On the spirit-grass meadow in the mountain hollow, Han Li gazed at the deep-sea currents churning within the Eye of Returning Ruins star gate. Zi Ling's tattered Star-Illusion Flag grew hot in his clenched palm. Two defeats under the crushing pressure of the deep sea had made one thing utterly clear: to break this deadlock, he first had to strengthen himself.
The spiritual power of the Nine Peaks Secret Realm was vast as an ocean, and heavenly treasures lay everywhere, ready for the taking. It was the perfect place to enter seclusion and hone his edge.
"Zi Ling is trapped in the void. How can I let myself remain trapped here?" he murmured, silver-blue light rekindling in his eyes. "One steady step at a time, starting with this secret realm."
Han Li's first goal was to refine pills that would improve his body's resistance to pressure. Following the guidance of his passive star spirit knowledge, he gathered star-pattern grass on the Central Peak. This spirit herb grew in the crevices between magnetic essence crystal clusters, its emerald leaves inlaid with veins like golden threads. Harvesting it required gently peeling it free with magnetic essence power; the slightest carelessness would damage its medicinal properties.
With the Water-Magnetic Sword's assistance, Han Li carefully gathered ten of the fullest stalks of star-pattern grass, each brimming with pure star power essence.
The pool-center water from the Star Spirit Pool on the Western Peak was even harder to obtain. The pool lay in a natural cave behind a waterfall. Its water was clear as a mirror, yet harbored terrifying vortices of star power.
Han Li enveloped himself in Star Magnetic Body Protection, with the Water-Magnetic Sword clearing a path ahead. Only after nearly being swept into the vortices three times did he obtain a thumb-sized