Chapter 197: Chapter 120: Zhong Ming: Prodigies Are Just the Threshold to Meet Me
"Its breath is winter, its exhalation is summer..."
When its progress reached 30%, because it was a transformation of form—from dragon to sword—there weren’t many changes.
But now, it had reached 40%.
This was mainly thanks to the sufficiently high grade of *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch*. As a mid-grade Celestial Level technique, just cultivating his flesh and skin to Great Success had advanced the progress of Zhong Ming’s Morning Star·Candlelight Dragon (Sword) by a huge margin.
At this moment, Zhong Ming looked within at his Dao Fruit and discovered that the form of the Candlelight Dragon swimming inside was no longer entirely illusory.
But what made Zhong Ming raise an eyebrow was that because the Power of the Stars was the primary component of his Body Forging, the body of the Morning Star·Candlelight Dragon was not made of actual flesh and blood. Instead, it was an Energy State shimmering with starlight.
’This is somewhat similar to the Star Forger Dragon King from my past life...’
Of course, the gap between the body of Zhong Ming’s Dao Fruit and that entity was like the glow of a firefly to the bright moon—completely incomparable.
As a Dao Fruit, its advancement naturally meant more than just an improved appearance.
Besides signifying that Zhong Ming was one step closer to Foundation Establishment, it also granted him a new ability.
Perhaps it was due to the influence of the Demon Star Tai Sui Power, or maybe it was because the advancement of Zhong Ming’s Dao Fruit was related to his physical body.
This time, the ability Zhong Ming obtained was also intrinsically linked to his physical body.
"A dragon can be large or small, can ascend or hide; when large, it stirs the clouds and breathes the mist; when small, it conceals its form and hides away..."
As this ancient proverb echoed in his mind, the ability Zhong Ming comprehended this time became clear. Its name—[As You Wish].
’From now on, I can freely change the size of my body.’
’Because my Dao Fruit hasn’t undergone a substantial transformation yet, I can only grow or shrink by a factor of six.’
’Shrinking isn’t very useful, but after growing larger, my strength will increase proportionally. The consumption of energy will also increase accordingly...’
For a Body Cultivator, the ability to grow larger and stronger was undoubtedly extremely useful.
With their powerful physiques, coupled with a sixfold enhancement, they could truly smash everything to bits.
For Zhong Ming, this ability was also quite useful.
’In the future, if anyone thinks my strength lies only in my Divine Soul and Magic Techniques and tries to rush me for close-quarters combat, I’ll give them a huge surprise.’
The increase in strength left Zhong Ming feeling pleased for a while, but his consciousness soon returned to the dreamscape to deduce the cultivation of the Second Realm of *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch*.
Projection, insight, scouring, experimentation... Within the dreamscape, Zhong Ming’s ’body’ was incinerated and reformed time and time again.
And through this process, Zhong Ming’s understanding of *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch* deepened step by step.
[You have delved into the mysteries of the body and gained a new understanding of *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch*. Your Cultivation Technique progress +33.]
[You have located a Star Acupoint on the bones and learned the optimal force to open it with minimal impact on the body. You have gained a new understanding of *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch*. Cultivation Technique progress +47.]
[You have located a Star Acupoint on the spine. Your attempt to open it failed. You are now paralyzed... You have gained a new understanding of *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch*. Cultivation Technique progress +3.]
[You have located a Star Acupoint on the bones...]
Time slowly passed as Zhong Ming continued his search. Because the body in the dreamscape could be destroyed at will, he could perform radical tests. This allowed him to progress at an astonishing rate. In a very short time, he located 33 Star Acupoints and learned the precise force needed to strike them, allowing him to open them successfully without harming his body.
This, in turn, allowed Zhong Ming to accumulate a total of 3,076 progress points.
Furthermore, because the time ratio between the dreamscape and reality was three to one, Zhong Ming’s experience points increased by a staggering 12,000 in a single night.
’Twelve thousand points in one night... Even with the time dilation, this is still the power of the Great Dream of Thousand Years... This Divine Treasure is a bit terrifying!’
’I feel like I could become a genius just by relying on this alone!’
Still in the dreamscape, it took several long moments for Zhong Ming to dispel the astonishment in his heart.
Of course, he also knew that his other abilities were indispensable to his rapid progress.
Mind Reading, As Clear as Daylight, Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples, and the Treasure Clear Sound Spring Stone were all key to the soaring progress of his Cultivation Technique.
The last item, in particular, was extremely useful to Zhong Ming.
The dreamscape also consumed Zhong Ming’s Heart Power, and continuous experimentation would accumulate fatigue in his Heart Spirit.
Especially at times, in order to investigate the subtle changes in his body, he had to attach his Divine Sense to his dream-body and experience the paralysis and pain up close.
This kind of torture was especially hard to endure, but it was necessary if he wanted to progress quickly.
Every time Zhong Ming did this, his progress would skyrocket.
[You have personally experienced the subtle changes of a Star Acupoint opening. Your *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch* Cultivation Technique progress +79.]
This method would undoubtedly cause negative emotions to arise in Zhong Ming’s Heart Spirit.
And that was where the wondrous properties of the Clear Sound Spring Stone revealed themselves.
The Divine Sound it dripped would dispel all of Zhong Ming’s fatigue and pain, and what’s more, it would restore his Heart Spirit and Soul Intent to their peak condition.
’If it didn’t only work on those in the Qi Refining Stage, this thing would definitely be a Celestial Level treasure!’
’Speaking of which, *Mirror Heart Demon Slayer* seems like it can also dispel negative emotions... I’ll have to try it next time...’
With that thought, Zhong Ming refocused his attention on *Star Heaven·Divine Monarch*.
’Speaking of which, I can undergo the baptism of the Demon Star Tai Sui again tomorrow... even though I haven’t found all the acupoints for the second stage yet.’
’But the tempering of bones and fascia involves more parts, and they are harder to penetrate than flesh and skin. Their refinement was never meant to be accomplished in a single step anyway.’
