High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 13: Xu Bo's Test

"Just by creating this new ultimate move, my spear technique proficiency increased by 6%?" A slight smile appeared on Li Yuan's face.

This kind of improvement was within his expectations.

Li Yuan remembered that near the end of the second semester of his sophomore year, his spear technique proficiency had been stuck at 99% of the second level, unable to break through.

At that time, Teacher Xu Bo gave him three pieces of advice.

First, fist techniques and body techniques are the integration of body and mind. As one gradually enhances their control over their body, they can maximize the mobilization of physical strength, often resulting in the continuous improvement of both fist techniques and body techniques, and vice versa.

Second, the spear is an external tool. Training with the spear essentially involves the integration of body, mind, and tool. Since the tool is external and not part of the body, it is more challenging to train. However, a tool can extend beyond the body's natural strength, allowing one to unleash terrifying combat power that exceeds physical limitations.

Third, when you reach a bottleneck in spear training, you can try transforming fist techniques into spear techniques!

"Historically, the traditional martial art 'Xingyi Quan' evolved from spear techniques," Li Yuan thought. "By incorporating the force application and technique variations of spear techniques into unarmed combat, it truly achieved the transition from spear to fist."

"In modern times, the combination of stance training and breathing techniques in cultivation methods has made physical training far more efficient than in ancient times. The entire human civilization has embarked on a path of life evolution, repeatedly breaking life limits, and eventually producing martial artists capable of extraordinary feats. However, the fundamental principles of martial arts techniques remain unchanged," Li Yuan reflected. "The 'Rock Fist Technique' and Xingyi Quan in traditional martial arts share the same essence and can similarly transform into spear techniques."

This was the direction Li Yuan chose after receiving guidance from Teacher Xu Bo.

It was also one of the reasons why Li Yuan was so fervently studying the 'Rock Fist Technique.'

Fist techniques, spear techniques, and body techniques were never independent of each other but mutually reinforcing.

During the final exam of his second year, Li Yuan had been unable to break through.

Therefore, during the holidays, he did not relax at all and kept intensely studying and practicing.

As his mental power continued to improve, during the final half-month before the new school term started.

Li Yuan used basic spear techniques as a foundation and combined them with the core mysteries of the "Rock Fist Technique" to create his first true spear technique ultimate move—Foundation Pillar.

This move was a fusion of the "Foundation Establishment" and "Pillar of Strength" techniques from the Rock Fist Technique, adapted into a spear technique.

Both the "Rock Cultivation Method" and the "Rock Fist Technique" emphasize a strong foundation and force generated from the ground, making them the strongest in defense among the seven basic cultivation methods.

This spear technique, Foundation Pillar, is also a defensive spear move.

Creating "Foundation Pillar" allowed Li Yuan to break through from 99% of the second level to the third level in spear technique proficiency.

During the initial test of the school term and a sparring session with Teacher Xu Bo, it was this ultimate move that enabled Li Yuan to withstand more than ten attacks.

A defensive spear technique can save one's life.

But to defeat an enemy? An offensive move is necessary.

So, in the past two months, Li Yuan had been pondering how to create an offensive spear technique.

"The Rock Fist Technique excels in defense, so creating a defensive ultimate move is easy, but creating an offensive ultimate move is difficult."

The seven fundamental cultivation methods include seven major fist techniques, such as the "Flame Fist Technique" and the "True Gold Fist Technique," which excel in offense and can more easily lead to the creation of offensive ultimate moves.

Through continuous practice of fist and spear techniques, and as his proficiency increased, Li Yuan finally understood after studying the concept of the 'Turning Horse Spear.'

"The 'Turning Horse Spear' is about feigning weakness, pretending to be defeated and retreating, then suddenly turning around to counterattack. This is cavalry spear technique," Li Yuan thought. "My Rock Spear Technique excels in defense. Whether it's the force application, footwork, or grip, it all instinctively leans towards defense."

"So, if I take the initiative to attack, the transition between spear techniques would easily reveal my intentions to the enemy."

"Only defensive counterattacks will work."

"Using defense as offense, waiting for the enemy to let their guard down, or for them to become exhausted after a fierce assault, and then striking suddenly for a lethal blow," Li Yuan's eyes gleamed with insight.

Based on this concept, Li Yuan ultimately created the ultimate move 'Hidden Dragon in the Ravine.'

"Based on the individual guidance from Teacher Xu during these past two weeks of martial arts classes," Li Yuan pondered, "the first and second levels form the foundation of technique."

During the recent lessons," Li Yuan pondered, "Teacher Xu's individual guidance has been particularly insightful. The first and second levels form the foundation of technique.

Teacher Xu Bo would always give Li Yuan individual guidance during the recent lessons.

"The third level emphasizes the integration of body, mind, and tool, striving to fully utilize one's physical strength," Li Yuan thought. "The spear and fist techniques I usually perform instinctively are difficult to fully maximize my strength."

"Only when I find the opportunity to use an ultimate move can I fully unleash my power."

Techniques that can fully harness one's physical strength can be considered true ultimate moves or killing moves.

Li Yuan currently had only two such ultimate moves.

"Next, if I can create more ultimate moves," Li Yuan began to formulate his future plans, "and even reach a point where any punch or spear thrust I perform can perfectly utilize my strength without any waste, then my martial arts skills will break through to the fourth level."

This was based on what Teacher Xu Bo had explained.

The so-called 'fourth level' has another name—Unity of Person and Weapon.

It's also called 'Unity of Body, Mind, and Weapon.'

In ancient times, if one's skills reached the fourth level, they would be barely qualified to be called a 'master of spear techniques' or a 'master of fist techniques.'

"Unity of person and weapon? That's a bit distant," Li Yuan shook his head slightly. "One step at a time; I'll continue to refine more ultimate moves."

Each ultimate move essentially represents a specific way of exerting force with the body to perfection.

The more ultimate moves he creates, the more perfect his overall way of exerting force will become, and eventually, he will naturally step into the fourth level.

"Whew!"

"Swish!" Li Yuan continued practicing his spear techniques, further familiarizing himself with the 'Hidden Dragon in the Ravine' move.

"The day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow, with the holiday, I'll have enough time to strive to reach 500 points in the gold rank," Li Yuan resolved.

No longer waiting for the scholarship.

Therefore, to alleviate the financial burden on his family, he had to find a way himself.

Li Yuan had been eyeing the 50,000 Blue Star Coins prize from the Star Martial Arts Network for a long time.

...

Office building, first floor.

Teacher Xu Bo's office was incredibly spacious.

"This kid is progressing really fast," Xu Bo, who looked like a towering figure, stood in the center of the martial arts room wearing his martial arts uniform.

In front of him,

A large screen, about two meters high and two and a half meters wide, was formed by concentrated light.

The screen displayed the martial arts classroom of Class 2, Grade 3.

The enlarged image showed Li Yuan practicing his spear techniques and performing the 'Hidden Dragon in the Ravine' move.

"He's also quite patient, not coming to ask me about it all this time. His temperament is very steady," Xu Bo remarked with a teasing smile on his face.

As the homeroom teacher and a special-grade teacher at the school, he had high-level access within the school, allowing him to freely retrieve classroom surveillance footage.

Therefore, when he saw Li Yuan arriving at school around four in the morning that day,he began to pay special attention to Li Yuan and retrieved a large amount of previous surveillance footage.

This discovery left Xu Bo, who was accustomed to grand spectacles, somewhat astonished.

He found that Li Yuan had been arriving at school around three in the morning for an entire year.

Never missing a single day.

"He's determined and resilient, a promising talent," Xu Bo thought to himself. "Moreover, my earlier suspicions were correct. Despite his average family background, his body can withstand such intense training? It seems his physical talent is indeed remarkable."

Xu Bo was unaware of the existence of the "Great Sun Starry Sky Sutra."

He attributed Li Yuan's ability to endure such rigorous training while remaining energetic to his 'extraordinary talent.'

Xu Bo, with his broad perspective, knew that there were many exceptional talents in the world.

What Li Yuan demonstrated was nothing extraordinary in comparison.

What Xu Bo valued the most was Li Yuan's perseverance and insight.

"Having talent alone means nothing."

"It's the effort to fully utilize that talent that truly matters."

However, even after thoroughly investigating, Xu Bo, apart from his regular guidance and teaching, took no additional measures.

He still needed to observe and test Li Yuan.

Just because a student has talent doesn't mean he should use his resources and connections to nurture them. Who said so? Li Yuan wasn't Xu Bo's own son.

He was just a student, after all.

Therefore, he wanted to use the matter of the scholarship to see what kind of temperament Li Yuan had.

If Li Yuan waited only a few days before anxiously coming to ask about it, Xu Bo would understand. It's human nature. He would still apply for the scholarship, and might even help apply for a second-class scholarship, fulfilling his duty as a teacher.

But he wouldn't do more than that, because a promising student worthy of Xu Bo's attention shouldn't be an "ordinary person."

"That's enough."

"Senior year is crucial, and I can't delay too long. Besides, he's still just a kid; I can't be too harsh," Xu Bo said, staring at the screen. "Black Dog, connect me to Principal Tan."

"Yes, Master."

"Beep—beep—" The projection screen changed.

Soon,

The screen displayed an office scene, and a middle-aged man, looking about forty, was seated at the desk.

If Li Yuan saw this man, he would immediately recognize him as the school principal, Tan Zhenlong.

Tan Zhenlong's actual age was over seventy.

In this era, the retirement age for ordinary people was eighty; martial artists could choose to delay retirement until they were one hundred.

"Old Tan," Xu Bo began directly.

"Xu Bo," Principal Tan smiled, "Calling me at night, what's up?"

"I need to apply for a special scholarship slot. Please approve it," Xu Bo said directly.