Ji Yun, Testing

In 2056, humanity could only live in Base Cities.

In this era, everyone practiced martial arts. People generally had the physical fitness of top athletes from before the Great Nirvana, and those who made great breakthroughs based on that were known as Martial Artists!

A gentle breeze brushed across the land. It was early summer, still May, and the heat had only just begun to emerge. The wind carried a hint of coolness.

Kyoto Base City, Changshan City, the Limit Dojo's Panshan Residential District.

In the yard of a villa, a young man practiced with a spear. The wind whistled around it, and sharp sounds rang out again and again. The young man was Ji Yun, and he was eighteen that year. "Ji" referred to the place where the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan had lived, a name noble yet understated. According to Ji Yun's father, the name "Yun" came from a famous general in history before the Great Nirvana: Zhao Yun, whom people called Zhao Zilong of Changshan. He was said to have the strength of ten thousand men, and to be loyal and righteous. His father had chosen the name in the hope that Ji Yun would follow his example.

Ji Yun's movements grew faster and faster. The sound of the spear cutting through the air became increasingly urgent. With a sharp clang, he thrust its tip into the test board. Even after he let go, the shaft continued to vibrate.

He carefully examined how deeply the spear tip had pierced the board, then shook his head and thought, Still not good enough. Why can't I reach the level Father described? Father is a War General Level Martial Artist, and a formidable Advanced War General at that. He once told me he was lucky enough to see a powerful War God in action. With only a little strength, the man could unleash several times the force of his attacks. I think I've done well, so why can I only exert my own strength?

If he weren't afraid he wouldn't adapt to a sudden increase in strength, he would have started cultivating Genetic Origin Energy long ago. But breaking through to this level before cultivation was easier said than done.

I've done well at combining my whole body's strength. The problem must lie elsewhere.

Ji Yun pulled the spear free and sat cross-legged, laying it across his legs. It was a Heavy Mountain Spear made of alloy, weighing 110 kilograms. Unlike other spears, its name evoked the solidity of a mountain. It had belonged to Ji Yun's father, Ji Shan, who had used it when he first became a Martial Artist. The spearhead was slightly damaged, a sign it had seen its share of battles.

The wind brushed Ji Yun's cheek, and the sun warmed him until he narrowed his eyes. He enjoyed the feel of the breeze. The wind was ever-changing: sometimes it gently caressed his face, and sometimes it swept through the sky as if tearing it open.

Just as Ji Yun was thinking about how to exert his strength, a voice came from outside the villa's gate. "A-Yun? A-Yun, are you there? It's your Uncle Wei. A-Yun?"

Ji Yun stood up, placed the spear on its rack, and brushed off the nonexistent dust on his clothes as he headed for the gate. "I'm here."

He pressed a button, and the gate opened automatically. "What's the matter, Uncle Wei? Father went to the dojo today. What, you didn't see him? Did he run off to have fun?" Ji Yun blinked and joked.

"You little brat. If your dad knew you were making fun of him, who knows what he'd say," Wei Qing replied with a smile.

"Heh." Ji Yun chuckled. "Dad doesn't mind. He'll definitely fire right back at me. Anyway, what's going on? Did Dad send you to get me?" Ji Yun looked at Wei Qing in confusion.

"You guessed right. Come on, we need to hurry. I'll drive you there and explain on the way."

"Sure, let's go." Ji Yun shook his head and followed Wei Qing to the car parked outside.

"Listen, A-Yun, this is a chance for you."

"What kind of chance, Uncle Wei?"

Wei Qing drove without paying much attention to the lanes, going as fast as he could.

"Some important people came to the dojo today. Really important people. Mr. Liu, the Advanced War God who oversees the Limit Dojo in Kyoto Base City, suddenly came to inspect our Changshan Branch Dojo. He said he wanted to see how the dojo trains its students. Since the inspection was so sudden, the dojo didn't have time to gather its best prospects for the Inspector. As he spoke, Wei Qing patted Ji Yun on the shoulder. "Your dad thought it over and decided to bring you in to put on a good show. The Inspector might take a liking to you. If he does, your future will be wide open."

"The Inspector?" Ji Yun exclaimed. "He's an Advanced War God, second only to someone Beyond War God. Why would he come to Changshan? Wouldn't he usually visit a dojo in Kyoto?"

"I don't know either, but you'd better make a good impression. If he takes a liking to you, you might reach my level in just a few years. You could even become a War God someday."

Ji Yun nodded and turned to look out the window. He's an Advanced War God, someone who could level mountains and sever rivers with a casual gesture. If the Inspector takes a liking to me... His heart couldn't help but burn with excitement.

As he was thinking, Wei Qing said, "Buckle up. They're probably waiting impatiently by now. I'll drive faster." He floored the accelerator, and the car shifted up another gear, shooting out of the traffic.

The cool wind from the sudden acceleration hit Ji Yun in the face. He shivered, and his excitement settled. My meager strength might not catch the Inspector's eye. It'd be arrogant to start fantasizing before I've even been tested. Stay calm. Keep a level head. Ji Yun looked out the window as the high-rises flew past.

Ji Yun wondered what the Inspector would test him on. In terms of physical fitness, I reached the Quasi-Warrior level at just eighteen, and broke through the force exertion level last month. I can now draw on most of my body's strength when I throw a punch, reaching about 1,000 kilograms. As for my nerve response speed, I met the requirements even before becoming a Quasi-Warrior. My speed is even better at 27.8 meters per second, which is impressive among Quasi-Warriors. That's without cultivating Genetic Origin Energy. With my body, the first time I cultivate it, I might gain around 2,000 kilograms of strength. My physical fitness is already pretty good, so that shouldn't be a problem. Then...

Just as he was thinking, the car stopped. Wei Qing pulled out the key and said, "Get out. We're here."

Ji Yun came back to himself, answered, and got out with Wei Qing. Guards along the way kept greeting Wei Qing, but he was clearly used to it and led Ji Yun straight inside.

They entered the Limit Dojo's main building. Although Ji Yun had trained at the dojo for a long time, he couldn't help marveling at its grandeur every time he visited. This building had been built for the dojo's advanced students. It was slightly smaller than the other two, but advanced students were rare. After all, anyone who failed to become a Martial Artist by the age of thirty would lose their student status and become an ordinary person, never again able to experience the world of Martial Artists.

Ji Yun followed Wei Qing to the top floor. A young man in white stood at the entrance to the training room. His presence was like that of a sword, radiating a sharp aura.

The young man in white glanced at Ji Yun, then said to Wei Qing, "This is Chief Instructor Ji's son, right? Not bad. The Inspector has asked me to bring you both in."

Ji Yun had been quietly sizing up the young man in white. When he heard that the Inspector wanted them to come in, he hurried after him.

As soon as they entered the training hall, Wei Qing respectfully greeted the Inspector. Ji Yun followed suit, greeting him just as respectfully.

"Hey, kid, you're A-Shan's son, right?" a booming voice sounded beside Ji Yun.

Ji Yun turned toward the voice and immediately saw his father, Ji Shan. Ji Shan stood beside a tall, middle-aged man. He looked somewhat respectful, but also rather relaxed. The man wore an ordinary-looking tracksuit and had a lean face, but his beard was scruffy, as if he didn't take care of it.

Anyone who called his father A-Shan had to be the Inspector.

Inspector Liu beckoned him over. "Yun, hurry over. I came today to see how our Changshan Base City was doing, and I didn't expect A-Shan to be here too. So today, I'll put his son to the test." He motioned for his attendants to set up the testing equipment and recording devices, evidently intending to document the assessment. Then he added, "A-Shan told me you've passed the Quasi-Warrior Assessment, so we only need to check your physical fitness. Today's main tests are something else. Go ahead and start."

Seeing how familiar Inspector Liu and his father were, Ji Yun figured they must have known each other for a long time. Could they have been old friends? Thinking this, he walked over to the Punch Strength Tester, which was already switched on, and got ready.

At Inspector Liu's signal, Ji Yun took a deep breath and stood before the Punch Strength Tester. He loosened up his body, then went still, evidently gathering his strength. Before long, with everyone watching, he struck the tester like a spear thrust.

The machine gave a thud, accompanied by the faint sound of air breaking. Ji Yun immediately looked at the display: 1,024 kilograms.

"Not bad, Yun. Let's move on," Inspector Liu said with a nod, signaling for the next test.

Next came the speed and nerve response tests. The results came quickly.

Speed Test—27.9 m/s

Nerve Response Test—Junior Warrior, Excellent

Ji Yun stepped away from the testing equipment and stood below the dais. Thankfully, nothing had gone wrong. He had been nervous testing in front of Inspector Liu. His father, Ji Shan, also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, watching Ji Yun expectantly.

"Your physical fitness is good, and your nerve response is especially promising. People with quick nerve responses usually find it easier to cultivate their movement techniques, which makes them stronger Martial Artists. Your movement technique already shows signs of the Micro-Level. The test I originally prepared for you seems too easy now." Inspector Liu stroked his chin and said, "Li Xuan, spar with him. Use only Quasi-Warrior strength."

"Yes, Inspector." The young man in white who had escorted Ji Yun inside stepped forward. "I'm a Martial Artist recruited into the Special Training Camp by Inspector Liu this year. My name is Li Xuan. My physical fitness is currently Mid-Level War General, and my movement technique is Micro-Level. I practice swordsmanship. I'll use only a Martial Artist's physical strength in our spar. Let's begin." With that, he picked up a sword from the weapons rack.

So the real test was his combat ability. Ji Yun didn't hesitate. He went to the weapons rack too, looking for the Heavy Mountain Spear he usually used.

He scanned the rack but found no Heavy Mountain model. He was a little puzzled, but there was no time to dwell on it, so he chose a spear that was slightly shorter and lighter.

Ji Yun stood with the spear in hand, took a deep breath, and prepared himself.

Li Xuan said nothing. Seeing that Ji Yun was ready, he attacked with his sword. He thrust straight at Ji Yun, then flicked the blade as it neared him and sent six strikes toward him in an instant. The cold gleam of the sword tip flashed like starlight.

Ji Yun was startled and hurriedly raised his spear to block. He feinted with the spear tip and barely stopped three strikes, but Li Xuan redirected the other three along the side of the spear shaft. Ji Yun had no choice but to twist his body, release one hand, spin, and grip the spear again as he retreated several steps to create distance.

My long weapon is clearly slower than his, but a longer weapon has its advantages. I might have a chance if I make use of that. Ji Yun reset his stance, holding the spear in a half-horse stance.

Li Xuan's eyes narrowed as his sword flashed, its blade gleaming. After the initial probing, he had confirmed that his opponent was below his level.

Ji Yun struggled to block. The heavy spear left him no time to parry, so he could only rely on his barely Micro-Level movement technique to dodge.

After more than ten exchanges, Li Xuan suddenly drew back his sword, then thrust it forward. Its cold gleam flashed toward Ji Yun's eyes. He had no time to block and could only gamble on deflecting it with the spear tip. Luck was not on his side. Li Xuan's sword reached Ji Yun's chest.

"I've lost." Ji Yun steadied his ragged breathing and admitted defeat helplessly.

"Kid, you've got a good attitude. Li Xuan used the first level of the Cold Star Sword he's been practicing. You didn't lose unfairly. It would've been strange if you'd won," Inspector Liu said.

"You hesitated before the fight. You couldn't find the Heavy Mountain Spear your father uses, could you?" Inspector Liu said with a smile. "The Heavy Mountain Spear needs to be used with a manual called Thousand Heavy Mountains. It's an uncommon style. Thousand Heavy Mountains was created by a High-Level War God named Wei Potian, so it naturally has many limitations."

"You seem to want to release several layers of force quickly and multiply the power of your attacks. Your spear technique does the same, which doesn't suit your weapon."

Ji Yun was startled. Could it be the weapon?

"Of course, the weapon isn't the main reason. The real issue is that you lack proper guidance. Your father hoped you'd make progress by figuring things out on your own. He can't teach you the Thousand Heavy Mountains he practices, since it can't be passed on, so he can only offer you a little guidance."

"I'm visiting Changshan today, so I'll give you a suggestion," Inspector Liu said with a smile.

Ji Yun quickly pushed everything else from his mind and listened intently.

"I suggest you switch to another weapon, such as that spear called Wind Lifter."