The Star Gate of the Eye of Returning Ruins shimmered with a dim blue glow in the spirit spring's reflected light. Han Li stood at the edge of the mountain hollow, the Water-Magnetic Sword hanging at his waist. The Blood Magnetic Star Pattern on its blade resonated with Zi Ling's tattered Star-Illusion Flag, forming a pale silver halo before him.
Thirteen years of tempering had brought him from the peak of core formation middle stage to core formation Great Perfection. His body's pressure resistance had reached the peak of core formation late stage ×5.2, and his Star-Magnetic Domain · Great Accomplishment could cover a hundred zhang. At the center of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure Star Chart in his sea of consciousness, he had even condensed a golden speck the size of a grain of rice—a sign that Nascent Soul Materialization was beginning.
"This time, I will push beyond a hundred breaths," he murmured. Silver-blue light poured from his eyes like a cascading river of stars, while his hand tightly gripped the Star-Illusion Flag displaying the words "Advance steadily; the nascent soul is within reach."
Han Li stepped into the Star Gate. White light flashed, and the familiar chill and crushing pressure assailed him again, but his state of mind was entirely different this time. His spiritual power at core formation Great Perfection surged like mighty rivers, and his star-magnetic domain spread a hundred zhang around him, pushing the water five feet away. He could actually move freely in the deep sea.
``` [System notification: Entered the exit of the Eye of Returning Ruins. Environment assessment-deep-sea floor (depth: 30,000 zhang). Water pressure: peak of core formation late stage ×5. Current status: core formation Great Perfection, bodily pressure resistance ×5.2, Star-Magnetic Domain · Great Accomplishment (spiritual power consumption rate -30%). Estimated sustainable