Mizong Step, Wind Shadow Blade

Inside the vast training hall,

Sweat beaded on the students' foreheads as they focused intently.

Wan Keshan moved among the students, offering pointers from time to time.

An hour passed, and every student gradually completed the final movement before collapsing to the floor.

Li Qingshan wiped the sweat from his forehead. His stomach growled, and he felt like he could eat a whole cow at once.

Looking around, the other students were much the same, their eyes practically glowing green with hunger.

Yu Lei and Hong Qian were the exceptions.

Though they were drenched in sweat as well, they were clearly in much better shape.

"Having money really is awesome. They drank Nutrient Solution first thing in the morning."

Li Qingshan suppressed the envy in his heart and silently looked away.

He could not afford to drink Nutrient Solution like water. Every bottle had to be carefully budgeted.

For now, the most cost-effective method was to drink one bottle after returning home each day, then train continuously until its effects were completely exhausted.

Wan Keshan swept his gaze across the room, taking in everyone's condition before reminding them,

"Since you've joined the Martial Arts Class, there's no getting around the cost of Nutrient Solution."

"Assess your own circumstances and act within your means."

However, hardly anyone took his words to heart.

Most of the students stared blankly at the training hall doors.

Wan Keshan shook his head helplessly and waved a hand.

"Alright, go eat!"

"Long live the teacher!"

Cheers erupted.

Like starving wolves unleashed from their cages, the students rushed out of the Martial Arts Hall and pounced toward the cafeteria.

It was not yet lunchtime, so the cafeteria was largely empty.

Everyone quickly collected their food and began wolfing it down.

After eating, Li Qingshan left the cafeteria. When he neared the Martial Arts Hall, he turned and headed toward an office building beside it.

This building was reserved for Martial Arts Teachers.

Knock, knock, knock!

"The door's unlocked. Come in!"

Wan Keshan was sorting through documents. When he saw Li Qingshan push open the door and enter, he raised a brow and smiled.

"What a coincidence. I was just about to look for you, and here you are."

"You were looking for me?" Li Qingshan froze for a moment.

"My matter isn't urgent. We can talk about it later." Wan Keshan waved a hand and looked at Li Qingshan.

"First, tell me why you came to see me."

After considering his words briefly, Li Qingshan said,

"Teacher, I wanted to ask—if I ran into that Wolf Poison from yesterday by myself outside school, how could I kill it?"

He had died more than a hundred times last night.

Forget killing the Wolf Poison in return—even its second attack was something he had never managed to block.

For now, the best option was to ask a "professional."

"You're still thinking about that Wolf Poison?"

Wan Keshan spoke in surprise, sizing up the student before him.

No way. Did students these days really have such a strong sense of crisis?

That Wolf Poison had been hacked open until its guts spilled out yesterday, yet he still would not let it go?

"Hypothetically. I mean, hypothetically," Li Qingshan said awkwardly.

"Fine, hypothetically!"

Rather than dismissing Li Qingshan's assumption, Wan Keshan merely smiled casually.

"This question is actually simple. This can solve it."

As he spoke, Wan Keshan opened a drawer, took out a silver pistol, and tossed it onto the desk.

"Wuying Model 17, standard Laser Pistol. As long as the Wolf Poison isn't within twenty meters, you'll have enough time to react and blow its head off with one shot."

"A Laser Gun?"

Li Qingshan was dumbfounded.

He had never expected a Martial Arts Teacher to give such an answer.

"This is the Interstellar Era. Don't let your thinking get so rigid!" Wan Keshan said earnestly.

"Whether it's a Chopping Knife or a Laser Gun, they're both weapons. As long as it works, that's enough."

"You're right, Teacher. I've learned something."

Li Qingshan nodded heavily, staring at the Laser Gun with expectation.

"Teacher, can I pick it up and take a look?"

"Go ahead." Wan Keshan waved his hand.

With Wan Keshan's permission, Li Qingshan eagerly picked up the gun and carefully stroked it.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't lose it next time.

After examining it for a while, he gripped the handle in his right hand and closed his eyes, seemingly imagining what it felt like to fire.

"You like it, don't you?" Wan Keshan smiled smugly.

"You can apply for a firearm license once you reach Body Tempering Third Level. If you're the first to reach Body Tempering Third Level, I'll give you this gun."

To Li Qingshan, the Laser Gun was far more powerful than a Chopping Knife.

But for Wan Keshan, even a casually thrown stone would be more powerful than a pistol.

Still, it was not a bad choice for motivating students.

Just as Wan Keshan was feeling pleased with himself,

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Li Qingshan opened his eyes, his gaze calm. He placed the Laser Gun back on the desk without the slightest hesitation.

Wan Keshan could not understand it.

He had clearly been unable to put it down a moment ago. Why had he suddenly cast it aside like an old shoe?

Across from him,

Li Qingshan kept his expression unchanged, though inwardly he felt helpless.

Both Chopping Knives and Laser Guns were weapons, but the Martial Arts Space did not recognize them!

When he entered empty-handed just now, the Wolf Poison had immediately bitten him to death.

After pondering for a while, Li Qingshan had no choice but to speak again.

"Teacher, you said just now that I need to reach Body Tempering Third Level to apply for a firearm license. Does that mean that if I encountered a Wolf Poison now, it would be impossible for me to kill it with a Laser Gun?"

"The Wolf Poison's maximum burst speed is close to fifty meters per second, and a casual strike from it exceeds one ton."

Wan Keshan's smile faded, his gaze turning serious.

"You're only at Body Tempering First Level. You don't want to use a gun, yet you still want to win?"

"I do!" Li Qingshan nodded without hesitation.

"Fine, then I'll tell you how!"

Wan Keshan lowered his head and slid his finger across his Communicator.

Buzz, buzz!

His wrist vibrated.

Li Qingshan looked at his Communicator. It was a new email, sent by Wan Keshan across from him.

He opened the email and saw two compressed files.

"I originally planned to teach you these two basic Martial Techniques in the second half of the year, but I'm sending them to you early."

As Wan Keshan spoke, Li Qingshan's spirits rose.

"Teacher, if I learn these two Martial Techniques, can I kill a Wolf Poison by myself?"

"How could it possibly be that simple?" Wan Keshan's lips twitched.

"The Stars Are Calling has four realms, but Martial Techniques have five!"

"Beginner, Proficient, Mastery, Great Accomplishment, and Perfection!"

"If someone at Body Tempering First Level wants to kill a Wolf Poison, they must at least train Mizong Step to the fourth realm, Great Accomplishment!"

The realm divisions for Martial Techniques happened to be the same as the levels on the Status Panel.

The thought flashed through Li Qingshan's mind, and he then realized that Wan Keshan seemed not to have mentioned Wind Shadow Blade.

"Teacher, I only need to train Mizong Step?"

"Only by staying alive can you deal damage."

Wan Keshan lightly tapped the desk with his finger, his gaze profound.

"When facing an opponent like a Wolf Poison, whose strength and speed both far surpass yours, a Movement Technique is your only chance."

"Mizong Step excels at weaving, shifting, and maneuvering in battle."

"If you can train it to Great Accomplishment, then even at Body Tempering First Level, you can evade a Wolf Poison's attacks."

"At that point, it will be a lamb waiting for the slaughter."

Li Qingshan felt as though clouds had parted to reveal the sun, and enlightenment dawned upon him. He thanked Wan Keshan.

"Thank you, Teacher. I understand."

"You understand my ass!"

Wan Keshan laughed and cursed, looking somewhat helpless.

"What I said was only a theoretically feasible method based on your hypothetical situation."

"Even though Mizong Step is merely a basic Movement Technique, it will take at least two years to reach Great Accomplishment."

"Two years?" Li Qingshan pondered.

Wan Keshan's estimate of two years was based on an ordinary person's training progress.

But Li Qingshan was different.

Mizong Step was a Movement Technique. As long as his feet could move, he could increase its proficiency.

Even with a Wolf Poison watching him like a tiger in the Martial Arts Space, he could begin training immediately.

At most, he would die a few more times in the early stages.

If he trained nothing but Mizong Step twenty-four hours a day without sleep or rest, his rate of improvement would definitely surpass all imagination.

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