"Mentor Song."
Jiang Hao greeted him respectfully.
A rare, undisguised smile hung on Song Jun's usually impassive face, and his eyes brimmed with admiration.
"Jiang Hao."
"Your performance during this time has truly exceeded my expectations."
"No, I should say—you've given me the biggest surprise of my life!"
Song Jun's voice rang with heartfelt delight.
"From the day you reached Great Success in Stance Training, I knew you were no ordinary talent. But even I never imagined you'd transform so completely in such a short time."
"Getting into the Key Class, receiving B-Class Treatment, and having a sudden epiphany about Spear Intent."
"Hahaha! I've rarely misjudged anyone in my life!"
"But you're the one I've judged most accurately!"
Faced with the praise of a Martial Master Level expert, Jiang Hao replied humbly,
"Mentor Song, you flatter me."
"I was just lucky enough to seize a few opportunities."
Song Jun waved away his modesty, clearly unwilling to accept it. Then the smile on his face faded, and his expression turned serious.
"Jiang Hao, do you remember our Gambling Agreement?"
Jiang Hao's heart stirred, and he nodded at once.
"Of course."
"The first condition was getting into the Key Class. You've already completed that."
Song Jun's gaze sharpened. "The second condition is reaching a Blood Qi Intensity of 12.0 within a month."
Jiang Hao looked a little puzzled.
"Mentor Song, wasn't that agreement supposed to count next month?"
"That's right."
Song Jun nodded. "I came today to tell you why I set that goal, so you can prepare in advance!"
Song Jun looked at Jiang Hao and spoke one word at a time.
"Next month."
"Our Rongguang City will host its first Key Universities Training Camp."
"Key Universities Training Camp?"
Jiang Hao was a little surprised. It was the first time he had heard of it.
"The camp is jointly hosted by three Top Universities: Dragon Xia First Martial University, Federal Star River University, and Shenzhou Academy."
"The goal is to scout the very best young talents in all of Rongguang City ahead of time!"
"Every single person who makes it into this camp is a Prodigy."
"They'll receive personal instruction from mentors at all three Top Universities!"
"And the goal of everyone who enters the camp is to get into one of those three universities!"
Jiang Hao's breathing quickened.
Song Jun's gaze burned bright.
"And the minimum requirements for entering the camp are..."
"A Blood Qi Intensity of 13.0."
"And at least two Great Success Martial Skills!"
"I set your goal at 12.0 because I hope you'll be close to that threshold by next month!"
"Then I'll have a reason to ask the principal to secure you a provisional spot!"
Jiang Hao finally understood, and he was deeply shocked!
The camp's entry requirements...
Were actually the same as those of a Key Martial Arts University!
That was insane!
But something didn't add up. Why had Song Jun asked him to reach a Blood Qi Intensity of 12?
So Jiang Hao asked directly.
"Mentor Song, I don't think my Blood Qi Intensity will be enough to meet the requirements..."
Song Jun seemed to have expected him to say this. He waved a hand and smiled. "Don't worry. There are a few people in the camp who don't meet the standard either, but they all have Sun-level talent!"
"And you!"
Song Jun stared at Jiang Hao, his gaze burning bright. "If your Blood Qi Intensity increases by 2 or 3 in a month, I believe you have Sun-level Martial Bone too!"
So my mentor had been laying out this Heaven-reaching Path for me from the very beginning!
Looking at the mentor who seemed cold but was warm at heart, Jiang Hao felt a surge of warmth within him.
This kindness of recognizing my talent...
It weighed as much as a thousand catties.
Jiang Hao nodded, his gaze meeting Song Jun's with determination.
"Mentor Song, I understand."
"Next month..."
"I'll make it!"
Song Jun looked at Jiang Hao's confident expression and nodded with satisfaction.
"Good!"
"I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
"By the way."
"How is your practice of the Tidal Wave Spear Technique coming along?"
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me now."
A flash of light burst into Jiang Hao's eyes.
Talk about perfect timing!
He had broken through to Minor Accomplishment last night and mastered the Second Wave.
He didn't expect to have much trouble with what came next, either.
But how could Jiang Hao pass up a chance to receive a Martial Master Level expert's demonstration and rapidly gain proficiency?
"Thank you, Mentor Song!"
Jiang Hao didn't hesitate. He seized the opportunity at once.
"Mentor, whenever I try to break through to Third Wave Force, I feel like I run out of power."
"The First Wave Force is when the Blood Qi flows through the body."
"The Second Wave Strength is when the old force hasn't run out and the new force has already formed, with the two overlapping."
"But the Third Wave..."
Jiang Hao spoke, pretending to furrow his brows.
"The manual says the Third Wave requires Heart and Mind Unite, so that Three Waves as One."
"But every time I try to unleash the third surge of force at the peak of the Second Wave, the two overlapping forces instantly go out of control."
"I can't make it Three Waves as One."
"I just can't find the moment when my heart and mind unite."
Jiang Hao laid out his confusion in detail.
However...
After Jiang Hao finished speaking, the explanation he'd expected never came.
Puzzled, he lifted his head.
The next moment!
He saw Song Jun staring at him as if he'd seen a ghost.
The evening breeze swept past.
The atmosphere turned strangely quiet.
Song Jun's mouth hung slightly open, and his Adam's apple bobbed.
"You..."
Song Jun's voice came out dry and uncertain.
"What did you just say?"
"You're trying to break through to Third Wave Force?"
Jiang Hao nodded honestly.
"Yeah."
"I broke through to the Second Wave yesterday. Then I wanted to try the Third Wave, but I kept failing."
"..."
At that moment, Song Jun felt his mind go blank with a buzz!
He sucked in a sharp breath. His sharp, eagle-like eyes widened until they were round!
Song Jun remembered it perfectly!
How long had it been since he gave Jiang Hao that Tidal Wave Spear Technique?
Three days!
No, counting today, it was only the fourth day!
Four days ago, this kid had been a rookie who'd never even touched a Ranked Martial Skill!
Four days later...
He hadn't just learned the basics!
He'd mastered the Second Wave Force!
And now, damn it, he was already trying to break through to the Third Wave Force?
Was this even humanly possible?
Song Jun's heart pounded wildly!
He'd thought that if Jiang Hao could reach Minor Accomplishment in this Martial Skill—the Second Wave—within a month, that would already be incredible!
But now, after only four days?!
This comprehension!
This speed of cultivation!
A monster...
This kid was an out-and-out monster!
No!
Song Jun abruptly snapped back to his senses!
His iron mask flushed bright red. Excited, he grabbed Jiang Hao by the arm, squeezing so hard that Jiang Hao's bones ached!
"Come!"
"Follow me!"
"Huh? Mentor Song, where are we going?"
"Back to school!"
Without another word, Song Jun pulled Jiang Hao along and strode back.
"Your question can't be explained with words alone!"
"I have to demonstrate it for you myself!"
"We can't waste a talent like you!"
Ten minutes later.
Inside the Training Room of Class 3-2, long since emptied out and lit only by its emergency lights.
"Bang!"
Song Jun shoved open the door from outside.
"Watch closely!"
Song Jun walked to the weapon rack and casually drew out an Alloy Spear, its tip pointed at the floor.
"Vrrrm—!"
A violent aura erupted from Song Jun's body!
"Tidal Wave Spear Technique!"
Song Jun gave a low shout!
"First Wave!"
"Boom!"
The spear shot out like a dragon!
A muffled explosion rang through the air!
"Second Wave!"
Song Jun's spear momentum did not let up. He drove his waist and abdomen, and a second surge of force crashed on top of the first!
"Rumble!"
The two surges of force merged. The air before the spearhead rippled visibly!
Jiang Hao didn't blink.
"Look closely!"
"You're failing because your Blood Qi and body can't yet withstand the merging of the Third Wave!"
"You've got the order wrong!"
"That wasn't about forcibly driving out a third surge of force!"
"You have to do it like this—"
Song Jun let out a thunderous shout!
"Guide the qi with intent!"
"Three Waves Return to Origin!"
"Rumble—!"
Under Jiang Hao's stunned gaze!
The long spear in Song Jun's hands seemed to transform into a towering tidal wave. Three terrifying booms rang out in rapid succession, almost at the same instant!
A destructive force burst from the spearhead!
"Bang!"
The alloy machine ahead, used for testing punching strength, didn't even have a chance to react!
In an instant, the force shook it apart from a distance!
Countless pieces went flying!
Jiang Hao felt a powerful gust of wind rush toward him, stinging his cheeks!
[ Ding! Under the personal demonstration and guidance of a Martial Master Level expert, your understanding of the "Tidal Wave Spear Technique" has deepened considerably! ] [ Proficiency +20! ] [ Tidal Wave Spear Technique · Minor Success (21/100)! ]
A flood of insights surged into Jiang Hao's mind!
So that was it!
It wasn't about forcibly stacking the force!
A look of realization flashed in Jiang Hao's eyes!
He felt he was already close to grasping that third layer of stacked force!
Song Jun slowly lowered his spear. Seeing Jiang Hao lost in a moment of enlightenment, he was more than pleased.
"Did you understand?"
"I did!"
Jiang Hao nodded firmly and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for your guidance, Instructor Song!"
"Mm."
Song Jun waved a hand and returned the spear to the weapon rack.
"Go back and reflect on it."
"Don't waste your talent."
"Yes!"
Jiang Hao bowed again, then left the Training Room.
The vast Training Room was left with Song Jun alone. He watched Jiang Hao disappear, then glanced at the punching-strength testing machine that had been blown apart.
Song Jun wore a smile more painful than crying.
"Damn it."
"I got carried away again. Now I have to write a report and pay for the damage."
Though Song Jun grumbled, he couldn't hide the delight in his eyes.
"Four Days Second Wave."
"Looks like he even grasped Spear Intent."
"Moon-level Talent?"
Song Jun shook his head to himself.
"No."
"Even Moon-level Talent couldn't possibly achieve this."
"This kid..."
Song Jun's gaze grew feverishly intense.
"At the very least, he's Sun-level!"
"I, Song Jun, have really struck gold this time!"
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