357 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 357: Expansion of Space Once More In the celestial realm, not everyone is of the immortal level. Most individuals are born with the strength of the Nascent Soul stage. As they age, they naturally reach the strength equivalent to the Great Ascension stage of the lower realm, known as the pseudo-immortal level. Reflecting on the struggles from the Golden Core to the Tribulation stages in the lower realm, it's astonishing to realize that celestial children are already at a point many aspire to reach from birth. This advantage is largely thanks to the celestial aura, a higher tier than spiritual aura, which accelerates body transformation and cultivation. Some families nurture children who gain pseudo-immortal strength at a young age. Imagining herself unable to contend with a child made Ye Ling Ling feel disheartened. However, Qian Jun's words offered her comfort, emphasizing that while her level is pseudo-immortal, her strength, having ascended from below, surpasses those native to the celestial world due to her well-grounded foundation. Her experience in the lower realms allows for faster progress in cultivating celestial aura. People born in the celestial realm don't face tribulations at the pseudo-immortal stage. They only transform into full immortals after enduring a tribulation from pseudo-immortal to immortal. Ye Ling Ling, however, will naturally advance to an immortal upon fully converting her inner energy to celestial aura, highlighting a notable distinction between ascended and native beings in the immortal world. Nevertheless, all face similar celestial tribulations once they surpass the immortal stage. The cultivation hierarchy in the celestial realm progresses from pseudo-immortal, to immortal, golden immortal, immortal king, immortal monarch, immortal emperor, and finally celestial emperor. Very few achieve the celestial emperor status. Her master, and Qian Jun's former owner, Di Chang Ling, was a celestial emperor a millennium ago. He's since perished in the war between immortals and demons, likely having a successor by now. Bear Fei currently ranks as a golden immortal—a notable achievement considering his youth, making him a prodigious cub among his kind. Most beings here remain ordinary, even the beast who previously claimed this mountain was just at peak immortal level before Bear Fei ousted it to take residence in its lair. Bear Fei admired Ye Ling Ling's audacity of drawing lightning into her body during a tribulation, a testament to his respect for her strength beyond superficial attraction. After successfully navigating her tribulation, Ye Ling Ling spent time recuperating on the mountain until fully converting her internal energy to celestial aura, reaching the immortal stage. She could now seamlessly integrate into this realm, preventing suspicion of her ascension from the lower realms. Bear Fei, despite being native here, was unaware of past events over ten thousand years, confirming to Ye Ling Ling that she's the first ascendant in millennia. While her rarity in this realm wasn't ideal, it was crucial for her to fully integrate here to uncover the mystery behind the lower realm's sealing and plan her return. Regarding avenging her master, she sighed at the formidable task ahead, focusing on strengthening herself for the long term. After organizing her next steps, she ventured into her spatial realm, as Bear Fei’s persistent company had limited her opportunities. With him occupied on the mountain retrieving honey, she could explore. The spatial realm had evolved drastically, expanding over double its previous size, with upgraded spiritual fields and spring water now imbued with celestial aura. The once dense spiritual energy had transformed into a celestial one. The only constant was the cold pond, where the ice cocoon had marginally grown, still awaiting the Ice Phoenix's emergence. Most intriguingly, reaching the immortal stage had manifested a towering structure in the expanded space—a nine-tiered tower, adorned with intricate carvings and embedded statues of mystical creatures, with bronze bells below ringing softly. “This tower appeared as the mist receded following your breakthrough. It seemed concealed in the fog before. My friend Xiao Hei and I tried entering, but the doors wouldn’t open,” remarked Feng Li beside her. Noticing that his figure had rounded, while his once sleek form now appeared almost plump, akin to Xiao Hei. “Have you both gained weight?” Ye Ling Ling suddenly asked. “Cough, cough!” Feng Li spluttered, a guilty blush betraying him, “N-Nonsense, who’s gotten fat?” Ye Ling Ling’s skeptical gaze lingered on his flustered demeanor. At that moment, the ginseng child sprang out from the ground, indignantly pointing at Feng Li and Xiao Hei, “Stealing Phoenix nectar will fatten anyone! Ye Ling Ling, raiding my spiritual herbs was tolerable, but allowing these gluttons to gorge on the Spirit Queen’s honey without asking?!” The ginseng child pouted over its reduced share, devoured by the culprits. Feng Li awkwardly shifted, nudging Xiao Hei, “It was all Xiao Hei’s doing; I just accompanied it. It’s the greedy one, look how round it’s gotten.” Taken aback, Xiao Hei tumbled forward, immediately rebuking Feng Li in disgruntled yelps. Ye Ling Ling: “…” Feng Li gave Ye Ling Ling a sheepish smile. During this period, he and Xiao Hei had remained confined to the space, nearing a breakthrough to pseudo-immortal. Avoiding celestial tribulations, they discussed with Ye Ling Ling about seeking secluded spots for their challenges once outside. Bored and unable to progress further in cultivation, their antics led them to target the Spirit Queen's honey as a pastime.