High-Level Martial Era
Chapter 285: Chapter 217: Returning Alive (Extra 19)

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Time elapsed, and in the blink of an eye, it was February 16, leaving only two days until the finals of the virtual battle.

After four in the afternoon.

Li Yuan, who had been going out for several days in a row, unusually stayed at home today.

Because the sky poured with torrential rain, clouds heavy and the atmosphere gloomy.

In such weather, it was naturally more comfortable to stay at home.

"Stellar Spear Technique, the Third Layer—Galaxy Convergence." Li Yuan was in the underground Martial Arts Room, seriously practicing his spear technique.

The shadows of the spear shifted, the air itself seemed to twist, and even the solid walls of the Martial Arts Room were scored with numerous scratches while the floor had become uneven.

The Martial Arts Room, which was strong enough to withstand the full-on combat of a Level 19 Martial Artist, was showing signs of wear under the daily intensive training from Li Yuan.

After practicing for a long while, Li Yuan finally stopped.

"It looks like I'll need to apply for a new place from the school after this competition," he mumbled to himself, scanning the walls and floor.

The school had many specially made houses with larger Martial Arts Rooms and better materials that could easily withstand the bursts of a normal Prime Warrior's training.

However, their construction was much more expensive and required a personal application.

Li Yuan guessed that the school teachers had probably never seen a freshman requesting to change villas before.

Whoosh!

Li Yuan slowly retracted his spear, his breath gradually stabilizing as he glanced at the Divine Palace panel: "After stepping into the Intermediate Rank of the Fifth Stage, my spear technique's progression has indeed slowed down."

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[Life Level: 19.7 (First Rank)]

Fist Strength: 63,900 kilograms

Speed: 110.9 meters per second

Spiritual Power: Level 30.3

Willpower: Level 32

Spiritual Awakening Level: 37.9% (Current limit 40%)

Star Meridian: Level 11 (Training Efficiency 10+0.5)

Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Fifth Stage 32%), Movement Technique (Fifth Stage 32%), Fist Technique (Perfection)

...

"My physical quality has been steadily improving," Li Yuan thought. "Even willpower has improved by one level after such a long period of honing with the Visualization Method."

But the progress of the spirit, as well as spear and movement techniques, was sharply declining.

Or rather, it's not that Li Yuan's progress was slow, but that his techniques and spiritual power were quickly under transformation, and the disparity between each level afterward was becoming increasingly vast.

Especially the techniques.

It should be noted that Li Yuan, relying on a Flying Heaven-level soul, managed to extrapolate his spear technique from 20% of the Fifth Stage to 29% in just about half a month.

"I've just broken through to the Intermediate Rank of the Fifth Stage, and it should be the time of rapid advancement. Practicing my spear technique every day, I feel the progress myself," Li Yuan thought. "But after a week, it only improved by 2%."

The progress would only get slower in the future.

At this rate, Li Yuan felt it would take at least half a year to reach the limit of the Intermediate Rank of the Fifth Stage, let alone when he could step into the High Rank of the Fifth Stage... that's an unknown.

"No wonder they say that for Blue Star's top geniuses, managing to reach the Perfection Level of the Fifth Stage before the age of 30 means they're extremely successful," Li Yuan reflected.

Now, he had a personal understanding of this.

This was still under the circumstances of having a 'Flying Heaven-level soul'—without it, his progress would have slowed even more.

Suddenly.

"Hm?" Li Yuan vaguely sensed something and subconsciously looked up, whispering to himself, "Teacher?"

Even though he was practicing in the underground Martial Arts Room, Li Yuan's spiritual power was always radiating outward.

The entire villa, and even the movements in the vicinity, could hardly escape Li Yuan's Divine Sense perception.

In terms of perception ability, although Li Yuan was not on par with a real Flying Heaven Warrior, he outclassed many Prime Warriors.

"Time to greet the teacher," Li Yuan moved, placing the Black Chen Spear back on the weapon rack.

Your next chapter is on M V L

He had already left the underground Martial Arts Room.

..."Teacher, what brings you here all of a sudden today?" Li Yuan said with a smile as he welcomed Li Yang through the door.

After brewing some tea.

Li Yuan sat down with Li Yang in the living room on the first floor, making themselves comfortable on the sofa.

"Just dropping by to see how you're doing," Li Yang said with a smile. "The school suspended classes this week to allow students to watch the battles, but I've noticed you've never gone to the competition space."

"Busy with training," Li Yuan responded with a smile, without much explanation.

To watch the battles? In fact, Li Yuan had gone a few times; he'd watched one or two matches involving high-level fighters like Jin Huguo and Dantai Feng, but as for the other matchups... they were a pure waste of time.

Li Yuan naturally did not go, so it seemed as if he hardly ever appeared in the competition space.

"How is your spear technique coming along?" Li Yang asked with a smile.

"Difficult," Li Yuan replied with a nod.

"Haha, to hear a peerless genius like you say it's difficult means that it must indeed be challenging," Li Yang laughed. "The cultivation of Fifth Stage skills is a step-by-step process of comprehending the cosmos, making the body gradually blend with the world. It's really tough, but your speed of progress is already quite strong."

Li Yuan couldn't help but smile; indeed, he was fast enough.

"Don't worry too much. Even though Nevsky's breakthrough is confirmed, and there are several like Yin Man and Kunale who are suspected to have made breakthroughs, even if they have, it won't have been for long," Li Yang said cheerfully. "The gap is very small, and in a fight to the death... it depends even more on your performance in the moment."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

From his own experience, in a fight between Fifth Stage experts, if the gap in skills exceeded 10%, it was usually difficult to win.

But if the difference was only 5% or even less? The disparity in strength was minimal.

"The elimination rounds will end today, and tonight the final ten slots for the finals will be decided," Li Yang said. "If you're interested, you might want to take a look."

"It's not that meaningful," Li Yuan replied, shaking his head with a smile. "Mostly it's Fifth Stages against Fourths, and there's only one battle between Fifth Stages. I'll see if I have the time."

"Alright, it's up to you," said Li Yang with a laugh.

In this virtual battle, the emergence of high-level Fifth Stage fighters wasn't particularly plentiful, with only 21 talents including the two who had broken through in the knockout stages.

Not too few, but not too many either.

However, with Li Yuan and Dantai Feng, two freshman participants in this finals, this virtual battle was destined to be remembered by posterity.

Li Yang did not talk about the idea of 'seizing the championship.'

Although the higher echelons of Kunlun Martial University harbored this desire, none of them actually mentioned it, as they all did not want to impose too much pressure on Li Yuan.

"There are a few more things," Li Yang said cheerfully. "First is the Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit, which I've managed to purchase through other channels... it's already arranged to be sent to Jiang City."

"Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit?" Li Yuan's eyes lit up, unable to hide the excitement in his gaze.

"Yes, there will be no mistake," Li Yang said. "I'll arrange for a medical team as well... to ensure that your uncle is safe and sound and fully recovered."

Li Yang understood Li Yuan's worries and knew what Li Yuan cared for the most.

"Thank you, teacher," Li Yuan said earnestly.

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"Ha ha, I should be the one thanking you," Li Yang laughed. "Just a Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit, it's nothing compared to what I've gained."

Some things Li Yang didn't mention.

His spiritual power had transformed to the Flying Heaven Level, and after just half a month of cultivation, he had already vaguely seen the hope of a breakthrough.

The bottleneck was loosening.

"Another matter is about that suspect from an Alien Race you discovered last time in Jiangnan Province," Li Yang said. "You remember, right? After the investigation these days, we have preliminarily confirmed... it indeed is a spy from the Tianliang Clan, although we haven't completely netted them yet."

"Really an Alien Race?" A mysterious light flickered in Li Yuan's eyes.

So, the Divine Palace's inquiry could actually lock onto alien spies?

Alas, the Divine Palace inquiry can only identify those within 10 levels above one's own, and can't probe beyond that threshold.

"Yes, your eyes are indeed sharp," Li Yang laughed. "Although we haven't completely closed the net, the merit you're due has already been preliminarily counted towards you."

"Plus the great merit you earned in the Fierce Feather Star Realm's Flying Serpent Valley."

"Mm, just like in that very popular promotional video you made recently, you've already qualified for a Third Class Gold Medal," Li Yang said. "There should be an official award ceremony for you soon."

"A Gold Medal?" Li Yuan's heart stirred.

This was an honor that most Prime Warriors didn't possess, which also entailed many privileges.

"How is the situation in the Mingxu Star Realm now?" Li Yuan couldn't help asking.

"When you and Liu Jing first helped us establish that rudimentary base, ahead of the Tianliang Clan... now we've almost locked in the victory. It's just that the battle with the Tianliang Clan is very fierce, and we have suffered many casualties," Li Yang said with emotion.

"As the first discoverer of the mine, I estimate in another ten days or half a month, once the battle situation is completely over..."

"Then, the rewards will be distributed."

"Alright," Li Yuan nodded slightly.

According to Senior Liu Jing, should we finally seize control, at least there should be a reward of ten billion Blue Star Coins for myself... which is astounding.

Money, Li Yuan had always taken very seriously.

For instance, there were over ten billion Blue Star Coins to Li Yuan's name now, which might seem plentiful. But once one becomes a Prime Warrior, just buying some treasures for cultivating Origin Power Secret Techniques, Body Secret Techniques... each is a veritable gold pit.

This amount of money was simply not enough.

This was also why Li Yuan was so eager to aim for the top three or even first place in the virtual battle.

It was not only to prove to the higher-ups in Xia Country that they chose the right person.

On the other hand, just the Heavenly Materials Treasures worth 20 billion Blue Star Coins alone were incredibly attractive.

...

After sending off Teacher Li Yang, who had informed Li Yuan of many things, it also gave him plenty to think about and reflect on regarding his own cultivation.

He had just returned to the underground Martial Arts Room.

"Master, Lin Lanyue is calling," the voice of the assistant AI sounded: "Video communication."

"Lanyue?" Li Yuan paused, then said, "Answer!"

Beep~

Countless beams of light shot out, quickly converging to form a holographic projection screen. In the projection appeared a figure in a red robe.

"Lanyue," Li Yuan couldn't help but smile. "Why are you suddenly looking for me?"

Throughout this long period, through countless interactions and encounters, their relationship had become very good, already subtly surpassing that of mere classmates.

"It's nothing urgent."

"I'm just about to head to Feixing, so I wanted to tell you before I leave," Lin Lanyue said with a gentle smile. "After all, once I enter the Star Realm, it will be difficult to keep in touch."

"The Fierce Feather Star Realm?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

He had learned the name of the Star Realm from their last conversation two days prior and had looked up some information.

It was a Second-Level Star Realm, highly dangerous.

The overall situation bore some resemblance to the Mingxu Star Realm... It seemed that a grand battle had not erupted, yet it was filled with secrets and perils.

The native existence of Flying Heaven Level in the Fierce Feather Star Realm was not few.

"Mm." Lin Lanyue nodded and smiled. "The itinerary is already arranged. I can't watch you win the championship in the virtual battle, so I'll just have to congratulate you when I come back alive."

"Okay, for your congratulations, I will do my best to win the championship too," Li Yuan laughed.

Then Li Yuan changed the topic and couldn't help asking, "Will there be any danger to life?"

As he finished asking, he shook his head with a self-deprecating smile. "What a foolish question."

How could there be no danger to life when adventuring in the Star Realm?

"There is danger."

"But for me, some things must be done. If not now, I'll still have to do them later," Lin Lanyue said calmly. "I have no choice."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

Though Lin Lanyue didn't say much, Li Yuan could guess some of it... The children of great families did not have it as carefree as ordinary people imagined, and aside from a few profligates, most of them fought very hard.

And in fact, Lin Lanyue's rate of improvement in strength had somewhat exceeded Li Yuan's expectations.

Over the span of half a year.

Lin Lanyue's Martial Arts Skills had progressed from the early Fourth Level to High-Ranked Fourth Level. Although not as advanced as Tian Dazhuang's level, the progress was still striking.

As time passed, the two of them continued to chat slowly.

"Make sure to come back alive," Li Yuan finally couldn't help saying, a hint of inexplicable worry in his heart.

"I will."

...

After hanging up the video call with Lin Lanyue.

Li Yuan felt an unexplained sense of anxiety and worry within.

"Hopefully, everything will be fine," Li Yuan shook his head, pushing down various thoughts and trying to calm his heart.

He continued to practice in silence.

...

Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away from where Li Yuan was unaware, in a small town, within an inconspicuous house.

"Blood Shadow!"

A black-robed figure stood in the room.

In front of him was another figure.

The figure looked exactly like him but was dressed in a blood-colored robe, emanating a strange aura.

"Rainy night!"

"Perhaps it truly is a heaven-sent opportunity," the black-robed figure mused as he sat there, deep in thought.

Whoosh!

That blood-robed figure moved slightly, blending in with the darkness as if merging with the shadows.

He was heading toward Kunlun Martial University.

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