High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Lin Qi abruptly grabbed the black training spear and began to execute the *Mountain Shaking Spear Technique*.

He felt the Power flowing through his body like a surging, roaring tide.

He had mastered the Mountain Shaking Power, a type of Power even more destructive than Mountain-Splitting Power.

During his clash with his senior, Wang Zixuan, just now, he had felt that even his ordinary moves had become immensely more powerful.

It was like trading a musket for a cannon; his combat strength had soared.

That Mountain Shaking Power was both refined and ferocious. Through subtle control, it had become completely different.

BOOM!

He flexed his muscles, and at the same time, the residual Source Energy in his body began to flow, merging with the formless Power. They fused together.

’I never thought Source Energy and Power could fuse. My teacher never mentioned this.’

Lin Qi thought to himself, ’This is actually the key to mastering Mountain Shaking Power. Did I somehow manage to succeed using a different method?’

He felt that the so-called "precise control" was just the surface level; the truly crucial step was infusing it with Source Energy.

It was also the most difficult step, but for Lin Qi, it was surprisingly easy.

After briefly summarizing his findings, he opened the cabinet and took out another metal box.

’Since I’ve mastered Mountain Shaking Power, it’s time to learn the Body Technique Secret Manual.’

Lin Qi slowly opened the metal box. Inside was another gold-colored secret manual—*Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step*.

*Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step*, the advanced version of the *Thunder Light Body Technique*.

Looking at the five large words on the cover, Lin Qi began to flip through it quickly:

"Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step is both a body technique and a footwork technique. Its core is the ferocity of thunder, emphasizing instantaneous explosive power and ultimate speed."

"When executing this body technique, you become like a bolt of lightning streaking through the void. Your figure flickers like thunder light, a shadow that follows you, so fast it’s impossible to track..."

"..."

Half an hour later, Lin Qi closed the golden Body Technique Secret Manual.

He immediately began practicing *Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step* right where he stood.

It was the advanced version of *Thunder Light Body Technique* and had many similarities, but its footwork was much more refined.

If one’s control over their muscles wasn’t precise enough, the movements would only be clumsy and awkward.

’Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step... this footwork technique heavily relies on the cultivator’s physical Talent. If their physical foundation is strong enough, they can unleash their talent to achieve even greater speed.’

’With my physical Talent, my speed will far surpass others when I use it, and I’ll maintain my flexibility at the same time.’

Lin Qi moved rapidly, his steps unpredictable. He controlled the exertion of every muscle, becoming more precise and proficient.

Two hours later, inside the spacious Martial Arts Room, a black figure flickered and shifted, its speed as fast as a ferocious bolt of lightning.

Lin Qi wore the 1,200-jin Gravity Rings as he trained his Body Technique. After getting past the initial awkwardness, his flexibility and speed skyrocketed.

[You have begun cultivating *Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step*. Your mastery of Body Technique has increased. Body Technique +1%.]

[You have successfully cultivated *Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step*. Your mastery of Body Technique has greatly increased. Body Technique +5%.]

[Body Technique: Tier Three 9% → Tier Three 15%]

...

Lin Qi looked at the information on the panel and exclaimed in admiration,

"Compared to the Spear Technique Secret Manual, cultivating this Body Technique Secret Manual is way easier."

"There’s no special Power to master. It just requires more refined control over my strength. I managed to learn it in just three hours."

"Today, my combat strength has taken another huge leap."

Lin Qi clenched his fists. He had benefited greatly today. Successfully cultivating two new secret manuals had drastically increased his combat strength.

...

In the blink of an eye, another week passed, and Lin Qi’s life returned to normal.

He fell into a regular training routine. Every day, besides his normal cultivation, he dedicated his time to the *Mountain Shaking Spear Technique* and the *Thunder Shadow Instant Kill Step*.

His strength increased steadily, but Lin Qi felt he still wasn’t strong enough.

His rivals were all geniuses from the Tenth Institute who had Awakened Special Abilities.

He didn’t have much time; he had to surpass all of them by next year.

...

「This day, at the Azure Sky Sixth Institute, on the rooftop airfield of the Cangjing Building.」

A cold wind blew against Lin Qi’s face. The sky was shrouded in dark clouds, and snowflakes drifted down onto his shoulders.

The Imperial Capital had entered December. The temperature was in the single digits, and it had started to snow.

However, it didn’t affect Lin Qi much. He wore his red and white school uniform, and white steam radiated from his body.

Beside him stood Dean Liu, dressed in a long robe.

The two of them watched as, not far away, Dean Xue Zhou in his Cangjing-blue robe and the black-clad Mu Hong boarded a dark red, saucer-shaped fighter jet.

"We’re off!"

Dean Xue and Mu Hong waved goodbye to Lin Qi.

HUM!

The cabin door closed. With a roar, the jet kicked up a fierce wind that scattered the surrounding snowflakes. It ascended slowly before shooting forward, leaving a white vapor trail as it flew into the distance.

The calm-faced Dean Liu slowly began to speak.

"They leave this time, but when they return, our Azure Sky Sixth Institute will have one more Eighth Realm Martial Artist."

"At the same time, our Xia Country will have one more Ninth Realm Title Level Martial Artist."

"The situation in Xia Country is very grim right now. We need a Ninth Realm Martial Artist to boost morale."

Lin Qi offered his blessings, "Everything will go smoothly."

Dean Liu continued, "This trip to the Otherworld is exceptionally dangerous for everyone. This might be the last time we see them."

"Dean Liu, don’t jinx it."

Lin Qi watched the falling snow and said calmly, "My teacher will break through. We will have a Ninth Realm Martial Artist."

"And in the end, we will defeat the Calamity Beasts!"

Dean Liu smiled. "Perhaps in the future, we’ll need you to save Blue Star!"

Lin Qi clenched his fists. With the Yang Jian template, his Talent would only grow stronger.

As long as he had enough time, humanity would ultimately achieve final victory.

...

「6:00 PM, after the Martial Arts General Education Course.」

Lin Qi got into his electric car. He wasn’t heading back to his villa, but toward the Tenth Institute.

Along with him were a dozen or so other geniuses from Cang Province, including Jiangtao, Guo Heng, Wang Qiufeng, Zhou Xiyin, and Li Zhou.

"Brother Qi, I can’t believe Wan Ming invited us to his place," Jiangtao called out from a car nearby.

"Wan Ming is from our Celestial Sea City. He was a famous genius at Tianhai No. 1 Middle School, originally ranked in the top ten of his grade."

"He Awakened a Special Ability during the summer vacation before his senior year and was granted direct admission to Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy."

"He doesn’t usually come to campus; he just cultivates at home. But we keep in touch by phone and occasionally get together for a meal," Guo Heng said.

"Inviting us to his birthday party this time is probably his way of staying connected!" Wang Qiufeng chimed in.

His feelings were quite complicated. Wan Ming used to be his classmate.

Based on his talent and comprehension, he probably wouldn’t have even been able to sign an A-level Contract, but he unexpectedly Awakened a Special Ability.

He shot up to become an S-class genius, surpassing him in a short amount of time.

Lin Qi sat in the driver’s seat, quite curious about this fellow from Cang Province.

Just yesterday, he had suddenly received an invitation from Wan Ming to attend his birthday party.

Jiangtao and a dozen other A-class geniuses from Cang Province had also been invited.

...

A few minutes later, the electric cars passed through the security check run by intelligent robots, entered the Tenth Institute, and slowly drove toward the dormitory area.

The entire dormitory area—or perhaps "villa district" would be more accurate—was filled with luxurious villas.

"Holy crap, every villa here is bigger than mine!" Jiangtao exclaimed.

Lin Qi was also amazed. ’It’s not just bigger than his,’ he thought, ’it’s even bigger than my villa as the Dean of the Azure Sky Sixth Institute.’

Each villa came with a large garden and even a swimming pool. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

"The Source Energy Concentration is so rich. It’s much stronger than in the ordinary dorms," Zhou Xiyin said with her eyes closed.

"This concentration is insane! If it’s this high outside, how high must it be in the Martial Arts Rooms?" the others said in astonishment.

Just then, Guo Heng spoke up again.

"Right now, the Source Energy Concentration in our Azure Sky Sixth Institute is the highest. If we take the concentration in our villas as one unit, then theirs is three times higher than ours."

"Three times!"

Everyone was shocked, feeling another pang of jealousy.

Lin Qi was startled. ’This concentration is much richer than in my Martial Arts Room. It’s at least 1.5 times higher.’

’The gap is pretty big.’

’No, it’s more accurate to say that ordinary geniuses are being left far behind.’

As expected, Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy was still a place where hierarchy was everywhere.

Soon, they arrived at their destination: the entrance of a luxurious villa.

A white intelligent robot and a young man were standing at the entrance.

He was a handsome young man with sharp features, a tall and straight posture, standing about 1.95 meters tall with short, jet-black hair.

He wore a special-made, slim-fitting blue robe with a Sharp Sword embroidered on the chest—the emblem of Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy.

Everyone got out of the cars. Guo Heng leaned close to Lin Qi and whispered, "Brother Qi, that’s Wan Ming."

Lin Qi nodded and walked forward first, with the others following behind him.

"Wan Ming, happy birthday!" Guo Heng was the first to greet him, handing over his gift, a colorfully wrapped box.

"Aheng, long time no see!"

Wan Ming said with a smile, greeting both Guo Heng and Wang Qiufeng.

Then, Guo Heng pointed to Lin Qi and introduced him.

"This is our Dean and senior brother—Lin Qi!"

Wan Ming also smiled and extended his hand. "Mountain Monarch Lin Qi. I’ve heard so much about you!"

"Your name is probably known throughout all Thirty-six Martial Arts Universities in Xia Country by now."

"That’s an exaggeration!"

Lin Qi shook his head as he reached out to shake Wan Ming’s hand, also handing over the gift he had prepared.

The nickname "Mountain Monarch" had been given to him by the various Martial Arts Universities.

In ancient times, "Mountain Monarch" meant tiger, the king of the mountain beasts.

It was an allusion to Lin Qi’s current status as the strongest of this year’s freshmen.

Lin Qi sensed a vast, surging aura from the other man, like a great sea. He exuded an oppressive presence.

He guessed the other man might have Awakened a Special Ability related to Water Control.

And his Qi and Blood Value was definitely not low.

This was definitely an expert, a genius even stronger than Han Zhen!

After they released their hands, Wan Ming led the group into the main hall of his villa, which had been lavishly decorated.

The tables were laden with all sorts of delicacies, desserts, snacks, drinks, red wine...

There was also a large round table, already set with a freshly prepared, exquisite feast.

Since they had arrived so early, they were the only ones in the large hall.

"Don’t be shy or formal. Just make yourselves at home," Wan Ming said with a smile.

Guo Heng and Wang Qiufeng didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately started eating. Seeing this, the others also relaxed and began to enjoy the food.

Lin Qi did the same, picking up a piece of bread and putting it in his mouth.

"Old Wan!"

Just then, a familiar voice called out from the doorway.

...