Level Five

Winter turned to spring, and within the Ernst Institute, students were intensifying their preparations for the end-of-year assessments, adding a touch of tension to the atmosphere.

Lin Qin's daily rhythm remained the same, but those who were observant could detect a change in his aura. His level four warrior battle qi was already full and stable, constantly pushing against and settling toward that next threshold. His Heaven Rewards Diligence talent ensured that this accumulation process was terrifyingly steady, without a hint of instability.

In the Warrior Division, Buck now found it difficult to gain any advantage during sparring sessions with Lin Qin. Lin Qin's strength, speed, reflexes, and application of battle qi had all reached the peak of a level four warrior, and in some aspects, even exceeded it. His basic swordsmanship was refined to the extreme; every parry and every counterattack felt like a calculation honed through thousands of repetitions, precise and efficient.

"I give up, I give up!" After one sparring session, Buck was the first to toss aside his wooden sword, panting heavily as he waved his hands. "You guy, you're practically a monster! I feel like if I keep fighting you, my confidence is going to be completely shattered." He looked at Lin Qin, his expression complex. "Are you... about to break through?"

Lin Qin stood with his sword sheathed, his internal battle qi surging; the barrier leading to level five was already as thin as a cicada's wing. He nodded. "It should be soon."

Buck sighed, then grinned. "That's fine too. Once you break through to level five, I'll have even more justification to ask you for pointers!"

Progress in magic was reflected in more precise control and a deeper grasp of the essence of magic.

In the clearing behind the mountain, three targets stood before Lin Qin. He did not chant; he simply moved his spiritual power.

"Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!"

The five Earth Spike Spears did not shoot out simultaneously, but rather in a sequence, surging toward the targets like waves and sealing off every angle of evasion. This was not a high-level spell, but the result of him compressing the casting interval of five level one Earth Spike Spears to the limit and using his spiritual power to finely control their activation timing. The mana consumption was not insignificant, but the tactical significance was entirely different.

What was even more surprising was that after these Earth Spike Spears shot out, they did not immediately dissipate. The earth elements lingering on the spears were exceptionally dense, and their duration far exceeded that of ordinary Earth Spike Spears. This was because, through countless practice sessions, he had inadvertently touched upon a sliver of the "stability" and "cohesion" aspects of the profound mysteries of the Earth Element. Although he was far from mastering it, it had already caused a qualitative change in this basic spell.

He dispelled the magic and began practicing the Earth Wall Technique. This time, the earth wall he condensed was no longer smooth; its surface was covered in fine, wave-like structures resembling dragon scales. When the Earth Spike Spears he released himself struck the wall, the force was effectively dispersed by these ripples, making the wall much harder to break. This was an inspiration he had gained from observing architectural structures and natural rock formations, which he had realized through massive amounts of practice.

These improvements had already transcended the scope of an ordinary low-level mage and were beginning to touch the edge of "skill approaching the Dao." If his magic mentor, Matt, were to see this, he would undoubtedly be shocked.

The moment of breakthrough arrived as scheduled on a calm night.

Lin Qin had just finished a round of extreme sword swinging, his battle qi severely depleted and his body exhausted to the limit. He sat cross-legged, preparing to recover through meditation as usual.

Just as his mind sank into his body, guiding the nearly dried-up battle qi to circulate slowly, a sudden change occurred!

The battle qi that usually required deliberate guidance to recover slowly now seemed to be under the influence of some powerful attraction, surging from the depths of his body at an unprecedented speed! It was not just recovery; it was a torrent, a roar! His meridians were filled and widened by the increasingly surging earthy-yellow airflow, and his bones and muscles emitted a faint hum as they underwent a deeper level of tempering.

The barrier that had hindered him for months melted away instantly under the impact of this irresistible force, like snow under the sun!

Level five warrior!

A surging sense of power filled his entire body, far more pronounced than when he had broken through to level four. He felt that his strength, defense, speed, and even his five senses had all improved by a significant margin. Both the total amount and the quality of the battle qi flowing within him had taken a leap forward.

He opened his eyes, the sharp light within them restrained, his aura becoming more settled and profound. He did not immediately test his strength, but instead closed his eyes again, carefully experiencing every change in his body and battle qi after the breakthrough, solidifying it completely.

When the east began to glow with the pale light of dawn, Lin Qin finished consolidating his state and stood up. He casually threw a punch at a large tree beside him that was as thick as an adult's waist.

"Boom!"

With a muffled thud, the trunk vibrated violently, the bark cracked, and a clear fist print was left, sinking deep into the wood. This was purely physical strength, without any added battle qi.

Lin Qin nodded in satisfaction.