Stellar Steps

Chapter 15 - The Battle of Jinling

Lu Yin hadn’t anticipated finding a way to cultivate efficiently even on Earth. With the Star Power Technique doubling his absorption speed, he was drawing energy at a rate far surpassing that of students like Glanier. Likely, few across the entire Grand Universe Empire could match his rate of progress.

Before long, he’d drained an entire Star Energy Crystal, significantly boosting his internal energy reserves. He crushed another crystal and continued absorbing it.

While having sufficient Star Energy Crystals facilitated his current cultivation level, he still needed to refine the impurities from the absorbed energy to reach the peak. This refinement was only possible through Body Sculpting—a technique not all cultivators could use. Those who absorbed Star Energy Crystals without refinement required the Boundary of Fusion to remove impurities, resulting in weaker energy and unstable combat power, hence the label "Mercenaries" or "Battle Slaves."

After absorbing all five crystals, Lu Yin felt a surge of power within him. He’d reached the pinnacle of the Boundary of Gaze—a level considered Earth’s apex grade. Just one more step, and he would cross into the Boundary of Exploration, a step only achievable through Body Sculpting.

After a night’s rest on his villa rooftop, Lu Yin sought out Glanier the following morning. “Spar with me,” he proposed.

Glanier raised an eyebrow. “Challenging a woman to a fight first thing in the morning? Even warriors have their manners.”

Realizing his eagerness, Lu Yin relented. “Alright, I’ll come back in the afternoon.”

“No need to wait. If you’re so keen, let’s do this now,” she replied, looking somewhat amused but unfazed.

The two moved to an open area, standing ten meters apart. Animal howls echoed nearby, carrying a faint scent of blood in the wind.

“Go ahead. I won’t retaliate,” Glanier said, her gaze filled with calm confidence.

Lu Yin clenched his fist, then released it, causing the air to ripple. Launching forward, he closed the distance between them in an instant, unleashing a pure Wave Palm strike with all his strength.

Glanier, initially planning to defend with one hand, ended up raising both hands to brace herself.

*Boom!*

The impact swept across the ground, gouging a crater several meters wide. Glanier’s legs were driven into the earth.

“Impressive power. Even an elite Academy student might struggle to produce a strike as fierce as yours. With a surprise attack, you could take down an Explorer with less than 2,000 combat strength,” she admitted, looking slightly surprised.

Lu Yin grinned, thinking back to how he’d defeated Astor. Though his power had grown significantly since then, his satisfaction was obvious. “Not done yet,” he declared, launching another Wave Palm that struck with comparable force, pressing Glanier even deeper into the ground.

Her expression darkened as her hands tingled from the impact. “Enough. Your attacks won’t work on me. I’ve surpassed 2,000 combat strength—you should know that each 1,000-point increase greatly amplifies energy density and skill.”

With a shout, Lu Yin struck again. This time, his hand gleamed faintly with starlight, a moon orbiting it. The outer layer resembled the flowing currents of a Wave Palm, but with a different aura—it was the Starry Sky Palm.

As Lu Yin unleashed his final attack, Glanier instinctively dodged, her form a flicker on the battlefield. His strike obliterated the ground in a hundred-meter radius, sending tremors through the air and causing the clouds to shift.

Appearing a few meters away, Glanier stared at the destruction in awe. “What was that?”

Lu Yin’s grin widened. “My grandfather taught me. I call it the Extreme Wave Palm.”

Glanier’s gaze narrowed. Though she couldn’t identify the Starry Sky Palm, the Wave Palm’s power was undeniable. “Some call it a Double Wave Palm. It’s rare, even among Explorers.”

Shrugging, Lu Yin replied, “Names vary.”

Glanier’s expression turned serious. “A Double Wave Palm requires extraordinary physical resilience. Even a few explorers could manage it. Our academy doesn’t have anyone with your potential. Once you break through to the Boundary of Exploration, you could rival any elite—perhaps even gain entry to the empire’s top institution, the Celestial Hall.”

“Celestial Hall? Me?” Lu Yin asked, stunned.

“Maybe,” Glanier replied. “With your resilience, it’s possible.” She left, glancing back, her attitude softened.

Watching her go, Lu Yin examined his hand, his mind racing. Testing his limits against her had been insightful, especially her ability to evade at critical moments. She was indeed an academic elite. However, he hadn’t gone all out yet. The Starry Sky Palm still held untapped power. If she assumed she’d seen his full strength, she would be disappointed.

While Lu Yin awaited contact from Jinling, Glanier cared little for Lu Yin’s companions. After two days, however, Luo Yun approached him.

“Brother Lu, how much longer are we staying here?” she asked, her gaze questioning. She had overheard that this was a frontline supply station but felt something was off. The mention of high-level powerhouses here raised her suspicions.

“Don’t ask too much. I’ll let you know soon,” Lu Yin replied.

She seemed about to press him when Glanier appeared overhead, anxious. “We have to go. Aude has headed to Jinling.”

Startled, Lu Yin took her hand, letting her pull him toward Jinling.

Watching from a distance, Luo Yun was shocked by the sight of Glanier’s armor—it was identical to that worn by the aliens who’d attacked Jinling before.

In the sky, Aude hovered over Jinling, battered armor glinting under the sun. Beside him floated another young man with a proud, arrogant gaze. Survivors in Jinling looked up in terror. Two celestial powerhouses?

Zhou Shan launched himself into the sky, facing them from a hundred meters away. His face was grave. “You again?”

Aude sneered, “Disappointed I survived?”

Zhou Shan narrowed his eyes. “Quite.”

“Hmph. You’ll get no second chance,” Aude smirked. “This is my senior, Tres.”

Zhou Shan appraised the newcomer, feeling the energy radiating from him. Tres was far more powerful than Aude.

With a dismissive tone, Tres addressed Zhou Shan. “Impressive strength for a native. Join me, and I’ll help you reach the stars.”

“No point asking. These natives are single-minded and stubborn,” Aude interrupted, only to be silenced by a glare from Tres.

Aude fell silent, eyes flashing with resentment.

Gripping his massive axe, Zhou Shan replied coldly, “I’ll never follow you. If you want Jinling, you’ll have to defeat me first.”

With a roar, he moved north, hoping to lead the battle away from Jinling. But his intentions were thwarted as Aude struck Jinling directly, his s***h cleaving a section of the city and filling the air with cries of anguish.

“Courting death!” Zhou Shan roared, swinging his axe at Aude.

Aude smirked, meeting Zhou Shan’s blow with his sword.

Meanwhile, Glanier and Lu Yin arrive in Jinling to see the devastation below—countless people fleeing, the city splintered by energy waves. Buildings crumbled, clouds scattered.

Inside the city, Zhou Shan spat blood, struggling to stay upright. He glared at his opponents.

Tres gazed down with cold detachment. “Impressive strength, native. You would rank among our academy’s top fifteen. Unfortunately, you’ve met me.”

(End of Chapter)