The Immortal Throne pulsed beneath Ling Tian, golden light spilling across the shattered mountains of the battlefield. The Sovereign Kings had retreated, but their power lingered like a storm on the horizon.
Ling Tian's body was battered, veins glowing silver-gold, yet his mind was sharper than ever. He knew that victory in battle was only part of the path; to ascend to the Celestial Base, he needed to push his body and soul past every limit.
System: "Recommended: Initiate Intensive Cultivation Cycle. Objectives:
Integrate all Imperial Techniques.
Enhance Throne Resonance beyond 80% efficiency.
Prepare for Celestial Base breakthrough.
Estimated cultivation time: 72 hours continuous. Potential power increase: +20%."
Ling Tian closed his eyes, letting the Immortal World's energy flow into him. Mountains trembled and rivers roared as his aura expanded. He could feel every pulse of life, every current of immortal energy, responding to him as if the world itself were alive.
Technique Integration
The first step was refining his Imperial Techniques:
Soul Severing Fist: Previously mastered at 90%, now pushed to 95% under extreme energy circulation.
Golden Crescent Palm: Integrated with Soul Severing Fist to form a continuous chain of attacks, mastery 85%.
Imperial Devouring King Palm: Combined with Throne Resonance, mastery 80%.
Ling Tian's clones mirrored his movements perfectly, simulating battlefield scenarios against multiple Sovereign-level threats. Every strike, every maneuver, was calculated, pushing his body to its absolute limits.
System: "Warning: Physical and spiritual energy nearing maximum. Recommend temporary meditation interludes to prevent collapse."
But Ling Tian did not pause.
"Breakthrough requires pain. Breakthrough requires endurance. I will not falter."
Endurance Trials – Battling Himself
To truly prepare for Celestial Base, Ling Tian created a simulation unlike any other. Using the Throne Resonance, he manifested a perfect clone of his current self, matching all his abilities.
The clone attacked relentlessly, imitating the tactics of Sovereign Kings. Every punch was a hurricane, every strike capable of shattering mountains. Ling Tian parried, countered, and analyzed.
Hours passed—or maybe days, for time itself felt warped by his cultivation. Sweat, blood, and golden energy mingled as he fought himself over and over, pushing his body and mind beyond mortal thresholds.
System Update: "Endurance Trial: 70% complete. Physical limit breached, but mental acuity enhanced by 50%. Imperial Technique mastery: Soul Severing Fist 100%, Golden Crescent Palm 95%, Imperial Devouring King Palm 90%."
Celestial Energy Awakening
As Ling Tian's body neared collapse, the Immortal Throne resonated violently. Golden energy poured into him, awakening latent potential beyond the Immortal King realm.
System: "Warning: Celestial energy detected. Recommended: Stabilize Throne Resonance and integrate energy into core cultivation. Potential breakthrough: 40–50%."
Ling Tian absorbed the energy slowly, carefully threading it into his body. Each heartbeat synced with the throne, each breath resonated with the Immortal World, until his aura shone like a second sun.
"This… this is the first taste of Celestial power," Ling Tian murmured. "If I can control it fully… Celestial Base will be mine."
Final Preparations
After what felt like endless hours, Ling Tian finally lowered his arms, golden energy dimming to a steady, radiant glow. He had integrated his techniques, strengthened his endurance, and partially absorbed Celestial-level energy, preparing his body and soul for the final challenge of the Immortal World.
System: "Intensive Cultivation Cycle Complete. Recommended: Initiate final pre-ascension battles to test readiness for Celestial Base breakthrough. Potential cultivation increase: +25% upon successful trials."
Ling Tian stood, veins glowing brighter than ever. His eyes scanned the horizon, seeing distant realms shimmer in the distance: Celestial World, Heavenly Dao Realm, Saint Realm… all waiting.
"The Immortal World has tested me, and I have endured. Celestial World… your gates will not reject me. Soon, I will rise above everything."
The Immortal Throne pulsed, acknowledging its master. Ling Tian's body radiated an unprecedented power, the culmination of hardship, battle, and relentless cultivation. The path to Celestial Base lay ahead, but now, for the first time, he felt truly ready.