AGM 0113 – Within the Astral River Hall
Mo Qingcheng entered the Astral River Hall at the same time as Qin Wentian. By the time they had entered, a majority of those from the first batch were already there. All of them stood there,gazing at the s.p.a.ce above their heads.
When Qin Wentian stepped into the Astral River Hall, he felt a moment of shock. The s.p.a.ce above his head wasn’t the ceiling of the Astral River Hall but instead, was an actual starlit sky.
The Astral River Hall, borrowing the name of the Nine Astral Rivers in the Heavenly Layers, was also separated into 9 levels. Each and every level was completely covered with starry skies.
Standing within the Astral River Hall was similar to standing underneath the starlit skies;, there were countless constellations.
“This feels as though it’s real.” Qin Wentian exclaimed in shock, a wave of faint pressure cascading downwards. This pressure was as though it originated from the 1st Heavenly Layer, and those from the first batch that had entered the Astral River Hall could easily resist the astral pressure of this level.
“The creator of the Emperor Star Academy was undoubtedly a monstrous genius.” Mo Qingcheng smiled slightly, as Qin Wentian intently nodded his head in agreement.
At this moment, a sense of coldness gushed forth as Orchon’s gaze s.h.i.+fted over to Qin Wentian. Orchon’s body stood there, akin to a pointed spear, icy cold and sharp, as though he wanted to pierce through Qin Wentian.
A cold light similarly flickered in Qin Wentian’s eyes as he looked at Orchon.
“Will you partic.i.p.ate in the Jun Lin Banquet at the end of this year?” Orchon calmly inquired. Not much rage and anger seemed to be present in his words, but it causes those who heard it feel a chill.
“I think so, yes.” Qin Wentian stared at Orchon as he indifferently replied.
“If that’s the case, you’d better pray that you won’t end up meeting me.” Orchon took a step forward towards Qin Wentian, as a sharp aura frenziedly gushed forth. Qin Wentian felt as though numerous long spears were piercing over in his direction. Orchon’s strength was many times more powerful compared to their last meeting.
“Boom.” Orchon took another step forwards, and Astral Light coalesced into the form of an astral long spear, incomparably sharp. Waves of killing intent billowed forth, rus.h.i.+ng towards Qin Wentian.
“Orchon, what are you doing?” Luo Huan coldly snorted, as the crowd surrounding them cast their gazes over. Mo Qingcheng’s countenance also slightly changed as an indistinct pressure could be felt emanating from her.
“Relax. No matter how stupid I am, I won’t make a move within the Emperor Star Academy.” Orchon swept a glance over at Luo Huan as the long spear in his hands pierced upwards in the direction of the starlit skies. An instant later, the restriction of the 1st level broke apart, .Orchon’s body transformed into a beam of light, disappearing from the 1st level of the Astral River Hall.
“Disappeared?” Qin Wentian’s expression froze slightly. This was the first time he had entered the Astral River Hall and wasn’t that familiar with it.
His expression grew slightly heavy as he recalled the intense killing intent in Orchon’s eyes earlier. Orchon and a few others obviously wanted his death. If it was not for the Emperor Star Academy behind him, there was no way he could cultivate in peace.
“The Jun Lin Banquet.” Qin Wentian felt a huge sense of pressure. With his cultivation at the 6th level of Arterial Circulation, there was no way he was strong enough.
“You actually still wish to partic.i.p.ate in the Jun Lin Banquet?” Jiang Xiu’s voice abruptly drifted over. Qin Wentian inclined his head as to regard Jiang Xiu.
Jiang Xiu had initially thought that Qin Wentian would not partic.i.p.ate in the Jun Lin Banquet this year, thus, he couldn’t help but feel shocked when this fellow actually said yes to Orchon.
“Very good.” Jiang Xiu laughed as he gazed at the s.p.a.ce above him. PIercing through the void with his sword, his silhouette also disappeared from the 1st level of the Astral River Hall.
Qiu Mo also glanced at Qin Wentian, as he too, disappeared from this level.
Many people trained their gazes onto Qin Wentian. The majority of these people were unlike Orchon and did not have hatred or grudges against him. It was only because of the commotion Qin Wentian had caused, which had inadvertently caused him to become the focal point of attention. Not to mention currently, even Mo Qingcheng also viewed him in a favourable light.
This wasn’t just for those within the Astral River Hall, but the students outside as well. This time round, the objects of their focus were none other than: Qin Wentian, Mo Qingcheng, Qiu Mo, Jiang Xiu, Orchon, Luo Huan and Luo Cheng.
These were the people that had the chance to ascend to the 9th level of the Astral River Hall.
Outside the Astral River Hall, the spectators were currently gazing at its majestic glory. At this moment, both the 1st and 2nd levels of the Astral River Hall were already lit up by the constellations within. From the outside of the hall, the spectators could clearly see what was happening within.
“Orchon’s speed is so impressive, he’s the first to step into the 2nd level. Seems like the things Qin Wentian did were actually a source of motivation for Orchon, pus.h.i.+ng him to his limits. Currently, his level of power should be on par, or even greater than, that of Jiang Xiu, one of the 10 prodigies.”
“Jiang Xiu, Qiu Mo, Luo Cheng, have all already ascended to the 2nd level, using only an instant. How fast, I wonder who will be the first to step onto the 3rd level.”
The gazes of the spectators outside stared at the happenings within the Astral River Hall. Every time someone stepped into a level of the Astral River Hall, the constellations there would manifest and light up the surroundings. Even from the outside, they could still see it extremely clearly.
Qin Wentian contemplated the Astral River above his head. Countless constellations revolved about, interweaving into a complex and beautiful picture, as a faint pressure could be felt cascading downwards. However, to Qin Wentian, such an intensity could be totally be ignored.
“Can you feel the pressure attack from the constellations of the first level?” Luo Huan inquired.
“I’ve felt it.” Qin Wentian lightly nodded. The revolving constellations were emitting a formless pressure attack, stimulating his spirit and willpower..
“Break it apart and you would be able to ascend to the 2nd level.” Luo Huan smiled as she inclined her head. Her gaze momentarily sharpened as the aura she released fought against the astral pressure. An instant later, Astral Light enveloped her as she disappeared in front of Qin Wentian.
Naturally, to Luo Huan, this wasn’t something difficult.
“Junior Brother Qin, I will wait for you at the next level.” Mountain appeared behind him, and he punched upwards with his fist, disappearing from this level.
Very quickly, the students at the first level all ascended, leaving behind Qin Wentian, Mo Qingcheng, and Fan Le, who were silently regarding the Astral River above them.
“Boss, do you see anything?” A strange glow flickered in Fan Le’s eyes as he looked at Qin Wentian.
“Runic lines of divine imprints.” Qin Wentian intoned in a low voice. He stared at the revolving constellations, the pathway of their movements were actually condensed from lines and lines of runic imprints. The faint sense of astral pressure actually originated from there.
“Mm, seems like you are really a genius in the field of divine inscriptions. However, I see an innate technique. The astral pressure is actually a fist manifested by some fist-type innate technique, blasting towards us.” Fan Le replied in a low voice, as Qin Wentian furrowed his brows. What he saw was actually different from what Fan Le was seeing.
“I also see an innate technique.” Mo Qingcheng nodded her head, as she continued. “The Astral River Hall contains many mysteries in it. However, majority of the students wouldn’t be able to see it. I can’t solve the mystery either. Dumbo, I will take my leave first, try your best to gain some insights.”
After Mo Qingcheng spoke, her silhouette also vanished from the 1st level, as she ascended to the 2nd level.
“I will make a move first as well.” Fan Le laughed, and with a slight intention of his will, it was as though an arrow blasted apart the void, as his silhouette also disappeared from this level.
Only Qin Wentian remained at the first level.
Such a happening caused many to be extremely astounded. Expressions of bewilderment could be seen upon the faces of the crowd when they realised that Qin Wentian was the only one remaining on the first level.
“Qin Wentian’s Astral Souls were condensed from the 3rd and 4th Heavenly Layers. The 1st layer shouldn’t be able to stop him, right?”
“Maybe, he just wanted to enjoy the mysteriousness of the 1st level.”
Many people were internally thinking that this was the reason.
At this very moment, as the crowd cast their gazes at the 2nd level, sounds of excitement abruptly rang out. Orchon had stepped into the 3rd level. Wasn’t this speed a bit too terrifying?
And after which, Qiu Mo, Jiang Xiu, Luo Cheng, also ascended to the 3rd level. The s.h.i.+ne from the constellations lit up the entire area, causing the crowd to feel as though they were bathing in the Astral Light.
“These people were all capable of condensing an Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer. I wonder if they are strong enough to step into the 4th layer. If they could, this would indicate that they have a very high possibility of being able to form an innate link with a constellation from the 4th Heavenly Layer.” Many people silently thought this in their hearts.
Time slowly pa.s.sed by, and there were already a total of more than 10 people on the 3rd level of the Astral River Hall. The talent of these people were obviously somewhat stronger when compared to the others.
However, there was something the crowd couldn’t understand. Qin Wentian was still stuck on the first level!
What was he doing? No one knew.
At this moment, Qin Wentian sat cross-legged there, as he silently studied the revolving pathway of the constellations. The complex, beautiful pictures formed by the lines of runic imprints actually formed into a fist, blasting forwards in his direction.
“Boom.” Qin Wentian only felt his mind trembling violently. However, soon after that, an excited expression could be seen on his countenance.
“Divine Imprint, Innate Technique. They were actually so perfectly connected within this astral s.p.a.ce. This is an opportunity.” Qin Wentian’s heart thumped wildly, as he saw the fist formed by the innate technique.
After that, Qin Wentian closed his eyes, sinking into a state of deep contemplation. In the formless s.p.a.ce, countless fist lights generated by the innate technique blasted towards him, and every time he was blasted, Qin Wentian’s consciousness trembled violently. However, this only served to make him even more excited. He had to see clearly and understand this opportunity.
And just like that, 3 days pa.s.sed by. Currently, among the first batch of students, there were several who had already exited the Astral River Hall, as a new batch of students replaced them.
And as this new batch of students gradually ascended to the 2nd level, Qin Wentian was still sitting there. n.o.body knew what the h.e.l.l he was doing.
Gradually, the crowd even started to suspect, how on earth did Qin Wentian condense his Astral Soul. Had Qiu Mo spoken the truth? Qin Wentian did not depend on his own abilities but instead, had obtained G.o.dly luck through a fortuitous event.
5 days later, the students of the academy recycled again. As some students of the earlier batches exited, new students entered.
Abruptly, a blinding radiance shone out, so bright that even the s.p.a.ce outside the Astral River Hall was fully illuminated. As the students outside the hall inclined their heads and regarded the Astral River Hall, their hearts couldn’t help but to shudder in awe.
“Qiu Mo, has actually stepped into the 4th level. It seems that, after breaking through to Yuanfu, his 3rd Astral Soul had a chance to be condensed from the 4th Heavenly Layer.” The crowd whispered in awe. “No wonder he was ranked 4th among the 10 prodigies. What a demon.”
“Boom.” At this exact instant, another silhouette appeared on the 4th level. This person, was none other than Orchon.
The countenances of the spectators outside were all incredibly fascinated, as their hearts thumped wildly in excitement. It was as though they were seeing the birth of a dazzling genius slowly soaring up into the heavens.