High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 131: The Strongest Opponent

"Gaurav? Li Yuan?" The three students in the conference room showed puzzled expressions. They had never heard of these names before.

In reality, freshmen had just started university not long ago, and the Global University Martial Arts Tournament was still far away, so few paid attention to students from other schools. Similarly, Li Yuan didn't deliberately follow other schools' geniuses as it didn't hold much significance.

"According to our information, both of them have reached the Bright Moon rank on the Starry Sky Combat Network," said the elder in the black robe. "Gaurav broke through in early July, and Li Yuan broke through in early August."

"Bright Moon rank?"

"Gaurav broke through in early July? Isn't that earlier than Guan Ying and me?" The tallest of the three students said in a deep voice, "Why would such a genius stay in India?"

"The reason is unclear," the black-robed elder shook his head. "Regional martial arts universities, though generally not as high-quality as ours, have large numbers and sometimes produce exceptional talents."

"For example, Kunlun Martial University produced Jin Huguo last year, who reached the profound insight stage in his sophomore year and entered the top 100 in the virtual battles of the Global University Martial Arts Tournament," the black-robed elder said. "Many of your seniors were defeated by him. He will only be stronger next February and could make it into the top 20 or even the top 10."

Profound Insight?

The burly youth and the young woman both showed solemn expressions. From high-level stage four to perfected grade four, even as top elites of Starlight University, they dared not claim they could achieve this in their sophomore year.

"Alright. The files and collected combat data on these two, as well as other grade four experts from various schools, have been sent to your personal virtual spaces," the black-robed elder said. "Review them in private later."

"Dismissed."

"Yes." The three students stood up and soon found themselves outside the conference room.

Suddenly, the extremely handsome young man in black stopped, turned to the burly youth and young woman, and said, "Yu Ming, Guan Ying, do your best. I don't want you to fail to make it to the top four. That would be a disgrace to our school."

"Tantai Feng, you..." The burly youth's face changed.

The young woman quickly gave him a look.

"What? Not convinced?" The young man in black glanced at the burly youth. "If you're not, choose between a real battle or a virtual one."

The burly youth's eyes seemed to blaze with fire.

"Don't be arrogant. Just because you were third in China during the college entrance exam doesn't mean you'll always be third," Tantai Feng said coldly. "Tian Dazhuang is improving just as fast and is already at the high level of stage four."

"Lin Lanyue from Starry Sky University has also awakened high-level spirituality and is growing rapidly."

"As for Li Yuan?"

"I don't mind telling you," Tantai Feng glanced at the two. "He may have broken through to high-level grade four a bit late, but his progress is terrifying. A year ago, he was only at the initial stage of grade three."

Yu Ming and Guan Ying's faces changed completely.

From the initial stage of grade three to the high level of grade four in one year? That's incredible.

The young man in black seemed to lose interest and left directly, disappearing from their sight.

"Damn it, he always shows off in front of us."

Yu Ming's eyes seemed to blaze with fire. "Why doesn't he show off in front of Salvatore?"

"Enough," Guan Ying shook her head. "Tantai Feng has a strong background and high talent. It's normal for him to be arrogant."

"He's right, though."

"This time, we can't be careless," Guan Ying said seriously. "If we lose to Li Yuan, it's an internal matter, but losing to Gaurav would be a major embarrassment."

"Humph!"

"He's worried we'll lose?" Yu Ming sneered. "He should be careful not to lose first place... Guan Ying, I know what to do. I'm heading back."

Halfway through speaking, Yu Ming also realized it was unrealistic for Tantai Feng to lose first place.

The probability was too low!

You see, before the college entrance exam, Tantai Feng was already at the high level of grade four, the top in China.

After several months at Starlight University, he remained among the absolute top three freshmen.

Even the recognized strongest, Salvatore, couldn't guarantee a win in a virtual battle.

When skill levels are close, the outcome often depends on the state at the time.

...

After listening to the teacher's explanation about the possible 'grade four experts' from various schools in the Black Tortoise Building, Li Yuan returned to his villa before noon. In the underground martial arts room, he opened the light screen to review the 'data files' just sent by the teacher.

"Tantai Feng, Yu Ming, Guan Ying, Gaurav." Li Yuan looked at the four highlighted names.

All four were at the Bright Moon rank.

The files included some combat videos of them, mostly from before the college entrance exam, serving only as references.

Li Yuan reviewed them one by one.

"Huh?"

"This Tantai Feng." Li Yuan watched the black-clad youth easily defeat one Meteor rank expert after another and murmured to himself, "Is this combination of sword and shield at the high level of grade four?"

Was he at the high level of grade four before the college entrance exam?

Li Yuan wasn't sure.

"With such talent and four months of progress, how strong is he now?" Li Yuan felt the pressure. "Could he have reached the mental profundity stage?"

If he had reached the mental profundity stage, the gap between them would be significant.

Despite his rapid progress and having comprehended the Five-Star Techniques, Li Yuan still had some way to go to reach the 90% mark representing the Mental Profundity stage.

Suddenly.

"Master, Tian Dazhuang is calling via V-Message for a voice call," the intelligent assistant reminded.

"Tian Dazhuang?" Li Yuan was taken aback and smiled. "Connect."

Beep~ The voice call was established.

"Dazhuang," Li Yuan smiled, initiating the conversation.

The address was very close.

"Li Yuan."

A deep voice with a hint of laughter came through the dark screen, "Thanks for last time on the Starry Sky Combat Network."

"It was nothing," Li Yuan smiled. "You were about to break through anyway. Even if I had interrupted, you would have stabilized your realm within two or three days."

"Hmm." Tian Dazhuang said, "You probably know who the three wild card participants are for the Ten Schools Newcomers' Battle this time."

"Yeah, Tantai Feng... all from your Starlight University." Li Yuan mentioned the three names directly.

He guessed that Tian Dazhuang had something important to discuss.

"Among these three, Yu Ming and Guan Ying are about my level. For you, defeating them shouldn't be too difficult," Tian Dazhuang said in a deep voice. "Only Tantai Feng, you need to be careful of. Before the college entrance exam, he was already at the high level of grade four."

"Now, he's probably close to the Mental Profundity stage," Tian Dazhuang added.

"Mental Profundity?" Li Yuan was moved and couldn't help but ask, "Has he reached it?"

"No."

Tian Dazhuang confirmed, "I sparred with him two days ago. If he were at the Mental Profundity stage, I wouldn't last ten moves. He practices the 'Flowing Light Sword Technique'... You should watch more combat videos of experts in this style."

"However, I can't share specific combat videos of him with you. Hope you understand," Tian Dazhuang said.

"I understand," Li Yuan smiled.

This was explicitly regulated. Like Li Yuan, he couldn't freely share other students' combat videos.

"Thank you for the information," Li Yuan smiled.

"You helped me, so I should help you too," Tian Dazhuang laughed. "Besides, I hope you win."

"Hope I win?" Li Yuan was puzzled. "Wouldn't it be embarrassing for Starlight University if they lose?"

"What does it matter to me? It's not my face they lose. I still want to compete for the rewards, but the school won't give me the chance," Tian Dazhuang laughed. "As for Tantai Feng... I've always wanted to beat him up, but I can't."

"You go, give him a beating for me."

...

After hanging up with Tian Dazhuang.

"Tantai Feng must be really hated," Li Yuan shook his head with a smile. "Even someone with Tian Dazhuang's personality can't stand him."

However, from Tian Dazhuang's words, Li Yuan realized the strength of his opponent.

Skill level.

Most likely higher than his.

"Victory and defeat can only be known after the fight," Li Yuan turned and went upstairs.

Entering the virtual network, Li Yuan began watching combat videos of experts using the 'Flowing Light Sword Technique.'

...

After familiarizing himself.

Li Yuan returned to the underground martial arts room and resumed practicing with his spear. His heart was not anxious.

"Tantai Feng?"

"No matter how strong he is, as long as I do my best, I have a chance to win," Li Yuan remained calm. "If I lose, it just means I'm not strong enough."

"If I'm not strong enough, I'll continue to practice and become stronger."

Li Yuan pursued victory, but victory was only the result. The process determined the result. If he didn't win in the end, he wouldn't be discouraged.

Doing his own thing well was better than anything else.

...

In the afternoon, Dean Li Yang also found Li Yuan, discussing similar content to Tian Dazhuang.

...

That evening, someone suddenly video-called Li Yuan.

Looking at the flashing name on the screen.

Li Yuan, who was practicing his spear in silence, hesitated.

After three seconds of hesitation.

He answered!

The video call was established, and in the light screen projection appeared a short-haired woman in a red martial arts uniform.

Compared to half a year ago, she looked more mature, with less childishness and more vigor.

A real sense of transformation.

"Lin Lanyue," Li Yuan smiled. "Long time no see, why the sudden call?"

"Can't I call?" Lin Lanyue smiled in the video.

Judging by the background, she was also in a martial arts room.

"I heard from Gu Qiang that the Ten Schools Newcomers' Battle starts tomorrow. Are you confident in defeating Tantai Feng?" Lin Lanyue went straight to the point.

Obviously, she was well aware of the Ten Schools Newcomers' Battle situation.

"No," Li Yuan smiled frankly. "He's probably close to the Mental Profundity stage. I might still be a bit short in skill level, but I'm not entirely without confidence. Victory or defeat, we'll only know after the fight."

"Seems you have your sources, knowing a lot about him," Lin Lanyue smiled.

"I just know these details," Li Yuan shrugged with a smile. "To understand his strength further, I'll have to wait for the actual competition."

"Hmm."

"I have a combat video here. You might want to check it out," Lin Lanyue said lightly. "It might help you."

Beep~ Instantly.

Li Yuan received a notification of a new video file.

"Is it about Tantai Feng?" Li Yuan didn't accept immediately and asked, "Isn't that against the rules?"

"No."

"Watch it and you'll understand," Lin Lanyue smiled. "Alright, when you make it to the finals, I'll come to cheer for you."

"My practical instructor is here, I have to go."

"Alright."

Li Yuan nodded and suddenly said, "Thank you for helping my uncle."

Lin Lanyue was stunned for a moment and then smiled. "I told you it was a coincidence, don't think too much about it."

"Good luck!"

...

After the call, Li Yuan stared at the 'video file' on the light screen and hesitated.

He clicked to open it.

It wasn't the combat video of Tantai Feng as Li Yuan had expected.

Instead, it was a skills duel between two experts.

One wielded a long spear, practicing the Starry Spear Technique.

The other used a sword and shield, practicing the 'Flowing Light Sword Technique' and 'Vajra Shield Technique.'

Both were at the high level of stage four.

"This?" Li Yuan was intrigued.

Soon, Li Yuan found it wasn't just one combat video.

There were nine in total.

The two experts' weapons and moves remained the same, but their skill levels kept changing, from early high level of stage four to nearing perfected stage four, and even the Mental Profundity stage.

"This is a simulation!"

"A simulation of various battle scenarios that might occur between Tantai Feng and me," Li Yuan was shocked.

This seemingly simple combat video likely took a lot of effort to produce.

...

Time passed.

On October 4th, the first round of battles didn't involve Li Yuan.

He didn't pay much attention and continued his routine training.

On the morning of October 5th.

Li Yuan was about to face his first cage battle.