The Flowing Cloud Shuttle plowed through the morning mist over the Shattered Star Sea, its wake trailing silver-white behind the stern. Han Li stood at the bow, holding the system's reward in his palm: an "opportunity to break through the foundation establishment late-stage bottleneck"-a blue-green jade bead the size of a pigeon's egg. Water patterns swirled within it, a source of spiritual power perfectly attuned to the Azure Water True Art.
Zi Ling organized her medicine chest in the cabin, her Star-Moon Hairpin catching the morning light. The occasional soft chime of the pill furnace mingled with the waves, more soothing than any calming melody.
System, calculate the path to breakthrough. Han Li sank his awareness into the interface.
[Ding! Host's spiritual power compatibility detected at 98%. Recommendation: use "Ten Thousand Rivers Return to the Sea," the seventh level of the "Azure Water True Art," as the foundation, merge with the breakthrough opportunity, and draw the water spiritual energy of heaven and earth into your body. Current environment: remnants of the Shattered Star Sea's spiritual veins. The Flowing Cloud Shuttle's Spirit Gathering Array can provide assistance. Success rate: 92%.]
Han Li nodded, took out the spirit-gathering pill furnace, and set it at the bow. He placed three stalks of sea spirit grass inside and lit them. Pale blue spiritual flames rose, and the patterns of the Spirit Gathering Array lit up across the deck, drawing the thin water spiritual energy from the morning mist into the furnace.
He sat cross-legged at the center of the array. The blue-green jade bead floated above his head, its spiritual power seeping into the point between his brows like a gentle stream.
"Seventh level of the Azure Water True Art, activate!"
The spiritual power within him surged like rivers breaking free of