In normal situations, breaking through to the essence gathering stage required the direct absorption of essence crystals over a long period, but Doran wasn't able to absorb essence crystals, so he planned to use the essence energy of the demonic star to break through to this level.

He sat in his meditative state and severed his senses away from all external influence, soon resulting in his mind entering an ethereal reflection.

Achieving a connection to the demonic star would have been impossible for him, as it was the lost technique of the old demon gods of that strange world, but he was the reincarnation of the Abyssal Sovereign after all, he had achieved it in his past life so doing it again was still a possibility. Doran applied the processes etched in his newly acquired memories and soon, a whole week went by without him noticing.

*Whoosh*

Doran found himself in his spirit form across the distant nebula. In front of him was a very huge and dark red star. Standing in front of this star, Doran wasn't even qualified to be considered as a speck of dust. The surface of the star was extremely chaotic and emitted a very thick infernal energy, which made him quiver with dread.

Seeing the dark red star, Doran knew that the crucial moment had finally arrived. He didn't dare to act rashly, the Demonic Star Astral Essence was a very dangerous technique to cultivate, and one wrong move could result in a very fatal consequence.

He slowly pushed his spiritual force onto the surface of the demonic star. Just before it touched the surface, a wave of energy from the demonic star, formed a connection with his spiritual force. Right then, Doran gently pushed his spiritual force back and forth to strengthen the connection. Suddenly…

*Hong…*

Doran's face paled slightly, as a huge surge of infernal energy broke out from the demonic star. The surge of infernal energy hurled madly into his spiritual force and then to his body.

Doran felt his soul weaken gradually. From this experience, he realized that he had greatly underestimated the secret technique of the old demon gods, resulting in his failure. All he could do now was to watch his spirit being incinerated by the infernal energy. Just then, a strong spiritual force shot out of him like a bolt, directly at the infernal energy, repelling it from damaging his spirit avatar.

*Hong!*

Doran was shocked by the sudden turn of events, although he was clueless as to how such a strong spiritual force must have emerged from his avatar, now wasn't the time to lose his concentration. He grasped the opportunity and revolved the technique more intensely, as the spiritual energy continually repelled the surge of infernal energy. Soon, the turbulent infernal energy calmed down under the pressure of the spiritual energy, and the condensed star essence flowed gently into his spirit avatar.

On the surface of his physical body, a faint vortex began swirling around his chest region. Although the vortex appeared to be weak, it was still proof that he had established his connection with the demonic star.

From the faint vortex, Doran directly absorbed the essence energy of the demonic star, through his established connection. Soon, a small core ring began to take form within his body, this was a manifestation that he had broken through to the essence gathering stage!

Doran's consciousness returned to his body, he used his spiritual sense to observe the core ring within him and smiled excitedly. The ring-like object, was the premature form of his essence core, with time when he advanced to a more profound cultivation stage, it would slowly grow into a true core.

The core ring madly absorbed the essence energy of the demonic star, making the vortex on his body look more profound. Just then, Doran noticed something amiss which made him frown slightly.

Just as the core ring absorbed the star essence, the will of the demonic star encroached into him, and he felt a fiendish urge, backed by strong killing intent take over his mind. Doran didn't panic, he calmed his mind, and sloped his left hand onto his right, with his thumbs gently touching each other and recited a rhythmic sutra, this was the Sacred Heart Technique.

His eyes shot open, and his pupils glinted of golden lights, he had unlocked the chilveric eyes which according to a new memory that came flashing in, was the eyes that see through all things. The chivalric eyes was a symbol he had gained from the demonic star in his past life, that aided him to became an unparalleled existence. The demonic will instantly dissipated from his mind, and a white glow appeared on the surface of his body, as he continued to absorb the demonic star essence.

…

Outside the outer court residence, the world energy became extremely chaotic, as the cloud became dark red. So many outer court disciples came out of their rooms to witness this shocking scene.

"What's happening…"

"Is someone making a breakthrough?"

"How can that be considered a breakthrough… Who among us can cause such phenomenon?"

The whole vicinity was heated up with voices, as many disciples failed to hide their astonishment, and expressed their vague opinions.

"Or maybe a legendary treasure is being born" A spectating disciple who was extremely amazed by this scene shouted out in ecstasy, causing the rest disciples to glare coldly at him.

"Just shut the fuck up, aren't you afraid that the wind will cut off your tongue for spouting such nonsense? what does a legendary artifact have to do with Florin Valley?" An angry shout resounded from one of the disciples.

The enraged reaction of the disciple was secretly commended by the crowd of spectating disciples. Just how could a legendary artifact be mentioned so casually?

Legendary artifacts could be considered as an idolized symbol in the Jiangxi divine continent, although the disciples of Florin Valley Academy had seen them in history books, they never dared to think of the possibility of beholding one in reality, lest they be struck down by the heavens for being too greedy.

Although legendary artifacts were considered as Saint-level treasures, only a few notable Saints had succeeded in promoting their weapons to this level, leaving the rest with nothing but desires and aspirations, how much more the trivial disciples of Florin Valley Academy? Not even the patriarch would dare think of it.