Chapter Nineteen: The Nebula Creation Technique

Yaoye arrived at Dean Liu Qing’s courtyard and gently knocked on the door.

“Come in! The door’s not locked!” Liu Qing lay back on his recliner, not bothering to get up, and said curiously, “I say, kid, do you know what the token I gave you represents? You haven’t even entered the library yet, so what are you planning to do?”

Liu Qing had no idea of the true function of the Creation Cauldron. He only knew that whoever obtained it would become a lord of their own domain and achieve the highest realms of cultivation, but Dean Liu Qing cared little for such things.

“Master, I have other matters to attend to right now, so I won’t go to the library yet. Once I’m done, I promise I’ll go. Master, I came to see you this time because I want to know where I can find a secluded chamber for closed-door cultivation, the kind where I won’t be disturbed. I’ve had some insights lately and want to ponder them well, so I can sooner find the path that belongs to me!” Yaoye replied with a silly grin.

The dean sat up slightly, “You want a secluded chamber for cultivation? I can lend you one for now. Go to the basement in my courtyard. I’ve set up a barrier there; aside from me, unless someone’s cultivation is higher than mine, no one else can enter. Take this token with you and go inside!”

“Thank you, Master!” Overjoyed, Yaoye took the token and rushed toward the chamber.

“Such youthful vigor! Haha!” Liu Qing chuckled and settled back into his recliner.

Once inside the chamber, Yaoye eagerly called out to the Creation Cauldron, “Old Cauldron, come out quickly! How should I create my own cultivation method?” At his repeated urgent calls, Old Cauldron floated out from within, saying, “Why are you so impatient, kid? Isn’t it enough that I’m here? For now, clear your mind and think of nothing. Leave the rest to me.”

Watching Yaoye gradually slip into a meditative state, Old Cauldron activated the cauldron’s universe-evolving function. Yaoye’s consciousness seemed to be immersed in the cosmos—watching stars die and new ones appear, witnessing the earth slowly take form, observing trees perish and then sprout tender shoots anew… Yaoye was deeply entranced.

Witnessing the cycle of renewal, the ebb and flow of the starry sky, Yaoye gradually found a sense of direction—though just short of the breakthrough he needed. Watching a newborn infant grow from conception to birth, he thought of the alternation between old and new stars in the universe, and slowly understood, his own being evolving along that faint sensation.

At this moment, Yaoye was unaware that his physical body had undergone tremendous change. His demon core was now emitting a strange light, bright and dazzling like the sun, and around it tiny particles resembling stars appeared, revolving around the core.

Suddenly, radiant light burst forth outside the chamber, shooting straight into the sky. Dean Liu Qing instantly appeared outside, staring in astonishment, “What’s that kid doing? How could there be such commotion?”

The academy was once again in an uproar. Several figures streaked through the air or ran across the grounds, converging on the dean’s courtyard. Peng Lei stepped forward, bowed to Liu Qing, and said, “Master, what’s happening here? The disturbance is enormous!”

The dean looked at the newcomers and said, “Tang Ze, Hong Tao, Ling Yun, you three take charge of the academy’s order. Peng Lei, you and the rest stay here with me to safeguard the courtyard. We’ll know everything once it’s over.”

Tang Ze and his group nodded and left the courtyard. With only a handful of senior students remaining, Xiao Xiao threw herself into Liu Qing’s arms and teased, “Grandpa! Now it’s just us. Aren’t you going to tell us what’s going on? If you don’t, I’ll pull your beard!”

The dean kindly patted Xiao Xiao’s head and laughed, “Don’t ask me! I don’t know either. All I know is your junior brother, Yaoye, is inside. Just wait until he comes out and ask him then.”

And so the radiant light continued for a day and a night before finally fading. Within, Yaoye was nearing the end of his transformation. He carefully examined his body and found that his demon core had become a star, surrounded by a halo and several star-like particles orbiting it. “Old Cauldron, what’s happening to me?” Yaoye was amazed and intrigued by his changes, discovering explosive power within himself.

“I don’t know either. You’ll have to figure it out for yourself!” Old Cauldron looked on, just as bewildered.

“Well, in any case, I’ve found my path forward. For now, let’s call it ‘The Nebula Creation Technique’!”

Yaoye was delighted with everything he observed; no matter how composed he tried to be, he couldn’t suppress his youthful exuberance—after all, he was only fifteen. He stood up, overflowing with excitement, dusted off his clothes, and pushed open the door. At that moment, he had no idea that his actions had stirred the academy into a frenzy, and all the students were watching the courtyard from afar.