High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 122: Fourth Stage High Level, Bright Moon

The prompt on the Divine Palace panel jumped, and Li Yuan noticed it, but he didn't stop to check it as he usually did.

Instead, he continued practicing with his spear.

His movements were as fluid as the wind, his spear dancing with endless vigor, each thrust containing incredible power.

Star Illumination, Galaxy Cascade, Dawn Piercing Through Clouds, Meteor Falling from the Sky... Li Yuan executed the four major killer moves he had mastered, his entire being faintly imbued with a hint of the essence of the stars.

Ten times!

A hundred times! A thousand times!

The insights gained from practicing alone for months, the life-and-death struggles during the practical assessment, the guidance from Teacher Li Yang, and the combat experience from Teacher Jiang Lun and the other two sparring partners... all these were enough to equal the accumulation of years or even longer of spear training for many.

At this moment, in the epiphany where Li Yuan's mind and spear were in complete harmony.

He fully erupted.

"[Your spear technique level has increased from 62% at the fourth stage to 63%.]" Occasionally, a prompt would flash across the Divine Palace panel.

Dash, thrust, cut, retreat, sweep, collapse... If a spear master were present, they would surely notice that Li Yuan was gradually entering a special state of 'mental clarity.'

His mind was completely empty.

His spirit was entirely unified.

...

This practice session lasted until after seven in the evening, when Li Yuan finally emerged from his state of selflessness.

His consciousness exited that special state.

"Whew~" The fatigue from all over his body washed over him like a tide, making Li Yuan instinctively put down his spear and sit on the ground.

"It's already past seven?"

"I devoted myself to practice for nearly five hours?" Li Yuan glanced at the time, sighing, "Luckily, I had high-source spiritual springs two days ago and ate a lot at noon. Otherwise, practicing from afternoon to evening would've been unbearable."

Shifting his attention away from the spear, Li Yuan immediately felt a surge of hunger.

He quickly ordered five nutritional meals.

Li Yuan got up, dragged his tired body, and drank a bottle of first-order blood tonic in the resting room.

At Li Yuan's current physical level, blood tonics had gradually transitioned from supplements to 'recovery potions,' with their role in enhancing physical quality diminishing.

"Spear technique." Li Yuan put down the empty bottle, glanced at the Divine Palace panel, and was stunned.

—— [Life Level: 12.8 (First Order)]

Punching Power: 4590 kg

Speed: 34.8 m/s

Mental Strength: 20.5

Spiritual Awakening Level: 25% (Current Limit 25%)

Skill Level: Spear Technique (Fourth Stage 65%), Movement Technique (Fourth Stage 48%), Fist Technique (Fourth Stage 67%) ——

"65%?" Li Yuan was slightly surprised, an epiphany had increased his skill by over 10%.

Even his movement technique had improved significantly.

"My physical level increased by 0.1, and my mental strength increased by 0.5." Li Yuan was astonished.

Just one afternoon.

"Teacher Li Yang once said."

"The mind is the strongest force. When you have an epiphany, you improve in all aspects." Li Yuan thought, "Progress in the mind greatly enhances your control over your body during an epiphany."

"A more complete mind naturally boosts mental strength."

"Body." Li Yuan closed his eyes, internally observing his entire body, feeling every drop of blood flow, barely perceptible.

The beating and operation of his internal organs seemed to be under his control.

"Is this the bodily sensation of the high level of the fourth stage?" Li Yuan marveled.

The higher the skill level, the deeper the excavation of physical strength, and the more terrifying the improvement in physical quality.

This is why those martial arts geniuses with meticulous skills can still progress several levels a year even after breaking through the 15th life level.

The gap between geniuses and ordinary people gradually forms.

Until it becomes insurmountable.

"With this special epiphany."

"My spear technique should progress rapidly for a while." Li Yuan mused, "Only the transition from the high level of the fourth stage to the final state of 'mental profundity' can stop me."

Before reaching the mental profundity, all Li Yuan needed was time.

For other warriors at the ten-plus levels, reaching the high level of the fourth stage would be challenging due to weak mental strength, making it very difficult to sense the entire body and achieve the mental profundity.

This is a fundamental gap.

This is why most martial arts geniuses have hopes for mental profundity only after becoming source warriors.

But the bottleneck of mental strength does not exist for Li Yuan.

Strong mental strength is a crucial reason for Li Yuan's rapid progress.

...

After eating, Li Yuan felt refreshed and took a shower.

After thinking for a moment, he called Wan Qinghe.

Soon, the video call connected.

Wan Qinghe appeared on the screen.

"Uncle Wan." Li Yuan greeted with a smile, "Sorry to disturb you so late."

"No worries." Wan Qinghe smiled, "So, did your uncle agree?"

"No." Li Yuan shook his head.

"I guessed you wouldn't convince him." Wan Qinghe sighed, "I spoke with him during the day. I don't fully agree with his views, but your uncle is indeed admirable."

"Actually, I suggested helping him earlier... but he refused."

"If his persistence were towards others, it could be debated."

"But your uncle applies it to himself." Wan Qinghe sighed, "I admit I couldn't do it."

Li Yuan listened silently.

If it were about his aunt, siblings, and they refused treatment, Li Yuan would never agree.

But this recovery plan was for Li Changzhou himself.

Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan and continued, "For martial arts geniuses, whether the money is a national reward or funding from the Martial Hall, the purpose is for you to train well, but part of it is 'settlement money' to ensure you can practice with peace of mind."

"Like the villa in Starlight South Lake Community... it's the same principle." Wan Qinghe said, "The 'recovery and life extension plan' you made for your uncle does indeed exceed normal settlement money."

"But as I said, once the money is given to you, how you spend it is up to you." Wan Qinghe said, "Martial arts are about achieving mental clarity."

"That's why I didn't stop you after asking in May."

"Hmm." Li Yuan nodded slightly.

Li Yuan understood this point. Martial arts training, gathering great power in oneself, was the reason for the Martial Hall and human civilization giving 'warriors' great privileges and freedom.

Because they are uncontrollable.

A warrior's strength comes from within and cannot be taken away.

"You're right, you did nothing wrong." Wan Qinghe said, "Your uncle... he did nothing wrong either, and is even more admirable. Once he decides something, it's hard for anyone to sway his will."

Li Yuan sighed inwardly.

The reason he didn't dare tell his uncle at first was the fear that he would refuse upon knowing the truth.

And it turned out to be true.

"My uncle resists internally. I can't force him." Li Yuan shook his head, "I can only wait until I'm strong enough to find a way. I'm just worried that if it takes too long, his body will weaken further."

Working hard to become stronger and then earning money himself was Li Yuan's goal.

"Li Yuan."

"You don't need to worry too much. I had Professor Zhong recheck today. Your uncle is only in his forties, and his body is not in serious trouble, just severely damaged in terms of vitality." Wan Qinghe said, "Even if delayed by a year or two, it won't be fatal."

"Moreover."

"With current technology, even with the recovery plan, his body can't be restored to its peak, only extending his life expectancy by ten to twenty years." Wan Qinghe said, "It's better to look further ahead. In the future, some natural treasures could not only restore his body but even extend his life beyond normal."

"Natural treasures?" Li Yuan was stunned.

"Yes."

"Some treasures deep in the Astral Realm are very special and have unique healing effects on ordinary people. Though growing new flesh and reviving the dead is exaggerated, for your uncle's situation, the effect would be ten times better than the recovery plan." Wan Qinghe smiled.

"However, such treasures are rare. Having one would be immediately used, I've only heard from my seniors."

"When you become a top source warrior, you'll have more connections and can figure out a way." Wan Qinghe smiled.

"Alright." Li Yuan felt a stir in his heart.

Yes!

He had been somewhat limited in his thinking.

The recovery plan extended his uncle's life expectancy to ninety, the current limit of human technology... but some treasures in the Star Realm would have better effects.

"That's all for now."

"Train well at Kunlun Martial University." Wan Qinghe smiled, "I'll keep an eye on your family."

"Thank you, Uncle Wan." Li Yuan said gratefully.

...

After hanging up the call.

Talking with Wan Qinghe made Li Yuan feel more at peace.

He went to the balcony.

Li Yuan couldn't help but look into the distance, where the lights of the villas were on.

Further away was the 'logistics department' building of the school.

At eight in the evening, it was still brightly lit.

With Li Yuan's keen eyesight, aided by the lights, he could see many staff members flying around.

To serve so many students, the logistics building had to operate 24 hours.

A breeze gently brushed his face, making Li Yuan's thoughts clearer.

"Next."

"I'll strive to spend all the reward money on training." Li Yuan thought, "To reach level 14 as quickly as possible and see what the spiritual guidance is."

"Now?"

"With mastery of the Four Styles of the Starry Spear Technique, I should have a good chance of advancing to the Bright Moon rank." Li Yuan turned towards the rest room, "I'm 300 points short, let's push tonight."

"See if I can break into the Bright Moon rank in one go."

Li Yuan needed to reach the Bright Moon rank and win the 20 million Blue Star Coins by August 29.

...

Over three hours later.

In the virtual network, the Starry Sky Combat Network, Li Yuan was engaged in fierce battles with opponents.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!" Li Yuan's spear danced, fully executing the Starry Spear Technique, each move like rolling stars, terrifying in power.

Not only could he easily block the opponent's war hammer attacks, but his spear light forced the opponent into a fluster.

"The Four Styles of the Stars."

"Truly wonderful." Li Yuan immersed himself in the battle, "Star Illumination is defensive, making oneself as impregnable as a star."

"Galaxy Cascade is a series of strikes, the most powerful with twelve continuous hits."

"Dawn Through Clouds is fast, using extreme speed to kill the enemy."

"Meteor Falling from the Sky is powerful, not as fast as Dawn Through Clouds, but best for frontal assaults." The more Li Yuan fought, the more elated he felt.

These second-order secret moves, taken individually, had flaws.

But when combined, their power multiplied.

"Puff!"

After dozens of exchanges, a spear light slashed across the neck, and the opponent finally couldn't hold on.

Their body turned to nothingness.

"Congratulations, Defender Yuan, for winning the rank match. Points +9." The system prompt instantly sounded.

Li Yuan noticed the change in points.

"Non-stop fighting for nearly forty matches, I am indeed a bit tired." Li Yuan glanced at his rank points.

Rank Match: Meteor Rank

Points: 994 (1000 points needed to participate in the promotion match)Rank Win Rate: 76%

...

Over the past few months.

As his skill level increased, even occasional battles in the Starry Sky Combat Network saw Li Yuan's win rate rise steadily.

Especially after today's breakthrough in spear technique, Li Yuan fought 37 matches, losing only two.

The two he lost to had terrifying coordination of movement and blade techniques.

The other was a Bright Moon rank expert.

"Six points short, with luck, I might reach the promotion match next game." Li Yuan clicked on match, "Hope it's fast."

In the past few hours, half the time was spent waiting for matches.

Though global, there weren't that many Bright Moon rank experts.

Unexpectedly, just five seconds later.

"Buzz~"

With a flash of light, Li Yuan entered a new battle arena and saw his opponent.

"Tian Dazhuang?"

"Li Yuan?" Tian Dazhuang was equally surprised.