High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: What is a Heart Image

From the fundamental nature of True Intention and the process of condensing it, all the way to the techniques for its initial use, Lin Jianyi even detailed the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of several common True Intentions, leaving the new students in the audience utterly captivated.

For many students who previously had only a vague concept of True Intention, it was as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, granting them a clear understanding.

Xu Wuyi was completely engrossed. He cross-referenced Lin Jianyi’s lecture with his own experience of condensing the True Intention of ”Mountain,” and felt that many points that had been vague before were now crystal clear.

However, Lin Jianyi’s next words sent a tremor through the Heart and Spirit of every student, especially the top experts aiming for the Innate Realm.

”Martial Disciples refine their Qi and Blood, Martial Artists refine their bodies, then their spirits, and those in the Innate Realm refine their image. Therefore, reaching the Innate Realm requires condensing a ’Heart Image’.”

Lin Jianyi’s voice remained calm, but he had just dropped a bombshell.

”A Heart Image is the materialization of your will, your ideals, and your path. It is the cornerstone for reaching higher realms. And the True Intention of Martial Arts is the most important ’pathway’ to constructing that Heart Image.”

He paused, allowing the crowd to digest this before continuing.

”Generally speaking, condensing a single powerful True Intention of Martial Arts is enough to support the prototype of a Heart Image, allowing one to step into the Innate Realm.”

”But if you wish for a more stable Heart Image, the optimal path is to possess two different True Intentions of Martial Arts and attempt to fuse them into one.”

”Two different True Intentions are like observing the world from two distinct angles. They corroborate and complement each other, making the resulting Heart Image more solid and complete, better able to support your future path in Martial Arts.”

”Of course, True Intention is about quality, not quantity. If they cannot be fused, they will instead conflict with one another, which is more harmful than helpful. You must remember this.”

These words were like a boulder thrown into a placid lake, sending ripples spreading in every direction.

A wave of low murmurs immediately swept through the audience.

The path of two True Intentions!

’So you need to condense two True Intentions of Martial Arts to form a Heart Image?’

Xu Wuyi’s own heart was in turmoil.

He had only condensed the True Intention of ”Mountain.” He had no leads on a second one.

But Grandmaster Lin Jianyi’s words had undoubtedly set a clearer goal for his future cultivation.

An astonishing light flared in the eyes of Qin Rui and Zhao Qingwei; clearly, the lecture had a tremendous impact on them.

Xu Wuyi, who was sitting not far from them, noticed their reactions and couldn’t help but feel a little curious.

’Both of them come from extraordinary backgrounds and powerful clans. Why do they look like this is the first time they’ve ever heard of the ”dual True Intention” path?’

’Did their elders never tell them, or is there some other reason?’

Two hours later, Lin Jianyi spoke his final word. He said no more, simply standing on the high platform with his hands clasped behind his back, as if giving everyone time to digest the information.

However, unlike other lecturers, he didn’t leave immediately.

After a moment of silence, Qin Rui, who was seated in the front row, was the first to move.

He moved like a bolt of lightning, crossing to the foot of the high platform in just a few steps before bowing deeply to Lin Jianyi.

”Student Qin Rui, practitioner of my family’s Light-Splitting Shadow-Stealing Sword. I have some confusion regarding the ’Sharp Gold’ True Intention and humbly request Grandmaster Lin’s guidance!”

At almost the exact same moment, another cool and elegant figure drifted over—it was Zhao Qingwei.

She also bowed deeply, her voice crisp and clear. ”Student Zhao Qingwei, practitioner of the Flowing Shadow Sword. I have questions about the ’Extreme Speed’ True Intention and hope Grandmaster Lin will be generous with his teachings!”

The two top Sword Dao geniuses of their class practically scrambled over one another to ask their questions, their eyes filled with anticipation.

The chance to receive face-to-face guidance from a Sword Dao Grandmaster was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime!

Besides those two, several other students also ran forward to ask their own questions.

Lin Jianyi seemed to have anticipated this. He simply shook his head slightly and said, ”There is no need to ask me about the True Intention of Martial Arts. Everything that needed to be said, I have said in the lecture. For the rest, you must rely on your own comprehension.”

It was as if he had waited for the students to approach just to say this. The moment the words left his lips, Lin Jianyi’s figure vanished.

He left Qin Rui, Zhao Qingwei, and the others standing there with expressions of regret.

Still, no one was discouraged. Even among Grandmasters, Grandmaster Lin was an absolute top figure. How could he be expected to give pointers to juniors so easily?

They had four years of university; there would be other chances!

...

In November, the Yuntai City autumn wind carried a distinct chill, sweeping up the golden leaves that littered the campus of Star Martial University.

But for the owner of Villa #7 in the Hidden Dragon Garden, the changing of the seasons seemed to be shut out entirely.

Xu Wuyi sat cross-legged in the center of his Meditation Room. His aura was heavy and condensed, and his Qi and Blood flowed through his meridians like molten lead, possessing a weighty quality as it circulated.

Deep within his Dantian, the wisp of crimson-gold Heart Fire pulsed steadily. Each flicker seemed to temper the ceaselessly flowing Qi and Blood, refining it to ever greater purity.

His daily routine was as regular as a precision timepiece.

The unshakable daily regimen of his Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace Pile Skills, his Mountain Shifting Technique Visualization, and the Basic Body Refining Technique—which he had already mastered to the Great Success realm—formed the core of his cultivation.

Occasionally, he would enter the Star Martial Battle Network to hone his skills in Rank Battles or re-challenge the Star Beast Hunting Ground. This was to further familiarize himself with his surging power and, in particular, to find a more efficient way to kill the Feathered People on the eighth level.

Despite being a shut-in, his villa was by no means deserted.

”Hahaha, Xu Wuyi, I’m here again!”

Accompanied by a booming laugh, Shen Wei casually pushed open the door and strode in, followed by a smiling Xu Zhi. At some point, the two had become inseparable friends.

Xu Wuyi emerged from the Cultivation Room. Seeing the two of them in his living room, a helpless look crossed his face.

This scene had played out many times over the past month.

”Who won today?” Xu Wuyi asked casually, signaling the smart kitchen to prepare tea.

”Me, of course!” Shen Wei flopped onto the sofa, jutting his chin out smugly. ”My Seven Kills Saber has improved recently. I almost cut this kid down with a single slash!”

Xu Zhi retorted disdainfully, ”Brother Shen, ’almost’ is the key word. In reality, I was the one who won by a half-move margin. Your Seven Kills Linked Slash has plenty of momentum, but its follow-up is still a little too rigid.”

”Bullshit! I was using pure force to break your technique! Next time! Next time I’ll beat you so bad you won’t have any excuses!” Shen Wei yelled, refusing to back down.

Xu Wuyi watched them argue, amused.

This kind of pure Martial Arts exchange was a welcome diversion from the monotony of his cultivation.

”By the way, Xu Wuyi, has anyone else come looking to spar with you recently?” Xu Zhi asked, turning to him.

”No one’s come by in a week,” Xu Wuyi said, shaking his head.

Xu Zhi shrugged. ”The gap is just too wide. Even at the Same Ability Level, the two of us can’t even last a few rounds against you, let alone the average student.”

Shen Wei chimed in, ”Yeah, fighting you is no fun. It’s just asking for a beating.”

Both of them were geniuses from prominent clans. They were already strong during the university entrance exams and were improving even faster now, but they were still no match for Xu Wuyi.

After all, the quantity and quality of his Qi and Blood far surpassed that of his peers. Add to that his spirit-searing Heart Fire, the True Intention of ”Mountain,” and the B-level Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear technique...

Xu Wuyi simply had too many tools at his disposal. Ordinary students didn’t even qualify to make him take a fight seriously.

Over time, the invitations to spar naturally dwindled.

Xu Wuyi just smiled, unconcerned.

He had never been fond of meaningless battles. While clashing with an evenly matched opponent was beneficial, if there were none to be found, then the correct path was to immerse himself in cultivation and improve himself.