Introduction:
In the final years of the epoch, kings vie for dominance, demons rise in multitudes, and all seek the path to eternal life.
The "Sleep God" youth, blessed through misfortune, forges his flesh into a saintly vessel, capable of遮蔽天地 (blocking the heavens) with a flick of his finger, and shall stand as a sovereign over the ages!
Who can truly endure alongside time itself?
"Two years ago, I told you that your physique is the Primitive Saint Physique. Only by cultivating the *Devouring Heaven* technique can you awaken the saint body."
"Once you master this technique, you'll possess at least 100,000 catties of strength even in the Body Forging Realm!"
A古韵 (ancient-rhyme) female voice echoed in his ears. Dao Ling sneered in his dream: 100,000 catties of strength in the Body Forging Realm? That claim would make him the laughingstock of others, for 10,000 catties was already considered extraordinary at that stage.
But as he reflected on these words, a look of shock crossed Dao Ling's delicate face.
*Smack!*
The table suddenly slammed, jolting Dao Ling's heart. He woke instantly from his dream, instinctively leaping to his feet. His gaze met a beautiful face, its cheeks flushed with anger.
This was Qingshan Academy, where Dao Ling studied. The beauty before him was his mentor.
Ye Yun's slender hands clenched tightly, her silver teeth gnawing at her rosy lips, her eyes ablaze. This good-for-nothing was sleeping again during martial arts class!
Snickers arose from around them. Dao Ling was the infamous waste of Qingshan Academy. After two years, he remained a zero in cultivation, sleeping day in and day out as if he could never get enough.
Thus, he earned the nickname "Sleep God."
Dao Ling had no mood to admire the enchanting face now, though she was stunning even in anger.
Inside, he was profoundly shaken, for the voice in his dream had first spoken two years ago.
Two years prior, during an excessive "body forging" attempt, Dao Ling collapsed and heard this voice, which also bestowed upon him the *Devouring Heaven* technique.
At the time, he dismissed it as a hallucination, feeling someone was mocking him—for cultivating according to the technique's instructions seemed a sure path to death.
"Saint Physique"? Dao Ling scoffed. He knew his body all too well: perpetually exhausted, hardly the stuff of legend.
But after two years, this eerie voice had returned, urging him again to practice *Devouring Heaven*. Was it not a hallucination? Who was speaking?
Ye Yun's face reddened further, her怒火 (rage) intensifying.
Not only did he not apologize for sleeping, but Dao Ling also looked lost in thought. What was he up to? Had she been too lenient, leading him to disregard his mentor?
A chill swept over Dao Ling. Sensing Ye Yun's icy gaze, he felt a shiver run down his spine. "Mentor, sorry, I—"
Ye Yun harrumphed, her frosty eyes landing on the black巨石 (giant stone) on the platform. "Continue the test. Qian Lin, go measure your current strength."
The crowd stirred, envious glances converging on a handsome youth. This was Qian Lin. Chest puffed, he stood proudly and strode to the stone.
"Hyah!" Qian Lin shouted, his fist arcing through the air, arm muscles tensing as he slammed into the stone.
*Bang!* A mighty force surged, making the entire stone tremble.
Many faces froze. What would such a blow do to a person?
Relishing the awed stares, Qian Lin's pride grew. He turned to Ye Yun, his eyes burning with desire.
Ye Yun was Qingshan Academy's greatest beauty, coveted by all, yet no one had succeeded in wooing her. Her origins were also mysterious; many wondered why she taught at a place like Qingshan Academy.
Qian Lin's gaze then shifted to Dao Ling, his expression turning鄙夷 (contemptuous). *"This waste will embarrass himself again. Compared to me, he's worse than dirt!"* he sneered inwardly.
"Qian Lin: five-inch fist imprint, 10,000 catties of strength!"
Ye Yun's voice, tinged with approval, triggered an uproar. 10,000 catties—such immense power! With the Star Academy recruitment in half a month, Qian Lin was sure to shine.
The Body Forging Realm tested physical talent: the stronger the body, the higher one's future potential. Reaching 10,000 catties meant readiness to breakthrough to the next martial realm.
"100,000 catties?" Dao Ling's fist clenched, disbelief flooding him. 100,000 catties in Body Forging? Could it be true? Even the strongest at Qingshan Academy only had 20,000 catties!
Qing Yifei, the number one prodigy of Qingzhou, had only mustered 50,000 catties in Body Forging—a feat that shook the entire region.
Qingzhou was vast, with countless prodigies. Being named its top prodigy was unfathomable.
"Is the *Devouring Heaven* technique real?" Dao Ling's breath quickened. He had read the technique many times; cultivating as described seemed suicidal!
Ye Yun glanced at the stone, then fixed her eyes on Dao Ling. Noticing his distracted look and急促 (rapid) breathing, her face darkened as she took a step back.
"You good-for-nothing Sleep God!" A flash of羞怒 (shame and anger) crossed Ye Yun's eyes. She must have stood too close—was this waste harboring improper thoughts? It had to be!
As the academy's dream girl, Ye Yun was incensed by the Sleep God's repeated provocations. Murderous glares shot toward Dao Ling: who gave him the audacity?
Dao Ling ignored the furious crowd, torn over whether to practice *Devouring Heaven*.
Ye Yun's eyes blazed. He was still lost in thought? Did he dare to fantasize? "Dao Ling, it's your turn to test your strength!" she snapped, her face flushed with anger.
Dao Ling's heart jolted, his fist tightening. Glancing at Ye Yun's stern expression, he groaned inwardly: *"I've angered the mentor. This is bad."*
Laughter erupted. Dao Ling was doomed. Him hitting the stone? He might as well punch cotton.
Stiffly, Dao Ling stepped forward. For two years, every mentor had treated him as a punchline in martial arts class—except Ye Yun. This time, he must have pushed her too far.
*"Maybe getting injured will ease her anger,"* he thought, eyeing the stone with a bitter smile.
Grimacing, Dao Ling raised his fist and swung at the stone.
As his fist neared, Ye Yun's eyelashes fluttered. Biting her lip, she stomped her foot and slapped the air. A gust of罡风 (astral wind) burst from her palm, pulling Dao Ling back.
His punch missed. Dao Ling's bitterness deepened—she had relented.
The crowd, expecting a spectacle, gaped in surprise. The mentor had forgiven the Sleep God? She was too kind; such a waste needed a bloody lesson.
Dao Ling sighed. Seeing the profound disappointment in Ye Yun's eyes, his heart ached. His fingers clenched until his knuckles cracked, sharp nails digging into his palms, sending a piercing pain.
Disappointment was the hardest to bear; he had long grown used to scorn and mockery…
"Sorry, Mentor," Dao Ling murmured as Ye Yun walked past, her face cold.
"Go back," she said, shaking her head. She felt deeply disheartened. All he did was sleep. Why was he even here? With Star Academy recruitment in half a month, if Dao Ling remained a waste, he would surely be expelled, condemning him to a miserable future.
In this world, failing to become a martial artist meant being a useless person. The "Sleep God" stood worlds apart from the legendary path of warriors.
Taking a deep breath, Dao Ling returned to his seat. After a long silence, a fierce determination arose: *"I must not be expelled, or the Lame One will be heartbroken."*
"Devouring Heaven!" Dao Ling's fists clenched, a hint of madness flashing across his delicate face.
*"Fight for a future—I have nothing to lose!"*
He gritted his teeth. He couldn't go on like this. If he didn't change, he'd never make a living. Could he rely on the Lame One forever?
Dao Ling's eyes reddened. This was a gamble.
His life was the entry fee.