, to clear level twelve of the Dark Star, I need to attain the combat power of the fourth-stage Amethyst Cradle phase. Bai Li gritted her teeth.
Her immortal root was of the third degree, and her mana had reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core phase. Her Dao comprehension stood at the fourth-level True Intent stage. Further breakthroughs were extremely challenging.
Hmm? Suddenly, Bai Li received a message from the Bloodforge Immortal Voidrealm. Her eyes snapped open in surprise, a trace of confusion flickering across her pupils. She sent a tendril of Soul Force into the Bloodforge Immortal Voidrealm and began reading the message.
It’s a message from the supervisor of the Dark Star. Hm? There’s a new Bloodforge Seed named Wu Yuan? Bai Li glanced at it, initially dismissive.
A Bloodforge Seed? In the Origin Blood World, regular Bloodforge Seeds could tackle up to level seven or eight of the Dark Star, a feat that made them the cream of the crop among millions in the Golden Core phase. But to Bai Li, a peerless genius who stood at the top, they posed no threat. She was confident she could obliterate them with a single move.
However, moments later, as Bai Li had returned to her deep cultivation, another message from the Bloodforge Immortal Voidrealm interrupted her focus.
Another message from the Dark Star overseer? Could it be that another Bloodforge Seed has been selected? Or has someone cleared level ten of the Dark Star? Curiosity piqued, she entered the Bloodforge Immortal Voidrealm to check the message.
The contents were brief but earth-shattering: “Bloodforge Seed Wu Yuan has conquered levels eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve of the Dark Star, and is now attempting level thirteen.”
Bai Li was struck dumb. If memory served her right, this Wu Yuan had only just become a Bloodforge Seed.
She began investigating immediately.
So it’s his first time in the Origin Blood World? His first attempt at challenging the Dark Star, and he’s already stormed through thirteen levels? Bai Li felt tidal waves of emotion crashing inside her. Where did this monster come from?
Yes, at that moment, there was only one word in Bai Li’s mind – monster!
…
In a spacetime within the vast cosmos, a string of structures sprawled across the space, with a grand hall standing in the center.
Within this hall, hearty laughter resonated.
“Haha, excellent! Well done!” The voice boomed, rich with satisfaction. “Just over fifty and he’s cleared up to level thirteen of the Dark Star? After a few more decades of cultivation, how many levels will he clear? This is going to send shockwaves even among the Archimmortals.”
“My Redmoon division hasn’t seen the likes of such a monstrous prodigy in tens of millions of years. I, Wu Tian, am truly fortunate to have such a peerless genius under my command.”
His laughter took on a triumphant edge. “Haha, that bunch of fools is always laughing at me. This Bloodforge Battle, it’s my turn to mock them. A Bloodforge King? It will be difficult! But there’s hope of producing a Bloodforge Marquis at least.”
The puppet soldiers stationed around the hall exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the sudden outburst of mirth from their great High Immortal.
However, they all understood one thing with crystal clarity – the High Immortal was very, very pleased.