Myriad Star Peak.
A wooden cabin in the rear mountain, where the breeze was gentle and the clouds light.
Once again seeing Fang Hong cultivate the "Seven Star Seal Method" he had given him to the point of perfection in just two short hours—
Even though Zhao Tianchen had already been mentally prepared, he still found it incomprehensibly shocking.
It was simply too outrageous.
From ancient times until now, he had never heard of such a person.
For a while, he probably would not be able to get used to his disciple's monstrous displays.
But when he thought of Fang Hong soon going to learn formations from that formation master of Myriad Star Peak—
Zhao Tianchen stroked his beard and let out another snickering laugh.
"Anyway, the fact that Hong'er is my disciple is already set in stone."
"I'm truly curious what expression that old fellow will have when he witnesses Hong'er's terrifying comprehension."
"Mm, it definitely won't be much better than mine was."
"He'll probably end up begging Hong'er to become his disciple, but unfortunately, Hong'er is already my disciple."
At that thought, Zhao Tianchen smugly snickered away in his heart once more.
He could already imagine what expression that old geezer would wear when Fang Hong went over there to learn formations.
"Hong'er, this Seven Star Seal Method is a top-tier martial skill."
"But seeing that you've already cultivated it to such a profound level, you should have noticed something, right?"
Watching Fang Hong slowly finish his cultivation and settle his blood and qi, Zhao Tianchen immediately said with a smile.
"Indeed." Fang Hong nodded, his expression somewhat strange.
"I have clearly cultivated this martial skill to its highest realm, yet I still feel as though its power has not been fully unleashed. There is still room for more."
Fang Hong truly found it rather strange.
Both his own feelings and the information displayed on the panel indicated that he had already cultivated this martial skill to the perfected realm.
Yet he still felt that he was currently unable to fully display this martial skill's true power.
Hearing Fang Hong's words, Zhao Tianchen immediately laughed.
"Haha, so there's finally something that has stumped you."
Seeing Zhao Tianchen act like this, Fang Hong immediately knew he had done it on purpose.
"Please enlighten me, Master." Fang Hong asked curiously.
Zhao Tianchen stroked his beard. "Because this martial skill is actually meant to be cultivated in conjunction with Star Fiend Qi."
"You have yet to refine Star Fiend Qi, and your blood and qi have not undergone a transformation."
"Naturally, you cannot yet unleash this martial skill's true might."
"Once you refine Star Fiend Qi, even if it is only a single wisp, your blood and qi will transform."
"Only then will this martial skill reveal its truly formidable power."
"With a casual strike, it can injure another's soul and devour and dissolve their True Spirit and divine consciousness!"
"However, even without refining Star Fiend Qi, this martial skill remains an excellent offensive method."
Looking at the curious Fang Hong, Zhao Tianchen explained with a great sense of accomplishment.
"Hm?!"
"It can injure souls?!"
Upon hearing Zhao Tianchen's words, Fang Hong was immediately startled, then his face filled with delight.
He was currently far too lacking in methods capable of harming souls.
He had never expected the Seven Star Seal Method to undergo such a terrifying transformation in power after refining Star Fiend Qi.
It could directly harm souls, and could even devour and dissolve True Spirits and divine consciousness.
Star Fiend Qi—he had to obtain it!
At that thought, Fang Hong's eyes burned with fervor.
"Master, then this Star Fiend Qi, you..."
Fang Hong looked at Zhao Tianchen with an expression of utter expectation.
Powerful Master, I'm hungry!
Seeing Fang Hong's extremely expectant expression, Zhao Tianchen coughed, looking slightly embarrassed.
Damn, I may have shown off a little too hard.
"Uh, brat, don't look at me like that."
"Star Fiend Qi is incomparably precious. It requires drawing down starlight and refining it over many years before even a trace may form."
"Even within the Star River Sect, it is considered a top-grade treasure."
"Though your master has a little standing, I'm still somewhat short of being able to request such a treasure for you."
At this point, Zhao Tianchen looked at Fang Hong.
"However, I heard that the first-place winner of this Sect Grand Competition can enter the sect treasury and select one treasure."
"And as far as I know, there just so happens to be a wisp of Star Fiend Qi in that sect treasury."
Zhao Tianchen blinked. "You understand what I mean, right?"
"Anyway, the opportunity is right here before you. Whether you can obtain it in the end is up to you."
Hearing this, Fang Hong raised his brows. "Understood."
"I will definitely bring back first place in this Sect Grand Competition for Master!"
Fang Hong said with burning eyes and a firm tone.
First place in this Sect Grand Competition is mine. I said so!
As he had said before, Fang Hong had never intended to follow the route of playing the pig to eat the tiger.
For this Sect Grand Competition, he had originally planned to attain as high a ranking as possible.
He intended to make a proper splash at this Sect Grand Competition.
Now that Star Fiend Qi, something he was determined to obtain, had become his motivation, his goal was even more resolute.
He had to take first place!
No one could stop him!
There was no helping it—the Seven Star Seal Method after refining Star Fiend Qi was simply too important to him.
Not only could it directly raise his strength by a huge margin.
It could also grant him the most vital kind of method: one capable of damaging souls!
"Good, that's the spirit!"
Seeing Fang Hong's determined appearance, Zhao Tianchen also smiled in satisfaction.
"Alright, you've learned this martial skill. Later, go to the Formation Hall on the front mountain and find Hall Master Chang Chunbo to learn the Heavenly Star Array Formation arts of our Myriad Star Lineage."
"I already informed him yesterday. Once you arrive, go directly to find him."
Zhao Tianchen instructed Fang Hong.
Hearing this, Fang Hong nodded. "Alright, Master. I'll head to the Formation Hall right away."
Fang Hong then returned to his room to tidy up. After changing clothes, he left the wooden cabin.
Zhao Tianchen walked beneath the eaves and watched Fang Hong's departing back, his gaze profound.
"Hong'er, it isn't that I'm forcing you. I only hope that you can truly claim first place in the competition half a month from now."
"That way, when the time comes, even if that bastard Zhong Bigface doesn't want to give you that spot, he will have no choice but to do so."
"With that spot, once you reach the Heaven Realm, your chances of advancing further and breaking through the shackles of the Heaven Realm will greatly increase."
"Although the Heaven Realm has transcended the mundane world, it is actually only another starting point."
"I wonder whether, with your comprehension, you can break through the shackles of the Heaven Realm..."
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