Chapter 152: Return to Jiang City (42,000 monthly ticket bonus)

"Yes," Li Yuan noted down the name of the secret manual.

"The second thing I called you for," Dean Hai said.

"After the December holiday and returning to school, which is early January, you will be arranged to go to the Mingxu Star Realm to roam."

"What kind of place is that?" Li Yuan had never heard of this Star Realm.

With his current authorization in the Starfire Martial Hall, he had the authorization to know some information about most Star Realms.

"This is an extremely vast, undeveloped Tier-1 Star Realm," Dean Li to the side added: "Currently in the Mingxu Star Realm, our human civilization is gradually expanding, and small-scale battles have broken out one after another with the local creatures of the Star Realm... but the level of battle is not too high, which is most suitable for you."

"After all, we can't arrange for you to go to a garrison Star Realm, right?" Li Yang laughed: "It's meaningless."

"Good," Li Yuan nodded.

Having taken so many general knowledge classes, plus the database Li Yuan himself searched, he was clear about the differences between different Star Realms.

Some Star Realms are completely occupied by the human race and are very safe; perhaps there won't be a single battle for several years, and many martial artists hope most to be dispatched to these places.

Because it is safe!

As for other Star Realms, like some that are in a state of war or hostile states... like the Luo Bu Sea, it is very dangerous. Source martial artists who enter are just cannon fodder. If he were to go in and roam, it would be very easy to die in a single large-scale battle.

Unless one has the strength of a flying martial artist, otherwise, in that kind of large-scale battle, an individual is very powerless.

It sounds like this Mingxu Star Realm is more suitable for him.

"For your life-and-death roaming, the person in charge of the Martial Hall in the Mingxu Star Realm will give you a series of evaluations," Dean Hai laughed: "If you perform well enough."

"When you return to school, the school will prepare another generous gift for you!"

"It should also be the most important gift the school can prepare for you before you graduate."

"It is hard to measure in money," Dean Hai did not say directly what it was: "At least, I cannot provide it."

Li Yuan held his breath.

Dean Hai is a flying martial artist, and even he cannot provide it? What kind of gift could it be?

A heavenly treasure? It doesn't sound like it.

"Calculating, there is still a month and a half until the life-and-death roaming, cultivate well."

"Life-and-death roaming does not look at talent, only strength," Dean Hai looked at Li Yuan and couldn't help but say: "For every extra bit of strength, the hope of survival in the Star Realm is one bit greater."

"I hope you can come back alive to see me."

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.

After returning to the villa.

Li Yuan logged directly into the virtual network and entered the Martial Dao Knowledge Network space.

Quickly.

Li Yuan searched for the third-stage skill secret manual "Intent of the Stars."

There are as many second-stage secret manuals as stars in the sky.

But the number of third-stage secret manuals is much smaller, and very few have the same name.

"It seems that this 'Intent of the Stars' is not just a simple spear technique secret manual, but a kind of artistic conception," Li Yuan quickly read the introduction of this secret manual.

Confirmed correct.

Purchase!

"Freshman 'Li Yuan', your free learning quota for third-stage secret manuals has decreased by 1, remaining quota is 2," the system voice sounded: "The newly purchased skill secret manual has been issued to your personal space."

In his personal space, Li Yuan listened carefully to the smart teacher's explanation.

"You are learning spear technique."

"Therefore, you can understand 'Intent of the Stars' as an extension of the ultimate mystery of the 'Star Spear Technique'—the 'Star Artistic Conception'."

"What it imitates is the intent of the operation of stars outside the sky."

"It can be divided into four realms: Body as Stars, Star Dust Micro, Star River Convergence, and Star Return to Ruins," the smart teacher said slowly: "If you have already understood the 'Star Spear Technique,' the first realm, 'Body as Stars,' should be able to be entered quickly."

"The key is the second realm, 'Star Dust Micro.' Once you understand the second realm, it means you have reached the threshold of Heaven and Man as One."

*Whoosh~*

The smart teacher waved his hand, and the ground under him and Li Yuan directly transformed into an endless starry sky scene.

In the distant void, there were dim stars.

"Watch me," the smart teacher said softly; a long spear had appeared in his palm without him knowing when.

"Whoosh!"

With one thrust of the spear, his entire aura changed instantly. In a trance, Li Yuan only felt a vast and brilliant star rolling... a very mysterious feeling.

It was just that Li Yuan could also feel some discordant sense of illusion.

"Virtual network, after all, is not real. For fifth-stage skills, it can only simulate 50% of the real effect."

"For this third-stage spear technique, it is best if you can invite a true fifth-stage master to fight and feel the progress in actual combat; that is the fastest way."

November 19th, afternoon, in Li Yuan's villa.

Underground martial arts room.

"How does it feel to cultivate 'Intent of the Stars' on the virtual network these past few days?" Li Yang laughed.

"It's lacking something," Li Yuan shook his head: "I haven't truly entered it yet."

"That is certain."

"The smart teacher teaching skills below the fourth stage has a better effect for those who are good at learning," Li Yang laughed: "But once you reach the fourth stage, the teaching effect of the smart teacher is slightly worse."

"Fifth-stage skills can only simulate 50% of the effect."

"Like sixth-stage skills, they cannot be simulated at all."

"Therefore, virtual battles on the virtual network, whether it is various assessments or the Starry Sky Fighting Network, can only have fifth-stage perfection skills at most," Li Yang laughed: "Like you, you are already at the Eclipse rank."

"And the Martial Saint rank can generally be reached with fifth-stage perfection skills."

Li Yuan suddenly realized; this was something he hadn't known before.

But Li Yuan had long noticed that for him, the role of the virtual network was decreasing rapidly.

Like the Starry Sky Fighting Network, he had already reached the Eclipse rank, but every time he performed rank matching... it took a long time.

The number of experts who can reach this rank is sharply reduced globally.

Martial arts cultivation, the virtual network is ultimately just an auxiliary means; the stronger one is, the more one must return to reality.

"'Intent of the Stars' is something I have also pondered, but my path is ultimately slightly different," Li Yang said: "I will simulate as much as possible and engage in actual combat with you."

"In battle, I will help you try to feel it as much as possible, but in the end, it is still up to you to understand it yourself."

"Heaven and Man as One, perceiving heaven and earth nature, ultimately depends on your own heart breaking through and crossing this crucial threshold," Li Yang said solemnly: "It is common for many high-level Source martial artists to be trapped in this kind of realm for decades."

"Yes."

Just like that.

After mid-November, when Li Yuan's skills reached the fourth-stage limit, his cultivation plan changed once again.

Except for daily cultivation, he basically no longer participated in public "skill classes," and even his actual combat training changed.

It changed to two official teachers, plus Dean Li, taking turns to conduct actual combat training with him.

Because ordinary Source martial artist skills were too weak, actual combat training provided too little help to Li Yuan.

Skills must be strong enough to form pressure on him and give him certain inspiration.

Occasionally, Dean Xu would also come to give Li Yuan pointers.

Just like that, Li Yuan was completely immersed in martial arts cultivation, time passed quickly, and his overall strength also improved rapidly.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-December.

During this period.

A small team from the Starfire Martial Hall came, very low-key, and not many people knew about it.

This small team came specifically to deliver the "Source Power Battle Suit," as well as the exclusive long spear, long blade, and Star Realm roaming auxiliary equipment tailored to Li Yuan's height and body type.

December 14th, afternoon, in the villa's underground martial arts room.

"Puff!"

"Whoosh!" Li Yuan thrust forward suddenly, one spear after another whistling out, fast as lightning—it was the "Twelve Consecutive Strikes" from the "Star Spear Technique."

Rapid bursts formed streaks of afterimages in mid-air.

This was no longer twelve consecutive strikes, but twenty-four, forty-eight... as if there were no end.

If there were an expert who also cultivated the "Star Spear Technique," they would definitely be shocked to discover.

When performing this move, Li Yuan's spear momentum seemed to have no end, one wave after another; when hundreds of spears were thrust out continuously, the power had accumulated to an incredible degree.

"The spear is like a rolling star! Control!" Li Yuan's mind reached the microscopic level, controlling the burst of his body's strength.

"Weaken."

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" The originally wild and violent spear shadows actually gradually weakened and quickly stabilized.

This was very astonishing.

Just like a boxer, when a punch is thrown heavily, if it is not completely thrown out and is forcibly stopped halfway, the body will be very uncomfortable.

The twelve consecutive strikes of the Star River Waterfall are the same; once the spear move reaches its peak, it is best to complete the final strike to make the body and mind feel comfortable.

"Can be hard, can be soft."

"Today, I can finally say that I have thoroughly understood the first realm of 'Intent of the Stars,' 'Body as Stars'," Li Yuan revealed a smile.

This was not a big breakthrough.

Understanding the first realm, the skill is still considered fourth-stage perfection.

From mind reaching the microscopic level to Martial Dao Celestial, it is not that easy to break through.

Even if Li Yuan's progress is extremely fast.

Now he can only say that he is constantly accumulating, laying a solid foundation for understanding the second realm, "Star Dust Micro."

The so-called sudden enlightenment first requires sufficient accumulation.

If one has never seriously pondered, never thought, and has no accumulation at all, what can one have a sudden enlightenment about?

"Tomorrow, I can return to Jiang City," Li Yuan thought of this and revealed a smile.

He hadn't seen his uncle, aunt, younger brother, and sister for nearly half a year, although they occasionally had video calls.

But for a moment, Li Yuan still missed home.

Home is always a place that makes one nostalgic.

"After the half-month holiday, I will have to go to the Mingxu Star Realm," Li Yuan thought to himself.

This was an arrangement made long ago.

"With my current strength, roaming a Tier-1 Star Realm, I should have enough confidence," Li Yuan looked at the Divine Palace panel.

——

【Life Layer: 15.8 (Tier 1)】

Punching Power: 16,545 kg

Speed: 57.2 m/s

Mental Power: 24.6

Willpower: 29

Spiritual Awakening Degree: 25% (Current limit 25%)

Star Pulse: 10

Skill Realm: Spear Technique (4th stage 99%), Movement Technique (4th stage 99%), Fist Technique (4th stage 99%)

"After returning home, relax a bit and spend more time with Uncle and Aunt," Li Yuan pondered: "But as long as I cultivate 'Heavens Stars' normally every day and operate the Star Pulse, there is no problem with my physical fitness breaking through to level 16."

With physical fitness just over level 16, combined with fourth-stage limit skills and the Source Power Battle Suit... Li Yuan dares to engage in life-and-death battles with level 18 or even level 19 martial artists.

"In terms of strength alone."

"I should be catching up to Instructor Xing," Li Yuan laughed suddenly: "However, compared to Instructor Xu Bo, I should still be quite far off; Instructor Xu Bo is, after all, a fourth-stage skill expert."

Late at night, Li Yuan packed his things to go home.

Like the one unit of "Star Core Medulla Crystal" and one unit of "Hundred Marrow Spirit Dry" specially sent by Li Yang—these were prepared for his cultivation in the Mingxu Star Realm in January.

This way, he wouldn't need to make a special trip back to school.

With Li Yuan's current strength, as long as he is careful, he can also protect such treasures.

And things like High Source Spirit Springs can wait until he returns to Jiang City to purchase.

"Mm."

"And the specialty gifts prepared for Uncle, Aunt, and the younger siblings," Li Yuan revealed a smile.

Li Yuan bought many specialty gifts, but the family's gifts were the most thoughtful and were all put into his bag.

And people like Instructor Xu Bo and Wan Qinghe all had a share.

Even for Lin Lan, Li Yuan specially bought a share, although he wasn't sure if she would return to Jiang City for the holiday.

Li Yuan had already sent these people's gifts back to Jiang City a day in advance.

"It's four in the morning."

"Practice spear for a while, practice until seven, eat breakfast, and then go take the aircraft to the airport," Li Yuan thought to himself.

Cultivation was already engraved in his bones.

At night, when Li Yuan was practicing spear in the villa with a calm heart.

In the distant Jiangbei Province, in an underground river deep below, the river was continuous.

Fish-Spirit Race warriors, tall and with emerald green skin all over, were crawling along the underground river.

Their racial talent allowed them to easily adapt to the environment here.

"Roar~"

"Hurry up~ there are still three hundred kilometers."

"Target, human Jiang City," many Fish-Spirit Race warriors communicated in their own language.

December 15th.

At noon, Li Yuan, who was taking a "supersonic aircraft," appeared at Jiang City Tianhe Airport.

"Jiang City, I'm back," Li Yuan walked off the aircraft and revealed a smile.

Not far away.

"Li Yuan, welcome home," Wan Qinghe was standing not far away, welcoming him.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 153 =====