Murloc Warrior

A strange feeling welled up in Qin Yan's heart. He shook his head and ordered, "Xiao Shu, open the email containing the freshman mentor profiles."

"Understood, Master."

After the cool electronic female voice responded, a clear virtual projection screen appeared before Qin Yan. It displayed detailed information on all this year's freshman mentors, including their portraits, names, affiliated academies, cultivation realms, areas of expertise, research achievements, recruitment preferences, and more.

Qin Yan focused intently and spent nearly an hour roughly going through all the information.

In total, there were 19 Sixth-Rank Mentors, 57 Fifth-Rank Mentors, and all the rest were Fourth Grade mentors!

"As expected of one of the two Top Martial Universities. This faculty lineup... is ridiculously luxurious!"

Qin Yan was deeply shocked once again.

Based on his cultivation needs, he initially selected several mentors he was interested in.

First was Mentor Xiao Huo from the Sixth Academy. He possessed Peak Sixth Grade strength and was also a Sixth Grade Alchemist!

The Sixth Academy was a special academy at Magic Capital Martial University, specializing in all kinds of skills—alchemy, artifact forging, pharmaceuticals, command, and more.

It was the wealthiest of the six academies.

He had the Martial Arts Skill System, so he did not particularly need a mentor's guidance in Spear Technique.

What he lacked were resources, money, and connections!

And a powerful alchemy mentor could completely satisfy those needs!

"I wonder if the system can add points to those skills."

Qin Yan thought to himself.

Second was Mentor Luo Cheng of the First Academy. Mid Sixth Grade, his Spear Technique had reached the terrifying advanced Sixth Stage. He was among the best of all the mentors. If Qin Yan could become his disciple, it would greatly benefit his spear cultivation.

...In total, he listed five or six alternatives.

After all, he had yet to break through to become a martial artist. Although his Spear Technique was outstanding, whether he could catch the eye of those top mentors remained unknown. Mentor Xiao Huo in particular—he did not know any alchemy at all, so the chances of being chosen by him were not very high.

It was safer to prepare several more options.

"Next, it's time to look at the specific contents of the Freshman Trial."

Qin Yan took a deep breath and gave Xiao Shu the order.

"Understood, Master."

The moment she finished speaking, the content on the screen changed. What appeared was no longer a human image, but the projection of a ferocious creature!

It was a humanoid creature, but it had a fish head covered in fine scales, its eyes gleaming with an eerie blue ferocity.

Its body was massive and muscular, clearly over two and a half meters tall. Its grayish-blue skin was rough as leather.

It held a rusted yet chilling Trident Halberd. Webbing stretched between its toes, and sharp fangs protruded from its mouth, giving off a savage, fishy stench.

"This creature is known as a 'Murloc Warrior,' a basic combat unit of the Sea Clan. It possesses low intelligence, a cruel temperament, and immense strength.

Its strength ranges from low First Grade to Third Grade Peak.

It is one of humanity's primary enemies on coastal and aquatic battlefields," Xiao Shu explained in her cool electronic voice.

Qin Yan stared fixedly at the savage Murloc Warrior in the projection, his heartbeat involuntarily quickening.

This was the first time he had come into such clear "contact" with an alien race!

Though it was only a projection, its lifelike form and the vicious aura it exuded still made his heart tremble.

Their strength generally ranged from First Grade to Third Grade?

That meant even the weakest Murloc Warrior was comparable to a human First-Rank Martial Artist!

With his current 99 Cal Blood Qi and the fact that he had yet to break through as a martial artist, facing one head-on would definitely be more dangerous than fortunate.

"However, the purpose of the trial is not to make us defeat it."

Qin Yan analyzed calmly. "It is to assess our endurance under a Murloc Warrior's attacks, our adaptability, combat techniques, and other overall qualities.

As long as our performance is outstanding enough and we display tremendous potential, even if we ultimately 'lose,' we may still earn the mentors' favor."

"I have to find a way to maximize my strengths within three days.

Breaking through to become a martial artist is a slim hope. In that case, my only opening lies in my Martial Arts Skill!"

At this thought, Qin Yan sank his consciousness into his mind and looked toward the System Panel visible only to him:

At this thought, Qin Yan looked at his panel.

[Sky-Supporting Qi Pillar: Fifth layer (Complete)

Blood Qi: 99 Cal

Mental Strength: 42 Hz

Spear Technique: Second Stage (61%)

Skill Points: 91 points

Note: As long as you work hard, there will be rewards]

Qin Yan allocated Skill Points to Spear Technique.

In an instant, a flood of profound insights into the use of the spear poured into his mind like divine enlightenment. All manner of force-exertion techniques, variations in moves, and comprehension of artistic conception rapidly improved!

17 Skill Points consumed. Spear Technique progress increased to Level Two (90%)!

15 Skill Points consumed. Spear Technique progress reached Level Two (100%).

However, the progress bar stalled at 100%, seemingly having encountered a bottleneck.

Without hesitation, Qin Yan continued investing Skill Points. After consuming another 20 Skill Points, the progress bar suddenly jumped. His Spear Technique broke through Level Two Completion and became—Level Three (1%)!

Qin Yan did not stop, pouring in all his remaining Skill Points.

In the end, when his remaining Skill Points were completely exhausted, his Spear Technique stabilized at Level Three (17%).

"The higher the level, the harder it is to improve. At the early stage of Level Three, raising it by 1% takes nearly 2 Skill Points... It seems the cost of 'hard work' will only grow greater in the future."

Qin Yan felt a trace of pressure. "Still, a Level Three Spear Technique should count as top-tier among freshmen, right?"

After all, many low-ranked Martial Artists might not even have techniques that reached Level Three.

If his level was lacking, he would make up for it with technique!

That was his greatest advantage at present.

With that thought, Qin Yan was eager to find a place to familiarize himself with his explosively improved Spear Technique.

The four-person Yellow-Grade Dormitory could only meet basic living needs; it did not even have a decent training room.

He got up, left the dormitory, and headed toward the Public Martial Arts Room marked on the campus map.

"For this Freshman Trial, I have to go all out!

"My goal is to secure at least a dormitory in the Earth Zone!"

Qin Yan's gaze was resolute.

The Heavenly Zone consisted of small manors with private training grounds and medicinal gardens. Only the Top Ten Freshmen could enter, and he was not overly confident about that.

But the Earth Zone consisted of townhouses as well. Although they were shared by two people, they came with a dedicated Martial Arts Room for shared use.

The top hundred freshmen could enter, and he was quite confident about making that.

Then, unlike now, he would not need to run to the public area every time he trained, wasting time.

Everything had to be fought for with strength!

Half an hour later, Qin Yan followed the signs to a magnificent circular building—the Public Martial Arts Hall.

The hall was enormous, divided into countless private or semi-open training rooms. It had every kind of advanced training equipment, Strength Testing Steles, Agility Testing Areas, and more.

However, just as Qin Yan stepped toward the entrance, a gentle laser swept over his body.