In the room, Dao Ling stiffly removed his upper garment. If anyone from Qingshan Academy saw this, they would surely be consumed by envy.
Ye Yun rummaged for a moment, producing a red jade vial. "This is a spirit potion I concocted before. It helps unlock physical potential and should resolve the hidden issues in your body."
Dao Ling's eyes flashed with surprise, his expression odd. "You're an alchemist?"
"Of course." Ye Yun's cheeks showed a hint of pride and得意 (complacency).
Dao Ling clenched his fist, inwardly astonished. Alchemists were极其罕见 (extremely rare)—not a single one existed in Qingshan Academy. Their abilities were terrifying; the 4th-grade Foundation Establishment Liquid he had炼化 (refined) days ago was an alchemist's work.
Alchemists were scarce worldwide, capable of creating coveted potions or pills. A successful 4th-grade Foundation Establishment Liquid, for instance, guaranteed high status anywhere.
Dao Ling never expected Ye Yun to be a legendary alchemist—such people were "wealthy women," able to fetch high prices for even a single potion.
Noticing Dao Ling's astonished face, Ye Yun smiled, her delicate lips curving. She knew well the impact of being an alchemist on a youth—even Star Academy had few.
Dao Ling swallowed, eyes glowing. "Can I become an alchemist?"
Ye Yun's fair face showed helplessness as she waved her hand. "Don't dream. Alchemists aren't common. There are few in Qingzhou, mostly apprentices."
"Is it hard to become one?" Dao Ling asked. As an alchemist, he would have endless resources.
"Neither hard nor easy," she said, her long eyelashes fluttering. "It requires a special physique—Fire and Wood dual-attribute. Such mutated physiques are found in only one out of ten thousand."
"Fire and Wood..." Dao Ling's eyes lit up. Perhaps his physique...
"Enough. Alchemists are too rare. Most can't meet the requirements." Ye Yun forced a laugh, then uncorked the vial. A pungent odor emerged, revealing red potion within, like magma, radiating intense heat.
She dipped a finger into the potion and applied it to his skin. "It will hurt. Bear with it."
The moment the words fell, searing heat from the red potion penetrated his skin. Dao Ling's body tensed as fiery energy spread across his back, as if his skin were burning.
His skin reddened, pores exuding hot sweat. The potion seemed to contain countless ants burrowing into his flesh.
"Effective." Ye Yun's eyes lit up with joy, treating Dao Ling like a test subject as she quickly dripped more potion onto him.
Dao Ling felt like he was on fire, his五脏六腑(the internal organs) burning. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out and lose face.
Stimulated by the potion, his dormant blood qi surged—each strand potent but unruly. Now, it dissolved into a pure energy torrent, sinking into his skin.
His skin vibrated, growing rapidly harder, taking on a rocky texture.
The red potion's energy was mysterious, constantly opening hidden spaces in his skin and expanding its potential infinitely.
Dao Ling was shocked. The potion's effect resembled *Devouring Heaven*, but it uniquely dissolved狂暴 (unruly) blood qi and fused energy into the body.
This indirectly enhanced the physique. Blood qi was vital, but the potion transformed it into mysterious energy to unlock physical potential, then required re-cultivating blood qi—a flaw.
"This kid struck gold," Ye Yun thought, observing his body's changes. This formula was precious,珍藏 (treasured) only by major forces. Though flawed, its consumption was staggering.
The potion was not high-grade, but its role was immense:淬炼 (tempering) the Body Forging Realm to its peak!
This terrifying effect made it coveted by many forces, though "peak" depended on physical talent.
Dao Ling's body changed drastically. His unruly blood qi dissolved,疯狂融入 (wildly merging into) his skin, and his physique rapidly strengthened.
After three hours, Ye Yun frowned in surprise at his recovered skin. "His potential seems extraordinary—there's more to unlock."
She poured the remaining potion over him, clapping her hands. "That should do it. Half a vial is the limit for ordinary physiques. Dao Ling isn't special, so this potion should maximize his physical development, enabling a breakthrough to Rhyme Spirit Realm."
This potion was named the "Limit Potion"—it pushed the body to the limit of its innate talent.
Of course, limit potions varied in strength.
But was this truly the limit of Dao Ling's physique?
Now, his blood qi surged forth, merging with his body as essence energy, and he沉入潜修 (sank into seclusion).
Qingshan Academy buzzed with the legend of the Sleep God. No one expected Dao Ling to pass the test—could a waste really register for Star Academy? It felt like a dream.
In a small forest, a blue-robed maiden approached. Her aura was powerful, every inch of skin exuding surging energy, her presence oppressive.
Rhyme Spirit Realm cultivators were formidable. Upon breakthrough, their bodies emitted strong energy, even communicating with heaven-earth energy—combat power far surpassing Body Forging.
Even Qingzhou's top prodigy, Qing Yifei, at Body Forging peak, could not defeat a newly advanced Rhyme Spirit cultivator!
Many youths watched Wang Ya with awe and admiration. No one expected her to break through to Rhyme Spirit, a sure ticket to Star Academy.
Sensing the changed gazes, Wang Ya's face showed得意 (pride). Her achievement owed much to the Blue Crystal.
"Have you heard? The Sleep God registered! It's incredible—has he been blessed by the heavens?"
"Yes, but it's no big deal. He got lucky. Star Academy's trials are tough—joining is a pipe dream."
These words darkened Wang Ya's face. *The Sleep God isn't dead? How is he alive?*
"Damn him!" Wang Ya trembled with anger. No wonder she hadn't heard of his death—he had hidden and now risen from the ashes.
She couldn't accept it. *Why should this waste succeed?*
"Cousin, have you heard?" Wang Ya approached, her face阴沉 (gloomy). He must not live—if the Blue Crystal incident leaked, her reputation would suffer.
Wang Ling nodded, his face阴冷 (sinister). "Unexpected that this waste survived. But since he dares to return, he's courting death!"
Wang Ling pronounced his death sentence. "A waste is a waste. He can never bridge our gap. Let him come—I'll kill him."
"Cousin, he's no longer a waste and has registered for Star Academy. Killing him requires a plan," Wang Ya gritted her teeth.
Wang Ling pondered, then sneered: "Simple. He dreams of joining Star Academy? His death will come during the trials."
"For the Blue Crystal's sake, I'll make his death quick. No way will he rise again!" Wang Ling's face was cold. He dismissed Dao Ling utterly.
The Blue Crystal was too important. Killing Dao Ling would silence the matter. If leaked, others—even family—would seize it, leaving him nothing.
"Good to hear you have a plan." Wang Ya's gloom lifted, replaced by a smile. "Since he digs his own grave, we'll grant his wish."