Chapter 056: Thunderous Drums of Heaven, Winds Sovereign Over the Nine Skies!

  “Two celestial manifestations… *two*? How is this possible?” Yun’er’s large eyes widened in disbelief, her delicate face frozen in shock. Those capable of awakening even a single celestial manifestation during the Blood Refinement stage were already considered prodigies among the great families of the Eastern Continent. Only the hidden holy lands bred geniuses bright enough to eclipse all others—though such talents rarely wandered the Eastern Continent, preferring the mystic realms of the Central Plains.

  Even Huang Li’s half-formed manifestation had only taken shape after breaking into the Martial Warrior realm. Manifestations amplified combat power exponentially, and those who awakened *two*? Legends claimed such individuals now stood atop the Eastern Continent’s pinnacle.

  “*Thunderous Drums of Heaven* and *Winds Sovereign Over the Nine Skies*—these are apex-tier manifestations!” Yun’er murmured excitedly, her earlier astonishment melting into awe. “Even my eldest brother only awakened one manifestation, and that was *after* becoming a Martial Warrior!”

  Deafening drumbeats shook the air as howling winds tore through the cavern. Above Yang Tian, his crimson river of vital energy churned like a bloodied sky, devouring ancient energy from the surroundings. His dual manifestations owed their existence to three factors: the lingering potency of the Dragonfire Spirit Fruit, the heaven-defying Battle Heaven Art, and his own unparalleled foundation—dense vital energy forged into indomitable flesh.

  Yang Tian’s aura surged as his consciousness delved inward, probing the mysteries of the body’s hidden meridian points. The second realm of martial cultivation demanded their awakening. Though the human body housed 108 such points, most lay buried too deep for ordinary cultivators to sense. This realm separated true geniuses from mediocrity.

  The strength of these meridian points depended on one’s cultivation art. While common techniques might awaken them, only supreme methods like Yang Tian’s Battle Heaven Art could unlock their full potential. Those who mastered all 108 points could challenge realms above their own—a feat reserved for legends wielding peerless techniques.

  Within his flesh, Yang Tian’s consciousness became one with every cell. A miniature avatar of blood energy materialized in his mind’s eye, tirelessly executing fist techniques. With each strike, an invisible barrier weakened.

  “Break!” Yang Tian roared internally. The blood avatar unleashed dozens of punches in rapid succession. The barrier shattered, revealing a golden meridian point—eye-sized and pulsing with primordial power.

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  “Awaken!” Ancient pills dissolved into pure energy as Yang Tian’s avatar redoubled its assault. Cracks spread across the meridian’s surface, releasing droplets of vital energy far denser than anything in his blood river.

  *Boom!* A crimson beam erupted from the meridian, flooding his energy sea. The blood river trembled as Yang Tian’s combat power nearly doubled. He ceased only when the meridian began to fully rupture—completing its destruction would thrust him into the Martial Warrior realm, risking expulsion from the Martial Dao Mountain’s trial grounds.

  As ancient energy continued refining the awakened meridian, Yang Tian smiled. Against Huang Li now, even that semi-finished Dao artifact would fail to suppress him.

  “I’ll need far more ancient pills to break through properly,” he mused, eyeing his dwindling stock. The Battle Heaven Art’s hunger was insatiable. Though ancient energy harmonized perfectly with his technique, his current reserves barely sufficed for partial breakthroughs.

  ---

  When Yang Tian opened his eyes, crimson light flickered within them before fading. His aura now carried a restrained ferocity, like a sheathed divine blade.

  “Brother Yang! You’re awake!” Yun’er brightened, her smile crescent-moon sweet.

  Yang Tian blinked. The once-barren cave now resembled a maiden’s chamber—fragrant herbs hung from walls, a tea set adorned a carved stone table. “Your injuries…?”

  “Gone yesterday!” She flexed an arm playfully, clearly pleased at his reaction to her homemaking.

  As Yun’er poured tea, her jasmine scent mingled with the steam. “For saving me twice,” she said softly, their fingers brushing during the cup’s transfer.

  Yang Tian coughed, heat rising to his ears. “Just fortunate timing. Why were you alone against them?”

  Yun’er twirled a lock of hair. “I… may have sneaked out. Found a cave with a sentient skeleton—an elder who gave me this.” She produced a crystal orb glowing with arcane sigils. “He tasked me with finding the Array Sect’s ruins to inherit their legacy. Then those bandits came…”

  “The *Array Sect*?!” Yang Tian nearly choked. Every cultivator knew legends of this ancient superpower—ranked top ten in the Eastern Continent’s prime, masters of slaughter arrays that could annihilate entire sects. Though destroyed in the Great Calamity, rumors claimed their treasures survived within a teleportation array no one had ever traced.

  “Is… that significant?” Yun’er tilted her head.

  “Significant? The Array Sect could’ve crushed a thousand Yellow Dragon Valleys!” Yang Tian stared at the oblivious girl. “If this leaks, half the continent will hunt you.”

  Yun’er gaped, then suddenly gripped his arm. “But Yellow Dragon Valley rules the Eastern—” Her words died as she noticed their proximity, cheeks flushing cherry-red.

  Yang Tian’s throat went dry. “A-ancient history,” he stammered. “Who knows what’s true now?”

  ---

  After reviewing the Earthshaker Seal’s jade slip, Yang Tian began practice. Forming the first hand seals felt like wrestling storms—energy dispersed repeatedly despite his efforts.

  Yun’er watched, mesmerized, as the cave pulsed with surging energy. Ancient qi gathered and scattered like tidal waves, sometimes coalescing into fleeting symbols before crumbling. Yang Tian’s fingers danced through intricate patterns, failures only fueling his determination.

  “To think…” Yun’er whispered. The Earthshaker Seal’s perfected form could rival heaven-grade techniques. As Yang Tian’s movements gradually smoothed, she sensed—this was merely the beginning of the storm.