Chapter 18: Starry Sky University
Chapter 18: Starry Sky University
"Protected by the law?" Wan Xiao was taken aback, then raised his thumb, "Li Yuan, you've got my respect."
"To do great things, one must first study the law," Li Yuan said with a smile.
Then, Li Yuan shifted the topic, "Is Lin Lan Yue and Gu Qianghan related?"
"Yeah," Wan Xiao replied, "I think they're step-siblings, but they don't share the same surname. They're very close, and that Gu Qianghan fears no one except his sister."
"According to him, he's afraid because he can't beat her. Once he does, he won't be afraid anymore," Wan Xiao said, "But I feel like he'll never beat her in this lifetime."
"Even you, in full armor combat, I doubt you'd be a match for Lin Lan Yue," Wan Xiao said earnestly.
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
If he had some fame among the third-year students, then Lin Lan Yue was truly a household name.
Her beauty was just a small part of it.
Among the thousands of students at the top high school in Guan Shan District, there were only a few beautiful girls. As a key provincial school, there was never any talk of school flowers or grass.
Most students didn't pay much attention to their classmates, let alone those from other classes.
Lin Lan Yue, as the only public figure, was primarily known for her cliffhanger-like lead in Martial Arts.
An absolute first.
Since the start of high school, she had consistently ranked first in all exams, big or small, related to Martial Arts.
In the second semester finals, her raw score was 875, and her total score was 962.5, leaving the second-place student more than 50 points behind.
The only exception was the single-subject score for Martial Arts Skills in the second semester finals.
That was the first time Li Yuan took the top spot.
"Full Armor Combat?" Li Yuan pondered for a moment, "What's her physical fitness level?"
"It should be above 8.0," Wan Xiao said, "That's my guess. After all, we haven't had a small test since I joined the Elite Class."
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
Based on Lin Lan Yue's physical fitness score from the first semester and her rate of progress, it could be estimated that she was likely between 8.0 and 8.3.
This was already impressive.
According to the college entrance examination standards, a perfect score for physical fitness was 500, and a 10.0 grade was equivalent to full marks.
9.0 was 470 points.
8.0 was 440 points.
7.0 was 400 points.
6.0 was 360 points.
5.0 was 300 points.
"At least 8.0? With her rate of progress, by the college entrance exam, her physical fitness could reach 9.0," Li Yuan thought to himself, "No wonder they say she has a chance to be admitted to one of the world's top three Martial Arts schools, the Starry Sky University."
"The world's top three Martial Arts schools—Starry Sky University, Starfire University, and Blackstone University—are even better than Shaxia's top five universities." Li Yuan never underestimated others.
Lin Lan Yue, in terms of talent, was among the most formidable in the tens of thousands of third-year students in Guan Shan District. Her family background was also excellent, and she was diligent in her cultivation... She was a true hardworking Martial Arts genius.
"You're using your gun skills in the Elite Class, but you've never mentioned your scores, and I haven't revealed your gun skill score from the small test. I don't think Lin Lan Yue knows about it yet," Wan Xiao said with a smile.
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
The full score for Martial Arts Skills was 400, and according to the college entrance exam standards, 320 and 360 were significant thresholds, difficult to surpass.
"To score above 320 in Martial Arts Skills, you should reach the second rank. To exceed 360, your gun and body skills should both reach the third rank," Li Yuan thought silently.
As for the requirements for a perfect score? Li Yuan wasn't sure.
Li Yuan never asked Teacher Xu Bo about it, to avoid giving the impression of being overly ambitious.
"In full armor combat, her physical fitness is nearly two levels higher than yours, so your chances of winning are slim," Wan Xiao said, but then added with a chuckle, "But in virtual combat? I believe in your gun skills! I'll be there to watch the battle, remember to send me the room number."
"Sure," Li Yuan nodded.
...
After seeing Wan Xiao off, Li Yuan closed the door to the Martial Arts Room.
Complete silence.
"Xiaoyu, Bluetooth... I want to access the management system for Room 400 of the Martial Arts Building. The authorization code is..." Li Yuan suddenly spoke up.
"Access granted. I'm happy to serve you," a gentle female voice responded.
"Open the Martial Arts Assessment System."
"Open the Video Analysis System," Li Yuan said, then proceeded to the weapon rack beside him.
There were numerous weapons, including six long spears of varying lengths and weights.
Li Yuan took out his most commonly used standard-issue long spear and placed it on the weapon rack.
Then, he began silently cultivating the Boulder Practice Method.
"A bet of 2,000 Blue Star Coins?" Li Yuan's thoughts wandered as he felt the subtle movements in his muscles and bones, reflecting on the day's events.
Li Yuan didn't take this match seriously; he never worried about losing.
Losing wasn't embarrassing.
The opponent was the top student in the grade and a Martial Arts prodigy.
Win or lose? As long as it contributed to his Martial Arts progress and didn't cause any harm, what did it matter?
Li Yuan had read many biographies of Dong Fang Ji, the world's strongest Martial Artist.
Dong Fang Ji's concept of 'Martial Arts as my path' didn't imply that he represented Martial Arts but rather that 'Martial Arts were his way.'
"When you wholeheartedly dedicate yourself to the Martial Dao, you shouldn't concern yourself with others' evaluations. Whether they praise or belittle you, it doesn't matter." Li Yuan's eyes shone with clarity, "Practicing the path of self is my heart's desire, and that is the essence of the Martial Dao. This is my path."
In simpler terms, follow your own path and let others talk.
In the Martial Dao, one should strive to surpass oneself.
"However..."
"University admissions are based on rankings, and sparring with Lin Lan Yue will give me an idea of the true level of these top senior students' Martial Skills." Li Yuan pondered.
...
4001 Independent Martial Arts Room.
"Sis, are you really going to duel with him? He won't lose anything if he loses," Gu Qiang Han shouted from the side.
"Two thousand Blue Star Coins is nothing to me," Lin Lan Yue's voice was cold, like pearls falling on a jade plate.
She was practicing a set of Fist Techniques, and as her fists and palms rolled, a faint sound of surging energy could be heard.
"It's not about the money."
"It's about face," Gu Qiang Han shook his head. "You're the top student in the grade, and he's only in the twenties. Losing would be embarrassing."
"Face?"
Lin Lan Yue abruptly stopped her fists, her sharp gaze fixed on Gu Qiang Han, "You cultivate the Martial Dao, and you're concerned about face?"
Gu Qiang Han shook his head repeatedly, "Of course not, but..."
"Stop it."
Lin Lan Yue frowned, "Your aunt has spoiled you. You're always looking for people to spar with just to show off your strength, all for the sake of face? No wonder you even dare to engage in private duels."
"Sis, I won't do it again," Gu Qiang Han hurriedly assured her, but in his heart, he muttered, 'Aren't you also challenging people to duels?'
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
"I want to spar, not to defeat him. I just want to see how powerful this spear technique is, the one even Teacher Xu praises," Lin Lan Yue said coldly, "As for winning or losing?"
"If I lose, will it affect my chances of getting into Starlight University?"
"It's two o'clock. Get back to your Martial Arts Room and cultivate," Lin Lan Yue said with a frown.
"Will do!" Gu Qiang Han turned and left, not wanting to stay a second longer.
...
Just before the end of class, 4011 Martial Arts Room.
【Your Spear Technique level has increased from 47% of the third rank to 48% of the third rank】
Li Yuan suddenly noticed the reminder in his field of vision and abruptly stopped his spear technique.
"Another one percent increase?"
"Since creating the 'Rock Valley Concealed Dragon' spear technique, my progress in spear techniques seems to have accelerated," Li Yuan thought to himself, "However, to create the 'Mountainous Universe' technique I envisioned, it might take some time."
For such a perfect technique that fully harnesses one's physical strength, after creating one or two moves, the subsequent ones become relatively easier.
Until one day, when every move can reach perfection, then it will be the fourth rank of spear techniques.
Soon after.
Li Yuan walked out of the Elite Building, and before he reached the cafeteria, he saw a group of classmates approaching from a distance.
It was Zhou Qi, Yan Zhou, and the others, who seemed to have been waiting for a while.
"Brother Yuan, we heard you're going to spar with Lin Lan Yue to determine who has the best Martial Skills?"
"No, I heard it's to determine who the real top student in the grade is."
"Hmm? I heard that Brother Yuan challenged Lin Lan Yue..."
"I heard that if Brother Yuan wins, Lin Lan Yue will agree to be his girlfriend..." The group chattered excitedly.
Li Yuan: "..."
"Stop!" Li Yuan shouted, and the surroundings immediately quieted down.
"Who told you this?" Li Yuan asked.
"It was Wan Xiao. He was the first to mention it in the class group. Brother Yuan, didn't you see the group chat?"
"Anyway, the news is out," Zhou Qi said with a mischievous smile, "Brother Yuan, come on, tell us, are you really pursuing Lin Lan Yue?"
The people around were also full of curiosity.
"There is indeed a bet," Li Yuan frowned, "But it's just a normal sparring match, nothing else."
"I'm going to eat first, then cultivate," Li Yuan turned towards the cafeteria.
Everyone looked at each other.
A normal sparring match?
"If it's just a normal sparring match, why would Brother Yuan hide it and leave so quickly?" Zhou Qi shook his head, "There must be something going on."
"Yeah, I think so too."
...
Weekend, 1:50 PM.
Blue Star Virtual Network, Starlight Fighting Network.
Personal Duel Platform, Room Number 8673795.
"There are 369 spectators?" Li Yuan's consciousness took the form of a man holding a long spear, standing on the arena, looking at the number of spectators displayed on the screen above and the dense virtual figures on the spectator stands,
Li Yuan's eyebrows furrowed into a frown.
"Brother Yuan, go for it, take down Lin Lan Yue."
"Brother Yuan, beat her!"
"Senior 2, Brother Yuan is the strongest!"
"Lin Lan Yue, kill Li Yuan!"
"Li Yuan's arrogance is asking for a beating."
"I think he's handsome, even better-looking than my two boyfriends, various random voices echoed from the spectator stands. In the virtual world, people tend to be more unrestrained than in reality.
Li Yuan didn't understand why a simple virtual sparring match had become such a spectacle.
But at that moment, Li Yuan felt that the high realism of the virtual network might not be a good thing.
"Li Yuan, get ready." Lin Lan Yue stood at the other end of the arena, holding a long sword.
Her virtual avatar resembled her real-life appearance, but with short red hair instead of long black hair, making her look wilder and less dignified.
(End of Chapter)
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