Chapter 8

"Dear viewers, after a pleasant advertising break, let's begin today's topic, 'Unveiling the Stars.' Before we start this new segment, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome two military heroes. The first, a martial arts genius, Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik."

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

"The applause is very warm, thank you all. However, viewers, this applause is not enough to welcome the next hero. Let's give an even warmer round of applause to our guardian, the magic energy warrior, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Luode!"

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

In the central propaganda square of Chishui District, a giant screen was surrounded by a crowd. In suburban areas like this, ordinary citizens usually don't have televisions at home. To watch entertainment programs, they can only gather at the central square to use the 'brainwashing propaganda machine' provided by the city.

Du Nan was also watching.

Because today's program was called: 'The Fifth Magic Energy Unveiled.'

"Welcome the two great heroes, please take your seats."

The host was the most familiar expert in unveiling secrets. Due to the wave of the Fifth Magic Energy, the authorities decided to 'publicize' its content, no longer using force to suppress dissent. Today's episode was to give the public a perfect and reasonable explanation.

Du Nan found it strange but was certain that the authorities had no information on the Fifth Magic Energy.

Today was definitely a show.

"Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik is..." the host began to introduce the two.

The two were super experts, Li Ruik, a Fourth Heaven martial artist, and Tang Luode, a lucky guardian of Blue Sea Star, a Two-Star Bronze Armored Warrior. They came to the show to assist in the propaganda. Or, to put it another way, for a new brainwashing campaign.

"I believe many of you have never seen a magic energy warrior's mind control. Today, we will demonstrate it live."

The host was trying to build the atmosphere.

This time, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Luode would perform in public. He knew that for most people, a magic energy warrior's mind control was like a thrilling movie, something they never tired of. When Tang Luode effortlessly lifted heavy objects on stage and precisely reassembled a disassembled precision instrument, the audience erupted in the loudest cheers.

Tang Luode played a small prank, lifting the host as well. The host screamed, and the audience applauded even more.

"Alright, thank goodness my feet are back on the ground. Did everyone see that? I survived under a magic energy warrior's control." The host deliberately acted shaken to amuse the audience and continued, "Next, let's see Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik's strength."

Fourth Heaven martial arts.

In terms of close combat, Li Ruik was far superior to Tang Luode. Unfortunately, martial arts experts were far below the status of magic energy warriors. When Li Ruik kicked iron stakes and dismantled vehicles, the audience's applause was lukewarm.

It seemed they were already used to it.

"Fourth Heaven martial arts, the true combat power is far more than this. Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik is just being kind to our poor TV station. Otherwise, he could have demolished the entire building." The host, seeing the lack of enthusiasm, quickly stepped in, "Next, let's witness the true Fifth Magic Energy! Please welcome Li Ruik, Lieutenant Colonel Li!"

Du Nan focused on the show, even though he knew that only he possessed the Lightning Magic Energy, and no one else could access it.

Li Ruik walked to the center of the stage.

He slowly raised his hand.

With great effort, a cup slowly floated into the air.

"Wow..."

The audience was amazed.

They didn't believe anyone other than magic energy warriors could use mind control. "Wow, wow," the host exaggerated, "Amazing, what is this power? Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik, do you have any more impressive performances?"

Li Ruik nodded.

He pressed his hands down.

Two large tables and five wooden chairs on stage suddenly shattered as if hit by an irresistible force. Li Ruik pressed again, and a large hollow iron ball nearby quickly deformed into a flat, flat surface.

The audience applauded loudly.

They genuinely enjoyed this 'superhuman' power.

"Are you all curious?" the host asked, with a mysterious expression, "Isn't this extraordinary power the hallmark of magic energy warriors? Could it be that Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik has awakened the magic energy and become a magic energy warrior?"

The two heroes returned to their seats, smiling but saying nothing.

Their performance was over.

"No, he hasn't," the host continued, "Lieutenant Colonel Li Ruik is a pure martial arts expert. This power is what some scholars mistakenly called the 'Fifth Magic Energy.' Viewers, the Fifth Magic Energy does exist. For example, you..."

The host pointed to one of the audience members, then another, "Or you, you, you, you all might possess it. According to military reports, as long as you reach the Fourth Heaven in martial arts, you might become such a remarkable person. Viewers, this is the military report you always trust, which never lies."

The host displayed a document.

It was signed by hundreds of Fourth Heaven martial arts experts.

"From rumors, you've heard about the Fifth Magic Energy and some bloody incidents. However, these are all false. To prevent unrest, the authorities did take some protective measures. But they have not concealed anything or harmed anyone. After this concept was made public, the authorities immediately proved its existence. The military was at the forefront, assisting in the investigation."

Then,

The host presented a series of proofs, leading people astray.

"Suppose..." the host concluded, "The authorities verified and confirmed the Fifth Magic Energy, it is the power of martial arts. More accurately, it is the miraculous power generated after reaching the Fourth Heaven. If you want to give it a name, it is the product of civilization, the result of human effort, and it should be called 'Life Magic Energy.' And, these Fourth Heaven heroes can also be called life cores. Viewers, today's unveiling..."

At this point,

Du Nan leaped up and disappeared into the night.

He thought to himself: "Pah, what Life Magic Energy, what life cores, it's all nonsense. That miraculous power was just the effect of gravity control from the Star Cultivation Technique. Lifting the cup was just 'anti-gravity' control. To report it like this is clearly trying to 'substitute the fake for the real.' But, what is so strange about the Fifth Magic Energy that the authorities are so secretive about it?"

Ten miles away.

It was late at night, and the moon hung high.

A layer of black, foul-smelling sweat began to seep from Du Nan's body. His entire demeanor seemed to undergo a transformation. Invisible, colorless energy in the air was continuously filling and refining his body. As the black, foul sweat increased, Du Nan finally let out a roar, shocking the entire wilderness.

His expression was like that of a waking dragon.

Bang!

His figure flashed, and in three steps, Du Nan leaped to the river fifty meters away, plunging into the water.

He slowly washed off the black grime.

Du Nan's body emitted an indescribable radiance, his skin smoother and finer, with a silk-like resilience. He held up a broken mirror he had prepared and closely examined the changes in his reflection: in his pitch-black pupils, five star-like points formed a pattern identical to the constellations drawn by astronomers.

"Re-cultivating and re-casting, the foundation is so much higher," Du Nan sighed, tossing the mirror aside.

He pondered.

The Star Cultivation Technique had officially entered the First Heaven. The changes in his pupils were unexpected.

Under normal circumstances, when one reaches the First Heaven in martial arts, the first star map appears in the pupils. Initially, there is only one star, and as one's strength increases, more stars appear: the second, third, fourth... When the first star map reaches nine stars, it signifies the peak of the First Heaven. Breaking through to the Second Heaven results in the second star map, and the process continues in sequence.

In the past, Du Nan had three star maps, with twenty-seven star points.

Before his 'death,' he had reached the Fourth Heaven, with twenty-eight star points.

Now, having just broken through the First Heaven, he already had five star points. The progress was astonishing even to himself.

"Gravity, anti-gravity," Du Nan murmured, lifting his hand. A stone by the river trembled and slowly rose. It reached about half a foot before it could no longer ascend. This performance was weak and did not match the host's claim that 'Fourth Heaven martial artists have special abilities.'

Du Nan exhaled, pressing his hands down.

A depression immediately formed in the center of the river, as if a large water pit had suddenly appeared. Under the unnamed force, the surrounding water could not fill the depression. Du Nan was still unsatisfied and tried to split the water with his hands, but the water surged without separating.

"Indeed, there's a huge gap!" Du Nan was not disappointed.

Controlling gravity was ten times easier than anti-gravity after mastering the Star Cultivation Technique. However, this gravity control was far less skillful than the mind control of magic energy warriors. In terms of precision, even a Sixth Heaven martial artist could not reassemble a precision instrument.

Gravity control could either press down or lift up... making a stone fly diagonally was difficult.

Mind control, on the other hand, could make a wooden puppet dance.

The claim by the brainwashing TV that 'Fourth Heaven martial artists can control gravity' was nonsense. The first three Heavens couldn't use it because the practitioners didn't understand it and had no guidance. If someone guided them, it wouldn't be too difficult to learn. Du Nan, having once reached the Fourth Heaven, had this knowledge and knew how to apply it.

The river began to change.

Dozens of unfriendly eyes slowly emerged from the water. Fifteen to sixteen giant crocodiles watched Du Nan, noting his thin, exhausted body. Despite his fierce gaze, his physique was that of a weakling. Those who had been secretly observing him earlier were not surprised by his 'floating stone and pressing water' ability.

Such a human was easy to take down.

Now, it was a matter of who could bite off a larger piece.

Having advanced to the First Heaven, Du Nan was extremely hungry. Martial arts always required immense energy. One had to eat before, during, and after training. Without sufficient nutrition, the body would suffer, leaving many adverse effects.

Whistle!

Du Nan remained still, and the crocodiles pounced, eager to save effort.

Suddenly, a loud boom echoed.

Du Nan's body emitted lightning, and the entire river lit up like daylight.

The crocodiles, facing the lightning, didn't even have time to scream before they were electrocuted. The thunder's power created a layer of white mist over the river. Du Nan seemed to stand in boiling water, surrounded by steam. With a light lift of his left hand, dozens of crocodile corpses floated to the shore, neatly stacked. This mind control was a hundred times more advanced than the small stone that couldn't rise half a foot.

"Perfect, I'm starving," Du Nan precisely controlled, walking on the water to the shore. In a few moments, he had processed the crocodiles. He summoned some dead trees, and with a flash of low lightning, a large fire was ignited.

Soon, the aroma of roasted meat filled the air. After a satisfying meal, he slowly returned to the dormitory.

And so,

Day by day passed.

After eight days of intense training, possibly due to re-cultivation or adequate nutrition, Du Nan's martial arts advanced further, reaching the peak of the First Heaven. The first star map in his pupils now had nine stars. At this point, a small opportunity or a fierce battle could propel him to the Second Heaven.

At this moment,

While flipping through a book, Du Nan made a new discovery.

"Such a small amount of strength, I'll wait a bit longer. I need to be more capable before thinking about other things. Let's see if this ancient Star Cultivation Technique will..."

Du Nan flipped through the gift from Old Zhou and suddenly noticed a strange yet familiar pattern.

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