Shackles of Humanity

Inside the training ground, the two quickly ended their fight. For a simple sparring session like this, there was no need to determine a winner or loser. Gan Zhi hung his head dejectedly. ”I’m screwed. I still can’t break through his defense. The assessment is in a few days, and I’ll probably end up at the bottom again.”

The tall young man opposite him was named Shi Shuo, an upperclassman. Shangjing University had a ten-year education system. Since nine is considered the ultimate number, the school was divided into nine grades. These nine grades were further split into three ranks: beginner, middle, and high. This grade system was flexible. If a student from a High-Rank Class consistently placed last in assessments, they would be replaced by a student from a Middle Class. Likewise, a student from a Middle Class could be replaced by someone from the Beginner Class.

In short, each student could stay at the university for a maximum of ten years. Of course, most students didn’t stay at school the entire time. Body Techniques were ultimately a combat skill and had to be honed through battle. Besides the annual trials organized by the school, students could also apply to leave campus. They could take up positions in the Body Technique Association, the military, or other organizations. Beyond personal aptitude, external resources were also crucial for the Cultivation of Body Techniques. With sufficient support from things like Genetic Potions and medicinal herbs, one’s Cultivation speed would far surpass others.

The sole graduation requirement at Shangjing University was to advance to the rank of Body Master. If a student could become a Body Master within ten years, they could remain at the school. They could choose to focus on researching the path of Body Techniques or become a teacher. If they failed to become a Body Master, they would be forced to leave.

However, even at a place like Shangjing University, which was filled with geniuses, those who could advance to Body Master were one in ten thousand. Talent, resources, and luck were all indispensable. Shangjing University maintained a student and faculty population of tens of thousands, yet decades could often pass without a single person successfully advancing.

Shi Shuo was a student from the Middle Class, while Gan Zhi had just enrolled last year and belonged to the Beginner Class. Although both were Mid-level Martial Artists, there was a clear difference in their strength. Gan Zhi was still no match for Shi Shuo.

Shi Shuo said melancholically, ”We’re in the same boat, brother. I’ll probably be demoted to the Beginner Class too.”

”You’re just getting demoted. I’m about to be asked to withdraw!” Gan Zhi’s eyes reddened. Overcome with sorrow, the grown man was on the verge of tears.

A faint voice drifted over. ”Your offensive techniques are sharp, but they lack a certain edge. You might improve if you go work as a butcher in a slaughterhouse for a few months.”

Gan Zhi hastily wiped his cheeks and finally noticed a young man with long hair standing at the edge of the training ground. He recognized him as the newcomer who had recently entered the valley, someone who seemed to be named Luo Kai. Somehow, those soft-spoken words burrowed into his heart, making him want to follow the advice instinctively. He gave a bitter smile. ”It’s too late. The assessment is in a few days.”

Luo Kai frowned. ’There are no shortcuts on the path of Body Techniques. The only rapid method is probably a life-and-death battle, but that method is reactive and beyond one’s control. There are no other ways to improve in such a short time.’ After a moment of thought, he said softly, ”If you have time tonight, come find me.” He turned and left after speaking.

Lu Shuo, who was standing to the side, asked in astonishment, ”Who is that kid?”

Luo Kai had been here for over half a month, but he had kept a low profile. Even those who had met him would inexplicably forget their memories of him soon after. That was why Lu Shuo couldn’t quite recall who he was at first.

Gan Zhi stared blankly for a moment before replying, ”I think his name is Luo Kai.”

...

Luo Kai walked a lap around the valley before returning to his small cabin. He sat cross-legged at the entrance and slowly lowered his heart rate. When his heart rate dropped to a certain level, it became easier for him to enter a state of empty clarity, and easier to comprehend the workings of Heaven and Earth. Lately, he had been trying to perceive the deep, powerful pulse of the earth. If the ocean was the source of life, then the earth was its pillar.

His future path of Cultivation was already set. First, he would achieve resonance with the Five Elements. The majority of life’s Power was not actually in the bones and muscles, but hidden within the organs. Once the minor circulation within his body’s Little Cosmos was complete, the Five Elements Energy would flow endlessly through his organs. Even without relying on external Energy Infusion, his combat strength would be no weaker than a Body Master’s—it might even be far superior to an ordinary one.

”Luo Kai, you’re still sitting here? Let’s go get dinner!” a short, stocky, and chubby young man panted as he ran over.

Luo Kai opened his eyes. He realized it had already gotten dark. He retracted his consciousness frequency, his qi and blood quickened slightly, and vitality returned to his cold limbs. This chubby kid’s name was Mao Hong Yuan. He was the type of person who was naturally warm-hearted and helpful. Seeing Luo Kai living alone in the valley, he had assumed Luo Kai was withdrawn and had started coming over every day to chat with him. Luo Kai smiled and said, ”Thanks, Xiaopang.”

”What’s there to thank me for? But you can’t keep forgetting mealtimes. If no one came to get you, you’d starve!”

Luo Kai stood up. As they walked toward the cafeteria, Xiaopang chattered on endlessly. He talked about how lively Teacher You’s public lecture was today, with the line stretching from the academic building all the way to the outdoor field—it was a sea of people. Teacher You had even personally sparred with several High-level Martial Artists, demonstrating her Body Techniques...

Xiaopang’s bow legs seemed unable to support his weight. After a short while, he stopped, panting heavily, and leaned on his knees. ”N-no... can’t go on. Need a break.”

’The Gravity here is almost double that of the outside. It definitely has a big effect, but it shouldn’t be a problem just for walking. How is this kid’s constitution so poor?’

”Xiaopang, what kind of Body Techniques do you specialize in?”

Xiaopang immediately puffed up his chest with pride. ”Long-range Sniping Skill!”

”Oh.” Luo Kai recalled the sniper who had tried to assassinate him earlier. The bullet had been incredibly powerful, and the assassination method was indeed unique. The sniper had fled immediately after the first shot missed. Even a High-level Martial Artist would likely have no way to deal with an assassin like that, one who hid in the shadows. ’But it’s a mechanical skill, limited by technology. Its potential for growth should be small.’ He was doubtful. ”Is there anything special about this Long-range Sniping Skill?”

Xiaopang stared at Luo Kai as if he were an alien. ”Of course it’s special! Let me put it this way: besides Body Masters, there’s no one I can’t hit. As long as I have enough distance, even the most powerful Martial Artist is no match for me.”

Luo Kai was very curious. ”Then how about you fire a shot and show me?”

A Martial Artist’s Physical Strength was already enough to withstand bullets. A High-level Martial Artist who had stepped into the Refining Spirit Realm possessed an extremely keen sense of danger. Apart from large-scale, concentrated bombardments, mechanical weapons like guns were generally unable to harm a Martial Artist. But from the look on Xiaopang’s face, he didn’t seem to be bragging.

”The school has rules. Guns can only be used at the shooting range. I can take you there for fun when we have time, but I can show you a little something with blanks.”

Xiaopang thought for a moment, then pulled a long-barreled pistol from his waistband. He glanced around, aimed at a small tree, and fired a few quick shots. All the bullets hit the exact same spot. Blanks shouldn’t have much power, but the consecutive impacts punched right through the small tree.

That kind of marksmanship would have been unparalleled in the past, but in this era, it was nothing special. Luo Kai, who had rarely ever touched a gun, could easily do the same. He just smiled and said nothing.

Receiving no praise, Xiaopang looked a bit embarrassed. He said, unconvinced, ”These are just blanks, and I wasn’t using a kinetic weapon. Tomorrow, come with me to the shooting range, and I’ll show you what a kinetic weapon can do.”

”A kinetic weapon?”

Xiaopang nodded emphatically. ”Yep. The firing speed of a kinetic weapon far exceeds that of a normal firearm, and its power is on a whole other level. It can even threaten a Body Master.”