Limitations of Martial Techniques!

"Commander, everyone."

"Martial techniques and cultivation methods are two completely different concepts."

"Cultivation methods place importance on personal talent and comprehension."

"As long as your talent is sufficient, even a First-Order Martial Artist can comprehend the circulation pathways within them."

"But martial techniques are different."

Su Qingxue noticed everyone's confusion.

She turned and pointed at the Third-Order Martial Techniques displayed on the screen.

"Martial techniques require true qi as support!"

"A First-Order Martial Artist has only just condensed a Qi Vortex, and the true qi in their body is pitifully scarce."

"For First-Order Martial Artists, First Order martial techniques are the standard."

"Only a very small number of geniuses can successfully use Second-Tier Stage martial techniques while still at the First Order."

"Lin Yuan is only at the First-Tier Early Stage."

"Even if I gave him Fifth Tier martial techniques, even if he could grasp their essence—"

"With his current reserves of true qi, he wouldn't even be able to complete the opening stance before being drained into a dried-up husk!"

Everyone suddenly understood.

It was like installing an aircraft engine in a small car.

The fuel in the tank was only enough to ignite it.

Before the car could even move, the fuel would be gone—and the engine would be wrecked too.

"But Instructor Su."

"Since First Order martial techniques are standard, and geniuses can use Second-Tier Stage martial techniques—"

"Why did you list Third-Order Martial Techniques for Lin Yuan?"

"Isn't that too much of a leap?"

Old Li adjusted his glasses and raised another question.

"Because he's Lin Yuan."

"Judging by his monstrous rate of growth—"

"I dare say that before the spiritual energy fully revives, he'll definitely break through to become a Second-Tier Martial Artist!"

"..."

Su Qingxue looked at Old Li, and a rare trace of approval appeared at the corner of her lips.

The moment she said that—

The command room fell into deathly silence once more.

Breaking through to the Second-Tier Stage before spiritual energy fully revived?

One had to know—

The spiritual energy on Blue Star had only just begun to leak out!

The concentration of spiritual energy in the air was extraordinarily thin.

Breaking through to the Second-Tier Stage at a time like this was simply a fantasy!

Yet when Su Qingxue said it, her voice carried an unquestionable certainty.

"Only by having him cultivate Third-Order Martial Techniques directly—"

"Will he be able to unleash his strongest combat power once he truly reaches the Second-Tier Stage."

"Once the Ferocious Beasts erupt, the initial wave of impact will be the deadliest."

"We must give him the ability to kill enemies above his rank!"

Su Qingxue's explanation completely dispelled everyone's concerns.

Everything was for the sake of surviving the apocalypse!

"Lin Yuan, choose!"

Nie Dingguo nodded heavily.

Lin Yuan stood before the screen and began carefully browsing the Third-Order Martial Techniques.

His mind raced at high speed.

Choosing martial techniques was not like picking cabbages. They had to match his fighting style.

Close combat required explosive force.

Movement required flexibility.

He also had to consider facing swarms of Ferocious Beasts in the future. He could not rely solely on a pair of hands to tear them apart.

A full ten minutes passed.

Lin Yuan finally made his decision.

He raised his hand and tapped three names on the screen in succession.

"These three."

The screen flickered.

The information for the three martial techniques enlarged.

Fist technique: Broken Rock Fist.

It specialized in close-range bursts and was renowned for its fierce power.

Movement technique: Wandering Dragon Step.

It allowed swift shifts and turns within tight spaces, making it ideal for weaving through complicated beast hordes.

Spear technique: Overlord Spear.

A long weapon, broad and powerful in its movements—a weapon made for group battles.

Close quarters, maneuvering, group combat.

The three covered everything, without a single weakness.

Su Qingxue looked at Lin Yuan's choices, and the approval in her eyes deepened.

This guy was not only extraordinarily gifted; his combat instincts were frighteningly sharp as well.

"Good."

"Since the cultivation method and martial techniques have both been chosen—"

"Next, I'll explain the key points of cultivating the Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula in detail."

Su Qingxue signaled that the others could leave.

What came next concerned the core secrets of martial cultivation inheritance.

Nie Dingguo understood the rules well.

He immediately led the researchers and adjutant out of the command room one after another.

Very soon—

Only Lin Yuan and Su Qingxue remained in the vast confidential room.

Su Qingxue brought up the general outline of the first layer of the Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula.

A complex diagram of meridian pathways appeared in three dimensions within the holographic projection.

"The Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula has six layers in total."

"And these six realms correspond exactly to the first six ranks of martial artists."

"The first layer corresponds to First-Order Martial Artists and focuses on Skin Tempering."

"The core of this stage is to guide spiritual energy to temper the skin."

"You must make your true qi as sharp as needlepoints, piercing through your original skin tissue and repeatedly tearing it apart before rebuilding it."

"This process is very painful!"

"But as long as you endure it, your skin will become as tough as cowhide. Ordinary blades and swords will be unable to break through your defenses."

"..."

Lin Yuan listened intently.

He showed no fear whatsoever, only a desire for strength.

"The second layer corresponds to Second-Tier Martial Artists and focuses on Flesh Tempering."

"True qi penetrates deep into the muscle fibers, strengthening explosive power and endurance."

"At its peak, your physical body can withstand fire from ordinary firearms!"

"..."

Su Qingxue explained for a full three hours.

These were all experiences she had gained while cultivating the Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula.

Lin Yuan's memory was excellent as well.

He memorized every cultivation point without missing a single word.

Even if he could not fully understand them yet—

Su Qingxue's experience still gave Lin Yuan tremendous insight.

After the explanation ended—

Lin Yuan left the command room directly and returned to his private quarters.

"Haa—"

Lin Yuan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

His chest rose and fell continuously as he began adjusting his condition.

A few minutes later—

Lin Yuan closed his eyes and began cultivating the Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula.

"Buzz!"

A violent suction force abruptly erupted from his dantian.

The thin spiritual energy in the air poured in through Lin Yuan's pores.

Too overbearing!

That was Lin Yuan's first reaction.

Compared with the Basic Breathing Technique he had cultivated before—

This Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula was like bandits ransacking a village!

"Steady!"

Lin Yuan clenched his teeth.

He controlled that violent spiritual energy and followed the first layer's Skin Tempering route, driving it toward the capillaries beneath his skin.

"Hiss!"

The next second—

An indescribable agony instantly swept through Lin Yuan's entire body.

It was as though countless tiny steel saws were frenziedly cutting through his skin tissue.

Damn...

Lin Yuan cursed inwardly.

Su Qingxue had not been wrong at all. This truly hurt!

Every inch the spiritual energy advanced came with soul-rending pain.

An ordinary person would probably fail to endure even one minute before fainting from the pain.

But Lin Yuan endured it by sheer force.

He clenched his teeth so hard that traces of blood appeared on his lips.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

Time seemed to lose all meaning.

Lin Yuan was like a statue.

Other than occasionally swallowing a few mouthfuls of nutrient solution, he did not move at all.

Gradually—

A layer of dark brown, viscous substance began seeping from the surface of Lin Yuan's skin.

Those were impurities expelled from his body.

On the fourth day—

The stinging pain in his skin began to lessen.

Replacing it was a warm, tingling sensation.

The torn skin tissue began rebuilding and healing at a terrifying speed.

At dawn on the fifth day—

Lin Yuan, seated in the cultivation room, abruptly opened his eyes.

He lowered his head and looked at his hands.

His formerly fair skin now carried a faint metallic sheen.

Finally—

After five days of effort—

He had at last successfully taken the first step!

Lin Yuan's heart pounded wildly.

He eagerly called out to the system in his mind.

The next moment—

A transparent screen appeared before Lin Yuan's eyes.

[Host: Lin Yuan]

[Strength: First-Stage Martial Artist, Early Phase]

[Cultivation Art: Heavenly Dipper Qi Refining Formula, First Layer (Beginner Realm 5%)]

[Martial Skills: None]

[Treasures: None]

Looking at that 5% marker.

The corners of Lin Yuan's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.

So what if it was a Sixth-Tier Cultivation Art?

As long as it appeared on the system panel,

All that remained was to grind mindlessly!

Talent? Thresholds? Before a progress bar, they were all a joke!