Honghe No. 1 Middle School, Honghe City, Dongjiang Province.
Xu Wuyi sat in the middle row of the classroom by the window, his eyes vacant.
A report card lay open in front of him, freshly distributed, still smelling of ink. At the top was written "First Mock Exam for Senior Three Students of Martial Arts High Schools in the City."
Xu Wuyi's gaze swept over the total score in the academic subjects: 512 points.
A score he had expected, neither good nor bad, barely touching the edge of the previous year's first-tier university admission line, requiring a bit of luck.
His gaze moved downwards, landing on the martial arts section, which occupied a third of the right side of the report card.
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Life Energy Level: 8.6.
"Basic Body Tempering Method" Rating: C.
"Crushing Mountain Fist (Elective)" Grade: C-.
"This year's estimated undergraduate martial arts score is around 9.0 Life Energy Level,"
Xu Wuyi sighed inwardly.
Life Energy Level is a scientifically sound statistical method used in the modern martial arts world to assess a martial artist's life strength.
An adult male who has never practiced martial arts has a Life Energy Level of approximately 5.0.
Xu Wuyi's 8.6 Life Energy Level is in the middle range among martial arts high school students, but it's still 0.4 levels below the minimum estimated undergraduate score. Only those
who pass the undergraduate score can participate in the martial arts combat exam; otherwise, it's all for naught.
On the podium, the homeroom teacher, Li Hong, tapped the desk, calming the commotion below slightly.
"You've all seen the grades. Academic subjects are fundamental; I won't reiterate their importance." Her voice was steady, yet carried an inherent pressure.
"Martial arts performance is the real dividing line, the key to whether you can get into the Martial Arts University, especially the 'Basic Body Strengthening Method'."
She turned around and wrote eight characters on the blackboard with chalk: "
The foundation of Qi and Blood, the basis of circulation.
" "This set of techniques was tailor-made for your age group by national-level masters, and it is also the safest and most effective foundation-building method. Every movement, every breath, has been refined through countless trials."
Teacher Li's gaze swept across the audience.
"Don't think it's simple and boring. The more basic it is, the more it determines how far you can go in the future. Whether the movements are standard and whether your mind is focused directly affects the efficiency of Qi and Blood growth and the stability of your foundation." "
During the martial arts combat exam, the stronger your Qi and Blood, the greater your chance of getting a high score." "
..."
Xu Wuyi listened quietly.
He had heard these words too many times in the past three years.
He turned to look out the window. Martial arts students were already doing extra training on the playground, the setting sun casting long shadows on them.
He pursed his lips, folded his report card in half, and put it into his bag.
"Hey, Yi, how's it going?" Zhou Heng, Xu Wuyi's deskmate, leaned over.
Zhou Heng was tall, and his academic performance was slightly worse than Xu Wuyi's, while his martial arts grades were about the same, with a life energy level of 8.7.
After seeing the report card, Zhou Heng clicked his tongue: "Tsk, about the same. My life energy level is 8.7, body tempering is C, and fist techniques are C+. My mom said that as long as I can get into a top-tier university, that's fine. She doesn't insist on a martial arts major; that stuff is too talent-dependent."
His tone was relaxed, as if he had long accepted reality.
"Yeah," Xu Wuyi replied sullenly.
Zhou Heng's family was better off, and his parents seemed more open-minded.
But he himself was different. That vague expectation for martial arts and his dissatisfaction with his current situation were like a thorn stuck in his heart.
"I'm leaving now, see you tomorrow." Zhou Heng patted his shoulder, slung his bag over his shoulder, and disappeared into the departing crowd.
...
Xu Wuyi's way home would pass by the affiliated training base of Honghe Martial Arts University.
Through the tall metal fence, one could see students training inside, their advanced facilities and professional uniforms on display.
Their movements were agile and their energy boundless; they were truly prodigies.
Xu Wuyi would subconsciously glance at them every time he passed by, then lower his head and pedal faster.
His home was in an old residential area, the stairwell filled with the mingled smells of cooking oil and food.
Pushing open the door, the sizzling sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen, the aroma even stronger.
"You're back?" Xu's mother, wearing an apron and a little sweat on her forehead, poked her head out of the kitchen. "Wash your hands, get ready for dinner."
"Okay." Xu Wuyi changed his shoes and placed his schoolbag on a chair in the living room.
Xu's father was sitting on the sofa watching TV.
The screen was showing highlights of the provincial youth martial arts competition, the visuals dazzling, the host speaking rapidly.
"Look at that kid, he's amazing!" Xu's father didn't turn around, but tapped the TV screen with his finger.
The image was frozen on a boy's sharp side kick, the movement clean and crisp, accompanied by the whistling sound of air being cut through.
A contestant's information appeared in the corner of the screen: [Chu Shanhe, 17 years old, Linjiang No. 1 Middle School, Life Energy Level... Estimated Level 14 or above].
"Old Xu, stop watching and come get the food," Xu's mother called from the kitchen.
Xu's father responded and went to the kitchen.
The living room was filled only with the excited voice of the commentator on TV: "Chu Shanhe's kick has already captured three-tenths of the true essence of 'Cracking Wind Kick'! Truly, a hero emerges from among the young!"
The three sat down to eat.
The TV program continued, the host passionately analyzing Chu Shanhe's prospects for winning the championship, calling him "the rising star of Dongjiang Province's martial arts world."
"This Chu Shanhe is truly amazing," Xu's father said after taking a bite of rice, unable to resist commenting, "I heard his family's circumstances aren't great, he's achieved everything through his own hard work. This talent..."
Xu's mother interrupted him, "Just eat, why talk so much? Other people's kids are great, it has nothing to do with us."
As she spoke, she placed another piece of green vegetable on Xu Wuyi's plate.
"Ayi, eat more. Studying is tiring, and martial arts takes even more energy. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Okay, Mom."
...
A little after ten o'clock, Xu Wuyi closed the last workbook.
The room became completely quiet, with only the faint glow of streetlights from the neighborhood outside the window.
It was time for his daily martial arts practice.
He changed into loose sportswear, turned off the main light, leaving only a desk lamp on his desk, and cleared a small space in the center of the room. He took
a deep breath, clearing his mind, and assumed the starting stance of the "Basic Body Strengthening Method," [Embracing the Yuan and Guarding the One]. Shoulders
relaxed, elbows dropped, waist loosened, hips tucked in... he silently recited the key points one by one.
Accompanied by slow, deep breaths, he tried to guide the qi and blood in his body along specific meridians.
Once, twice, three times...
his body gradually warmed up, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his skin.
Xu Wuyi could feel his blood and qi flowing, but the sensation was vague and scattered, difficult to concentrate, let alone efficiently break through barriers and strengthen himself.
It was like carving stone with a dull knife—laborious and slow-moving, a reflection of his ordinary talent.
The process was tedious and repetitive, with minimal reward, but he didn't stop. He continued to exert all his strength to control every subtle part of his body and adjust his breathing rhythm.
This was currently the only known path to improvement, and no matter how slow, he couldn't give up.
The figure of Chu Shanhe and the cautious gazes of his parents alternated in his mind.
Time quietly passed, and the hands of the clock slid past eleven.
Fatigue began to accumulate; his muscles ached, and more noticeably, he felt mentally exhausted.
The sustained high level of concentration was consuming a great deal of his energy, making it difficult to focus, and inevitably causing deviations in the precision of his movements.
After barely completing another set of movements, Xu Wuyi stood there, panting, sweat dripping from his forehead.
A familiar feeling of powerlessness resurfaced, just like countless nights over the past three years.
He had tried hard, invested time and sweat, but he couldn't see any progress. His performance in exams fluctuated wildly, sometimes even regressing.
Perhaps Zhou Heng and his parents were right?
Face reality, abandon unrealistic fantasies?
People like Chu Shanhe were born to be in the spotlight.
This thought had barely formed when it was suppressed by an even stronger sense of resentment.
He was unwilling to accept it.
Why?
Perhaps because this resentment was exceptionally strong, or perhaps because extreme mental exhaustion had made him more sensitive, just as his mind was racing and he was about to end his cultivation for the night—
his consciousness suddenly wavered, as if sinking weightlessly.
Deep within his sea of consciousness, an ancient, illusory scroll quietly appeared, gleaming with a faint bronze glow.
It had no ornate decorations, only a profound weight accumulated over countless years.
On the scroll's panel, lines of ancient characters appeared:
[Martial Arts Diligence Record]
Martial Arts: Basic Body Tempering Method
Current Level: Beginner (97.3%)
Martial Arts Characteristics: Not Activated
Assessment: Weak foundation, untapped potential.
Xu Wuyi froze, his breath catching in his throat.
A hallucination? He instinctively closed his eyes, shook his head violently, and then opened them again.
The scroll remained suspended deep within his consciousness, the characters unchanged,
the level… Beginner 97.3%?
Realm... Beginner 97.3%?
Xu Wuyi, like most of his classmates, had been stuck at the "beginner" level for three years of high school, but had never known his true progress.
Even his martial arts teacher, Mr. Wang, could only tell that they were close to "entry-level," but didn't know exactly how close.
This "Martial Arts Diligence Record" panel could actually quantify martial arts progress?
Xu Wuyi thought for a moment, then assumed the starting stance of the "Basic Body Tempering Method," [Embrace the Yuan and Guard the One].
This time, his mindset was completely different. No longer was he mechanically and numbly repeating the movements, but rather he was fully focused, striving to perfect his posture.
At the same time, his "gaze" was fixed on the light screen in his sea of consciousness.
Almost the instant his movements were perfectly executed, the line representing "current realm" on the light screen blurred slightly at the end, displaying "97.3%."
It jumped!
It became 97.4%!
At the same time, a new line of small text quietly appeared below the light screen:
[Standard training completed today: 1 time]
Xu Wuyi's breath hitched, and his movements almost went awry.
He quickly steadied himself and continued with the next movement, but perhaps because he had relaxed his mind earlier, this time his movements were not standard enough. A line of dark red text appeared on the panel:
[Incorrect movements, practice interrupted.]
"Failed..."
Xu Wuyi was not discouraged, because he had grasped the key—standard movements and focused training were the only ways to be judged as qualified!
He carefully reviewed the feeling of the previous movement, comparing it with Teacher Wang's usual explanations. His arm seemed to be raised slightly too high, causing a slight tremor in his shoulder muscles.
In the past, when he practiced on his own, he would never notice such subtle differences. As long as the general framework was correct, he would continue practicing.
Sometimes he was lucky and his movements were standard; sometimes he was unlucky and practiced incorrect movements, which not only failed to train him but might even have the opposite effect.
Xu Wuyi had a sudden realization. Perhaps this was the reason why his martial arts had stagnated?
Having figured this out, Xu Wuyi was not surprised but delighted. He was never afraid of hardship, only of not having a path to progress!
The extremely rigorous feedback mechanism of the "Martial Arts Diligence Record" was like an absolutely precise top-notch mentor, exactly what he needed right now!
He no longer rushed to complete the entire cycle of the technique, but changed his strategy, breaking down the nine forms of the "Basic Body Forging Method" and practicing each movement individually.
He assumed the starting stance of "Embracing the Yuan and Guarding the One" again, then raised his arm extremely slowly, fully feeling the changes in the way and angle of muscle exertion, while closely monitoring the panel.
He was extra careful when the movement approached the point where he had made a mistake earlier.
Once, the panel did not react.
He subtly adjusted the angle and tried again.
[The movement is not standard, practice interrupted.]
The glaring red text popped up again.
He failed again.
But Xu Wuyi's eyes lit up; he could feel that he was getting closer and closer to that "standard" point.
He calmed down, like polishing a precision instrument, repeatedly trying, adjusting, and perceiving.
Finally, in the instant he raised his arm, his mind guiding his qi and blood to sink slightly, his waist and abdomen naturally tightening and generating power, a smooth and solid feeling flowed through the entire movement.
Almost simultaneously, the numbers on the panel jumped again:
97.5%!
[Standard training completed today: 2 times]
He succeeded!
Xu Wuyi let out a long breath, sweat already beading on his forehead. This wasn't just physical exertion, but also the exhaustion from intense mental concentration.
Just two recognized "standard movements" were more tiring than half an hour of aimless practice he used to do.
But he was happy to do it.
For the next while, Xu Wuyi was completely immersed in this cycle of "disassembly, trial and error, and correction."
The strict "interruption" prompts in the [Martial Arts Diligence Record], although repeatedly interrupting his practice, were like the most precise navigation, pulling him step by step out of his incorrect inertia and guiding him onto the right path.
A few degrees of deviation in the hip angle during a turn, a half-beat difference in the coordination of breathing and movement rhythm, a slight early or late timing in guiding qi and blood with intention…
these seemingly insignificant deviations, accumulated over the years, undoubtedly greatly affected his cultivation efficiency.
Now, the panel laid bare all his mistakes, forcing him to correct them.
This process was extremely taxing, a double test of Xu Wuyi's physical strength and energy.
He didn't know how much time had passed when the number of times he had completed standard cultivation today jumped to 7, and his current level became 97.6%. A strong wave of dizziness and emptiness suddenly struck, causing his vision to go black, his movements to abruptly collapse, and he staggered before barely managing to regain his balance.
His mental energy was being overexerted.
He panted heavily, feeling the pricking fatigue emanating from his mind, and didn't force himself to continue.
Too much of a good thing is bad; his mind could no longer maintain standard movements, and forcing himself to train would not only be useless but would also have the opposite effect, just like his previous cultivation.
He slowly finished his practice, walked to his desk, and glanced at the alarm clock. Less than an hour had passed, and the result was a 0.3% increase in proficiency and 7 effective counts.
0.3%... It seemed insignificant, but Xu Wuyi clearly remembered that he had been stuck at 97.3% for almost two months!
At his previous pace, it would probably take at least another half a month of hard work to reach this level.
And now, only an hour had passed.
The enormous difference in efficiency made his heart race.
He washed his face, forcing himself to stop thinking about cultivation and completely relax. The school had long taught him that deep sleep was the best way to restore his mind.
That night, Xu Wuyi slept exceptionally soundly.
...
The next morning, Honghe No. 1 Middle School, martial arts training hall.
Heavy breathing and Teacher Wang's booming reprimands echoed in the spacious hall.
"Breathing! Deep and even! What about the rhythm of your movements? Don't rush! Use your mind to follow your qi and blood, not to make you move around aimlessly!"
Martial arts instructor Wang Wenhai, a near-martial master level expert, scanned the ranks with lightning-fast eyes, correcting them from time to time.
Apart from a few martial arts prodigies, most students only had serious expressions, their movements more or less numb with habit.
Three years, tens of thousands of repetitions, had long since worn away the initial novelty, leaving more of a sense of duty to pass exams.
After all, they were destined to have no chance at martial arts school; practicing martial arts was merely a requirement of the country and the school, which they had to comply with.
Zhou Heng, standing beside Xu Wuyi, listlessly practiced the [Bow Stance Punch] while muttering under his breath, "Sigh, Wang Heilian is even more ruthless than Master Li. He practices every day, but I haven't seen much improvement in my qi and blood. It's all for nothing."
Xu Wuyi didn't respond.
His gaze was calm, his movements meticulous, even more standard and fluid than usual.
Most of his attention was immersed in the bronze scroll deep within his sea of consciousness.
"Last night I practiced the starting stance [Embrace the Yuan and Guard the One] pretty well, but I can't even get the whole set of 'Basic Body Forging Method' right once in ten tries. Obviously, I'm not proficient enough in the last eight movements."
"Today, I'll focus on practicing the second movement, the Bow Stance Punch!"
Completely focused on the practice, Xu Wuyi kept adjusting the angle, and the "Incorrect Movement" warning popped up on the panel again and again.
Time passed quickly in his concentration. The moment Xu Wuyi precisely found a certain angle and exerted force, he felt a slight warmth in his waist, and a weak flow of qi rose smoothly upwards. The sluggishness he usually felt during practice had indeed disappeared!
His movements were fluid, his energy flowing smoothly.
Following this momentum, Xu Wuyi completed the entire "Basic Body Tempering Method," and unsurprisingly, a notification popped up on the panel:
[Standard training completed today: 1 time]
Xu Wuyi slowly finished his stance, his chest rising and falling evenly with his breath. Characters appeared on the ancient bronze scroll in his mind:
[Standard training completed today: 1 time]
[Current level of Basic Body Tempering Method: Beginner (97.6%)]
Although his level remained unchanged at 97.6%, Xu Wuyi could feel his improvement.
As expected, this time his movements were perfectly standard!
"Toot—!"
The sharp assembly whistle interrupted the panting in the arena.
"Fifteen-minute break." Teacher Wang's voice was like a muffled thunderclap, leaving no room for argument.
The students quickly stopped their movements and began to relax their limbs, while Xu Wuyi strode back to his position, unscrewed an old mineral water bottle, and took a swig. The
slightly cool water slid down his throat, slightly calming his heartbeat, which had accelerated with excitement.
In the following training, Xu Wuyi continued to break down the exercises, like the most meticulous craftsman, repeatedly polishing every detail.
Teacher Wang's roar echoed through the arena:
"Waist and stance as one! The power originates in your waist, not your arms!"
"Breathe in your lungs so that exhalation generates power and inhalation stores power!"
"Concentrate! How can you gather your qi and blood if your mind is scattered?"
These words would only sound like pressure to most students, but to Xu Wuyi, they resonated with the strict prompts on the panel in his mind.
He tried to combine Teacher Wang's guidance with the panel feedback.
When practicing the [Bow Stance Punch], he deliberately focused on feeling the "power originating in the waist," experiencing the subtle sensation of the waist and abdomen twisting and driving the arms.
Once, he failed.
The panel indicated [Incorrect form].
Twice, he failed.
The inertia of muscle memory was powerful.
Three times… He adjusted his breathing, slowed down, and cleared his mind of all distractions.
Just as that power rose from his waist, flowed through his spine, and propelled his arms forward—
in his mind, the numbers slightly fluctuated: 97.7%!
[Standard training completed today: 2 times]
Success!
Xu Wuyi suppressed his excitement, savoring that profound moment.
The feeling of power flowing smoothly through him was unprecedented.
It was at this moment that Xu Wuyi gained some new insights.
"The panel's judgment on 'standard movements' seems strict, but it may actually leave quite a bit of leeway, far from 'perfect.'"
"My [Bow Stance Punch] just now was more accurate than before, and the training effect was better."
"That's right, if it were 'perfect' from the start, I probably wouldn't have been able to do it even once."
He subconsciously looked up, just in time to meet Teacher Wang's sweeping gaze.
Those sharp eyes lingered on him for a fraction of a second longer, a hint of surprise flashing across them, before returning to normal, as if it were just a casual glance, and quickly moved on to instructing another student.
Xu Wuyi's heart tightened, then he relaxed.
Teacher Wang was a quasi-martial arts master with sharp eyes; it was normal for him to be noticed when his movements became a little more standard.
As long as he didn't reveal his panel, it was fine.
...
When the school bell rang, the panel displayed:
[Current level of Basic Body Tempering Technique: Beginner (97.8%)]
[Standard training completed today: 14 times]
Exhaustion washed over him, but the light in Xu Wuyi's eyes burned even brighter.
"Let's go, Ayi!" Zhou Heng grabbed his shoulder. "Hurry up, I'm starving! The cafeteria has braised pork today, if we're late we'll be all gone!"
Dragged out by Zhou Heng, Xu Wuyi finally snapped out of his highly focused state.
The cafeteria was bustling with noise.
Zhou Heng squeezed in and quickly returned with two overflowing plates.
"Here, yours." He pushed one of the plates in front of Xu Wuyi, eagerly shoveling a mouthful of rice into his mouth, mumbling, "Did you take the wrong medicine today? You trained so hard, you couldn't even hear me."
Xu Wuyi picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of braised pork. The meat was tender and juicy, rich and flavorful, the most popular main dish in the cafeteria.
He chewed on the meat, feeling the tangible energy flowing into his body, and smiled. "It's nothing, I just feel... like I've found my rhythm."
"Rhythm?" Zhou Heng's eyes widened, then he understood. "I know, I know. Every time after an exam, I feel like I can turn things around next time, and then... hehe."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, not really caring.
Xu Wuyi didn't say anything more, just buried his head in his food.
...
The next few days, Xu Wuyi's life was extremely regular.
He went to school, making the most of every second between academic classes, and devoted himself entirely to martial arts training.
As soon as the school bell rang, he was usually the first to rush out of the classroom, just to get home early to start his evening practice.
The atmosphere at the dinner table at home seemed a little more relaxed.
"Ayi, your appetite has improved lately." Xu's mother watched him finish his second bowl of rice and then served him a bowl of soup. "Eat more, martial arts training is very taxing."
Xu's father also nodded in agreement. "Practice is good, but don't push yourself too hard. Take care of your health."
Xu Wuyi nodded in response, mentally calculating the time.
He wolfed down his meal, rushed to wash the dishes, and immediately retreated to his small room.
He changed his clothes, cleared the floor, and began his practice.
His understanding of "effective practice" was deepening.
It wasn't just about perfect form; it was about the perfect unity of internal energy flow, breathing rhythm, and mental focus.
Any slight error in any aspect would mercilessly trigger the message "[Incorrect form, practice interrupted]" on the panel.
This training method was extremely efficient, but also incredibly taxing on the mind. Often, an hour of practice was more tiring than a whole day of aimless practice.
Fortunately, the [Martial Arts Diligence Record] seemed to offer some hidden benefits: his energy recovery was faster, and his sleep quality was better, allowing him to sustain this intensity.
A week flew by in sweat and focused concentration.
Friday evening, Xu Wuyi's room.
He had just completed a set of [Vibrating Breathing Exercises], his sweat soaking through his workout clothes, leaving a small dark stain on the floor.
He panted heavily, eagerly sinking into his sea of consciousness.
[Martial Arts Diligence Record]
Martial Arts: Basic Body Tempering Method
Current Level: Beginner (99.8%)
Martial Arts Characteristics: Not Activated
Assessment: Foundation gradually solidifying, bottleneck reached.
99.8%.
The slight smile that had just appeared on Xu Wuyi's lips quickly vanished.
This week, he had made rapid progress.
His life energy level had risen from 8.6 to 8.7, taking another step closer to the undergraduate level. He had also broken down each of the nine movements of the *Basic Body Tempering Method*, refining them all to the "standard" level.
But problems arose.
The closer he got to the final "entry-level," the more negligible the increase in proficiency from each "standard movement" became.
Initially, a single standard movement could improve his proficiency by 0.1% or even more, but now, he often needed to repeat the "standard movement" dozens of times for the percentage to reluctantly jump by 0.1%. It
took him two whole days to go from 99.7% to 99.8%, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted.
That final 0.2% seemed like an invisible yet incredibly resilient barrier, firmly blocking his way.
A familiar sense of powerlessness, mixed with new anxiety, quietly crept into his heart.
Xu Wuyi had a feeling that he might be able to break through this bottleneck through repeated practice, but that would likely take half a month, or even a month.
Winter break was approaching, and the college entrance exam was less than seven months away.
To get into a good martial arts university, he had to seize every second.
Perhaps mastering all the movements of the *Basic Body Tempering Method* to the "standard" level was a prerequisite for "entering" the technique, but not the only one.
"What's missing?"
Just as Xu Wuyi was pondering this, new text appeared on the panel:
[Encountering a bottleneck, need to seek external stimulation or deep understanding.]
"External stimulation…deep understanding…" Xu Wuyi muttered to himself, his brow furrowed.
The following Saturday morning, at the martial arts training hall of Honghe No. 1 Middle School.
Few students were practicing over the weekend, making the hall feel empty. Teacher Wang was still there, instructing a few top students.
Xu Wuyi was also there, more silent than usual, but his eyes, like searchlights, were fixed intently on Teacher Wang.
Today, he practiced less, but spent much more time observing.
He was no longer content with merely imitating the outward forms of the movements, but was trying to understand and capture something beyond the "standard" in Teacher Wang's actions.
He discovered that when Teacher Wang practiced the "Basic Body Strengthening Method," there was a unique "charm" in the flow of qi and blood and the connection between movements.
A smooth and natural rhythm, a harmonious and integrated coordination, as if each movement contained an inner vitality.
Even the most basic "Embracing the Yuan and Guarding the One" had a profound sense of stability and readiness when performed by Teacher Wang.
This "charm" was not in textbooks, and Teacher Wang had never explained it in detail.
Before mastering all nine forms of the "Body Tempering Method," Xu Wuyi had never truly grasped its essence. Now, however, he seemed to have reached that threshold.
He held his breath, desperately trying to memorize that feeling.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but Xu Wuyi walked alone to a corner of the arena and began practicing the [Basic Body Tempering Method], attempting to integrate the unique "charm" of the qi and blood circulation into his own [Embracing the Yuan and Guarding the One].
It felt awkward, stiff, and superficially similar, but lacking the true spirit.
In the past, Xu Wuyi would have been unable to imitate it, but now it was different. This
was not only due to his profound martial arts skills, but also because, after "adjusting" the standard movements, his understanding of the "Body Tempering Method" had reached a new level.
He had also become more adept at learning; this was entirely his own achievement, not something derived from the interface.
Xu Wuyi devoted the entire day to this imitation, even forgetting the time and his physical exhaustion.
Just as he adjusted his breathing, trying to capture that sense of "steadiness," the qi and blood circulated within him, and the interface in his mind suddenly fluctuated slightly.
A new line of small text quietly appeared:
[The movement contains a rudimentary form of 'intention,' temporarily increasing cultivation efficiency by 50%]
[Standard cultivation completed today: 1 time]
[Current level of Basic Body Tempering Method: Beginner (99.9%)]
Xu Wuyi was stunned, his heart pounding!
Intention? Rudimentary form?
During his previous cultivation, he had constantly interrupted his movements to imitate this "intention," and this was only his first standard cultivation session today.
But this one session directly broke through his previously stagnant level!
Without time to think too much, Xu Wuyi quickly began to practice again, trying to record the feeling this time.
Unfortunately, he didn't experience a similar feeling of "intention" again, but the increase in his qi and blood was indeed much more noticeable than before.
No wonder it's a 50% temporary boost!
[Standard training completed today: 2 times]
[Standard training completed today: 5 times]
[Standard training completed today: 10 times]
...
[Standard training completed today: 32 times]
By the time Xu Wuyi felt completely exhausted, it was already afternoon, his stomach growling with hunger. He had completed an unprecedented 32 standard training sessions.
More importantly, his cultivation level had finally broken through to the "Entry-level"!
[Basic Body Tempering Method Current Level: Entry-level (0.8%)]
With a slight thought, the complete panel appeared before him:
[Martial Arts Diligence Record]
Martial Arts: Basic Body Tempering Method
Current Level: Entry-level (0.8%)
Martial Arts Characteristics: Not Activated
Assessment: Foundation gradually solidifying, initial glimpse into the path.
Overjoyed, Xu Wuyi almost collapsed from exhaustion, realizing he had overtrained himself and needed a proper rest.
But even if he had to choose again, he would still do the same—this was a temporary boost of up to 50%, missing it would be a real regret!
Now was the time to overexert himself!
Xu Wuyi wiped the sweat from his forehead and simply sat down on the ground, only to find himself shrouded in a huge shadow.
Teacher Wang Wenhai had somehow appeared beside him.
"Teacher Wang?"
Teacher Wang looked at him with a smile and said, "Good lad! Xu Wuyi, I didn't expect we had someone like you in our class. You've only just begun your body-tempering technique, yet you've already grasped the true meaning of martial arts?"
Xu Wuyi was about to get up when Teacher Wang waved his hand and casually squatted down beside him, his gaze still fixed on him.
"How did that feel just now?"
Xu Wuyi's heart hadn't fully calmed down yet. He carefully recalled the feeling of that moment: "It was as if my body knew how to move on its own. My qi and blood and thoughts followed immediately, very smoothly and efficiently."
"Very efficient?" Teacher Wang caught the word, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curve slightly. "It seems you have your own tricks. That wasn't smoothness; it was the rudimentary form of 'intention,' though it was so faint as to be almost negligible, it was indeed it."
He paused, looking at the confusion in Xu Wuyi's eyes, his tone softening, with a rare hint of explanation:
"'Intention' is something that can't be explained or described."
"It's not something you can have just by being taught how to pose or breathe. It's a 'spiritual light' that arises naturally from the fusion of your mind, qi, blood, and movements after you've practiced them to a certain level."
"Being able to condense the true meaning of martial arts is the mark of a martial artist truly entering the field, shedding their mere craftsmanship, and beginning to touch the true essence of martial arts. Many people reach the Martial Master level, but they've only just touched the threshold of 'intention'," Teacher Wang said with a hint of emotion. "You've only just entered the field, yet you've already touched the surface... that's quite remarkable."
"Of course, different martial arts have different true meanings. Body Tempering Method is the foundation, and its 'intention' is the simplest."
Xu Wuyi thought for a moment and then asked, "Then how do I master it?"
Teacher Wang smiled and shook his head, saying, "Mastering it is easier said than done. As I said before, it can't be taught. True 'intention' often comes from a flash of inspiration forced out in actual combat, under pressure, or even at the brink of life and death."
"It's too early for you to talk about these things now. Having even a rudimentary form of 'intention' is enough to greatly increase the efficiency of your Body Tempering Method. Improving your Qi and Blood as soon as possible will be the greatest help for the college entrance examination."
"The undergraduate admission line is the most basic requirement, and it's best to reach level 10 or above as soon as possible..."
"Understood." Xu Wuyi nodded knowingly. Qi and Blood were his biggest weakness at the moment; he hadn't even reached the undergraduate admission line yet.
With this level of skill, no matter how profound your martial arts or how lofty your "artistic conception," you won't be able to perform well in a real combat test.
Xu Wuyi understood why Teacher Wang mentioned level 10 or above.
Only when a martial artist's life energy level reaches 10.0 is they qualified to access visualization techniques, begin spiritual cultivation, and connect to the Star Martial Battle Network!
"Battle Network..."
Xu Wuyi had heard of it before; it was a virtual network with a simulation accuracy exceeding 80%, requiring connection through a virtual machine, thus demanding high physical and mental strength from the user.
Teacher Wang stood up, patted Xu Wuyi's shoulder, and said, "Next week, the class will organize a proper practical training session, not the previous childish games. Prepare well."
Practical training?
"I understand, thank you, Teacher Wang!" Xu Wuyi suppressed his chaotic thoughts and thanked him solemnly.
On Monday, the atmosphere in the martial arts training hall was noticeably different from usual.
A large open space in the center of the arena was cleared, and students stood around it, whispering amongst themselves, a tense atmosphere permeating the air.
Teacher Wang stood in the center, his gaze sweeping across the entire area, his voice louder than usual.
"Today is sparring training. Put on your gloves and protective gear. The rules are simple: except for not intentionally attacking vital points, there are no other restrictions!"
These were fewer restrictions than usual, causing the students to exchange bewildered glances.
Xu Wuyi, however, remained calm. Having chosen the path of martial arts, he should have known this day would come sooner or later.
During the college entrance exam's sparring test, even vital points would be allowed, with virtually no restrictions. Although there would be martial arts master-level instructors proctoring, accidents still occurred every year.
Teacher Wang's gaze swept over the faces of several students with high energy.
"First group, Han Mengmeng, Xu Wuyi."
Xu Wuyi's heart skipped a beat; they had indeed arrived.
Han Mengmeng was one of the few girls in the class with outstanding martial arts skills. Her life energy level was said to have reached 9.2, exceeding the undergraduate admission line.
She was agile and skillful, and proficient in using the elective D-level martial art "Snake Hand".
Hearing the name, she smiled confidently, walked out lightly, and flexed her wrists.
A murmur of discussion arose around her.
"Han Mengmeng's 'Snake Hand' is quite difficult to deal with, with tricky angles."
"Xu Wuyi has been working hard lately, but his life energy level is a step below, and his skills can't compare, right?"
"Let's see how he handles it. Han Mengmeng doesn't just rely on physical strength."
Zhou Heng glanced at Xu Wuyi worriedly from the side and whispered, "Ayi, be careful of her grappling and joint lock techniques. Don't get entangled by her."
Xu Wuyi took a deep breath, nodded to Zhou Heng, didn't say anything, took off his coat, put on the ordinary boxing gloves provided by the school, and walked to the center of the ring.
Han Mengmeng was slightly shorter than him, but her eyes were sharp. Her starting stance wasn't the "Basic Body Tempering Method," but rather a nimble posture with clear characteristics of the "Snake Hand" technique.
Her hands extended slightly like snake tongues, carrying a hint of provocation.
She looked at Xu Wuyi. A classmate for three years, she was fairly familiar with this unassuming boy, knowing his talent was mediocre, but he was incredibly hardworking.
Unfortunately, the path of martial arts isn't just about hard work.
Han Mengmeng shook her head inwardly, wondering if Teacher Wang had arranged for them to fight in the first match to discourage some students.
Before she could think further, Teacher Wang's voice rang out.
"Begin!"
Han Mengmeng slid forward, her figure swiftly closing the distance. Her right hand, fingers pointing like a beak, aimed directly at the nerve endings on Xu Wuyi's arm, the angle tricky and the speed incredibly fast!
She knew she had an advantage in terms of qi and blood, but not a huge one, so she intended to use technique to suppress him and disrupt his rhythm from the start. Xu Wuyi's heart skipped a beat.
He instinctively used the footwork from the *Basic Body Tempering Method* to retreat, his forearm instinctively bracing itself. The movement was precise, he blocked the attack, but the instant his arm made contact, he still felt a subtle force penetrate, causing a slight numbness. "Your reaction is alright, but too rigid!" Han Mengmeng chuckled, pressing her advantage relentlessly. Her hands moved in rapid succession, unleashing the techniques of the *Snake Hand*, specifically targeting joints and acupoints—weak points. Xu Wuyi was immediately put on the defensive. His *Basic Body Tempering Method* movements were precise and his foundation solid, but against Han Mengmeng's flexible, varied, and highly targeted attacks, he appeared somewhat clumsy and slow. He could sense that the difference in their blood and qi strength was indeed not significant; if her life energy level was 9.2, then his was at least 8.8 or higher. What truly put him at a disadvantage now was the deficiency in his combat skills. He could only parry and dodge, each contact revealing his opponent's strength as slippery and elusive as an eel, leaving him powerless and his blood circulation seemingly disrupted. "See? He's completely suppressed." "The difference in martial arts skills is too great; they're not even in the same league." "Han Mengmeng's 'Snake Hand' is so powerful!" The murmurs from the sidelines grew louder. Zhou Heng scratched his head in disbelief. As the saying goes, prolonged defense inevitably leads to defeat. If this continued, Xu Wuyi would eventually be exhausted, or someone would find an opening and crush him. This was Zhou Heng's thought, as well as the other students' and even Han Mengmeng's, but Xu Wuyi himself didn't think so. Xu Wuyi remained highly focused, maintaining an impenetrable defense against the relentless onslaught, revealing no weakness. He realized that after enduring the initial onslaught, the situation had essentially stabilized. Han Mengmeng's proficiency in "Snake Hand" was not low, but her foundation was clearly not as solid as his, specifically her weakness in the "Basic Body Tempering Method." Body tempering is the foundation; without an stable foundation, martial arts can only unleash 80% of their power. Conversely, with a solid foundation, martial arts can unleash their full potential! Xu Wuyi had already made up his mind, but outwardly remained unmoved, meticulously maintaining his defense, though his movements were becoming increasingly skillful. Han Mengmeng, unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged attack, seemed somewhat impatient. After a feint, she launched a swift grappling strike, grabbing Xu Wuyi's wrist, attempting to completely lock him in place! This strike was incredibly fast, almost a guaranteed hit! However, just as her fingers were about to lock onto his wrist, Xu Wuyi, as if prescient, anticipated the attack and reacted in advance. Sinking his shoulder, dropping his elbow, and rotating his wrist—this was an instinct honed through countless repetitions of the "Basic Body Tempering Method," and also the simplest and most effective reaction.
This perfectly timed change caused Han Mengmeng's determined grab to miss, her fingertips merely grazing his skin.
Her technique had become stale, revealing its weakness!
Now!
Xu Wuyi's eyes gleamed, and he unleashed a straightforward, unadorned straight punch.
Mountain-Crushing Fist!
He only knew this elective martial art, but its rating was low, only C-, and he hadn't even spent any extra time practicing it recently.
But now, this punch felt exceptionally natural to Xu Wuyi, because the power generation technique he used was clearly the [Bow Stance Punch] from the *Basic Body Tempering Method*! Fist techniques
share commonalities, and Xu Wuyi incorporated his understanding of the *Basic Body Tempering Method* into it, resulting in a [Mountain-Crushing Fist] with a different effect.
His blood surged, his strength condensed, and the timing was perfect, striking Han Mengmeng's central opening.
Bang!
A muffled, solid sound.
Han Mengmeng hadn't expected Xu Wuyi's parry to be so effortless, nor had she anticipated such a swift counterattack.
She felt a tightness in her chest, a solid force surged through her, and with a gasp, her body stumbled backward uncontrollably, falling five or six steps before landing hard on her backside.
She wasn't injured, but her face was filled with astonishment and a slight flush.
The entire training hall fell silent instantly.
The training session was essentially a sparring match, and although no one was holding back, according to the rules, Han Mengmeng had already lost.
Sure enough, a smile flashed in Coach Wang's eyes as he calmly announced, "Xu Wuyi wins."
Whoosh!
The hall erupted in chaos.