High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 94: Entering the Mental Profundity

"Hall Master Wan, Coach Wu is an 18th-level martial artist, and one practical sparring session with him costs 30,000 Blue Star Coins," Li Yuan calculated. "But you are a source martial artist... According to my research, the starting price for practical sparring with a source martial artist is at least 100,000 Blue Star Coins."

Seeing the serious expression on Li Yuan's face, Wan Qinghe struggled to hold back his laughter. He suspected that Li Yuan was pretending not to understand, but it was hard to point it out directly.

Indeed, the price for sparring with a source martial artist was extremely high. However, in reality, it was a market without much demand. For martial artists around the 10th level, instructors of 15th to 18th levels were sufficient for sparring. Source martial artists were typically required for those above the 15th level. At that level, these martial artists had considerable self-defense capabilities and could engage in life-and-death battles with real astral creatures, not only honing their skills but also earning money. Therefore, unless a source martial artist was willing to lower their status, there was no market for their sparring services.

"Haha, don't worry, I'll give you a discount," Wan Qinghe laughed. "How about 10,000 Blue Star Coins per session?"

Li Yuan smiled. Ten thousand Blue Star Coins? That was practically a giveaway from Hall Master Wan. He instantly understood that Hall Master Wan wanted to strengthen their relationship.

"Alright," Li Yuan agreed without hesitation, smiling. "Thank you, Hall Master."

Having been taught by his uncle Li Changzhou, Li Yuan wasn't afraid of owing favors. What is friendship? It's built on mutual exchanges. Those willing to help you often continue to do so. For Li Yuan, forming a deeper bond with someone like Wan Qinghe was all benefit and no harm.

"Haha, you're not being polite," Wan Qinghe laughed. He confirmed that Li Yuan's calculations were just for show.

"Since you call me Hall Master Wan, how about calling me Uncle Wan from now on?" Wan Qinghe suggested with a smile. "I'm good friends with your teacher Xu Bo."

Li Yuan hesitated for a moment. "What, you don't want to?" Wan Qinghe teased.

"Of course, I'm willing," Li Yuan said, becoming serious. He respectfully bowed, "Li Yuan greets Uncle Wan."

Wan Qinghe nodded, his evaluation of Li Yuan rising even higher. Knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding human relationships, valuing family, having high talent, and being diligent in practice... he was truly a jade in the rough.

"Good," Wan Qinghe said. "Since you call me Uncle Wan, I'll fulfill my responsibilities as an uncle. Remember, never be careless with your martial arts training." He then became serious. "Put on your gear and let's see your spear skills. Attack me with full force; don't worry about injuring me."

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded, knowing that with the other's level of skill, it would be impossible to injure him.

Quickly, the sparring began.

"Hu!" Li Yuan held his spear, bursting forward. The spear flashed, producing over twenty afterimages, striking fiercely.

"Boom!" Wan Qinghe wielded a long staff, countering with incredible speed, blocking Li Yuan's fierce attack. Waves of terrifying force traveled through the spear, numbing Li Yuan's arms and then his whole body. This was a peculiar method of exerting force.

After one exchange, Li Yuan realized that Hall Master Wan's skill level was far above his own.

"Oh? You didn't let go?" Wan Qinghe was surprised. "Your spear technique?"

He could sense that Li Yuan's explosive power was indeed around the 10th level, but his spear technique was higher than expected.

"Again," Wan Qinghe commanded. "Continue attacking me and feel the force in my staff."

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded and launched another attack.

"Boom!"

"Whizz!" "Slash!" Li Yuan's spear techniques changed, becoming more unpredictable. Each strike varied – some were swift, some powerful, some sweeping, and some fiercely thrusting. Overall, they surged towards Wan Qinghe like a tidal wave.

These seemingly different moves were actually derived from a single technique: "Galaxy Cascade." This was one of the five styles of the Star Techniques, specializing in continuous and overwhelming attacks.

"Clang!" "Clang!" Wan Qinghe easily parried Li Yuan's attacks with one hand, countering whenever Li Yuan tried to build momentum, disrupting his rhythm with mysterious force.

Feeling this peculiar force, Li Yuan tried to analyze and neutralize it with his spear, but it was incredibly complex, like a tangled mess of threads. Realizing he couldn't neutralize it all at once, Li Yuan decided to gradually unravel it, working towards full control.

Noticing this change, Wan Qinghe was astonished. "Could it be that he's a born genius who understands by instinct?"

For an hour, the intense sparring continued until Li Yuan could no longer sustain it. He set down his spear.

"Uncle Wan, I've reached my limit," Li Yuan said, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Neutralizing the force in your staff is too difficult."

"Did you feel it?" Wan Qinghe asked with a smile.

Li Yuan nodded.

"Describe it," Wan Qinghe said.

"In terms of raw strength and speed, your bursts are weaker, probably even less than mine," Li Yuan said seriously. "But each clash, your sudden force – whether it's wrapping, shaking, or deflecting – is far superior to mine."

As a spear technique master at the 25% level, Li Yuan had a keen understanding of technique.

"Good," Wan Qinghe smiled. "This is what I wanted to teach you today."

Li Yuan listened intently.

"In terms of physical quality, you've reached the threshold of a martial artist," Wan Qinghe explained. "Next, you should strive to become a source martial artist. Do you know the three major hurdles?"

"Yes," Li Yuan said solemnly. "Spirit, technique, and body."

Reaching 20th-level spirit, achieving the fourth level of technique with mind-body unity, and attaining 19.9-level physical fitness – these were the foundational requirements for becoming a source martial artist.

"Correct," Wan Qinghe continued. "For most first-level martial artists, spirit and technique are the hardest. They need special elixirs and pills, and advancing from the third to the fourth level in technique is a major hurdle."

Li Yuan nodded slightly. Indeed, advancing in technique was challenging, and he had been stuck between the third and fourth levels for some time. As for spirit, despite his long practice of the "Great Sun Starry Sutra," he hadn't yet reached the 20th level.

"Conversely, physical advancement is easier for regular martial artists," Wan Qinghe said. "But for you, it's the opposite."

"The hardest thing for you to advance is your physical body."

Li Yuan couldn't disagree. Without the aid of advanced techniques, enhancing physical fitness was indeed much more challenging.

"Using rare treasures like the cleansing essence has significant short-term effects," Wan Qinghe explained. "But once your physical fitness reaches the 15th level, it will become increasingly difficult."

"Fifteenth level?" Li Yuan pondered.

"At the 15th level, martial artists become extremely powerful," Wan Qinghe stated. "A 15th-level martial artist can punch with over 10,000 kilograms of force. A 19th-level martial artist? Their punches exceed 50,000 kilograms."

"Each level's difference is astonishing."

"Historically, the first generation of martial artists used any means necessary, with the highest talents among them achieving source martial artist status through sheer resource accumulation," Wan Qinghe said. "But you don't have such external conditions."

Li Yuan listened quietly.

Indeed, although the martial halls and universities seemed to value him, they wouldn't offer truly extraordinary resources until he proved himself further.

"Of course, if you follow a standard path, you could probably become a source martial artist by the time you're 22," Wan Qinghe said. "Four years might seem fast to most people."

"But compared to your technique and spirit, it's too slow," Wan Qinghe shook his head. "You also need to create your own technique, wasting precious time."

Li Yuan was silent. In Wan Qinghe's estimation, he could become a source martial artist by his senior year in college.

"Uncle Wan, what should I do?" Li Yuan asked the question Wan Qinghe was waiting for.

"First, rare treasures, but that's unrealistic. Let's not discuss it."

"Second, technique," Wan Qinghe said seriously. "This is what I wanted to talk about today. If your technique can quickly reach the level of 'mental profundity,' your physical advancement will accelerate significantly."

"Mental Profundity?" Li Yuan was unfamiliar with the term.

"The fourth level of technique is divided into two sub-levels," Wan Qinghe explained. "The first level is unity."

"Ordinary martial artists' 'unity' is just the initial mobilization of muscle and bone power."

"Upon reaching the fourth level, your mind further senses the body, uncovering deeper potential and unleashing greater strength and speed."

Li Yuan nodded. In his practical exam, he had managed to face a 12th-level wolf king with his 9th-level abilities due to this principle.

"Theoretically, if you fully realize your body's potential, a 10th-level martial artist could easily rival many 14th or even 15th-level opponents."

"However, sensing your body's power to a certain extent makes further progress difficult."

"Different people have different limits, which is why many source martial artists are stuck at the early fourth level," Wan Qinghe continued. "To advance further, your mind must deeply penetrate the body, sensing every muscle, bone, and even blood flow."

"You must be able to perceive the slightest injury in any part of your body, maintaining peak condition and extending your lifespan to over 200 years."

"This is the complete fourth level, mental profundity insight!"

"It's also called the profundity realm."

"And it's a prerequisite for becoming a 25th-level source martial artist," Wan Qinghe said, eyes filled with longing.

Li Yuan listened, eyes wide. The complete fourth level? Over 200 years of life? This was the power of a 25th-level source martial artist!

"Imagine if your technique reached the mental profundity realm," Wan Qinghe smiled. "Your body's potential would be maximized, accelerating your physical progress. With sufficient resources, you could reach 19.9 levels in one or two years."

Li Yuan immediately set his goal: subtlety realm, complete fourth-level technique!

"Uncle Wan, have you reached the mental profundity realm?" Li Yuan suddenly asked.

"I..." Wan Qinghe's voice trailed off, awkwardly changing the subject. "By the way, there's another matter I need to discuss with you today."

"Alright, Uncle Wan, please go ahead," Li Yuan said, understanding but not pushing further to maintain his new 'uncle's' dignity.

As a mature nephew, he had to respect his uncle's feelings.

"Do you remember Song Yi, the deputy hall master of the Starry Sky Guanshan Branch?" Wan Qinghe asked.

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded, recalling the person who only offered him a D-level contract. Uncle Wan had given him a B-level contract.

"She's offering 1 million to invite you to do a TV interview," Wan Qinghe laughed. "She wants you to share your story about how you got into the Starlight Martial Hall through hard work and perseverance."

"What do you think? Interested?"