Under the effects of the 10th level of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refinement Technique, Zhang Yu could feel his grasp on combat becoming more refined.
Even the slightest changes in his opponent's moves couldn't escape his notice, and he could more precisely control every ounce of his strength in battle.
His combat prowess had skyrocketed.
However, this state also consumed a tremendous amount of energy.
After maintaining it for just one minute, Zhang Yu began to feel dizzy.
"This full concentration state should be used at critical moments in battle. I can't afford to waste it carelessly," he thought.
The 10th level of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refinement Technique gave Zhang Yu a greater confidence in martial arts competitions.
"But it's still not enough..."
Thinking about the unfairness and injustice in the upcoming competition, and recalling Zhang Pianpian's mention of winning first place, Zhang Yu wanted to increase his chances even more.
So, he opened the shopping platform again and looked at the martial arts techniques he had been eyeing for a while.
Zhang Yu had already given some thought to what he would practice after reaching the 10th level of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refinement Technique.
Now, he was looking at an expert-level martial art called the Indestructible Seal Technique, which was on sale for 30,000 credits.
He scrolled through the user reviews and the description of its 10th-level effects.
The Indestructible Seal Technique, like the Heavenly Martial Heart Refinement Technique, was an expert-level martial art.
It focused on manipulating and reflecting an opponent's spiritual energy.
However, it was notoriously difficult to master, and the user reviews were filled with complaints about how hard it was to learn and perfect.
Many users mentioned that they had to spend extra money on tutors after purchasing it.
One-star review: "Avoid this! Don't buy it. It's impossible to learn on your own, and hiring a tutor cost me tens of thousands."
Two-star review: "I bought it at full price for 60,000, only to see it go on sale right after."
One-star review: "I'll give it a good review once I reach level 10."
Zhang Yu guessed that the difficulty of learning and mastering the technique was the reason for its discounted price.
But for him, this wasn't a problem.
He noticed that the Indestructible Seal Technique only had four moves.
Moreover, its 10th-level effects could be directly applied in the upcoming martial arts competition and would complement his Cloudless Hand technique.
"While the Cloudless Hand can redirect and borrow an opponent's force, it has a weakness—it's vulnerable to special spiritual energy attacks that can disrupt its energy flow. But if I combine it with the Indestructible Seal Technique, I can redirect or even reflect the opponent's special spiritual energy back at them."
"With the Heavenly Martial Heart Refinement Technique enhancing my awareness and the Zhou Tian Qi Absorption Technique constantly replenishing my spiritual energy, my combat system will become more well-rounded. I'll be better at defeating stronger opponents and avoiding injuries in the process."
In martial arts competitions, especially when facing opponents with higher stats, avoiding or minimizing injuries was crucial for Zhang Yu, a poor student.
So, compared to more aggressive and overpowering offensive techniques, Zhang Yu preferred defensive and counterattacking styles.
The only downside to the Indestructible Seal Technique was its price.
Even at half-off, it cost 30,000 credits, and Zhang Yu only had a little over 30,000 in his account.
If he bought this technique, he'd be broke.
But thinking about his goal of becoming the top freshman at Songyang High and getting into one of the top ten universities...
"I must get into a top-ten university and win the competition. The first-place prize is 50,000 credits. If I don't win, holding onto these 30,000 credits won't help me anyway."
With that thought, Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and spent all 30,000 credits in his account on the Indestructible Seal Technique.
In an instant, he received the digital manual for the technique.
After a quick read, the technique materialized in his martial arts book, and he set it as his focus.
The Indestructible Seal Technique was all about controlling spiritual energy, with only four simple external moves.
In less than a minute, Zhang Yu had mastered the first level of the technique.
Memories of repeatedly practicing the Indestructible Seal Technique flooded his mind.
He felt his control over spiritual energy becoming more refined, to the point where he could temporarily convert an opponent's spiritual energy into his own and redirect it.
Of course, this process still consumed his own spiritual energy, but the amount he used was less than what his opponent expended.
Zhang Yu nodded to himself.
"As I continue to improve the Indestructible Seal Technique, I'll be able to redirect more of my opponent's energy with less of my own."
"According to the description, at level 10, I'll only need to spend 3 units of my own energy to redirect 10 units of my opponent's energy—a 30% efficiency."
With that in mind, Zhang Yu continued to train diligently in the Indestructible Seal Technique.
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now the day before the martial arts competition.
On the training grounds, Lei Jun was sparring with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, offering them guidance.
Over the past few days, Lei Jun had been increasingly amazed by their rapid progress.
"These two kids are improving at an incredible rate. Their understanding of martial arts is growing every day, and their combat experience is skyrocketing."
In recent days, even while maintaining his physical strength at level 2, Lei Jun had to use more advanced techniques to keep up with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
But what surprised him the most wasn't their progress—it was something else.
"These two have developed their own unique fighting styles through daily training and sparring with me."
Lei Jun threw a punch, only to have it blocked by a cloud of white energy controlled by Zhang Yu.
He felt the force of his punch dissipate, with most of it being redirected by Zhang Yu.
"Zhang Yu's Cloudless Hand is getting more and more skillful. It's like trying to punch a slippery ball—most of the force just gets deflected. I have to use special spiritual energy to break through his defenses, and the fight always turns into a battle of energy consumption."
"And now he's mastered that Indestructible Seal Technique, making his defense even more impenetrable."
"Hmm... I don't have to worry about him getting beaten to a pulp in this competition."
Lei Jun then turned and blocked Bai Zhenzhen's sword strike with his palm, thinking to himself, "Bai Zhenzhen... she's a true martial arts prodigy. In just two weeks, she's started to keep up with my changes in technique and can spot the flaws in my moves, forcing me to defend."
"But her fighting style... it's too risky."
Boom!
With another surge of power, Lei Jun unleashed a wave of spiritual energy that sent both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen flying.
"That's enough for today," Lei Jun said with a smile.
"You two have made great progress over the past few days. You're just about ready."
"Remember, safety comes first in tomorrow's competition. Always prioritize your safety. Don't push yourself too hard, and don't force anything."
Bai Zhenzhen, who had grown familiar with Lei Jun, replied, "Got it, Old Lei. So, how far do you think we can go?"
Lei Jun thought for a moment.
"You might have a shot at the top ten."
Bai Zhenzhen frowned.
"Only top ten? Just a chance?"
Lei Jun chuckled helplessly.
"The top three schools have too many tricks up their sleeves, and even their standard techniques are things you can't afford. Their top students also have higher stats. You're not starting from the same level. If you can make it to the top ten, you should be happy."
"Anyway, go back and prepare. And don't forget to bring your competition supplies tomorrow."
"We'll meet at the entrance of Bailong High at midnight."
The competition was being held at Bailong High.
Zhang Yu was surprised.
"Midnight?"
Lei Jun nodded.
"Bailong High has classes during the day, so the competition is scheduled for midnight."
Zhang Yu could only sigh.
Bailong High never failed to disappoint when it came to being unreasonable.
"How are we getting there?" Zhang Yu asked.
Lei Jun replied, "Take the subway. It's just the two of you competing. Did you think the school would provide a bus?"
Zhang Yu sighed again.
Songyang High was just as disappointing as Bailong High.
As Lei Jun watched the two leave, he thought to himself, "If they had been born into wealthy families, they might have had a chance to get into a top-ten university."
...
That night, after two more hours of intense training, Zhang Yu finally reached the 10th level of the Indestructible Seal Technique.
His body shuddered as he felt his meridians become more resilient, as if they had undergone countless tempering sessions.
They could now handle the flow of various types of special spiritual energy.
At the same time, his understanding of energy redirection and reflection reached a new level, as if he had undergone a profound enlightenment.
Now, when using the Indestructible Seal Technique, Zhang Yu was confident he could convert his opponent's spiritual energy to replenish his own.
In other words, at level 10, the Indestructible Seal Technique allowed him to grow stronger as the fight went on, using his opponent's energy against them.
Of course, there were limits to this absorption and replenishment.
"In a single battle, I can replenish up to 30 units of energy this way. Any more, and my meridians won't be able to handle it."
With that in mind, Zhang Yu checked his martial arts book.
After two weeks of intense training, his basic stats had also improved significantly.
Zhang Yu
Martial Heart: Level 3 (53%)
Spiritual Energy: 21.8
Physical Strength: Level 1.51
"If only I had started practicing the Zhou Tian Qi Absorption Technique a month or two earlier, I could have improved my physical strength more..."
After a quick shower at home, Zhang Yu hurried to catch the bus, heading to Bailong High.
...
At 11:31 PM, Zhang Yu stepped out of the subway station and saw a towering building about thirty stories high.
He knew this was Bailong High.
But he didn't have time to admire it, because Zhang Yu was extremely, extremely hungry.
"Where's Zhenzhen?"
"I need to borrow some money from her to buy dinner. I can't fight on an empty stomach."
As for Zhang Yu's own money, it was long gone.
The Indestructible Seal Technique had wiped out his entire savings of 30,000 credits, and the little bit left had been spent on food and medicine over the past few days.
Just as Zhang Yu was anxiously looking around, a hand suddenly slapped his shoulder.
He turned around and exclaimed, "Zhenzhen? Hurry up..."
"Yu, lend me some money," Bai Zhenzhen said weakly, clutching her stomach.
"I didn't have money for dinner, and I'm feeling weak."
Zhang Yu was shocked.
"You spent all your money too?"
Bai Zhenzhen, seeing Zhang Yu's reaction, groaned.
"You're broke too? What kind of spending habits do you have? How did you manage to spend all your money and not even have enough for dinner?"
(End of Chapter)