Chapter 136: Stellar Praise
Chapter 136: Stellar Praise
Mount Li Cliff.
Mount Li Cliff was the largest open ground within the territory of Dawn Cliff. Its terrain was perilous and its scenery beautiful, making it a gathering place.
On the golden hill, a number of elders sat in order. Gu Yan, You Qiushui, Qin Yue, Hua Lianxing, Nie Zheng, and a black-robed old man shrouded in shadowy aura either leaned back or lay down, each in a different sitting posture.
In the very center was a massive dark-iron seat — the Dawn Throne.
Upon this great seat sat a towering figure. This person’s physique was no less than that of a Barbarian, with rugged features that seemed painted by a bold brush, wild and fierce.
Most striking were his eyes.
They had no pupils or whites, but instead were black as a base, with countless starry glimmers rippling within, like the starry sky on a midsummer night.
The Lord of Dawn — Zhao Tianji!
Below the positions of the elders sat masters and grandmasters.
At the highest seat was Wu Yi, who had been away for half a year. As an Armament Master, his status was special, and his seat was the highest.
Sitting beside him was the puppet master Fan Wen, which was also uncontested.
Next came the Magic Forger, the alchemist, the Beast Tamer, the Rune Master, and others, all masters.
“How extravagant… Is this like a prince’s procession? What about ‘unyielding in the face of might’?”
Li Yi silently grumbled in his heart.
The Manor Lord himself had come, seven out of the nine elders were present, and masters from all disciplines had gathered. This wasn’t just luxurious; it was lavish!
Besides, that golden hill on high was not a mountain, but a giant dragon’s claw!
Even the “Dawn Dragon” — Morning Duck — had extended a claw to show respect.
This was normal, but Li Yi felt somewhat displeased.
The disciples, of course, could not climb onto the dragon’s claw and had to remain “grounded” obediently.
The Inner-Mansion Disciples below were divided into three areas.
The first area consisted of the newly promoted direct disciples and Outer-Disciples. They were few in number but most conspicuous, drawing everyone’s attention.
Yu Qian, Su Xuan’er, Zhangsun Shenji, and the long-unseen Yan Zhao stood apart, clearly separated.
The second area consisted of the newly promoted Inner-Mansion Disciples, who were also the ones being reviewed. Li Yi was among them.
The third area had the largest number, consisting of senior disciples who were spectators, uninvolved in the event.
“Let us begin!”
Zhao Tianji’s voice was not loud, but it rang clearly in everyone’s ears like a morning bell or evening drum.
He stood up, paused for a moment, and began to speak eloquently.
“Dawn Cliff was established during the first ‘Netherworld Descent,’ a full hundred years earlier than the Heroic Spirit Golem ‘Shen Tu’! Our founding purpose was…”
Li Yi was taken aback for a moment before a look of realization crossed his face.
He had thought that the esteemed Lord of Dawn might say something shocking, but it turned out to be the same old clichés.
However, upon further thought, this induction ceremony happened every year; even if there was passion initially, it had likely worn off by now.
No one dared to take the Manor Lord’s speech lightly. Even if they were drowsy, they pretended to listen attentively, nodding from time to time.
“Stop pretending, you’re all about to fall asleep!” Zhao Tianji seemed rough but was a witty man. His teasing remark made Li Yi chuckle and feel an immediate fondness for him.
The other elders were also used to this.
“Next is the main event, the highlight!” Zhao Tianji smiled faintly, his expression turning solemn. “Same as every year, I will grant you a Creation! As for how much you can obtain, that depends on your own abilities!”
“Oh?” Li Yi was startled.
He noticed Zhangsun Shenji turn his head and secretly wink.
Was this so-called “performance” referring to this?
“Old guy, stop pretending to sleep, lend a hand!”
Zhao Tianji stamped his foot hard, and Morning Duck let out a resentful roar. Moments later, specks of radiance rose from between its claws.
The golden light drifted like a hazy mist, carrying sacred, glorious, tranquil, and luminous rhythms, gathering and dispersing in a fascinating dance. Countless golden Runes, such as “Light Shield,” “Mana Surge,” and “High Morale,” floated and sank, shimmering brilliantly.
That radiance was magnificent and splendid, nurturing the power of light, like the first glow of dawn.
“Eternal Dawn Radiance!”
Someone exclaimed first, though no one knew who.
Li Yi naturally knew of Eternal Dawn Radiance, but this time, compared to during the Martial Display, it was even more grand and magnificent, profound and deep!
“Eternal Night Fragment!”
With a sharp shout, Zhao Tianji pointed into the distance. An indescribable, equally magnificent blue-black light, winding like a Qiulong, tore through the Void and rushed toward that Eternal Dawn Radiance.
Whoosh!
Light and darkness merged. Two equally profound and mighty forces, like two giant whales, bit into each other, tumbled, circled, intertwined, and fused into a mass of gray Chaos.
“Hmm?”
Such a strange sight left everyone dizzy.
In their hesitation, Chaos began to part, heaven and earth splitting apart!
That mass of Chaos suddenly exploded, countless rays of light scattering in all directions.
Rays of light of varying colors, like fireflies, gradually solidified into dazzling stars!
The stars, large and small, seemed to resonate faintly with the stars in the sky, each sensing the other.
In shock, silence fell.
“This technique is a fusion of Morning Duck’s Heaven’s Revelation ability — ‘Eternal Dawn Radiance’ — and my Heaven’s Decree ability — ‘Eternal Night Fragment.’ We named it ‘Stellar Praise.’ However, truth be told, neither of us fully understands the principles behind it…”
“A cosmic explosion?” Li Yi pressed his lips together, his heart pounding.
“Each star corresponds to a star in the sky, containing the original power of the stars! Those with skill need not hesitate; you may take them!”
Zhao Tianji laughed heartily, stretching his palm forward. A magnificent sea of stars slowly advanced.
Some words he kept to himself.
Such as — “act according to your ability.”
Star power was immensely vast and violent, not easily absorbed. Otherwise, in the Star Radiance Tower, there would be no need for the Super Magic Array — “Void Lung” — and they could directly use the star power sedimented in the “Well of Stars.”
And “Stellar Praise” — each of those stars contained the original power of the stars, refined and formidable!
From past experience, even among Heaven’s Pride, few could obtain them.
The sea of stars moved forward, first reaching the first area.
Heaven’s Pride had priority, which was uncontested.
“Hah!” With a light shout, a blue lotus floated above Zhangsun Shenji’s head. A star was drawn and fell into the blue lotus petal — it was “North Star”!
“I’ll take it!” His body turning the color of bronze and iron, Yan Zhao looked domineering as he leaped up, grabbing a “Guardian Star” and holding it tight.
“Hold!” Su Xuan’er shouted sharply. Two “Spirit-God Apertures” on her body shone, actually fixing two stars in place! Although they were two unnamed stars, the benefits she gained were the greatest.
Yu Qian wore a fierce expression. A mermaid illusion floated behind him, and the semblance of Gonggong faintly appeared. He barely managed to grab a “Mercury Star.”
An infernal demon illusion roared around Gao Huanzhang as he tightly clutched “Mars,” but he failed to achieve anything and ended up with nothing, looking dejected.
Xun Ye was much smarter, early on grabbing an unnamed star and absorbing it into his body.
Not long after, the magnificent sea of stars reached the second area.
Countless mental tentacles, like octopus arms, reached into the air. Instantly, cries of pain rose one after another!
Star power was vast and violent. The mental tentacles were torn apart the moment they made contact.
As expected, everyone who tried failed one by one.
Li Yi was not in a hurry. He closed his eyes, and within his brow, a Great Soft-Shelled Turtle floated and rotated like a gentle spring rain.
“This year is really good!” Zhao Tianji exchanged glances with the elders and nodded.
They had no expectations for ordinary disciples, so this was no surprise. Judging by the results, this year was much better than previous years, after all, with Heaven’s Pride like Zhangsun Shenji, Yu Qian, and others.
A wave of exclamation suddenly swept through!
Zhao Tianji was slightly stunned. He looked down, and his face immediately turned blank.
“Three?”
Three stars, wrapped in a pale blue light, hung suspended in the air.
Three whole stars!
And these three stars were Venus, Jupiter, and Mars!
All three were famously renowned stars!
A slender figure stood unmoving beneath the stars.
It was Li Yi.
“This youth… is not Heaven’s Pride?” Zhao Tianji stared intently at Li Yi, exclaiming in disbelief.
The scene before him left him somewhat unable to react.
Before his words faded, a deep dragon’s roar sounded. A Black Dragon illusion emerged from Li Yi’s body and bit another star — “Seven Kill”!
“Four now!” someone exclaimed hoarsely.
At that moment, Li Yi suddenly opened his eyes, stepped forward, and directly grabbed another star with his hand — “Lian Zhen”!
“This youth… is not Heaven’s Pride?” Zhao Tianji looked strangely at him, thought for a moment, and asked again, “Wait, he isn’t even an Outer-Disciple?”
Five stars!