High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Third Rank

Xu Wuyi was unaware of the events at the Li Family’s home, nor did he know that the uncle and nephew had already guessed his cultivation progress.

He simply focused on raising his Rank.

Defeating Li Mo was just the beginning.

He didn’t exit the Battle Network. Instead, he chose to match again immediately.

His condition was excellent—his Qi and Blood were abundant and his Spirit was focused. It was the perfect time to climb the Ranks.

[Now matching you with a Rank Battle opponent... Match successful!]

Light and shadow swirled once more.

His new opponent had a Life Energy Level of 12.9 and wielded a Fast Sword technique that was as swift as the wind.

However, faced with Xu Wuyi’s increasingly steady Wind-Settling Spear, this slight speed advantage was easily neutralized.

The opponent attempted to engage in close-quarters combat, but Xu Wuyi endured two sword strikes with his formidable physique, then tapped the man’s wrist with his spear, sending his weapon flying.

[Rank Battle victory. Points +7. Current Rank: Second Rank, 66 points.]

His third opponent was a Level 13.5 Fist Technique expert wearing a pair of Fine Steel Gloves. His explosive power was astonishing, but unfortunately, his Martial Arts skills were average.

Xu Wuyi didn’t meet him head-on. He unfurled his Spear Technique, and the Silk Binding Force followed like a shadow, weakening the opponent’s fierce Fist Force layer by layer.

Once his opponent’s momentum waned, a simple, straight thrust broke through his guard and ended the fight.

[Rank Battle victory. Points +6. Current Rank: Second Rank, 72 points.]

The victory notifications chimed one after another.

Xu Wuyi immersed himself in combat, converting all the fruits of his recent arduous training into practical experience.

Following the enhancement of his fundamental life essence, his Martial Arts also underwent a new round of breakthroughs.

His proficiency with the Wind-Settling Spear had already surpassed 60% of Minor Achievement, but he had spent the past while just training diligently.

Martial Arts aren’t just practiced; they’re forged in battle. You can never become a Grandmaster by training in seclusion.

The series of exceptionally realistic life-or-death battles in the Rank Battle mode allowed Xu Wuyi to quickly master his newly improved Spear Technique.

Of course, the Rank Battles were full of hidden masters, and his journey wasn’t entirely smooth sailing.

When he reached 165 points in the Second Rank, he encountered a Level 13.4 opponent.

This person’s Saber Technique was ruthless and cunning. He was extremely experienced in combat and even possessed some kind of Spirit Shock Secret Technique.

Caught off guard, Xu Wuyi didn’t even have time to activate his True Intention of Martial Arts. His Spirit faltered for just a moment, and his opponent ”killed” him with a single saber strike.

[Rank Battle defeat. Points -5. Current Rank: Second Rank, 160 points.]

Despite his first defeat, Xu Wuyi wasn’t discouraged. Instead, he reflected on his mistakes in that battle.

He had already fought over twenty consecutive battles. His Spirit was fatigued, and his reaction time wasn’t at its peak.

Besides, there was always someone stronger out there; every Martial Artist could have their own unique techniques.

’I can’t possibly know everyone, but as long as I witness enough different techniques, I won’t be caught at a complete loss when I encounter them again.’

After a brief rest, he re-entered the queue.

The skill level in the last 50 points of the Second Rank was clearly much higher than before.

Although Xu Wuyi could still maintain a high win rate, each match gradually began to demand significant effort.

Three hours flew by amidst the high-stakes duels.

[Rank Battle victory. Points +5. Current Rank: Third Rank, 4 points.]

[Congratulations! You have been promoted to a Third Rank Martial Artist!]

’I made it!’

Xu Wuyi let out a long sigh of relief as his taut nerves finally relaxed.

He glanced at his battle record: thirty-two wins and two losses.

This record was enough to prove that his current strength was virtually overwhelming for anyone below the Third Rank.

He didn’t exit immediately, instead trying to match one more game.

His opponent’s Life Energy Level was 13.6. Their Whip Technique was unpredictable, and the density of their Qi and Blood was also clearly higher.

Xu Wuyi fought with all his might. He used every trick up his sleeve, short of his True Intention of Martial Arts, but was still defeated by a clear margin.

After his promotion to the Third Rank, the overall strength of his opponents jumped a tier. He could hardly find any Martial Artists below Level 13.5 anymore.

As expected, his win rate quickly dropped to around fifty percent.

Climbing for more points would be difficult. Since he had already achieved his goal of reaching the Third Rank, Xu Wuyi didn’t linger and withdrew his consciousness from the Battle Network.

...

In the real world, deep night had fallen outside the window.

Xu Wuyi rubbed his slightly throbbing temples. Though his Spirit was fatigued, his heart was filled with anticipation.

He logged into the Battle Network from home.

The Star Martial Battle Network didn’t just have virtual ports; it could also be accessed through the regular internet. It was open to ordinary people, they just couldn’t participate in virtual battles.

All other functions that could be used on a computer were available. This time, Xu Wuyi clicked directly on the dark gold icon labeled ”Student Assistance Program.”

A familiar terms and conditions interface popped up.

[Identity Verification Passed: Xu Wuyi, third-year student at Honghe First Middle School.]

[Rank Verification Passed: Current Rank, Third Rank, 4 points.]

[Retrieving profile information, initiating potential model assessment...]

The wait was only a dozen or so seconds, yet it felt strangely long.

[Potential Assessment Complete. Assessment Grade: A+]

[Based on the assessment results, the maximum loan amount you can apply for is: 1,000,000 Federation Coins. A first-time applicant can receive 70-100% of the maximum limit.]

[Would you like to submit a loan application now? Please note: The application requires co-verification from a legal guardian.]

’A+!’

Xu Wuyi didn’t know what this rating meant, but it looked quite high. He wondered how large of a loan he could get.

He selected ”Yes.”

He had no idea that the moment he submitted his application and the ”A+” potential assessment grade was generated, his file had already triggered an internal alert mechanism within the Battle Network.

His file was automatically flagged and swiftly escalated to a higher level.

...

Atop a skyscraper that soared into the clouds in Linjiang, the capital of Dongjiang Province, was the headquarters of the Star Martial Group’s Dongjiang branch.

Though it was late at night, one office remained brightly lit. Inside, a middle-aged man in a custom-tailored, dark blue suit sat behind a large desk, browsing the data scrolling across a light screen.

His name was Zhao Qianjun. He was the head of the Star Martial Group’s Dongjiang Province branch, one of Grandmaster Yue Lianshan’s personal disciples, and an Innate Martial Artist.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the office door. A young Martial Artist in gold-rimmed glasses strode in, a hint of surprise on his face.

”President Zhao, we just received a loan application. The Battle Network System flagged it, and I think you might want to take a look.”

”Oh?” Zhao Qianjun looked up and took the digital tablet his assistant handed him. ’If my assistant is calling it ’special,’ it must be something out of the ordinary.’

The tablet displayed the applicant’s information:

Name: Xu Wuyi

Age: 17

Origin: Red River City, Dongjiang Province

School: Honghe First Middle School

Life Energy Level (Battle Network Assessment): 13.0

Current Battle Network Rank: Third Rank, 4 points

Loan Amount Applied For: 1,000,000 Federation Coins

Potential Assessment Grade: A+

Special Note: Applicant’s Qi and Blood characteristics show a high degree of compatibility with the ”Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace.” Suspected to have already achieved some level of mastery. Purchase record confirms the Cultivation Technique was bought in full 39 days ago.

When he saw the four words ”Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace,” Zhao Qianjun’s pupils contracted slightly, and he unconsciously sat up straighter.

When he read the next two lines, the expression on his face, which had been as placid as a still well, finally revealed clear astonishment.