"Indeed, mastering a mid-grade Ding-level magic isn't easy."
"This isn't necessarily a bad thing; at least it proves that the Lion's Roar Spell holds not just the power before our eyes, but greater potential to be tapped."
Liou Yuan understood the pros and cons of this matter clearly.
He stayed up all night, and the morning sun was so warm.
After reviewing the Fixed Star Compass information, his drowsiness grew.
The last bit of consciousness faded away with the blanket of warm morning light, drifting into dreams.
Currently, Liou Yuan had just entered the path of cultivation and hadn't reached the level of replacing sleep with cultivation.
According to Liou Zhen's book, when one reaches great success in the first mansion, practicing the Breathing Skill not only won't cause fatigue but instead will invigorate the spirit.
Only then wouldn't he need to balance between cultivating and sleeping.
Liou Yuan slept until the afternoon.
He was awakened by the noisy sounds from pedestrians passing outside.
The gist of it was speculating whether tonight's star rotation would be auspicious or ominous, which was the most concerned topic for Yanhe City residents.
Liou Yuan, yawning, got up, and the first thing he did after waking was to go back inside and take a bath, changing into clothes he had just acquired a few days prior.
It was a white sleeveless shirt, completely exposing Liou Yuan's two toned arms.
After a month of practicing the Breathing Skill.
Liou Yuan's body contour changed and filled out with each passing day.
The previously frail physique now had the curve of muscles.
Not like Luo Jie's robust build, but well-proportioned, with every muscle curve approaching perfection.
Although the Breathing Skill primarily strengthens his internal organs, it's an internal practice.
The external body also naturally gets affected due to the strength of his organs.
Liou Yuan looked at his reflection in the water, posing briefly, revealing a satisfied smile: "Though it doesn't match my past life's charm, this physique is flawless."
Saying so, Liou Yuan turned back inside, bringing out a weapon sheathed in a scabbard crafted from some animal's hide.
The weapon was large and heavy, almost reaching Liou Yuan's chest height.
As the sheath was removed, it revealed a massive sword nearly twice the width of a normal longsword.
He had it custom-made at the most renowned blacksmith shop in the west city for two taels of silver—it was a fine steel broadsword, also called a greatsword. The blade was so bright it could be used as a mirror.
Liou Yuan initially just wanted to buy a longsword as a solution.
But being that Liou Yuan now possessed significant strength, especially when wielding the Five Mansions,
A common three-foot sword in his hands felt light as a chopstick, and he found it inconvenient.
Thus, he spent money specifically to order this greatsword.
The reason for buying a weapon was entirely due to Mr. Ge's existence.
"Mr. Ge's magic can be imbued into a weapon; I'd be foolish not to use it, as it's also a way to enhance my combat capability."
Liou Yuan tested the sharpness of the blade with his finger, his gaze solemn.
Tonight's mission is of great importance, the opponent being a Star Evil entirely unrestrained by celestial power.
He naturally intended to use everything at his disposal.
"I never fight unprepared battles," Liou Yuan thought to himself.
One could tell something about his nature from dealing with Ping'an.
Pre-emptively soaking the ground and walls with tung oil was to allow for a fighting chance should the worst happen.
The same applies today.
Now, he has two magics: Five Mansions and Lion's Roar Spell, and a magical artifact, yellow jade Buddhist beads.
It's more than enough for self-defense.
Adding the magic enhancement from Mr. Ge gives him additional confidence.
"Next, just wait for this star rotation," holding the fine steel greatsword, Liou Yuan gazed at the setting sun in the west, murmuring softly.
At night, Yanhe City was still brightly lit.
At the start of each month during this celestial transition, Yanhe City's residents would spontaneously gather together, looking up at the stars on the streets.
Liou Yuan was no exception.
Two lanterns were lit in the courtyard, casting soft light.
Liou Yuan sat on a wooden stool under the eaves, looking up at the deep night sky where the light was abundant.
Finally, time approached midnight.
Under Liou Yuan's watchful eyes, the black sky curtain suddenly dimmed, and nine of the sixteen most luminous stars visible in the sky went dark.
Only seven stars remained suspended.
And they began to move from their original positions toward each other.
Ultimately converging to form a bright cluster.
Seeing this scene, Yanhe City fell silent, unlike the previous excitement when Kuixu appeared.
Liou Yuan arose at the star formation, holding the greatsword, with the star's reflection in his eyes, gently naming it: "Pleiades! An Evil Star."
This was why Yanhe City was so silent.
Almost simultaneously as Liou Yuan uttered the name Pleiades.
Screech! Outside Yanhe City, a piercing howl echoed through Hengyu.
It originated from the depths of the mountain forests that stretched for countless miles outside the city, causing everyone who heard it to shudder.
That howl was just the beginning.
Roars and cries of various creatures came one after another, continuously resonating from outside the city.
It seemed to declare to all beings that now was their time.
Fortunately, the sound of the river rushing began to rise, overshadowing countless chaotic noises.
"The protective moat," Liou Yuan muttered softly, naming the source of the river's sound.
It was the protective moat that had guarded Yanhe City for a thousand years.
With its existence, regardless of the upheaval outside, at least the inside of the city was mostly safe.
The Pleiades hung in the sky for less than a cup of tea's time.
Knock knock knock!
A rhythmic knocking sound came from the gates of Liou Yuan's newly purchased courtyard.
Accompanied by Mr. Xin's deep voice.
"Mr. Liou, Mr. Ge and the others are already waiting at Xuanhu Clinic."
"I'm coming," Liou Yuan took a deep breath, sheathed the giant sword, and strode towards the gate.
Tonight, the Evil Star has appeared, with turmoil outside the city, and the interior is no more peaceful.
The Star Evil at Xuanhu Clinic will also emerge.
Tonight is the time to resolve it once and for all.
Xuanhu Clinic.
When Liou Yuan arrived with Mr. Xin at the clinic.
The front and back of the clinic's courtyard had already been surrounded by more than twenty constables.
Upon seeing Mr. Xin, they respectfully greeted him.
Mr. Xin nodded in response to each one.
Liou Yuan's gaze swept across them, roughly understanding their purpose.
Faced with a Star Evil in full strength, ordinary people would pose no threat whatsoever.
The sole purpose of these constables at Xuanhu Clinic was to isolate it from the outside world.
"It's to prevent some careless people from entering inside, only to die at the hands of the Star Evil," Liou Yuan silently thought.
Stepping into the front yard.
Mr. Ge, whose body was somewhat crooked due to disability, was already waiting there.
Beside Mr. Ge stood a towering giant.
The giant was bald, with rough features and eyes as large as copper bells.
His height surpassed Liou Yuan by a head, muscles bulging all over, with two basin-sized iron hammers hanging on his back.
Despite it being late autumn, the giant was still bare-chested.
Displaying his terrifying scars across his body.
The moment Liou Yuan saw the giant, he felt like he was staring at a ferocious beast.
The aura of savagery emanating from him surpassed even that of wild beasts.
"Goodness, I wouldn't be able to withstand even one of his hammer blows," Liou Yuan thought with alarm.
Just by looking, Liou Yuan was certain he was not a match for him.
Mr. Ge warmly gestured as he saw Liou Yuan enter.
Then, turning to the giant beside him, he said, "Mr. Dai, this is the young Mr. Liou I mentioned."
Saying that, Mr. Ge smiled at Liou Yuan and said, "This is Mr. Dai Yao, Qi Cultivation Third Layer, Body Cultivator."
The words 'Body Cultivator' were heavily emphasized, as if hinting that Liou Yuan could seek guidance from him.
He had underestimated the Liou Family's resources.
Liou Yuan had received 'Five Mansions Star Gazing Breathing Skill', which detailed cultivation insights for each mansion.
So detailed it was as if Liou Zhen was personally guiding him.
Though Mr. Dai Yao was strong, he was still far behind Liou Zhen, so Liou Yuan felt no need to curry favor.
Nonetheless, out of respect for Mr. Ge, he nodded knowingly, then said with 'excitement', "Mr. Dai, you are truly formidable."
Initially, Mr. Dai looked at Liou Yuan with disdain.
After all, Liou Yuan's cultivation was clear to him, Qi Cultivation First Layer.
A mere novice, recently stepped into the path of cultivation, and in Qinghe Division, such people he wouldn't care to acknowledge.
If not for Mr. Ge's presence, he might not have even bothered greeting.
Upon hearing Liou Yuan's 'sincere admiration' however.
Mr. Dai's expression changed, and with a touch of pride, he responded amicably, "Mr. Liou is promising, even in Qinghe Division, considered a talented youth."
Mr. Dai's voice was as deep and booming as his stature.