Chapter 166: The Arrival of the Aircraft
In the initial Ten Schools Freshman Competition, Li Yuan lost to Tantai Feng. He accepted the defeat calmly, without anxiety.
However, accepting defeat didn't mean giving up.
Li Yuan was just as competitive, firmly believing that he would surpass Tantai Feng in the future.
Now, he had achieved that.
"However, to truly settle the score, we'll have to wait for the virtual battle in the Global Martial Arts Tournament at the end of February," Li Yuan thought, feeling a mix of anticipation and excitement.
Just as he was reflecting, the white-robed woman spoke again.
"Li Yuan, in recognition of your achievements, the Seven Star Alliance will award you 50 million Blue Star Coins," she said with a smile. "This is the highest and final reward from the Starry Sky Combat Network."
"50 million Blue Star Coins?" Li Yuan was slightly surprised.
That's quite a lot.
"Does everyone who reaches the Transcendent Rank get this?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"Those who achieve the Transcendent Rank before the age of 20 are rewarded with 50 million Blue Star Coins," the white-robed woman explained. "If they achieve it after 20, the reward is 20 million Blue Star Coins."
"Reaching the Transcendent Rank means that in reality, they are likely to become top-tier Source Martial Artists, which makes them valuable assets to human civilization," she added. "This money is more of an honorary encouragement."
Li Yuan nodded slightly, thinking to himself.
Not in need? I really could use the money.
"By the way," Li Yuan suddenly asked, "is there anyone else among the first-year students in the entire Seven Star Alliance who has reached the fifth stage in their techniques?"
"In the entire alliance?" The white-robed woman smiled mysteriously. "That's confidential and shouldn't be disclosed to you."
"I can only tell you this much."
"There are others!"
...
After ending his conversation with the white-robed woman, Li Yuan exited the Starry Sky Combat Network and returned to his virtual network 'personal space.'
"First on Blue Star?"
"Unexpectedly, among the Seven Star Alliance first-year students, there are others who have reached the fifth stage in their techniques," Li Yuan thought, feeling both surprised and not too shocked.
After all, Fang Hai had reached the fifth stage at 16, so it wasn't surprising for 18 or 19-year-olds.
But Li Yuan wouldn't underestimate himself.
Among the seven planets of the Seven Star Alliance, Blue Star wasn't the strongest but also not the weakest.
Even if there were other first-year students with fifth-stage techniques on other planets, there wouldn't be many.
"Step by step."
"Now, looking at the entire younger generation of human civilization, I should be in the top tier," Li Yuan felt a surge of anticipation. "As long as I keep progressing and continuously surpassing myself."
"Eventually, I will surpass all opponents and become the top genius of human civilization."
While deep in thought.
Suddenly.
Li Yuan received a notification that his bank account had been credited with 50 million Blue Star Coins.
"That was fast."
"No wonder it's directly from the Seven Star Alliance," Li Yuan mused. "It's said that the Seven Star Alliance is jointly led by the three major martial halls, overseeing Soaring Star and many astral realms, with immense wealth."
The reason the Seven Star Alliance can suppress all countries is due to its superiority in military, economic, and martial power, far surpassing any single nation, unifying the power of human civilization.
"My wealth." Li Yuan clicked on the screen, checking his wealth column:
Bank Balance: 145.61 million Blue Star Coins
Martial Hall Points: 22.18 million
Heaven and Earth Treasures: 15 units of Hundred Marrow Spirit Wither, 15 units of Star Earth Crystal ...
"From October until now, I mainly spent Martial Hall points to buy a large amount of high-source spiritual spring," Li Yuan thought. "Used for cultivation."
In fact, after awakening the star veins and being able to cultivate "Heavenly Stars," using high-source spiritual springs for cultivation had very little effect on improving his physical fitness.
The improvement was less than ten percent.
With the current Unity of Heaven and Man, the usefulness of high-source spiritual springs paired with Hundred Marrow Spirit Wither would be further reduced.
However, after careful consideration, Li Yuan decided to continue as usual, mainly because he didn't want to reveal his secret of awakening the star veins at the first stage.
"No rush."
"Now with the Unity of Heaven and Man, combined with 'Heavenly Stars,' I will definitely become a Source Martial Artist before the end of the first year," Li Yuan thought. "I'm about to head to the Bright Ruins Astral Realm for life-and-death trials, aiming to raise my Spiritual Awakening Degree to 30%."
Once the Spiritual Awakening Degree reaches 30%.
According to precedent, there should be another Source Power Infusion.
If there is another Source Power Infusion, Li Yuan's physical fitness and mental power will soar again, bringing him closer to becoming a Source Martial Artist.
"The Bright Ruins Astral Realm, I wonder what awaits there," Li Yuan's eyes gleamed.
...
At Starlight University, in a student villa.
On the lawn outside, the sun was rising.
"Flowing Light."
"My teacher said that to reach the Unity of Heaven and Man, I need to understand the second level of 'Momentary Flowing Light,'" Tantai Feng stood on the lawn, contemplating.
"But how to comprehend it?"
"Unity of Heaven and Man, mind merging with the universe, how is it so easy?" Tantai Feng shook his head, feeling troubled.
He had been stuck at the stage of deep mental profundity for a while but had not been able to break through.
Starlight University certainly valued him highly.
All the training conditions were no worse than Li Yuan's, perhaps even better.
But a good external environment only increases the probability of a breakthrough, not guarantees it.
Suddenly.
Beep~ Tantai Feng's smart wristband trembled, signaling an important message. He instinctively looked down.
"Star Lord's order, confidential information, currently only for your knowledge: Li Yuan has just broken through to the Transcendent Rank on the Starry Sky Combat Network and has been confirmed to have achieved the Unity of Heaven and Man." Tantai Feng stared at the message, momentarily stunned.
Unity of Heaven and Man?
Li Yuan?
He recalled the powerful opponent who had broken through during their fight in the Ten Schools Freshman Competition.
After a while.
"Damn impressive," Tantai Feng muttered to himself. "I guessed he might surpass me, but I didn't expect it so soon."
"Damn it!!"
"I haven't even warmed up the global first position, and I can't show off in front of him," Tantai Feng muttered, then suddenly smiled. "Anyway, I won last time."
He turned off the smart wristband and continued contemplating his blade techniques.
To say that Tantai Feng had no emotional reaction would be untrue, but he had a broad mind and didn't mind being surpassed.
He liked to shine in front of others.
But he was more focused on his own growth.
...
Boom!
A large aircraft slowly landed at Tianhe Airport in Jiangcheng.
Li Yang, who was sitting in his seat, was about to stand up to get off the aircraft when his smart wristband vibrated.
He looked down and was momentarily stunned.
"What's wrong?" Dean Xu stood up, looking at Li Yang.
"I can tell you now why we came," Li Yang lifted his head, his face beaming. "Li Yuan has just reached the Transcendent Rank, confirming that he has achieved the Unity of Heaven and Man."
"Fifth-stage Unity of Heaven and Man?" Dean Xu's pupils contracted in disbelief.
She immediately understood the task for her and Li Yang in Jiangcheng.
"Let's go."
"Since we're here, let's meet the best genius Kunlun Martial University has had in the past fifty years," Li Yang said with a smile, stepping off the aircraft.
...
At noon.
Li Yuan's family had just finished lunch. Li Yuan was about to accompany his uncle fishing.
Suddenly, a flying vehicle descended rapidly from the sky outside the villa.
At a height of over thirty meters above the ground.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three figures leapt down from the vehicle, landing lightly on the lawn outside the villa.
This scene.
Startled Li Changzhou, Aunt Chen Hui, and the others. Jumping from over thirty meters up?
Unharmed, what kind of strength is this?
"Teacher, Dean Xu, Hall Master Fei?" Li Yuan was shocked to see the three sudden visitors.
He instantly guessed it might be related to his breakthrough to the Transcendent Rank on the Starry Sky Combat Network.
However.
It was understandable for Hall Master Fei to come, but how did Dean Li and Dean Xu get here so quickly?
"Hall Master Fei?" Li Changzhou and Chen Hui didn't recognize Li Yang and Dean Xu, but they knew Hall Master Fei.
Moreover, from the order of the visitors, it seemed that Fei Qian, the Hall Master of Jiangcheng, held a slightly lower status?
"Li Yuan." Li Yang strode forward.
"Teacher, Dean Xu, Grandpa Fei." Li Yuan stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Haha, Li Yuan, don't mind me. Today, Dean Li and Dean Xu are the main visitors. I'm just accompanying them," Fei Qian said with a smile.
In terms of power, he, as the city hall master, seemed to outrank Li Yang and Dean Xu.
But in their realm, personal strength was valued more than secular power.
Both Li Yang and Dean Xu were far more powerful than Fei Qian.
"Li Yuan, let's find a quiet place to talk," Li Yang said with a smile.
"Sure." Li Yuan nodded. "This way, teacher."
"You must be Li Yuan's uncle and aunt," Dean Xu said with a smile to Li Changzhou and Chen Hui. "You've raised a wonderful child."
"Hello, senior," Li Changzhou and Chen Hui were flattered. They realized the visitors were of extremely high status.
Usually, with their standing, they would not have the chance to meet such figures.
Now, they were so amiable because of Li Yuan.
...
Li Yuan led Li Yang to the underground martial arts room.
"Activate the soundproofing," Li Yang said directly.
"Yes, teacher." Li Yuan nodded, feeling a hint of seriousness. Is it that important?
He immediately activated the soundproofing system of the martial arts room, preventing any eavesdropping.
"We've already heard about the Fish Spirit Tide in Jiangcheng. You performed very well," Li Yang said. "Your achievement in Unity of Heaven and Man has caused quite a stir in the higher echelons of the school."
"It's said to have even alarmed the principal, who ordered your records to be sealed."
"The principal?" Li Yuan was curious. "Teacher, who is the principal?"
"The principal?"
"I only know his surname is Fang, but I don't know who he really is," Li Yang shook his head. "Probably, only the main deans of the eight institutes know."
Li Yuan nodded slightly. So mysterious?
Considering Li Yang was already a vice dean and part of the school's upper echelon, yet he didn't know the principal's name?
"The principal is a legendary figure, rumored to be a 'Star Lord' of the Seven Star Alliance," Li Yang said with a smile. "Maybe you'll have a chance to meet the principal in the future."
"Star Lord?" Li Yuan was puzzled.
"An existence beyond the flying level, or nearly invincible within the flying level, can become a Star Lord of the alliance," Li Yang briefly explained.
This made Li Yuan realize how terrifying the principal must be.
"Alright, that's not important."
"This time, there's no need to verify your strength," Li Yang said, handing over a box. "Mainly, on Dean Hai's orders, I'm here to deliver a life-saving item before you head to the Bright Ruins Astral Realm."