Chapter 110: Pillar of the Spirit
"Martial arts skills reaching the fourth grade."
"Whether it's the spear or the blade, these weapons are merely external. The most fundamental aspect lies within the heart," Li Yang lectured. "When practicing with any weapon, it must resonate with your inner self."
"The spear embodies the spirit of forging ahead, unpredictable and versatile. To unleash its full potential, our minds must align with it."
"Although the 'Starry Spear Technique' seems defensive, its essence lies in the explosive attacks hidden within its defensive maneuvers," Li Yang explained in great detail.
Time passed by minute by minute.
In fact, this wasn't Li Yang's first time explaining the 'Starry Spear Technique.'
But because of Li Yuan, he specifically chose to explain the 'Starry Spear Technique' from the beginning today.
From the concept of the spear technique to the breakdown of each move, and even the ultimate state of integrating all five moves.
Every student listened attentively.
Not everyone practiced with a spear, but they all trained with long weapons, which had commonalities.
"The 'Starry Spear Technique' is like this," Li Yuan was fascinated and engrossed.
Although the manuals he had obtained included guidance from intelligent tutors, the tutors' abilities were limited.
Li Yang's explanations were much clearer.
Half an hour later, each student took turns to spar with Li Yang.
Finally, after nearly two hours, the class ended.
"Go back and reflect on this thoroughly."
"Next week, at this time, I will be teaching staff techniques," Li Yang said. "Class dismissed."
"Li Yuan, stay and interact more with your senior brothers and sisters. Come to my office in half an hour," Li Yang instructed before leaving the training room.
"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.
As Li Yang left the classroom, the other senior brothers and sisters quickly turned their attention to Li Yuan.
"Li Yuan junior brother, where are you from? How did you train to be this formidable?"
"Li Yuan junior brother, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Come, junior brother, add me on WeChat," one senior sister said directly. They were all very enthusiastic, making Li Yuan feel a bit overwhelmed as he responded to each of them.
"Li Yuan, my name is Yan He. Welcome," said the only source warrior among them, a tall and thin young man with a gentle smile.
Instantly, the others fell silent, indicating Yan He's high prestige.
"Yan senior brother," Li Yuan nodded.
"Li Yuan, Yan senior brother is the strongest among us. Not only has he become a source warrior, but his spear technique has also reached the 'subtle' stage, ranking him in the top ten of the entire school," introduced a senior sister named Shi Xiao.
"Source warrior? Subtle technique?" Li Yuan was astonished.
Even Uncle Wan hadn't reached the 'subtle' stage.
As he suspected, Kunlun Martial University had a batch of top students who had accumulated years of training.
"Li Yuan junior brother just arrived and has a lot to familiarize himself with. If you have time, you can try out the 'Spirit Pillar,'" Yan He suggested.
"Thank you for the suggestion, senior brother."
After parting with the senior brothers and sisters he had just met, Li Yuan arrived at Li Yang's office on time.
The door was open.
"Teacher," Li Yuan knocked on the door frame, not entering immediately.
"Come in," Li Yang smiled.
In the office, besides Li Yang, there was a tall, thin middle-aged man who smiled at Li Yuan.
"Li Yuan, this is your combat training teacher, Jiang Lun," Li Yang introduced. "A level 27 source warrior, with subtle technique in spear as well."
"Starting tomorrow, every three days, he will train you in combat for two hours," Li Yang said.
"Combat training teacher?" Li Yuan was shocked.
A level 27 source warrior to train him in combat?
Such luxury?
"Isn't combat training usually done with sparring instructors?" Li Yuan asked.
According to the introductory material, 'combat training' for first-year students typically involved sparring with warriors of levels 15-20.
After all, there were only so many source warrior teachers, who mostly provided broad guidance.
"What's the matter? Surprised?" Li Yang laughed. "Ordinary students only get sparring instructors of about ten levels, and at most, strong fourth and fifth-year students get ordinary source warriors."
"But you are different."
"S-level special training contracts, less than fifty in the entire school, each one gets a real teacher for combat training," Li Yang explained. "Jiang Lun is an excellent teacher, and sparring with him will be much more effective than with ordinary sparring instructors."
Li Yang smiled, "Now, go greet Teacher Jiang Lun."
"Teacher Jiang," Li Yuan greeted respectfully.
"I've heard from Dean Li that you are already at the fourth intermediate grade." Jiang Lun smiled. "I have never trained such a formidable student. I hope our sparring will help you improve even further."
Li Yuan nodded.
He finally felt the special nature of the S-level special training contract. Having such a strong source warrior for sparring? How much would it cost if he had to pay?
Twenty thousand blue star coins per session would be a low estimate.
And it was every three days.
After arranging the training schedule with Jiang Lun,
"Jiang Lun is a formal teacher and can only train you every three days."
"Every day, I will arrange another ordinary source warrior for combat training with you," Li Yang continued. "Combat training is essential for overall body stimulation."
"As long as your body can handle it."
"It will be much more effective than virtual combat. From now on, reduce your time on the Starry Sky Combat Network."
"Yes," Li Yuan was deeply moved.
Indeed, combat training is more effective than virtual combat.
The key is, who can afford it?
Li Yang's arrangement meant several source warriors would be sparring with him? It was extremely luxurious.
"Come with me, let's go to the Spirit Pillar," Li Yang said, leading the way out of the office.
Li Yuan quickly followed.
Taking a flying device, they soon arrived outside the Vermillion Bird Building.
The Vermillion Bird Building was the public building for third, fourth, and fifth-year students, consisting of three towers.
Undoubtedly,
The name Vermillion Bird Building was derived from the massive bird skeleton statue in the large square outside the building, with a wingspan exceeding two hundred meters.
It practically covered the sky.
"Is it a life form beyond the flying level from the Astral Realm?" Li Yuan held his breath, staring at the enormous skeleton.
"Yes," Li Yang replied. "It was a fire-element bird beyond the flying level. It was also slain by Elder Dongfang Ji and given to our school. Finally, it was placed here as a memorial."
Li Yuan sighed inwardly.
He had read the introduction to Kunlun Martial University, which had three publicly displayed skeletons of life forms beyond the flying level.
There were over ten flying-level ones.
These served as reminders for future students and also showcased Kunlun Martial University's glorious achievements.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
They landed on the ground and walked toward the Vermillion Bird Building, greeted by several strong guards along the way.
Li Yang responded to each one.
Soon, Li Yang led Li Yuan to the east wing of the Vermillion Bird Building. After passing several formidable guards,
They descended underground.
A flash of light on the stairs,
A massive underground plaza, over ten meters high and thousands of square meters in area, appeared before Li Yuan.
It was brightly lit.
In the plaza, more than a hundred students were scattered around, each with their eyes closed.
Many had twisted expressions, seemingly in great pain.
Some had beads of sweat on their foreheads.
"This?" Li Yuan held his breath at the sight, instinctively looking at the large bronze pillar at the end of the plaza.
About five meters high and two meters in diameter.
Bronze in color!
Not the verdigris of ancient bronze but a golden bronze, its surface covered with intricate patterns, making it look extremely mysterious and noble.
At the same time, even from over a hundred meters away, Li Yuan could feel the mysterious mental pressure emanating from the bronze pillar, making him slightly uncomfortable.
"Teacher, is this the Spirit Pillar described in the school introduction?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"Yes!"
"The Spirit Pillar is the first treasure of Kunlun Martial University and unique among the five top schools in our country," Li Yang said proudly. "It is the most important gift Elder Dongfang Ji gave to our school."
"Because of the Spirit Pillar, for decades, our Kunlun Martial University has been slightly superior to the Kyoto Martial University," Li Yang smiled.
Li Yuan nodded.
Among the five top schools in the country, the Kyoto Martial University was in the capital, receiving the most funding.
But Kunlun Martial University was equally strong, perhaps stronger!
Why?
According to many sources, it was because of the Spirit Pillar given by Dongfang Ji.
"Go try it and see how far you can go," Li Yang smiled.
"Yes," Li Yuan stepped down the stairs and walked toward the large bronze pillar.
The first twenty meters or so were easy, without much discomfort.
But, as soon as Li Yuan entered within fifty meters of the bronze pillar, crossing the marked 'warning line' on the ground,
"Buzz~"
It felt like stepping into a special domain. A formless mental pressure instantly enveloped Li Yuan.
Boom~ like a giant hammer hitting his consciousness.
Luckily!
Li Yuan's mental strength was incredibly strong.
"Hmm?" Li Yuan's eyes narrowed in shock, "What a strong mental pressure."
"Boom~" "Boom~" This mental pressure wasn't a one-time thing; it was like waves, continuously assaulting Li Yuan's mind.
Making the mental pressure he endured grow stronger and stronger.
"For your first time, to endure so easily, your mental strength is indeed strong," Li Yang appeared beside Li Yuan, smiling. "Do you understand the importance of the Spirit Pillar now?"
"To temper and strengthen mental strength?" Li Yuan asked softly.
"Exactly!"
Li Yang nodded, "Like physical training, continuous intense training will naturally increase strength and speed."
"Mental strength is the same."
"The Spirit Pillar constantly pressures the warrior's mind, making the mind tire," Li Yang explained softly. "When the mind recovers, mental strength naturally becomes stronger."