Xiang Shaoyun fought three more battles, winning all of them easily. All three battles were against the geniuses on the Serpent Fowl List. One of them was in the top 10 while the other two were in the top 50. There were two main reasons they had appeared. They wanted to test their own strength and take advantage of Xiang Shaoyun's exhaustion from his repeated battles.

Unfortunately for them, Xiang Shaoyun had reached a level where he could endlessly regenerate his energy. Any energy exhaustion wouldn't take long to recover. In fact, his cultivation base was also growing with each fight. A freak like him could only be defeated by an expert capable of dealing an overwhelming fatal blow to him in one go.

As Xiang Shaoyun revealed his combat prowess, the entire academy was shocked. Many geniuses on the Jiao Luang List were tempted to challenge him as well. But at this time, Xiang Shaoyun suddenly found that he was ready for a breakthrough. He found it wholly unexpected, and he wasn't prepared to break through yet.

After the repeated battles, he had actually completely formed his draconic aura. His cultivation base stirred, reaching the point that he could barely suppress it anymore. An ethereal nine-colored dragon swayed about behind him, looking incredibly mighty and extraordinary.

The people around the ring noticed it as well, and their faces were covered with mixed emotions at their realization. Many of them were Dragon Ascension Realm cultivators themselves. Thus, they were clear what Xiang Shaoyun's current condition signified.

They became too embarrassed to continue challenging him in this situation, or they would look too much like a scoundrel, and their reputation in the academy would suffer. They knew that the moment Xiang Shaoyun entered the Dragon Ascension Realm, not even those on the Jiao Luan List could be his opponents anymore.

However, Xiang Shaoyun did not seize the opportunity to break through. Instead, he suppressed his draconic aura, compressing it and reducing its completion to 95 percent. In doing so, the dragon behind him became more solid, but he had also forcefully changed the timing of his breakthrough.

The onlookers gasped in alarm when they noticed what Xiang Shaoyun did. They were all shocked at his courage.

"That Xiang Shaoyun actually suppressed his breakthrough? What is he doing? A lost opportunity can't be regained easily!"

"What a freak! He was actually able to hold himself back? He is obviously trying to further purify his draconic aura. That way, during his eventual breakthrough, his foundations will be much more solid, and the process will be much smoother. This frame of mind is remarkable."

"Looks like there is a reason for his strength. We need to learn more from him."

"You know what? I'm done watching. I need to focus on cultivation. This is giving me way too much stress."

...

The one saying that was a genius at the bottom of the Jiao Luan List. After seeing Xiang Shaoyun suppress his breakthrough opportunity, the genius lost all interest in fighting. He turned and left without hesitation.

Inwardly, he cursed, I should just focus on preserving my current ranking. There is no need for me to become someone else's stepping stone.

He was clear that Xiang Shaoyun's combat prowess was not to be underestimated. Even though Xiang Shaoyun couldn't fully unleash the strength of all nine stars at the same time due to cultivating nine powers, Xiang Shaoyun was still not an opponent the genius could confidently take down.

On the ring, after suppressing his cultivation base, Xiang Shaoyun shouted, "Who's next?"

Not only had his condition returned to his optimal state, it seemed to have even grown. His imposing aura was at its peak, scaring many potential challengers away. After waiting for a bit, Xiang Shaoyun left the ring in disappointment. Since he had just suppressed his cultivation base, it was also best for him to not fight again. Otherwise, his cultivation base would probably start stirring for a breakthrough yet again.

He did not intend to advance anytime soon. He wanted to deepen his comprehension of the Dragon Ascension Realm to allow himself to step into the realm naturally. That would be a much more perfect method of advancement. As Xiang Shaoyun left the ring, the crowd split and opened a path for him. Their eyes were filled with reverence. Evidently, his strength had obtained their acknowledgment.

After leaving the ring, he did not immediately return to his villa. Rather, he went to the Book Pavilion again. This time, he still remained on the first floor. For now, he had no lack of battle techniques. What he lacked was more experience and comprehension. Thus, he started going through the books related to what he wanted to learn.

After a while, he found an ancient scroll titled "Serene Clearheart Mantra", an ordinary Buddhist scroll. Without thinking much, he took the scroll and started reading it. He did not have the habit of picking the books he read. Instead, he would memorize everything he could before deciding what to do with the knowledge. But after reading the Serene Clearheart Mantra, he found that he couldn't shift his attention away.

The mantra was capable of helping one calm one's mind. The incantations were incredibly ingenious and wondrous, as they were capable of entering the depths of his heart and washing away his worries, forcing him into a calm and serene state. He felt like he was lying down below a gentle sun, bathing in the warm rays of light that kept his mind at a peaceful and comfortable state.

His nine stars started emanating numerous mild rays of light, interweaving with each other within his body. They slowly spread throughout him to nourish his meridians, acupoints, inner organs, and so on. Under the nourishment, he recovered from the injuries and exhaustion he had accumulated in his recent battles. His body even grew tougher.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiang Shaoyun finally woke up. When he noticed the changes within him, he was overjoyed. "This Serene Clearheart Mantra actually has such an effect?"

After thinking about it for a bit, he confirmed that the Serene Clearheart Mantra possessed a supportive effect, but it wasn't something he could use all the time. However, after a massive battle or when encountering an intense activity, he could use the mantra to calm his heart and enhance his concentration.

After putting the Serene Clearheart Mantra back on the shelf, he moved on to a different book. The book contained important information all cultivators should know, and it comprehensively introduced each of the different cultivation realms and their key points.

For example, a detailed introduction about the Dragon Ascension Realm, which Xiang Shaoyun was about to advance into, could be found in this book.

Dragon Ascension Realm, transforming energy into a dragon, using the spine as the dragon, nourishing the body with the dragon, transforming into the dragon.

First, one needed to transform one's astral energy into draconic aura. Then, one needed to use one's spine as the starting point to allow the draconic aura to nourish one's bones, inner organs, and body to give one's essence, vigor, and soul the might and vitality of a dragon.

Not only was the draconic aura related to one's astral energy, but it was also related to one's soul power. Only by perfectly combining the two would one be able to enter the Soul Foundation Realm.

It was also noted that excellent control over one's astral energy was required to completely transform into a dragon, soar beyond the skies, and become an Emperor.