From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

In the following days, the Meteorite Realm seemed to fall into complete silence, without any further disturbances.

On the Starfall Platform, dozens of figures stood like stars that had existed since time immemorial.

Immersed in their own state of enlightenment, the starlight surrounding them varied in density.

Yet they all flowed steadily, nourishing their foundation of Dao.

Meanwhile, the other disciples who had already awakened from the illusion were also making the most of their remaining time in the secret realm to cultivate and consolidate their gains.

The stellar energy here is a rare treasure for them.

Almost everyone made significant progress, their faces beaming with satisfaction and excitement.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and the day the secret realm closed drew ever closer.

Many figures on the star platform awoke one after another, but ten figures remained seated cross-legged on the star platform, like ancient stars.

On this day, there was finally new activity on the Starfall Platform.

The first to awaken from their profound enlightenment were Xu Ziyi and Shi Hao, who were at the very back.

Almost simultaneously, the two slowly opened their tightly closed eyes.

A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a clear, sharp light.

They could clearly feel their understanding of the power of the stars, their control over their own elemental power, and even the strength of their souls.

They are all much stronger than before they entered the illusion!

In particular, the bottleneck of the ninth level of the Meridian Opening Realm that had troubled them for so long has now loosened, as if it were a thin sheet of paper that could be easily broken through!

The two exchanged a glance and saw the barely suppressed excitement and determination in each other's eyes.

They knew that they were among the lower-ranked disciples in terms of cultivation.

This opportunity at the Starfall Platform is the key to them catching up with the main force!

Without any hesitation, the two stepped off the stage and almost simultaneously took out the Breakthrough Pills awarded by the academy and put them into their mouths!

The pill melts upon entering the mouth, transforming into a gentle yet powerful torrent of medicinal energy.

In an instant, it rushed towards the hidden meridian in their bodies that they had long sensed but had always been unable to open—the Divine Bridge Meridian!

Xu Ziyi's expression was solemn, a trace of pain appearing on her cool and pretty face, but more than that, it showed an unwavering will.

She used the Starry Sky Sword Intent she had comprehended in the illusion as a guide to direct the medicinal power.

Like the finest carving knife, it carefully impacts and expands the mysterious bridge connecting the sea of ​​consciousness and the dantian.

She could feel that her senses were becoming more acute, and the connection between her elemental power and spirit was becoming increasingly close!

Shi Hao let out a low roar, veins bulging beneath his bronze skin. He guided the medicinal power to launch an attack in a way that was almost savage but in line with his own tenacious will!

Each impact was accompanied by intense pain, but the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter!

He knew that his talent might not be as good as others, and only by relying on his indomitable spirit could he avoid being left too far behind!

"Buzz..."

About an incense stick later, a slight energy fluctuation emanated from the two of them almost simultaneously.

A more harmonious and open-minded aura emanated from their bodies.

The Divine Bridge Meridian is now connected!

Ten levels of meridian opening!

The two slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, their faces revealing relieved and joyful smiles.

Although they have only taken the first step in catching up, at least they have not been completely left behind and have truly stepped into the threshold of becoming top disciples.

The sense of accomplishment from breaking through barriers and catching up with the team through their own efforts filled them with excitement.

Following Xu Ziyi and Shi Hao, the other disciples also gradually awoke from the illusion.

Xu Zijian's previously fluctuating aura completely stabilized, his tenth level of the Meridian Opening Realm was fully solidified, and his gaze became even more composed.

Wang Le and Huo Ling'er exchanged a smile, clearly having gained a great deal, with a deeper understanding of their own paths and a more refined aura.

Li Han and Zhou Tiancan woke up almost at the same time.

A glint of light flashed in Li Han's eyes, and his figure seemed to become even more elusive. He whispered.

"I've already grasped the basics of the 'Nine Transformations of the Star God,' and my skills in stealth assassination should reach a new level! Moreover..."

A hint of joy appeared on his face.

"I seem to be able to vaguely sense the existence of the Dragon Spine Vein! There's a chance to connect it before the Heavenly Dao Academy's entrance exam!"

He follows a treacherous and agile path, and the opening of the dragon spine will greatly enhance his speed and explosiveness.

Zhou Tiancan clenched his fist tightly, feeling the surging, boundless energy within his body, and a broad smile spread across his honest face.

"I've mastered the basics of the 'Undying Star Body' technique! I feel like I could punch my past self to pieces now!"

But when he tried to sense the more mysterious ancestral meridian, he was completely bewildered and scratched his head.

"The ancestral meridian? I can't feel anything at all, it's like a stone."

His mind was simple and straightforward, making it difficult for him to grasp the secret meridians that involved the soul and the inner palace.

Somewhat surprisingly, Mu Qingqing woke up a little later than Zhou Tiancan.

When she opened her beautiful eyes, it seemed as if there were stars flowing in them, and her breath was long and deep.

Clearly, they gained a great deal from the illusion, and their potential was further explored.

Her next move drew even more attention.

After leaving the area of ​​the Starfall Platform, she did not relax like the others.

Instead, he immediately found an open space, sat down cross-legged again, and swallowed the Breakthrough Pill without hesitation!

The immense medicinal power dissipated, but the direction she guided it was not the relatively easy Dragon Spine Meridian, but directly towards the most mysterious one, involving the origin of the soul and the opening of the Purple Mansion—the Ancestral Aperture Meridian!

Pain was evident on her face, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her eyes remained resolute.

A faint blue light and starlight mingled around him, as if constructing some kind of mysterious connection.

A moment later, an aura far more obscure yet more profound and powerful than that of Xu Ziyi and Shi Hao during their breakthroughs surged into the sky from the top of her head!

The ancestral meridian is now open!

Eleven levels of meridian opening!

Mu Qingqing slowly opened her eyes, and her aura underwent a qualitative change, gaining a sense of etherealness and spirituality.

This scene shocked everyone. The difficulty of opening the ancestral meridians is well-known!

At this moment, Elder Qin, who had been protecting the disciples from the side, slowly stepped forward, looked at the disciples with surprised expressions, and began to explain.

"No need to be surprised. There is no strict rule on the order in which the three meridians—Divine Bridge, Dragon Spine, and Ancestral Aperture—are opened; it varies from person to person."

"Generally speaking, the Shenqiao Meridian is connected to the sea of ​​consciousness and the dantian, and is the easiest to sense."

"The dragon spine vein is hidden deep within the spine, and it is the primary source of qi, blood, and physical body, and secondary to that."

"The ancestral meridian is located at the ancestral acupoint between the eyebrows. It involves the origin of the soul and is the most ethereal and difficult to connect."

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Mu Qingqing, Li Han, Zhou Tiancan, and Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo at the very front.

His tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.

"You should know that the peak of the Meridian Opening Realm is far from being the ninth level."

"Above the ninth level, there are hidden meridians, forming a total of twelve heavenly realms."

"This is not a top secret; most people who have reached the Yuan Dan realm or come from powerful families know about it."

"It's just that ordinary disciples don't have access to this kind of information."

His words were like opening a new door in everyone's hearts.

So this is what a vast world the Meridian Opening Realm is like!

The fighting spirit was rekindled in the eyes of the other outer disciples.

Elder Qin paused, his gaze seemingly glancing unintentionally at the figure at the forefront still shrouded in chaotic energy, and then said:

"As for the legendary thirteenth 'forbidden' realm... I'm not entirely sure either."

"But I have heard that the location of the Chaos Chakra varies from person to person."

"Some skilled in body refinement sensed that the Chaos Chakra was located deep within the heart."

"Some people skilled in spiritual arts sensed that the Chaos Chakra was indeed hidden deep within the Ancestral Aperture."

"Here, I would also like to remind everyone that the Chaos Chakra is something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after."

"If you feel you have reached your limit and still cannot perceive it, then breaking through to the Spirit Sea will open up a whole new world."

"After all, as far as I know, there are probably no cultivators in this world who can reach the forbidden realm of the first realm. In any case, it is said that there are even fewer than those who are at the ninth realm."

His explanation cleared up everyone's doubts.

It also subtly reveals a higher level of the world.

This fills these young geniuses, who have just undergone a transformation, with even greater anticipation and imagination for the future.

Mu Qingqing successfully opened her ancestral meridian and entered the eleventh level of meridian opening, drawing astonishment from everyone.

This achievement is extremely rare among all the disciples of the outer academy of Qinglu Academy.

This is sufficient proof of his profound talent and potential.

Just as everyone was still immersed in the shock brought by Mu Qingqing's breakthrough, another figure slowly opened his eyes on the Starfall Platform.

It's Xuanyuan Po!

The instant he opened his eyes, a terrifying sword intent, sharp and unparalleled, seemingly capable of tearing the sky apart, surged into the heavens!

It wasn't something he deliberately released; rather, it was a natural expression of his swordsmanship and the sharpness of the stars, perfectly fused together after his cultivation greatly improved!

The surrounding air seemed to become sharper, and those with weaker cultivation, such as Xu Ziyi and Shi Hao, even felt a faint stinging sensation on their skin.

Xuan Yuanpo felt the surging Yuan Power within his body, as powerful as a great river and as solid as a substance, as well as the sword intent that became even sharper and more domineering after combining with the power of the stars.

A broad, joyful smile spread across his face.

He could feel that his strength had undergone a tremendous change. If he were to face his former self again, he would probably be able to win within ten moves!

However, beneath this immense joy, an indescribable sense of frustration, like a tiny poisonous thorn, quietly pierced his heart.

"Twelve levels of meridian opening... minor mastery of sword intent... the gains this time are truly remarkable."

He silently recited the words to himself, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the very front.

The figure, still shrouded in silvery-gray chaotic energy, seemed to be integrated with the entire meteorite platform.

"But...why...can't I even sense a trace of the edge of that 'Chaos Chakra'?"

Xuanyuan Po frowned almost imperceptibly.

With the blessing of the Starfall Platform illusion, his mind became clear, and he almost touched the next level of his swordsmanship. He also tried to explore the legendary "Chaos Chakra".

However, no matter how he concentrated his divine sense or how he drew upon the power of the stars to impact his perception, it was all in vain.

It remained as if there were absolute nothingness, offering no response whatsoever.

This is someone who is clearly already at the peak of their peers.

But then I realized that there was a towering mountain in front of me that I could not possibly cross.

For the first time, his proud heart tasted the bitterness of "powerlessness".

He buried this frustration deep in his heart, turning it into even stronger motivation, and his eyes became increasingly sharp.

"Yao Mengkang... just how far have you gone?"

Below the stage, Elder Qin Feng took in the changes in Xuan Yuanpo's expression, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

He was pleased with Xuanyuan Po's breakthrough and perseverance, but also understood his frustration.

The path to genius is a process of constantly discovering even higher peaks.

"Alright, only Yao Mengkang is still unconscious."

Elder Qin spoke loudly, breaking the somewhat quiet atmosphere.

"Judging from the situation, he should be here soon. Once he wakes up, we can leave this Meteorite Secret Realm."

All eyes were once again focused on Yao Mengkang, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

They all wanted to know what kind of advancement this guy who had triggered the unprecedented phenomenon would ultimately receive.

As if in response to everyone's expectations, shortly after Deacon Qin finished speaking—

"boom!!!"

An indescribable, overwhelming aura surged forth, like a slumbering, ancient beast suddenly awakening.

It suddenly burst forth from Yao Mengkang's body!

The chaotic, silvery-gray aura that enveloped him surged violently, as if it were cheering and jumping for joy!

A heavy, ancient pressure, seemingly containing the power to create the world, spread outwards like a tangible tide!

Zhou Tiancan, Xuan Yuanpo, and others who were closer were forced to take a half step back by this aura, their faces filled with horror!

At this moment, Yao Mengkang no longer gave the impression of a cultivator, but rather of a humanoid primordial dragon.

The vigor of his Qi and blood, and the power of his Yuan energy, have already exceeded the scope of the Meridian Opening Realm!

"wake up!"

Elder Qin raised an eyebrow, seemingly not expecting Yao Mengkang to wake up with such a commotion.

He gave a soft shout, making no move whatsoever, and simply raised his right hand and waved it lightly in the direction where Yao Mengkang was.

A gentle yet irresistible invisible force swept by, like a spring breeze and rain, instantly smoothing out and dispelling the terrifying aura that had swept out.

The turbulent, chaotic energy around Yao Mengkang gradually subsided and receded, eventually absorbing completely into his body.

Yao Mengkang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly filled with the birth and death of chaotic nebulae, incredibly profound.

He felt an unprecedented surge of power within him, and his heart was filled with boundless pride.

He was confident that, in his current state, he could even put up a fight against a cultivator in the late stage of the Spirit Sea Realm!

However, when he thought of how Qin Feng had so easily neutralized his full-force burst of energy with a casual wave of his hand, a storm raged in his heart!

"How...how is this possible?!"

Yao Mengkang's pupils constricted slightly, in disbelief.

He knew his current strength well. The aura he had unconsciously released just now would probably make even a mid-stage Spirit Sea Realm cultivator wary, and even a late-stage cultivator might not be able to dispel it so easily!

But Deacon Qin is clearly only at the peak of the Spirit Sea Realm...

Seemingly sensing his surprise and doubt, Deacon Qin smiled calmly and explained in a peaceful tone.

"Little one, don't be surprised. Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm only showing the peak of the Spirit Sea Realm right now; that's because of the limitations imposed by the rules of the Meteorite Secret Realm."

Those above the Spirit Sea Realm are not allowed to enter.

"I used a special secret technique to suppress my cultivation level and enter this realm in order to protect you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the disciples who looked shocked, and slowly revealed an even more shocking truth.

"Laozi's true cultivation level is at the Yuan Dan realm. Moreover..."

His gaze fell on Yao Mengkang and Xuanyuan Po, carrying a hint of admiration and reminiscence.

"When Lao Tzu broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm, he also opened up twelve meridians and stepped into the twelfth level of the Meridian Opening Realm."

"The transformation from the Yuan Dan to the Ling Hai represents a qualitative leap, let alone the Yuan Dan that has broken through the twelfth level of foundation."

"The difference is far beyond what you can imagine at this moment."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, not only Yao Mengkang, but all the disciples, including the proud and arrogant Xuan Yuanpo, gasped in shock!

Yuan Dan Realm! Twelfth level of Meridian Opening!

They finally understood why Deacon Qin was able to so easily defuse Yao Mengkang's imposing aura.

This is not just a crushing difference in realm, but a fundamental difference brought about by an unparalleled foundation!

The shock in Yao Mengkang's heart gradually subsided, replaced by a sense of enlightenment and an even stronger longing.

So, the Yuan Dan realm is this powerful!

The Yuan Dan realm, which breaks through the twelfth level of the Meridian Opening stage, is even more terrifying!

Then I have opened my meridians to the thirteenth level.

What would it be like if one broke through to the Yuan Dan realm?

Elder Qin's words were like opening a new door for them.

It allowed them to see a wider world and to more clearly recognize their own insignificance and the infinite possibilities of the future.

The serendipitous encounter at the Starfall Platform has now come to a perfect end.

However, the impact and enlightenment it brings to these young geniuses will profoundly influence their future path of cultivation.