Chapter 114: Combat Assessment! Enhancing Martial Spirit!

Chapter 114: Combat Assessment! Enhancing Martial Spirit!



Every year, Kunlun Martial University prepares two combat assessments for students whose physical qualities have not yet reached Level 15.

One assessment occurs at the end of July.

The other takes place at the end of February.

Both are conducted in the first month after the start of the school year.

The combat assessments are not divided by grade but are based on each student's skill and physical qualities, placing them in the first to fifth combat assessment bases.

This ensures that the students participating in the same combat assessment base have a manageable gap in strength.

Generally, the participants in the combat assessments are mostly freshmen, sophomores, and a small number of juniors, with almost no seniors.

Seniors? Hardly any.

After passing the entrance exam for Kunlun Martial University and undergoing four to five years of university cultivation, even if their skills have not yet broken through to the Fourth Stage, reaching a physical quality of Level 15 or higher is not difficult.

Physical quality of Level 15?

They no longer need to participate in combat assessments.

Instead, they begin to venture into various Star Realms, facing life-and-death challenges.

With a physical quality of 15, combined with Third Stage Advanced or even Perfect skills, their strength is already formidable.

In battles within many first-tier Star Realms, they can play a significant role.

... On the morning of July 30th, students from various academies had already selected suitable weapons from the weapon repository.

Li Yuan, as usual, chose a long spear over two meters in length, along with a long saber and a short knife.

He also picked out a protective suit, combat boots, and soft armor, all of which were top-grade first-tier items with excellent defense and durability.

"Senior Brother, are you going to the Fourth Base?" An Nong's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure.

"What?"

"Senior Brother is going to the Fourth Base, but aren't we all going to the First Base?"

"I'm going to the First Base."

"I'm also going to the First Base."

"Can we still win the overall team score?" In an instant, the freshmen from the six academies whispered among themselves.

They weren't panicking, but they had expected Li Yuan to lead them to dominate the First Base.

Over the past month, Li Yuan hadn't fully fulfilled his responsibilities as a 'Senior Brother'.

However, with Gu Qianghan and An Nong taking charge, there weren't any issues.

Martial arts universities are different from cultural universities; they don't organize various activities.

The students' primary focus is on cultivation.

"What's there to discuss?" Gu Qianghan's voice was deep and resonant: "I've looked into it. There are others going to higher-level bases, not just Brother Yuan."

"Yang Hong and Wu Luo are also going to higher-level bases." Gu Qianghan's voice rang out: "They're all going to the Second Base."

"Brother Yuan going to the Fourth Base just proves how strong he is." Gu Qianghan scanned the crowd: "Is there a problem?"

The crowd fell silent, as they had only been discussing.

Moreover, Li Yuan, as a freshman, being able to go to the Fourth Base for his first combat assessment, speaks volumes.

"There's no need to worry too much."

"Yesterday, I already studied the rules." An Nong smiled: "In the combat assessment, the team scores of the eight academies are calculated by grade."

"For each academy, the total scores of the top 200 students in each grade are added up, similar to the admission competition."

"What does this mean?" An Nong explained: "Even if Senior Brother goes to the Fourth Base, his final score will still be included in our freshmen team score."

At this point, many students listened attentively.

Indeed.

With this calculation, it didn't seem to matter which base Li Yuan went to.

"Additionally, you should understand that Senior Brother going to the Fourth Base is advantageous for us." An Nong said: "Although the individual limit in the team score is 200 points, even if someone earns 10,000 points, they can only be listed on the individual ranking board, and when calculated into the team score, it can only count as 200 points."

Li Yuan watched An Nong's 'performance'.

Individual scores converted to team scores are capped at 200 points. This is to prevent a super-genius from dominating and dampening the competitive spirit of most students.

"But you should consider this."

"If Senior Brother stayed in the First Base, how difficult would it be for him to earn 200 points by killing one person at a time? And if he kills too many, it will reduce our killing efficiency." An Nong shook his head, then his voice rose: "But if Senior Brother goes to the Fourth Base, killing any creature is worth dozens of points, making it easy to earn 200 points."

"Earning the highest score."

"Remember!"

"Senior Brother going to the Fourth Base is not just for himself but also for us." An Nong's voice grew excited: "Senior Brother cultivates so hard and diligently. Shouldn't we rely on him? What's the difference between that and being useless?"

"We are the pride of the Six Academies!"

"With Senior Brother's perfect score as a foundation, can't we still win the freshmen championship?" An Nong's voice became more impassioned: "Brothers, tell me, what is our goal?"

"First place!"

"First place!" In front of the Black Dragon Building, the freshmen from the six academies burst into a thunderous cheer. These students might not have truly agreed with An Nong's words, nor did they necessarily believe that Li Yuan, as the Senior Brother, could command them. But if they could all benefit together, why not shout a slogan?

This scene caused the second and third-year seniors from the Six Academies to stare at each other in disbelief.

"What great unity!"

"The freshmen are much more united than we were in our second and third years."

"That Li Yuan, he's really something. He managed to unite so many people into a cohesive group, at least on the surface. That alone is quite remarkable." The seniors from the Six Academies discussed casually.

In just one month since enrollment, Li Yuan's reputation at Kunlun Martial University had grown significantly.

At the very least, almost all the students from the Six Academies knew of Li Yuan.

Soon after.

Everyone headed towards the practical combat assessment base, entering the underground one after another.

Here, just like at Jiangbei Martial University, was an enormous train station platform.

Numerous trains were parked here.

...

Li Yuan, having left the first-year group, even bypassed the main group of second-year students.

According to the sequence number, he boarded a train that was quite close to the inner area.

"Junior, are you sure you're in the right place?"

"Are you going to the Fourth Combat Base?" The students on the train were somewhat surprised.

"Yes."

"Is he Li Yuan? Do you understand?" A slightly plump girl glanced at a third-year student from another academy beside her, then winked at Li Yuan, "Junior Brother Li Yuan, hello. I'm also from the Six Academies, Wang Chan."

"Hello, Senior Sister." Li Yuan smiled slightly, vaguely remembering the girl in front of him.

He had seen her twice at the Black Dragon Building.

"Li Yuan?"

"Is that Li Yuan?"

"He just enrolled and has only been cultivating for a month, yet he's going to the Fourth Combat Base with us? His physical qualities shouldn't be that high." These students couldn't help but take a few more glances at Li Yuan.

Obviously, most of them had heard of Li Yuan and knew that his skill level was extremely high.

But!

Practical combat wasn't just about skill level; physical qualities were even more important.

How strong could the physical qualities of a freshman who had just enrolled be? Without hesitation, Li Yuan's mind moved, and he had already probed the seniors in front of him.

12.8 level, 13.2 level, 13.5 level, 13.0 level, 12.9 level.

Five people! Their physical qualities were all around 13 levels, with the highest even reaching 13.5 levels.

"At 13 levels, the standard burst speed is 36 meters/second, and the standard punch force exceeds 5,000 kilograms." Li Yuan sighed inwardly.

In other words.

The seniors in front of him, mostly third-year students, had physical strength that was basically twice or even three times his own.

Fortunately, the speed gap wasn't that outrageous.

"With the advantage of skills, I can still fight." Li Yuan thought to himself.

Although his strength was much weaker.

However, his burst of strength was still in the thousands of kilograms, and if he struck a vital point, it would be a fatal or severely injurious blow.

...

"The Fourth Combat Base Practical Combat Assessment Rules."

"First, self-inflicted harm is not permitted." The tall and robust officer in the light screen spoke indifferently.

"Second, the entire practical combat assessment will last for two days and two nights."

...

"Sixth, Star Realm creatures below 10.0 levels will not be counted. Killing Star Realm creatures between 10.0 and 11.9 levels will earn 1 point."

"Killing Star Realm creatures between 12.0 and 12.9 levels will earn 5 points."

"Killing Star Realm creatures between 13.0 and 13.9 levels will earn 30 points."

"Star Realm creatures at the 14.0 level are extremely rare. Killing one will earn 200 points."

"Finally, a reminder. The practical combat assessment area is vast, with a diameter of five hundred kilometers, and your strength is already very strong." The tall and robust officer spoke indifferently, "Once you encounter life-threatening danger, even if you seek help immediately... But the small unmanned aircraft in the air may not be able to resolve the enemy. To get sufficient support, it will take at least one minute, and normally five to ten minutes."

"Be extremely careful."

Whoosh! The light screen ended!

"Buzz~"

The train sped forward, and everyone sat on the chairs on both sides, resting silently.

Li Yuan was the same.

"The practical combat assessment at the Fourth Combat Base is indeed completely different from the one at Jiangbei Martial University." Li Yuan recited in his heart.

In the previous practical combat assessment, the strength of the participants was generally weak, and the area was only one hundred kilometers.

Therefore, the military base could easily control the whereabouts of everyone and ensure their safety.

But what about this time?

First, there were only a little over a thousand participants, but the practical combat assessment area was dozens of times larger, and the difficulty of supervision increased linearly.

Second, the strength of the participants had skyrocketed. For example, a 13-level martial artist could burst and flash dozens of meters in an instant.

In the midst of life-and-death battles, how could they be saved? It mainly depended on oneself.

"Perhaps this is the well-intentioned intention of the higher-ups of human civilization." Li Yuan recited in his heart.

For regular students, from the first practical combat assessment base to the fifth practical combat assessment base.

From the initial 'full protection' to the final 'no protection', it was getting closer and closer to actual combat.

It was the best way to train to the fullest extent.

"However, casualties are inevitable." Li Yuan recalled the data list he had seen a few days ago.

Every year, each of the six academies admits around 250 freshmen, but by graduation, there are often fewer than 200 students remaining.

Why? They perish in the repeated real-life combat assessments and life-and-death trials.

This is the path of the full-time martial artist.

By the time of graduation, the mortality rate exceeds 20%, and that's without considering those who truly immerse themselves in the front lines of the Star Realm wars after graduation.

"Teacher, since you've assigned me to the Fourth Base..."

"Then, you must trust that I can win," Li Yuan said, gripping his long spear tightly and closing his eyes to rest.

...

On a large aircraft.

"Li Yang, have you gone crazy?"

"His physical quality is only slightly above level 11, and you're sending him to the Fourth Base?" The only female associate dean of the Sixth Academy was furious.

"Dean Xu, please don't be angry."

Li Yang forced a smile, "I'm just considering his potential, and I'll make sure to exploit it to the fullest. He's also my registered disciple, so I won't be reckless."

"We should exploit potential, but not send them to their deaths." Dean Xu replied coldly, "Don't you know the dangers of the Fourth Base? There are even 14-level Star Realm creatures there."

"A 14-level creature against an 11-level, the difference in speed and strength is immense, it's almost an instant kill." Dean Xu was genuinely angry.

Although she hadn't directly taught Li Yuan, she still cared about him.

In her eyes, Li Yang was playing with fire.

"Don't be angry, I've made arrangements for his absolute protection in secret." Li Yang smiled, "If he encounters any danger, I'll ensure he's extracted at the first sign of trouble."

"Fine."

"If Li Yuan dies in there, I'll report you to Principal Fang. That Fan Jin is a madman, and you're becoming like him after spending so much time with him." Dean Xu said coldly.

...

Three hours later.

Amidst the unbearable pain, the train finally entered a mysterious Star Realm.

Which Star Realm was it? Li Yuan wasn't sure.

They disembarked.

"So many tall trees."

"A jungle? This is the legendary Fourth Combat Training Base, and it's my first time here." All the students had gotten off the train, and most of them were visiting for the first time.

"There's a sun in the sky, but it seems slightly smaller."

"From what I can see, the environment in this Star Realm is quite similar to the Blue Star," Li Yuan observed. "There aren't any particularly tall mountains, but there are hills everywhere."

"And with trees over a hundred meters tall everywhere, the environment is quite complex."

After a quarter of an hour.

Li Yuan and his group of combatants boarded a small, fully enclosed aircraft.

They entered the combat assessment site.

...

Half an hour later.

"Boom!" Accompanied by a loud rumble, the cabin door opened, and Li Yuan was the sixth person to be released from his aircraft.

He leaped from a height of several dozen meters.

Like an agile ape, he landed lightly on the crown of a large tree, and after a few quick movements, he reached the ground.

The aircraft quickly departed.

"At noon, the combat assessment officially begins," Li Yuan glanced at the positioning bracelet on his hand, "It ends at noon the day after tomorrow."

The assessment would last for 48 hours.

"Let's go." Li Yuan casually chose a direction and ventured into the depths of the dense forest.

The school had provided a lot of information about the Fourth Base to the combatants, including Li Yuan.

However, it was only terrain data.

Li Yuan and the others weren't sure what kind of Star Realm creatures they would encounter. They knew there were humanoid creatures and beasts, but that was all.

They had no choice but to search slowly.

After advancing more than ten miles.

Suddenly.

As if he had a premonition, Li Yuan, who had been walking normally, suddenly focused his gaze.

"Boom!"

His speed increased dramatically.

With a powerful step, the giant dry wood beneath his feet shattered, and his entire body shot forward like a cannonball.

There was an enemy!

"Roar!" In a mountain wall nearby, a huge beast that had seemed to be part of the wall itself suddenly realized it had been exposed.

It opened its massive jaws and pounced towards Li Yuan.

Its body was over three meters long, and its limbs resembled a crocodile's, but it was far more agile.

Both sides clashed instantly.

"Kill!"

In that moment of clashing, Li Yuan seemed to possess foresight, precisely avoiding the opponent's attack.

His long spear burst forth, thrusting straight ahead.

Swish! Swish! Several spear shadows flickered.

"Pfft~" The spear's tip was sharp, piercing the head of the Star Realm creature.

The spear tip instantly retracted.

"Bang~" The massive Star Realm creature's corpse fell heavily onto the dry wood, creating a loud noise as countless pieces of wood scattered.

【You have killed an entry-level creature, obtained Spirit Nourishment, and your Spirit Awakening has reached 14.0%】 A reminder flashed across the Divine Palace Panel.

"A 12.1-level Star Realm creature, comparable to the Moon Demon Wolf King I killed before, and it increased my awakening by 1.2%?" Li Yuan's eyes lit up.

In other words.

By killing seven or eight similar Star Realm creatures, the Spirit Awakening would reach 20%.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end