Li Yuan wore a "smart wristband" on his wrist, which was similar to early mobile phones but had much more powerful functions. It could project holograms and monitor health, but it couldn't connect to the virtual network with his mind.
The virtual network pod was a must-have electronic device for every household in this era. Only by using it could one connect their consciousness to the virtual network. Its appearance was similar to early space capsule game consoles.
"Iris authentication!"
"Connecting consciousness." Li Yuan lay back in the pod's chair and put on the neural connection device, feeling the cold metal touch his scalp.
In an instant, his consciousness connected to the virtual network.
This was the Blue Star Virtual Network!
The seven planets were separated by vast space, so each planet's virtual network was relatively independent. At least, Li Yuan didn't have the authority to access the virtual networks of other planets.
Whoosh!
Li Yuan's consciousness arrived in a special space.
He could leave anytime he wanted.
"While the virtual network allows for consciousness connection, it still feels somewhat unreal and can't achieve 100% authenticity," Li Yuan thought. "Not to mention fully scanning and perfectly replicating body data like in some novels."
"The virtual can never replace the real."
But no matter what, the virtual network with a 70% realism was incredibly amazing.
Since its creation decades ago, human civilization had undergone tremendous changes.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
In Li Yuan's view, many options appeared:
Learning Space (Virtual School/Classroom/Laboratory/Library/Training Room...)
Virtual Cities (Jiang City/Beijing City/Hangzhou City/Suzhou City...)
Social Space (Music/Friends/Destiny/Games...)
Business (Virtual Mall/Real Estate/Hotel Booking)... countless options.
Most options were colored, indicating they could be selected.
But a few options were gray.
For example: Adult Series (Minors Prohibited)
...
Li Yuan had just turned seventeen and was still a minor.
"Enter personal study room." Li Yuan was familiar with the process and directly entered his personal study room.
He began to review his cultural knowledge.
Theoretically, students could complete all cultural courses through online teaching, but the virtual network couldn't achieve 100% authenticity.
Moreover, real materials were the hardware and the foundation of all virtual experiences.
So, places like schools, office buildings, and service halls still existed in reality, and students still had to attend school.
Of course, most office work, cultural exams, and job interviews were done online.
And for self-study, if students had enough self-discipline, they could actually be more efficient online.
Li Yuan was one of those extremely disciplined individuals.
After an hour of efficient self-study...
"The total score for cultural courses is 1000 points. I scored 658 in the sophomore final exam. This year in my senior year, I aim to reach 700 points," Li Yuan murmured to himself. "I just hope I don't fall too far behind."
Everyone has limited energy.
Li Yuan had considerable talent in martial arts, and he was quite insightful when it came to spear techniques.
Before he reached the Divine Spiritual Palace, his spear skills were already at the second level, showing his potential.
However, in cultural studies, his talent was indeed average, and he couldn't keep up with Zhou Qi and Yan Zhou, especially since he put in very little effort.
Let alone that he couldn't even score 700 points now.
Even if he reached 700 points, it would still place him in the middle to lower tier at the top high school in Guanshan District.
This was still due to the improvement in his cultural scores over the past year as his spiritual power level increased, enhancing his learning efficiency.
Otherwise, Li Yuan wouldn't have much confidence in scoring 700 points in the college entrance exam.
"All-round talent?"
"Where are there so many all-round talents? What I need to do is to fully unleash my strongest point—one skill to rule them all!" Li Yuan was very clear about his self-awareness.
Why did he want to pursue the path of a full-time martial artist?
First, it was because of his deep love for it.
Second, after awakening the Divine Spiritual Palace, Li Yuan asked himself if he had a greater chance of achieving great success in martial arts than in academics.
...
Around three in the morning.
"It's time to go to school." Li Yuan walked out of the virtual network pod.
He grabbed his bag.
Not wanting to wake his aunt and younger siblings, he quietly left the house.
...
The unmanned electric cars and subways operated 24/7, but after midnight, the intervals between each trip became quite long.
So, Li Yuan often chose to run to school.
It also served as a warm-up exercise.
The streets at three in the morning were empty except for streetlights and the occasional passing vehicles.
Passing by the corner noodle shop, he saw the owner already up and preparing for the day. "Good morning, boss!" Li Yuan greeted with a smile.
"Out for another night run? Be careful," the owner, dressed in work clothes, stood up and smiled back at Li Yuan.
They often ran into each other.
They didn’t know each other's identities or names, but over time, they became familiar "strangers."
...
Twenty minutes later, Li Yuan arrived at school.
He scanned his face to enter.
As he entered the classroom, the lights turned on.
"First, I'll practice the Basic Cultivation Method for two hours." Li Yuan stood in a corner of the classroom, calming his mind and quickly entering the standing meditation state.
His posture was as steady as a rock, coordinating his breathing with thirty-six movements.
He began a new day of training.
The thirty-six movements were derived from the Rock Fist Technique.
They were divided into practice and combat forms.
In fact, Li Yuan had invested even more effort into the Rock Cultivation Method than into his spear techniques.
"Spear techniques can be refined slowly."
"But my martial spirit is destined to be hard to awaken in a short time. The seven advanced cultivation methods are not suitable for me," Li Yuan thought. "So, I must continue practicing the Rock Cultivation Method."
"Even after becoming a martial artist, I will likely still practice this method, so I must study the Rock Fist Technique diligently." Li Yuan was very clear in his thoughts: "The higher my fist technique level, the more efficient my body cultivation will be."
Physical constitution is the foundation, while spear techniques and movement techniques are the tools to unleash that foundation.
"Moreover, spear techniques, movement techniques, and fist techniques are essentially a combination of body and mind. Progress in one martial art skill will also accelerate progress in others."
Time passed.
Li Yuan tirelessly practiced over and over, gradually feeling subtle warm currents rising from his lower abdomen, permeating his entire body, absorbed by his bones and muscles.
The Basic Vital Blood Elixir he took a few hours ago was beginning to take effect.
His muscles became firmer, bone strength improved further, and his organs were growing stronger... Only through intense training could he make the most of the elixir's effects.
Li Yuan practiced relentlessly.
In his mind, the famous saying of the first martial arts master of human civilization, Dongfang Ji, involuntarily surfaced:
"What is martial arts?"
"Martial arts is not about surpassing others; it is about pouring all your blood and passion into it, practicing day and night, training for sixteen hours every day, persevering for a hundred years, and when you look back a hundred years later, you will find that you are martial arts!"
"Martial way is me."
...
Around four in the morning, before dawn.
"Boom!" An intelligent off-road vehicle drove into the school gate.
It parked itself automatically.
A figure as tall as a tower and a strong black-clad woman got out of the car.
The two walked towards the office building.
"Tall Tower, is this the school you attend?" The black-clad woman had a tough face and sharp eagle-like eyes, scanning the entire campus. "It's my first time visiting you since you retired."
Xu Bo smiled rarely: "You're really in a hurry this time. Passing through Jiang City, you can only stay for four hours."
"I'm here specifically to check on your medication situation." The black-clad woman glanced at him: "Otherwise, with such tight tasks, I wouldn't stop in Jiang City at all. Let's go, take me to your therapy room; I need to do a preliminary check on you first."
"If your nerve injury worsens, the director and others will have to think of another way for you."
Suddenly, the black-clad woman stopped.
"Students are already coming to school to practice this early? They seem to be doing quite well; their Basic Cultivation Method is nearly perfected, and their control over their body is quite high," the black-clad woman said, somewhat surprised.
Her gaze turned to a classroom not far away.
In the entire senior teaching building, only one classroom on the first floor was lit.
Through the window, she could see a student focusing intently on practicing fist techniques.
Each move was as solid as a rock standing firm on the ground, giving a sense of being unshakable.
"Li Yuan?" Xu Bo frowned slightly. "He's already at school to practice at just past four?"
"Can his body handle it?"
Overdoing it in training is counterproductive.
In Xu Bo's view, ensuring adequate sleep, rest, diet, and recovery was essential for effective training.
"Looking at his energy and spirit, he seems to be in great shape and well-rested," the black-clad woman smiled. "Tall Tower, do you know him? Is he your student?"
"He is my student." Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, deep in thought.
"Let's go, first to my martial arts room."
(End of Chapter)