Virtual Breakthrough Challenges and Martial Dao Ranking Tournament

A month passed like iron being tempered, hammered again and again beneath the forge.

As morning and evening alternated, Lin Ye's life had been compressed into three points and one line: home, classroom, Martial Arts Pavilion.

The twelve F-Grade Nutrients had run out by the third week. Lin Ye had kept quiet about it, but after his father, Lin Jianguo, discovered it, he silently bought a second box. His mother, Wang Xiulan, increased her night shifts at the Starport from three times a week to five.

Lin Ye silently took it all in.

There was not much he could do. He could only train in martial arts in silence.

So his life changed from three points and one line into four: home, classroom, Martial Arts Pavilion, and the Public Training Room late at night.

A month passed.

Sweat and persistence had translated themselves onto the System Panel in the most honest way possible.

[Host: Lin Ye]

[Realm: Body Forging Mid-Stage (218/300)]

[Martial Skills: Primordial Stance (Mastery: 320/500) Rolling Stone Fist (Great Success: 150/1000)]

The Primordial Stance had reached Mastery Grade. The microcirculation of his Blood Qi had transformed from a stream into a small river. His stance-holding time had gone from an easy half hour to a full hour without fatigue, and he could even faintly sense Blood Qi flowing through specific meridians. At the same time, after Rolling Stone Fist entered the Great Success Grade, whenever he tested his fist in deserted places late at night, the air whistled wherever his punches swept through.

At the beginning of April, the last wave of cold air from the late spring chill swept through Linjiang District.

In the Grade 12 Class 5 classroom, homeroom teacher Chen Guo'an stood at the podium with a solemn expression. "Students, this is the final district-wide major exam before the High School Entrance Exam. It will be held over three days, and every day is crucial."

The room fell silent as fifty-two pairs of eyes focused in unison.

Then the projection screen lit up, displaying the detailed exam schedule:

Day One: Comprehensive Academic Test

History of the Star Alliance (100 points), Advanced Mathematics (100 points), Basic Physics (100 points), Common Language (100 points), for a total of 400 points.

Day Two: Martial Dao Fundamentals Test

Morning: Blood Qi Value monitoring (300 points, score-assignment system)

Afternoon: Virtual Combat breakthrough challenge (300 points, challenge system)

Day Three: Martial Dao Ranking Tournament.

Liberal arts examinees would not participate. The tournament used a bonus-point system, and only examinees who cleared the third stage on the second day could participate. Through virtual combat duels, the top student in the entire district would be decided.

The classroom erupted into an uproar, discussion buzzing nonstop below. Most students were talking about the breakthrough battles on the second day. Only a few stared fixedly at the words "Martial Arts Stream Ranking Tournament," their breathing growing slightly hurried.

"First, I'll explain the Virtual Combat rules for the afternoon of the second day."

Chen Guo'an swept his gaze across the classroom. Everyone quieted down, and then he continued.

"The Virtual Combat assessment rules are as follows:"

He opened the projection, and the detailed rules appeared.

[Virtual Combat · Challenge System]:

Stage One: Early Body Tempering Stage cultivation, Entry Grade Rolling Stone Fist (80 points)

Stage Two: Body Forging Mid-Stage cultivation, Skilled Grade Rolling Stone Fist (60 points)

Stage Three: Body Forging Mid-Stage cultivation, Mastery Grade Rolling Stone Fist (40 points)

Stage Four: Late Body Tempering Stage cultivation, Mastery Grade Rolling Stone Fist (40 points)

Stage Five: Late Body Tempering Stage cultivation, Great Success Grade Rolling Stone Fist (30 points)

Stage Six: Peak Body Forging Stage cultivation, Great Success Grade Rolling Stone Fist (30 points)

Stage Seven: Peak Body Forging Stage cultivation, Consummation Grade Rolling Stone Fist (20 points)

"Take note." Chen Guo'an stressed his words. "These are the strength standards of the Virtual Martial Artists at each stage. The challenge uses an accumulated bonus system. Clear the first stage and receive 80 points. Clear the second and gain another 60 points, and so on. Clear all seven stages, and you can earn 300 points."

"If you fail to clear a stage, your score will be manually determined based on a comprehensive assessment of your performance in that stage, how long you held out, the number of effective strikes, and so forth."

Then he paused and looked across the room. "Over the past five years, the best result among our school's Grade 12 students was clearing the sixth stage. I hope everyone performs well and strives for a good result."

Soft gasps rose from the classroom.

After all, in most people's eyes, clearing the third stage was already extremely impressive. Yet their school's strongest record was clearing the sixth stage. That was simply monstrous.

Lin Ye looked at the stage descriptions on the projection and calculated silently.

With his current strength, clearing the third stage should not be a problem. But he was not particularly confident about clearing the fourth. Still, he was not too discouraged. This was only a mock exam, and there were still two months until the High School Entrance Exam—more than enough time for him to raise his strength another notch.

More importantly, though, was the Ranking Tournament on the third day. He stared at the blackboard. Based on what the teacher had said, Lin Ye judged that he should qualify to participate.

A moment later, the projection screen changed.

The detailed rules for the Martial Dao Ranking Tournament on the third day slowly unfolded:

[Round Duel Bonus Point Rules]

First Round: One-on-one arena battle, winner advances, +10 points

Second Round: One-on-one arena battle, winner advances, +20 points

Third Round: One-on-one arena battle, winner advances, +30 points

Fourth Round: Grand Melee (remaining contestants compete on the same stage), ranked according to performance, from +40 points to +10 points

Fifth round and beyond: the same pattern continued, with points gradually increasing.

"Take note." Chen Guo'an emphasized his words again. "These bonus points are extra points independent of the results from the first two days, and they will be added directly to your final total score. This means that even if your results over the first two days are average, as long as you clear the third stage on the second day, you can participate in the Martial Dao Ranking Tournament on the third day. If you perform outstandingly in the Ranking Tournament, you can still make a comeback!"

A stir ran through the classroom. These rules gave some Martial Arts Students another chance, but they also made the competition in this major exam even more brutal.

After all, clearing the third stage on the second day was no easy task.

"Alright, class is dismissed early today."

Seeing the students below begin to discuss things, Chen Guo'an turned off the projection. "Go home and prepare well. Adjust your condition and get ready for the major exams over the next three days."

With that, he walked out of the classroom, leaving the students behind to continue their discussion.

"Ahhh... tomorrow... it'll finally be time to show what we're made of."

Wang Tao slumped over his desk and said weakly, "I feel like I'm finished when it comes to the academic subjects."

Zhang Hao pushed up his glasses. "I'm more worried about the Blood Qi test. My training has felt off lately."

"What are you liberal arts students worrying about?"

Zhou Qian turned around, dissatisfied. "We Martial Arts Stream students are the ones who have it rough. Three straight days of exams, and we might even have to fight in the Ranking Tournament on the last day..."

Lin Ye packed his things without joining the discussion. He glanced at the time. It was 11:43, with only seventeen minutes left until class ended.

"Brother Night, are you going to the study room tonight?"

Wang Tao asked.

"No. I'm going to the Martial Arts Hall to train for a while tonight."

"You're still training at a time like this?"

Wang Tao's eyes widened. "But the exam is tomorrow."

"That's exactly why I need to maintain my condition."

Lin Ye smiled as he explained.