Chapter 392: The Path of Enlightenment
Chapter 392: The Path of Enlightenment
Three days later, on August 18th, the Ten Institute Disaster Beast Hunting Competition concluded.
The next day, the Azure Firmament Martial Academy Freshman Competition ended as well.
In Azure Firmament’s Six Colleges, Villa 01, the sound of bubbling broth filled the living room as Lin Qi, Jiang Tao, and Jiang Miaoyin sat around a hotpot, enjoying their meal.
Jiang Tao lifted a slice of tender beef from the Bronze Wild Ox, its surface glistening after a quick dip in the simmering broth. He placed it onto Jiang Miaoyin’s plate with a smile.
“A Miao, you did exceptionally well this time—making it to the semifinals,” he said.
“Remember, these competitors are all top ten graduates from the National College Entrance Exam.”
Jiang Miaoyin chewed thoughtfully, her expression tinged with frustration.
“I was so close to winning,” she murmured. “Just a little more, and I’d have reached the finals!”
Lin Qi chuckled, helping himself to a slice of meat.
“In a few months, the national freshman competition begins. Your goal is the semifinals again,” he said. “I believe you have the strength to finish in the top three.”
Jiang Miaoyin nodded, her eyes brightening. “My Innate Talent feels stronger than ever. Give me a few more months, and I’ll even dare to challenge for the championship!” She paused, her tone softening. “It’s a shame, though… Brother Lin Qi, you’re leaving for the Otherworld Elite Training Camp soon. It’ll be harder to meet up afterward.”
Lin Qi smiled reassuringly. “Believe in your own Innate Talent. The treasures you’ve consumed are no ordinary items. Sooner or later, you’ll awaken.”
His words were not mere flattery. He could already sense the subtle shifts in Jiang Tao and Jiang Miaoyin’s bodies—a power stirring from deep within their bloodlines, reminiscent of Special Abilities. In the future, this sibling pair might truly unlock their potential.
---
After the meal, Lin Qi’s phone buzzed in the Martial Arts Training Hall.
Two messages from Wan Ming popped up, both screenshots from the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition point rankings.
【Freshman Ten Institute Points Leaderboard】
【1st: Wang Hailong, Points: 498,000】
【Second-Year Ten Institute Points Leaderboard】
【1st: Chu Yu, Points: 1,000,000】
Wan Ming’s message followed:
【Brother Qi, feeling the pressure yet? Wang Hailong is the only Sss-Rank Genius among this year’s freshmen. At 17, he skipped ahead to join Azure Firmament. He’s already broken through to the Fifth Realm—his strength rivals yours.】
Lin Qi’s heart tightened.
A 17-year-old Sss-Rank Genius at the Fifth Realm? Another Chu Yu clone!
He couldn’t help but recall his own 17-year-old self in August—working part-time jobs, scraping together 3,000 yuan a month. His Vital Energy Stat hadn’t even cracked 5, and his Tiger Form Fist was still incomplete. Back then, he’d been agonizing over class rankings.
This opponent, however, had already awakened and mastered the Fifth Realm. Their point totals were nearly neck-and-neck.
And Chu Yu… 1,000,000 points—exactly double his own. It was hard not to suspect arrogance.
【Wan Ming: Ready to feel pressured? We’ll all head to the training camp soon. These two will be your rivals.】
【Lin Qi: Thanks for the heads-up!】
Lin Qi exhaled sharply. As Wan Ming said, his future opponents weren’t just strong—they were terrifying.
Still, he had to accelerate his own growth. The thought of a younger, more gifted genius looming over him was bitter.
Especially Chu Yu, who was likely already at the Sixth Realm. With nearly three years until graduation, he might even reach the Seventh Realm before then.
Lin Qi had a long road ahead.
---
By August 20th, the Azure Firmament Martial Academy launched a sweeping purge of the Vermin God Cult. Dozens of members were exposed—teachers, students, and staff alike—all dealt with severely.
Daily announcements on the academy’s homepage served as grim warnings: joining the cult meant inevitable consequences.
In the Crimson Vault Building’s grand conference hall, over a hundred high-level martial artists gathered. Waves of oppressive energy filled the room.
Deputy Principal Xu Wenji presided, his expression grave.
“This meeting marks the success of our cleansing operation,” he announced. “Over five days, we confirmed 6 teachers, 68 students, and 358 staff members were involved.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The numbers exceeded expectations.
Many might have taken the cult’s elixirs without direct malice, but joining the Vermin God Cult was a death sentence. Once corrupted, they’d wreak havoc within the academy.
“From now on, we’ll conduct annual purges,” Xu Wenji declared. “Secondly, in three days, all Ten Institute students will depart for the Otherworld Elite Training Camp.”
Names scrolled across the list: Wu Yueze from the First Institute, Xue Zhou and Deputy Dean Liu Jing from the Sixth Institute…
The latter revelation drew gasps.
“Dean Liu? What’s going on?” someone whispered.
Liu Jing grinned. “Gotta check things out.”
Xue Zhou chuckled knowingly. He knew Dean Liu was tagging along for Lin Qi’s sake. Both men were determined to nurture this unprecedented genius.
Later, walking back to the Six Colleges, Liu Jing gazed at the starry sky and sighed.
“Old Xue… do you really think Lin Qi has the potential of an Sss-Rank Genius?”
Xue Zhou smirked. “You’re doubting now? You’ve watched his growth firsthand. An Sss-Rank isn’t that impressive—back in my day, I was this close to becoming one!”
Liu Jing laughed, his confidence restored. “Right. Just an Sss-Rank!”
---
The next morning, in the Azure Whale Mansion atop the Six Colleges, Mu Hong’s private training hall buzzed with conversation.
“Little junior brother, congrats on setting another record in the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition!” Liang Tai, Wang Zhi Xuan, and Li Qing surrounded Lin Qi. “Heard you were ambushed by a mob? What happened?”
Mu Hong’s voice cut through the chatter.
“Listen up. The Otherworld Elite Training Camp is ready. I leave for Otherworld tomorrow.” His tone softened. “This will be my last lesson in person. After this, I’ll only communicate via video.”
Wang Zhi Xuan stepped forward. “Teacher, I’ve finally broken through the Fourth Circle in my Spear Techniques and grasped an insight. I’d appreciate your guidance.”
She finished speaking and, along with Mu Hong, Li Qing, and even Liang Tai, turned her gaze toward Lin Qi.
"Little junior apprentice", she asked, "what about you?"
Lin Qi smiled and replied, "As it happens, my Spear Techniques have also reached the Fourth Circle!"
Li Qing shook his head, muttering, "I knew it!"
Wang Zhi Xuan simply shook her head, already expecting this result.
Her little junior apprentice had already broken through to the Fifth Realm long ago. Reaching the Fourth Circle of Spear Techniques was only a matter of time.
Dressed in black, Mu Hong nodded approvingly and said, "Perfect. Today, I’ll also explain the cultivation of Fourth Circle Spear Techniques and the path you’ll walk in the future."
He reached into a nearby spear case and withdrew a gleaming white long spear. With a flick of the blade, an intangible force radiated from his body.
Lin Qi felt it most acutely—it was the power of intent.
Mu Hong began, "All things carry intent. It’s intangible, formless, yet undeniably real. When your martial spirit techniques can command every muscle in your body to perfect every movement, the next step is to fuse with intent. This is the union of spirit and nature, a force that elevates martial artists to new heights."
"When intent merges with technique, it’s like arming a person with a razor-sharp weapon, boosting their combat power immeasurably. Intent enhances techniques in every way—destruction power, speed, defense. It even sharpens your spirit’s perception, helping you evade attacks more effectively."
As Mu Hong spoke, his aura surged, layers of blood-red energy swirling into his white spear.
Liang Tai and the others felt an oppressive wave—as if blood-colored spears had pierced their very flesh, leaving them gasping for breath.
Lin Qi’s heart pounded. The sensation had felt terrifyingly real. If this happened mid-battle, even a slight delay in reaction could mean death.
Mu Hong nodded and continued, "What I just displayed is one of my core concepts: the Blood Shadow Concept. Another critical function of intent is its ability to influence consciousness—not just humans, but even disaster beasts. In battle, a single second can mean the difference between hundreds of piercing strikes."
The four nodded. Intent was undeniably a force worth mastering.
Mu Hong sheathed his spear and tapped his smartwatch, projecting a green holographic screen.
"Spear Techniques progress through four levels: Foundation (Stage 1), Mastery (Stage 2), Perfection (Stage 3), and Concept (Fourth Circle). Cultivating intent means fusing your spirit and will into your techniques, elevating your control of vital energy to unprecedented heights. With intent, your vital energy can unleash far greater power. The Fourth Circle is divided into four phases: Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Perfection!"
Lin Qi’s eyes lit up. Information on intent cultivation was scarce online, riddled with half-truths. Hearing it directly from an Eighth Stage martial artist was invaluable.
The others listened intently too. For Liang Tai, even a refresher brought new insights.
Mu Hong twirled his spear, producing a resonant hum. "At the Initial stage of the Fourth Circle, you can barely begin to weave emotion and will into your techniques. In battle, you might glimpse intent’s power sporadically—but it’s unstable, draining your spirit heavily."
Lin Qi nodded inwardly. That meant using it only in critical moments, like amplifying a killing move’s speed and destruction. But afterward, his mind would be exhausted, unable to replicate it again.
Mu Hong continued, "By the Intermediate stage, through relentless practice, you stabilize intent within your techniques. The tangible aspect of your intent solidifies, expanding its range and intensity. Every move in battle carries intent. The pinnacle—Perfection—is the ultimate mastery. You transcend into something akin to a supernatural ability, where intent’s range and power peak. This stage is called Intent Embodiment."
As he spoke, the Blood Shadow Concept enveloped the entire martial arts hall. The four felt their lives hanging by a thread, their faces paling. This intent was far deadlier than before—though it vanished after a second.
"This", Mu Hong said, "is the chasm between Initial and Perfection. Beyond intent lies the Domain—a realm only Eighth Stage martial artists can enter."
He turned to the four, "For you, intent will be your companion for a long time."
Liang Tai sighed, "I’m striving for the Intermediate stage, but it’s proving tough. Each step forward is a struggle. I’m nearing the Sixth Realm, but I might need to reach its midpoint before breaking through to Intermediate. Then, perhaps by the Seventh Realm, I’ll reach Advanced—and stay there for life. Maybe I’ll never grasp the Domain."
Wang Zhi Xuan exclaimed, "Fourth Circle Spear Techniques span three realms—Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh?"
Mu Hong nodded. "Intent ties to a martial artist’s innate talent, spirit, and will. Its difficulty escalates endlessly. Unlike vital energy cultivation, which can be bought with resources, intent requires relentless practice. Of course, the stronger your spiritual power, the easier it is to grasp intent."
Li Qing added, "Spiritual power grows increasingly vital. At the Fifth Realm’s Organ Cultivation stage, you need spiritual power to guide vital energy through your organs. Now, even Fourth Circle intent cultivation requires spiritual power integration. Boosting spiritual power is critical."
He shook his head, "But improving spiritual power is incredibly hard. Resources are astronomically expensive—a single spiritual power elixir costs ten million credits. And that’s the cheapest."
Wang Zhi Xuan and the others nodded. As A-rank geniuses, their families had modest wealth. At the Fourth Realm, it was manageable, but the Fifth Realm’s costs were crushing—tens of millions monthly.
Only Lin Qi remained silent, deep in thought. He was wealthy, yes, but his spiritual power growth had slowed recently. He’d need to invest in more elixirs and resources.
Mu Hong continued, "Now, let’s discuss selecting new Spear Techniques manuals!"
(End of Chapter)
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