A Proper Style

"The Battle Net can temporarily raise its realism to help me comprehend the true meaning of martial arts?"

"Hahaha, exactly!" Wang Wenhai wore an expression that said the student was worth teaching.

"The wonders of the Star Martial Battle Net far exceed your imagination. It can simulate not only the body, but also, to a certain extent, 'intent.'"

"In the Battle Net database, there are fragments of martial intent imprints left behind by certain powerhouses. You need to spend points and Federal Credits to exchange for them."

"You can first apply through the Battle Net system to observe all kinds of basic intent fragments for free, find a direction that suits you, and then consider spending money to exchange for one."

Wang Wenhai looked at Xu Wuyi, his tone encouraging. "Your comprehension may be stronger than you yourself imagine. Don't waste this talent."

"If you don't have enough money, you can spend the reward quota from the school. In the long run, this is more beneficial than simply exchanging it for one or two potions."

Xu Wuyi listened carefully. He understood that Teacher Wang's words were precious advice, considering not only his current progress, but also his future development.

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Wang. I'll give it a try," Xu Wuyi solemnly agreed.

"Mm. Act within your means. Comprehending intent places a heavy burden on the mind, so don't force it." Wang Wenhai gave him a reminder, then seemed to remember something and said, "Also, I'll let you know in advance."

"In March, which is half a month from now, our Honghe No. 1 High School will hold a joint examination with United High School and Yingang No. 1 High School from the neighboring city."

"A three-school joint exam?" Xu Wuyi raised his head.

United High School and Yingang No. 1 High School were both martial arts powerhouse schools with some reputation in Dongjiang Province. United High School in particular was Honghe No. 1 High School's old rival.

"That's right. It'll simulate the practical combat exam format of the college entrance examination. Consider it an important warm-up and assessment before the exam." Wang Wenhai's tone grew a little more serious.

"When the time comes, the provincial Martial Arts Association will also send people to watch. They have recommendation slots for special recruitment at various martial universities. Those who perform outstandingly will have a chance to be recommended."

Wang Wenhai patted Xu Wuyi on the shoulder. "Prepare well. Aim to bring back first place. When the time comes, the school will also give extra rewards."

When Xu Wuyi heard that, he could not help saying helplessly, "Teacher Wang, first place is a bit difficult... I heard Yu Peiling from United High School reached life energy level 13 long ago?"

"Mm, she was already level 13 before winter break." Wang Wenhai did not hide it, but instead smiled. "So she's long since gone to the provincial capital for special training and won't be taking part in the joint exam."

"I see..." Hope could not help rising in Xu Wuyi's heart.

Facing level 13, or even higher-level enemies, if they were ordinary martial artists, he could still rely on his martial skill and try to challenge them.

But for a martial arts genius like Yu Peiling, her martial skill was certainly not poor.

If Yu Peiling did not participate, he really did have a chance to contend for first place.

Xu Wuyi took a deep breath and felt an invisible pressure, but even more than that, a surging fighting spirit ready to burst forth.

"I understand, Teacher Wang."

After seeing Teacher Wang off, Xu Wuyi stood where he was, silently digesting the information from just now.

The three-school joint exam, Yu Peiling, intent comprehension, Cloud-Parting Force, blood energy improvement... Piece after piece of information intertwined in his mind, finally converging into four words—

Time waited for no one!

The next day, Xu Wuyi entered the Battle Net once more.

This time, he did not directly begin training, but found the "Intent Comprehension" module.

Sure enough, just as Teacher Wang had said, it listed the exchange permissions for many kinds of basic intent fragments, but the prices were not low.

Not only did they cost points, they also required Federal Credits to purchase. Even the cheapest started at one hundred thousand Federal Credits.

"So expensive!" Xu Wuyi could not help shaking his head.

The further one walked down the martial path, the more enormous wealth one needed to invest.

Intent fragments were only one part of it. The Blood Energy Potion Xu Wuyi was currently taking had merely risen from E-rank to D-rank, yet the price had directly multiplied several times over.

Each bottle was worth thirty thousand Federal Credits, and that was still the discounted price purchased through the school's channels. If he had to buy it himself, forty to fifty thousand per bottle would be normal.

That was because from D-rank onward, all official channels for Blood Energy Potions had limited supplies. Buying them required not only money, but also the corresponding citizen credit level.

Ordinary people could not buy them even if they had money. They could only purchase them from the black market.

After briefly looking through the intent fragments, Xu Wuyi did not exchange for any. He did not even choose to observe one for free.

Meals had to be eaten one bite at a time, and roads had to be walked one step at a time. More haste, less speed.

Xu Wuyi felt that right now, since he was simultaneously cultivating the body tempering method, the visualization method, and spear techniques, it would be unwise to distract himself further by trying to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts.

He should prioritize training his spear technique to a new realm first. It would not be too late to comprehend intent afterward. Sharpening the axe would not delay the chopping of firewood.

Teacher Wang might not have imagined that he could train the Wind-Settling Spear to near minor mastery in such a short time, which was why he had advised him to advance on all fronts.

But just as Teacher Wang had said, the advice of others and the AI was only for reference. A mature martial artist had to learn to make his own decisions.

"I'll practice the spear first."

Once Xu Wuyi made up his mind, spear shadows appeared again, and the sound of air being pierced echoed continuously through the training space.

In the following days, Xu Wuyi continued his tightly paced cultivation.

There were still more than twenty days until the three-school joint exam. He hoped that before then, he could also train the Wind-Settling Spear to minor mastery, or at least to 100% beginner level.

During the day at school, he continued practicing the Basic Body Tempering Method, digesting the medicinal power and steadily raising his blood energy.

The effects of the D-rank Blood Energy Potion were remarkable. He could feel his life energy level steadily advancing toward level 11.5.

Expensive really had its reasons!

That afternoon, after entering the Star Martial Battle Net, Cloud-Parting Force became the focus of his practice.

Under tens of thousands of thrusts, his success rate rose steadily, and his force gradually grew more refined.

He was no longer satisfied with stationary thrusts. He began practicing Cloud-Parting Force while moving, and even had the Battle Net simulate interference for training, striving to be able to erupt instantly under any circumstances.

The proficiency of Wind-Settling Spear, under this kind of high-intensity, focused cultivation, along with his daily, unshakable "Hundred-Fold Epiphany," entered a period of rapid growth.

Current Realm of Wind-Settling Spear: Beginner (88.7%)

The numbers on the panel faithfully recorded every bit of his effort.

At the same time, he did not completely put aside actual combat.

Every day or two, he would go to the Beginner Arena and match for a few rounds, not only to keep his touch, but also to test and hone Cloud-Parting Force in real combat.

At first, the Cloud-Piercing Thrust that had been integrated with Cloud-Parting Force still seemed rather deliberate. Sometimes, it would even affect the timing of his attacks because he was pursuing the exertion of force.

But as his proficiency improved, that sense of sluggishness gradually disappeared, and his spear thrusts became increasingly concealed.

The deeper a martial art was practiced, the more different the effect each person produced with it became. This was because martial artists often had their own styles.

Some people used Cloud-Parting Force with fierce, domineering power, some with a sinister edge, and others with a resolve to face death and survive, while Xu Wuyi's style was very unique.

He neither pursued absolute killing power, nor that kind of do-or-die determination that gambled everything. Instead, he calmly integrated it into every punch.

He hoped that by the time his opponent realized this strike was not simple, they would already have no choice but to take it head-on.

It was just like Mount Tai bearing down from above—upright and imposing, yet utterly unavoidable!