Chapter 33: Martial Arts Ranking

Chapter 33: Martial Arts Ranking

"Alright."

Ren Mian brought the attention of the three back to her, "Xinghuo, although you are only a novice meta, your strength surpasses most advanced metas. Your experience may be lacking, but your combat instincts are exceptionally sharp, and your grasp of timing and overall awareness is excellent."

"You don't have many meta abilities, do you? Perhaps just two?" She asked suddenly.

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Chi Zhonglin and Jiang Nan Caiyi exchanged glances, their faces reflecting their shared relief.

Just two abilities, and he was already so formidable. If he were to advance to intermediate or advanced levels and merge more abilities, Ji Xinghuo would be unmatched among his peers! The realization immediately made them feel an immense amount of pressure.

"I'm not worried about your perception; we've already tested that. As for the role of an archer, you are more than qualified." Ren Mian continued, "However, the stronger a meta is, the more well-rounded they need to be. Rangers are also expected to be proficient in close-quarters combat. How skilled are you in that regard?"

Ji Xinghuo hesitated.

To be honest, he didn't know himself.

If he relied solely on the conventional functions of the Myriad Images Star Pupil, his super-enhanced visual capture and detail insight, coupled with his innate high-speed conditional reflexes and precise danger intuition, he should perform adequately.

If he were to activate the Myriad Images of Samsara, he would be nearly invincible.

Of course, this was assuming he had sufficient close-quarters combat lethality to break through his opponent's defenses.

Ren Mian rephrased the question, "What is your martial arts ranking?"

"Amateur third-rank," Ji Xinghuo replied, somewhat embarrassed.

The so-called martial arts ranking was an intuitive standard for judging one's proficiency in martial arts. It was a ranking system established by the Global Martial Arts Association with a history of over a hundred years.

The lowest rank was having no rank at all.

People would enter the virtual platform of the Martial Arts Association, compete online, and earn points for victories while losing points for defeats.

When one accumulated 100 points, they would be promoted to the Amateur First Rank.

And so on.

The higher the score, the higher the rank.

First to third rank was considered amateur, which was already quite impressive among ordinary people;

Fourth to sixth rank was elite. Only those with the most outstanding talents among ordinary people could reach this rank, while metas, after a few years of training and accumulating enough battles, would mostly reach fourth or fifth rank. Sixth rank would depend on their meta abilities and talents;

Seventh to ninth rank was the professional rank, considered a martial arts master.

The core players of the Class A professional league were usually required to be seventh rank and above, while the Super League mandated that all players must be at least seventh rank.

The point requirements for advancing in the professional ranks were very high, with a minimum standard of 10,000 points, and there were win rate requirements as well.

The Martial Arts Association held offline promotion tournaments for seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks every quarter, half-year, and annually, with very few promotion slots available.

Generally, only a small fraction of martial arts masters could advance through these tournaments.

In addition to online rankings, win rates, and promotion tournaments, there was a third channel for advancement: participating in martial arts competitions at various levels. Provincial, national, and world levels all had officially recognized competitions by the Martial Arts Association, and placing in the top ranks or winning championships could also lead to promotions.

For example, winning the provincial martial arts competition would result in a direct promotion to professional eighth rank.

Placing second to fourth in the national martial arts competition would grant a promotion to ninth rank.

Above the ninth rank was the title of Master.

The Martial Arts Association held a Master Promotion Tournament once a year, and additionally, winning the national martial arts competition, regardless of one's current rank, would grant the title of Martial Arts Master.

Above Master was the Grand Master rank.

One could become a Grand Master by passing the Grand Master Promotion Tournament held once every three years or by winning the World Martial Arts Championship.

Zhao Manying had become a Grand Master at the age of 18 by winning the World Championship!

Even above Grand Master was the title of "Martial Saint," an even more challenging feat.

The true path of martial arts had no distinct boundaries or secret sword techniques; there were only ranks. One's realm was a personal realization and understanding, while rank was based on solid battle records, stepping on the heads of countless opponents.

A Martial Arts Master implied tens of thousands of battles, numerous promotion tournaments, and countless martial arts competitions.

As long as you could win, your martial arts prowess was undeniable.

If you couldn't, no amount of martial arts theory would matter, and no one would bother listening.

Ji Xinghuo had a high talent for martial arts, far surpassing his talent for archery. Among his peers, he was at the very pinnacle. Although he had not dedicated much time to martial arts training, spending most of his time enhancing his physical body, and even less time participating in online battles, he had still easily attained the Amateur Third Rank with a remarkably high win rate.

Of course, Amateur Third Rank wasn't impressive anymore.

Upon hearing that Ji Xinghuo was only an amateur third-rank, Chi Zhonglin finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a significant reduction in pressure.

With such formidable meta abilities and combat talent, if his martial arts rank was also high, how could anyone else compete?

"Hehe..."

Chi Zhonglin laughed smugly, "I'm a professional ninth-rank, and I plan to participate in the Master Promotion Tournament next year. Xinghuo, if you want to improve your rank, I can spar with you often and teach you some tips for fighting against spear users."

"Thank you, I'll definitely seek your guidance then." Ji Xinghuo nodded seriously.

"Xinghuo-kun, I can help you too." Jiang Nan Caiyi gripped the hilt of the wakizashi at her waist and glanced at Ji Xinghuo's yatagan, "I also use a blade, and I'm a professional seventh-rank."

"I had no idea you were so skilled, Caiyi." Ji Xinghuo smiled.

"The most skilled one is my sister." Jiang Nan Caiyi whispered, "Even though she doesn't practice martial arts much, she's already a Master."

Ji Xinghuo was not surprised at all.

Ren Mian nodded slightly, "Amateur Third Rank is indeed a bit low, but with your talent, you should be able to improve quickly. This is also a fast way to increase your overall strength."

"As for starforce cultivation..."

She thought for a moment and said, "I'll brew some 'Aether Tea' for you later. Drink a cup before each cultivation session, and it will speed up the recovery and growth of your starforce."

Ji Xinghuo's eyes lit up at the mention of Aether Tea, a valuable item that could accelerate starforce cultivation.

A single cup was worth more than 5,000 Asian Yuan, and its effects only lasted for a few hours. One had to consume it regularly to truly benefit from its properties.

"Thank you, Ren Jie."

"The Aether Tea tree is something I cultivated myself, so it didn't cost me much.

"So, we're left with only one option—enhancing your weaponry and equipment." Ren Mian surveyed Ji Xinghuo from head to toe. "Your bow is sufficient for now, so no need to replace it. Do you prefer this flat-headed wild goose-wing dagger, or some other type of blade? You can even use a sword if you like."

"I'd prefer something heavier, either a blade or a sword would be fine," replied Ji Xinghuo, who had no particular attachment to any weapon as long as it felt right in his hands, even if it were a hammer.

"Alright, I have an idea," Ren Mian said, seemingly having made a decision. "You two continue your training; I'll be back soon." With that, she left.

Ji Xinghuo turned to Chi Zhonglin, intending to spar with him.

"Next time, for sure," Chi Zhonglin hastily declined. "I have something to attend to as well, so I won't be back for dinner today."

Without waiting for a response, Chi Zhonglin scurried off, leaving no doubt as to where he was headed.

"Zhonglin's hobbies are a bit unsavory," Jiang Nan Caiyi remarked delicately.

However, Ji Xinghuo felt a twinge of envy.

This carefree and unfettered lifestyle was something most men yearned for, but he knew he couldn't indulge in such pleasures just yet.

Though he felt envious, his expression remained serious as he said, "Caiyi, how about we practice together?"

"Please instruct me, Xinghuo-kun," Jiang Nan Caiyi eagerly replied, unsheathing the wakizashi at her waist.

The sharp blade glinted coldly, and though it seemed devoid of power in her delicate grasp, Ji Xinghuo felt a sense of threat.

A Professional Seventh-Rank—a martial arts level that most people could only dream of attaining in their lifetime.

Ji Xinghuo drew his own wild goose-wing dagger, his eyes focused and intense.

The two faced each other.

Whether online or offline, martial arts sparring did not permit the use of abilities with additional effects, such as those that caused fire, mental attacks, or transformations. However, abilities that enhanced one's physical abilities or techniques, such as Flash Step, High-Frequency Thought Process, and Stellar Force, were allowed.

"Xinghuo-kun, I'm coming!" Jiang Nan Caiyi announced as she lunged forward, her wakizashi raised high above her head as she brought it down with tremendous force.

Clang! Ji Xinghuo blocked the strike, the metals of their blades clashing and sending sparks flying.

A powerful force transmitted through his wild goose-wing dagger, and despite his efforts to mitigate the recoil with his Thousand Spirit Quick Hands, he still stumbled backward two steps.

"What strength!" Ji Xinghuo exclaimed inwardly.

"And incredible speed, too..."

The Refiner was an exceptionally powerful profession template. Its core ability, 'Dark Matter Demon Body,' enhanced one's physical capabilities akin to the Rotating Magnetic Field, and it also sealed a dark matter demon within the body, granting access to the demon's powers and abilities.

And this was without even activating the 'Demonification' state.

Otherwise, Jiang Nan Caiyi's strength would be even more formidable, capable of cleaving him in two with a single strike.

Even so, Jiang Nan Caiyi seized upon the opening in his footwork, pressing her advantage and closing in. Her slender blade slid along his dagger, aiming for his head and hands.

Ji Xinghuo had no choice but to lift his dagger to block, his body lurching backward.

Jiang Nan Caiyi showed no mercy, relentlessly pressing her attack and seemingly abandoning all defense.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Ji Xinghuo retreated three steps in rapid succession, his Thousand Dexterity Hands working in overdrive as he swung his dagger left and right, blocking three strikes in quick succession. He barely maintained his balance, and despite spotting the gaping opening in her defense, he found himself unable to seize the opportunity to counter, instead falling into a desperate situation.

The tempestuous assault abruptly ceased, and Jiang Nan Caiyi sheathed her blade.

"You're amazing, Xinghuo-kun," she praised.

"Not many people can block my triple slash, but you managed to do it. Your martial arts level is definitely higher than Third-Rank; I'd say at least Fifth-Rank or above." She spoke with a serious expression.

However, Ji Xinghuo felt unworthy of her praise. "If you attack one more time, I'll lose," he admitted.

"We're just sparring, not competing. There's no winning or losing here," Jiang Nan Caiyi reassured him with a smile.

Ji Xinghuo nodded. "Again."

The sound of blades clashing filled the training hall, like the ringing of a blacksmith's hammer.

Ji Xinghuo gradually adapted to his current state.

He absorbed Jiang Nan Caiyi's martial arts experience like a sponge, gaining a deeper understanding of his Myriad Images Star Pupil, which he applied effortlessly in combat as if it were second nature. His martial arts prowess improved at a startling rate.

The two practiced with their blades until noon, and by then, Jiang Nan Caiyi could no longer easily suppress Ji Xinghuo.

She prepared a meal, and after eating and resting, they resumed their duel.

Throughout the entire day, spanning 25 hours, Ji Xinghuo and Jiang Nan Caiyi remained in the training hall, taking only three breaks for meals and continuing their relentless sparring in between.

This kind of intense practice was not only physically exhausting but also drained their starforce. The recovery process, however, also promoted the growth of their starforce, albeit at a slightly slower rate.

As night fell, marking the beginning of the starry night unique to this world, Jiang Nan Caiyi's wakizashi, a superpower-enhanced weapon, remained pristine and undamaged.

In contrast, Ji Xinghuo's wild goose-wing dagger was not so fortunate. It now sported a row of notches, resembling a saw, and finally, after one more collision, it snapped in two.

He looked at the broken dagger in his hand, a pang of regret washing over him.

"I bought this dagger for 18,000 Asian Yuan yesterday, and it broke after just one day," he lamented.

Jiang Nan Caiyi panted slightly, her body feeling the strain of the day's rigorous training. Ji Xinghuo's rapid improvement had made their duels increasingly challenging for her, both physically and mentally. The absurd pace of his progress weighed heavily on her mind.

"It's worth sacrificing a dagger to improve your martial arts level. You should be happy, Xinghuo-kun," she exhaled, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I think you're at Sixth-Rank now."

"Thank you, Caiyi," Ji Xinghuo said sincerely.

Jiang Nan Caiyi's eyes shone with a hint of shyness. "We're teammates. You're too polite, Xinghuo-kun."

Just then, Ren Mian, who had been absent for the entire day, returned. Trailing behind her was a tipsy Chi Zhonglin, clearly having been retrieved from some club or bar.

"Xinghuo, continue," Ren Mian said with a smile, tossing two pieces of equipment toward him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end