High-Level Martial Era

Li Yuan wore a 'smart ring,' which was similar to early mobile phones but had more powerful functions, such as holographic projection and body condition monitoring. However, it couldn't connect consciousness to the virtual network.

And the virtual network pod, as an electronic device essential in every household of this era.

Only by using it could one connect their consciousness to the virtual network.

Its appearance resembled those early space capsule gaming consoles.

"Iris verification!"

"Consciousness connection." Li Yuan laid back in the pod's chair and put on the neural connection device, feeling the cool metal against his scalp.

In an instant, consciousness connected to the virtual network.

The Blue Star virtual net!

The Seven Great Planets, separated by the vast expanses of starry sky, hence each planet's virtual network is relatively independent... at least Li Yuan had no access to the virtual networks of other planets.

Hu!

Li Yuan's consciousness had arrived in a special space.

He could leave at will, should he choose to.

"Although the virtual network allows for consciousness connection, it always feels somewhat surreal, unable to achieve a hundred percent realism," Li Yuan thought to himself. "Not to mention achieving a one-to-one replication of body data scanning as depicted in some novels."

"After all, the virtual can never replace the real."

However, a virtual network with a realism of up to 70% was already incredibly magical.

In the few decades since its inception, human civilization underwent an earth-shaking transformation.

Hu! Hu!

In Li Yuan's view, numerous options appeared:

Study Space (Virtual School/Classroom/Laboratory/Library/Martial Arts Room...)

Virtual City (Jiang City/Capital City/Hacheng/Sucheng...)

Social Space (Music/Friends/Dating/Games...)

Commerce (Virtual Mall/Real Estate/Hotel Reservations)... a myriad of options.

The vast majority of the options were in color, indicating they were accessible.

But there were also a few grayed-out options.

For example: Adult Series (Prohibited for Minors)

...

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Li Yuan had just turned seventeen not long ago and was not yet an adult.

"Enter personal study room." Familiar with the process, Li Yuan directly entered his personal study room.

He began to review academic knowledge.

Theoretically, students could complete all cultural course learning online, but the virtual network ultimately couldn't achieve 100% realism.

Moreover, tangible materials are the hardware, the basis of all virtuality.

Therefore, places like schools, office buildings, and service halls still existed in reality, and students still needed to attend school.

Of course, most office work, cultural examinations, company interviews, etc., were completed online.

For students' self-study, if they had high self-discipline, they could be more efficient online.

Li Yuan was one of those highly disciplined individuals.

After an hour of efficient self-study.

"The total score for the cultural courses is 1000 points. I scored 658 points in the second-year finals. I aim to reach 700 points this year in my senior year," Li Yuan muttered to himself. "I just don't want to fall too far behind."

Everyone's energy is limited.

Li Yuan had considerable talent in the Martial Path, especially in Spear Technique, where he exhibited great comprehension.

Even before encountering the Mind Spirit Divine Palace, his Spear Technique was already of Second Stage quality, clearly indicating his aptitude.

But in academic learning, his talent was admittedly average, definitely not on par with Zhou Qi and Yan Zhou, especially since he devoted little energy to it.

It wasn't a surprise that he hadn't yet managed to score 700 points.

Even if he did score 700 points, it would still be below average at Guan Mountain District's top high school.

This was despite the fact that Li Yuan's academic performance had improved over the past year as his spiritual power level rose, boosting his study efficiency.

Otherwise, he wouldn't even be confident of scoring 700 points on the college entrance exam.

"A polymath?"

"How many polymaths can there be? What I need to do is to fully unleash my strongest point, to be the master of one," Li Yuan had a clear understanding of himself.

Why did he want to pursue a full-time career as a Martial Artist?

The first reason was his deep love for it.

The second reason was that after awakening the Mind Spirit Divine Palace, Li Yuan believed he had much greater hope for major achievements on the Martial Path than on the academic route.

...

It was past three in the early morning.

"It's time to go to school," Li Yuan stepped out of the virtual network pod.

He slung his bag over his shoulder.

Without disturbing his aunt, brother, or sisters, he quietly left the house.

...

Driverless trams and subways operate 24 hours a day, but after midnight, the intervals between trips become much longer.

So, Li Yuan often chose—to run to school.

He considered it a warm-up exercise.

In the streets at just past three in the morning, aside from street lamps and the occasional passing vehicle, everything was deserted.

Passing by the corner 'Fook Wei Noodle Shop', he could see the owner had already woken up and started preparing for the day.

"Boss, good morning," Li Yuan greeted with a smile.

"Running at night again, eh? Be careful out there," the apron-clad owner stood up and greeted Li Yuan with a smile.

They often bumped into each other.

Not knowing each other's identities or names, but over time, they had become familiar 'strangers'.

...

Twenty minutes later, Li Yuan arrived at school.

Face recognition to enter.

He went into the classroom, and the lights were on.

"I'll start with two hours of Basic Cultivation Method," Li Yuan said as he stood in the corner of the classroom, calming his mind and quickly entering a stance practiced in martial arts.

His posture was as solid as a rock, coordinating 36 forms of movements with breathing techniques.

He began a new day of cultivation.

Solid Rock Foundation Initiation, Rock-breaking Slide, Stance as Steady as a Pillar, Sky-shattering Stone, Hard Smash like Diamond, Mountain Firm as Abyss... These 36 forms were essentially derived from the Solid Rock Fist Technique.

It was divided into practice method and combat application.

In reality, Li Yuan even devoted more effort to the Solid Rock Cultivation Technique than to the Spear Technique.

"Spear Technique can be pondered slowly."

"But my Martial Spirit is destined not to awaken in a short time, and none of the seven high-rank cultivation methods suit me," Li Yuan thought to himself. "In that case, I must continue to cultivate using the Solid Rock Cultivation Technique."

"Even after becoming a Martial Artist, I may still need to rely on this very cultivation technique, so I must diligently study the Solid Rock Fist Technique." Li Yuan was clear in his thoughts: "The higher my Fist Technique Realm, the more efficient my physical cultivation will be."

Physical quality is the foundation; Spear Technique and movement technique are the weapons that unleash physical quality.

"Moreover, Spear Technique, movement technique, Fist Technique are essentially the combination of body and mind. Progress in one aspect of martial arts skills can lead to faster improvement in other skills."

Time passed by.

Li Yuan practiced tirelessly, and gradually, a faint warm current flowed from his dantian in the waist area, spreading throughout his body to be devoured and absorbed by muscles and bones.

The basic qi and blood medicinal solution he had taken a few hours earlier was gradually taking effect.

Muscles became firmer, bone density further increased, and the internal organs were growing more robust... Only with crazy cultivation could the medicinal solution's effectiveness not be wasted.

Li Yuan cultivated without showing any signs of fatigue.

In his mind involuntarily surfaced the famous words of the first martial arts powerhouse of human civilization, 'Dongfang Ji':

"What is the Martial Path?"

"The Martial Path is not about surpassing others; it's about pouring every ounce of your blood and passion into daily training, day and night, practicing sixteen hours a day, consistently over a hundred years, and when you look back after another hundred years, you will find that you are the Martial Path!"

"The Martial Path is me."

...

Just after four in the morning, the sky still dark.

"Boom!" An intelligent off-road vehicle drove in through the school gate.

It parked automatically.

A figure towering like an iron tower and a black-clad woman with a robust figure stepped out of the car.

Both headed towards the office building.

"Tie Ta, is this the school you work at?" The woman with a firm face and sharp eagle-like eyes gazed across the campus. "This is my first visit to see you since your retirement."

Xu Bo smiled rarely: "You're really in a hurry this time, passing through Jiang City and can only stay for four hours."

"I'm here particularly to check on your medication," the black-clad woman glanced at him. "Otherwise, with such urgent tasks, I wouldn't have stopped in Jiang City at all. Come on, take me to your therapy room for a preliminary examination."

"If your nerve injury has worsened, the supervisors will have to come up with a new solution for you."

Suddenly, the black-clad woman halted her steps.

"A student is already here to practice so early? And he seems to be doing pretty well, his Basic Cultivation Method is nearly perfected, with a high level of control over his body," the black-clad woman said with slight surprise.

Her gaze drifted toward a nearby building.

In the entire high school building, only one classroom on the first floor was lit.

Through the window, one could see a student inside focused on cultivating Fist Technique.

Each movement was as unmoving as a rock towering on the land, exuding an unshakable aura.

"Li Yuan?" Xu Bo frowned slightly to one side: "He's already practicing at school this early?"

"Can his body handle that?"

Cultivation should be in moderation.

In Xu Bo's view, it was necessary to ensure sufficient sleep, rest, diet, and treatment for efficient cultivation.

"Considering his vibrant spirit, blood filled with energy, and seemly well-rested state, it appears he's been resting very well." The black-clad woman commented with a smile: "Tie Ta, do you know him, is he your student?"

"He is my student," Xu Bo said, looking thoughtfully at Li Yuan.

"Let's go, we will first visit my Martial Arts Room."