High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Clearing 3 Levels in a Row

A system notification chimed.

Xu Wuyi took a moment to rest. The last fight hadn’t been particularly difficult, but the Star Beasts’ combat style had given him a new insight.

They possessed no Martial Techniques, yet they utilized their instincts to the absolute limit. This pure form of combat, in turn, gave him a deeper understanding of battle itself.

’The strength and speed of the three Star-Spotted Wolves in this stage are around Level 13.’

’But they have incredibly tough hides. My Qi and Blood Strength far exceeds that of a normal Level 13 Martial Artist, yet a single thrust of my spear can’t run them straight through. It can only inflict a certain amount of damage.’

’The freshmen who just barely scraped by to get into Star Martial University are probably at this level by the end of August. It seems this was all carefully calculated.’

’However, in a fight against opponents of the Same Ability Level, taking on three at once is quite difficult. It requires a high degree of proficiency.’

Xu Wuyi silently assessed the situation. The proficiency he was referring to wasn’t just about Martial Arts Techniques, but more importantly, the experience of fighting Star Beasts.

’Enter the second stage.’

The scene before him changed once again. The forest vanished, replaced by a desolate Gobi Desert.

The sky remained a dark purple, and the ground was covered in sharp rocks. A fierce wind howled, kicking up clouds of sand and dust.

”Second Stage Challenge Target: Iron-Spine Lizards (3). Victory Condition: Kill all Iron-Spine Lizards within ten minutes.”

”Challenger’s Life Energy Level for this stage is fixed at: Level 14.”

Just as the system notification faded, the ground began to shake. Three enormous lizards crawled out from the crevices between the rocks of the Gobi Desert.

They were over three meters long and covered in heavy, dark-green scales that resembled armor. A ridge of protruding bone spikes ran down their backs.

While the Iron-Spine Lizards were not as fast as the Star-Spotted Wolves, their defense was far superior.

They advanced on Xu Wuyi with heavy steps, each one causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Low hisses escaped their mouths. Saliva dripped from the corners of their jaws, corroding the rocks on the ground and releasing puffs of white smoke.

Xu Wuyi didn’t dare to be careless. The Qi and Blood in his body began to surge once more.

He knew that ordinary attacks would be ineffective against the Iron-Spine Lizards. He had to find their weak points.

He carefully observed the Iron-Spine Lizards’ movements and discovered that the scales on their bellies were relatively weak. Furthermore, their bellies would be briefly exposed as they moved.

’Now!’

An Iron-Spine Lizard charged, its massive head ramming toward Xu Wuyi. He sidestepped the attack, simultaneously pushing off the ground and leaping into the air, his spear aimed straight at the lizard’s belly.

CLANG!

The spear tip struck the scales, creating a harsh, metallic screech as sparks flew.

Although it failed to pierce through, the immense force of the blow brought the Iron-Spine Lizard to a halt for an instant.

Xu Wuyi used the momentum to flip over and land on the Iron-Spine Lizard’s back. He viciously stabbed downward with his spear, aiming for the spot where the bone spikes connected to its body.

That was a gap in the scales, one of its defensive weak points.

SHLNK!

This time, the spear successfully pierced through, sinking several inches deep.

The Iron-Spine Lizard let out a pained roar and thrashed wildly, trying to throw Xu Wuyi off.

Xu Wuyi held on tight to his spear, clamping his legs around the lizard’s body. At the same time, he circulated his Qi and Blood, continuously pouring energy into the spear to widen the wound.

The Iron-Spine Lizard’s struggles grew weaker and weaker until it finally collapsed and dissipated into a flash of white light.

Though it takes time to describe, the entire sequence happened in a flash. By the time this Iron-Spine Lizard died, its two companions hadn’t even had time to catch up.

It was Xu Wuyi’s earlier changes in direction as he moved about that had separated them, creating an opportunity for a one-on-one kill.

With the experience from dealing with the first Iron-Spine Lizard, the remaining two were much easier.

Relying on his agile Body Technique, Xu Wuyi separated the two lizards and then defeated them one by one.

In less than eight minutes, he successfully cleared the second stage.

Although it took more time, it was actually easier than the first stage.

A moment of reflection made Xu Wuyi realize that this stage tested the challenger’s observation skills and explosive power.

One had to both find the Iron-Spine Lizards’ weak points and possess enough explosive strength to damage them.

These two aspects happened to be Xu Wuyi’s strengths.

After another short rest, Xu Wuyi entered the third stage.

The setting for this stage was a pitch-black cave. The challenge target was ten Poison Fang Bats, with the Life Energy Level raised to 15.

The Poison Fang Bats weren’t large—only about the size of a palm—but they were extremely fast. Moreover, their fangs carried a potent venom that caused one’s Qi and Blood to stagnate upon being bitten.

Dealing with Poison Fang Bats was a test of reaction speed and Body Technique.

Xu Wuyi pushed his Instant Shadow Step to its limit, his figure weaving through the dense swarm of bats. He brandished his spear in an impenetrable dance, forming a silver curtain of light that struck down any Poison Fang Bat that drew near.

Although the Poison Fang Bats’ attacks were ferocious, their defense was extremely poor. The slightest touch from his spear would mean instant death.

However, they were numerous and agile. This time, the clock wasn’t the main obstacle; rather, clearing the stage before succumbing to the poison was no easy feat.

Xu Wuyi didn’t dare to let his guard down for a second. He focused his entire being on countering every attack, his Qi and Blood circulating at high speed to maintain the fluidity of his Body Technique and Spear Technique.

Finally, after suffering six bites and just as his consciousness was about to fade, he successfully killed the last Poison Fang Bat and cleared the third stage.

The Battle Network immediately reset his condition, and his Spirit became clear again.

After clearing three stages in a row, Xu Wuyi didn’t feel tired. Instead, he only grew more spirited with each battle.

Though the Star Beasts’ combat methods were bizarre, they were also causing his practical combat abilities to improve rapidly.

With every stage he cleared, he was able to grasp new combat skills from his fights with the Star Beasts, further integrating and mastering his own Martial Arts.

’Enter the fourth stage.’

The scene changed once more. This time, he found himself in a vast, empty valley. Towering cliffs flanked both sides, the sky was still a dark purple, and a suppressive aura filled the air.

”Fourth Stage Challenge Target: Earth-Split Bear (1). Victory Condition: Kill the Earth-Split Bear within ten minutes.”

”Challenger’s Life Energy Level for this stage is fixed at: Level 16.”

The instant the system notification ended, a deafening roar echoed from the depths of the valley. Immediately after, a massive black bear emerged from the far end, walking slowly.

It was over three meters tall, its body covered in black fur. Its muscles were knotted like blocks of iron, and its four limbs were thick and powerful. Every step it took made the ground tremble violently. It was the Earth-Split Bear.

The Earth-Split Bear’s eyes were savage, fixed intently on Xu Wuyi. It let out continuous, low roars, and the aura it exuded was far more powerful than that of the Star-Spotted Wolf, Iron-Spine Lizard, or Poison Fang Bat.

Xu Wuyi’s heart skipped a beat. He felt an unprecedented pressure.

He could clearly sense that the Earth-Split Bear’s Qi and Blood Strength far surpassed that of a Martial Disciple of the same rank. It was even slightly superior to his own, and its defense and power were downright terrifying.

’A super-enhanced Level 16?’