The Galactic Calendar.
December 28, 225.
China.
Qingshi No. 3 Middle School.
Under the scorching sun, a group of high school students in matching school uniforms gathered on a track and field.
Today is the last physical fitness test of the semester for the senior students of Qingshi No. 3 Middle School.
Various instruments are set up on the spacious athletic field.
Under the watchful eyes of the proctors, all the students in Class 21 of Senior Three lined up in front of the instruments for testing.
Class 21 has a small number of students, only about forty.
When the school started, the original plan was to have only 20 classes.
The extra Class 21 consisted of students who did not meet the admission requirements but entered through various means.
Part of it was due to the use of money, and part of it was due to connections.
Li Wen belongs to the former category.
His family tightened their belts and scraped together 50,000 yuan to send him to the third public high school in the county.
"Li Wen!"
"Physical body overall level 6.0".
A mechanical voice announced the results of a lean young man who had just finished testing his physical strength.
"Only level 6.0?" Li Wen's eyes dimmed upon hearing the mechanical voice.
Despite his daily hard work and training, the gap between him and the top-ranked students in the class only widened over time.
If things continue like this, forget about getting into those prestigious universities, I'm afraid even the lowest-ranked university will be a struggle.
In previous years, the minimum enrollment standard for martial arts university was a physical body level of 7.0, which means that he doesn't even qualify to enroll now.
Is it really going to be like his name suggests, a life of literary pursuits?
In an instant, Li Wen couldn't help but recall the earnest and hopeful gaze of his parents.
With his previous high school grades, he wouldn't have been able to get into the martial arts class at No. 3 Middle School. He only got in because his parents saved up money by scrimping and saving.
I thought that as long as he worked hard, he would definitely be able to make a name for himself.
As a result, after two and a half years, he finally realized one thing: some things cannot be accomplished by hard work alone.
To efficiently develop one's physical body, various nourishing medicines are indispensable, which requires a lot of money.
These tonics are distributed free of charge by the school, but in limited quantities, and the distribution is not evenly distributed, but based on ranking.
Therefore, if you are slow at one step, you will be slow at every step.
It's not that the school is unwilling to distribute more; ultimately, it's because resources are limited.
Good steel should naturally be used on the blade.
This is no ordinary world; it is fraught with various risks.
Monsters roam freely, and humanity is in decline.
Limited resources should naturally be allocated more to talented individuals.
What Li Wen found frustrating was that, even without pursuing martial arts, given his academic performance in humanities subjects, which were incredibly difficult, he would still be at a disadvantage.
He will most likely spend his entire life struggling to survive at the bottom of society.
Just like his parents now, they work themselves to the bone just to make ends meet.
...
"Ring ring~"
Time flew by and it was already afternoon when school was over.
Li Wen slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and walked out of the school gate alone.
Apart from him, everyone else in Class 21 came from wealthy or influential families.
This made Li Wen stand out from his classmates, making him feel out of place.
For the past two and a half years, he has been almost entirely alone.
I took out my student card, swiped it at the front door of the bus, and then found a corner seat to sit down.
The bus passed one stop after another, and Li Wen didn't get off until the final stop, exiting through the back door.
The surrounding environment had completely changed, with dilapidated and old buildings everywhere.
Li Wen walked confidently to a building and began climbing the dimly lit stairs step by step.
For such a remote and dilapidated building, an elevator is impossible.
In the cramped stairwell, Li Wen would occasionally encounter other people going up or down the stairs.
Having lived here for so many years, they all basically knew each other. Amidst greetings, Li Wen stopped on the 15th floor.
1503 was the year he lived in his home for seventeen... no, to be precise, for almost eighteen years.
Because today is his eighteenth birthday.
Li Wen took out the key, opened the door, and entered the room.
The living room isn't big, about 20 square meters.
Facing you is a bookshelf, on which various items are displayed.
Behind the bookshelf is a fabric sofa, which, although old, is still very clean and tidy.
Opposite the sofa was a table, on which sat a beautifully packaged cake.
Through the transparent cake box, you can easily see the "18" shaped candle stuck on the cake.
"Awen's back?" Upon hearing the door open, Li's mother, Wang Juan, wearing an apron and carrying a shovel, came out.
"Mom!" Li Wen looked away from the cake and gazed at the woman with many gray hairs in front of her. Her nose tingled slightly. "Actually, there was no need to buy a cake."
"A cake is worth very little, but today is your eighteenth birthday, Wen. It means that after today, you will be an adult."
Li's mother, Wang Juan, waved the spatula in her hand, "Go take a shower first, the food will be ready soon. I cooked your favorite braised lion's head meatballs."
"Mmm!" Li Wen swallowed the words he was about to say and nodded vigorously.
After putting down his schoolbag, he headed to the restroom.
The afternoon physical test had soaked his clothes with sweat, and although they were dry, they were still very uncomfortable against his skin.
After taking off all his clothes, Li Wen adjusted the water temperature to a suitable level and let the water droplets spray down.
Warm water quickly enveloped him, flowing down his slightly muscular body.
With his eyes closed and head tilted back, silently feeling the warm water rushing towards him, this was Li Wen's most relaxing moment each day.
When Li Wen finished washing up and went out, his mother, Wang Juan, had already cooked the dishes.
Four dishes and a soup were laid out on the living room table.
Placed in the very center is Li Wen's favorite braised lion's head meatballs.
The enticing aroma wafted towards him, making Li Wen's mouth water.
"Awen, eat while it's hot. Your dad just told me it'll probably be another ten minutes or so before he arrives." Wang Juan handed the bowl and chopsticks to Li Wen.
"I'm not in a hurry. Let's eat together when Dad gets back." Li Wen took the bowl and chopsticks and put them back on the table.
"Then let's eat a braised lion's head first and wait, otherwise it won't taste good when it gets cold." Wang Juan said, putting a braised lion's head into Li Wen's bowl.
"Okay, thank you, Mom." The physical fitness test in the afternoon had already drained Li Wen, and since it was her favorite food, she didn't insist too much because she was starving.
A dozen minutes later, Li Hong, Li's father, returned home. His eyes were clearly tired, but even so, his face was still beaming with a smile. "Awen, happy birthday!"
After saying that, he handed a gift box he was carrying to Li Wen.
"Thank you, Dad!" Li Wen quickly stood up and took the gift box from Li Hong.
...
After dinner, the family of three sat together.
The cake box had been removed, and Li's father, Li Hong, picked up a lighter and lit the birthday candles.
"Awen, make a wish quickly~" Li's mother, Wang Juan, said happily as she sat down after turning off the living room lights.
"Hmm~" Li Wen nodded and closed his eyes.
Just as the thought of his wish arose, he felt a sudden dizziness, and countless memories came out of nowhere.
Memories unfold into a series of images, each depicting a different chapter in Li Wen's life over the past eighteen years.
After eighteen years, he finally awakened to the wisdom he had gained from his past life.
"So I've lived through another eighteen years..." Li Wen murmured to himself.
In the blink of an eye, from the appearance of the memory to its complete acceptance by Li Wen, it was only a moment.
To Li's parents, who were outside the family, it seemed like Li Wen had only closed his eyes for a few seconds.
Li Wen opened his eyes and was startled, for a series of words appeared before him:
Name: Li Wen
Age: 18
[Occupation: To be unlocked]
Upon seeing the panel, familiar memories flooded Li Wen's mind.
Isn't this the same panel he used to play in a game?
In the game, each player can choose a class.
Different professions have different core skills.
With a thought in mind, Li Wen focused his attention on the "Occupation" column.
Soon, a list of information about various professions appeared before his eyes.
[Scholar: Active skills (absolute focus), passive skills (one certificate, permanent proof)]
[Martial Artist: Active Skills (...), Passive Skills (...)]
...
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Wen chose the [Scholar] position.
Should I choose "scholar" as my profession?
[Sure!]
As a die-hard fan who played until the game shut down, no one knows better than him how invincible this class is in the late game.
The passive skill alone, "Once a certificate is proven, it is permanent," is unmatched by any other class.
The only drawback is that this profession is much weaker than other professions in the early stages.
But that was in a game.
In this world of advanced martial arts, scholars are also exceptionally strong in the early stages.
Name: Li Wen
Age: 18
[Occupation: Scholar lv1 (0/100)]
[loading...]
...
After glancing at the panel again, Li Wencai turned it off with a thought, took a deep breath, and blew out the burning candle in front of him.
Wisps of white smoke drifted in, and the living room lights were quickly turned on.
The family of three sat together and began to enjoy the cake.
...
"Mom and Dad, I'm going back to my room to cultivate now." Eighteen years of living together day and night had not diminished the memories that had merged; Li Wen still regarded them as his parents.
He even came to understand more deeply how great their love for him was.
"Okay, go ahead, your dad and I will take care of it." Li's mother, Wang Juan, nodded with a smile.
Looking at Li Wen's thin back, Wang Juan's eyes were filled with heartache.
Li Wen's hard work is evident to all. Although her talent in martial arts is not very good, if she could get the same resources as other normal families, it would not be difficult for her to get into a martial arts university.
However, she and her father, Li Hong, were ordinary people from the bottom of society, and the only way for them to earn money was through hard work and sweat.
After deducting living expenses, there was hardly any money left each month, and there was simply no extra money for Li Wen to buy supplementary medicines for cultivation.
That's why Li Wen's body has never been strong since he started cultivating; he has always been very thin.
Cultivation is a leap in life level, which consumes a great deal of vital energy and blood, and cannot be supplied by ordinary food.
Most people have two ways to replenish their Qi and blood.
One method is to take qi and blood tonics, and the other is to eat the meat of monsters that are rich in qi and blood.
The most widely circulated Qi and Blood tonics on the market are the various grades of Qi and Blood medicines developed by the Galaxy Alliance.
The Galactic Alliance is composed of five planets and is the supreme commander of humanity.
The price of Qi and Blood potions increases exponentially with the increase in level.
The lowest-grade level 1 Qi and Blood potion costs 100 Galaxy Coins per vial.
One Galaxy Coin is approximately equivalent to five Huaxia Coins.
That is, a level 1 Qi and Blood potion costs 500 Huaxia coins.
In Li Wen's class, most students take between five and ten doses a month.
He only takes three doses a month.
Any more, and the family can't afford it.
After all, the family had spent almost all their savings to get him into Qingshi No. 3 Middle School.
Back in his room, Li Wen closed the door, took off his slippers, and stood barefoot on a mat.
With legs slightly bent, slowly sink down.
With both hands making different gestures, they formed an extremely strange posture.
Close your eyes, concentrate your mind, and begin breathing according to the specific instructions.
Cultivation methods are fundamental for all those who walk the path of martial arts.
Humans also rely on cultivation methods to continuously improve their physical level.
Li Wen cultivates the "Splitting Edge Golden Fiend Technique," which is based on the metal element among the five fundamental cultivation methods.
It's called a cultivation method, but it's actually more like an alternative form of stance training.
This method focuses on killing and pursuing ultimate sharpness and invincibility. It is known for its combat power among the five basic cultivation methods.
It is also the most widely practiced basic cultivation method, capable of gradually shaping the human body into a killing machine.
"Hoo~ Breathe~" Li Wen's chest rose and fell with each breath.
He could clearly feel his blood and qi circulating rapidly throughout his body under the guidance of the cultivation method, stimulating each muscle.
However, most of his vital energy was wasted because his understanding of the technique was too low, and it had no effect.
Even so, this time of day remains Li Wen's most enjoyable moment.
He was captivated by the feeling of his physical body gradually becoming stronger.
Unfortunately, his good fortune didn't last long. In less than ten minutes, Li Wen was covered in sweat and his face was flushed.
Whew~~
With a large exhale of hot white air, Li Wen could no longer maintain the standard posture. He placed his hands on his knees, bent over, and stood on the mat, panting heavily.
His comprehension was not high in the past, so his understanding of the Rift-Splitting Golden Fiend Technique is still very shallow, which makes it difficult for him to persist for a long time.
However, these will soon become a thing of the past.
Not to mention that he has now activated the [Scholar] profession and possesses two core skills: absolute focus and permanent certification.
Just from the fact that he had merged the souls of two lifetimes, Li Wen could vaguely feel that his mind was much sharper at this moment.
The feeling of mental dullness that I used to have is gone.
Looking back now, I think his low comprehension in the past was probably because his souls from the two lifetimes had not yet fully merged, causing a conflict.
"Let's try absolute focus first. I wonder what it will feel like to use it in real life." After resting, Li Wen put himself back in the same position.
This time, however, he didn't rely on himself but instead activated the scholar's proactive skills.
"Activate! - [Absolute Focus]" With a thought, Li Wen activated the skill.
In an instant, all the noise around him disappeared.
Li Wen's eyes changed instantly; his previously tired eyes were now filled with focus.
Furthermore, there have been many subtle adjustments to its movements. Although the changes are not significant, they give people a completely new feeling.
This is precisely the increased physical control that comes from absolute focus!
If Li Wen were to pay attention to his internal condition at this moment, he would definitely be shocked.
The flow of Qi and blood in his body is more than twice as fast, and the stimulation to his muscles is also multiplied.
What's even more remarkable is that the loss of Qi and blood was much less than when Li Wen actively circulated his cultivation technique.
Overall efficiency has increased several times.
Before you know it, about half an hour has passed.
Li Wen suddenly lost his state of absolute focus.
"The improvement is indeed much faster, but the consumption of my internal energy and blood has also increased exponentially." After recovering, Li Wen quickly felt a sense of emptiness in his body.
His face was deathly pale, a typical sign of blood and qi deficiency.
"Luckily, I still have one tube of level 1 Qi and Blood potion left, otherwise I'd have to crawl to school tomorrow." With unsteady steps, Li Wen walked with difficulty to the desk by his bedside.
With great effort, he pulled open the top drawer, revealing a tube of purplish-brown Qi and Blood Medicine inside.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the blood-nourishing medicine in his hand, bit off the stopper with his teeth, and poured it into his mouth.
Glug~ Glug~
The slightly fishy-sweet medicine went down my throat and into my stomach.
A surge of heat quickly spread from Li Wendantian, flowing to his limbs and bones.
The medicinal components that would normally remain in the body for several days were now being greedily devoured by every cell in Li Wen's body.
It consumes quickly, but improves even faster.
Li Wen could clearly feel his physical body getting stronger.
The next day, early morning.
A faint light shone through the gaps in the mottled old curtains, casting a narrow strip of light on the floor of the room.
Li Wen woke up in bed, his consciousness quickly returning from deep sleep to full alertness.
He habitually squinted his eyes to adjust to the light, then stretched languidly.
As the lingering sleepiness completely faded, a deep-seated unease quietly rose within me.
With a slight thought, he summoned the light screen that carried hope:
Name: Li Wen
Age: 18
[Occupation: Scholar lv1 (0/100)]
[Realm: Unranked (Level 6.0 → 6.1)]
[Technique: Rift-Edge Golden Fiend Technique - Basic (Entry-level 80→87/100)]
[Skill: Knife Technique - Advanced (Minor Success 86/100)]
Looking at the familiar semi-transparent light screen still quietly floating in his field of vision, Li Wen couldn't help but exhale a deep breath, as if releasing the heavy repression that had been building up in his heart for eighteen years.
"It's still here...it's not a dream." He murmured to himself, his voice trembling slightly.
These past eighteen years have been incredibly difficult for him, like a canoe struggling to row in a storm with no end in sight.
Despite exerting far more effort than ordinary people, with sweat soaking through his bones, he not only failed to reach the other side due to his impoverished family background and his own past dullness, but was also left further and further behind by his peers who had resources and talents.
The appearance of this mysterious panel was like the only piece of driftwood he saw when he was about to drown; it was the only spark of hope he could grasp.
The sense of security that came from confirming the panel's existence gradually calmed Li Wen's panic. He settled down and scanned the fluctuating data on the panel with focused and inquisitive eyes.
Realm: Unranked (Level 6.0 → 6.1)
"Just as I expected!" A glint flashed in Li Wen's eyes.
Yesterday, during the physical test, a cold, mechanical voice announced that his physical level was barely maintained at 6.0, a passing grade that was far from the admission line for martial arts universities.
In just one night, he leveled up by 0.1! This was the first time in his many years of cultivation that he had ever achieved such a level.
It should be noted that in the past, even if one gritted their teeth and used up the only three level 1 Qi and Blood potions each month, the improvement would be negligible. Such a visible increase, confirmed by the panel, is absolutely unprecedented.
"It's definitely the effect of 'absolute focus'!" He confidently attributed the credit to the core skill he activated last night.
In that state of "absolute focus," not only does the mind become one and all distractions are eliminated, leading to a surge in cultivation efficiency, but more importantly, there is that mysterious and profound feeling, as if the fog has been cleared to enhance one's understanding—that is the key!
Technique: Rift-Edge Golden Fiend Technique - Basic (Entry-level 80 → 87/100)
His gaze shifted to the cultivation techniques section, and he understood immediately.
No wonder I always felt that the "Splitting Edge Golden Fiend Technique" was profound and difficult to understand; it turns out that I was only at the "entry level" of proficiency.
Last night's single session of practice in a state of "absolute focus" resulted in a 7-point jump in his proficiency, which had been stagnant for a long time. This direct feedback from the increased efficiency filled him with confidence for the future.
Skill: Knife Technique - Advanced (Minor Success 86/100)
When his gaze fell upon the skills section, Li Wen felt a slight ripple in his heart, along with a touch of emotion.
Compared to the shallowness of his cultivation technique, this "minor achievement" in "advanced swordsmanship" is probably the only commendable and barely presentable result he has achieved in the past two and a half years of arduous training.
The classification of beginner-level martial arts techniques clearly came to mind: basic, advanced, and top-level, with each level further subdivided into beginner, minor mastery, and major mastery.
After mastering a top-tier sword technique to perfection, one must be able to comprehend the universe and integrate it with one's own body to create a unique martial arts technique. Only then can one step into the enchanting first realm—the realm of unity!
Those who enter this realm achieve perfect harmony between mind, body, and skill, enabling them to unleash their power several times, or even ten times, greater than before, completely widening the gap between themselves and ordinary martial artists.
In the face of a master of the Unity Realm, as long as the opponent's skill level has not reached the same level, even if their physical body level is much higher, they are just a target with slightly better strength and speed, and can be wiped out with a flick of the wrist.
This "unity of beings" is a crucial, even decisive, threshold for a martial artist to break through the limits of life and enter the ranks of extraordinary "super martial artists."
Those who cannot reach this realm will be forever confined to the realm of ordinary martial artists.
Within the small county of Qingshi, there are only a handful of experts who can reach the Unity Realm, and all of them are supreme martial artists.
Among middle school students, those who can achieve this are extremely rare.
As far as Li Wen knew, the number of students who could reach the Unity Realm before graduation from all the high schools in the entire Qingshi County could be counted on two hands.
Those people were all exceptional talents, the greatest hope for the entire county to break into the top four martial arts schools in China in the coming year.
Once upon a time, when he heard these legends, he felt only a deep sense of powerlessness and shock.
I've exhausted all my energy practicing basic sword techniques, and it's already difficult enough to reach the minor mastery level in advanced sword techniques, while others can surpass the top at the same age and develop their own secret techniques.
At that time, Li Wen, let alone having the desire to catch up, even having the right to look up to him seemed like an unimaginable luxury.
However, at this moment, gazing at the "86/100" on the panel, he felt an unprecedented clarity brought about by the fusion of the two souls in his mind.
With the "scholar" power granted by the panel, Li Wen's long-dormant heart was stirred for the first time by a ripple called "ambition".
"Ring ring~~" The slightly jarring alarm clock by the bedside suddenly rang, interrupting Li Wen's wandering thoughts.
He casually turned off the alarm, letting those thoughts settle in his mind, then got up, pushed open the door, and went out to wash up.
The cold water stung my cheeks, bringing a complete sense of clarity.
After quickly washing up, Li Wen picked up the still-warm simple breakfast that his mother, Wang Juan, had prepared for him from the small living room dining table, slung his faded canvas backpack over his shoulder, pushed open the creaking door, and joined the unique hustle and bustle of the old town in the early morning.
...
Qingshi No. 3 Middle School.
The senior high school building, classroom for Class 21's academic classes.
It was still early, and the large classroom was almost empty. Li Wen had already sat down in his usual corner seat by the window.
His gaze was focused intently on the textbook "Basic Theory of High Energy Mathematics" that was spread out in front of him.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the complex and difficult formulas and symbols on the pages. Li Wen concentrated, beginning to study and understand them word by word.
About ten minutes after he got into a study mode, the classroom door was pushed open, and a slightly chubby boy with small eyes walked in.
He saw that Li Wen was already reading a book, so he pushed up his glasses and greeted him, half-jokingly and half-habitually:
"Wow, no wonder he's the top student in our class, he's here really early."
This is Wei Wu, the top student in academic subjects in Class 21, consistently ranking among the top ten in academic performance at Qing Shi No. 3 Middle School.
However, compared to his brilliant literary talent, his martial arts achievements were dismal, even worse than Li Wen's in the past.
The classmates often joked about their names in private: Li Wenwen is no good, Wei Wuwu is no good.
"Good morning." Li Wen didn't even look up, his eyes still glued to the pages of the book, and simply replied with one word.
It wasn't that he was deliberately cold; rather, he didn't want to attract too much unnecessary attention because of his unusual attitude, and more importantly, he was currently immersed in a thirst for new knowledge.
Scholars need to gain experience points through learning! This is something he realized after his initial attempt last night.
[You study attentively for ten minutes, and your scholar experience will increase by 1.]
Almost simultaneously, a notification message appeared on the panel that brought him a slight sense of joy.
Sure enough! It's the same setting as the game I remember!
[Scholar] To level up your profession, the core source of experience points is learning, understanding, and mastering knowledge!
The higher the level, the more exaggerated and powerful the comprehension bonus and self-control enhancement brought by "Absolute Focus" become!
Last night's initial experience with the skill brought him tremendous training benefits, like a refreshing rain, filling him with the motivation to grind experience points.
Even without this panel, he would still work hard to improve.
But now, with clear goals and a visible progress bar, this motivation burns even brighter, like a raging fire.
We must level up our [Scholar] rank as soon as possible!
Because in the game's design, the first player to reach the highest initial class level will receive an incredible reward—unlocking a second class!
This hidden "pioneer" achievement is recognized by the game strategy community in his previous life as one of the cornerstones that laid the foundation for the strongest combat power in the later stages! He is determined to obtain it!
...
Time flows silently when you are focused.
A dozen minutes later, the classroom door was pushed open again, and a girl with a high ponytail and a slightly sleepy expression walked in.
Seeing Li Wen and Wei Wu sitting one behind the other, already engrossed in their books, she couldn't help but yawn and mutter:
"As expected, both the first and second volumes have Wang. I say, gentlemen, can you give me a way out?" His words carried a familiar joking tone.
"Good morning!" Wei Wu looked up and replied with a smile.
"Good morning!" Li Wen replied without looking up, taking a moment from his book to respond.
The girl was clearly used to the two's style. She threw her backpack on the desk, unzipped it, and took out her books to join the "rolling" group.
The only sounds in the classroom were the turning of pages and the scratching of pens on paper; the three students' focused concentration created a silent boundary.
...
"Ring ring—" The melodious school bell suddenly rang.
For the entire morning, Li Wen was immersed in intense studying. Apart from necessary breaks to go to the restroom, he remained almost motionless, studying diligently at his desk for six hours.
[Occupation: Scholar lv1 (36/100)]
The experience points on the panel clearly recorded the results of his hard work.
In six hours, I gained 36 experience points.
Based on this calculation, if I dedicate myself to this for another two days, I will definitely be able to raise my scholar level to lv2.
Hmm... Li Wen put down his pen, stood up from his seat, stretched his shoulders, neck and back, which were a little stiff from sitting for a long time, and gave a very wide yawn.
Several soft cracking sounds came from all the joints of his body.
Although there was no strenuous exercise like the afternoon meditation, the high-intensity study that lasted for several hours and required a high degree of concentration still took a huge toll on one's mental well-being.
At this moment, he even felt a slight throbbing sensation in his temples.
At the same time, "gurgle..." my stomach also timely protested its hunger.
"I need to fill my stomach first," Li Wen muttered to himself, quickly stuffing his books into his desk, picking up his empty water cup, and walking briskly out of the classroom toward the cafeteria.
The intangible sense of fulfillment that knowledge brings needs to be replenished with real-world energy.
...
Around 1:30 pm.
The martial arts room of Class 21, Qingshi No. 3 Middle School.
In stark contrast to the simple and compact classroom for morning academic classes, this dedicated classroom for martial arts training is remarkably spacious.
The spacious area, spanning nearly a thousand square meters, features a floor made of special materials that can withstand powerful impacts.
Various training equipment are fixed to the surrounding walls, while a large open space in the middle is left for live-fire drills or group training.
There was still half an hour before the afternoon martial arts class officially started, but the martial arts room was already quite lively.
Apart from those students in the class who had given up on martial arts because they aspired to study humanities, almost all the students in Class 21 who planned to pursue martial arts and aim for a martial arts university had arrived by now.
In the second semester of senior year, the new content that the school's martial arts teachers could teach had already been taught in the previous two years. Now, the courses are more about students practicing independently, while teachers supervise, guide, correct mistakes, and answer questions.
In the later stages of spiritual practice, the principle that "the master leads you through the door, but the practice depends on the individual" is fully demonstrated.
With the college entrance examination just around the corner, everyone is on edge, no one dares to relax, and everyone wants to seize every minute and second to improve themselves and gain an extra edge in that life-determining exam.
Therefore, the martial arts room was already so busy at 1:30 pm.
Li Wen habitually walked to a corner where it was relatively quiet and less disturbing.
He picked up a standard-issue steel dagger; its slight weight and icy touch instantly calmed him.
He did not rush to swing his sword, but instead closed his eyes and focused his mind, carefully reviewing the twenty-six moves of the "Tiger Warrior Sword Technique" and every subtle movement he had made during his practice.
With the enhanced understanding following yesterday's soul fusion, the scenes I recall now are vastly different from those before.
In the past, practicing swordsmanship was more like clumsily and forcefully imitating the external form of the movements.
When a knife strikes, one only knows its "form" but not its "meaning".
Why apply force in this way? How does the center of gravity shift with the movement of the blade? What is the significance of the subtle adjustments at the transitions between moves?
These questions, which were previously vague or never explored in depth, are now clearly reflected in my mind like stars that have been lit up.
The sword techniques he remembered now seemed incredibly rough and stiff to him, lacking any sense of agility. Performing them always felt indescribably uncomfortable, as if he were dancing in heavy shackles.
Li Wen understood that while martial arts techniques like swordsmanship could be mastered through diligent practice at the beginner level, at a higher level, comprehension played a decisive role.
Those who lack comprehension are often trapped in the realm of ultimate perfection for life, unable to grasp the crucial secret technique and step into the extraordinary starting point of the unity of body, mind, and skill.
Many martial artists in Qingshi County have wasted their time in this way, only managing to break through with their long experience and accumulated knowledge when their qi and blood began to decline. Unfortunately, they had already missed the best opportunity.
After reaching the Unity Realm, the even more profound "Power Realm" demands unimaginably high levels of comprehension.
"Hoo..." Li Wen exhaled softly, his eyes becoming focused and sharp.
Without further hesitation, he flipped his wrist, pointed the dagger diagonally at the ground, and then his figure suddenly sprang into action!
Start with the first move, "Tiger Roars in the Forest"!
A sudden gust of wind arose, and unlike before, this time the sound of the blade's cry carried a power that had never been there before.
Li Wen could clearly feel the resistance of the blade cutting through the air, as well as the transmission of force when his feet gripped the ground.
As his sword strike reached its climax and he was about to transition into the second move, "Tiger Descending the Mountain," a slight thought struck him. Instead of simply reciting the movement, he naturally lowered his center of gravity further, based on the shift in his body's center of gravity and the downward momentum.
The wrist makes an extremely slight inward rotation, which makes the chopping motion like a waterfall hanging upside down, with the power concentrated and exploded instantly, and the sharpness far exceeds the usual!
This small change is smooth and natural, like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace, yet bringing about a completely different effect!
Li Wen was overjoyed, as if a new door had been opened for him.
He became more and more engrossed in his practice, no longer confined to the framework of rote memorization of moves.
With each strike, I can clearly "see" the shortcomings in the move, and countless inspirations burst forth in my mind:
The transition between these movements is a bit stiff, so how about adjusting the wrist angle by half? If the previous movement took too long to build up power, could the power from the waist and back be used for a sudden burst of power? Where is the unnecessary waste of power being generated?
His swordsmanship is undergoing a transformation at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The originally stiff and rigid routine of knife skills was as if it had been infused with a soul, and began to flow smoothly and be full of indescribable "vitality".
The blade's gleam was no longer a dull silver light, but rather seemed to possess its own life trajectory, sometimes like a tiger pouncing on its prey, fierce and violent; sometimes like a serpent spitting its tongue, cunning and unpredictable; sometimes like a whirlwind sweeping away leaves, continuous and unending.
The transitions between moves were smooth and effortless, with almost no pauses.
Fast! Accurate! Ruthless! More importantly, it possesses a "spirituality" that stems from understanding rather than brute force!
Tiger Warrior Saber Technique Experience +1
...
Tiger Warrior Saber Technique Experience +1
...
The proficiency level indicator on the panel jumped steadily like flowing water.
This astonishing change quickly attracted the attention of nearby students.
"Hiss..." The first to notice was Wei Wu, who was not far from Li Wen.
He was holding a practice sword, absentmindedly practicing basic sword moves.
When he caught a glimpse of Li Wen's blade out of the corner of his eye, he was startled at first, then subconsciously stopped what he was doing and stared at it intently.
His mouth opened unconsciously, almost wide enough to fit an egg.
'This...this is Li Wen?' Wei Wu's heart was filled with shock.
A few days ago, during the physical test, he was still the same guy who clumsily swung his knife with brute force, his knife skills showing some promise but appearing heavy and slow.
How come today... this swordsmanship seems to have undergone a complete transformation? Not only is it faster and the movements smoother, but the key is that inimitable spirit!
Previously, he could at least tell that Li Wen's swordsmanship was a level above his own, but now... Wei Wu's eyes were blank. He found that he could not see through the depth of Li Wen's swordsmanship at all!
Those fluid movements and restrained sharpness exerted an invisible pressure on him. How did this former king of scrolls suddenly seem to have had an epiphany?
Immediately afterwards, another girl who usually paid close attention to Li Wen also noticed something was wrong.
"Wei Wu, look at Li Wen!" She gently nudged Wei Wu, who was still in a daze, her voice tinged with surprise, "His blade today... seems to have come alive?"
Her voice attracted the attention of several classmates further away. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes to Li Wen in the corner.
Wow...it's really different now!
"Yeah, it doesn't feel like he's training alone at all..."
"So much more agile and powerful, right? And it's only been a short time."
"He wasn't like this yesterday... That's strange."
"Tsk tsk, could this be the legendary 'great things come from small beginnings'?"
Whispers rose and fell, their eyes filled with surprise, envy, and bewilderment.
Li Wen, who only knew how to bury himself in hard training, seemed to be rapidly transforming in a way that they couldn't understand.
Amidst the hushed whispers, a gaze as steady as a mountain quietly fell upon Li Wen.
It was their martial arts teacher—Wang Hu!
Wang Hu was tall and robust, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and fierce eyes. Even in ordinary training clothes, he could not hide his aura of a tough and ruthless man.
At that moment, a hint of surprise flashed across his resolute face, which quickly turned into deep satisfaction.
Unlike those students who only value talent or family background, Wang Hu has shown genuine care and appreciation for Li Wen, who comes from a poor family and has average talent, over the past two years.
For no other reason than Li Wen's almost obsessive diligence! He was always the first student in the class to arrive at the martial arts room and the last to leave.
Regardless of wind or rain, regardless of his condition, that perseverance and willpower deeply touched Wang Hu's heart.
He privately guided Li Wen on several occasions, even making an exception to give him more training resources or sparring time. In his mind, Li Wen was a promising talent, lacking only opportunity and time.
At this moment, watching Li Wen's swordsmanship, which had undergone a complete transformation, and seeing him immersed in it, wielding it with ease and gradually reaching a state of excellence, Wang Hu seemed to see a piece of unpolished jade, covered in dust, being carefully carved and radiating its own brilliance.
His gaze softened, and a subtle smile curved his lips.
Li Wen, immersed in the world of swordsmanship, was completely unaware of the gazes and discussions directed at him from the outside world.
At this moment, intention, qi and blood, techniques, and movements achieved an unprecedented harmony and unity.
He was highly focused, as if the whole world consisted only of him and the knife in his hand.
Chop, slash, parry, thrust, block, parry... the twenty-six forms of the Tiger Warrior Saber Technique were executed with unrestrained fluency and ease.
The long-standing doubts in my heart melted away like ice and snow after my understanding improved through reflection and practice, transforming into the power to make my swordsmanship flow smoothly.
Before they knew it, they had practiced it more than a dozen times in one go.
As Li Wen sheathed his sword in front of his chest with the final move, "Tiger Crouching at the Fortress," he felt a warm sensation throughout his body, a strange sense of clarity spreading through his limbs and bones.
At the same time, the familiar pale blue light screen arrived as expected, clearly appearing in his field of vision:
[Your continuous practice of the Tiger Warrior Saber Technique has greatly improved your saber skills!]
[Skill: Swordsmanship - Advanced (Mastery 0/100)]
Success! Advanced swordsmanship, mastered!
A tremendous joy instantly filled my heart.
Li Wen leaned on his knife, breathing slightly heavily, his chest surging with an indescribable sense of pride.
Was this breakthrough fast? It was indeed fast, incredibly fast. But Li Wen knew that it wasn't entirely due to soul fusion or "absolute focus" achieved in a single day.
More importantly, it was his tireless, monotonous practice over the past two and a half years.
It was that sweat and perseverance that laid a solid foundation, honing every muscle memory to its limit, providing the most fertile ground for today's enlightenment.
This is exactly what is meant by "great things come from small beginnings" and "success comes naturally when the time is right"!
"Phew..." He let out a long sigh of relief, a relieved and satisfied smile on his face.
Just then, a deep and powerful voice rang out, filled with undisguised admiration:
"Excellent! Steady steps, the blade moves with the body, intention and strength follow each other! All twenty-six moves are executed in one breath, like a tiger patrolling the mountain! Not bad, Li Wen, this is the mark of mastering the Tiger Warrior Blade Technique!"
Wang Hu had approached without anyone noticing, staring intently at Li Wen with an approving smile on his face.
His voice was loud and clear, carrying clearly throughout the corner of the martial arts room, so that all the students who were still paying attention to Li Wen could hear it clearly.
Teacher Wang's affirmation made Li Wen's breakthrough seem even more real and impressive.
"Thank you, Teacher Wang!" Li Wen sheathed his sword, clasped his hands in a standard martial arts salute, his attitude respectful and his eyes clear, showing no arrogance despite his teacher's praise.
Looking at the still humble young man before him, Wang Hu's admiration deepened.
He patted Li Wen's slightly thin shoulder forcefully—although the other man looked more upright than yesterday, the long-term lack of resources still made him appear thin.
"Excellent! Keep up this spirit and this dedication!" Wang Hu's voice was filled with encouragement and expectation.
"The path of martial arts is long, requiring both comprehension and hard work. You've grasped the key point and found your own rhythm. Keep going, and you might even make further progress before the college entrance exam! I believe in you!"
His tone was sincere, clearly showing that he was genuinely happy for the hardworking student's breakthrough.
"Yes!" Li Wen straightened his back and replied in a deep voice. A warm feeling welled up in his heart.
He has kept in mind every extra instruction, every "practice a little longer" and every encouraging look from Teacher Wang over the past two years.
'Teacher Wang, I will repay your kindness in the future!' He solemnly promised in his heart.
After offering a few more words of encouragement to Li Wen and reminding him to proceed step by step and consolidate his achievements, Wang Hu turned around and continued to inspect the entire martial arts classroom to instruct the other students.
As Li Wen watched Wang Hu leave, his thoughts raced.
The joy of his breakthrough was intense, but it also made him more clearly aware of the huge gap between himself and true geniuses.
However, the flame in his heart did not dim because of this; on the contrary, it burned even brighter!
In this world, what truly determines strength? It's not the temporary level of one's physical body!
Li Wen's gaze swept over the people in the martial arts room.
The blame fell on Wei Wu—the classmate who excelled in academic subjects but almost gave up on martial arts.
His physical body level is 7.2, which is a full 1.1 levels higher than Li Wen, who just broke through to level 6.1 yesterday!
However, what about his martial arts skills? He probably hasn't even mastered basic swordsmanship. He has plenty of energy, but his combat strength is mediocre.
Other students from well-off families generally reached a physical level of 7.5 or higher.
However, since their skill level is generally limited to advanced minor or advanced major, they are nothing more than punching bags with greater strength and speed in front of martial artists who have truly mastered the "secret techniques".
This also confirms what is stated in the book:
"In front of a master of the Unity Realm, as long as the opponent's skills have not reached the Unity Realm, even if their physical body is of a high level, they are just a sitting duck with higher strength and speed, and can be killed at will."
"The key to elevating one's skill lies in understanding and perception, in one's comprehension!"
With this in mind, Li Wen's inner confidence grew like bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, unstoppable and robust.
Having gained experience from his previous life's games and a deep understanding of the potential of the Scholar's core skill, "Absolute Focus," he was acutely aware of the terrifying amplification of "Absolute Focus" after the Scholar's level increased—higher comprehension! Stronger control over the physical body!
And this is precisely the most crucial element in elevating one's skill level! It even provides a significant boost to the understanding of techniques and the efficiency of practice!
Physical strength can be rapidly increased through resources, although resources are also a huge problem for him.
However, compared to the skill level that requires extremely high comprehension and a long period of practice, the threshold for improving one's physical body level is relatively "low"—as long as there are "sufficient" resources.
"Therefore, my real advantage lies in the speed at which I improve my skill level! Having the title of 'Scholar' is my greatest trump card!"
Li Wen's eyes became incredibly determined, filled with an unwavering confidence in the future for the first time.
As long as he continues to accumulate scholarly experience, improve his scholarly level, and amplify the effect of absolute focus, his comprehension and learning ability will continue to soar!
Breakthroughs in skill and technique will occur at an increasingly rapid pace, creating a positive cycle.
As for his physical level... he will try his best to catch up.
Once a higher level of skill creates an overwhelming advantage over others of the same level, it may be possible to obtain more opportunities and resources to improve one's physical body!
"Cough cough..." Just as I was thinking, a slight dizziness and a little muscle soreness came over me.
After practicing the advanced level of swordsmanship more than a dozen times in a row, and being in a state of excitement after just breaking through, the consumption of physical strength and blood energy was much greater than usual.
He didn't force himself to continue practicing with his sword, but instead gently leaned the sword against the wall.
I walked to the bench in the corner of the martial arts room, sat down, picked up an energy drink, and sipped it to replenish my fluids and energy.
Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, warmly bathing Li Wen's quietly recovering figure, casting a long shadow behind him. Within that shadow, there seemed to be an unstoppable momentum about to break free from its cocoon.