Breaking Through to First-Rank Martial Artist

In the end, Lu Chuan still failed to return the potion.

As Mother Lu put it, getting started did not mean the end. On the contrary, it was only the beginning of everything.

If Lu Chuan wanted to achieve anything in the Martial Arts Path in the future, he would still need comprehension.

With no other choice, Lu Chuan could only keep the potion.

Granted, comprehension was no longer of much use to Lu Chuan, but the potion contained spiritual energy. Presumably, it could provide some Simplification Points as well.

Sure enough, just as Lu Chuan had expected.

After taking the potion, the Simplification Points within Lu Chuan had accumulated to fifteen.

That was enough to support Lu Chuan in simplifying a cultivation method roughly on the same level as Oceanic Embrace.

After eating, Lu Chuan fetched a bucket of water and continued with his grand plan of growing stronger by drinking water.

Two hours later.

"Burp!"

After letting out another watery burp, Lu Chuan set down his cup and turned to look at his panel.

Host: Lu Chuan

Cultivation Method: Oceanic Embrace (Mastery 873/1000)

Realm: First-Rank Martial Artist (1/100)

Simplification Points: 15

Two hours of effort had successfully raised Oceanic Embrace's proficiency to Mastery. When he circulated the cultivation method, the pale blue glow around his body had become increasingly profound.

Faintly, it had begun to resemble true blue.

As his cultivation method proficiency rose, Lu Chuan's cultivation also broke through to First-Rank Martial Artist.

In other words, Lu Chuan now met the minimum admission requirements for Martial Arts University.

Though the universities that could admit Lu Chuan were only bottom-tier.

It was still a good beginning, after all.

One had to know that there were still eight months until the college entrance examination.

That was more than enough time for Lu Chuan to cultivate.

"Keep going. Today, I'll strive to raise Oceanic Embrace's proficiency to the Perfect Realm!"

No one in all of Lin City possessed Oceanic Embrace at the Perfect Realm.

Lu Chuan was truly curious what changes would occur once Oceanic Embrace reached Perfect Realm proficiency.

The next day, when the first rays of dawn spilled over Lin City, Lu Chuan, who had been sitting cross-legged on his bed cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes.

Those deep eyes were now filled with delight.

"So this is a Perfect Realm cultivation method? It really is powerful!"

Host: Lu Chuan

Cultivation Method: Oceanic Embrace (Perfect 123/)

Realm: First-Rank Martial Artist (17/100)

Simplification Points: 15

After persisting through the night, Lu Chuan had successfully pushed Oceanic Embrace to the Perfect Realm.

The most obvious change was his cultivation speed.

Oceanic Embrace at Mastery proficiency could raise his cultivation by roughly one point after completing one major circulation cycle.

Oceanic Embrace at Perfect proficiency, however, could raise his cultivation by ten points after one major circulation cycle.

A full tenfold difference!

At this cultivation speed, it would not be long before Lu Chuan broke through to Second-Rank Martial Artist.

By then, throughout Forest City No.3 Middle School, the number of people who could surpass Lu Chuan would be few enough to count on one hand!

On top of that, Oceanic Embrace at Perfect proficiency had bestowed Lu Chuan with a basic martial art—Wave Fist!

Since it was a martial art that came with the cultivation method, Wave Fist could not be simplified.

Of course, Wave Fist had its own advantages.

Namely, the higher Oceanic Embrace's proficiency, the greater Wave Fist's power.

"With Wave Fist, I'll have a better chance in the Wilderness Trial."

Clenching his fists, Lu Chuan looked forward to the Wilderness Trial even more.

Forest City No.3 Middle School, at the school gates.

Seeing that all the students in his class had arrived, Song Qing waved a hand. "Get on the bus."

The students immediately filed aboard in a steady stream and took their seats.

After the last student boarded the coach, Song Qing got on as well. The group steadily drew closer to the wilderness, where danger and opportunity coexisted.

Before long, the coach arrived at the wilderness.

After giving a few brief instructions, the students scattered in all directions and began this trial.

As for the teachers, of course they would not be idle.

Each teacher led a group of martial artists, secretly following the students to prevent any accidents from happening to them.

Granted, casualties were unavoidable during a Wilderness Trial.

But if the casualties became too severe, the school would receive criticism and might even be shut down.

In a dense forest somewhere in the wilderness.

After wandering for nearly half an hour, Lu Chuan's eyes lit up. "I finally found something good."

Before Lu Chuan, a thirty-centimeter-tall, seven-colored vine clung to an ancient tree, drawing nutrients from it.

"Seven Star Vine, a first-rank spiritual herb, commonly used to make potions for treating injuries."

"This should be able to provide me with quite a few Simplification Points."

Smacking his lips, Lu Chuan took a single stride to reach the Seven Star Vine and immediately reached out to pick it.

But at the instant Lu Chuan touched the Seven Star Vine, his expression changed, and he abruptly darted backward!

Rip!

A sound of tearing through the air rang out.

Looking at the Seven Star Vine again, one would discover that a giant snake roughly three meters long had suddenly appeared beside it.

"A first-rank Fierce Beast, a Wind Blade Snake!"

Lu Chuan narrowed his eyes and identified the Fierce Beast's origins.

"This beast is quite intelligent. It actually thought of using the Seven Star Vine as bait to fish."

"But whether it's the angler or the fish is still anyone's guess."

Looking at the Wind Blade Snake before him, Lu Chuan was eager to give it a try.

Since breaking through to Martial Artist, Lu Chuan had yet to experience a real battle.

This was the perfect chance to start with this beast.

In the dense forest, not far away.

The moment Song Qing saw the Wind Blade Snake, he planned to rush out and save Lu Chuan.

But just then, Song Qing's partner stopped him.

"Don't panic. Wait and see."

"How can I not panic?" Song Qing pushed away his partner's hand. "Lu Chuan isn't even a Martial Artist yet. If we don't save him now, it'll be too late!"

His partner rolled his eyes at Song Qing and said calmly, "You're a Third Rank Martial Artist, yet you can't even tell whether Lu Chuan is a Martial Artist."

"What do you mean?"

Song Qing froze, then hurriedly looked toward Lu Chuan. Shock filled his eyes. "Lu Chuan broke through to Martial Artist?"

"How is that possible!"

"Why is it impossible?" his partner asked in confusion. "They're already seniors. Becoming Martial Artists is hardly worth making such a fuss over, is it?"

"You don't understand!" Song Qing explained. "I tested Lu Chuan's strength a week ago. For him to become a Martial Artist, he would have needed at least eight months."

"But only one week has passed, and he's already become a Martial Artist. How could I not be shocked?"

"Maybe your equipment malfunctioned."

His partner remained rather calm. "Besides, Lu Chuan possesses fourth-rank talent, the most talented student Third Middle School has ever had."

"Is it so strange for him to be a little monstrous?"

Martial Arts Talent was divided into nine ranks, with First Rank being the lowest and Ninth Rank the highest.

Fourth-rank talent was rare even across all of Lin City.

That was why his partner was not shocked.

"That's true..."

Song Qing nodded, then sighed. "It's a pity Lu Chuan's comprehension is too low.

"Otherwise, with Lu Chuan's fourth-rank talent, he would not only have broken through to Second Rank by now—at the very least, he would be a First-Rank Martial Artist at the peak."

"What's so bad about that?"

His partner still looked as calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.

"Both Martial Arts Talent and comprehension can be improved. Perhaps Lu Chuan will encounter such an opportunity."

"Rather than that, focus on what's in front of us."

"I'm quite curious how long Lu Chuan, who just broke through to Martial Artist, can last before the Wind Blade Snake."