1 Chapter One

In the vast expanse of the Province of the Nine Skies, situated high above the celestial realms, a remarkable phenomenon unfolds: the existence of nine galaxies composed of astral rivers. Each of these astral rivers is a mesmerizing tapestry, woven from countless constellations. Collectively, these nine galaxies are often referred to as the Nine Layers of Heaven.

In this world devoted to the pursuit of cultivation, humanity places profound significance on the art of meditation as a means to attune themselves to the Yuan Qi, the energy of Heaven and Earth. From a tender age, they embark on the path of inner discovery, honing their breathing techniques to harness the spiritual Qi within, thereby enhancing their vitality. This disciplined approach serves as the foundation for their martial endeavors, the ultimate goal being to ascend to the esteemed rank of a Martial Cultivator.

Those blessed with heightened senses possess the rare ability to, through meditation, perceive the presence of the nine astral rivers. By absorbing the radiant energies emanating from the boundless array of stars and forming an intrinsic connection with any of the constellations, they can condense an Astral Soul, achieving the esteemed status of a revered Stellar Martial Cultivator.

Yet, there exist individuals of unparalleled strength, who, even as Stellar Martial Cultivators, persist in their training. They continuously condense the Astral Qi drawn from the constellations, fortifying the resilience of their physical forms. In a groundbreaking feat, they shatter the boundaries of their Stellar Martial Cultivator status. Through sheer determination, they force open the astral gate residing within their beings, forging links with an even greater multitude of constellations and congealing diverse Astral Souls.

Legend weaves tales of the most formidable cultivators in the Province of the Nine Skies, those capable of unlocking an astral gate with each advancement into a new realm. Their cultivation prowess transcends the norm, allowing them to establish innate connections with constellations that exist on planes higher than the Nine Layers of Heaven. Ultimately, they metamorphose into beings of incomprehensible might, recognized as the War Gods within the Nine Layers of Heaven, their power resonating like thunder through the heavens and the earth.

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In the land of Chu, nestled within Sky Harmony City, a member of the esteemed Bai Clan, Bai Autumn Snow, found herself drenched in sweat, her forehead glistening with the signs of tremendous effort. Her face contorted with the agony she endured, but she persevered, gritting her teeth in unwavering determination.

Beneath the veil of darkness, the boundless stars in the sky above seemed to cast their eternal radiance upon Autumn Snow's form. Her gentle and graceful figure, clad in a translucent robe now soaked with perspiration, revealed a jade-white abdomen. Yet, at this moment, Qin Wentian's thoughts were far from appreciating this picturesque scene.

"Steel your heart; pain is fleeting. Relax your body and envision yourself amidst the nine galaxies of astral rivers, surrounded by the splendor of countless stars. Get lost in that enchanting dream, and the pain will gradually subside as you awaken," he advised, his voice soft and soothing, carried on the breeze to Autumn Snow's ears, easing the convulsions that had gripped her.

As the tremors subsided, Qin Wentian retrieved nine silvery needles and carefully inserted them into specific acupoints on Autumn Snow's head.

"Ahh..." Bai Qing, a spectator on the sidelines, couldn't help but gasp, her hand instinctively covering her mouth as she witnessed Qin Wentian's seemingly audacious actions toward her sister.

"Draw the energy of the constellations into your body, guide it through your meridians and energy channels, and seal it within your astral gate," Qin Wentian continued to instruct Autumn Snow methodically, helping her absorb the starlight's energy and circulate it through her body.

"Return to the Nine Layers of Heaven; you are but an astral projection. Now, seek the constellation that resonates with you and endeavor to forge an innate connection with it."

Qin Wentian's voice held a mesmerizing quality, and after a few moments, a faint shadow gradually formed on Bai Autumn Snow's forehead, resembling the majestic spread of a golden peng's wings—a sight that exuded beauty and magnificence.

Bai Qing's eyes widened in astonishment; this was Astral Soul Condensation! Her elder sister, Autumn Snow, was indeed condensing an Astral Soul.

"I've done all I can; the rest is up to you now," Qin Wentian silently conveyed in his heart. His youthful face bore a weighty expression, a stark contrast to his previous seriousness.

Autumn Snow's body radiated brilliance, culminating in a resounding cry resembling that of a bird. The faint shadow spun faster and faster until it took on the form of a golden peng. A formidable surge of astral energy emanated from her being as she opened her eyes, which now gleamed with the luster of the night sky.

"Success!" Bai Qing jubilantly exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace Qin Wentian, her words stumbling in excitement. "Wentian gege, it really worked!"

In a spontaneous gesture, Bai Qing leaned in and planted a chaste kiss on Qin Wentian's cheek, filled with innocent enthusiasm. A gleam of amusement sparkled in Qin Wentian's eyes as he burst into laughter, his earlier solemnity finally dissipating.

"At which Heavenly Layer?" Qin Wentian inquired, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at his fiancée.

"The 3rd Heavenly Layer," Autumn Snow replied, her smile radiating with splendor. At sixteen years old, she was one of Sky Harmony City's four great beauties and the eldest daughter of the Bai Clan.

"The 3rd Heavenly Layer? Sister can already form an innate connection with one of the constellations from the 3rd layer on her first try. Doesn't this mean she'll easily be able to condense her 2nd and even 3rd Astral Soul in the future? Excellent! Let me tell this news to Father," Bai Qing's excitement seemed to surpass even that of her elder sister.

"There's no need for that," a middle-aged man interjected. He was Bai Autumn Snow and Bai Qing's father, Bai Qingsong. His hands trembled slightly with excitement as he looked at Autumn Snow and beamed, "Autumn Snow, you've endured a lot."

"Daddy, if it weren't for Wentian gege, elder sister might not have succeeded in condensing her Astral Soul," Bai Qing chimed in. Bai Qingsong then turned his attention to Wentian and said with a smile, "Wentian, thank you for today. You should get some rest. Autumn Snow and I will leave first."

"Okay, Uncle Bai," Qin Wentian replied with a smile. Ever since their clans decided on the marriage engagement three years ago, Bai Qingsong had frequently invited him to stay at the Bai residence, treating him well.

"Bai Qing, you little rascal, come with us and don't bother your Wentian gege anymore," Bai Qingsong sternly instructed his younger daughter. However, Bai Qing stuck her tongue out at him and said, "I still want to chat with Wentian gege."

Shaking his head, Bai Qingsong relented, and he departed with Autumn Snow.

"Sister Autumn Snow was able to form an innate connection with a constellation from the 3rd Heavenly Layer... knowing Father's personality, he would have informed all the clan elders by now. I, for one, don't want to go to such a boring gathering," Bai Qing whispered to Qin Wentian, giggling. "Wentian gege, I didn't believe in your methods in the past, but it turns out you were right all along! You prevented my elder sister from absorbing the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth and condensing her Astral Soul early. Were you waiting for this day?"

"By absorbing the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, one's energy channels and meridians would fill with Yuan Qi, greatly diminishing sensory abilities and potentially destroying the chance of condensing an Astral Soul," Qin Wentian explained, lying on the ground as he gazed at the vast starry skies.

"Most people simultaneously absorb the Yuan Qi from Heaven and Earth while attempting to sense the astral rivers. This way, even if they fail to become Stellar Martial Cultivators, it doesn't hinder their progress on the path to becoming a Martial Cultivator. But your method completely disregarded absorbing Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi, increasing the chances of sensing and condensing an Astral Soul. Isn't that risky? If someone fails to sense the astral rivers in the Nine Layers of Heaven, their path to becoming a Martial Cultivator would be hindered due to the lack of Yuan Qi in their meridians," Bai Qing asked curiously.

"Qing er, how many types of Astral Souls have you heard of?" Qin Wentian countered with a question.

"I've heard very little. There are only a few people who have successfully condensed their Astral Souls in Sky Harmony City, so I don't know much about it. How about you, Wentian gege?"

"In the Nine Astral Rivers, there are an infinite number of constellations that can form innate links with Stellar Martial Cultivators. Among the myriad of starry constellations, there are also an infinite number and types of Astral Souls."

"Those who condense an Astral Soul based on the Leo Constellation possess the might of a ferocious beast, easily defeating tigers and leopards. Those with an Astral Soul based on the Heavenly Vision Constellation have enhanced vision and sensory abilities, enabling them to see farther and predict their opponent's movements in battle. An Astral Soul based on the Forger Constellation would make one a master smith. The Great Dream Constellation allows you to cultivate in your dreams and create illusions, making enemies hallucinate."

"Cultivating while dreaming and creating illusions... it sounds magical," Bai Qing murmured.

"The province is vast, and I've heard that many cultivators from outside have condensed unique, strange, and fascinating Astral Souls. They can soar through the skies and tunnel through the earth effortlessly. In this world, Stellar Martial Cultivators rule, while Martial Cultivators are like ants. If you can't become one of the rulers, it's better to give up cultivation," Qin Wentian declared with determination. He aspired to become an outstanding Stellar Martial Cultivator, condensing numerous types of Astral Souls and gaining power to explore the vast world.

Uncle Black once said that Sky Harmony City was too small - compared to the world, it was nothing more than an insignificant insect.

"But, I overheard..." Bai Qing hesitated in her speech.

"You heard the rumors about my innate meridian condition, that I was fated never to tread the path of cultivation, didn't you?" Qin Wentian smiled as he rose to his feet. "Whoever said that those born with crippled meridians can't cultivate is mistaken. I will be the one to defy convention and become an exceptional Stellar Martial Cultivator."

Observing Qin Wentian's confident demeanor, Bai Qing joined in with a heartfelt laugh, saying, "I believe in you too, Wentian gege. I'll take my leave now, so I don't disturb your journey towards becoming a Stellar Martial Cultivator."

"Alright, remember to get some rest, and... don't absorb any Yuan Qi from the heavens and earth!" Qin Wentian reminded her once more.

"Understood." Bai Qing stuck out her tongue at Qin Wentian before giggling and darting away. Watching her graceful departure, Qin Wentian was struck by a sudden realization. Unbeknownst to him, this young girl had grown up; the fifteen-year-old Bai Qing was no longer the twelve-year-old he had known three years ago. Lost in memories, Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile.

After Bai Qing had left, Qin Wentian began his cultivation. Despite his crippled meridians, he closed his eyes and entered a meditative state. He began drawing in the energy of the constellations, channeling it through his damaged meridians. The powerful energy from the constellations surged through his broken pathways, threatening to shatter his meridians into fragments.

In that moment, an agonized expression appeared on Qin Wentian's face. This pain, compared to the pain Autumn Snow had endured earlier, was like a drizzle in the face of a thunderstorm, magnified tenfold. Gritting his teeth, he endured.

Energy channels and meridians served as the conduits for energy flow within the human body. When these were crippled, one could only be considered disabled, like having an incomplete body. Cultivators, beyond the Body Refinement Realm, had to not only expand their energy channels and meridians but also reconstruct them, forging nine great meridians, connecting to all seven main orifices, and refining their internal organs, limbs, and even their bone structure. Only then could they unleash their true potential.

Back when Qin Wentian intentionally crippled his meridians, if not for Uncle Black's diligent care and the herbal medicine treatments, he would have become an invalid. The herbal remedy was so effective that, combined with his daily physical training efforts, he gradually regained the constitution of a normal human.

However, Qin Wentian wasn't foolish. Crippled meridians were never his ultimate goal. The Stellar Meridians Transformation technique stated that only by breaking one's meridians first could they be reconstructed into a perfect set of Stellar Meridians. The philosophy was to destroy the imperfect foundation first and then rebuild the perfect one.