Chapter 90: A New Evolution
"Kunlun Martial Arts University's file?" Li Yuan directly clicked to accept it. It was a concise training guide sent by Teacher Fan Jin.
Li Yuan had just started reading it when his V-Communication buzzed, indicating an incoming call from Fan Jin. He immediately chose to answer it.
Buzz— the video call connected.
"Teacher Fan," Li Yuan smiled at the elderly man in pajamas on the screen.
"It's late; I hope I didn't disturb your rest," Fan Jin said with a smile.
"No, you didn't."
"Good, you must have received the file," Fan Jin smiled. "Technically, this training guide should be given to you after the college entrance exams. However, I just got news from Starlight Martial Hall that your physical fitness has reached level 9.5?"
Li Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat. He understood immediately that it must have been his excitement during today's sparring session, causing him to reveal his strength inadvertently.
There was a ninety-nine percent chance that Fang Longhu had reported his situation while resigning as his sparring partner. Li Yuan wasn't surprised by Fang Longhu's report; given his contract level, the higher-ups at Starlight Martial Hall would undoubtedly continue to monitor his progress. He just hadn't expected Kunlun Martial Arts University to find out within two hours.
He could only smile in response.
"Haha, don't worry," Teacher Fan Jin laughed. "You have signed high-level contracts with both Kunlun Martial Arts University and Starlight Martial Hall. Naturally, we maintain communication to stay updated on your situation and adjust your training plan accordingly."
"Thank you for your concern, Teacher," Li Yuan smiled. "I just broke through in my techniques the day before the invitation event. For some reason, after using source energy pills recently, my physical fitness improved very quickly. Right now, it should be around 9.3."
Claiming 9.5 immediately would be too exaggerated. The difference between 9.5 and 9.3 in power wasn't significant.
"9.3?" Fan Jin was equally surprised. "A week ago, you were only at 8.9! Was the previous measurement inaccurate?"
Li Yuan smiled without answering.
"It seems Dean Li was right. Your physical potential is high but lacked proper techniques. Previously, you progressed faster than those practicing advanced techniques... hmm, you had just entered the fourth stage, able to dig deeper into your physical strength... a sudden increase of 0.4 isn't surprising," Fan Jin nodded, his gaze on Li Yuan changing slightly. "Good news! Good news!"
No need for Li Yuan to explain; Fan Jin had already filled in the gaps himself. After all, such examples weren't uncommon in martial arts history.
"9.3 is close enough," Fan Jin said. "Li Yuan, you should know that improving your physical fitness is different from many other students; you will rely heavily on external substances."
"I understand, Teacher," Li Yuan replied. Unlike others who could absorb cosmic energy through advanced techniques, he couldn't.
"Before reaching 9.5, you can use basic blood-enhancing medicines and ordinary source energy pills to meet your body's growth needs," Fan Jin said. "But the stronger your body gets, the more energy it consumes.
"Relying solely on these will see your growth rate decline or even stop once you surpass 9.5."
Li Yuan nodded slightly. In fact, since his physical fitness exceeded 8.0, he had gradually felt this.
"My suggestion is to start using first-level blood-enhancing liquid and complement it with Body Cleansing Essence and source energy pills," Fan Jin advised.
"Body Cleansing Essence? What is that?" Li Yuan asked, familiar with the first two.
"It's specially developed for those without techniques," Fan Jin explained. "All medicines and pills contain impurities.
"Normal martial artists who practice techniques use fewer external substances, so their bodies aren't as burdened.
"But you don't have that option.
"Body Cleansing Essence continuously removes impurities from your body, allowing you to absorb energy and blood nutrients at near-maximum speed," Fan Jin said. "The early martial artists back then used the initial version of 'Body Cleansing Essence' to painfully push their physical fitness to level 19."
Li Yuan understood.
"Nowadays, few people use Body Cleansing Essence. You should be able to find it in Starlight Space," Fan Jin said. "Follow the usage ratio in the training guide.
"Try it once first.
"If your body can handle the pain of Body Cleansing Essence, then continue. If not, stick to your old training plan," Fan Jin smiled, looking forward to it. "Aim to improve your physical fitness to level 10 by August, or even higher."
"At the end of July, the school will organize combat assessments. Although you have passed, you can apply again. The top hundred among the two thousand freshmen will receive cash rewards," Fan Jin smiled. "The top ten will receive 3 million Blue Star Coins."
He knew how to motivate students.
"Yes, Teacher," Li Yuan said earnestly.
After the call,
"Combat assessment? End of July?" Li Yuan's eyes were full of excitement.
He had been pondering where to find combat assessment opportunities to raise his spiritual awakening to 20% and possibly get another spiritual guide chance.
With his strength, the front lines of war were too dangerous; Starlight Martial Hall and the school wouldn't allow him to go.
Unexpectedly, the opportunity came so soon.
"End of July? Four months left?" Li Yuan thought. "Top ten, with an extra 3 million Blue Star Coins reward?"
A generous reward.
"Do your best.
"Like Teacher Fan Jin said, strive to become a true first-level martial artist," Li Yuan thought.
Kunlun Martial Arts University, arguably the top martial arts university in China, enrolled two thousand students annually, all elite from across the country.
However,
"My goal is first place!" Li Yuan was full of ambition.
The top ten had a 3 million Blue Star Coins reward.
What about first place? Would it be higher?
"Body Cleansing Essence is painful? Let's see how painful it is!"
...
Entering the virtual network, Starlight Space.
"Master, I...," the purple-clad girl beside him began to speak.
"Shut up," Li Yuan interrupted. "I need all information on Body Cleansing Essence, including prices and purchase requirements."
"Yes, Master," the purple-clad girl still smiled.
Buzz—
A light screen appeared in front of Li Yuan, displaying extensive text.
"I see." Li Yuan understood.
Then,
He opened the training guide file, concluding, "According to the new plan, if my body can endure, the growth rate before level 12 can be 50%-100% faster."
The exact rate varied per individual.
After level 12? The old plan struggled to make any progress beyond level 12.
"Speed matters.
"I must seize every opportunity without advanced techniques," Li Yuan decided. "Adopt the new training plan."
The plan had one flaw—money!
Over the past six months, Li Yuan spent about 220,000 Blue Star Coins/points monthly on training resources.
But under the new plan,
"First-level blood-enhancing liquid costs 10,000 Blue Star Coins per bottle, needing at least 20 bottles monthly," Li Yuan thought. "Three source energy pills monthly.
"Plus Body Cleansing Essence, three portions monthly, each costing 200,000 Blue Star Coins."
Monthly expenses totaled at least 1.1 million Blue Star Coins!
Martial arts were money pits.
This plan's core was Body Cleansing Essence. Without it, Li Yuan couldn't absorb so many resources, even with money.
Even wealth couldn't buy it.
"Little Jade, follow the new plan and buy one portion of Body Cleansing Essence first," Li Yuan said. "Deliver it to my martial hall address tomorrow."
"Master, a reminder," the purple-clad girl said. "Body Cleansing Essence is extremely painful. If your body or willpower is weak, it's hard to endure."
"Recommended for those at least level 10."
"Right away."
"Understood."
The next second,
Buzz— Li Yuan received a notification, his account deducted 200,000 Blue Star Coins.
"Use points!" Li Yuan couldn't help but say.
"Master, new items default to Blue Star Coins for the first purchase," the purple-clad girl replied weakly.
"You didn't ask me first?"
"You said to do it immediately!" the purple-clad girl retorted confidently.
...
The next afternoon,
Li Yuan requested leave from Teacher Xu Bo and went directly to the martial hall.
Xu Bo agreed immediately.
He had largely given Li Yuan free rein in training, even allowing him to skip martial arts classes.
Most high school martial arts teachers were at the 'third stage' level.
In terms of technique, Li Yuan was on par with Xu Bo.
Starlight Guangshan Branch, Martial Hall 7024.
"Body Cleansing Essence," Li Yuan carefully opened the box, revealing a transparent bottle of green liquid, like jade.
It emitted a faint glow, pure and flawless at a glance.
"Beautiful," Li Yuan thought. "According to the instructions, it must be applied all over the body?"
Hand application? Too outdated!
Li Yuan took the bottle to the therapy room, gently placing it on the 'full-body therapy machine' rack.
Due to practicing "Observing the Grand Sun and Stars," Li Yuan rarely used the therapy room.
"Little Jade.
"Activate full-body standing application mode, Body Cleansing Essence, slow application," Li Yuan instructed. "Authorize."
"Yes," a gentle voice replied.
Li Yuan undressed and stood in the full-body therapy machine, waiting.
Buzz— the machine opened the bottle, extracting the green liquid until it was empty.
Not a drop left.
Seconds later,
Buzz— buzz— several 'application devices' resembling hands emitted green liquid, slowly applying it to Li Yuan's body.
The devices mimicked hands, slightly warm and very comfortable, but soon Li Yuan felt his back heating up.
"Body Cleansing Essence? It works quickly as described," Li Yuan thought.
Soon, Li Yuan felt strange energy seeping through the applied areas, followed by increasing pain throughout his body.
Pain, like needles stabbing under fingernails.
Itching, ten times stronger than someone tickling his feet.
Soreness, like a leg cramp after sitting too long.
These combined sensations would be a nightmare for ordinary people, driving them to despair.
"That's it?" Li Yuan frowned, feeling uncomfortable but tolerable.
Daily, Li Yuan endured the mental pain of "Observing the Grand Sun and Stars," far more intense than this.
Suddenly, the applicator moved over a special central body part, very carefully.
Seconds later,
"Damn!" Li Yuan's eyes widened, unable to hold back a curse.
...
Two hours later, as night fell,
The effects of Body Cleansing Essence wore off, and Li Yuan fully recovered.
"It was tough," Li Yuan thought, glancing at his fit body.
Visible impurities covered his skin.
"Cleansing marrow? Seriously?" Li Yuan muttered.
But, his divine palace panel showed no change in life level.
Yet he felt lighter, more energetic.
After showering, his skin seemed smoother and fairer.
"Try a source energy pill."
Ten minutes later,
After taking a source energy pill, Li Yuan practiced basic techniques, feeling waves of warm energy spreading through his body, absorbed by his bones and muscles.
"Effective," Li Yuan's eyes gleamed. "I took a source energy pill ten days ago; now, I should struggle to absorb it, wasting most of its effect."
"Now, it feels like I haven't taken one in a month."
Without hesitation, Li Yuan ordered a month's worth of training resources per the new plan.
...
"Body Cleansing Essence?"
"Li Yuan endured that pain?" Wan Qinghe quickly learned of Li Yuan's order.
"What incredible willpower!"
...
With the new plan, Li Yuan's slightly slowed progress accelerated again.
Time flew by, and it was April 10th.
The April exams for Jiangcheng's high school seniors had arrived.