High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 149: The Transformation of Strength

Late at night in the villa's basement, Li Yuan's spirits were high. Having finished reading "A Brief Introduction to Life Star Awakening," he continued to peruse the main text and extensive annotations of the seven high-level cultivation techniques. Many of these annotations were directly left by Dongfang Ji.

"The human body is like the universe, containing billions of stars, divided into life star meridians and dead star meridians."

"Different species and creatures from different civilizations have vastly different internal star meridian trajectories."

"The number and location of life stars vary greatly, so 'star meridian techniques' from other civilizations can only be used as references and cannot be directly applied."

"One must create their own techniques."

"Although there are differences among individuals in our human race, the number and locations of star meridians in the human body are generally the same... It's just that the number and positions of life stars and life star meridians vary for each person, but there are commonalities that allow many people's life star meridians to be naturally similar." Li Yuan read through many annotations.

He understood the fundamental differences of the seven high-level cultivation techniques.

The human body might have thousands or tens of thousands of star meridians, most of which are 'dead star meridians.'

Dead star meridians cannot be cultivated.

Only life star meridians can!

"Creating a technique means awakening one's own life star meridians to absorb source energy," Li Yuan realized. "And the seven high-level cultivation techniques derived by human civilization are actually about finding common life star meridians in many humans and imprinting mental marks to fully awaken the life stars."

However.

Even though the star meridians in the human body are similar, individual differences are still significant. As of now, the seven high-level cultivation techniques can only match less than one-tenth of humans.

...

"The number of life star meridians and life stars determines potential."

"Some beings might have hundreds of life star meridians, but each meridian contains fewer than 12,960 life stars... destined to be unable to cultivate source energy. Even if they become source martial artists with external help, they cannot create techniques."

"A few people might have only a few dozen or even a few life star meridians, but each meridian contains over 60,000 or even 90,000 life stars... According to information from foreign civilizations, the legendary talent is a meridian with 129,600 stars all being life stars."

"This talent is extremely rare and is called a perfect star meridian."

"A fully awakened perfect life star meridian can be worth several initially awakened life star meridians..." When Li Yuan read this annotation, he was shocked and began to understand his own body's situation.

He made a certain inference.

"Perfect star meridian?"

"I was able to perfectly awaken overnight due to the 'spiritual guidance' of the Divine Palace," Li Yuan wondered. "But having a perfect star meridian and so many life stars... is it the Divine Palace's help or my innate talent?"

Li Yuan leaned towards believing in his own talent.

Because Li Yuan clearly remembered.

In the life star space, the purple mist helped him perceive the vast and endless 'life star space,' quickly distinguishing between life stars and dead stars.

Thus, imprinting the mental mark and awakening!

Furthermore.

Li Yuan also remembered that during that brief perception and observation.

The number of 'life stars' he imprinted was only a small part; there were still countless faintly glowing stars in the life star space that remained unawakened.

He couldn't help it; Li Yuan's current mental strength was only that strong.

To divide his thoughts into so many and awaken 129,600 life stars was already his limit.

"In other words."

"Without spiritual guidance, under normal circumstances, after becoming a source martial artist and sensing the life star space, I might still be able to awaken some life star meridians," Li Yuan understood. "But it definitely wouldn't be so fast, and I wouldn't be able to awaken this meridian to perfection quickly."

...

"Spiritual guidance must have fully excavated my inherently high source energy talent," Li Yuan pondered.

This was very important.

All things have spirits. Throughout history, many extraordinarily talented people, without suitable high-level cultivation techniques, faded into obscurity... It's like a genius being left alone in the wilderness, the best outcome would be becoming a savage.

The external environment is more important than talent.

"Next, as my mental strength further improves, I can gradually try to awaken more life stars myself," Li Yuan looked forward to it.

Mental strength is closely related to the number of awakened life stars.

This is also why martial artists greatly value mental strength.

...

"I have fully awakened this star meridian, which counts as initially creating a technique," Li Yuan smiled. "What should I name it?"

"The seven high-level cultivation techniques are named based on their source energy attributes."

When the star meridians operate, they absorb a large amount of external source energy, most of which is gradually absorbed by the body, but a considerable part remains between the star meridians.

This source energy.

Can quickly repair injuries throughout the body, greatly boosting vitality.

It can be applied to weapons, making them sharper and stronger, and can stimulate source energy armor... with many magical effects.

And different talents and awakened life star meridians produce different types of source energy.

For example, human source martial artists compatible with the "Blazing Sky Technique" cultivate fire source energy.

The "Southern Sea Water Technique" cultivates water source energy.

The "Star Earth Technique" cultivates earth source energy...

"Looking back, the video of Luo Bu Sea showed that when Yu Jinghe unleashed his power to kill the enemy, he was using golden source energy," Li Yuan thought. "Releasing source energy, no wonder he's a peerless genius who can rival flying martial artists with his source martial artist body."

Over hundreds of years.

Human civilization has developed seven high-level cultivation techniques: two for earth source energy, two for water source energy, and one each for fire, metal, and wood source energy.

"Gold, wood, water, fire, earth... These five types of source energy are the most common."

"Most source martial artists who successfully create techniques cultivate one of these five types of source energy."

Everyone's cultivated source energy is not exactly the same, just similar in general direction.

"But there are also very few source martial artists and flying martial artists whose source energy, after creating techniques, is entirely different from the five types," Li Yuan looked at his fingertips.

Hiss~

A faint yellow light flickered at Li Yuan's fingertip, cool and icy.

Li Yuan could feel.

If he unleashed an attack, with the source energy boosting, this finger's power would be much stronger than before.

"The operation of the star meridian in my body seems to produce earth source energy."

"But it appears different from the earth source energy described in many documents," Li Yuan frowned slightly. "Even the color is much lighter."

Unusual.

Normal earth source energy has a very deep color, but the source energy Li Yuan cultivated was much lighter, almost transparent if not closely observed.

"Forget it."

"When I become a source martial artist and pretend to have successfully created a technique, I'll try asking Dean Hai and the others," Li Yuan thought.

Exposing it now would cause many problems.

But after becoming a source martial artist, revealing some secrets wouldn't be a big deal; the high-ranking members of human civilization would attribute it to his 'extraordinary talent.'

After all, history has seen many prodigies like Fang Hai, Dongfang Ji...

It's like if an ordinary person grew to be 2.5 meters or even 3 meters tall, people would marvel at his genetic mutation.

But if he grew wings and could fly... he would definitely be taken for research.

"With the star meridian operating, I can mobilize and guide some source energy, much less than a source martial artist, of course," Li Yuan closed his eyes lightly, sensing the slight source energy in his star meridian: "But it is enough to truly stimulate source energy weapons and armor in critical moments."

In life-and-death situations, if the enemy regards Li Yuan as a 'first-rank life form,' his sudden burst of source energy would significantly boost his strength.

This is a trump card.

Not to be exposed lightly.

"My initial technique shall be named 'Heavenly Stars,'" Li Yuan thought of a random name.

Li Yuan felt that a perfectly awakened star meridian deserved the name 'Heavenly Stars.'

His task now was to awaken more life star meridians and life stars in the future.

...

After initially creating the source energy technique "Heavenly Stars," Li Yuan's training life calmed down.

Time passed, day by day.

Attending general courses, practicing spear techniques, receiving guidance from Teacher Li Yang, combat training, and taking High Source Spirit Spring.

And every night.

Aside from the usual visualization practice, Li Yuan would hide in the basement, operating the star meridian, crazily absorbing source energy... rapidly improving his physical fitness.

...

"Mental strength is extremely important." Li Yuan greatly valued the visualization method. "Whether it's improving techniques or awakening life star meridians, mental strength is paramount."

"Still need to push the limits of willpower."

...

"Spear techniques, fist techniques, movement techniques." Li Yuan trained incredibly hard.

"My top priority now is to raise all three to the fourth stage at 99%."

His techniques were steadily improving.

...

One mid-November day.

In a large martial arts room in the Black Dragon Building.

"Class dismissed," Li Yang announced, directly walking out of the classroom.

The 24 students inside all stood up, chatting and heading outside.

That's right.

Compared to four months ago when Li Yuan enrolled, several more 'fourth-stage elites' joined Li Yang's class, mostly senior students from the fourth and fifth years.

This was normal; the longer they trained, many Kunlun Martial University students stuck at the third stage for years would break through over time.

"Shi Xiao."

"Are you free tonight? It's time for this month's 'monthly leave.' How about going to Fengjing for a day?" a tall young man asked Shi Xiao.

The other students smiled, used to this scene.

In this era, people could get married at 19, so while there were few marriages in college, many were dating... especially among these elite students, who were wealthy and facing a dangerous future in martial arts, making open-minded views common.

Many had three to five boyfriends or girlfriends.

"Ou Xie, I have plans tonight," Shi Xiao said lightly. "Stop bothering me."

"With whom?" Ou Xie frowned.

"Li Yuan junior, didn't I ask you to go to Fengjing for a day to relax yesterday? You agreed," Shi Xiao suddenly turned to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan, who was discussing 'micro-level spiritual insight' with Qiu Jing, was stunned. How did he get involved?

Qiu Jing's face stiffened as well.

"Shi Xiao senior..." Li Yuan began to speak.

"You agreed?" Shi Xiao smiled, stepping forward to embrace Li Yuan's arm, trying to pull him out.

Simultaneously, a faint voice sounded in Li Yuan's ear: "Li Yuan, help me out."

Li Yuan frowned.

He didn't move, and Shi Xiao couldn't pull him despite exerting some force.

This scene surprised the surrounding students.

Shi Xiao, with a physical fitness level exceeding 17, couldn't move Li Yuan? Was she not using her full strength?

"Ou Xie senior."

Li Yuan suddenly turned back and smiled. "I did promise Shi Xiao senior to accompany her to Fengjing for a day, but don't misunderstand, we have no special relationship. You can keep pursuing her."

Ou Xie's face relaxed a bit, forcing a smile, "Alright."

He didn't want to offend Li Yuan either.

Everyone knew Li Yuan's terrifying talent. He was highly likely to become a flying martial artist in the future.

Shi Xiao's smile stiffened.

Everyone walked out of the Black Dragon Building, then scattered in their flying devices.

"Senior, I helped you, now let go," Li Yuan whispered.

"Okay."

"Thank you, junior," Shi Xiao smiled, somewhat coquettishly. "But couldn't you help me thoroughly? Why clarify to Ou Xie? He'll bother me again soon."

"That's your problem, senior," Li Yuan laughed. "I'm leaving."

With that, Li Yuan walked away quickly.

"Qiu Jing senior, I'm leaving," Li Yuan greeted Qiu Jing.

He leaped onto a flying device and quickly left.

Shi Xiao's smile faded, looking a bit unwilling.

"Senior, your method didn't work. Junior Li Yuan isn't falling for it," a teasing voice said. Qiu Jing approached with a mysterious smile of victory.

"None of your business."

Shi Xiao sneered. "You think pretending to be cute and asking for technique advice will work?"

"At least better than you," Qiu Jing said coolly. "Everyone knows your reputation in the academy. Do you really expect Li Yuan to accept you?"

Shi Xiao snorted, her eyes flashing coldly.

As Li Yuan rose, many believed he had a great chance of becoming a flying martial artist.

In school, many female students wanted to pursue him.

However, most couldn't even meet him.

Shi Xiao and Qiu Jing, as 'fellow senior sisters,' could attend classes with him regularly, making them the closest and most motivated to pursue Li Yuan.

"Alright then."

"Let's see your methods," Shi Xiao sneered.

"Goodbye, senior," Qiu Jing smiled, leaving quickly on a flying device.

"Little flirt, pretending to be pure in front of me," Shi Xiao muttered, watching Qiu Jing leave.

After a while, when everyone had left.

Ou Xie, who had been 'pursuing' Shi Xiao, emerged, unable to resist asking, "Senior, what about what you promised me?"

"Your acting was too poor. Li Yuan didn't fall for it. Next time," Shi Xiao walked away angrily.

...

In the depths of the Sixth Institute's villa area, at Dean Hai's residence.

On the lawn, Dean Hai was leisurely sunbathing.

"Dean." Just finished with class, Li Yang jumped off a flying device, walking over respectfully.

"What is it?" Dean Hai asked, eyes closed, fanning himself.

"Li Yuan's physical fitness has surpassed level 15," Li Yang reported. "His techniques—body technique and spear technique—are almost at the fourth stage's limit."

"He's met the minimum requirement to enter the Astral Realm."

"So soon?" Dean Hai opened his eyes, a hint of surprise in his gaze. "One month and his physical fitness increased by one level?"

"Is the Star Earth Marrow Crystal that compatible with him?"