Chapter 045
Chapter 45: The God Who Gazes at the Sky
One hundred kilometers from Golden Hill Base, at the foot of a mountain, Wang Jie gripped the sword hilt, closing his eyes in quiet anticipation.
The sword was from the base.
He knew swordsmanship, though he rarely used it. He hadn’t found a technique suited to him in the training hall’s archives. But at this moment, nothing was more exhilarating than the sword.
Behind him, drones hovered in all directions, capturing the scene from every angle.
At noon, the sunlight broke through the clouds. Wang Jie suddenly opened his eyes, his imprint power surging. It spread down his arm, and the strength within his body exploded. With a single step, he slashed the mountain.
A visible sword qi swept across the air.
Qing Zheng and the others stared at the distant mountain, but there was no movement?
Whoosh.
The thick clouds in the sky split apart, and the heavens themselves seemed torn asunder, as though a giant mirror had been inserted between heaven and earth.
In the next moment, the mountain tilted and began to slide.
The towering mountain, larger than the entire Golden Hill Base, slid backward along the path that Wang Jie’s sword had cut through. Trees, lakes, houses, mutated creatures—all things atop the mountain were sent crashing downward. The entire earth trembled, and a towering cloud of dust surged into the sky.
Those who witnessed the scene could only widen their eyes, struck speechless.
This was the sky itself being cleaved.
Could this be the destructive power that humans can wield?
This sword had shattered all their expectations.
However, Wen Zhao and the others weren’t surprised. They had seen attacks capable of destroying planets before. But Wang Jie’s move was meant for the people of Blue Star.
Old Five and the others were ecstatic: “Boss, so strong.”
“Boss is so cool.”
Wang Jie lowered his sword, his gaze calm. In fact, the destructive power of his Heaven and Earth Luo Xuan Finger surpassed that of this sword. However, while the Heaven and Earth Luo Xuan Finger was also shocking, its range of destruction was limited. On the other hand, the people of Blue Star, especially the Hua Xia people, had a special affinity for the sword.
“This is for Shu Mu Night.”
The drones from the mountain city began to head toward Shu Mu Night.
Soon, Shu Mu Night watched the video of Wang Jie slashing the mountain, and it was simultaneously broadcast across the major bases.
This was a challenge.
Wang Jie had issued a challenge to Shu Mu Night.
Wen Star Ru and the others didn’t care much about the sword’s power, but they were concerned about Wang Jie’s words. Those words were meant for them.
“You refuse to withdraw from the trial, which means you are unwilling to accept defeat. Then I will take up the sword and lead the charge for you. All you need to do is protect Blue Star’s major bases so I have no worries.”
“I guarantee you, I won’t let him leave unharmed.”
“He” referred, of course, to Shu Mu Night.
If Wang Jie had said this before the battle at Tianfu Base, no one would have cared. But now, even that silent figure had to take him seriously. Wang Jie was the only one capable of confronting Shu Mu Night head-on. And he was still at the eight-imprint level.
It was baffling—this native had surpassed even those who were supposed to be heaven’s chosen prodigies. It seemed unreasonable, yet it was undeniably real.
Whatever the reason, they had to admit that Wang Jie was the sharpest blade against Shu Mu Night.
Though, they still didn’t think he could win.
In the mountain city, atop a sacrificial platform, Shu Mu Night watched the video of Wang Jie slashing the mountain and smiled, “You’ve grown stronger again. How did you manage that?” Then, looking at the drones, he slowly stood. “Originally, I was planning to begin bridge building immediately, but since you’ve issued a challenge, I’ll give you a month. One month, and then I’ll strike. I hope you don’t disappoint me.”
Shu Mu Night’s words were broadcast back to the base.
They reached Wang Jie’s ears, and also Wen Star Ru and the others.
They immediately agreed to protect the remaining four major bases as much as possible, allowing Wang Jie to focus on his battle with Shu Mu Night in one month.
“Do you really think Wang Jie can take on Shu Mu Night?” Qi Five asked.
Qi Xue Yin replied, “Impossible. Even if the imprint power could get him to Ten Seals quickly, he would never be able to compete with Shu Mu Night.”
“Then?”
“Agreeing to his challenge is just a delay tactic. The longer this trial lasts, the more attention it will attract from the outside world, which is beneficial for us. As for Wen Star Ru and the others, they all have their own ideas. The Armor One Sect hopes to extend the time to give Blue Star’s mutated creatures time to evolve. They are the final force that can stop Shu Mu Night.”
Qi Five understood: “Armor One Sect released so many Slaughter Stones to help mutated creatures evolve, intending to use these creatures to wear down Shu Mu Night’s star force.”
Qi Xue Yin looked up at the sky. “Blue Star belongs not only to Blue Star’s people but to all of its creatures. If Shu Mu Night wants to build the bridge and completely sacrifice Blue Star, these creatures will surely stand in his way. The longer we delay, the more likely we are to stop him.”
Qi Five was puzzled. “Then why did Shu Mu Night agree to give a month? Isn’t that against his own interests?”
This was something Qi Xue Yin didn’t understand either. No matter how one looked at it, dragging out time only worked against Shu Mu Night. Yet, he had agreed. Was it overconfidence, or was there something else behind it?
No one could understand Shu Mu Night’s reasoning.
Wang Jie’s challenge and Shu Mu Night’s response became the last psychological barrier for the millions of people across Blue Star’s four major bases. It meant they weren’t without hope.
Bai Yuan called for everyone to hunt mutated creatures to gather more cataclysm materials for Wang Jie.
Wang Jie, watching Shu Mu Night’s response, understood that no one truly believed he could take on this opponent. But so what? He had no way out.
Insect Xuan arrived, meeting up with Insect Ruo Ruo, and the insect tide grew even more powerful.
On the back of a giant beetle, Insect Xuan looked at Wang Jie in astonishment, as if seeing a monster.
Wang Jie gazed into the distance. The insects had grown stronger, and the eight, nine, and even Ten Seals had become more frequent. The mutated creatures were the same. The imprint power of Blue Star was incredibly dense, and with each passing day, these creatures grew stronger.
What would happen in a month?
“You actually managed to fight Shu Mu Night to a standstill. Do you know how much shock that would cause if it got out?” Insect Xuan marveled.
Wang Jie expressed his gratitude, “If it weren’t for you stepping in with the insect tide back then, I wouldn’t be alive now. Thank you.”
Insect Xuan replied, “You didn’t kill Ruo Ruo, so I guess I’m repaying a favor.”
Insect Ruo Ruo grumbled, “Brother, we saved him. He owes us.”
Insect Xuan shot her a glare, signaling for her to be quiet.
Wang Jie turned to Insect Xuan. “Can you finally tell me about Shu Mu Night?”
Throughout the trial, they had never fully explained Shu Mu Night’s situation. Wang Jie knew only that he was from Sincere One Dao, but nothing more.
The trial takers treated Shu Mu Night as if he were a god gazing down from the heavens.
It was always a challenge, but always a group challenge.
Despite his higher cultivation, no one could fathom why an eight-imprint cultivator held such a status.
Insect Xuan and Wen Zhao exchanged glances and spoke, “Telling you more doesn’t serve much purpose. Just know that he has re-cultivated three times.”
“Sincere One Dao has a technique called the Tai Su Essence Scripture.”
“The most unique thing about this technique is that once you reach a certain cultivation level, if you’re unsatisfied, you can retain your current state and undergo a metamorphosis, re-cultivating. Each time you re-cultivate, your limits expand. You can continue to raise your ceiling indefinitely. Once satisfied, you can absorb the retained power back and return to your previous level in a short time.”
Wang Jie was astonished. “Such a technique exists?”
Insect Xuan’s gaze grew grave. “Before he re-cultivated, Shu Mu Night was already almost invincible at his level. Star Dome Visage’s assessment of him was ‘limitless limit.'”
Insect Ruo Ruo interjected, “It means there is no absolute limit to his potential. He is already considered the peak by current standards.”
Insect Xuan glared at her before continuing, “That was the initial evaluation when he first embarked on the path of cultivation. With each breakthrough, Star Dome Visage affirmed it, meaning that at every stage, he reached the peak of what humans could understand.”
“This is the situation. He re-cultivated.”
Wang Jie’s eyelids twitched.
Wen Zhao was shocked. She had no idea about Shu Mu Night’s situation.
Insect Xuan’s voice became heavy. “After the first re-cultivation, he started from the single imprint stage, returning to his previous level. Star Dome Visage’s assessment after that was ‘limit.'”
Those two words were more shocking than anything.
It meant that Shu Mu Night had reached the theoretical human limit.
“But he wasn’t satisfied, so he re-cultivated again.”
“This time, the evaluation was ‘beyond human.'”
“Now, it’s his third re-cultivation.”
“Even Sincere One Dao doesn’t have a record of anyone who has re-cultivated three times. Re-cultivation isn’t something anyone can do; it depends on your ability to endure. Shu Mu Night is the only one to surpass the human limit.”
“At any stage, he is someone no human can surpass.”
Wang Jie smiled bitterly. “No wonder you didn’t say anything before.”
Insect Xuan sighed. “Because saying it wouldn’t matter. You can’t even imagine how terrifying this is. Never mind if his body can handle three re-cultivations—just his mentality and willpower are beyond what normal people can comprehend.”
“The name Shu Mu Night often echoes throughout the universe. From the moment he began his cultivation path, he was surrounded by endless glory. He is a peak that countless peers strive for but can never reach. If you’re recognized by him and allowed to accompany him, it’s like reaching the heavens in one step.” He stopped there, afraid that saying too much might cause Wang Jie to reconsider his loyalty and leave Blue Star to follow Shu Mu Night.
Right now, on Blue Star, aside from the special trial takers like them, no one else could survive.
It was hell on Earth.
Even if Bai Yuan had mastered the Armor One Divine Sword, he still might not survive.
The insect tide was slaughtering mutated creatures and gathering cataclysm materials. The trial takers no longer needed cataclysm materials. They simply wanted to survive this trial, leaving Blue Star before the bridge-building process began. The longer they stayed, the better.
All the cataclysm materials went to Wang Jie.
“Hey, how are you so strong?” Insect Ruo Ruo couldn’t help but ask.
It was an impolite question, but Insect Xuan didn’t stop her. He was curious too.
At the same time, under a waterfall in Armor One Sect, the disciples looked on with the same curiosity.
Wang Jie, facing Insect Ruo Ruo’s hopeful gaze, slowly spoke: “Eat more, sleep more.”
Everyone…
With the insect tide and the cultivators from the major bases gathering cataclysm materials for him, Wang Jie no longer needed to hunt himself.
Inside the Golden Hill Base, in a room.
Watching the video on the wall, showing his battle against Shu Mu Night, he replayed it again and again, studying the traces of Shu Mu Night’s attacks.
Insect Xuan’s words put immense pressure on him. He now understood the kind of opponent he faced.
“Now, time to do the eighth set of basic exercises.”
Here it comes.
Wang Jie stood up and began his routine. The cataclysm materials in the room steadily dwindled.
Sixty-five times.
There was no more room to increase.