Chapter 108: The Human Martial Arts Elite Battle
After practicing the basic cultivation method for two hours, Li Yuan felt invigorated and completely refreshed.
"It's just a basic method, but it has been honed and refined by generations of martial artists from our human race," Li Yuan thought to himself. "After my skills fully reached the fourth stage and using auxiliary cultivation treasures like the Body-Cleansing Elixir and Source Energy Pill, combined with the basic cultivation method, my body is evolving at an astonishing rate, far surpassing most first-year students practicing advanced methods."
Advanced cultivation methods indeed help one improve faster, but everyone's talent varies, and the rate of progress often has limits. Undoubtedly, Li Yuan's physical talent was extremely high, complemented by substantial financial resources. Most importantly, Li Yuan could endure the excruciating pain of using the Body-Cleansing Elixir three times a month, leading to an incredibly rapid improvement in his physical attributes.
"However, achieving the goal that Uncle Wan mentioned, becoming a source martial artist within two years? That's tough!" Li Yuan thought, glancing at his Divine Palace interface.
____
Life Level: 10.8 (Stage One)
Fist Strength: 1710 kg
Speed: 24.5 m/s
Mental Strength: 17.9
Awakening Degree: 12.8% (current limit 20%)
Physical Cultivation Method: Rock Cultivation Method
Mental Cultivation Method: Observing the Great Sun Starry Sutra
Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Stage Four 42%), Movement Technique (Stage Four 31%), Fist Technique (Stage Four 44%)
____
"Since the proficiency test in April, when I became an entry-level martial artist, my improvement has been about 0.3 levels per month," Li Yuan thought. "But it's bound to slow down the further I go."
Becoming a source martial artist in two years? Nearly impossible!
"However, if Uncle Wan said so, he must have his reasons," Li Yuan pondered. "He is a source martial artist and part of the Starlight Martial Hall management. He graduated from Kunlun University, so he must know something."
Li Yuan could think of two possibilities:
First, as his skills improve, especially reaching the 'subtlety' stage, his body refinement efficiency might significantly increase, beyond his expectations.
Second, Kunlun University might have special training methods for S-level contract students that he is unaware of.
"Tomorrow is the official start of school. When I see Dean Li, I'll ask about the specifics," Li Yuan thought with anticipation.
...
At 3 AM, after finishing his cultivation of the Great Sun Starry Scripture, Li Yuan entered the virtual network cabin, preparing for a few ranked matches in the Starry Sky Combat Network.
Upon entering his personal space,
"Master, you received three transfers and two file explanations yesterday," said a black-clad girl respectfully, like a maid.
"Three transfers?" Li Yuan was slightly surprised, quickly checking: one transfer of 20,000, one of 500,000, and another of 10 million Blue Star Coins!
"Kunlun University's S-level contract cash reward?" Li Yuan thought, "Did they issue it directly upon my arrival?"
This was for an entire year. According to the contract, the signing bonus was 1 million Blue Star Coins, already given to Li Yuan. Subsequently, there would be an annual reward of 10 million, totaling 50 million Blue Star Coins over five years. Additionally, the contract stipulated that once Li Yuan became a source martial artist, all future cash rewards would be issued in one lump sum.
Becoming a source martial artist signified qualifying for 'graduation' and the ability to apply for early graduation.
"Compared to the Starlight Martial Hall's A-level contract, Kunlun University's cash rewards are indeed smaller," Li Yuan thought. The A-level contract with the Starlight Martial Hall would distribute a total of 43.2 million Blue Star Coins, 43.2 million Martial Hall points, and over 80 million cultivation points over six years. This was just for an A-level contract; an S-level contract would increase various rewards by at least four times.
Before becoming a source martial artist, such rewards were astronomical. However, Li Yuan clearly understood the differences between the two contracts. The Martial Hall's rewards were mainly cultivation resources, with minimal oversight on how to cultivate.
Exceptional individuals could see their contract level rise, while those who did not progress enough would blend into the crowd, with no reduction in their contract.
In contrast, martial arts universities provided a comprehensive training plan, offering guidance in all aspects, with many benefits not written into the contract. For example, downgrading in treatment meant losing many special resources not specified in the contract, like faculty, practical training partners, and rare treasures.
...
At 4 AM, Li Yuan began his intense training for the day.
At 8 AM, after consuming a Source Energy Pill, he ate three delivered nutrition meals.
That's right! Kunlun University's dining hall was very small, and hardly any students ate there. Every student could order food at any time, delivered to their residence or the teaching building, with up to 20 nutrition meals per day being completely free. The university employed a vast number of logistics personnel and auxiliary robots, ensuring every student could focus entirely on martial arts training.
...
At 9 AM, Li Yuan arrived at the Black Dragon Building, dedicated to the faculty and students of the Sixth Institute.
"Black Dragon."
Upon disembarking, Li Yuan saw the massive skeletal remains of a coiled dragon in front of the building. Even in its coiled state, its height matched the building. If stretched out, it would be over a hundred meters long, an awe-inspiring sight. The skeleton resembled that of a giant snake, and despite its age, its aura could still be felt up close, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Big Brother!" "Yuan Ge." Two voices called out from a distance; it was Gu Qianghan and An Nong.
"Good morning," Li Yuan turned, smiling at them.
"Admiring the Black Dragon's skeleton?" Gu Qianghan asked curiously.
"Yes," Li Yuan nodded, looking up at the massive skeleton. "I read the academy's introduction yesterday. Twenty years ago, near the Sea Ruins Astral Realm, this black dragon emerged from the depths, causing a massive tsunami that resulted in tens of thousands of casualties. It was eventually slain by our academy's Sea Dean, who fought it deep into the sea, thousands of meters below."
"Right," "We know that story," Gu Qianghan and An Nong chimed in. Sea Dean's renowned battle, where a flying powerhouse defeated the black dragon in the South Sea, had shaken the entire country. Most of their generation had heard about it, or even seen clips of the battle.
"Big Brother," "Senior Brother," more students greeted Li Yuan as they arrived. After yesterday's performance at the Xuanwu Building, all the first-year students of the Sixth Institute knew Li Yuan and greeted him warmly. Li Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.
"Big Brother, rest assured," An Nong said quietly, "I stayed up late last night, selected six people, and informed all the freshmen in batches. There won't be any issues," An Nong assured.
"Alright, thanks," Li Yuan appreciated An Nong's efforts, though he wondered about his martial skills.
...
The Sixth Institute's freshman orientation ceremony officially began at 10 AM. The much-anticipated Sea Dean did not attend, but two vice deans did. After various speeches, at 11 AM, when Vice Dean Li announced the election of the semester's 'Big Brother,' the hall erupted with cheers of "Li Yuan!" "Big Brother Li Yuan!"
This level of enthusiasm surprised even Li Yuan. "Am I really this popular?" he wondered.
Unbeknownst to him, last night, An Nong had quelled any potential doubts among the freshmen with a single argument: "Li Yuan doesn't need to be Big Brother; he is already a martial arts prodigy. We need Li Yuan! Only with him as Big Brother can we consistently win prizes. Anyone opposing him is against the collective interests of our 200 freshmen, our financial security, and is our sworn enemy."
With no objections, today's orientation saw unanimous support for Li Yuan as 'Big Brother,' concluding successfully and spectacularly.
...
In the afternoon, as light rain drizzled on the coiled dragon's massive skeleton, in the office on the ninth floor of the Black Dragon Building:
"You seem quite popular, arriving on the last day and still becoming Big Brother," Vice Dean Li remarked with a smile.
"Thank you for your praise," Li Yuan replied.
"It's fine, your performance at the Xuanwu Building speaks for itself," Vice Dean Li said, "If not you, no one else would have convinced everyone."
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
"That aside, your cultivation is what matters," Vice Dean Li continued, "Setting a new record in the entrance competition is impressive, but how do you feel?"
"I dare not boast," Li Yuan responded.
"Sit down, let's talk," Vice Dean Li said, his demeanor like a kind elder. Li Yuan sat down.
"You performed exceptionally well, surpassing both Yan Jing and Jin Huguo," Vice Dean Li said. "Yan Jing has been a 29th-level source martial artist for several years, not weaker than me."
Li Yuan listened intently.
"And Jin Huguo, our school's top talent, was the only one to make it to the top 100 in the 'virtual competition' of the Global University Martial Arts Tournament this February."
"The only one?" Li Yuan was surprised. "No seniors matched him?"
"Our seniors are comparable or even stronger, but only third-year students can participate in the Global University Martial Arts Tournament."
"The tournament has virtual and real battles," Vice Dean Li explained. "For the virtual battle, at least a fourth-grade skill is required. For the real battle, only source martial artists can participate."
"Jin Huguo isn't a source martial artist yet, so he only joined the virtual battle," Li Yuan realized. Reaching source martial artist level before the fourth year was indeed challenging.
"As for the fourth and fifth-year students," Vice Dean Li continued, "they participate in the Human Martial Arts Elite Battle, a real battle involving elite martial artists from all seven major star systems."
This was the highest honor all martial arts universities pursued.