Chapter 39: Starlight Spear Technique
Chapter 39: Starlight Spear Technique
"A B-Class Contract?"
Song Yi sat on the sofa, muttering to herself, "Only the Branch Master of a Tier 5 Branch Hall has the qualification to sign a B-Class Contract, and there are only two slots available each year."
"If you want more slots, you'll have to apply to the Jiangcheng Branch Hall or even the Jiangbei Branch Hall."
Whether it's the Starfire Combat Palace or the Stellar Combat Palace, the rankings of the branch halls are generally equivalent.
The Guanshan Branch Hall is a Tier 5 Branch Hall and also the most basic level.
The Jiangcheng Branch Hall is a Tier 4 Branch Hall.
The Jiangbei Branch Hall is a Tier 3 Branch Hall.
Moving up, there's the Xia Nation Headquarters as a Tier 2 Branch Hall and the Bluestar Headquarters as a Tier 1 Branch Hall.
"Wan Qinghe?"
"The rumors are true, he's a gambling addict." Song Yi whispered to herself, "He's giving me a hard time right from the start."
"We'll see about that."
"A young man with decent spiritual energy, but his martial spirit hasn't even awakened. He's barely worthy of a C-Class Contract, yet you gave him a B-Class. I can't wait to see you make a fool of yourself."
Being an Origin Warrior and the deputy branch master, Song Yi wasn't truly concerned about missing out on contracting one martial arts genius.
But this matter made her feel embarrassed.
...
At around ten in the evening, the Wan Hua Platinum Mansion, Li family, a time when Li Qian Xi and Li Mu Hua would usually be getting ready for bed.
But tonight was different.
The living room lights were on, and the family was gathered together.
"Qian Xi, Mu Hua," Li Yuan sat on the sofa, his intelligent wristband's holographic display glowing as his fingertips moved across it, filling out the information.
Li Qian Xi and Li Mu Hua stood excitedly beside Li Yuan, their eyes glued to the screen.
Suddenly, a notification popped up on the display— 'Family Card Verification'.
"Great!" Li Yuan smiled, "Your family cards are ready. Tomorrow, you can just use facial recognition to enter the family area in the Starfire Combat Palace."
"Wow! The Combat Palace! I only got to visit it during the last school trip, and it's huge!"
"Training there must be so much better than in our neighborhood."
"Brother, is everything really free?" Li Qian Xi and Li Mu Hua were both incredibly excited, eagerly asking Li Yuan about the benefits.
Sitting on a small stool, Chen Hui watched this scene with a warm smile.
"Not everything is free, of course."
"But fruits, drinks, and such are complimentary. The basic vitality potions, the public training rooms, and the weekly public martial arts classes... These are all free. There are some services that require payment, like the nutritional meals, but your family cards are linked to my account. If you want to buy something small, just swipe your card." Li Yuan explained, "From now on, you can have dinner at the Combat Palace every night and then practice in the public training rooms."
Junior high students don't have evening self-study sessions.
"At nine o'clock, come to the Combat Palace entrance, and we'll take the car home together." Li Yuan looked at his younger siblings.
As an L3-level member, the Combat Palace would provide a free 'independent electric train' for their use within Jiangcheng.
"Wow!"
"My classmate was boasting about getting a W2-level membership card for the Combat Palace." Li Mu Hua's eyes lit up, "Brother, I read that the family card privileges are even higher than the W3-level membership card."
"And there's physical therapy!" Li Qian Xi also exclaimed, "Every time I finish training, my whole body aches terribly..."
The siblings chatted excitedly.
Li Yuan looked at them with joy in his heart.
Ever since junior high, he had dedicated himself fully to martial arts.
All for this moment, to improve the lives of his family... In Li Yuan's heart, he always felt like he was taking away resources and love from his siblings. Making up for this was Li Yuan's greatest desire.
"Alright, the cards are ready." Chen Hui's smile faded, and she spoke seriously, "Your brother worked hard to get this early contract."
"I don't expect you to be as outstanding as your brother, but you must understand that you're in the Combat Palace now."
"I know, Mom." Li Qian Xi replied with a smile.
"Mom, I'll follow in my brother's footsteps and strive to get an early contract with the Combat Palace too." Li Mu Hua's face was filled with determination, "Then, I'll buy you a big house."
"Okay, okay. I'll wait for you to take care of me in the future. Now, go take a shower." Chen Hui urged them towards the bathroom.
A few minutes later, Chen Hui returned to the living room.
"I just transferred one million Bluestar Coins to you, Mom." Li Yuan said softly.
"I told you, once I become a warrior, I'll have countless ways to spend money." Chen Hui sighed, feeling helpless.
"Mom."
"This money is for Qian Xi and Mu Hua." Li Yuan spoke solemnly, "Mu Hua has awakened his martial spirit. If he follows the proper path, getting into a martial arts university won't be difficult."
"But Qian Xi... She hasn't awakened her martial spirit. We must ensure a steady supply of basic vitality potions, or else her martial arts training will lag."
"Qian Xi's martial arts talent is indeed not high, but that's exactly why we must nurture her. The college entrance examination includes a 30% martial arts score, even if she focuses on academics." Li Yuan spoke earnestly.
"As for me?"
"The money I have left is enough for now."
"After the Yuanzhou examination, there will be scholarships." Li Yuan continued, "Once we get into university, the nation will also provide various rewards."
After some persuasion, Chen Hui finally agreed to accept the money.
...
Late at night, back in his own room.
"I gave Mom one million Bluestar Coins."
"I have 1.33 million left in cash." Li Yuan's gaze swept over his account balance.
The next cash deposit from the Combat Palace would be '1.2 million Bluestar Coins', arriving in October of the following year.
One could say.
"In martial arts cultivation, money is never enough. If you want to make excuses for not spending, there will always be reasons."
"Li Yuan's eyes gleamed with determination as he said, "But younger brother, these next few years are also the most crucial."
"Are we lacking resources?"
"We'll find a way."
"There are only three months left until the Lunar Month Exam. I'll give it my all and break into the top five." Li Yuan hadn't forgotten Teacher Xu Bo's promise.
Breaking into the top ten of the senior year would bring a reward of 100,000 Bluestar Coins.
The top five would grant a special scholarship worth 500,000 Bluestar Coins.
"First, let's learn the Starlight Spear Technique." Li Yuan sat in the virtual network pod and connected his consciousness.
He entered a personal flight vehicle, 200 meters long and wide, and over 50 meters high.
"I'm learning the Stellar Gun Technique for the first time." Li Yuan spoke with determination.
Instantly, a large amount of light condensed, eventually forming a tall, burly figure in black combat attire. He held a long spear, his gaze sharp and piercing.
He stared directly at Li Yuan.
The intangible aura he exuded instinctively made Li Yuan's heart tighten, but only for a fleeting moment.
"Is this virtual teaching?" Li Yuan asked, looking at the black-robed figure.
"The Stellar Gun Technique is a Second Rank Gun Technique, an advancement from the First Rank Gun Technique, the Stone Pillar Gun Technique."
"The Stone Pillar Gun Technique originates from the Stone Pillar Cultivation Method, emphasizing stability and immovability." The black-robed figure explained, "It focuses on defensive attacks and neutralizing enemy forces without a trace..."
"Whoosh!"
As the black-robed figure spoke, he began to wield the long spear, demonstrating various moves—withdrawing the spear, thrusting, slashing, whipping, blocking, and more. The seemingly simple moves were all too familiar to Li Yuan.
It was the Stone Pillar Gun Technique that he had practiced countless times, and within it, he saw the shadows of the ultimate moves he had mastered.
Stone Pillar, Rocky Abyss, Mountainous Universe... one move seamlessly transitioned into the next.
They appeared ordinary, but in the hands of the black-robed figure, they held a transformative charm.
"This!"
"This! This!" Li Yuan exclaimed, his eyes wide. "I've been practicing the gun technique for several years, first mastering the basic forms, then advancing to the Stone Pillar Gun Technique, eventually breaking through the Third Tier and mastering several ultimate moves."
"But how can my moves be so fluid and flawless?" Li Yuan was in awe.
It was incredibly powerful!
The same moves in different hands yielded vastly different results. The black-robed figure was far superior to Li Yuan.
"Fourth Level."
"The moves this black-robed figure is demonstrating are undoubtedly Fourth Level techniques, truly integrating the body's power into one. He is the spear, and the spear is him." Li Yuan had a realization: "This is the realm of a master of the gun technique."
"The Stone Pillar Fist Technique has eighteen forms."
"The Stone Pillar Gun Technique also has eighteen sets of moves." The black-robed figure's movements became faster, but his voice remained powerful: "However, as you continuously practice, try to gradually simplify the eighteen sets of moves."
"Ultimately, you'll form the five ultimate moves."
"Stone Pillar, Rocky Abyss, Mountainous Universe, Rock Cloud Verdure, Stone Firmament." The black-robed figure recited.
The first three ultimate moves he mentioned were the same ones Li Yuan had independently realized.
"What I've realized matches the foundational teachings of the Stellar Gun Technique?" Li Yuan was thrilled.
This proved that his gun technique training had been on the right track all along.
Of course, Li Yuan understood that these ultimate moves weren't entirely his own realizations; in a sense, they were the result of Teacher Xu Bo's repeated guidance, preventing him from straying off course.
"Once you master the five ultimate moves, your gun technique should reach the Third Tier, indicating the completion of the foundational training of the Stellar Gun Technique." The black-robed figure explained: "At that time, you'll be able to cultivate the Stellar Five Forms."
"Mastering any one of these forms will signify your entry into the Fourth Level of the gun technique."
"If you comprehend all five forms and even grasp the essence of the Stellar realm..."
"Your skill will be nearly divine, placing you among the top experts in the entire Star Realm."
"Next, follow me in practicing the five ultimate moves of the Stone Pillar Gun Technique."
As the black-robed figure continued to demonstrate the moves, Li Yuan also materialized a long spear and followed along.
The black-robed figure meticulously broke down and practiced each move of the Stone Pillar Gun Technique.
By observing Li Yuan's skill level, he guided him in his cultivation, helping him understand the flow of power within the transitions of the gun technique.
Clearly, the black-robed figure was an intelligent system.
As Li Yuan's cultivation deepened, he could feel the power of this Second Rank Secret Art.
Its efficiency far surpassed what he could achieve on his own.
"100,000 cultivation points are worth it!" Li Yuan's heart raced with excitement.
He had not only purchased a Secret Art but also gained a personal intelligent system for guidance.
"Virtual training is just consciousness learning. To truly master it in reality, I'll need to practice extensively in the real world as well." Li Yuan was well aware of this.
Only with mental and physical dedication could one truly learn.
...
After an hour of learning the Stellar Gun Technique, Li Yuan began practicing the Dragonwalk Body Technique in the virtual space.
This was also an extremely exquisite body technique.
It was past four in the morning when Li Yuan finally exited the virtual network and went to the window, where all was quiet.
"Virtual cultivation is just an aid."
"The real world is still the most important. I'll cultivate the Great Sunstar Sutra for two hours before heading to school." Li Yuan sat in a meditation posture, his consciousness entering the Heart Palace.
It was after four in the morning when Li Yuan left home and ran towards school.
It had been a long time since he had gone to school so late.
...
Senior year studies were tedious, but Li Yuan found joy in them as he shuttled between school, home, and the Martial Palace.
He could feel his strength growing day by day.
Before he knew it, two months had passed.
(End of Chapter)
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