Chapter 45: The Deity Who Gazes Upon the Heavens
A hundred kilometers beyond the Golden Hill Base, at the foot of a towering mountain, Wang Jie stood firm, his fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword. Eyes shut, breath steady—he waited.
This sword had come from the base.
Though he was versed in the way of the sword, he rarely wielded it. The Martial Hall’s recordings had offered many techniques, yet none had ever felt truly suited for him. But now, in this moment, there was no art more exhilarating than swordplay.
Behind him, drones hovered in formation, capturing the scene from all angles.
At noon, sunlight pierced through the clouded sky.
Suddenly, Wang Jie’s eyes snapped open, his Seal Power surging like an untamed river. Energy coursed down his arm, saturating the blade with raw force. With a single step forward, he drew his sword and struck.
A visible arc of sword energy slashed through the air.
Qing Zheng and the others stared ahead, watching the mountain. There was no immediate reaction.
Then—
A mighty whoosh.
Above, the thick clouds split apart as though a celestial blade had cleaved the sky itself. The heavens stood divided, reflecting the world like a colossal, upright mirror.
A heartbeat later, the mountain trembled. And then, it moved.
It did not crumble—it slid.
A mountain larger than the entire Golden Hill Base tilted, succumbing to the path of Wang Jie’s sword. Everything upon it—forests, lakes, houses, and mutated creatures—collapsed as gravity took its toll. The world shook violently as the massive landform crashed into the ground, sending thick clouds of dust roaring into the heavens.
Silence.
Everyone who witnessed the event stood frozen, eyes wide in sheer disbelief.
Had he… had he just cleaved the sky?
Could any mortal wield such destructive force?
This single stroke had shattered the boundaries of their understanding.
Yet, to Wen Zhao and the others, it was not surprising. They had witnessed attacks capable of annihilating entire planets. But Wang Jie’s purpose was clear—this was for Blue Star to see.
Old Five and his comrades were in awe.
“Boss, that was insane!”
“Boss is too damn cool!”
Lowering his sword, Wang Jie’s gaze remained tranquil. In truth, his Heaven and Earth Luo Xuan Finger was even more destructive. But its range was limited. And Blue Star—especially the Hua Xia people—had a deep-rooted reverence for the way of the sword.
“This,” he said calmly, “is a gift to Shu Mu Night.”
In Mountain City, drones swiftly carried Wang Jie’s message across the skies.
Before long, Shu Mu Night beheld the footage of Wang Jie’s earth-shattering strike. Simultaneously, the video was broadcasted across all major bases.
A challenge.
Wang Jie had issued a challenge to Shu Mu Night.
To Wen Star Ru and the others, the sword’s power was irrelevant. What mattered were Wang Jie’s words. He was speaking to them.
“If you refuse to withdraw from the trial, then it means you are unwilling to submit. I shall be your sword. I will charge forward. All I ask is that you safeguard Blue Star’s great bases, so that I may fight without hesitation.”
He continued, voice unwavering:
“I vow to you all—he will not leave unharmed.”
There was no need to clarify who he was.
Shu Mu Night.
Had Wang Jie said this before the battle outside Heavenly Prefecture Base, few would have cared. But now—even Silent had to consider it seriously.
Wang Jie had become the only warrior capable of standing against Shu Mu Night.
And he was still only Eight Seals strong.
It was absurd—a native surpassing those who were deemed Heaven’s Chosen? Impossible. Yet here he stood, defying all logic.
Regardless of how it came to be, the trial participants had no choice but to acknowledge Wang Jie as the sharpest blade against Shu Mu Night.
Even if victory was but a fleeting dream.
Atop the Sacrificial Altar of Mountain City, Shu Mu Night watched the footage, a grin playing upon his lips.
“So, you’ve grown stronger again? Just how are you doing this?”
Turning to the drone that hovered before him, he spoke slowly:
“I originally planned to build the Sacred Star Linked Bridge immediately. But since you’ve issued a challenge…”
He rose to his feet.
“I shall grant you one month.”
His words echoed through the bases, reaching Wang Jie’s ears.
And to Wen Star Ru and the others, this meant only one thing—they would protect the remaining four great bases to ensure Wang Jie had his battle.
“Miss, do you truly believe Wang Jie can stand against Shu Mu Night?” Qi Five asked.
Qi Xue Yin answered without hesitation:
“Impossible. Even if his Seal Power somehow reaches Ten Seals, he would still stand no chance against Shu Mu Night.”
“Then why agree to this?”
“To buy time.” Qi Xue Yin’s gaze was fixed on the sky. “The longer this trial lasts, the greater the external attention. This benefits us. As for Wen Star Ru, Silent, and the others, they all have their own reasons. Armor One Sect wants time. They seek to let Blue Star’s mutated creatures evolve further. They are the final force that may halt Shu Mu Night.”
Qi Five understood. “Armor One Sect scattered countless Slaughter Stones, forcing the creatures to mutate—to wear down Shu Mu Night’s Star Force.”
Qi Xue Yin nodded. “Blue Star does not belong solely to its people—it belongs to all who dwell upon it. If Shu Mu Night succeeds in building the bridge and sacrifices Blue Star entirely, then the planet’s very life will resist him.”
“The more time passes, the greater the chance of stopping him.”
Qi Five frowned. “But if that’s the case, why did Shu Mu Night agree to wait a month? Wouldn’t that be against his own interests?”
That, Qi Xue Yin did not know. By all logic, time worked against Shu Mu Night. Yet he had agreed.
Was it sheer arrogance?
Or was there a greater scheme hidden within his words?
No one could truly fathom the mind of Shu Mu Night.
Wang Jie’s challenge and Shu Mu Night’s response became the final pillar of hope for the tens of millions across Blue Star’s four great bases. For them, this battle was not yet lost.
Bai Yuan rallied warriors, urging them to hunt mutated creatures and gather Cataclysm Materials for Wang Jie’s growth.
And as Wang Jie stared at Shu Mu Night’s message, he knew.
None of them truly believed he could win.
But it did not matter.
He had no path of retreat.
From the horizon, Insect Xuan arrived, reuniting with Insect Ruo Ruo.
A storm was brewing.
And the Insect Tide was rising once more.
Upon the massive beetle’s back, Insect Xuan gazed at Wang Jie in astonishment, as though he were beholding a monstrous entity.
Wang Jie turned his eyes toward the distant horizon. The creatures were growing stronger—Eight Seal, Nine Seal appearances had become frequent, and even Ten Seal creatures had emerged. The same was true for the mutated beings. Blue Star’s Seal Power was immensely profound, and with each passing day, these creatures were evolving further.
Who knew what they would become in a month’s time?
“You actually fought Shu Mu Night to such an extent. Do you even realize how much of a stir this will cause if word gets out?” Insect Xuan marveled.
Wang Jie responded with gratitude, “Had it not been for you using Insect Tide to intervene at the critical moment, I would have lost my life. Thank you.”
Insect Xuan waved a hand dismissively. “You didn’t kill Insect Ruo Ruo. Consider it paying off the favor.”
From the side, Insect Ruo Ruo huffed in dissatisfaction. “Brother, we saved him! He owes us!”
Insect Xuan shot her a sharp glare, silencing her.
Wang Jie looked directly at Insect Xuan. “Can you tell me about Shu Mu Night now?”
From the very start, none of the Trial Participants had explained much about Shu Mu Night. All they knew was that he hailed from Sincere One Dao. Beyond that, Wang Jie and his companions were completely in the dark.
Yet, the way these Trial Participants spoke of him was akin to mortals gazing up at a celestial deity.
It was always about challenging him—and never a one-on-one duel, but a group facing him.
Even when others held a higher cultivation realm than him.
It was unfathomable why an Eight Seal cultivator could command such reverence.
Exchanging glances, Insect Xuan and Wen Zhao finally relented. “There’s no point telling you more than necessary. You just need to know this—he has rebuilt his cultivation three times.”
“There exists a technique in Sincere One Dao known as the Tai Su Essence Scripture.”
“This scripture possesses an unparalleled trait—it allows a cultivator, upon reaching a certain realm, to choose to retain their current cultivation base and rebuild from the beginning. Each time, they refine and expand their potential, raising their limits higher and higher. When they finally reach satisfaction, they can reclaim all their stored cultivation, returning instantly to their former power.”
Wang Jie was astonished. Such a technique actually existed?
Insect Xuan’s expression grew solemn. “Before his first Re-Cultivation, Shu Mu Night was already nearly invincible among those of his level. Star Dome Vision once evaluated him as—‘The Ultimate Limit.’”
Insect Ruo Ruo interjected, “It means that while humans theoretically have no absolute limits, he has reached the furthest known boundary of power.”
Insect Xuan glared at her again, then continued. “That was merely the evaluation when he first stepped onto the path of cultivation. But every time he advanced, Star Dome Vision reaffirmed this assessment. This meant that at every stage, he had pushed himself to the utmost edge of human potential.”
“And then, he chose to rebuild.”
Wang Jie’s eyelids twitched.
Even Wen Zhao looked visibly shaken—she had not been aware of Shu Mu Night’s history.
Insect Xuan’s voice grew heavy. “After his first Re-Cultivation, he retraced his steps from One Seal back to his original realm. This time, Star Dome Vision described him with a single word—‘Limit.’”
That lone word held more weight than any lengthy appraisal.
It meant that Shu Mu Night had reached the theoretical human limit.
“And yet he was unsatisfied. So, he rebuilt a second time.”
“This time, the evaluation was—‘Beyond Human.’”
“And now, he is undergoing his third Re-Cultivation.”
“Even in the long history of Sincere One Dao, no record exists of anyone rebuilding their cultivation three times. Re-Cultivation is not limitless—it depends on one’s ability to withstand the process. Shu Mu Night is the only one who has ever surpassed the very concept of human limits.”
“No matter which realm he is in, he stands above all other cultivators.”
Wang Jie let out a bitter chuckle. “No wonder you didn’t tell me earlier.”
Insect Xuan sighed. “Because it’s meaningless. You can’t comprehend how terrifying this truly is. Even leaving aside whether his body can endure three rounds of Re-Cultivation, just having the willpower to do so is something beyond ordinary mortals.”
“The name Shu Mu Night resounds across the cosmos. From the moment he set foot on the path of cultivation, he has been a legend, an unattainable peak for countless contemporaries. The fact that he acknowledged your strength and was willing to take you with him—it is a shortcut to the heavens.”
At this, he paused, fearing that he had said too much and might actually tempt Wang Jie to abandon Blue Star and follow Shu Mu Night.
At present, Blue Star was nothing short of hell. Aside from a select few with special status like themselves, neither its native inhabitants nor most Trial Participants could survive for long.
Even if Bai Yuan successfully forged the Armor One Divine Sword, survival was not guaranteed.
Meanwhile, the Insect Tide continued its massacre of mutated creatures, collecting Cataclysm Materials. The Trial Participants had no use for them anymore; they only sought to endure this trial and leave before Blue Star was completely overrun. Until then, the longer they stayed, the better their gains.
All Cataclysm Materials were handed over to Wang Jie.
“Hey, why is your strength so absurd?” Insect Ruo Ruo finally blurted out, unable to contain her curiosity.
The question was rude, yet Insect Xuan did not stop her. He was just as intrigued.
At the same time, within the Armor One Sect Waterfall, numerous disciples watched, equally curious.
Wang Jie met Insect Ruo Ruo’s expectant gaze and slowly replied, “I eat a lot and sleep a lot.”
Everyone fell silent…
With the Insect Tide and various base cultivators assisting him in gathering Cataclysm Materials, Wang Jie had no need to hunt on his own.
Inside his room at Golden Hill Base, Wang Jie stared at the projection on the wall.
The video replayed his battle against Shu Mu Night. Again and again, he studied the movements, searching for even the slightest hint of Shu Mu Night’s attack patterns.
Insect Xuan’s words weighed heavily on him. He now fully understood the kind of opponent he had faced.
“Now, begin the Eighth Set of Beginner’s Calisthenics.”
It was time.
Wang Jie rose and began his training routine.
Within the room, Cataclysm Materials steadily diminished.
Sixty-five times over.
He could push no further.
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