Chapter 164: Metamorphosis! Initial Enlightenment of Heaven-Earth

Chapter 164: Metamorphosis! Initial Enlightenment of Heaven-Earth



When one's spirit power surpasses level 20, their perception of themselves and the external world becomes astonishingly acute.

It is precisely because of their powerful spirits that Source Warriors can more easily perceive their entire bodies and achieve a deep understanding of their minds.

Both spirit and life tiers are fundamental, and the stronger the foundation, the easier it is to comprehend and refine one's skills.

What about Li Yuan?

His spirit power reached an impressive 24.8 levels, comparable to a mid-tier Source Warrior. More importantly, his skills were already exceptionally high.

Guided by Dean Hai in cultivating the 'Stellar Intent,' and repeatedly witnessing Dean Li and Dean Xu personally demonstrating the 'Heaven-Earth Unity' technique, Li Yuan had already formed a certain concept of 'Heaven-Earth Unity.'

However, he had yet to break through that thin barrier.

With his mind's eye, Li Yuan could thoroughly control even the most subtle strength within his body, which was essentially an extreme state of physical skill, almost impossible to surpass.

Beyond this, one approaches the realm where skill becomes akin to the Tao.

One must seek to understand the profound mysteries of nature in the vastness of the universe, which is the essence of 'Heaven-Earth Unity.' This is not something that can be achieved solely through high physical talent.

It requires a spiritual realization.

In the half-month since returning to Jiangcheng, Li Yuan's mind had undergone numerous intense changes, far more complex than the months spent at the university.

The Fish Spirit Surge, an unprecedented event for Jiangcheng City.

Night patrols and life-and-death battles with second-rank aliens.

The passing of his teacher, who entrusted his orphaned child to Li Yuan.

Each of these events had a profound impact on Li Yuan's mind, and one can only imagine the effect on an 18-year-old.

Human talent is divided into innate and acquired attributes.

While innate talent is fixed, acquired talent is shaped by countless experiences. Many individuals with ordinary abilities can, through life's trials, gradually undergo a metamorphosis of the mind and achieve great accomplishments.

Life experiences are of utmost importance.

Li Yuan's innate talent was already exceptional, and his experiences from middle school onwards had further honed his mind, enabling him to make faster breakthroughs as he progressed.

It could be said that even without the 'Heart Palace,' Li Yuan's physical condition would have improved slowly before becoming a Source Warrior, but his skills would have advanced more rapidly. If he had become a Source Warrior in his thirties or forties, he might have still soared to great heights... but that would have been a different path.

However, the reality is different.

With the assistance of the Heart Palace, Li Yuan's metamorphosis is ten times faster than normal cultivation, and his accumulation of various experiences is also much quicker.

Until today.

After receiving the First-Class Silver Medal award ceremony and sitting atop the roof, quietly observing the serene landscape of the city and the mountains, under the starry sky.

Li Yuan's mind gradually entered an extremely unique state, and he vaguely sensed the countless profound mysteries hidden within the vast and boundless universe.

He also faintly felt his own insignificance.

"Heaven, Earth, and I," Li Yuan's mind became fully immersed, his heartbeat slowing down, and his inner peace growing as he entered a state of 'selflessness.'

Gradually, past insights into the 'Stellar Intent' flooded his mind.

Li Yuan felt as if he had transformed into an ordinary star in the boundless starry sky... a vast star in an infinite universe, yet so tiny amidst countless stars, like a speck of dust.

This was a stark contrast.

"Vastness and insignificance formed a wondrous opposition and unity."

"The vast universe, compared to which even the mighty are but tiny specks of dust."

"As Dean Hai said, what is the significance of a Sky Soarer? Moving mountains and calming seas, flying through the earth? They are but larger ants."

"The vastness of the universe is worth pursuing for a lifetime." Li Yuan sat quietly, his mind filled with countless realizations.

Enlightenment!

This spiritual metamorphosis, in this unique environment, brought Li Yuan and the surrounding heaven and earth into perfect harmony.

"However."

"The universe is vast, but I am still me. Perhaps the light of human civilization in the cosmos is but a fleeting spark."

"Perhaps the vast stars are just cosmic dust."

"But I have my will, and no matter how small, I will let my brilliance shine." Li Yuan quietly experienced this realization.

He felt as if the star he had transformed into in his spiritual world was becoming brighter and more dazzling.

No matter how vast and boundless the starry sky was, it couldn't stop his radiance from bursting forth.

The second level of 'Stellar Intent' - Star Dust!

At the same time.

Humming,

In the silence, Li Yuan's consciousness seemed to detach from his body and enter the vast universe... Heaven-Earth Unity.

The unification has never been of the physical body.

But of the mind.

The size of the heart determines the size of the world, and only with a strong enough spirit can one travel far.

In that instant, as Li Yuan's heart united with heaven and earth.

Humming, the primal power of heaven and earth nourished Li Yuan's consciousness, causing his spirit and mind to undergo a rapid metamorphosis.

"My mind," Li Yuan felt incredibly relaxed, sensing the continuous transformation of his spirit power.

Spirit power is the soul.

The growth of the soul primarily relies on nourishment from the physical body, but when skills reach the level of 'Heaven-Earth Unity,' the vast universe can also nurture the soul.

Spirit power and skills have always been complementary, not one-sided achievements.

Furthermore,

In the unique state of Li Yuan's spiritual metamorphosis, his mind unconsciously guided the Star Vessel's operation, infusing his body with a large amount of Source Energy, causing his physical qualities to undergo continuous transformation.

...

This night passed quickly for Li Yuan.

When he emerged from this special state, his entire demeanor had subtly changed.

In the distant heaven and earth, the first rays of dawn appeared.

"My mind?" Li Yuan opened his eyes, feeling that the world before him had subtly changed, becoming more vibrant and alive.

The entire world seemed to come alive.

"My spirit power and physical body?" Li Yuan seemed to realize something, and instinctively looked at the Heart Palace panel.

---

【Life Tier: 16.5 levels (First Rank)】

Punch Power: 21,800 kg

Speed: 66.2 m/s

Spirit Power: 26.6 levels

Willpower: 30%

Spiritual Awakening Level: 25.4% (Current Upper Limit: 30%)



Star Vessel: Level 10

Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Fourth Rank, 99%), Body Technique (Fifth Rank, 1%), Fist Technique (Perfect)



...

Looking at the changing data on the Heart Palace panel, Li Yuan was stunned for a long time.

"Is this Heaven-Earth Unity?"

"They say that reaching the Fifth Rank in skills within a year is enough to become a Source Warrior. I didn't believe it before, but now..." Li Yuan felt a sense of wonder.

In just one evening, Li Yuan's life tier increased by 0.4 levels, and his spirit power surged by over one level.

Unbeknownst to him, his mental willpower had also quietly transformed, reaching level 30, which was already the Flying Rank.

This was because Li Yuan's first experience with Heaven-Earth Unity was akin to the initial activation of his Star Vessel, where the power of heaven and earth nourished his body and soul, resulting in an extremely beneficial effect.

However, the outcome was also incredibly exaggerated.

It was foreseeable.

In the following period, Li Yuan's physical body and spirit power would grow at an even more exaggerated rate.

"My skill in the Martial Arts has reached perfection, representing the ultimate control over my body," Li Yuan closed his eyes lightly, and with a slight thought, countless subtle strengths became perfectly harmonious.

There was not a trace of obstruction.

Even his mental power could easily seep out of his body, allowing him to perceive the profound mysteries of heaven and earth.

His skill was so high that it was almost like the Dao itself!

At just eighteen years old, Li Yuan's skill level was already advancing towards that direction.

"Eighteen years and four months."

"Fifth Rank Heaven-Earth." Li Yuan remained seated on the rooftop, gazing at the wisps of rosy clouds at the edge of the sky, "With this level of skill, throughout the entire history of human civilization, it would still be considered incredibly fast."

Perhaps there were exceptional talents like Fang Hai, who achieved Heaven-Earth Unity at the age of sixteen.

But that was a rare exception, with only a handful of such cases in the history of human civilization.

Moreover, compared to Fang Hai, who took two years to advance from Fourth Rank to Fifth Rank, Li Yuan's advancement from Third Rank to Fifth Rank in just a year and a half was even more astonishing and terrifying.

"It's just a pity."

"I couldn't let my teacher witness this moment," Li Yuan's heart dimmed slightly, "If my teacher knew, he would surely be overjoyed."

That night, when Li Yuan and his teacher joined forces to battle the Second Rank aliens, he could feel how delighted and excited his teacher was.

The greatest expectation of a master is the day when their disciple surpasses them.

"Teacher."

"I will carry your expectations and reach the pinnacle of the Global University Martial Arts Competition," Li Yuan's eyes shone as he faced the morning glow, "And one day, I will stand at the peak of martial arts in human civilization."

Pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts was Li Yuan's aspiration.

...

Stepping into the realm of Heaven-Earth.

Li Yuan didn't rush to inform others but instead returned to the underground martial arts chamber.

The room was brightly lit.

"Black Star Spear," Li Yuan gripped his weapon, silently sensing the flow of strength within it.

Whoosh! He wielded the long spear, once again practicing the Stellar Spear Technique, each move flowing seamlessly, grand and majestic.

It seemed no different from before.

However, if observed by a high-ranking warrior with the Mind's Eye, they would be shocked to discover that Li Yuan's spear technique now contained a unique rhythm.

It was as if the spear had gained a divine essence!

"Stellar Intent."

"This is the true Stellar Intent." Li Yuan practiced repeatedly, striving to integrate his understanding into the Stellar Spear Technique.

After reaching a level where his skill was almost like the Dao, the distinction between techniques and weapons became insignificant.

The five deadly moves of the Stellar Spear Technique had already become infinitely versatile, more than sufficient for use.

The 'Stellar Intent' emphasized a state of mind, a sense of harmony and understanding with heaven and earth.

However!

Even after repeated practice, Li Yuan's spear technique was significantly more powerful than before, yet on his Heart Palace panel, it still remained at Fourth Rank 99%.

"Perhaps I need more than just practice; I should test it in battle," Li Yuan thought.

He entered the rest room and stepped into the virtual network capsule.

Logging into the Starlit Combat Network...

...

"Master, it's been a while since your last visit," a fairy-like girl danced, her voice filled with excitement.

"It has been some time," Li Yuan smiled calmly.

Since attaining the Mind's Eye, his time spent in combat on the Starlit Combat Network had drastically decreased.

Occasionally, when the mood struck, he would log in to participate in a few rank matches.

"Ding!" Li Yuan checked his rank match data:

Rank Match: Sun Devouring Rank.

Points: 784 points (1000 points required for promotion match)



Rank Match Win Rate: 69%

...

"Rank Match." Li Yuan clicked to start the rank matching, hoping to find a high-ranking warrior to validate his ideas.

After just twenty seconds, the system notified him, "Rank Match Successful."

"That was quick; I thought it would take a few minutes again," Li Yuan smiled.

...

Time passed, and as one rank match after another unfolded, Li Yuan effortlessly claimed victory against countless high-ranking warriors with the Mind's Eye.

Victory! Victory! Victory!

He was unstoppable! Although Li Yuan's spear technique seemed to remain at Fourth Rank 99%, his body technique, having already advanced to Fifth Rank, granted him near-invincible power in the Sun Devouring Rank.

And on this day, perhaps guided by some unseen force, Li Yuan's rank matching proceeded exceptionally smoothly, making his battles increasingly effortless.

Within an hour, he won fourteen matches, his spear technique becoming increasingly fierce, faster, and more ferocious.

Finally, in the fifteenth match, Li Yuan faced the system's sanction and encountered a true Fifth Rank Extraordinary Rank super-expert, a genuine Fifth Rank high-ranking warrior.

The battle was completely one-sided.

Li Yuan wielded his long spear, struggling to block the opponent's battle knife. If not for his body technique advancing to Fifth Rank, he would have lost long ago.

"Hmm?"

As another knife slashed down like lightning, Li Yuan couldn't block it in time. Instinctively, his spear burst forth, subtly invoking a profound power from heaven and earth.

The speed of the spear instantly surged.

"Clang!" The spear and knife clashed, sending Li Yuan flying backward.

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment.

As another blade of light slashed through, Li Yuan's entire body vanished.

However, just before disappearing, a smile appeared on Li Yuan's face, and he opened his mouth as if to say 'thank you.'

On Li Yuan's Heart Palace panel, a new prompt appeared: "【Your spear technique has advanced from Fourth Rank 99% to Fifth Rank 1%】."

...

As Li Yuan concluded this battle, a notification arrived:

"Important Notice."

"Li Yuan, a citizen of Xia Nation, age 18, in the latest virtual battle, his spear technique invoked 'Heaven-Earth Power,' suspected of entering the Fifth Rank in skill realm." The message was sent by the Starlit Combat Network's intelligent system.

As an S-level priority message, it was directly transmitted to the Starfire Martial Palace, Starlight Martial Hall, and Xia National Martial Hall.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end