System Mission

It was deep into the night. Fang Yan lay on his bed, yet sleep was nowhere to be found.

The list of participants he had seen during the day kept replaying in his mind. The names and strength of Zhao Heilong and the others had been seared into his heart like brands. The pressure was immense, but even more overwhelming was an indescribable excitement.

Just then, the familiar mechanical voice rang out in his mind:

[Ding! Host detected as about to participate in an important national competition. Conditions for issuing a mission have been met.]

[Main quest triggered: Summit of the Nation]

[Quest objective: Win the National Collegiate Martial Dao League championship.]

[Quest rewards:

- Basic reward: Points, one random Gold-tier item.

- Special reward: Five Finger Fist Heart Sword (Incomplete) cultivation technique manual.]

[Quest failure penalty: None (but an important opportunity will be missed).]

[Accept the quest?]

Fang Yan shot upright in bed, his eyes filled with shock and wild delight.

"Five Finger Fist Heart Sword!"

Although he had never read True Person Gu, the information provided by the system instantly made him understand how terrifying this cultivation technique was.

[Cultivation Technique: Five Finger Fist Heart Sword (Incomplete)]

[Grade: Unknown (suspected to be above Heaven Tier)]

[Attributes: Mental Power, Sword Dao]

[Description: A strange cultivation technique originating from another world. Using mental power as a guide, it condenses a sword embryo within the heart of the fist. Every punch is a sword strike, with the sword hidden within the fist—making it impossible to guard against. This is an incomplete version, containing only the basic condensation method and three sword techniques.]

[Note: Requires powerful mental strength to cultivate. The cultivation process is extremely dangerous.]

Above Heaven Tier! Driven by mental power! A sword hidden within the fist!

Every keyword made Fang Yan's heart race. This cultivation technique was practically a killing move tailor-made for him!

Because of the system and his repeated breakthroughs, his mental strength far exceeded that of Martial Artists of the same tier. If he could master this cultivation technique, combined with his Profound Ice True Qi and spear techniques, his strength would surely undergo a qualitative leap!

"Accept!" Fang Yan replied without hesitation in his heart.

[Ding! Quest accepted. Good luck, host.]

The system's notification vanished, and an ancient manual made from black beast hide appeared in Fang Yan's hands. There was no writing on the cover, but merely touching it allowed him to sense a cold, keen aura.

He suppressed the urge to begin cultivating immediately. It was too late now, and this cultivation technique looked extremely dangerous. He had to find a safe time when no one would disturb him and study it carefully.

"National champion..." Fang Yan clenched his fists, a trace of resolve flashing through his eyes. "This time, I must win!"

Early the next morning, Fang Yan appeared in the hotel lobby, brimming with energy.

Chu Feng and Lin Mengyao were already waiting there, and the two of them also looked well rested. Only Li Hao still wore that same icy expression, as if nothing concerned him.

"Fang Yan, you look pretty good. Did you sleep well last night?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I had a good dream." Fang Yan smiled, not revealing anything about the system quest. This was his greatest secret.

Su Wan soon walked over as well. "Are you all ready? We'll head to the opening ceremony first, then familiarize ourselves with the competition venue."

"Ready!"

The four of them followed Su Wan out of the hotel and boarded the special vehicle bound for Donghai City Sports Center.

The sports center was already packed to the brim. Participating teams and spectators from all over the country had gathered there, making the place extraordinarily lively. The opening ceremony was relatively simple: a speech by the principal, an oath by the athletes' representative, and some artistic performances. It ended soon after.

After the opening ceremony, the various representative teams were led around to familiarize themselves with the competition venue.

The venue was divided into a main arena and several subsidiary arenas. The main arena was a gigantic alloy platform carved with complex defensive runes, capable of withstanding a full-force strike from a Martial Master Late-stage expert or even an early Great Martial Master. The surrounding spectator stands rose in tier upon tier and could accommodate tens of thousands of people.

"This is where we'll be fighting over the next few days." Chu Feng gazed at the main arena, his eyes filled with longing. "I really want to get up there and give it a try."

"You'll have your chance." Fang Yan patted him on the shoulder, but his gaze fell on a rune array in the center of the main arena. He could sense that the array contained tremendous energy. It was probably used to determine the results of matches and protect the spectators.

Just then, an incongruous voice cut in:

"Oh, isn't this the representative team from Kyoto University of Science and Technology? What's the matter? Is this your first time seeing such a grand scene? Scared silly?"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Zhao Heilong approaching with two students from Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology, provocative smiles on their faces.

Chu Feng was about to lose his temper, but Fang Yan stopped him.

Fang Yan looked at Zhao Heilong and said calmly, "We've heard about the strength of Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology for a long time. I hope you can display strength worthy of your reputation on the field."

"Hahaha, don't worry, we will." Zhao Heilong threw his head back and laughed wildly. "Especially you, Fang Yan, right? I'm really looking forward to defeating you with my own hands in the arena."

"Likewise." Fang Yan answered without showing the slightest weakness.

Zhao Heilong gave Fang Yan a deep look, then turned and left with his people.

"That guy's way too arrogant!" Chu Feng said angrily.

"Arrogance requires capital." Fang Yan spoke calmly. "He has the strength, so naturally he has the capital to be arrogant. What we have to do is beat that arrogance down on the field."

Lin Mengyao nodded. "Fang Yan is right. The most important thing for us now is to adjust our condition and welcome tomorrow's matches."

Li Hao also gave a rare word of agreement. "Mm."

After familiarizing themselves with the venue, the four returned to the hotel.

Once he was back in his room, Fang Yan immediately locked the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, and took out the manual for Five Finger Fist Heart Sword.

He took a deep breath and opened the first page.

Dense, strange characters filled his vision, and at the same time, an enormous stream of information surged directly into his mind.

"Use the spirit as the furnace, the will as the flame, and blood as the guide; condense the sword embryo within the heart of the fist..."

Following the method in the manual, Fang Yan began attempting to condense the sword embryo.

His mental power was highly concentrated as it circulated along a specific route. He could feel a faint trace of keen energy slowly gathering in the heart of his right fist.

But just then, a violent pain suddenly shot out from the heart of his fist, as though countless needles were stabbing his nerves at once.

"Urgh!" Fang Yan groaned, a fine sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He gritted his teeth and persevered, continuously sending in mental power in an attempt to stabilize that trace of keen energy.

After an unknown amount of time, just as he was about to reach his limit, the pain in the heart of his fist suddenly vanished. In its place was a cool, solid sensation.

He slowly spread open his right hand. In the center of his palm, a tiny black sword the size of a grain of rice lay quietly.

The tiny sword emitted a faint glow, an indescribably keen aura lingering around it.

[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have initially condensed the sword embryo. Five Finger Fist Heart Sword has reached the Beginner level.]

Fang Yan looked at the tiny sword in the heart of his fist, a gratified smile appearing on his face.

Although he had only reached the Beginner level, he could already sense the immense potential of this cultivation technique.

"Tomorrow's matches will let you see exactly what it means to hide a sword within the heart of the fist!"