High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices-Chapter 74: Yu Peiling Returns

’I’ve reached the Entry Level for Instant Shadow Step.’

His technique had improved dramatically, and the "Rapid Speed" trait was now active. Though only at the Initial Stage, it already provided a tangible boost to his speed.

With a flicker of intent, Xu Wuyi silently circulated the Qi and Blood in his feet.

SWOOSH!

His figure moved like a phantom, leaving a faint afterimage in the training room. In an instant, he crossed from one end to the other.

The entire movement was completely silent and far faster than his normal speed.

’This should patch up my weakness in Body Techniques for now.’

Xu Wuyi felt the lightness in his movements and couldn’t help but nod.

At the Entry Level, the burst of speed from `Instant Shadow Step` was enough. While it lacked the refinement to match true Body Technique masters, it was sufficient for Xu Wuyi’s needs.

He didn’t need to outmaneuver anyone with finesse. He just needed to close the distance quickly and force his opponents into a direct confrontation.

After cultivating the `Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace`, Xu Wuyi was basically an artificial "Li Mo Plus." Overwhelming skill with raw power was his optimal combat strategy.

However, just as he’d expected, the proficiency gain for `Instant Shadow Step` slowed down after reaching the Entry Level. It was no longer progressing as rapidly as it had during the Beginner Stage.

...

「Time flew by, and soon it was the end of May.」

In the cram class, the talk about Xu Wuyi gradually died down. It was replaced by a final, frantic push for the upcoming college entrance exams.

Everyone was giving it their all, trying to squeeze out every last bit of improvement before the deadline.

Meanwhile, Xu Wuyi was undergoing secret special training arranged by Teacher Wang.

His high-intensity, high-consumption training continued unabated, supported by an ample supply of Qi Blood Potions.

「One evening.」

Xu Wuyi was alone in the empty Martial Arts Dojo, performing his daily Life Energy Level test.

He pressed his palm against the cool sensor plate. The instrument emitted a low hum as its indicator lights flashed rapidly.

After a moment, the number on the screen stabilized.

[Life Energy Level: 14.2]

Xu Wuyi’s face remained impassive as he looked at the number, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

From 13.0 at the end of April to 14.2 at the end of May. In just one month, his Life Energy Level had surged by another 1.2!

The rate of increase hadn’t slowed down as his base level rose; in fact, it was even faster than before!

’The `Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace` is almost at 90% in the Beginner Realm. Its effect on unlocking my body’s potential is getting stronger and stronger.’

Xu Wuyi muttered to himself, feeling the Qi and Blood coursing through his body like liquid mercury.

He could clearly feel his body had become a great, roaring furnace, constantly burning away impurities, refining his Qi and Blood, and unearthing his deepest potential.

The feeling of power that came from this constant enhancement of his very essence was intoxicating.

The moment the `Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace` reached the Entry Level would likely be when this internal furnace truly erupted, heralding another qualitative transformation.

’Can I reach it before the exams?’

Xu Wuyi wasn’t sure. The tenth form of the `Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace` was harder than he had anticipated; it wasn’t something he could master quickly.

’Do your best and leave the rest to fate. I need to stay calm. Impatience is a taboo in Martial Arts; it’ll only be counterproductive.’

Xu Wuyi let out a slow breath, refusing to let his training progress affect his state of mind.

With a flicker of his thoughts, he summoned the `Martial Arts Diligence Record` in his mind and checked the progress of his skills:

[Martial Art: Basic Body Refining Technique]

[Current Realm: Minor Achievement (95.7%)]

[Martial Arts Trait: Mountain Suppression]

[Martial Art: Wind-Settling Spear]

[Current Realm: Minor Achievement (88.1%)]

[Martial Arts Trait: Silk Binding Force]

[Martial Art: Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace]

[Current Realm: Beginner (89.8%)]

[Martial Arts Trait: Not Unlocked]

[Martial Art: Instant Shadow Step]

[Current Realm: Entry Level (21.5%)]

[Martial Arts Trait: Rapid Speed (Initial Stage)]

Aside from the newly acquired `Instant Shadow Step`, the proficiency of his other main Martial Arts was steadily advancing toward the Great Success Realm.

The `Basic Body Refining Technique`, in particular, was just a step away from Great Success.

Ordinary Martial Disciples struggle to train a Martial Art to Great Success because the quality of their Qi and Blood is too low to support techniques of that caliber.

But Xu Wuyi was different. Once his `Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace` reached the Entry Level, his Qi and Blood Strength would be on par with a regular Martial Artist’s, completely removing that limitation.

’At this rate, breaking past a Life Energy Level of 15 by the end of June shouldn’t be a problem. At least I won’t fall too far behind the other geniuses.’

True, the highest Life Energy Level on that list—belonging to Chu Shanhe and the others—was only 14.9, but that data was from mid-March.

In the run-up to the exams, everyone was pushing themselves to improve. Any data was outdated the moment it was recorded.

...

The atmosphere in United Middle School’s Martial Arts Dojo was more restless than usual.

It wasn’t because of the final push for the college entrance exams, but because of the return of a familiar face.

Yu Peiling was back.

She had returned from her special training in the provincial capital and was back on the training grounds of the cram class.

After three months of special training, she had stayed in the provincial capital for a while longer. She was returning to Red River now because the academic portion of the exams was in early June.

Yu Peiling had just finished a set of warm-ups and hadn’t even had a chance to catch her breath before Zhao Ding, Su Yueling, and a few other old classmates gathered around her.

"Peiling, how was the special training in the provincial capital? I hear the place is crawling with experts," Zhao Ding, ever the impatient one, asked first, his eyes filled with curiosity and longing.

A few other students resting nearby couldn’t help but perk up their ears.

Red River City was only considered second-tier in Dongjiang Province. They were both unfamiliar with and intensely curious about Linjiang, the provincial capital and the true stage for geniuses.

Yu Peiling fell silent for a moment. She looked at her old classmates, a helpless expression on her face.

"Once I got to the provincial level, I learned what it really means to say there’s always someone better out there," Yu Peiling said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly.

Her words silenced the small group.

Yu Peiling was the undisputed top genius of Red River, and she naturally had her pride. The fact that she would say something like that showed just how much her trip to the provincial capital had shaken her.

"Is it that bad?" Zhao Ding couldn’t help but click his tongue. "Peiling, your Life Energy Level is over 14 now, right? In any other year, you’d have a great shot at making the provincial top ten!"

His own Life Energy Level had risen to 12.4, strengthening his defense and giving him a solid chance at the "Three Greats." But within their Red River City circle, Yu Peiling had always been the one they were all trying to catch up to.

"Life Energy Level is just one part of it," Yu Peiling said, shaking her head. "At that level, the gaps in everyone’s Energy Level aren’t that large. It all comes down to your Martial Arts."

"I can only say I’ll do my best to fight for a spot in the provincial top ten. I can’t hope for anything more than that."

After she spoke, someone in the group sighed. "That’s still amazing, Peiling. You’re a shoo-in for the Three Greats, while the rest of us are still fighting to get into the Seven-Star Alliance..."

"So... Peiling, did you ever fight Chu Shanhe?" a cautious voice piped up. "Is he really as strong as they say?"