Chapter 123: Helping Others Achieve! Jiangbei's Number One!
"Unexpectedly, we matched up."
"Long time no see," Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang were both extremely surprised.
You know, it's almost midnight, and most students should be asleep by now. Plus, with global matching, getting matched like this is quite a coincidence.
"Why aren't you sleeping this late?" Li Yuan smiled and did not make a move immediately. After all, it's rare to meet a friend, so they always chat a bit more.
"Aren't you also not sleeping?" Tian Dazhuang laughed, holding a machete, looking very relaxed.
The two had not met often. To be precise, they had only interacted once, but during that interaction, they both felt that the other person had similar ambitions and personalities to their own. This is quite rare.
"I heard you went to Kunlun Martial Arts University, how is it?" Tian Dazhuang asked proactively.
"It's okay, but there's no real opponent in my year, a bit boring," Li Yuan shook his head and said, "Apart from me, the two strongest are Wu Luo."
"Wu Luo?" Tian Dazhuang was puzzled at first, then nodded, "I have a vague impression."
He didn't pay much attention to students below the fourth level during the Jiangbei Martial Arts University's invitation event.
Then Tian Dazhuang smiled, "Of course, with your strength, you would definitely dominate at Kunlun Martial Arts University. If you hadn't awakened your martial spirit, you would have come to Starlight University, and it would be even more lively."
"And you? Are you still number one?" Li Yuan deliberately teased.
"I can't get it."
"In this practical test, I didn't even make it into the top fifty. My physical fitness is still far behind that group of perverts in front, it will take at least another year to catch up," Tian Dazhuang shrugged, "But every time in virtual combat, I would always repair many people."
"In terms of skills alone, I should be in the top ten of our year," Tian Dazhuang said frankly. This was not boasting but treating Li Yuan as an opponent of the same level.
Li Yuan nodded slightly. Tian Dazhuang's skill talent was indeed extremely high. He entered the fourth level several months earlier than himself.
"Being able to match with me means your progress is significant. Your Meteorite level score should be over 800 points, right?" Tian Dazhuang looked at Li Yuan with excitement.
"994 points," Li Yuan smiled.
Tian Dazhuang was stunned for a moment, suddenly recalling that the system seemed to have reminded him that his opponent had 994 points. But seeing Li Yuan, he was too excited and forgot about it.
Tian Dazhuang, who also scored over 900 points in the Meteorite level, naturally understood the significance of this score. Only 6 points away from the Bright Moon promotion match.
"Got it."
"If you beat me, you can participate in the promotion match?" Tian Dazhuang smiled, "Impressive, I just reached 900 points today and haven't participated in the Bright Moon promotion match yet."
"But in this battle, I won't hold back," Tian Dazhuang said confidently. Although Li Yuan's score was higher, in the Starry Sky Combat Network battles, the score didn't necessarily represent strength. Subconsciously, Tian Dazhuang still believed he was stronger, not brainlessly confident. After all, he entered the fourth level earlier than Li Yuan and studied at the better Starlight University.
"Haha, it's better not to hold back," Li Yuan also laughed, "I've always wanted to fight you. During the invitation match, I didn't meet you, and I've always regretted it."
Indeed, it was a regret. During the Jiangbei Martial Arts University's invitation, in terms of skills, Li Yuan was likely not Tian Dazhuang's opponent. But Li Yuan inherently did not fear battle; winning or losing was not the goal. Enjoying the process is the best way to improve oneself.
"Haha, good, then let's have a fight," Tian Dazhuang laughed.
Instantly, Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang no longer spoke, just silently stared at each other, starting to adjust their states.
In virtual duels, both had physical attributes of level 10.0. The competition was in combat skills.
"Kill!" Tian Dazhuang moved instantly. His figure shot out like a cannonball, attacking Li Yuan like lightning. The machete swung horizontally, slashing down. The machete, longer and heavier than an ordinary saber, was a heavy weapon with immense force.
"Haha, good timing," Li Yuan laughed, advancing instead of retreating. His spear thrust forward like lightning, attacking.
No matter how long the knife is, can it be longer than the spear?
"Clang!" Tian Dazhuang's machete instantly retracted horizontally, blocking the spear tip like a small shield.
"Clang~" As soon as they touched, instead of the expected head-on collision, Tian Dazhuang withdrew his strength and retreated.
"Trying to run?"
Li Yuan smiled, dashing forward like the wind, much faster than Tian Dazhuang. His spear changed form, raised high, then smashed down on Tian Dazhuang. If this strike landed, it would be enough to shatter a skull.
"Such speed," Tian Dazhuang's face changed, realizing something was wrong. Li Yuan's charge was too fast; he couldn't dodge it.
"Boom~" Tian Dazhuang raised his machete to block, feeling a terrifying force transmitting through the spear to the shield. Despite exerting his deflecting skills, his arms went numb from the impact.
"Boom!" Tian Dazhuang retreated swiftly, warily watching Li Yuan. Before the fight, Tian Dazhuang was extremely confident. But after this clash, he understood that the other's skills were evidently superior to his own.
"Progressed this quickly?"
"During the Jiangbei invitation, he had just entered the fourth level. In less than five months, he's stronger than me?" Tian Dazhuang was shocked. During the invitation, his blade skills were nearly mid-fourth level. After so long, with the best training at Starlight University, his blade skills were nearly high-fourth level. His teacher even called him a rare talent. But Li Yuan's progress was clearly much faster.
"Skill difference doesn't mean I can't win," Tian Dazhuang remained calm, no longer clashing head-on, switching to entanglement.
"Boom!" Li Yuan was fierce, his spear attacking Tian Dazhuang like a dragon, fast and relentless. The Starry Spear technique excelled in defense but also in overwhelming attacks, aiming to crush the enemy entirely.
In the virtual network, the Starry Sky Combat Network, in a special area inaccessible to normal people, two figures watched. One in white robes, the other in black. Before them, a holographic projection showed Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang's fight.
"Tian Dazhuang, the key student at Starlight University, is losing to Li Yuan?" The white-robed man spoke softly, "His spear skills are impressive."
"Yes, the Starry Spear technique, and Li Yuan has grasped its essence," the black-robed man said, "Not yet eighteen, and already high-fourth level."
"And his record shows he reached Meteorite level in March."
"In less than five months, he advanced from fourth to high-fourth level?" The white-robed man was surprised, "A student at Kunlun Martial Arts University?"
"Yes," the black-robed man smiled, "It seems our country has produced another remarkable talent."
They were 'observers' stationed at the Starry Sky Combat Network, watching many battles daily and marking notable participants.
"Look."
"Oh!" The white-robed man exclaimed, "Tian Dazhuang seems to be losing, holding on this long is commendable."
On the duel platform, Li Yuan and Tian Dazhuang were in an intense battle. "Clang!" "Boom!" "Bang!" The spear and machete clashed repeatedly, with Li Yuan having a clear advantage. In terms of explosive power, speed, and skill, Li Yuan was superior. The spear had an advantage in the open arena.
"Stall."
"His movement is better, look for opportunities," Tian Dazhuang, a battle genius, quickly realized this. "Even if I can't win, I can hone my blade skills." Fully focused, he engaged in an entangling fight.
"Interesting."
"In terms of movement, I'm slightly inferior," Li Yuan smiled, "I spent too much effort on spear skills." He hadn't deliberately trained in movement, only honing it while practicing fists and spear. Spending less time meant lower proficiency. Li Yuan's rapid improvement in spear skills was due to his focused effort.
"This battle is also good practice for my movement," Li Yuan didn't unleash his full strength. After dozens of exchanges, he saw that Tian Dazhuang's blade skills hadn't reached high-fourth level. His combat grasp seemed inferior, indicating a difference in overall strength. Li Yuan respected his friend and wanted to hone his movement skills.
"Boom!" "Boom!" They fought fiercely, not merely for victory but to improve their weaknesses. As stamina waned, both grew tired, and their moves slowed. In the virtual combat network, everything mimicked reality, including injuries and fatigue affecting performance.
"Something's wrong."
"My movement is better, but his body control is stronger. He could crush me in this small arena," Tian Dazhuang realized. "And he hasn't used his ultimate spear skill."
High-fourth level without a finishing move? Impossible.
"Li Yuan is stronger, holding back to hone his movement?" Tian Dazhuang sighed, "Already so much stronger?"
"Never mind."
"I'll give my best," Tian Dazhuang adjusted, focusing on the pure battle, enjoying the fight.
"Boom!" Li Yuan's spear suddenly sped up, unleashing a twelve-hit combo, increasing the speed sharply.
"Clang!" "Clang! Clang!" Rapid collisions ensued. Tian Dazhuang felt overwhelmed by the onslaught. "Kill!" Tian Dazhuang didn't retreat but attacked more fiercely, showcasing his blade skills. A rural boy who rose to Starlight University, Tian Dazhuang's talent and calm judgment made him highly regarded.
Facing Li Yuan's relentless spear attacks, Tian Dazhuang felt immense pressure but remained calm. Gradually, he entered a special state, his blade skills becoming smoother and faster.
"High-fourth level."
"Golden Splitting Knife technique, fourth form: Splitting Mountains and Seas." Tian Dazhuang had an epiphany, nearing a breakthrough.
His knife grew faster.
"Breakthrough?"
"An epiphany?" Li Yuan smiled, sensing Tian Dazhuang's rapid skill improvement. Instinctively, Li Yuan's spear sped up, pressing harder. The twelve-hit combo peaked, but Li Yuan controlled it, giving Tian Dazhuang more pressure.
Finally, Li Yuan sensed Tian Dazhuang's blade stabilizing, nearing the breakthrough's end. Tian Dazhuang's eyes grew clearer, seeing victory's hope.
"Haha."
"Dazhuang, be careful," Li Yuan laughed, unleashing a torrential spear attack.
Like a bursting dam.
"Boom!" The terrifying spear struck like a boulder, carrying immense impact. Fast as lightning, heavy as a mountain.
"Not good." Freshly broken through, Tian Dazhuang's joy faded, his face changing. Li Yuan's aura felt unshakable.
Instinctively blocking, Tian Dazhuang was pushed back several steps, his blood surging, feeling awful.
"Retreat!"
Enduring the discomfort, Tian Dazhuang tried to evade.
"Dawn Breaks Through Clouds," Li Yuan, exhilarated, followed up with his ultimate move.
"Whoosh!" Another terrifying spear strike, even faster, his strongest speed burst.
"So fast?" Tian Dazhuang couldn't believe it, barely seeing the spear's flash. Instinctively blocking, but the machete failed to stop it. The spear tip slashed his neck, drawing blood.
Tian Dazhuang felt his body grow virtual, understanding he had been killed by the swift spear.
Defeated.
Decisively.
But Tian Dazhuang felt no defeat, only admiration. He knew if Li Yuan had gone all out, he would have lost in dozens of moves. Li Yuan had held back to help him break through.
...
With a whoosh, Tian Dazhuang vanished.
"Victory," Li Yuan smiled, receiving the system prompt. His score reached 1000, qualifying him for the promotion match.
"One battle improved my movement by 2%?" Li Yuan was surprised, understanding it was due to his body control.
Suddenly.
"Hmm?" Li Yuan sensed a V message from Tian Dazhuang.
Just two words, "Thank you."
Their first exchange after adding V, Li Yuan smiled, replying with three words: "You're welcome."
Closing the communication.
"Victory."
"In the Jiangbei invitation, I was first in the practical test," Li Yuan mused, "Back then, the recognized best skilled, Tian Dazhuang, is now defeated by me."
"In our year, among Jiangbei's million senior high students," Li Yuan muttered, "I should be the true Jiangbei number one now."
First in combat!
First in skills!
"On this long martial path, surpassing opponents and becoming stronger," Li Yuan felt a sense of achievement. Martial arts, constantly surpassing, growing stronger!
"Confirm participation in the Moonrise promotion match," Li Yuan said deeply, turning into a stream of light and disappearing.
...
"Victory."
"This Li Yuan is truly remarkable, letting Tian Dazhuang break through," the observers in the observation space were surprised.
"He's confident," the black-robed observer smiled, "Such magnanimity is rare."
"Very good, Kunlun Martial Arts University producing such a student is rare," the white-robed observer also praised.
Ten minutes later.
"Oh, he won the Bright Moon promotion match decisively."
"No difficulty for him."
"Let me check... Including the top three schools, globally, this year's freshmen, including him, there are only 17 in the Bight Moon rank. Hmm, Tian Dazhuang will reach it in a few days too."
"Yes, but Li Yuan is very young."
"He is our country's first under-18 Bright Moon rank this year, and the third globally this year."
"Give the reward, and notify Starlight Martial Hall and Kunlun Martial Arts University directly, don't wait for the Starry Sky Combat Network notification."