Chapter 114: Qiu Jing! The Rapidly Growing Strength of Li Yuan
Li Yuan wasn't sure if reaching 20% spiritual awakening would allow him to undergo another source power infusion.
"I have to try. At least I should reach the 20% limit first," Li Yuan thought to himself.
He glanced at the fallen astral realm creature. It didn't seem very large, no bigger than a normal tiger, but its movements were swift and agile. Such explosive power and speed were hard to achieve for animals on Blue Star.
"A beastly alien? I wonder which astral realm it came from," Li Yuan murmured. "Captured by the military?"
During his month at the university, with two general knowledge classes per week, the teachers shared various secrets, most of which were hard to find on the internet. To prevent widespread panic, much of this information was relatively confidential.
Li Yuan knew that the astral realms on the seven planets of human civilization numbered in the hundreds, possibly even over a thousand.
However, most of these astral realms were either limited by their entrances, not yet discovered by the aliens, or unwilling to start a war, remaining in a 'dormant' state. For example, the Moon Demon astral realm and its civilization remained generally peaceful with humans.
The second type was in a 'normal hostile' state, such as the Fish Spirit astral realm. The aliens behind it were hostile but couldn't start a large-scale war due to various limitations.
The third type was in a 'war' state, such as the Luo Bu Sea astral realm, where continuous violent clashes between human and alien civilizations resulted in devastating battles.
The fourth type was in a 'mortal enemy' state. These high-level astral realms housed alien civilizations capable of waging wars to destroy human civilization. They had already launched such wars but were repelled by humans. These mortal enemy astral realms were mainly concentrated on Soaring Star.
"Astral realms are special areas where different worlds come into contact with the Seven Star Sea. Many alien civilizations want to invade the Seven Star Sea and destroy human civilization," Li Yuan thought. "But we are also constantly counterattacking, even capturing many astral realm creatures."
The numerous astral realm creatures killed in the annual 'practical exams' organized by martial arts universities weren't all naturally proliferated. Most were captured by human powerhouses to train young human warriors.
At regular martial arts universities, 99% of graduates couldn't reach Level 15, so the mortality rate was controlled below 10%.
But at Kunlun Martial University?
After repeated practical exams, once a student's physical fitness reached Level 15, they entered astral realms directly to participate in wars. Ultimately, with a death rate below 20%, these students became battle-hardened, powerful warriors.
Being strong in body and skilled in techniques weren't enough to be a qualified warrior. Only those who remained fearless in the face of life and death, decisive and ruthless in battle, were the warriors humanity needed. This required extensive tempering.
As Li Yuan knew.
Ordinary warriors from over a century ago, without progressively dangerous practical exams, often went directly to the astral realm battlefields. Survival rates were low, with death rates over 30%, even 50%, being common.
"Let's continue."
"The current practical exam is just a bit more glaring sunlight in the greenhouse." Li Yuan gripped his spear and continued deeper into the mountains and forests.
Occasionally, Li Yuan climbed a tall tree to scout the surroundings, but the rolling hills and tall trees offered no traditional high ground.
.....
Three hours later.
About 20 kilometers from where Li Yuan landed, light rain fell from the sky.
On a gentle slope covered with dense forest and rugged rocks, several large, lynx-like beasts with leopard-like skin, slick and agile, roared as they surrounded Li Yuan, who held a long spear.
Their roars echoed through the forest.
Nearby, several large trees had been knocked down, and some huge rocks had shattered.
In a nearby crevice lay the bodies of two large beasts and five smaller ones.
"So fierce, and they live in groups." Li Yuan felt a headache. "Each one moves so fast. Level 13 astral realm creatures are really tough."
Earlier, Li Yuan had inadvertently entered the nest of these beasts and faced an attack from two mother beasts. He quickly killed them all.
However, before Li Yuan could retreat, he encountered another four beasts.
The weakest of them had a life level of 12.6.
The largest, obviously the leader, had a life level exceeding 13.
In martial arts training, the difference of one level in physical fitness was very noticeable.
"Roar!"
"Roar!" The four beasts alternated in attacking, trying to pounce on Li Yuan.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Compared to the beasts' explosive movements, Li Yuan's steps seemed slow but were incredibly agile, repeatedly dodging their attacks.
Taking a direct hit from these beasts' terrifying power would injure Li Yuan. Two hits would make him spit blood.
Li Yuan relied on his complete control over his body through the unity of mind and body.
With the Dragon Walk technique, he moved like the wind, blending into the surroundings.
"Whoosh!!" Constantly dodging, Li Yuan swung his spear repeatedly.
Although his body moved slowly, his weapon didn't.
Li Yuan's spear bursts with incredible force with each thrust.
Each strike wounded a beast, making blood splash.
This was why the four beasts were quite wary.
"They are highly intelligent, with strong combat instincts. My spear has a hard time hitting their vital points," Li Yuan thought.
He could easily see the beasts' flaws during their attacks and dodges, but their rapid movements made it difficult to seize the opportunity.
Time passed.
After multiple attacks, two of the beasts were severely injured, bleeding heavily and greatly reduced in strength.
"Boom~"
Another lightning-fast thrust.
This time, instead of dodging, Li Yuan stepped forward and struck with his spear, piercing through the beast's neck.
Whoosh~ The spear retracted, blood spraying.
As he withdrew the spear, Li Yuan twisted his waist, bent back sharply, and thrust the spear in a 180-degree turn!
A returning thrust!
"Whoosh!" The spear pierced through the throat of the strongest beast, penetrating its vital organs.
"Roar~"
The beast struggled violently, trembling in pain as it felt its life slipping away. It tried to swipe at Li Yuan with its claws.
But Li Yuan's spear was two and a half meters long, giving him an absolute advantage in distance.
Whoosh~ The spear retracted, dragging out a lot of blood. The beast's body finally stopped moving.
Although Li Yuan confirmed the kill, he swiftly moved out of attack range to avoid danger.
"Roar~"
"Whoosh!" Seeing their leader killed in a single move, the remaining two beasts fled rapidly.
Li Yuan didn't pursue. Despite his formidable skills, the special terrain of the forest posed little restriction. However, these alien beasts had far superior physical attributes and speed. If they were determined to flee, it would be hard for Li Yuan to catch them.
"You have killed an entry-level creature and gained spiritual nourishment. Spiritual awakening degree: 19.2%," flashed several notifications on the Divine Palace panel.
"Hmm? Just one more to go?" Li Yuan smiled.
In just a few hours, he had engaged in three battles. But in this last battle alone, he had slain four adult beasts and several young ones, bringing his spiritual awakening degree close to 20%.
Indeed, even killing the weaker young beasts contributed to spiritual nourishment. Li Yuan had no qualms about killing.
Mercy for the enemy is cruelty to oneself. Thoughts of his uncle, his deceased parents, and scenes from classes and films over ten years had ingrained this belief in Li Yuan.
"Total score." Li Yuan glanced at the rankings on his positioning bracelet:
Points: 56
Base Rank: 174
Year Rank: 1
Note: Practical exam requirement of 10 points completed.
...
"Just now, my year rank was 16," Li Yuan smiled. "And now, I'm first?"
Li Yuan understood that the points for creatures of the same strength differed in various practical exam bases.
For instance, a creature above level 12.5 in the first base was worth 200 points. However, in the fourth base, only creatures above level 14 were worth 200 points, while those below level 10 didn't count.
Unfair? Yes, but that was the purpose of Kunlun Martial University's practical exams. With higher physical fitness and greater strength, the practical exam requirements naturally increased.
"Base rank 174?" Li Yuan didn't care much about this ranking, as it referred to his standing among over a thousand students in the fourth base. This rank was quite good, given that Li Yuan's physical fitness was among the lowest.
"As long as I get first in my year, I'll receive a reward of three million." Li Yuan muttered.
After orienting himself, Li Yuan proceeded in the direction the two beasts had fled. If lucky, he might encounter them again.
"Just one more kill, and my spiritual awakening degree will reach 20%." Li Yuan looked forward to it.
.....
In the fourth practical exam base, a thousand kilometers away, a massive war fortress stood.
On the third floor, in a conference room.
"They're performing well, becoming more mature."
"They should be mature by now."
"Most have gone through three or four practical exams. If they can't remain calm in life-and-death fights, their mentality is too weak." Kunlun Martial University's teachers, dozens of them, clicked on their screens, constantly changing their observation targets.
Each practical exam was a growth opportunity for the students.
"What about him?"
"This kid is fully adapting to the fourth base." Dean Li Yang smiled, pointing at Li Yuan on the screen.
Numerous high-altitude patrol drones, combined with the positioning bracelets worn by each participant and the numerous surveillance cameras throughout the practical exam base, ensured that each student was monitored accurately, recording each student's score.
"He's very calm."
"To withstand Jiang Lun's practical training and gain his recognition, his practical abilities are indeed strong." Deputy Dean Xu's tense face relaxed a bit. "He's calm in battle, attacks are clean and decisive, with no hesitation."
"His ability to observe movement and terrain is also excellent."
"He doesn't seem like an eighteen-year-old student. Has he only experienced one practical exam?" Deputy Dean Xu asked softly.
"Yes, just once," Li Yang smiled. "But I should remind you, he's not even 18 yet."
"Moreover."
"Don't underestimate him as a child. His willpower is extraordinary." Li Yang said with emotion, "Five times with the spirit cleansing essence in one month. Even normal source warriors can't withstand it."
Deputy Dean Xu was taken aback, showing a hint of surprise. "Five times in one month with the spirit cleansing essence? Really?"
She knew the pain of the spirit cleansing essence.
Many martial arts geniuses had tried it but gave up due to the extreme pain and high cost with relatively low yield.
"It's true. I was also skeptical when I first heard it," Li Yang said, watching the boy on the screen. "But he did it."
"He hasn't experienced much, yet he possesses such terrifying willpower. It's quite mysterious."
"Maybe this is what it means to be a genius."
.....
At four o'clock in the afternoon, in a dense forest.
Boom! Boom!
Explosive sounds echoed.
"Faster! Faster! Faster!" Li Yuan dashed through the forest and rocks like lightning, cursing that his parents didn't give him more legs, his speed surpassing 25 meters per second.
For an average person, speed would reduce by at least half in such complex terrain, but for Li Yuan, the impact was minimal. That was why he had managed to escape so far.
"Whoa! Whoa!"
"Ha!"
"Roar!" Behind Li Yuan, more than ten humanoid aliens chased wildly, each moving at incredible speed.
They were all over three meters tall, with skin that looked hardened like stone, appearing as if they were towering rock humans.
Some wielded sharp stone weapons and wooden spears, while others picked up large stones, hurling them with immense force, the stones crashing down like cannonballs toward the fleeing Li Yuan.
"The Rock Desert Clan! The humanoid creatures here are actually the legendary Stone Men," Li Yuan thought, both angry and helpless.
Just like the Fish Spirit Clan was famous in China, especially in Jiangbei Province, the Rock Desert Clan was similarly well-known.
This was a very brutal alien race, with skin like rock, very tough, and large in stature, usually living in desert and rocky regions. They had caused significant harm to China in the past, earning the nickname Stone Men.
Li Yuan hadn't expected that the humanoid aliens in the fourth base practical exam would be the Rock Desert Clan.
"Boom! Boom!" Li Yuan frantically dodged the crashing stones.
Stones that hit trees left huge dents, sometimes even breaking them.
Li Yuan quickly assessed the situation. Most of the Rock Desert Clan members chasing him were above level 13, with the weakest being at level 12.6.
Combined with their innate intelligence and weapon skills, if he faced them head-on, even if he killed a few, he would undoubtedly die without external aid.
Therefore, Li Yuan chose to escape immediately.
But Li Yuan never expected that the Rock Desert Clan would pursue him relentlessly.
Fortunately, the forest was not their natural habitat. The complex terrain greatly limited their speed, preventing them from fully utilizing their physical advantages.
However, as time passed, the distance between them gradually shortened.
"Chasing for several kilometers, are they still not giving up?" Li Yuan cursed inwardly, quickly scanning his surroundings and multitasking.
He needed to find a suitable battlefield.
Ideally, a place that limited their ranged attacks and their numerical advantage.
Such places were hard to find.
Suddenly.
"Junior Brother, don't panic." A clear voice rang out, echoing from a nearby cliff.
Boom!
A nimble figure shot up, legs thrusting with force, propelling her like a cannonball towards the oncoming Rock Desert Clan. It was a woman.
She wielded two short axes, which looked like small shields.
"Senior Sister Qiu? Be careful!" Li Yuan immediately recognized her.
It was Qiu Jing, a senior in her second year under Dean Li's tutelage.
She was one of only two fourth-grade skill masters among the second-year students of the Sixth College.
With a physical strength of 12.9.
Among the second-year students across the eight colleges, Qiu Jing was ranked in the top twenty in both skill and combat.
Due to their close age and similar strength, Li Yuan was quite familiar with Qiu Jing, and they had a good relationship.
Boom!
Qiu Jing, with her short axes, moved like lightning. After a few flashes, she directly confronted the strongest Rock Desert Clan member with a physical strength of 13.6.
They clashed fiercely.
Boom! Boom! Terrifying combat ensued, blood splattering everywhere. Several weaker Rock Desert Clan members had their heads cut off, limbs flying.
"Roar!"
Several powerful Rock Desert Clan members roared angrily, preparing to retreat, realizing the terrifying combat power of this small-statured alien before them.
Her skills were so superior that they couldn't even touch her.
"Want to leave?" Qiu Jing's voice was cold. As a fourth-grade master, her energy exploded with precision.
Killing these similarly leveled Rock Desert Clan members was like slaughtering livestock.
Boom! Boom! After more than ten exchanges, with a flash of dazzling axe light, the strongest Rock Desert Clan member's chest was split open by the sharp axe.
Its head was then severed and fell to the ground.
"Roar!"
"Whoosh! Boom!" The remaining Rock Desert Clan members finally scattered in a frenzy.
Qiu Jing quickly pursued them.
"So strong," Li Yuan thought, watching the scene with admiration.
In terms of skill, he was much stronger than Qiu Jing.
But the gap in physical fitness was too large. Facing this group of Rock Desert Clan members, he could only flee.
Fourth-grade skills, after all, were still within the realm of techniques, and their enhancement had limits.
In just half a minute.
Whoosh!
Qiu Jing returned, holding two blood-stained short axes, her body covered in bloodstains, landing beside Li Yuan.
She looked like a war goddess.
"Junior Brother, aren't you going to thank me?" Qiu Jing smiled at Li Yuan, with none of the ferocity from the battle earlier.
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Li Yuan smiled. "Senior Sister, you're amazing. Killing these Rock Desert Clan members is like cutting melons."
"It's nothing."
"They were captured and placed here, without even proper weapons." Qiu Jing shook her head. "If they were real Rock Desert Clan warriors with metal weapons, it would be much harder."
Li Yuan nodded. True.
Many astral realm aliens, especially humanoid ones, had highly developed civilizations like humans and often had various weapons.
Their physical fitness might be the same, but their strength varied greatly.
"Why did you run into the core area of the Rock Desert Clan's activities?" Qiu Jing asked curiously.
"Did I?" Li Yuan was stunned.
He had no idea.
"From here, about 15 kilometers east, there's a large Rock Desert Clan settlement within the practical exam area." Qiu Jing smiled. "There are probably over two hundred warriors, with the leader being over level 14."
"Level 14?" Li Yuan felt a wave of relief.
Level 14, with a punch strength exceeding 8000 kilograms, was several times stronger than level 13.
Luckily, he hadn't encountered them.
"Haha, it's normal that you didn't know. I only found out after investigating. It was tough to shake off that leader's pursuit." Qiu Jing sighed. "You're impressive too. Just starting as a first-year, you can already survive in the fourth base."
"Without Senior Sister, I'd probably be eliminated by now," Li Yuan laughed.
"Without me, there's a cliff about a kilometer ahead. With your strength, you might have escaped." Qiu Jing laughed. "Alright, take a different route to avoid the Rock Desert Clan's settlement. Be careful."
"See you back at school."
"Okay, you too, Senior Sister." Li Yuan nodded. He hadn't expected her to stay with him.
Their strengths differed.
Moreover, this was a practical exam, and their goals were to score more points, so splitting up was the best choice.
Watching Qiu Jing leave.
"Senior Sister Qiu Jing is ranked eighth in the fourth base?" Li Yuan checked his positioning bracelet's ranking.
....
Following Senior Sister Qiu Jing's advice, Li Yuan changed direction to distance himself from the Rock Desert Tribe's settlement. An hour later, as night began to fall, he found himself on a small wasteland six kilometers away.
"Poof!"
A lynx-like beast fell to the ground with a heavy thud, its throat pierced by Li Yuan's spear.
"You have killed an entry-level creature and gained spiritual nourishment. Spiritual awakening degree: 20%." "You have reached the spiritual awakening limit and cannot gain more spiritual nourishment. Increase your spiritual power to level 20 to break the limit." "Spiritual awakening degree reached 20%. Second source energy infusion initiated."
The notifications on the Divine Palace panel instantly caught Li Yuan's attention.
"As expected, there's another source energy infusion at 20%," Li Yuan thought. "So, spiritual power needs to reach level 20 to break the limit?"
Before he could think further, Li Yuan felt a slight pain in his head, as if some mysterious force was permeating his body from his head to his limbs.
The sensation was peculiar.
He quickly realized that waves of mysterious energy were entering his body, making every pore feel warm.
It was source energy.
"The first infusion required my guidance, but the second one starts automatically?" Li Yuan immediately reacted. "Not good."
"I'm definitely being monitored by the school right now."
Without hesitation, he bolted like lightning towards a distant cliff.
Several hundred meters away, there was a small cave beneath a cliff that Li Yuan had chosen as his resting place for the night.
In just over twenty seconds, Li Yuan felt his body becoming increasingly hot.
Boom! He threw his spear, which flew like an arrow and embedded itself into the cave wall.
Whoosh!
Drawing his battle knife, he leaped and sliced through several trees near the cave, cutting them into sections and toppling them.
He quickly dragged these logs to the cave, setting them up to block the entrance.
Li Yuan, holding his sword, dashed into the cave and positioned another log to seal the entrance.
"Even if aliens come, this gives me some defense and at least a few extra seconds to react," Li Yuan muttered, sitting down heavily on the ground. "Also, the teachers won't be able to observe me directly."
Only a minute and a half had passed since the source energy infusion began.
Taking a deep breath, Li Yuan calmed his mind, using his strong spiritual power to guide the surging source energy into his body.
This source energy infusion was more abundant and purer than the previous one.
"Evolution!"
"My muscles and bones." Li Yuan could clearly feel every part of his body frantically absorbing the source energy.
His muscles became stronger, his skin tougher, his bones more solid, and the vitality of his internal organs increased...
"Your life level has increased from 11.3 to 11.4."
As night fully descended, silence enveloped the surroundings, and time passed.
"Your life level has increased from 11.8 to 11.9."
With each notification on the Divine Palace panel, Li Yuan's body underwent another significant transformation.