Chapter 120: A Breakthrough That Shook The Heavens Pt 1

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: A Breakthrough That Shook The Heavens Pt 1

By eleven that night, the villa had grown quiet, and Mira was resting comfortably against her husband’s chest. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her eyes shone with contentment.

"Honey, you’re really something else," she said.

Xavier smiled without answering.

The evening had been more than enjoyable, but he had also taken the opportunity to practice the Dragon and Phoenix Union Technique with Mira.

The 5th-Grade dual cultivation technique had proved every bit as effective as he had hoped.

By harmonizing their energies, the couple could improve their cultivation while enjoying the benefits of practicing together.

Xavier had already reached the peak of the 8th-Level of the Spirit Platform Realm before the evening began.

After more than two hours of cultivation, the ninth Spirit Platform space within his body had finally opened completely, allowing chaotic energy to flow into it.

His cultivation had advanced another level in a single day.

He had successfully reached the 9th-Level of the Spirit Platform Realm!

With that breakthrough, he was now only one step away from the peak of the realm.

Once he filled the ninth Spirit Platform space, he could begin preparing to enter the Star Sea Realm.

For now, however, Xavier and Mira were content to rest together.

Before long, both of them drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Neither noticed the figure moving silently around the academy grounds outside.

Under the cover of darkness, Damon continued his preparations.

Moving carefully along the outer walls, he began arranging a formation around the academy, concealing his activities from anyone who might otherwise have noticed them.

The night passed without incident, and the academy remained unaware of the danger gathering at its doorstep.

* * *

Over the following two days, Xavier devoted himself almost entirely to cultivation.

He had settled on a straightforward plan: reach the Star Sea Realm first, then turn his attention to the Lindsay family.

Until he possessed enough strength to deal with the family and its allies decisively, he would avoid unnecessary distractions.

The results of his efforts were remarkable.

With a steady supply of elixirs and other cultivation resources, Xavier’s progress continued at an astonishing pace.

By the evening of the second day, he had reached the peak of the 9th-Level of the Spirit Platform Realm.

He was finally standing at the threshold of the Star Sea Realm.

Yet unlike his previous advances, the next breakthrough could not be rushed.

Xavier understood that the transition between these two realms was one of the most dangerous stages in a martial artist’s journey.

Before proceeding, he needed to make sure he understood the risks and had prepared everything necessary to survive the process.

Reaching the peak of the Spirit Platform Realm meant that all nine Spirit Platform spaces had been filled.

To advance further, a martial artist had to shatter those spaces and reconstruct them into stars resembling a vast cosmic sea.

Each newly formed star would become an independent space, replacing the structure that had previously supported the cultivator’s power.

It was a process of destruction followed by reconstruction.

If everything went well, the martial artist would emerge with a far more powerful foundation and officially enter the Star Sea Realm.

But if anything went wrong during the transformation, the consequences could be disastrous.

A failed breakthrough might leave the cultivator severely injured, forcing them to spend a long time recovering before attempting the process again.

In more serious cases, the damage could permanently destroy their ability to advance, leaving them trapped outside the Star Sea Realm for the rest of their lives.

The worst failures could cripple a martial artist completely or even cause immediate death.

There was another complication. Once the breakthrough began, it could not simply be stopped halfway through.

The cultivator had to remain still while their body and internal spaces underwent the transformation, leaving them vulnerable throughout the process.

At the same time, they would have to withstand the pressure of the world’s fundamental laws.

For exceptionally talented martial artists, this trial could even manifest as a heavenly tribulation.

The danger was precisely why the Spirit Platform Realm and the Star Sea Realm represented such a formidable divide.

According to official statistics, only around one in a hundred martial artists who reached the peak of the Spirit Platform Realm successfully crossed that barrier.

For countless cultivators, the final step proved more difficult than everything they had overcome before it.

Xavier, however, was not particularly worried.

He possessed the Chaos Body, an extraordinary constitution that had continued to grow stronger with every breakthrough.

His martial arts foundation was also far more substantial than that of an ordinary cultivator.

If someone with his advantages could not cross into the Star Sea Realm, then the prospects for everyone else would be even worse.

Besides, he had prepared a safeguard.

Among the resources he possessed was a 7th-Grade Evergreen Pill.

Its powerful restorative properties gave him confidence that, even if the breakthrough did not proceed as planned, he would have a means of limiting the damage.

Naturally, he would prefer not to rely on it. The best outcome was to succeed on his first attempt and enter the Star Sea Realm without suffering any serious injuries.

Xavier took a slow breath and reviewed his preparations one final time.

His cultivation had reached its current limit. His resources were ready, his foundation was strong, and he had already considered the possible dangers.

There was no reason to keep delaying.

A determined smile appeared on his face.

"Everything is ready," he said. "It’s time to break through to the Star Sea Realm."

Meanwhile at Arcadia Academy, the first year students of Class One were attending their regular lesson under the supervision of their homeroom teacher, Stanley Crook.

All twenty nine students sat quietly as he explained the fundamentals of martial cultivation.

"Your strength and cultivation realm form the foundation of everything you do as a martial artist," he said.

"Lately, some of you have been spending too much time practicing offensive techniques while neglecting the development of your actual strength. That is a serious mistake."

Stanley paused to make sure everyone was listening before continuing.

"No matter how powerful your techniques appear, they will be useless if your opponent possesses overwhelming strength," he said.

"A weak foundation cannot support a powerful structure. If your cultivation is inferior to your opponent’s, even the most impressive martial art can be crushed with a single blow."

One student raised a hand. "Teacher Stanley, didn’t you previously tell us that a qualified martial artist should develop their physical strength and martial arts skills together?"

"I did, and that advice still stands," Stanley replied.

"However, you must learn to manage your time properly. Most of you are still in the Body Tempering or Foundation Establishment Realm. At your current level, your priority should be strengthening your foundation. Even after reaching the Spirit Platform Realm, you shouldn’t spend more than thirty percent of your daily cultivation time practicing offensive techniques."

He paused briefly, allowing his words to sink in.

"The reason is simple," he continued.

"There is an enormous gap between the Spirit Platform Realm and the Star Sea Realm. It is a barrier that countless martial artists struggle to cross throughout their entire lives."

The students immediately became more attentive.

"Once a martial artist enters the Star Sea Realm, they have the opportunity to awaken extraordinary supernatural abilities," he said.

"Some can manipulate fire or ice, while others gain control over space. There are even abilities associated with time itself."

A trace of longing appeared in Stanley’s eyes.

"Reaching the Star Sea Realm is the first genuine step toward becoming a god," he said.

"At that level, supernatural abilities become one of the most formidable weapons a martial artist can possess. No matter how many techniques you have mastered, a powerful ability can completely change the outcome of a battle."

He noticed a few students exchanging doubtful looks and immediately raised his voice.

"What? Some of you are already thinking that the Star Sea Realm is too far beyond your reach?" he said.

"You’re worried about how difficult the breakthrough is, or even the possibility of facing a lightning tribulation?"

Stanley shook his head in disappointment, though the corners of his mouth soon lifted into an encouraging smile.

"Young people should have dreams!" he said.

"Every year, hundreds of martial artists across the world successfully enter the Star Sea Realm. What makes you so certain you won’t become one of them someday? You haven’t even reached your limits yet, so why are you deciding in advance that you cannot succeed?"

He gestured toward himself.

"Look at your teacher," he said.

"I’m still working toward that goal, and I have no intention of giving up. Who knows? Perhaps someone at Arcadia Academy is already preparing to break through as we speak!"

His spirited speech had the desired effect. The students sat straighter, their eyes shining with renewed determination.

Several began imagining themselves standing at the peak of the martial world, wielding supernatural abilities that ordinary people could scarcely comprehend.

Even Mira found herself swept up in the atmosphere. Although she had already made considerable progress, the Star Sea Realm still seemed like a distant destination.

Nevertheless, hearing Stanley speak with such conviction stirred her ambition. She, too, wanted to reach that height one day.

Seeing the students’ enthusiasm, Stanley nodded with satisfaction.

"Good," he said. "Since there’s still some time before classes end, let’s put that enthusiasm to use. Everyone, set yourselves a modest goal for today. Practice two cycles of the Great Evolution Spirit Absorption Technique before you leave."

He had barely finished speaking when a thunderclap erupted outside, shaking the classroom windows and drowning out his voice.