Chapter Thirty-Six: One Must Always Have Dreams

“Ah! It hurts, it hurts!”
In the virtual game, Blue Sky gritted his teeth and cried out, but his body dared not move even a fraction, for he knew that any slightest movement would lead to only one outcome.
That outcome: a mangled heap of flesh and blood.
After completing the first move in his cultivation, his physical attributes—including flexibility—had greatly improved. Yet, to his surprise, the second move, which he thought would be much easier, still did not spare him from the fate of torn tendons and broken bones.
“What are you shouting for? Endure it! This second move still strengthens your body, but unlike the first, it has a focus,” Bai’s voice came from behind. Whenever it was time for cultivation, Bai would always reveal a strictness entirely different from its usual demeanor. “The second move focuses on your right arm. The third to fifth moves will strengthen your limbs, corresponding to Energy Accumulation levels two to five.”
“From level six to ten, the focus shifts from the limbs to the internal organs. At level eleven, you begin to strengthen the eight extraordinary meridians within. Once you finish cultivating all eighteen levels, your body will be flawless, connected inside and out, in harmony with heaven and earth. At level nineteen, when you start to materialize your mental power, each subsequent level will consist of absorbing cosmic energy, condensing and compressing it to the extreme, ultimately triggering an explosion and opening the cosmic projection, advancing to Star Radiance level!”
“Only then will you be qualified to be called a ‘Cosmic Cultivator.’”
Blue Sky’s eyes sparkled as he listened. In his mind, he once again recalled the scene of the Battle God fighting the starry beast Yan Ze, summoning a vast cosmic projection with a single gesture, a sight so awe-inspiring. He never imagined he could cultivate the same technique himself!
“So, after Energy Accumulation level eighty-one, you can open the cosmic projection! I thought it would take much higher cultivation to reach the Battle God’s magnificent projection!” Blue Sky was beside himself with excitement, dreaming of summoning a giant star with a mere wave of his hand.
“You’re thinking too much… The cosmic projection at Star Radiance level could never compare to my master’s; it’s an insult to even suggest it!” Bai said haughtily. “What you open at Star Radiance is only a shadow, a mere embryonic universe. My master possesses a mature universe as a creator-level powerhouse—he can make the projection solid!”
“The difference is like heaven and earth, with realms apart wider than between Earth and the Empire of Yuanlan!”
“Gulp! What realm is creator-level?” Blue Sky swallowed, his face full of longing.
“Don’t bother thinking about creator-level. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Just focus on cultivating. If you manage to surpass the hurdle of Star Radiance, you might have a one-in-ten-million chance of achieving creator-level.” Bai looked at Blue Sky with pity, twisting the knife further. “And that’s only assuming you inherit my master’s legacy. Otherwise, with your aptitude, you might not even reach Star Radiance.”
“… ”
“Do you have to be so discouraging?” Blue Sky was incredibly frustrated. Even if he really wasn’t cut out for it, did Bai have to be so blunt…

“Actually, saying you have a one-in-ten-million chance is already my tactful way of putting it,” Bai added another jab.
“Pft!”
A sound of flesh and blood exploding echoed. Moments later, Blue Sky reappeared in the virtual game, his face full of grief and indignation.
This time, he was blown apart by cosmic energy—not from cultivation error, but purely from Bai’s words!
Anyone would be overwhelmed if, while focusing on cultivation, someone nearby kept relentlessly undermining them.
“Can’t handle just a little stimulus? And you still dream of becoming a creator?” Bai showed no mercy.
“Alright, alright, Battle God is a genius, I can’t compare. Okay? I’ll just quietly practice my second move, please don’t disturb me, Lord Bai, ok?” Blue Sky said bitterly, and then ignored Bai’s words, refocusing on cultivating the second move.
Fine, so you say I have almost no chance to reach creator-level?
I’ll just work hard, and one day I’ll prove you wrong!
Isn’t one-in-ten-million still a chance?
Maybe luck will favor me!
There are billions of people on Earth, and yet I happened to meet you—if I could beat odds of billions-to-one, surely one-in-ten-million isn’t impossible!
Bai’s words didn’t truly discourage Blue Sky; instead, they stirred a fierce determination in him. He devoted himself to cultivation.
He firmly believed: effort doesn’t guarantee success, but without effort, failure is certain!
Dreams are necessary—what if they come true?

Next, with his focus undisturbed, he successfully completed the second move. Returning to the real world and practicing it for real, he officially stepped into Energy Accumulation level two.
This time, the change was especially obvious: his right arm’s strength soared. Clenching his fist, he heard the air pop in his palm!
A rough estimate: his overall physique improved, his left arm’s strength reasonably increased to about eight thousand kilograms, but his right arm’s strength nearly doubled, reaching an astonishing fifteen thousand kilograms!
Fifteen thousand kilograms—fifteen tons of pure force!
In other words, a punch from his right hand could deliver a terrifying impact of over twenty tons!
Blue Sky was in high spirits. By conventional standards, he felt he was becoming less and less human…
“I know, don’t get excited, don’t get arrogant, this little strength is nothing, I know, you don’t need to remind me.” Blue Sky, seeing Bai about to speak, cut in first, belittling himself and shutting Bai up. Seeing Bai’s frustrated expression, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“So, Lord Bai, can you finally teach me the legendary basic combat technique? I’ve been waiting so long!” Blue Sky continued.
“No problem. Go wash up and lie on your bed. This is the main event—I want to see how perceptive you really are,” Bai said with a smile, a hint of anticipation flickering in its three-dimensional projection eyes.
Without hesitation, Blue Sky, streaked with the recurring black substance, left the basement and dashed into the bathroom on the second floor. The ultra-luxurious bath, over a meter deep and three meters long, was already filled with warm water.
“No wonder everyone desperately wants to make money. Though they say money is dirty, is evil, being wealthy… feels wonderful!” Blue Sky enjoyed a relaxing soak, gazing at his home’s mini swimming pool-like bath, unable to resist sighing in contentment.