Encounter, SSS-Class Martial Arts?

Qi Ziyue was not difficult to talk to—at least, that was what Shi Yan thought.

Simply standing beside her made the little bit of anger from earlier melt away, and she even took the initiative to speak. "Shi Yan, which branch did you choose? Have you chosen a mentor yet?"

"Of course, the Combat Branch. I didn't choose a mentor—Vice Principal Fang Ziwei chose me."

Shi Yan answered honestly, nearly driving Qi Ziyue into silent despair.

Other people chose their own mentors, but he had it the other way around—and the one who chose him was Fang Ziwei!

Qi Ziyue knew very well what a big shot that woman was. Many top students who entered Magic Martial University wanted to study under her.

After all, who did not want to become a renowned master known throughout the land?

Not to mention a terrifying existence like Meng Xuan—even Zhang Yunya, the weakest among them, was a standout figure with few rivals among those of her level.

"What about you?" Shi Yan asked.

"I'm in the Combat Branch too. I wanted to choose Dean Wang Changfu as my mentor, but he hasn't accepted any disciples for three years."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Qi Ziyue's eyes. Wang Changfu, the "Curved Blade Killer," used a weapon very similar to her Moon Blade, making him the best possible person to teach her.

"I only found out after coming to Magic Martial University. More than three years ago, several of his disciples were all buried in a Beast Tide, and after that, he no longer had the heart to take on disciples."

"I see."

Shi Yan's heart stirred. He had not expected the kind, bald old man he had met today to have such a story behind him.

"Don't worry. Magic Martial University has plenty of famous teachers. You'll definitely find one who suits you."

That was all he could do to comfort her. After all, he was a freshman too and could not offer her much help.

The two continued browsing the area. Their figures kept appearing in every corner as they looked through every movement-art Martial Arts manual.

In truth, both of them had found movement arts suited to them, but neither spoke of it. They understood each other without words and both wanted to walk around with the other a little longer.

Only after more people began appearing in the area did Qi Ziyue finally lose her restraint first.

"Shi Yan, I—I compared them. The movement art most suitable for me is in cubicle No. 7."

Her pretty face reddened slightly, and she did not dare meet Shi Yan's eyes, afraid he might see through her.

Cubicle No. 7 was where they had met. She had noticed the movement art there long ago. If Shi Yan had not suddenly appeared, she would have already exchanged for it.

Hearing that, the corner of Shi Yan's mouth twitched. "What a coincidence. The one I want is in cubicle No. 7 too."

That was the truth. That movement art was called the Eighteen Paths Fire Shadow, and it was practically a perfect match for his saber technique. Moreover, it was a movement art that employed fire-element abilities. Even if he had never learned saber techniques, it would still suit him perfectly.

"Uh..."

Qi Ziyue lifted her eyes, revealing a startled expression.

So Shi Yan... also wanted to walk around with her a little longer?

At that thought, the expressions on her pretty face changed again and again—surprise, delight, anticipation, but more than anything, bashful shyness.

"Didn't you say you still wanted to look at fist techniques? I'll go exchange for the movement art first, so I'll take my leave."

In the end, girls were still thinner-skinned. After saying that, Qi Ziyue fled as though escaping.

This time, Shi Yan did not chase after her. He merely watched until she disappeared from his sight, then headed toward the fist technique section.

As a martial artist, one could not only know how to use weapons; one also needed to be proficient with fists and feet.

At present, humanity's greatest enemies were still demon beasts. When one's weapon was damaged or rendered useless in battle, fists and feet became the weapons used to contend against demon beasts.

They had been taught this in high school: a martial artist had to specialize in one discipline while also mastering many other skills.

When he had the chance in the future, Shi Yan would also learn leg techniques, sword techniques, spear techniques, and more. After all, the more skills one had, the better.

Like the movement art section, the fist technique section stored two fist techniques in each cubicle, though there were relatively more fist techniques available.

In the end, he chose a fist technique called the Flowing Fire Thousand Jin Fist. Its fist force was like a rain of fiery meteors, its momentum like a thousand jin pressing down from above. Combined with his Southern Bright Blazing Fire, its power would definitely be terrifying.

"Hm? S-Class?"

Just as he was about to leave, he spotted the highly conspicuous S-Class area sign not far away.

Unlike the classifications below S-Class, everything at S-Class—whether Breathing Techniques, martial skills, or anything else—was stored together here.

That was because things that reached S-Class were simply too scarce.

With the mindset that looking cost nothing, Shi Yan stepped into the area.

Unlike the previous A-Class area, the S-Class area was far more solemn. The moment he entered, Shi Yan felt as though countless pairs of eyes were watching him.

If he made even the slightest suspicious move, he felt he would be met with a lethal barrage.

Thinking about it, that made sense. Anything involving S-Class was incomparably precious, so the defensive measures naturally could not be underestimated.

"Divine Flower Shadow Falling Spear Technique, S-Class, three million credits."

Shi Yan was stunned the moment he saw the first one.

That amount of credits was enough to extinguish the hopes of nearly every student.

Over four years of university, who the hell could earn three million credits?

Forget three million—even one million credits was beyond what ninety-nine percent of students could manage.

"Nine Forms Demon Emperor Sword, S-Class, 3.8 million credits."

The second one was even more outrageous, costing an additional 800,000 credits outright.

Shi Yan clicked his tongue, unable for the moment to imagine how one could possibly exchange for Martial Arts of this caliber.

He continued onward. The next three Martial Arts all cost over three million credits, until the sixth one broke through the four-million-credit mark.

"Bear Emperor Breathing Technique, S-Class, 4.1 million credits."

Shi Yan did not want to keep looking. The S-Class section was not something he could reach at present.

But just as he was about to leave, his hurried glance caught several words that looked utterly out of place: 800 million Huaxia currency.

He hurried over and discovered a Martial Arts with a rather strange name—Eightfold Collapse.

Price: 800 million Huaxia currency!

Looking at the yellowed book behind the transparent glass, Shi Yan's face was full of question marks.

There was no introduction, no grade listed, and most importantly, it could be bought with money rather than credits.

Anything placed in the S-Class section should be S-Class in his view. Yet an S-Class item selling for 800 million seemed a little cheap.

More importantly, it was still here.

After all, Magic Martial University did not lack students from wealthy families who could absolutely afford 800 million Huaxia currency.

"Could it be some kind of trap?"

Shi Yan was full of doubts, but all he could do was look.

Eight hundred million was not something he could afford either.

After taking one deep look at it, he could only leave helplessly and exchange for the two A-Class Martial Arts he had taken a fancy to earlier.

There were two ways Martial Arts could be carried: books and memory crystals.

With his previous experience at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, Shi Yan chose to have the memory crystals teach him through simulated scenarios.

A wealthy and powerful place like Magic Martial University naturally had equipment for that kind of instruction, though the transmission required credits.

For A-Class martial skills, each one required a thousand credits.

Shi Yan still had a fairly ample supply of credits on him. Two thousand credits were completely manageable.

After sending Zhang Yunya a message asking about Eightfold Collapse, he took the memory crystals and entered the Martial Arts instruction room.

The instruction room was on the second floor of the library, making it quite convenient.

This was Magic Martial University—many things could be arranged for you perfectly and clearly.

When he stepped into the instruction room and came back out, two days had already passed.

[Name: Shi Yan]

[Realm: Second Tier Martial Artist]

[Ability: Southern Bright Blazing Fire (SSS-Class)]

[Vitality: 240 cards (+)]

[Mental Power: 36 hertz]

[Martial Arts: Thrusting Punch (Mastered), Explosive Flame Eighteen Sabers (Mastered), Flowing Fire Thousand Jin Fist (Not Initiated), Eighteen Paths Fire Shadow (Not Initiated)]

Can't find it by searching the book title? Try searching the author instead—it may simply have been renamed!

[Cultivation Method: Boundless Sea of Fire (SS-Class, First Layer)]

[Martial Virtue Points: 181]

Walking out of the instruction room, Shi Yan opened his system panel.

Just as he had expected, they all began at "Not Initiated."

So next, he needed to earn Martial Virtue Points.

"Right, unread messages."

Remembering that he had spent the past two days immersed in Martial Arts instruction, Shi Yan tapped open the holographic display on his wristwatch.

Sure enough, there were many missed calls and unread messages.

The first ones were from his roommates, Li Tao and Ding Le. When their calls did not go through, they had sent messages saying that two robots had been delivered to the dormitory, and that Lei Gang had recovered from his injuries and returned to the dorm, clamoring for another one-on-one fight with him.

The two complained at length, saying Lei Gang had quite a fiery temper and seemed inclined to make a move against them.

As injured men, neither dared to trade blows with Lei Gang, and they were also afraid of getting hurt, so they had simply moved into the school hotel for the time being.

"He recovered that quickly? Good. I can farm a few Martial Virtue Points."

Shi Yan murmured to himself.

The two robots had naturally been sent by Li Yuqing and Zhang Yunya. As for Lei Gang recovering so quickly, it was probably because a teacher at Magic Martial University with a healing ability had stepped in.

Tomorrow, September 3rd, was the opening ceremony. The teachers probably would not let Lei Gang miss it.

Unlike the tedious, drawn-out opening ceremonies from his previous life, Magic Martial University's opening ceremony was rather special. According to Zhang Yunya, everyone who attended would receive benefits.

As for what the benefits were, he would find out tomorrow.

His gaze shifted slightly downward. The next message was from Li Yuqing. She said she had already left Magic Martial University to make some preparations, and that once she returned, she would begin her graduation project. The timing would be before the freshman tournament.

The one after that was from Qi Ziyue.

While at the library, the two had already exchanged contact information.

Qi Ziyue did not have anything particular to discuss. She was simply sharing what she had seen and heard over the past two days.

Shi Yan was somewhat touched. Across both his past and present lives, this was the first time a girl had proactively shared such things with him. So he replied as well: "Two days of secluded cultivation, divine skill achieved Great Accomplishment. Many thanks for the heroine's concern."

After replying, he opened the final message. It was from Zhang Yunya.

As he read it, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and his heartbeat quickened slightly.

The message was about Eightfold Collapse.

This Martial Arts technique had been created during the Defense Line Era by an extraordinary man, intended to slaughter demon beasts over a vast area.

Its ultimate power was nothing short of heaven-defying.

According to Zhang Yunya's description, once this Martial Arts technique was cultivated to its final stage, it could cause space itself to collapse, reducing everything within a hundred li to dust!

When Eightfold Collapse first appeared, it had once been rated an SSS-Class Martial Arts technique!

Unfortunately, the higher it had been exalted, the harder it fell.

It was simply too difficult to cultivate. Not only did it require at least an S-Class ability, but one also had to cultivate the body-tempering method contained within it. Only then could one withstand the backlash of its immense power.

And that was not even the most important part. Its complexity was outrageously heaven-defying. According to estimates from experts at the time, even the greatest genius would need three hundred years without sleep or rest to reach the final level!

Three hundred years—never mind whether one could live that long, even if they could, no one would be willing to waste so much time.

With that time, they could cultivate plenty of other powerful Martial Arts techniques.

Thus, Eightfold Collapse began to be downgraded. At one point, it fell to S-Class, and in the end, it was no longer rated at all.

Its value likewise plummeted again and again. After changing hands several times, no one in any of the major prestigious schools was willing to touch it. It had landed in Magic Martial University's hands thirty years ago.

Over those thirty years, its price at Magic Martial University had continued to drop. It no longer required academic credits, and eventually it had fallen to the price of eight hundred million Huaxia currency.

Eight hundred million...

Shi Yan remembered that there were currently no SSS-Class Martial Arts techniques in the world. If any other technique had reached that level, forget eight hundred million—even eighty billion would not be enough to buy it.

To fall from the peak into the depths... its creator's heart was probably bleeding.

But... this Martial Arts technique might just shine anew!

"Damn it, this was practically tailor-made for me."

Shi Yan was wildly excited. Others might need an extremely long time to cultivate it, but he was different. As long as he had enough Martial Virtue Points, he could raise it straight to the peak!

"Eight hundred million, eight hundred million... right, the freshman tournament!"

If he wanted to gather eight hundred million in a short time, then for now, winning the freshman tournament was the only way.

Magic Martial University, this Perennial Second Place, would become number one in one stroke. How much would the school reward the champion?

Shi Yan was not sure, but Zhang Yunya had once revealed that every freshman champion at Jingwu received rewards worth no less than five hundred million.

Given how extravagantly wealthy Magic Martial University was, the reward for taking first place would only be greater, never less.

After composing himself, Shi Yan went to the cafeteria and feasted heartily.

It was just afternoon, and the food was still steaming hot.

Only after he had eaten his fill did he message Li Tao and Ding Le, telling them they could return to the dormitory.

Not long afterward, Shi Yan returned to the dormitory.

He had thought he could give Lei Gang a beating, only to find that the other man was not in the dorm.

Instead, two cold humanoid robots stood behind the door, waiting for him to complete authorization.

The gifts from those two beauties could only be activated with his permission.

"Welcome home, Master."

"Hello, Master. I am your assistant. I know many basic moves, including but not limited to the jab, rear naked choke, Left Straight Kick, and so on."

The two robots spoke, and their moving eyes made them seem quite intelligent.

Shi Yan did not study them much. Two days of Martial Arts instruction had left him somewhat exhausted. After putting away the combat robots, he went to shower and sleep.

The next day, the freshman opening ceremony was held as scheduled.

After getting up, washing, and freshening himself up, Shi Yan went downstairs. He still did not see any sign of Lei Gang, but Li Tao and Ding Le were already waiting for him at the entrance.

Compared with the day before yesterday, the two were in much better condition. Their injuries no longer affected their ability to walk.

"How come Lei Gang didn't come back all night?" Shi Yan asked.

"No idea." Li Tao shook his head. "He joined a club. Maybe the club had some kind of event."

"Forget about him. The opening ceremony is about to begin."

Shi Yan did not take it too much to heart. After ordering the robot at the entrance to clean the house, he left the villa with the other two.

The opening ceremony was being held in the enormous plaza at the center of the martial arts grounds.

By the time Shi Yan and the other two arrived, most of the new students had already lined up according to their branch and class.

Shi Yan's group belonged to Combat Branch, Year One, Class One. Their spot was easy to find—at the front left. Their curvaceous counselor, Jiang Cuifang, who looked to be around thirty, stood at the very front. It would have been difficult not to find it.

"She looks even younger than in the photos."

Shi Yan murmured inwardly. Having spent two days in the library, he had not attended the class registration. This was his first time seeing Jiang Cuifang in person.

Drawing back his gaze, the three quickly slipped into the line.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and Shi Yan spotted the towering Lei Gang standing at the very back.

His nose twitched, and he immediately understood why Lei Gang had not been around last night.

So Lei Gang had gone out to kill demon beasts. The bloody stench of demon beasts still clung to him.

"Pulling an all-nighter to kill demon beasts... he's working even harder than I am."

After muttering that, Shi Yan shifted his gaze to the empty podium above.

Soon, amid everyone's anticipation, the principal descended from the sky in white robes, lowering himself step by step as though he were walking down a staircase.

The hem of his white robe billowed like a battle flag, yet he also resembled an immortal who had attained the Dao.

Many swallowed hard at the sight, filled with both reverence and longing.

Bai Xuanling, a ninth-rank Martial Emperor!