Clearly, cultivating divine abilities wasn't an option—those belonged to the Life Aperture realm. But certain spells could be practiced. These spells were cast by forming specific hand seals, visualization, and incantations to condense runes in the shortest time, channeling true qi to release the spell.
For instance, in the Divine Sea realm, to cast a Fireball Spell, one had to visualize the fireball rune in the mind, use hand signs to guide it, and draw upon one's own true qi as a medium to gather Heaven and Earth energy and manifest it. At first, this would be slow. But with practice, the speed would increase rapidly—eventually achieving the level of instant spellcasting with just a thought. Reaching that level depended heavily on talent. Ordinary people might never reach it in a lifetime, while a genius could grasp it effortlessly.
Of course, diligence can make up for lack of talent. Nothing is absolute.
There were also rare cases where one awakened a Life Aperture while still in the Divine Sea realm. Such individuals could release divine abilities early. These were often considered geniuses.
This was one of the most basic and clear standards for judging talent.
Though, not the only one.
Many geniuses didn't awaken their Life Aperture in the Divine Sea realm and were still considered extraordinary—heaven's chosen.
"Layman Wang, please be careful."
The young monk Bitter Bamboo (Kǔzhú) smiled gently, though his smile carried a trace of bitterness. With a flash of light, a golden bamboo staff appeared in his hand, like a bamboo cane. A glow flashed beneath his feet, and he instantly appeared behind Wang Xiaohu, raising the bamboo staff and swinging it toward Wang Xiaohu's head.
"Buddhist Divine Ability — Divine Foot Technique!!"
"That golden bamboo staff is a Life Aperture divine ability. He's awakened a Life Aperture in the Sea of Gods realm."
Ye Gucheng and the others had sharp eyes. At a glance, they could tell that Bitter Bamboo, though still at the Divine Sea level, was far from ordinary. Buddhist divine abilities required deep cultivation in Buddhist teachings and enlightenment of Buddhist doctrine to comprehend through meditation. The Divine Foot Technique was one of the Six Great Divine Powers of Buddhism. Its fame rivaled Shrinking the Earth into Inches. At its peak, it allowed one to traverse infinite distance in an instant.
As for that bamboo staff, it was anything but ordinary.
It wasn't just any Life Aperture—it was the Bitter Bamboo Life Aperture. From this aperture was born the divine ability Bitter Bamboo. This bamboo would evolve as the user's cultivation grew and their comprehension deepened, becoming increasingly mystical. Should one comprehend the true essence of Suffering, the Bitter Bamboo would undergo a transformative leap. Even now, its power was immense. A strike from it could instantly infect the soul with the intent of suffering, dragging one into the realm of misery.
Moreover, this strike wasn't just a casual blow—it used the Buddhist combat technique – Striking Enlightenment on the Head.
A strike that pierced directly into the soul. One's spirit would be captured in an instant. Life and death no longer in their control.
It was a straightforward and decisive move, leaving no room for hesitation.
Roar!!
Wang Xiaohu didn't panic in the slightest. A layer of white glow flashed over his body, and beneath his skin, a faint white membrane could be seen. His powerful qi and blood surged through his flesh. At the same time, a violent killing aura exploded from his body, manifesting into a Battle Tiger around him. The bamboo staff never hit his head—instead, it struck the battle tiger. As it landed, an intense surge of tiger fiendish aura erupted. The golden glow and the killing aura collided fiercely. The killing aura was dispersed, but so too was the golden light held back.
Roar!!
Wang Xiaohu opened his mouth and let out a tiger's roar.
Within that roar, the fiendish aura around him surged tenfold. Waves of tiger roars rolled out in every direction, like stormy waves sweeping across the entire arena. Bitter Bamboo, reacting quickly, enveloped himself in a golden light. His own blood and qi were also extremely robust.
Buddhist Body Refining Technique – Diamond Glazed Sutra.
At a high level, one could attain an indestructible diamond body. Its defense was naturally formidable. However, his current level remained at the first stage and had not surpassed the Divine Sea realm. Refining the body was never an easy path.
The soundwaves crashed into him, making his body ring like clashing metal.
Even with the Diamond Glazed Body, the powerful sonic wave forced him to the very edge of the arena.
Haah!!
Bitter Bamboo didn't panic. With a thought, he steadied his qi in his dantian, firmly anchoring himself at the edge of the platform. But in the next moment, an even more intense wave of sound came crashing like a tsunami. It was as if thousands of tigers roared at once.
Boom!!
Bitter Bamboo could no longer hold his ground and was sent flying off the arena. Fortunately, as he fell, the overwhelming soundwave vanished, and he quickly regained balance before hitting the ground. Still, a deeper bitterness spread across his face.
"…I lost."
Bitter Bamboo lowered his head, looking uncomfortable.
Though he hadn't suffered serious injury, falling from the platform in a duel was a clear sign of defeat. Hard to accept at first—he was considered a genius at Mount Wutai, having awakened a Life Aperture and possessing a deep affinity with Buddhist scriptures. The elders of his sect had once said he was destined to become a top-tier elite.
"Bitter Bamboo, do not cling too hard to temporary victory or defeat. Your Bitter Bamboo Life Aperture holds immense potential. You have great insight into Buddhist teachings. The Divine Sea realm is merely the beginning. You will only grow stronger."
Master Zunsheng spoke with a smile.
One defeat means nothing. You may lose—but you must never lose heart.
"Yes, Abbot."
Bitter Bamboo bowed respectfully.
"A naturally-born Tiger Fiend body, Life Aperture awakened, and body refinement has reached the peak of the First Transformation. His cultivation method must be the White Tiger Fiend God Scripture. Practicing both physical and energy refinement, his tiger fiend aura allows him to comprehend tiger-related insights with ease. Once activated, his power multiplies. With fiendish aura boosting his strength, his destructive power is immense. Truly a heavenly prodigy of Da Yi."
Master Zunyi narrowed his eyes, speaking slowly.
His brow was heavy with thought. A natural physique, a perfectly matching cultivation method—both body and soul at the pinnacle among peers. That Tiger Roar's shockwave was a non-discriminatory attack. Within the Divine Sea realm, such a foe was near invincible. The techniques available at that stage were just too limited to counter him.
"Master has sharp eyes. Please, allow another disciple of your sect to face me."
Wang Xiaohu smiled calmly, a trace of killing aura in his gaze.
One by one, disciples from Mount Wutai leapt onto the stage to challenge him. But whether they were shaken to the core and spat blood from a single roar, or forcibly thrown off the stage—it was always the same.
Could Wang Xiaohu be beaten?
Of course—but it would be extremely difficult.
His physique and cultivation method allowed his Tiger Roar to be terrifying beyond comparison. With the Tiger Fiend protecting him, divine abilities that affected the spirit couldn't shake his mind. One young monk tried to use Lion's Roar, but his roar was instantly shredded apart by the Tiger Roar.
He collapsed on the spot, coughing blood.
Within the Divine Sea realm, none could match Wang Xiaohu.
"Quite impressive. A Tiger Fiend body—a born battle physique—perfectly suited for warfare. If he joined the army, he'd be a fierce general. His cultivation method complements him perfectly. If he were to train in the White Tiger God-Slaying Blade in the Sutra Repository, once mastered, few could match him."
Ah Qing, while herding sheep, continued watching the duel.
Though it was just a fight between Divine Sea cultivators, she found it thoroughly entertaining.
"What's so fun about this? If you're so tough, hit me!"
The Green Emperor scoffed, brushing his green fur with a comb.
"You know," Ah Qing smiled, "you're not the only one in the world who's special. I heard there's a family named Shen Gong, whose people are also... quite unique. Maybe we'll see them someday."
"Shen Gong clan? Hmph, I'm not afraid. Come and hit me if you dare!"
The Green Emperor's face twitched for a moment, but he quickly bared his teeth and howled wildly.
Who was he—the Green Emperor! How could he be intimidated? He knew the Shen Gong family. Their ancestor was a man named Shen Gongbao. But the Green Emperor always felt at odds with him. Sooner or later, they would have to settle it.
"Among the Divine Sea realm, my Wutai Mountain yields this round. Xuangang, go and test Lady Xueying's divine ability."
Master Zunren shook his head. Seeing his disciples repeatedly lose to Wang Xiaohu, he directly conceded that match and sent another disciple to face Xueying.
"Monk Xuangang, here to learn from the lady."
A young monk with sharp, rugged features stepped onto the stage. After a respectful bow, his body burst into golden light. His form seemed cast from pure Vajra.
This was none other than the Diamond Glazed Body—a Buddhist body-refining technique. But this time, the golden light from his body was dozens of times more brilliant than others. Ancient Buddhist scriptures flickered and transformed within it, radiating a jewel-like radiance.
Life Aperture — Diamond Life Aperture.
Cultivation Method — Diamond Glazed Body.
With a perfect match between his cultivation method and Life Aperture, the Diamond Body enhanced by the aperture increased its defense by manyfold. Even Wang Xiaohu's Tiger Roar could no longer harm him.
"Kill!!"
Xuangang shouted.
A golden flash erupted from his hand, and a massive golden Buddhist palm appeared out of thin air, striking toward Xueying like lightning.
Buddhist Combat Divine Ability — Great Strength Vajra Palm!!
Within that palm was gathered immense intent—the force of his Life Aperture divine power and the blood-qi of his refined body. That shining palm, solid and radiant, carried the overwhelming momentum of mountains crashing and rivers breaking.
"Break."
Xueying showed no fear. She extended a single crystal-white finger toward the oncoming golden palm.
Whoosh!!
A white divine light burst forth from her fingertip, striking the palm. An incredible sight followed—the massive golden Buddhist palm instantly dissolved under the white glow. The golden light shattered, and the martial intent within the palm disintegrated. In the blink of an eye, it vanished completely.