High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: An Open and Dignified Style

”The Battle Network can temporarily increase the Simulation Level to help me comprehend the True Intention of Martial Arts?”

”Hahaha, that’s exactly right!” Wang Wenhai’s face lit up, pleased that his student understood.

”The wonders of the Star Martial Battle Network far exceed your imagination. It can not only simulate the body but also, to a certain extent, the ’Mental Realm’.”

”The Battle Network’s database contains imprinted fragments of the True Intention of Martial Arts, left behind by powerful experts. You need to spend points and Federation Coins to redeem them.”

”First, you can use the Battle Network System to apply for free viewings of various basic Mental Realm Fragments. Find a direction that resonates with you, then consider spending money to redeem one.”

Wang Wenhai looked at Xu Wuyi, his tone encouraging. ”Your aptitude for this might be greater than you imagine. Don’t let that talent go to waste.”

”If you don’t have enough money, you can use the allowance the school awarded you. This is more beneficial for your long-term development than simply redeeming one or two potions.”

Xu Wuyi listened intently. ’Teacher Wang’s advice is invaluable,’ he thought. ’He’s not just thinking about my immediate progress, but my future development as well.’

”Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Wang. I’ll give it a try,” Xu Wuyi promised earnestly.

”Right. But pace yourself. Comprehending a Mental Realm is very mentally taxing, so don’t force it,” Wang Wenhai advised. Then, as if remembering something, he added, ”Also, I wanted to give you a heads-up about something.”

”In March, so in about half a month, our Honghe First Middle School will hold a three-school joint exam with United Middle School and Silver Port First High School from the neighboring city.”

”A three-school joint exam?” Xu Wuyi looked up.

Both United Middle School and Silver Port First High School were well-known powerhouses of Martial Arts in Dongjiang Province. United Middle School, in particular, was an old rival of Honghe First Middle School.

”Yes. It will simulate the format of the practical portion of the college entrance exam. Consider it an important warm-up and test before the real thing.” Wang Wenhai’s tone grew more serious.

”The provincial Martial Arts Association will also send people to observe. They have recommendation slots for special admissions to various Martial Arts Universities. Those who perform outstandingly will have a chance to be recommended.”

Wang Wenhai patted Xu Wuyi’s shoulder. ”Prepare well. Aim for first place. If you get it, there will be an extra reward from the school.”

Hearing this, Xu Wuyi couldn’t help but sound a little defeated. ”Teacher Wang, getting first place will be tough... I heard that Yu Peiling from United Middle School has already reached a Life Energy Level of 13, right?”

”Mm, she reached Level 13 before the winter break.” Wang Wenhai didn’t hide it, instead smiling as he said, ”Which is why she already went to the provincial capital for special training and won’t be participating in the joint exam.”

”I see...” A flicker of hope ignited within Xu Wuyi.

If he were facing an ordinary Martial Artist with a Life Energy Level of 13 or even higher, he might stand a chance by relying on his Martial Arts skills.

But a Martial Arts genius like Yu Peiling was another story. Her skills were bound to be exceptional.

However, with Yu Peiling out of the picture, he genuinely had a shot at first place.

Xu Wuyi took a deep breath. He felt an invisible pressure, but what he felt even more strongly was a burgeoning fighting spirit.

”I understand, Teacher Wang.”

After seeing Teacher Wang off, Xu Wuyi stood there for a moment, silently digesting the information he had just received.

The three-school joint exam, Yu Peiling, Mental Realm Enlightenment, Cloud-Pushing Force, Qi and Blood Enhancement... The threads of information wove together in his mind, finally converging into three words—

No time to waste!

...

The next day, Xu Wuyi logged back into the Battle Network.

This time, instead of jumping straight into training, he navigated to the ”Mental Realm Enlightenment” module.

Sure enough, just as Teacher Wang had said, the module listed various basic Mental Realm Fragments available for redemption, but the prices were exorbitant.

Not only did they cost points, but they also required Federation Coins. The cheapest one started at one hundred thousand Federation Coins.

’So expensive!’ Xu Wuyi couldn’t help but shake his head.

The further one progressed on the path of Martial Arts, the more wealth it demanded.

Mental Realm Fragments were just one example. The price of the Qi Blood Potions Xu Wuyi was currently taking had skyrocketed by several times just for the upgrade from E-level to D-level.

Each bottle was worth thirty thousand Federation Coins, and this was the discounted price through the school. If he bought it himself, forty to fifty thousand a bottle was the norm.

That was because starting from D-level, the supply of Qi Blood Potions through all official channels was limited. Purchasing them required not only money but also a certain citizen credit rating.

Ordinary people couldn’t buy them even if they had the money; their only option was the black market.

After a quick look at the Mental Realm Fragments, Xu Wuyi didn’t redeem any. He didn’t even opt for a free viewing.

’You have to eat a meal one bite at a time and walk a path one step at a time. Haste makes waste.’

Xu Wuyi figured that since he was already training his Basic Body Refining Technique, Visualization Method, and Spear Technique, it wasn’t wise to also divert his focus to comprehending the True Intention of Martial Arts.

He should prioritize getting his Spear Technique to a new Realm. It wouldn’t be too late to work on enlightenment after that. As the saying goes, sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the woodcutting.

’Teacher Wang probably didn’t expect that I could get the Wind-Settling Spear so close to the Minor Achievement Realm in such a short time. That’s likely why he advised me to advance on all fronts simultaneously.’

’But, just as Teacher Wang said, advice from others and the AI is just a reference. A mature Martial Artist must learn to make his own decisions.’

’First, I’ll practice my spear.’

His mind made up, Xu Wuyi’s spear reappeared. The blur of its shadow was once again accompanied by the sound of it cutting through the air, echoing throughout the training space.

In the days that followed, Xu Wuyi continued his intense training regimen.

There were still a little over twenty days until the three-school joint exam. He hoped that before then, he could also get his Wind-Settling Spear to the Minor Achievement Realm, or at least reach 100% of the Entry Level.

During the day at school, he continued the Basic Body Refining Technique, absorbing the potion’s effects and steadily increasing his Qi and Blood.

The D-Level Qi Blood Potion’s effects were significant. He could feel his Life Energy Level steadily advancing toward 11.5.

’You really do get what you pay for!’

In the afternoons, he would enter the Star Martial Battle Network, where the Cloud-Pushing Force became the focus of his practice.

After tens of thousands of thrusts, his success rate steadily improved, and the Power behind it gradually became more refined.

He was no longer satisfied with performing the thrusts from a stationary position. He started practicing the Cloud-Pushing Force while on the move, even setting the Battle Network to simulate distractions so he could train to unleash the power instantly under any circumstances.

Accompanied by his daily, unfailing ”Hundred Chances of Enlightenment,” the proficiency of his Wind-Settling Spear entered a period of rapid growth under such high-intensity, focused training.

[Wind-Settling Spear Current Realm: Entry Level (88.7%)]

The numbers on his status panel were a faithful record of his every effort.

At the same time, he didn’t neglect practical combat, either.

Every day or two, he would queue up for a few matches on the Junior Stage. This was not only to keep his skills sharp but, more importantly, to test and hone his Cloud-Pushing Force in real combat.

At first, incorporating the Cloud-Pushing Force into his Cloud-Breaking Stab felt forced. Sometimes, his focus on generating the power would even compromise the timing of his strike.

But as his proficiency improved, that awkwardness gradually faded, and the Spear Thrust became increasingly subtle.

The more profoundly one trained in a Martial Art, the more its execution would differ from person to person. This was because every Martial Artist tends to develop their own personal style.

When it came to the Cloud-Pushing Force, some executed it with ferocious power, others with sinister subtlety, and still others with reckless, life-or-death desperation. Xu Wuyi’s style, however, was unique.

He sought neither absolute destructive power nor the finality of an all-or-nothing gamble. Instead, he calmly integrated it into every thrust.

He wanted his opponent to realize the strike was special only at the moment they were forced to take it head-on.

It was like the crushing weight of a mountain—direct and undisguised, yet utterly unavoidable!