Chapter 124: Facilitating Growth! The Best in Jiangbei!

Chapter 124: Facilitating Growth! The Best in Jiangbei!

"We actually got matched."

"Long time no see," both Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang exclaimed in surprise.

It was nearly midnight, and most students were likely asleep by now.

Given that this was a global match, the odds of them being paired were incredibly slim.

"You're still up this late?" Li Yuan chuckled, not rushing into the fight.

It was rare to encounter friends on the network, so he wanted to chat a little.

"Aren't you still awake too?" Tian Dazhuang laughed, holding a mountain-cleaving blade and appearing relaxed.

They had only crossed paths a few times.

To be precise, they had only interacted once, but during that encounter, both felt a strong connection, sensing that the other shared similar aspirations and personalities.

This was a rare occurrence.

"I heard you went to Kunlun Martial University. How's it been?" Tian Dazhuang asked curiously.

"It's okay, but there aren't many worthy opponents in my year. It's a bit boring," Li Yuan shook his head. "Aside from me, the two strongest are Wu Luo and another."

"Wu Luo?" Tian Dazhuang furrowed his brows, then nodded. "I have a vague memory of him."

His impression of Wu Luo was quite shallow.

During the Jiangbei Martial University's invitation event, he hadn't paid much attention to students below the Fourth Stage.

Tian Dazhuang laughed, "Of course, with your strength, going to Kunlun Martial University is like a walk in the park. If it weren't for your unawakened martial spirit, you'd definitely have come to Starfire University, and it would've been much more exciting."

"Are you still the top-ranked?" Li Yuan teased.

"I can't get it."

"In this practical combat assessment, I didn't even make it into the top 50. My physical attributes are still far behind that group of freaks. It'll take at least a year to catch up," Tian Dazhuang shrugged. "But every time I spar virtually, I give them a good beating."

"In terms of skill alone, I'm probably in the top ten of our batch," Tian Dazhuang said nonchalantly.

This wasn't a boast; he considered Li Yuan a peer of equal caliber.

Li Yuan nodded slightly, acknowledging Tian Dazhuang's exceptional skill talent.

Tian Dazhuang had entered the Fourth Stage several months earlier than him.

"To be matched with me, you must have improved significantly. Your Meteor Rank should be over 800 points, right?" Tian Dazhuang looked at Li Yuan with excitement.

"994 points," Li Yuan smiled.

Tian Dazhuang was momentarily stunned, suddenly remembering that the system had just notified him of his opponent's score of 994 points.

In his excitement at seeing Li Yuan, he had momentarily forgotten.

As a master with over 900 points in the Meteor Rank, Tian Dazhuang understood the significance of this score.

He was only 6 points away from qualifying for the Bright Moon Advancement Tournament.

"I understand."

"If you beat me, you'll be able to participate in the advancement tournament?" Tian Dazhuang smiled. "You're incredible. I just reached 900 points today and haven't even qualified for the Bright Moon Tournament yet."

"But in this fight, I won't hold back." Tian Dazhuang exuded confidence.

Although Li Yuan had a higher score, scores didn't necessarily reflect strength in the Starfield Combat Network.

Subconsciously, Tian Dazhuang still believed he was stronger.

This wasn't blind confidence; after all, he had entered the Fourth Stage earlier than Li Yuan and was studying at the more prestigious Starfire University.

"Haha, good! Let's go all out," Li Yuan laughed. "I've been wanting to spar with you. I was a bit disappointed when we didn't meet during the invitation event."

It was indeed a missed opportunity.

During the Jiangbei Martial University's invitation event, if it had been a skill-based competition, Li Yuan likely wouldn't have been Tian Dazhuang's match.

But Li Yuan had an innate fearlessness in combat, and winning wasn't his primary goal.

Enjoying the process was key to his self-improvement.

"Haha, let's do it then!" Tian Dazhuang laughed.

In an instant, both Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang fell silent, focusing intently on each other as they adjusted their states.

In the virtual combat, both had their physical attributes set to 10.0.

It was a battle of skills.

"Kill!" Tian Dazhuang lunged forward like a cannonball, swiftly charging at Li Yuan.

He wielded his mountain-cleaving blade, swinging it down with immense force.

"Haha, bring it on!" Li Yuan laughed, not retreating but advancing.

His long spear danced, stabbing forward like lightning, countering the attack.

No matter how long the blade, could it match the spear's reach?

"Clang!" Tian Dazhuang swiftly retracted his blade, holding it horizontally like a small shield to block the spear's tip.

"Clang!" Upon contact, instead of a clash of strength, Tian Dazhuang seamlessly redirected his momentum and retreated.

"Trying to escape?"

Li Yuan smiled and surged forward like a gust of wind, his speed far surpassing Tian Dazhuang's. He twirled his spear, raising it high before smashing it down on Tian Dazhuang.

This strike, if landed, could shatter one's skull.

"So fast!" Tian Dazhuang's face paled slightly, realizing something was amiss.

Li Yuan's charge was too swift, leaving him no time to dodge.

"Boom!" Tian Dazhuang raised his blade to block, feeling a terrifying force transmitted through the spear to his shield. Despite employing his best force-reducing techniques, his arms still went numb from the impact.

"Bang!" Tian Dazhuang swiftly retreated, eyeing Li Yuan with caution.

Before the match, Tian Dazhuang had been brimming with confidence.

But after this initial clash, he realized that Li Yuan's skills were evidently superior.

"Could he have progressed so rapidly?"

"When Jiangbei Martial University invited him, he had just entered the Fourth Stage not too long ago, and now, in less than five months, he's stronger than me?" Tian Dazhuang's heart skipped a beat.

During the Jiangbei invitation event, Tian Dazhuang's sword skills were almost at the middle of the Fourth Stage.

After such a long time, and with the best cultivation at Starfire University, his sword skills were now almost at the advanced level of the Fourth Stage.

In the eyes of his teachers, he was a rare genius.

But Li Yuan's progress was evidently much faster than his.

"A slight difference in skill level doesn't mean I can't win." Tian Dazhuang remained calm, no longer engaging Li Yuan in a head-on clash, opting instead for a close-quarters battle.

"Boom!"

Li Yuan was ferociously aggressive, his spear dancing like a dragon, attacking Tian Dazhuang with lightning-fast strikes.

The Starlight Gun Technique was best known for its defensive capabilities, but that was when faced with a siege or a stronger opponent.

The Starlight, in its perfection, was steady and vast.

When defending, it was impenetrable, and when attacking, it was overwhelming, fierce, and straightforward, seeking to crush and overwhelm the opponent.

...

In the virtual network, within a special area of the Starfield Combat Network, a place that ordinary people couldn't access.

Here, there were two people.

One wore a white robe, and the other a black one.

Before them was a holographic projection, displaying the battle between Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang.

"Tian Dazhuang, one of Starfire University's most important cultivators this year, is not a match for Li Yuan?" The man in white spoke softly, "His gun skills are truly impressive."

"Indeed, the Starlight Gun Technique. This Li Yuan has grasped its true essence." The man in black said slowly, "And he's not even eighteen yet, already at the advanced level of the Fourth Stage."

"And according to his records, he only reached the Meteor Rank five months ago."

"In less than five months, he went from entering the Fourth Stage to reaching its advanced level?" The man in white was surprised, "A student from Kunlun Martial University?"

"Yes." The man in black smiled, "It seems like our Xia Nation has produced yet another extraordinary genius."

These two.

Were observers from Xia Nation stationed in the Starfield Combat Network, tasked with observing numerous battles and marking notable participants.

"Look."

"Oh!" The man in white suddenly exclaimed, "Tian Dazhuang seems to be on the verge of defeat, but he's already done well to last this long."

...

In the battle arena, Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang were locked in a fierce, white-hot clash.

"Clang!"

"Bang!" "Boom!" The spear and mountain-cleaving blade clashed repeatedly, with Li Yuan clearly dominating the fight.

In terms of explosive power, speed, and technique, Li Yuan held the advantage.

The spear, in an open arena like this, also had a certain edge.

Every inch of length added to its strength.

But Tian Dazhuang's movements were exceptional, his steps concise and highly effective, allowing him to dodge Li Yuan's fierce attacks repeatedly.

"Delay."

"His movements aren't as good as mine. I'll find an opportunity." Tian Dazhuang was a combat genius, realizing this early in the fight.

"Even if I can't win, I can still hone my sword skills." Tian Dazhuang thought to himself, engaging in a close-quarters battle with all his might.

"Interesting."

"Speaking of movement skills, mine are indeed slightly inferior to Tian Dazhuang's." Li Yuan smiled, "I've spent too much time perfecting my gun skills."

Regarding the Dragon Step Technique? Li Yuan had never deliberately cultivated it, only practicing it while training his fists and spear.

With less cultivation, the skill level was naturally inferior.

In such a short time, Li Yuan's gun skills had improved significantly, which was also due to the time and effort he had invested.

"This battle..."

"...is an excellent opportunity to refine my movement skills." Li Yuan hadn't unleashed his true killing moves.

After dozens of exchanges, Li Yuan realized that Tian Dazhuang's sword skills hadn't reached the advanced level of the Fourth Stage.

Moreover, his grasp of practical combat seemed to be a step behind, and his overall strength was noticeably inferior.

Li Yuan, firstly, respected his friend.

Secondly, he wanted to refine his movement skills.

He hadn't unleashed his full power.

"Boom!"

Both fought fiercely, not solely for victory, but to improve their weaknesses.

As their strength waned, both sides' stamina and speed declined.

In the virtual combat network, everything was simulated to be as real as possible.

Whether it was injuries, blood loss, or prolonged fighting, it would affect their performance.

"Something's not right."

"My movement skills are slightly better, but his control over his body is superior, and his burst speed is faster. In this small arena, he has every chance to overwhelm and crush me." Tian Dazhuang realized, "Moreover, he hasn't used any ultimate gun skills."

Could someone at the advanced level of the Fourth Stage not know the killing moves of the Starlight Gun Technique?

"Li Yuan is a step ahead of me in strength, and he hasn't fully unleashed his power. Is he holding back to refine his movement skills?" Tian Dazhuang sighed inwardly, "Has he already surpassed me by so much?"

"Enough."

"Never mind, I'll give it my all." Tian Dazhuang quickly adjusted his mindset, no longer seeking 'victory', but embracing the pure joy of battle.

"Boom!" Li Yuan's spear suddenly sped up, unleashing the 'Starfall Cascade' twelve-hit combo, with the speed of the spear's shadow instantly skyrocketing.

"Clang!"

"Clang! Clang!" The two clashed in a lightning-fast exchange.

Tian Dazhuang felt wave after wave of overwhelming force, barely managing to hold his ground.

"Kill!" Tian Dazhuang didn't retreat; instead, he became even more ferocious, using offense to counter offense, showcasing his sword skills to their fullest.

Tian Dazhuang, a young man from the mountainous regions, had risen through the ranks and entered Starfire University solely due to his absolute talent and calm judgment.

Countless people had high hopes for his achievements.

At this moment, facing Li Yuan's relentless gun technique attacks, Tian Dazhuang was under immense pressure, yet his mind became increasingly calm.

Gradually, Tian Dazhuang entered a unique state, feeling his blade techniques becoming smoother and his strikes faster and more powerful.

"Fourth Stage High Rank."

"The fourth form of the Gold-Cracking Blade Art, Mountain Splitting Sea Embracing." Tian Dazhuang had an epiphany, finally glimpsing the hope of breaking through the bottleneck that had held him back for so long.

His blade grew faster.

"A breakthrough?"

"An enlightenment?" Li Yuan couldn't help but smile, as he already sensed the dramatic transformation in Tian Dazhuang's blade techniques.

Subconsciously, Li Yuan's long spear moved faster, with continuous spear shadows, completely suppressing Tian Dazhuang.

The momentum of the twelve consecutive strikes had reached its peak, but Li Yuan controlled the spear's momentum, refraining from a full release, instead pressuring Tian Dazhuang to give him even greater challenges.

Finally, Li Yuan felt Tian Dazhuang's blade techniques stabilizing, indicating that the breakthrough was almost complete.

Tian Dazhuang's eyes became clearer, fixed on Li Yuan, as if seeing the hope of victory.

"Haha."

"Dazhuang, be careful." Li Yuan burst into laughter, and the spear shadows erupted like rolling waves.

Like a river bursting its banks.

"Boom!" The terrifying long spear slashed through the sky, resembling a massive rock hurtling towards him with an unbelievable impact.

Swift as lightning, heavy as a mountain.

"Not good." Tian Dazhuang, who had just broken through, was still basking in the joy of his breakthrough when his expression changed dramatically. He felt that Li Yuan's aura had completely transformed, giving off an unshakeable presence.

Instinctively, Tian Dazhuang raised his blade to counter.

With a single collision, Tian Dazhuang was struck and forced back several steps, his body filled with turbulent Qi-blood, causing immense discomfort.

"Retreat!"

Tian Dazhuang endured the pain, just about to counter.

"Dawn Piercing Cloud." But Li Yuan was in a killing frenzy, and in the instant of Starfall Cascade, he executed the 'Dawn Piercing Cloud' move.

"Whoosh!" Another terrifying spear light sliced through the sky, reaching an extreme speed, even faster than the previous move.

This was Li Yuan's ultimate speed burst.

"So fast?" Tian Dazhuang was incredulous, barely able to see the spear's eruption.

He could only instinctively swing his blade.

"Pfft!"

Before the mountain-cleaving blade could block the spear, the spear light had already grazed his neck, drawing blood.

Tian Dazhuang felt his body turn ethereal, realizing that this extremely fast spear strike had directly killed him.

Defeat.

A complete defeat.

However, Tian Dazhuang's heart held no trace of disappointment. He accepted the loss gracefully, filled with gratitude.

Tian Dazhuang understood that if Li Yuan had unleashed his full power from the start, he would have lost within a dozen moves.

His opponent, upon witnessing Tian Dazhuang's breakthrough, had consciously helped him break through without going all out.

...

Huff! Tian Dazhuang's figure completely disappeared.

"Victory." Li Yuan smiled, having received a system notification.

His points reached 1000, allowing him to unlock the advancement tournament.

"In one battle, my body movement increased by 2%?" Li Yuan was slightly surprised, instantly realizing that this was due to his enhanced control over his body.

Suddenly, Li Yuan sensed something. It was Tian Dazhuang sending him a message after adding him as a friend.

The message simply read, 'Thank you.'

This was their first interaction after becoming friends, and Li Yuan smiled, replying with three words, "You're welcome."

Ending the communication.

"Victory."

"During the Jiangbei invitation event, I was the first in practical combat assessment." Li Yuan had a thought, "The universally acknowledged most skilled Tian Dazhuang has now fallen to me."

"In our batch of one million Jiangbei Province high school seniors, I'm the first in practical combat and skills!" Li Yuan found a sense of accomplishment.

First in practical combat!

First in skills!

"On this long martial path, surpassing one opponent after another, becoming stronger." Li Yuan felt a sense of achievement.

Martial arts, constantly surpassing, growing stronger!

"Confirmed, participating in the Bright Moon Rank Advancement Tournament." Li Yuan spoke in a deep voice, instantly transforming into a stream of light and disappearing.

...

"Victory."

"This Li Yuan, he's truly remarkable. He allowed Tian Dazhuang to break through." The two observers in the observation space were astonished.

"He's confident." The black-robed observer smiled, "Such a broad mind is rare."

"Indeed, it's impressive. It's not easy for Kunlun Martial University to produce such a student." The white-robed observer also nodded in praise.

After several minutes.

"Oh, he won the Bright Moon Rank Advancement Tournament, a clean and decisive victory."

"It wasn't difficult for him."

"Let me check... Including the top three elite schools, globally, there are only 17 Bright Moon Rank students in this freshman batch, including him. Yes, Tian Dazhuang will also reach it soon."

"Yes, but Li Yuan is very young."

"He's the first in our Xia Nation to achieve Bright Moon Rank before 18 years old, and the third globally this year."

"Issue the reward, and directly notify the Starfire Martial Temple and Kunlun Martial University, no need to wait for the Starfield Combat Network's notification."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end