stjorthotic Chapter 342: Return to Star Martial
Chapter 342: Return to Star Martial
Xu Wuyi would force himself to stop, consuming high-energy food to give both his body and Spirit a moment of respite.
It was also the only time of day he connected with the outside world, reviewing important information his terminal had filtered for him.
From 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. was dedicated to comprehensive enhancement.
He alternated between various Potions, coordinating them with the circulation of the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace* as he went all out to break through the bottleneck of his Life Energy Level. His Qi and Blood surged within him like a great river, crashing against the barriers of his meridians and acupoints again and again.
After 10:00 p.m., he would take a small dose of a calming Potion, perform one final *Golden Crow Carrying the Earth* Visualization, and then fall into a deep sleep.
The cycle repeated, day after day.
His resource consumption was astonishingly fast.
He used two vials of Star Source Liquid and one Bone Tempering Pill each week, on top of daily consumption of highly concentrated Nutrient Liquid and Qi Blood Elixirs.
While the Battle Soul Crystals and Star Realm Marrow were long-lasting, they still required use once every half-month.
Xu Wuyi could clearly feel his strength improving at an astonishing rate.
In early May, he used up all his remaining Star Realm Marrow, combining it with his last Bone Tempering Pill and Battle Soul Crystal for a final push.
Inside the Cultivation Room, his Qi and Blood churned like the sea as his Spirit radiated with brilliant light.
Xu Wuyi slowly opened his eyes. A dark golden light flashed in the depths of his pupils before vanishing, as if a Golden Crow Illusion were soaring within them.
His aura was steady and profound, yet it concealed a scorching Explosive Power.
He pulled up the biometric data on his personal terminal.
[Life Energy Level: 37.9]
[Spirit Level: 39.0]
"I did it." Xu Wuyi let out a long, cloudy breath.
Over a month of bitter cultivation, consuming resources worth more than 130 million Federation credits, had finally pushed his Life Energy Level to the High Tier of the Martial Master Stage. His Spirit Level was now touching the threshold of Level 40.
He could feel that his current strength was leagues beyond what it was a month ago.
His Qi and Blood were more refined and profound, his Spiritual Power was as vast as a lake, and his control over the Undying Flame had reached a new level.
Most importantly, his *Golden Crow Carrying the Earth* Visualization Method had progressed to 87% of the Entry Level, not far from reaching Minor Achievement.
Once he reached Minor Achievement, his Spiritual Power would undergo a qualitative transformation, and his chances of condensing a Heart Image would increase dramatically.
...
The next day, Xu Wuyi went to the East Garden again.
Flame Venerable was fishing by a stream. Hearing footsteps, he asked without turning around, "You broke through?"
"Yes," Xu Wuyi said, walking to his side. "Life Energy Level 37.9, Spirit Level 39."
The fishing rod in Flame Venerable’s hand paused for a moment before returning to normal.
"A little faster than I imagined," he said. "It seems the resources were put to good use."
Xu Wuyi nodded. "It’s all thanks to your guidance."
Flame Venerable set down his fishing rod, turned, and studied Xu Wuyi carefully. After a few seconds, he nodded in satisfaction. "A solid foundation, refined Qi and Blood, and a full Spirit. Not bad. This past month wasn’t a waste."
He paused, then asked, "What are your plans now?"
Xu Wuyi said, "I plan to return to Star Martial University. This year’s Federation Youth Martial Arts Tournament has been moved up. It starts on May 18th, and I have to register for the competition through the university’s intranet."
Flame Venerable nodded slightly. "The youth tournament... It’s a good stage, indeed. With your current strength, winning the championship is a foregone conclusion. Go take first place, then come back and continue your training."
’Actually, with Xu Wuyi’s current strength, he could graduate from my tutelage right now,’ Flame Venerable thought. ’But since I promised him three months of study, he’ll get the full three months.’
"I understand."
Flame Venerable took a crimson Jade Scroll from his robes and handed it to Xu Wuyi. "The fire-element offensive Martial Technique I promised you. This *Sky Splitting Slash* is something I created in my youth. It’s suited for the Fire Element Realm, but I’ve modified it to be a better fit for your Golden Crow Mental Realm."
Xu Wuyi accepted the Jade Scroll with both hands. He probed it lightly with his Spiritual Power, and a scorching, sharp stream of information flooded his mind.
[Golden Crow Sky Splitting Slash]: Based on the Golden Crow image, it fuses the explosive power of Flames with spatial penetration, pursuing the ultimate in single-target lethality. Requires Minor Achievement in the Fire Element Realm and a Spiritual Power of Level 35 or higher to cultivate.
"Thank you, sir!" Xu Wuyi said, carefully storing the Jade Scroll. ’I can’t help but be amazed,’ he thought.
’I struggled so hard to comprehend the Golden Crow Mental Realm, yet Flame Venerable can casually simulate it and even integrate it into a previously unrelated Martial Technique.’
Flame Venerable waved his hand dismissively. "Go on."
Xu Wuyi bowed deeply before turning to leave.
As he walked out of the East Garden, he glanced back at the simple bamboo house, a wave of gratitude washing over him.
Over the past month, while Flame Venerable hadn’t provided constant guidance, his timely advice at critical moments had saved Xu Wuyi from taking many wrong turns.
He took this debt of tutelage to heart.
After returning to his apartment, Xu Wuyi packed a simple bag and headed for the airport.
As he boarded the passenger transport back to Star Martial University, he received a message from Tana.
"I heard you’re coming back for the youth tournament. I’ll see you in the ring. Don’t you dare hold back."
A small smile touched Xu Wuyi’s lips as he replied, "Of course."
The transport lifted into the sky, broke through the clouds, and sped eastward.
Outside the cabin window, the vast expanse of the West Desert gradually receded, replaced by a view of rolling green mountains and bustling cities.
Xu Wuyi closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his sea of consciousness.
The Golden Crow soared; the Earth bore the light.
More than a month of bitter cultivation had not only increased his strength but had also forged his will into something even more resolute.
’The youth tournament will be the stage to test the fruits of this past year’s labor.’
’And my goal this year is—’
’To reach the top.’
...
By the time the transport landed at the Star Martial University East Gate airport, it was already evening.
Xu Wuyi stepped out of the cabin with his simple luggage, and the familiar air of the campus washed over him.
The ancient trees lining the paths were lush and green, and the distant academic buildings were brightly lit. Occasionally, a student would zip past on a hoverbike, stirring a gentle breeze.
He took a deep breath and headed in the direction of the Hidden Dragon Garden.
He ran into a few classmates he knew along the way. They did a double-take upon seeing him, their expressions filled with surprise.
"Xu Wuyi? You’re back?"
"Yeah, I just got back."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xu Wuyi didn’t linger, heading straight for Villa #7 in the Hidden Dragon Garden.
He pushed open the courtyard gate. The villa was as quiet as ever.
Anna’s virtual avatar materialized instantly.
"Welcome back, Xu Wuyi." Anna’s voice was as calm and pleasant as ever. "I have detected a significant increase in both your Life Energy Level and your Spirit Level. Congratulations."
"Thanks." Xu Wuyi set down his luggage. "Pull up the university’s important notices from while I was away, especially anything about the youth tournament."
"Of course."
A light screen unfolded before him, lines of information scrolling past rapidly.
Xu Wuyi scanned through them, focusing on the content related to the youth tournament.
[Notice for the 127th Federation Youth Martial Arts Tournament]: The preliminary round for this tournament is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on May 18th. Participants are required to log into the dedicated channel via their respective university’s intranet...