High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Xu Wuyi’s gaze sharpened, and he nodded.

”I understand.”

「Two days later, on Friday afternoon.」

The central stadium of Linjiang Martial Arts University was once again packed to the rafters.

Even more students attended Xu Wuyi’s second lecture than his first, to the point that the corridors were filled with people standing to audit the class.

Today’s lecture was on ”Choosing a Condensation Path for a Heart Image Prototype.”

Xu Wuyi stood at the lectern. His tone was steady, but every word he spoke was clear and powerful:

”Many people believe that a Heart Image must be ’grand,’ ’complete,’ and ’all-encompassing,’ but that isn’t actually the case.”

Three case models appeared on the panoramic display.

”In the first case, a certain Martial Artist centered their Heart Image on ’tenacity.’ Initially, they only visualized a stubborn rock, constantly reinforcing the concept of being ’unbreakable.’ Only after the Heart Image Prototype had stabilized did they gradually expand upon it, eventually forming the ’Mountain Range Bulwark.’”

”In the second case, a Martial Artist pursued ’speed.’ Their initial Heart Image was just a wisp of wind—the epitome of lightness and swiftness. Later, after integrating their insights into space, it evolved into ’Void Streamlight.’”

”The third case is me.”

Xu Wuyi looked out at the audience. ”My Heart Image contains two parts: ’Heavy Water’ and ’Golden Crow.’ It might seem complex, but it actually has only two core principles: one is ’Weight,’ and the other is ’Incineration.’”

”In the early stages of my Cultivation, I also tried to develop both in a balanced way. However, I later discovered that it’s far more efficient to first concentrate on breaking through a single point.”

The students took notes diligently, their expressions focused.

”So, my advice is this,” Xu Wuyi said, raising his voice. ”Don’t be greedy. Don’t try to achieve everything in one step. Find your most central ’point,’ push it to its absolute limit, and then use that as your foundation to expand outward.”

”A Heart Image is something that grows. It evolves with your understanding. It doesn’t matter if it’s a little rough or simple at first. The key is to ’get started.’”

A wave of enlightened whispers spread through the audience.

Expressions of great relief appeared on the faces of many students.

They had been worried that their concepts for their Heart Images weren’t perfect enough, so they hadn’t dared to begin condensing them. Now, they finally understood: perfection isn’t the starting point, it’s the destination.

When the class moved to the Q&A session, the students were even more eager to ask questions than the first time.

Xu Wuyi answered each question patiently, occasionally using virtual projections to demonstrate key points of Energy flow.

The two-hour lecture quickly came to an end.

Thunderous applause erupted.

As Xu Wuyi stepped down from the lectern, Li Wenjuan approached him and whispered, ”Professor Xu, an officer from the military is waiting for you outside. He said it’s urgent.”

Xu Wuyi nodded. ”Got it.”

He packed his things and walked out of the stadium.

The sun was setting, and the campus streetlights had already flickered on.

A dark gray military SUV was parked on the side of the road. Its window rolled down, revealing the face of a young soldier.

”Martial Artist Xu, General Wu sent me to pick you up.” The soldier saluted.

Xu Wuyi got into the vehicle.

The vehicle started silently, leaving the campus and driving through the streets of Linjiang before finally arriving at the Qiao Family estate in East City.

Xu Wuyi was no stranger to this place.

Back when he was still a student, he had visited Qiao Tongyu here many times.

But this time, the atmosphere was noticeably different.

The number of guard posts around the estate’s perimeter had increased significantly. They were all manned by true elite Martial Artists, their auras dense and their gazes sharp.

The vehicle drove directly into the inner courtyard, stopping in front of a separate building.

It was a small, three-story building with a quaint, antique-like exterior. However, Xu Wuyi could sense that the building was covered in multiple layers of Energy Barriers, providing it with an extremely high defense Level.

Qiao Tongyu and a middle-aged man in a general’s service uniform were already waiting in the first-floor living room.

”Wuyi, you’re here.” Qiao Tongyu stood up. ”This is General Wu Dingbo.”

Xu Wuyi saluted. ”General Wu.”

Wu Dingbo sized up Xu Wuyi, his gaze sweeping over him with tangible weight, carrying the oppressive presence of a Grandmaster.

But Xu Wuyi stood ramrod straight, his expression calm, without a hint of retreat.

After a few seconds, Wu Dingbo nodded. ”Not bad. Your foundation is solid, and your Heart Image is stable. No wonder Grandmaster Qiao holds you in such high regard.”

”You’re too kind, General.”

”Have a seat,” Wu Dingbo gestured.

The three of them sat down on the sofa.

”Grandmaster Qiao should have already told you about the situation,” Wu Dingbo said, getting straight to the point.

”That Illusion is powerful. So powerful that even old-timers like us feel the pressure. That’s why, this time, we’re hoping you can represent the younger generation and give it a shot.”

Xu Wuyi nodded. ”I’m willing to try.”

”Good.” Wu Dingbo took a document from an inside pocket of his uniform.

”This is a non-disclosure agreement. Take a look. The origin of the Illusion and all related information are considered top-secret military intelligence. You must not disclose it to anyone without authorization.”

Xu Wuyi quickly scanned the document’s contents, then signed his name.

Wu Dingbo put the document away and stood up. ”Follow me.”

The three of them left the living room, descended a staircase, and arrived in the basement.

The area had been converted into a temporary workspace, filled with all kinds of precision instruments, where a dozen or so technicians were bustling about.

In the center of the room was a silver-white Virtual Cabin.

Unlike typical Virtual Cabins, the surface of this one was covered in intricate, glowing circuits. Its Energy Fluctuations were latent, yet they gave off an unfathomable impression.

”This is a specially made Virtual Cabin, newly developed by the military. Its Simulation Level can reach 99%.”

Wu Dingbo walked over to the cabin and patted its outer shell.

”In an ordinary virtual battle, the highest Simulation Level you’ll get is around 95%. That five-percent gap might not be obvious in low-level fights, but at the Grandmaster Level, it’s a world of difference.”

He looked at Xu Wuyi. ”A 99% Simulation Level means that everything you feel in there—pain, pressure, Energy flow, fluctuations in the Rules—is virtually indistinguishable from reality.”

”Of course, the death-protection protocols are still in place, but the pain from injuries and the mental and spiritual drain are all real.”

Xu Wuyi looked at the Virtual Cabin, his expression serious.

’A 99% Simulation Level...’

’This is no longer ordinary training. It’s practically a life-or-death battle in the real world.’

”The Illusion’s Sword Dao follows a path of extreme purity,” Qiao Tongyu added from the side.

”There are no flashy techniques, no wasted movements. Every slash exists for the sole purpose of ’the kill.’ You need to be mentally prepared. Your first fight will likely be over very quickly.”

Xu Wuyi nodded. ”I understand.”

Wu Dingbo operated the control console, and the lid of the Virtual Cabin slowly opened.

”Get in. The battle will start automatically once you’re ready. The Illusion’s Realm will be locked to Level 47, the same as yours.”

Xu Wuyi took off his jacket and lay down in the Virtual Cabin.

The cabin’s interior was lined with a soft gel material that automatically conformed to the curves of his body. Countless microscopic sensor contacts adhered to his skin and began establishing the neural link.

”Good luck,” Wu Dingbo said.

The lid sealed shut.

His vision went dark.

Then, a soft white light illuminated his field of view.

[Identity Verification Successful]

[Establishing Neural Link... 10%...50%...100%]

[Simulation Level Set: 99%]

[Loading Combat Program...]

[Warning: This battle will simulate realistic damage and exertion. Please be prepared.]