High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace: Entry Level

The afternoon of July 10th.

Inside the training room, Xu Wuyi held the ninth stance of the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace, a static posture named [Furnace Fire Bone Forging].

He was in a slight squat, his fists held loosely at his waist, and his spine was as straight as a dragon. His entire being seemed connected to the Earth.

He had held this position for over half an hour. His entire body was soaked in sweat, and his muscles trembled faintly.

But his eyes were bright, his Heart and Spirit serene. His entire Intention was focused on the formless ”Melting Furnace” within his body.

His Qi and Blood flowed like lead and mercury—heavy and searing hot—as it circulated through specific pathways. With each cycle, it felt as though imperceptible impurities were being burned away and expelled.

The Qi and Blood itself grew more refined, carrying a hint of searing heat.

Unconsciously, the flow of Qi and Blood in his body accelerated. The illusory image of the ”Melting Furnace” in his sea of consciousness became increasingly clear, to the point where he could even ”hear” the roaring flames of the Furnace Fire!

A quantitative change was about to trigger a qualitative one.

At a certain moment, Xu Wuyi felt as if some kind of shackle deep within his body had been violently shattered!

BOOM!

A torrent of Qi and Blood, far purer than usual, erupted from the depths of his Dantian’s sea of qi. It instantly pierced through several blocked, minor meridians, completing the final, critical circulatory loop!

The Qi and Blood throughout his body was suddenly connected, flowing as one harmonious whole!

The ”Melting Furnace” within him seemed to ignite completely, emitting a hum that only he could perceive.

A searing wave of heat radiated out from him, vaporizing the sweat pooled on the floor into white steam.

Xu Wuyi slowly relaxed his stance, letting out a long breath of turbid air.

The breath was scorching hot and faintly white, shooting out several feet like steam before slowly dissipating into the air.

He eagerly sank his consciousness into his sea of consciousness.

On the [Martial Arts Diligence Record], the text had already updated:

Martial Arts: Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace

[Current Realm: Entry Level (0.1%)]

[Martial Arts Traits: Not Unlocked]

[Assessment: Qi and Blood foundation established. A promising future awaits.]

’I did it!’

’I’ve officially reached the Entry Level for the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace!’

The whole process was a natural progression. He hadn’t even felt a bottleneck, making it even easier than when he first broke through to the Entry Level of the Basic Body Refining Technique.

Xu Wuyi knew this was the principle of ”Thick Accumulation and Thin Emission.”

After months of diligently solidifying his foundation, it was now time to reap the rewards.

But he couldn’t get complacent. After the ”thin emission,” he would need another period of ”thick accumulation.” Only then could he create a virtuous cycle.

One could never overemphasize the importance of the basics. Only a firm foundation can support a towering skyscraper.

...

A moment later, the door to the training room was pushed open.

Principal Zhang Qiming and Teacher Wang Wenhai walked in together.

Seeing Xu Wuyi drenched in sweat but with bright eyes and a deep, steady aura, a flicker of surprise passed through both their eyes.

”It seems we’ve arrived at just the right time.” A smile appeared on Principal Zhang’s face. ”Another breakthrough?”

Xu Wuyi nodded.

After another round of praise, Principal Zhang’s expression turned serious. ”We came today mainly to discuss your university choice.”

”Representatives from the Three Greats have all officially contacted us.”

Wang Wenhai chimed in, his voice filled with unconcealable excitement, ”Star Martial University, Black Stone Academy, and Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy all offered similar terms. They’re willing to give you the highest S-class freshman scholarship!”

’An S-class scholarship...’ Xu Wuyi’s gaze flickered.

This was a tangible benefit of being the provincial champion—the result of the Three Greats generously competing for top-tier students.

Of course, it also largely depended on the strength a candidate demonstrated.

The champion of a smaller province’s martial arts exam might receive worse offers than someone in the top ten of a larger province.

”As for Star Martial University, Director Li from the admissions office called me personally. His attitude was very sincere.”

Principal Zhang said, ”He promised that in addition to the S-class scholarship, they would also grant you Medium Permissions ahead of time, allowing you to learn more High-tier Martial Arts.”

”Black Stone Academy and Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy have made basically the same offer,” Wang Wenhai added. ”You should mainly consider their individual strengths when making your choice.”

When it came to competing for top students from the college entrance exams, the ”Three Greats” had a tacit understanding to keep their scholarship conditions consistent across all rating levels.

This prevented vicious competition and the resulting waste of resources.

As for the respective advantages of the ”Three Greats,” Xu Wuyi had already looked into it.

Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy was far ahead in Star Energy research technology. Black Stone Academy specialized in Spiritual Cultivation and had a large number of Innate Martial Artists; High Tier experts were everywhere. And as for Star Martial University...

It offered a lot of support.

Yes, among the Three Greats, Star Martial University was the only one that offered regular scholarships, which were distributed each semester based on student rankings.

Even though they were only given to the top 50%, the total amount was still astronomical.

After all, Star Martial University also had the largest annual enrollment among the Three Greats, with nearly one thousand five hundred students in each class.

Black Stone and Starry Sky didn’t have this kind of funding. Besides winning prize money from competitions, students had to fend for themselves.

For Xu Wuyi, there wasn’t much of a choice. No matter how good the academic conditions were at Black Stone and Starry Sky, he couldn’t enjoy them without money.

Besides, given his previous experience on the Battle Network, he already had a preference for Star Martial University.

”I’ll go to Star Martial University,” he said calmly.

Upon hearing this, both Principal Zhang and Wang Wenhai broke into ”as-expected” smiles.

This choice was within their expectations.

Whether considering the school’s style or his future development, Star Martial University was a better fit for the current Xu Wuyi.

”Good!” Principal Zhang nodded emphatically. ”I’ll call Director Li back right away. Star Martial University... it’s a good place. Once you’re there, the sky’s the limit. Your stage will no longer be confined to just Dongjiang province!”

Wang Wenhai also said with emotion, ”University is where the real battle between dragons and tigers begins. The Three Greats gather geniuses from across the entire Federation. Don’t feel pressured, but you absolutely cannot afford to slack off.”

”I understand,” Xu Wuyi replied.

...

「July 15th.」

Xu Wuyi, still in his old school uniform, rode his bicycle onto campus.

Unlike on other days, he was met with countless intense gazes along the way.

”Look! It’s senior Xu Wuyi!”

”The provincial champion!”

”I heard he’s going to Star Martial University...”

He parked his bicycle in the rack under the academic building. Just as Xu Wuyi locked it, a familiar, loud voice boomed from behind him.

”Ah Yi! Over here!”

Xu Wuyi turned to see Zhou Heng waving his arm energetically, a brilliant, genuine smile on his face.

He walked over quickly, and Zhou Heng gave his shoulder a light punch.

”Not bad, Mr. Provincial Champion! Today’s a big day. People from the Three Greats and the Seven Stars are coming in person to deliver the acceptance letters! I’ve never seen a spectacle like this in my life,” Zhou Heng said with a grin.

”What are you doing here?” Xu Wuyi replied with a smile.

”Picking up my records. I have to report to school next week.” Zhou Heng clapped him on the shoulder, his voice full of emotion. ”I never thought... you actually became the provincial champion and got into Star Martial. From now on, I can tell everyone that I was deskmates with the provincial champion!”