"Just creating this new move, my spear technique level jumped by 6%?" Li Yuan smiled slightly.
This improvement was within his expectations.
He remembered that during the second semester of his second year, as the final exams approached, his spear technique level was stuck at 99%, unable to break through.
Teacher Xu had given him three pieces of advice back then.
First, fist techniques and movement techniques are a combination of body and mind. As one improves their control over their body step by step, they can maximize their physical strength, and both fist and movement techniques will continue to improve, and vice versa.
Second, spear techniques are tools! Practicing spear techniques is essentially about the interplay between body, mind, and tool. The tool is an external object, not the body itself, making it harder to master; however, when the tool exceeds the body's strength, it can unleash terrifying combat power beyond physical limits.
Third, when you hit a bottleneck in spear training, try transforming fist techniques into spear techniques!
"In history, 'Xingyi Quan' in traditional martial arts evolved from spear techniques," Li Yuan thought. "Integrating the power and techniques from spear techniques into barehanded fist techniques truly achieves the transformation from spear to fist."
"In today's world, the combination of standing meditation and breathing techniques in cultivation methods allows for a much higher efficiency in body training compared to ancient times. Human civilization is on a path of life evolution, breaking through limits repeatedly, ultimately producing martial artists capable of flying and moving through the earth. Yet, the fundamental principles of martial arts techniques remain unchanged." Li Yuan reflected on the past: "The 'Rock Fist Technique' and traditional 'Xingyi Quan' share a similar essence and can also transform into spear techniques."
This was the direction Li Yuan chose after receiving guidance from Teacher Xu.
It's also one of the reasons why he was so obsessed with studying the 'Rock Fist Technique.'
Fist techniques, spear techniques, and movement techniques are never independent; they promote each other.
During the final exams of his second year, Li Yuan couldn't break through.
So during the break, he didn't relax at all and kept thinking hard.
With further improvement in his spiritual power, he finally created his first true spear technique move—'Rock Foundation Pillar'—half a month before school started.
This move was a combination of 'Rock Foundation Establishment' and 'Momentum like a Pillar' from the Rock Fist Technique, merged into spear techniques.
Both the 'Rock Cultivation Method' and the 'Rock Fist Technique' emphasize a strong foundation and draw power from the earth, making them the most defensively robust among the seven basic cultivation methods.
This spear technique was also a defensive move.
Creating 'Rock Foundation Pillar' allowed Li Yuan's spear technique level to break through from 99% in the second stage to the third stage.
During the initial school tests and sparring with Teacher Xu, it was because of this move that Li Yuan was able to hold his ground for over ten exchanges.
A defensive spear technique can only keep one alive.
To defeat an enemy? He must attack.
So, for the past two months, Li Yuan had been figuring out how to create an offensive move.
"The Rock Fist Technique excels in defense, so creating a defensive ultimate move is easy, but creating an offensive ultimate move is hard."
The seven basic cultivation methods include seven fist techniques, such as 'Flame Fist Technique' and 'True Gold Fist Technique,' which are good at offense and can more easily create offensive ultimate moves.
Through repeated practice of fist and spear techniques,
As his skill level increased, Li Yuan finally understood the concept of 'Returning Horse Spear.'
"The Returning Horse Spear shows weakness to the enemy, feigning defeat and retreating, then suddenly turning around to counterattack. This is the spear technique of mounted combat." Li Yuan thought. "My Rock Spear Technique excels in defense, so whether it's the flow of power, footwork, or grip on the spear, it tends to lean towards defense."
"So, once I take the initiative to attack, the transition in spear techniques can easily be seen through by the enemy."
"Only through defensive counterattacks."
"Using defense instead of offense, waiting until the enemy is careless or exhausted from their aggressive attacks before striking suddenly for a fatal blow." Li Yuan's eyes sparkled.
Based on this idea, he ultimately created the killing move 'Rock Abyss Concealed Dragon.'
"According to what I've learned in martial arts class over the past half month, Teacher Xu's individual guidance suggests that the first and second stages are the foundation of skills."
In recent classes,
Teacher Xu had been giving Li Yuan some individual pointers.
"The third stage emphasizes the interplay of body, mind, and tool, striving to unleash 100% of the body's strength." Li Yuan thought. "The spear and fist techniques I usually execute instinctively rarely achieve 100% effectiveness."
"Only when I find the opportunity to use my ultimate moves can I achieve that."
Moves that can unleash 100% of physical strength can truly be called ultimate moves or killing moves.
Currently, Li Yuan had only created two ultimate moves.
"Next, if I can create more ultimate moves," Li Yuan gradually clarified his future direction, "one day, if I can execute any punch or spear with perfect power without losing any strength, then my martial arts skills can break into the fourth stage."
In Teacher Xu's teachings,
The so-called 'fourth stage' is also known as the unity of man and tool.
It is also referred to as 'unity of body, mind, and tool.'
In ancient times, reaching the fourth stage would barely qualify someone to be called a 'master of spear techniques' or 'master of fist techniques.'
"Unity of man and tool? That feels far off." Li Yuan shook his head slightly. "One step at a time, I need to keep thinking of more ultimate moves."
Every ultimate move is essentially a specific way of exerting power to perfection.
The more ultimate moves he creates, the more complete his overall way of exerting power will become, and eventually, he will naturally step into the fourth stage.
"Ha!"
"Shh!" Li Yuan continued practicing his spear technique, further familiarizing himself with 'Rock Abyss Concealed Dragon.'
"Two days from now." "With the holiday coming, I have enough time to work hard to reach a gold rank of 500 points." Li Yuan made a silent resolution.
If he couldn't wait for the scholarship,
Then to ease the financial burden on his family, he had to find a way himself.
He had been eyeing the 50,000 Blue Star Coins prize from the Star Combat Network for a long time.
…
In the office building, on the first floor.
Teacher Xu's office was incredibly spacious.
"This kid is really improving fast." Xu Bo, who looked like a tower in his martial arts uniform, stood in the center of the martial arts room.
In front of him,
A large amount of light gathered, forming a screen about two meters high and two and a half meters wide.
The screen displayed the martial arts classroom of the third-year (Class 2).
The enlarged image showed Li Yuan practicing his spear technique 'Rock Abyss Concealed Dragon.'
"He's really patient, not coming to ask me for so long. His temperament is quite stable." A playful smile appeared on Xu Bo's face.
As the class teacher and a special-grade teacher at the school, he had high authority and could freely access class surveillance.
So, when he saw Li Yuan arriving at school around four o'clock that day,
He started paying close attention to Li Yuan and pulled up a lot of previous surveillance records.
This investigation surprised even Xu Bo, who was used to big scenes.
He found that Li Yuan had been arriving at school around three o'clock every day for over a year.
He had never stopped.
"Having determination and perseverance makes him a good prospect." Xu Bo thought. "Moreover, my previous guess was right; his family background is average, yet he can withstand such intense training? It seems his physical talent is indeed remarkable."
Xu Bo didn't know about the existence of the 'Great Sun Starry Sky Sutra.'
He attributed Li Yuan's ability to train tirelessly while still being lively to 'extraordinary talent.'
He had a keen eye and knew that there are many special geniuses in this world.
What Li Yuan displayed was not that impressive.
What Xu Bo valued most was Li Yuan's perseverance and comprehension.
"Having talent is not enough."
"But the effort to bring that talent to fruition is key."
However, even after figuring things out, Xu Bo still didn't take any action beyond normal teaching.
He wanted to observe and test Li Yuan.
Does having talent mean he must use his resources and connections to nurture it? Who says so? Li Yuan isn't his own son.
Just a student.
So, he wanted to use the 'scholarship' matter
To see how Li Yuan would respond.
If Li Yuan waited just a few days and then impatiently came to ask, Xu Bo could understand; it’s human nature. He would apply for the scholarship and even help apply for a second-tier scholarship, fulfilling his duty as a teacher.
But he wouldn’t do more because a good prospect worthy of his attention shouldn’t be an 'ordinary person.'
"That should be enough."
"Third year is crucial; I can't delay too long, and after all, he's still a kid, so I can't be too harsh." Xu Bo stared at the screen and said, "Black Dog, connect me to Principal Tan."
"Okay, Master."
"Beep—beep—" The projection changed.
Soon,
The scene of an office appeared, with a middle-aged man around forty sitting at a desk.
If Li Yuan saw the middle-aged man, he would definitely recognize him as the school principal, 'Tan Zhenlong.'
Tan Zhenlong was actually over seventy years old.
In this era, the retirement age for ordinary people is eighty; martial artists can even choose to delay retirement until a hundred.
"Old Tan." Xu Bo spoke directly.
"Xu Bo." Principal Tan smiled and said, "You called me in the evening; what's up?"
"I want to apply for a special scholarship quota; please approve it." Xu Bo got straight to the point.
(End of Chapter)