High-Level Martial Era
Chapter 101: 97: The Tenth Renowned One of Xia Country, The Time of the Bright Moon (Extra for 16,000 Monthly Votes)

With Li Yuan's current skill realm, it shouldn't be difficult to push for 300 points in the Fallen Star rank within a week or two.

However, to rapidly increase his score in a short time is not an easy task.

Because often after many consecutive wins, the matching system of the Starry Skies Fighting Network will implement a 'sanction,' making it very likely to encounter opponents far beyond one's own limits.

From the previous evening at around 10 PM, it continued until nearly 2 o'clock the next morning.

The empty duel space.

"Pfft!"

Along with a sharp spear shadow sweeping past, followed by the long spear's return to its original position, the burly man standing opposite to Li Yuan had already vanished into nothingness amidst his astonishment.

The blood that had sprung from his throat also dissipated in an instant, and the ring was once again tranquil.

"It's really difficult."

"After several hundred moves, I finally managed to build up momentum and perform the 'Galaxy Waterfall's Twelve Consecutive Spear Strikes.'" Li Yuan retracted his spear, tilting it and holding it at the waist.

The Twelve Consecutive Spear Strikes required continual build-up of momentum, each strike faster than the last, one wave higher than the previous, ultimately completely overwhelming the enemy.

However.

The experts at the Fallen Star rank are all Fourth Level experts, most of them Prime Warriors in real life, with extremely high vision and knowledge... Many could recognize the origin of Li Yuan's moves.

They would naturally try by all means to disrupt Li Yuan's combo build-up, or even take advantage of the process to replace an opportunity to directly kill Li Yuan.

"They're all experts," Li Yuan said with a smile, recalling the more than twenty bouts fought that evening.

Dueling with one Fourth Level expert after another brought Li Yuan considerable gains.

Techniques included in Second Rank Secret Manuals that were the most suitable for various high-rank Cultivation Methods, and even those from some Third Rank Secret Manuals, all broadened Li Yuan's horizons.

During his contemplation, Li Yuan's gaze glanced over the competition data:

Rank competition: Fallen Star rank.

Points: 306 points (1000 points are needed to participate in the promotion competition)

Win rate for the rank: 41%

"Finally over 300 points. Last time, Xiao Yu said once I reached 300 points, I would receive a special file," Li Yuan muttered to himself, curious about its contents.

With a thought.

The battle ended, returning to personal space.

"Congratulations to you, Guardian·Yuan, for gaining victory, rank points +9."

"Congratulations to you, Guardian·Yuan, you are currently ranked as [48] globally in the 'Blue Star Young Talents List', [10] in Xia Country District, and [2] in the Jiangbei Subdivision." Instantly upon returning, two system reminders flashed across Li Yuan's vision.

"Congratulations to you, Guardian·Yuan, you have reached 300 points in the Fallen Star rank; since you are under 18 years old, you are invited to the 'Bright Moon Event'." Another reminder flashed by.

"Xia Country's 10th, Jiangbei's 2nd?" Li Yuan muttered to himself, "Is Jiangbei's first Tian Dazhuang?"

Although he hadn't interacted much with Tian Dazhuang, Li Yuan still admired him greatly.

Another month had passed since the invitation event by Jiangbei Martial University, and with the other's frightening talent, his sword technique would only be stronger.

...

Inside the personal space on the Starry Skies Fighting Network.

"Congratulations, master, on successfully entering Jiangbei's second place and Xia Country's top 10 of the Blue Star Young Talents List," the purple-clad young girl said, her body radiating flowing light as she circled around Li Yuan, her face full of excitement.

She seemed to admire Li Yuan immensely.

"Enough, be quiet." Li Yuan laughed, "Xiao Yu, I just received the 'Bright Moon Event' file you mentioned before. Open it up for me to see."

"Yes, master," the purple-clad young girl nodded.

Whoosh~

A screen of light coalesced, filled with an abundance of textual explanations and corresponding images.

"Look, master," the purple-clad young girl pointed at the screen and introduced, "the Starry Skies Fighting Network offers respective rewards for those who reach 500 points in the Gold Stage, Fallen Star rank, Bright Moon rank, and others before turning 18."

"Hmm," Li Yuan was aware of this.

Before 18, reaching the Fallen Star rank, the reward is 500,000 Blue Star Coins.

Reaching the Bright Moon rank, the reward is 20 million Blue Star Coins.

"The so-called 'Bright Moon Event' is an 'expectation' sent out to the young masters who have reached 300 points at the Fallen Star rank," the purple-clad young girl said. "Reaching 300 points in the Fallen Star rank usually means that one's Martial Arts Skills can reach the threshold of Fourth Level Intermediate Rank."

"And to reach the Bright Moon rank, in general, one's Martial Arts Skills should reach Fourth Level High Rank," the young girl continued.

"The Sun Eclipse rank requires reaching the Fourth Level of Perfection, that is, the Subtlety of the spirit."

"Transcendent rank typically requires Fifth Stage Skills,"

"Hmm," Li Yuan nodded.

The more one cultivates and strengthens oneself, the clearer it becomes how rare the Fifth Stage Skills are.

Li Yuan estimated that those who can reach the Fifth Stage Skills in real life are either exceptional geniuses.

Or they must be extremely powerful Prime Warriors, at least of the caliber of President Li.

Because of this, on virtual networks' martial arts live streams, Bright Moon rank is already considered quite high, while those who reach the Sun Eclipse rank and become hosts are exceedingly rare.

On the other hand.

In reality, the classification of Martial Arts Skills is naturally not as clear-cut as the Divine Palace's panel, accurately down to the percentage point.

Only the more vague notions of Initial Rank, Intermediate Rank, High Rank, and Perfection are used.

Based on his own estimates.

"Fourth Level Initial Rank, approximately 0%-30% of the Fourth Level"

"Fourth Level Intermediate Rank, approximately 30%-60% of the Fourth Level"

"Fourth Level High Rank, approximately 60%-90% of the Fourth Level"

"From 90%-100%, that's about the realm of Perfection of the Fourth Level, or the 'Subtlety of the spirit' as Uncle Wan refers to it; by then, I should be able to replace a way to step into the Fifth Stage Skills." Li Yuan sighed inwardly.

The above is what Li Yuan inferred based on his experiences from the Third Stage and Fourth Stage of his training thus far.

"Even if it's not accurate, the difference shouldn't be significant," Li Yuan thought to himself. "This means, if I can reach around 60% of Fourth Level in spear technique by August 29th of this year, then I may have a chance to reach the Bright Moon rank?"

Instantly, Li Yuan was moved.

Half a year ago, when struggling in the Gold Stage, Li Yuan never dared to think about the rewards for reaching the Bright Moon rank.

But now? A hint of hope sprouted in his heart.

It's the middle of April now.

"That means, I have four months' time to hone my spear technique," Li Yuan thought to himself.

Four months, to increase spear technique from 26% of the Fourth Stage to above 60% of the Fourth Stage, is highly challenging.

After all, the further one progresses, the deeper the spirit's penetration into the body and the harder it is to continue extracting enhancements.

If it were easy, the Starry Skies Fighting Network wouldn't set a reward of 20 million Blue Star Coins.

"Always pursue and give it a try," Li Yuan grinned.

Money is always tight.

Li Yuan could clearly foresee that as his physical quality continues to improve, the variety of Cultivation resources needed to push his body's evolution would only become more expensive.

One must think of more ways to earn money.

"Besides,"

"To upgrade to an S-Class contract with the Starfire Martial Hall, I must also step into the Fifth Stage Skill before I turn 20," Li Yuan mused to himself. "And I will get a Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal as an additional reward."

What is a Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal? Li Yuan still had no clarity on the matter.

But without a doubt, being specifically listed, it must be a treasure of immense value.

"First step, aim to achieve the Bright Moon Stage before September," he planned.

"Second step, strive to reach the Subtlety Level," he continued.

"Third step, the Fifth Stage," Li Yuan structured his objectives, setting triple goals in his mind.

On the path of cultivation, setting goals and then working tirelessly towards them is far more important than blind training.

Nations develop five-year plans.

Why shouldn't an individual?

...

After exiting the virtual network, Li Yuan did not rest but started practicing the Great Sun Starry Sky Scripture again.

At five o'clock, he left home to go to the school.

...

Li Yuan was unaware.

That very night, the news of the top ten rankings of the Blue Star's juvenile prodigies changing had already spread to the relevant departments.

Morning.

In the office inside the Starry Sky Martial Hall, Song Yi looked at the latest report on Li Yuan, her heart filled with shock.

Yesterday.

When Wan Qinghe mentioned it to her, she was somewhat disbelieving, thinking that he was trying to deceive her and deep down, she did not believe him.

After all, according to her intelligence on Li Yuan, his spear technique should have only just reached the Fourth Level at the beginning of March.

Unexpectedly.

Overnight, Li Yuan not only broke through the 300 points mark of the Fallen Star Stage but directly became the number 10 in Xia Country.

Such a pace of improvement was nothing short of astounding.

"Physical quality, he raised it by one level in a month."

"Martial arts skills, weren't they just advanced to the Fourth Stage at the beginning of March, and within just one month, he moved from the initial rank to the intermediate?" Song Yi murmured to herself.

The more she analyzed, the more shocked she became.

Physical quality could possibly be attributed to some kind of treasure, but what about the martial arts skills? It had to be innate talent.

"He really is a monster," Song Yi shook her head but then suddenly a smile appeared on her face.

"6 million? Totally worth it!"

"Enough," Song Yi thought, and an idea surfaced in her mind.

"Since Wan Qinghe is quoting 10 million, why not completely satisfy him?" This thought clung to her and wouldn't let go.

"10 million!"

"To completely resolve this dispute," Song Yi pondered, a few million Blue Star Coins was a reasonable price to pay to ensure a supreme genius no longer held animosity towards her.

A good deal.

...

Afternoon.

Thousands of kilometers away in the Kunlun Martial Arts University of Longxi Province.

Inside a lecture building.

A cloaked elder and a bald strong man.

Both were fixated on the same screen projection, which displayed an abundance of information.

There were analyses of Li Yuan's April performance review and the news of Li Yuan breaking into the top ten of the Blue Star's junior prodigies.

The two exchanged glances, their facial expressions somewhat pensively peculiar.

"Did you just say that, a month ago, you sent Li Yuan 'Limitless Cultivation Guidance without Technique'?" the bald man asked in a husky voice.

"Yes!" the elder nodded.

"And you also said, initially, you hoped Li Yuan wouldn't be able to withstand it, to temper his arrogance a bit more? And then tell him that using body cleansing spirit marrow once a month could reduce the consecutive use pain by fifty percent, right?" the bald man continued.

"Yes." The elder nodded again.

"And now, the message from the Starfire Martial Hall states that Li Yuan has been practicing using the 'Limitless Cultivation Method' for one month?" the bald man asked finally, "And the effects are outstanding, with his physical quality having reached the Entry Rank?"

"Yes." The elder nodded numbly.

"Old Fan!"

President Li stared peculiarly at the cloaked elder: "Tell me, should I commend you or criticize you?"

"President Li, we should consider the outcome," Fan Jin replied with neither his face reddening nor his heart panicking. "The result is that my extreme training plan has proven successful, and it has tried and tested a true martial arts genius for our Kunlun Martial University."

"His willpower!"

"His spiritual power!"

"His physical talent."

"And most importantly, the speed of his skill improvement."

"Higher skills allow faster unlocking of the body's potential."

"All of this perfectly aligns with my research in the 'Limitless Cultivation Guidance without Technique,'" Fan Jin stated earnestly. "I feel that he will become a Prime Warrior before his junior year,"

"And I even think..." Fan Jin suggested tentatively, "Dean Hai might take a liking to Li Yuan, should we give it a try?"

Kunlun Martial Arts University is divided into eight institutes, each with one dean and three vice-deans.

Like President Li, he is a vice-dean of the Sixth Institute.

As for Wan Qinghe's 'Ninth Senior Brother,' he is Dean Zhao of the Eighth Institute.

At this moment, the 'Dean Hai' referred to by both President Li and Fan Jin is the dean of the Sixth Institute.

A real Flying Heaven Warrior, well-known throughout Xia Country.

"Not so fast!"

"Your idea is just a theory, and no one has tested it successfully before," President Li shook his head. "You know Dean Hai's temper, don't you? If it's the wrong person, not only will Li Yuan not be affected, but we two will be the ones to suffer."

Fan Jin recoiled slightly.

Dean Hai was much older than both of them.

"Let's wait and see."

"It's just been a month, let's wait until the end of the July combat assessment. If Li Yuan's progress continues unabated, I will consider recommending him to Dean Hai," President Li said.

"Alright."

Fan Jin nodded. "I will keep a close watch on Li Yuan's progress."