High-Level Martial Era

"Indeed, the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal is a fine Heavenly Material Treasure, but logically, the effect shouldn't be this significant."

Dean Hai expressed his doubts, "He's not progressing from level 10 to level 11, but from level 14 to level 15."

"Speaking purely in terms of physical quality, his Fist Strength has increased by over 4000 kilograms in a single month."

"Has he left the school this month?" Dean Hai asked.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind.

"No, since the end of the freshmen battle of the ten schools, Li Yuan has been cultivating within the school." Li Yang said, "He undergoes combat training daily and attends general knowledge classes, which can all be verified."

Li Yang understood Dean Hai's doubts—he was suspecting that Li Yuan might have had other serendipitous encounters.

But in reality, there weren't any.

"Additionally, I check his physical quality every week." Li Yang added, "After using the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal, the rate of his progress has noticeably increased."

"The rate of progress is very stable," Li Yang confirmed, "All documented."

"Good." Dean Hai finally let go of the last thread of suspicion and smiled, "It seems the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal is indeed the right choice for him."

"We, too, have underestimated his rate of progress," Dean Hai stated calmly.

"President, you are wise," Li Yang said with a laugh, but thought to himself, we?

It was obviously you who underestimated him.

But then, Li Yang followed up with a question, "President, what should we do now?"

"It's still too dangerous to go to the Mingxu Star Realm now," Dean Hai spoke softly, "Let's stick to the original plan, one month."

"There's nearly two months left; his strength should be able to improve further, and his ability to protect himself will be stronger."

"Besides, the school has a holiday in December, right?" Dean Hai inquired.

"Yes," nodded Li Yang.

Normal universities have winter and summer breaks, but Martial Arts University's holiday schedule is completely different.

Every year in late June and late December, there will be a half-month break to allow students to go home, which is staggered with the usual university vacations.

"Just let him go home before venturing out into the Star Realms," Dean Hai suggested.

"Yes," Li Yang nodded, understanding what Dean Hai meant.

Venturing into the Star Realms is completely different from a Combat Assessment.

Though Combat Assessments are dangerous, the death rate for each can be controlled at around one percent, or even lower; it is only the cumulative casualty rate that is high.

Especially for a genius of Li Yuan's caliber, the death rate is even lower.

Most importantly, all 'accidental factors' can be eliminated.

Venturing into the Star Realms? Although the school will also provide some protective measures, no matter the preparations, it is impossible to avoid accidents, such as an unexpected encounter with a Second Rank Alien Race or Flying Heaven creature... Such occurrences have happened in history.

Sending Li Yuan home first, in some sense, is also a form of 'farewell.'

Who knows, he might die out there this time.

After all, Li Yuan is only 18 years old.

"There are two more things," Dean Hai spoke faintly, "First, have Li Yuan come see me tomorrow."

"Second, inform Starfire Martial Hall that Li Yuan has reached level 15 and ask them to arrange for the delivery of the Origin Power Battle Suit as soon as possible."

"Yes," Li Yang nodded.

...

That evening.

While watching the news, Li Yuan received a communication from Li Yang.

"Dean Hai wants to see me tomorrow; he might give me guidance on my cultivation and venturing into the Star Realms?" Li Yuan speculated upon reading the message from Li Yang, "I don't even need to apply myself?"

According to Kunlun Martial University's rules, before the senior year, regardless of the level of Physical Quality, one doesn't need to venture into the Star Realms.

Likewise, if one's Physical Quality reaches level 15, they can enter the Star Realms after applying personally, whether they are a freshman, sophomore, or junior.

He put down his smart wristband.

"The Fish Spirit Clan," Li Yuan continued to watch the 'Star Realm Channel' projected on the screen.

"According to statistics, the recent Star Realm attack that Jiang City encountered has resulted in at least 284 deaths..."

"In Shi Zhou, over the past seven days, there have been attacks from the Fish Spirit Star Realm, resulting in at least 800 deaths..."

"Following our station's reporter's visit, starting today, the military forces of Jiangbei Province, Starfire Martial Hall, and Starry Sky Martial Hall will conduct joint operations, using a dragnet strategy along the Xiang River..." one news story followed another in the projection.

All were about Jiangbei Province and the Fish Spirit Clan.

Ever since his conversation with Wan Qinghe, Li Yuan had been paying close attention to the news from Jiangbei Province, especially concerning Jiang City... Yesterday, various locations across Jiangbei Province suffered another round of large-scale attacks.

Only today had the situation been mostly brought under control.

"So many casualties," Li Yuan frowned slightly, "Is the Fish Spirit Clan really that hard to eradicate?"

The Fish Spirit Star Realm, like a festering wound on Jiangbei Province's body, not fatal but occasionally inflammatory, causes panic and harm to the citizens of the entire Jiangbei Province.

"However."

"Uncle and auntie live in the Starfire South Lake community; the impact there is minimal," Li Yuan mused.

...

The next day, November 17.

At two in the afternoon, Li Yuan arrived at Dean Hai's villa residence, accompanied by Li Yang.

This was Li Yuan's first visit.

The previous meetings with Dean Hai had always been held at the Heilong Building.

However, just as he stepped off the flying vehicle, Li Yuan was slightly taken aback.

Because, on the lush green lawn outside the villa, Dean Hai was leisurely lying on a recliner, dressed in casual clothes and wearing sunglasses.

Fishing.

A large parasol was raised high.

Beside him, several attendants waited on hand and foot, with a table meticulously prepared with all kinds of exquisite food.

In a word, exquisite!

Combined with Dean Hai's already young and handsome appearance, he gave off the air of a luxuriously wealthy young man.

"Dean, Li Yuan is here," Li Yang stepped forward and said.

"Mhm."

"Li Yuan, Li Yang, sit down," Dean Hai said with a faint smile, gesturing to the two stools beside him.

Li Yang and Li Yuan both sat down and turned their attention to Dean Hai.

It was then that Dean Hai finally put down his fishing rod.

"Li Yuan, do you like fishing?" Dean Hai asked with a smile.

"I've fished before," Li Yuan replied honestly.

Except for a bit taught by his uncle in June, Li Yuan really hadn't learned to fish at any other time in his life.

"Do you know what's most important about fishing?" Dean Hai asked, looking at Li Yuan with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Li Yuan pondered for a moment, "Patience?"

"No!"

"It's that the pond needs to have fish," Dean Hai laughed. "If there are no fish, all your efforts are pointless. For example, some fishing grounds appear to have many fish, but the owner intentionally digs the center deeper, then uses heavy bait to attract all the fish there... In that case, you definitely can't catch anything at the water's edge."

Li Yuan was speechless.

"How do you feel about the 'Spirit Concentration Technique' I asked you to practice last time?" Dean Hai changed the subject.

"I've practiced it, and it feels so-so," Li Yuan said.

He could be vague on other matters, but when it came to cultivation, which involved his personal interests, he had to answer seriously.

"Hmm? It's actually a spiritual secret manual for honing willpower, helping martial artists better withstand spiritual attacks," Dean Hai said. "The Star Realm is full of dangers, and you can hardly predict the methods of your enemies. Spiritual attacks are very common."

"However, your spiritual power is strong, so its effect on you is indeed limited, but still, practice it more when you have time; there's always some effect."

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.

"I hear from President Li that your Spear Technique has reached the Fourth Level's limit?" Dean Hai said.

"Almost," Li Yuan said with a smile.

In reality, according to the Divine Palace panel, Li Yuan's Spear Technique and Fist Technique had both reached 99% of the Fourth Level.

Only his movement technique was slightly behind at 96% of the Fourth Level, but he expected to reach the limit within at most half a month.

"Reaching the limit of the Fourth Level, the mind enters subtlety, gaining control of every minute force within the body. The next step is the Unity of Fifth Stage," Dean Hai said with a smile.

Li Yuan's eyes lit up, and he listened intently.

He understood that Dean Hai asked him here today to actually give him guidance in his skills.

"The term 'Unity of Heaven and Man,' in ancient times, was the mysterious pursuit of many martial arts masters, like the Golden Elixir path of Taoism or the Relics concept in Buddhism... It sounds very profound, but when you seek its essence, it all comes down to 'nature'," Dean Hai said with a smile.

Nature? Li Yuan thoughtfully reflected.

"Human strength is limited. We draw in Origin Power to temper our bodies and train our techniques, making our strength and speed increasingly powerful... But even for Flying Heaven Warriors or those beyond the Flying Heaven Level."

"They can sprint at speeds tens of times faster than the speed of sound, or even more."

"Their bodies can enter outer space."

"A single punch can shatter a mountain," Dean Hai remarked, "It seems very strong, but how does it compare to the vastness of nature itself?"

"Just our Seven Star Sea alone, and the distance between us and Feixing is over a hundred million kilometers. Without traveling via Star Bridge or Star Realm... communication between us would be extremely difficult."

"The operation of heaven and earth, the Starry Sky, we individuals seem strong, yet we are just slightly more robust ants in this endless cosmos... Unity of Heaven and Man is about using our weak 'spirit and mind' to perceive the countless mysteries and operations of the world."

"To grasp just a thread of the natural laws."

"Like technology, weak life forms can control a variety of powerful weapons... Our warriors' life evolution too is the same, striving to discover the mysteries and laws of nature."

"By borrowing the power of heaven and earth, we become stronger, both spiritually and physically," Dean Hai smiled. "Otherwise, just relying on cultivation methods, do you think in a short period of time, it would be possible to make a Flying Heaven Warrior's body so formidable?"

Li Yuan thoughtfully pondered.

"These are to build a concept in your mind," Dean Hai said with a smile. "The best way to break through is still to follow the original path."

"The original path?" Li Yuan asked, puzzled.

"Natural laws are elusive," Dean Hai said with a smile. "Do you think I'm too extravagant?"

"No, Dean, your contributions to human civilization are immense. This is nothing," Li Yuan shook his head.

"That's true," Dean Hai laughed. "Over the years, I've paid hundreds of billions in taxes alone, not by engaging in domestic commerce or collecting rent... but by adventuring and battling in the Star Realm."

"Impressive," Li Yuan sincerely expressed.

Paying taxes alone amounted to over a hundred billion, so one could only imagine the actual gains.

These treasures and wealth might technically belong to Dean Hai, but in a sense, they were also part of human civilization.

"I seem to be enjoying myself."

"Well, I am indeed enjoying," Dean Hai laid back leisurely, saying with a smile, "But this is also a form of cultivation for me, refining the heart and comprehending law."

Li Yuan was puzzled; this state of being was too far from his own.

"Once you truly step into the Fifth Stage, you will gradually understand what I mean," Dean Hai said with a smile. "Next."

"Study a Third Rank Spear Technique Manual called 'Meaning of the Stellar' from the Martial Path knowledge network," he instructed.

"This manual is an extension of the 'Stellar Spear Technique' and will help you break through to the Fifth Stage," Dean Hai added.