Chapter 95: Subtle Connection

Chapter 95: Subtle Connection



"Master Wan, Coach Wu is an 18th-level Martial Artist, and for sparring practice, it's 30,000 Blue Star Coins per session." Li Yuan explained, "But you're an Origin Martial Artist... According to my research, the going rate for sparring with an Origin Martial Artist starts at 100,000 Blue Star Coins."

Watching Li Yuan's serious expression, Wan Qinghe couldn't help but feel amused.

He suspected that Li Yuan was pretending not to know, but it wasn't appropriate to point it out.

Indeed, the sparring rate for an Origin Martial Artist was exorbitantly high.

However, the reality was that there was no market for such a price.

Martial Artists or students around the 10th level could usually complete sparring tasks with 15th to 18th-level Martial Artists.

For Origin Martial Artists, the demand often came from 15th-level Martial Artists and above.

But Martial Artists of this caliber already possessed self-defense capabilities and could venture into certain Star Realms to engage in life-and-death battles with genuine Star Realm creatures.

Not only could they hone their skills, but they could also earn money.

Therefore, unless an Origin Martial Artist was willing to 'lower their price,' there was no market for them in sparring practice.

"Haha, don't worry, I'll give you a discount." Wan Qinghe laughed, "How about 10,000 Blue Star Coins?"

Li Yuan smiled.

10,000 Blue Star Coins? For Master Wan, it was practically giving it away for free.

Instantly, Li Yuan understood that Master Wan wanted to further deepen their relationship.

"Alright."

Li Yuan didn't refuse and smiled, "Then I'll trouble you, Master Wan."

After the guidance of his uncle, Li Changzhou, Li Yuan wasn't afraid of owing too many favors.

What is a relationship?

It's through mutual favors that true feelings are born, and those who are willing to help you will often continue to do so.

For Li Yuan at this moment, being able to forge a deeper connection with a prominent figure like Wan Qinghe was advantageous.

"Haha, you're not being modest at all." Wan Qinghe laughed.

He had confirmed that Li Yuan's earlier price estimation was just for show.

"I'm close with your teacher, Xu Bo, so don't call me Master Wan anymore." Wan Qinghe smiled, "If you're willing, just call me Uncle Wan."

Li Yuan hesitated for a moment.

"What? Don't want to?" Wan Qinghe asked with a smile, "If not, then forget it."

"Of course I do." Li Yuan became solemn and respectfully performed a bow, "Li Yuan greets Uncle Wan."

Wan Qinghe nodded, his evaluation of Li Yuan increasing in his heart.

Understanding boundaries, knowing the value of favors, prioritizing family, possessing high talent, and diligently cultivating... Indeed, he was a rough gem.

"Alright."

"Since you're calling me Uncle Wan, I'll fulfill my duties as an uncle."

"Don't worry about other things, but don't be careless in Martial Arts cultivation." Wan Qinghe became serious and said solemnly, "Put on your protective gear, and let me see your gun technique."

"Don't worry about hurting me."

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded. His opponent was an Origin Martial Artist, and his strength was terrifying.

Even if he stood still and let Li Yuan attack, he probably wouldn't be able to break through his defense.

Soon, the two of them began a genuine sparring match.

"Huff!" Li Yuan held his spear and unleashed a phantom strike, instantly creating over twenty spear shadows that rushed forward in a fierce attack.

"Boom!"

Wan Qinghe held a long staff, blocking Li Yuan's fierce spear attack with his staff's rapid and precise movements.

"Vroom~" Terrifying power surged like ocean waves, vibrating through the spear shaft and numbing Li Yuan's arm.

This was a very peculiar way of exerting force.

After just one exchange, Li Yuan understood that Master Wan's technique was superior to his own.

"Oh? You're not holding back?" Master Wan's eyes flickered with surprise, "Your gun technique?"

Master Wan could sense that Li Yuan's power burst was indeed around the 10th level.

But his gun technique was higher than he had estimated.

"Again!" Master Wan commanded, "Keep attacking me, and remember to feel the force within my staff."

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded and burst into action once more.

"Boom!"

"Puff~" "Swish~" Li Yuan's gun technique transformed, becoming even more enigmatic. Each strike was different; some were swift, some were powerful blows, and some were fierce and piercing. Overall, they resembled a tide of attacks surging towards Wan Qinghe.

These moves, though seemingly different, all originated from the 'Starfall Cascade' technique.

The Five Stars Technique wasn't just a simple set of five moves.

In reality, each style contained numerous responses to an opponent's gun technique.

Starfall Cascade was the style within the Five Stars Technique that excelled in continuous and relentless attacks.

"Clang!" "Clang!" Wan Qinghe, with his staff, effortlessly blocked Li Yuan's attacks.

Each time Li Yuan gathered his strength to unleash a strike, he would suddenly face a counterattack from Wan Qinghe.

The enigmatic force within the staff vibrated, shattering Li Yuan's spear technique.

It was very uncomfortable.

"This force..." Li Yuan concentrated, his mind penetrating the spear, trying to decipher the force transmitted through Wan Qinghe's staff.

It was incredibly complex!

It was like facing a tangled mess, with no idea where to start.

"To instantly neutralize all the force is impossible. This is an extremely sophisticated way of channeling force." Li Yuan immediately realized, "What I can do is gradually neutralize a portion of the force, and by doing so, neutralize more and more, until I can eventually counter it completely."

Li Yuan swiftly changed his strategy, and his gun technique began to evolve.

"Hmm?"

Wan Qinghe's cultivation was far superior to Li Yuan's, and he instantly noticed the change, feeling surprised, "So quickly, you've found the right approach?"

"Is there such a genius who is born with innate knowledge?"

...

In Room 7024 of the Martial Hall, the two of them engaged in an intense battle for a full hour, and in the end, it was Li Yuan who reached his limit first.

He surrendered and lowered his spear.

"Uncle Wan, my body has reached its limit." Li Yuan smiled bitterly.

Sparring with Master Wan for an hour was more exhausting than Li Yuan's usual day of cultivation.

"Have you felt it?" Wan Qinghe smiled.

Li Yuan nodded.

"Tell me." Wan Qinghe said.

"In terms of power and speed, your burst is very weak, probably even weaker than mine." Li Yuan spoke solemnly, "But in every clash, the momentary force eruption, whether it's binding force, shocking force, or unloading force, is far beyond my capabilities."

As a 'Gun Technique Master' with a 4th-level 25% proficiency in gun technique, Li Yuan's understanding of the art was already quite high.

"Not bad," Wan Qinghe smiled. "This is exactly what I'm going to teach you today."

Li Yuan' listened intently.

"In terms of physical condition, you've reached the threshold of a basic-level martial artist," Wan Qinghe explained. "Next, you'll gradually work towards becoming an Origin Martial Artist."

"Do you know the three major challenges of becoming an Origin Martial Artist?" Wan Qinghe asked.

"I do," Li Yuan replied solemnly. "Mental strength, skills, and physical condition."

Mental strength at level 20, skills at the fourth stage of unity, and physical condition at 19.9 levels.

These were the three fundamental requirements to become an Origin Martial Artist.

It wasn't a secret, and Li Yuan was well aware of this.

"Indeed," Wan Qinghe turned to Li Yuan. "For most basic-level martial artists, mental strength and skills are the most challenging. That's why they take spiritual enhancement potions and elixirs. Skills are also extremely difficult to improve, and the transition from the third to the fourth stage is a significant hurdle."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

Indeed, skills were quite challenging. He had been stuck at the fourth stage for several days now.

As for mental strength? Despite cultivating the Great Sunstar Scripture for so long, he still hadn't reached level 20 yet.

"On the contrary, physical condition is relatively easier to improve for ordinary martial artists. But for you, it's the opposite." Wan Qinghe continued, "Your most challenging aspect to improve is your physical condition."

"Your body is the most difficult to enhance."

Li Yuan didn't disagree; without high-level cultivation methods, improving physical condition was indeed much harder.

"You've used precious treasures like Purifying Essence Serum, which have tremendous short-term effects," Wan Qinghe said. "But once your physical condition reaches level 15, it will become increasingly difficult."

"Level 15?" Li Yuan pondered.

"At level 15, a martial artist's body becomes extremely powerful," Wan Qinghe emphasized. "A level 15 martial artist can deliver a punch with over 10,000 kilograms of force."

"And a level 19 martial artist? Their punch can exceed 50,000 kilograms of force."

"The difference in strength between each level is astonishing."

"In history, the first generation of martial artists spared no expense, using all sorts of treasures, coupled with their exceptional talent, to gradually achieve the level of an Origin Martial Artist." Wan Qinghe explained. "But you don't have such external conditions."

Li Yuan listened silently.

Indeed!

Although the Martial Academy and Kunlun Martial University seemed to value him, they wouldn't offer such unbelievable treasures at this point.

The risk was too great.

"Of course, if you cultivate diligently, I estimate that by the time you're 22 years old, you could become an Origin Martial Artist." Wan Qinghe said. "At 22 years old, becoming an Origin Martial Artist in four years is quite fast for most people."

"But compared to your skills and mental strength, it's too slow." Wan Qinghe shook his head. "You want to create techniques, but it's a waste of your golden cultivation time."

Li Yuan was speechless.

So, according to Wan Qinghe's estimation, in four years, by the time he was a senior, he could become an Origin Martial Artist.

"Uncle Wan, what should I do?" Li Yuan asked, voicing the question Wan Qinghe wanted him to ask.

"One is to have heavenly resources, but that's unrealistic, so let's not discuss it."

"Two is skills." Wan Qinghe emphasized. "This is what I want to talk about today. If you can quickly reach the level of 'Mindful Insight' in your skills..."

"Then your body's evolution speed will increase significantly."

"Mindful Insight?" Li Yuan was taken aback, unfamiliar with these terms.

"The fourth stage of skills is divided into two sub-levels." Wan Qinghe smiled. "The first level is Unity."

"Ordinary martial artists refer to 'Unity' as merely the initial mobilization of their body's power, achieving a basic unity of muscle and bone strength."

"But upon entering the fourth stage, your mind further perceives your body, allowing you to tap into its deeper potential, unleashing greater power and speed."

Li Yuan nodded slightly. In his practical assessment, he could compete with a level 9 Moon Beast Wolf King at level 12.

"In theory, if you can fully unlock your body's potential, a level 10 martial artist can easily contend with many level 15 or even level 16 martial artists."

Li Yuan was impressed by the power of advanced skills.

"However, when your perception of your body's strength reaches a certain level, it often becomes difficult to further enhance it."

"Different people have different limits, and this is why many Origin Martial Artists get stuck at the initial fourth stage. To break through, you must delve deeper into your body with your mind, allowing your mental power to touch every muscle, every bone, and even the flow of every drop of blood."

"Throughout your body, any injury, no matter how minor, even in the tiniest capillaries, can be clearly perceived with your mind."

"At that time, not only can you unleash the ultimate power of your body, but you can also easily detect and repair minor injuries, keeping your body at its peak, and your lifespan will extend beyond 200 years."

"This is the essence of the fourth stage of skills, Mindful Insight!"

"Also known as the Realm of Insight!"

"It's also one of the prerequisites for breaking through to become a level 25 Origin Martial Artist." Wan Qinghe's eyes shone with a hint of longing.

Li Yuan stared in amazement.

The fourth stage of skills, complete? A lifespan of over 200 years?

This was the power of a level 25 Origin Martial Artist!

"Imagine if your skills can reach the level of 'Insight,'" Wan Qinghe smiled. "If you can maximize your body's potential, how fast could your body evolve? With sufficient resources, you could probably reach level 19.9 in a year or two."

Li Yuan's heart was instantly filled with a goal: Insight! Complete the fourth stage of skills!

"Uncle Wan, have you achieved Insight in your skills?" Li Yuan suddenly asked.

"I..."

Wan Qinghe's voice abruptly stopped, and he awkwardly changed the subject. "By the way, today, apart from the practical training, there's something else I want to discuss with you."

"Please, Uncle Wan, go ahead." Li Yuan perceived everything but respected this newly acknowledged 'uncle,' not revealing his thoughts.

He was already a mature nephew, learning to consider his uncle's feelings.

"Song Yi, the vice-head of the Starlight Guanshan Branch, do you still remember her?" Wan Qinghe asked.

"I do," Li Yuan nodded, recalling her.

She had only offered him a D-class contract.

Uncle Wan was much better; he directly gave him a B-class contract.

"She's offering 1 million blue star coins for you to do an interview on TV," Wan Qinghe smiled. "Talking about your journey from childhood to adulthood, how you aspired to join the Starfire Martial Academy, and finally, through hard work, successfully signed with the Starfire Martial Academy. It's an inspiring growth story."

"What do you think? Are you interested?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end