High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

This almost severe level of professionalism actually put Xu Wuyi at ease.

At the very least, it showed the research institute was genuinely invested in helping him perfect his Martial Arts, not just going through the motions.

On the morning of the fourth day, Xu Wuyi arrived at the lab at the agreed-upon time.

Ye Guanlan was already waiting at the console. The light screen no longer displayed a complex stream of data, but three 3D models arranged side-by-side, each corresponding to a complete Martial Arts framework.

”The simulation results are in.” Ye Guanlan skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. ”Based on your Heart Image’s Traits, we’ve filtered it down to three optimal proposals.”

He pulled up the first model.

It was a miniature version of the Dark Gold Mountain Body. At its peak, a Golden Crow spread its wings, the Flame runes on its feathers flowing endlessly. Beside the model, detailed Energy pathways and operational parameters were annotated.

”The first proposal, which we’re calling ’Golden Crow Burning Heart: Extreme Flame’,” Ye Guanlan explained. ”This proposal aims for maximum single-target damage. It highly compresses the Power of Heart Image to form a single, piercing Flame True Seal. Once it enters the enemy’s body, it instantly detonates, incinerating their Energy Core.”

”Its advantage is high kill efficiency, capable of instantly killing an enemy of the same Level. Its disadvantages are high Energy consumption and a small area of effect, making it suitable only for duels or small-scale skirmishes.”

Xu Wuyi stared at the model, running combat scenarios through his mind.

’Against Priest-Level enemies, this ”Extreme Flame” would certainly be useful—a clean, decisive, one-hit kill. But on the battlefield, enemies often attack in groups. The efficiency of this kind of point-to-point attack would be drastically reduced.’

”The second proposal: ’Golden Crow Burning Heart: Raging Fire’,” Ye Guanlan said, switching models.

This time, the Golden Crow Illusion in the model soared into the air, and countless flaming feathers rained down like a downpour, blanketing a large area below.

”This proposal aims for wide-area damage, dispersing the Power of Heart Image into hundreds, or even thousands, of tiny Flame True Seals to blanket an entire area.”

”All enemies within its range will suffer continuous incineration. The weaker ones will be burned to ash, while the stronger ones will be debilitated. Its advantage is its powerful crowd-control ability, perfect for dealing with groups of enemies. Its disadvantage is reduced single-target damage, making it a limited threat against powerful individuals.”

Xu Wuyi nodded.

This proposal was very similar to the technique he’d used against the Werewolf Warriors in the Celestial Wolf Four Star Realm, only far more systematized and refined.

”The third proposal: ’Golden Crow Burning Heart: Chain Hell’,” Ye Guanlan said, pulling up the final model.

The flames in this model were neither dispersed nor concentrated. Instead, they were linked together like chains, forming a sweeping net of fire. The nodes within the net transferred Energy to one another; an attack on one point would trigger a response from the entire network.

”This proposal is a hybrid of the first two. It has a degree of area coverage, but can also use the chain links to concentrate damage on a specific target. It offers the most flexibility, but is also the most difficult to master, requiring meticulous control over the Heart Image.”

When Ye Guanlan finished, he closed the models and looked at Xu Wuyi.

”The three proposals each have their pros and cons. You can pick one, and we’ll help you refine the details and solidify it into a complete Martial Arts System.”

Xu Wuyi was silent for a few seconds.

”Can I try all of them?”

Ye Guanlan was momentarily taken aback, then a smile spread across his face. ”Of course. The research institute has a dedicated virtual intranet that can simulate Heart Image combat scenarios. You can experience the effects of all three proposals in there before making your decision.”

”A virtual intranet?”

”Follow me.”

Ye Guanlan stood up and led Xu Wuyi out of the lab. They passed through several corridors before arriving at a heavy alloy door.

The sign on the door was simple: Virtual Combat Zone.

After a three-factor authentication of iris, fingerprint, and Energy Fluctuation, the door slid open silently.

Inside was a vast, circular space. Dozens of transparent, spherical pods floated in the center, each connected to a complex network of wires and energy conduits.

A few researchers were busy at a console; they all nodded in greeting when they saw Ye Guanlan walk in.

”This is the Federation’s latest virtual reality technology, with a Simulation Level of over ninety-five percent.” Ye Guanlan walked over to an empty spherical pod. ”It can perfectly simulate the use and combat effects of the Power of Heart Image. It can even replicate the mental pressure of a life-or-death struggle.”

Xu Wuyi stared at the spherical pods, feeling a sense of awe.

’A ninety-five percent Simulation Level... that means Cultivation and combat inside the virtual intranet are almost identical to the real thing.’

’What an astonishing technological achievement.’

”Go on in.” Ye Guanlan opened the pod door. ”I’ll upload the Martial Arts frameworks for the three proposals into the system. You can experiment with them freely inside.”

Without hesitation, Xu Wuyi stepped into the pod.

The pod door closed, and a soft white light washed over him from all sides. He felt his body grow slightly lighter, and then his vision transformed.

The cold alloy walls of the pod were gone, replaced by a vast, scorched plain.

A crimson sky loomed over the cracked earth. In the distance, he could see twisted, dead trees and scattered skeletons—a typical Star Realm Battlefield environment.

Xu Wuyi raised his hand. He could clearly see the lines on his palm. When he clenched his fist, he could feel his muscles contract and his Qi and Blood flow.

Even the Dark Gold Mountain Body Heart Image in his sea of consciousness was perfectly intact—even clearer than it was in the outside world.

”The Simulation Level really is high...” he muttered to himself.

”System Prompt: Martial Arts frameworks loaded. Please select trial mode: Single Target, Group Target, or Dynamic Battlefield.”

A cold, electronic voice echoed in his mind.

Xu Wuyi thought for a moment. ”Single Target first.”

The moment he spoke, a figure materialized out of thin air a hundred meters in front of him.

It was the virtual image of a Wolfman Priest, clad in Bone Armor and holding a bone staff. Its Energy Fluctuation was set to around Level 46, about the same as the ones Xu Wuyi had killed back in Linjiang.

”Begin.”

With a single thought, Xu Wuyi began to circulate the Power of his Heart Image according to the energy pathways of the first proposal.

As the idea formed in his mind, he found he didn’t even need to consciously direct it—the system was already simulating the circulation for him.

A dark gold flame gathered in his palm, compressing until it became a fiery seed the size of a pinprick. He flicked his hand, and the seed shot out silently, sinking into the Wolfman Priest’s chest.

The next instant, the Priest’s body went rigid.

Dark gold flames erupted from within, instantly engulfing its entire body. A virtual scream echoed as the Priest was incinerated, turning to ash. The entire process took less than two seconds.

”The kill efficiency... is certainly high.” Xu Wuyi gauged the cost of that last attack; it had used about five percent of his Power of Heart Image.

He could have accomplished this before, but the cost would have undoubtedly been higher. This model was clearly designed to help him minimize the drain.

But in a real, sustained battle, at this rate of consumption, he would be exhausted after twenty strikes at most.

”Next, Group Target.”

The environment shifted. This time, a virtual formation of fifty Werewolf Warriors appeared before him. They were all around Level 35, wielding Bone Sabers and bone shields, and had formed a simple Battle Array.