High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 167: Geniuses Are Like Clouds

"A life-saving item?" Li Yuan looked at the box in Dean Li's hands.

At first glance, it looked no different from an ordinary wooden box.

Clang~ Dean Li opened the wooden box.

Immediately, a strange fragrance wafted out from the box, and a crystal clear, purple pill appeared in front of Li Yuan.

It was small, only the size of a little finger, but just the strange fragrance alone made one want to swallow it.

"Teacher, what is this?" Li Yuan couldn't help swallowing.

"Its original name is the 'Source Purple Longevity Pill,' meaning it's like having an extra life with it." Dean Li looked at the pill in the box with a touch of emotion and said, "However, we Source Martial Artists are used to calling it the 'Life-Saving Pill.'"

"Its effect is very simple."

"If you suffer severe injuries, even if your internal organs are shattered, as long as you take it within a short period, you can recover quickly," Dean Li said softly. "Of course, the head is a fatal weakness and cannot be injured."

"Apart from the head, everything else can recover, including the heart."

"Even if the heart is injured, it can recover?" Li Yuan was shocked, looking at the purple pill.

What kind of medicine is this?

"It has three defects," Dean Li said. "The first is that its medicinal power is limited; it's not very helpful for Flying Martial Artists, only effective below that level."

Li Yuan listened attentively.

This was not surprising. If it were effective even for Flying Martial Artists, it would be a true divine medicine.

"The second is rarity; it's extremely scarce. Many Source Martial Artists may have never even heard of it." Dean Li looked at Li Yuan, "I'm not very clear on how it's made, but it's not for sale. You won't easily find it through normal purchase channels."

Li Yuan nodded. Indeed, his permissions in the Starlight Martial Hall were quite good.

But he had never heard of it.

"The third is that it heals injuries but doesn't cure poison," Dean Li said solemnly. "So, if you face some toxic alien races, be careful."

"The vast Astral Realm has many types of poison. One careless move, and you might be poisoned."

"Understood." Li Yuan nodded, thinking of poison?

Teacher Xu Bo died because of poison in the Astral Realm.

Uncle Li Changzhou also almost died from the poison in the Astral Realm... In fact, every year, a large number of ordinary people and martial artists die from poison in the Astral Realm.

There's no way around it. The Astral Realm is vast, and contact with various alien civilizations makes all kinds of poisons prevalent and hard to guard against.

"Put it away," Dean Li said. "Remember, its fragrance is unique. With the keen perception of a Source Martial Artist, it's easily detectable, so it's best to hide it in the inner layer of your 'Source Power Battle Suit' to completely isolate it."

"When you need to use it, retrieve it from the suit with a single thought." Dean Li instructed Li Yuan on how to use it.

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded and reached into the box to take out the Source Purple Longevity Pill.

Buzz~

A wisp of black light seeped from Li Yuan's palm, wrapping around the Source Purple Longevity Pill like a liquid, and it disappeared instantly.

The lingering fragrance in the air quickly dissipated as well.

"Good." Dean Li nodded. "That's the first thing. The second is about your skills reaching the fifth stage."

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"You did the same last time, reaching the fourth stage high-level without telling me immediately, and now it's the same again." Dean Li seemed a bit helpless. "Do you look down on me as your teacher? Every time I hear it from others."

"Teacher, my mistake." Li Yuan admitted his mistake immediately.

But in his heart, he felt helpless. Each time, he had just broken through.

"Your rapid progress not only exceeded my expectations but probably everyone else's predictions about you." Dean Li smiled again. "The speed from the fourth to the fifth stage is incredibly fast. You are even slightly faster than Fang Hai back then."

"Slightly faster?" Li Yuan was stunned.

The time he took to go from the fourth to the fifth stage was less than half of what Fang Hai took.

"Do you think I'm wrong?" Dean Li smiled. "Indeed, you are much faster in terms of time, but you have to understand something. Your physical fitness has surpassed level 15, and your mental power has long been comparable to a Source Martial Artist."

"Fang Hai, when he broke through to the fifth stage, was only 16 years old, with physical fitness at level 8," Dean Li sighed. "And he didn't have the talent for mental power."

"Level 8?" Li Yuan understood what Dean Li meant.

Comprehension, mental power, and mentality are interrelated.

Mentality is the hardest to grasp, so let's not talk about that for now.

Comprehension is the most mysterious, related to a person's soul essence, life experiences, and many other aspects.

But mental power can be quantified.

Increasing mental power enhances one's thinking speed, calculation ability, and perception.

Simply put, in martial arts cultivation, mental power is an amplifier of one's comprehension talent and a foundation.

If a person's physical fitness and mental power are both only level 5, no matter how high their comprehension talent is, they can't reach the fifth stage of skills.

It's like a chef, no matter how skilled, without ingredients, he can't cook a great meal.

But similarly, even if a person has low comprehension, if their mental power reaches level 29, with gradual practice, reaching the fourth stage of skills is not too difficult.

Fang Hai, with physical fitness at level 8 and presumably average mental power, achieved the fifth stage in skills.

His high comprehension is evident.

That's why it caused such a sensation back then.

"Of course, your mental power is also your talent," Dean Li smiled. "Overall, you are very close to Fang Hai back then."

"China has already listed you as a genius on par with Yu Jinghe."

"Among those below Flying Martial Artists, you two are the most valued by the top levels of China." Dean Li sighed.

Li Yuan nodded slightly. This was already very high recognition.

"Yu Jinghe already has the strength of a Flying Martial Artist, enough to protect himself, and no one will target him," Dean Li said. "But you, although your strength is close to a Source Martial Artist, it's still far from enough... You should know, there are alien spies among us humans too."

"Alien spies?" Li Yuan felt a chill.

He had heard his teacher mention this in school, but had not seen it himself.

"These alien spies, some are aliens who infiltrate, as some alien civilizations look very similar to us humans, some even are humans." Dean Li said, "Others are humans bought by aliens... Due to the virtual network's surveillance, they don't easily expose themselves, mostly just collecting information."

"Some alien spies, even without open conflict with us, won't target you."

"But a few alien races want to destroy us completely, like the alien civilization behind the Astral Realm of Luo Bo Sea. If they know your talent, they might assassinate you at any cost," Dean Li said solemnly. "Previously, your value was at most equivalent to a top-level Source Martial Artist."

"So, even if they knew about you, they wouldn't easily target you. The Starlight South Lake community you live in is relatively safe."

"But now, your status is barely comparable to a Flying Martial Artist," Dean Li sighed.

Flying Martial Artist? Li Yuan was shocked.

This evaluation was already extremely high.

A genius is just a genius, but a Flying Martial Artist is a real powerhouse.

It seems that his breakthrough to the fifth stage of skills indeed shocked the top levels of China and the Starlight Martial Hall.

"Now, those who know about your fifth stage skills are just me, Dean Xu, Dean Hai, and the principal in the school," Dean Li said. "And a few top-level people in the Starlight Martial Hall and the Starry Sky Sky Martial Hall know, but your information is sealed."

"Hmm, Tantai Feng might be informed as a form of motivation for him," Dean Li said. "After all, he is also highly valued by the top levels of China."

"But like Fei Qian and other teachers in the school don't know. Don't leak it yourself for now."

"Understood." Li Yuan nodded.

All this was probably to prevent attacks from alien spies.

"Teacher, how long do I need to keep this secret?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Not too long, just until the end of February," Dean Li smiled. "It won't matter if it's revealed during the Global University Martial Arts Competition."

"At that time, staying in the school will be absolutely safe."

"And with your cultivation speed, you'll soon become a Source Martial Artist," Dean Li said. "Once you become a Source Martial Artist, combined with your skills, your strength will increase significantly, and it will be difficult for aliens to assassinate you."

"After all, they wouldn't mobilize a Flying-level to assassinate you; the cost is too high."

"Blue Star is ultimately our human territory. It's extremely difficult for aliens to hide a Flying-level existence without being detected, and they wouldn't expose themselves unless absolutely necessary." Dean Li was confident.

Li Yuan listened quietly.

From what the teacher said, there were Flying-level spies within human civilization?

The thought alone was chilling.

"With your skill level, at the February Global University Martial Arts Competition, if you're lucky, you might make it into the top ten," Dean Li smiled.

"Lucky to make it into the top ten?" Li Yuan listened to his teacher's words.

"What? Not convinced?"

Dean Li couldn't help but laugh. "If it were just the freshman battle of global universities, you'd undoubtedly be the first, not even Tantai Feng could beat you."

"But the Global University Martial Arts Competition's virtual battle is open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors."

"The students from the top three global martial schools might not match your skill talent."

"But those sophomores and juniors have been practicing for more years, and many are already Source Martial Artists... Their basic skills improve significantly, making it easier for them to reach the fifth stage."

"At least from what I know, there are fifth-stage skill martial arts geniuses among the juniors in the top three global martial schools, and there's more than one." Dean Li said solemnly. "There might even be some among the sophomores."

"Altogether, there are at least ten or more."

"Besides the top three martial schools, regional martial arts universities, although generally having less talented students, sometimes produce extraordinary geniuses." Dean Li said. "Even in our Kunlun Martial University, besides you, there's a fifth-stage genius."

"Senior Jin?" Li Yuan responded.

"Hmm, he broke through after your ten-school freshman battle," Dean Li nodded. "It took him over two years to go from the fourth to the fifth stage."

"So."

"There are usually about twenty fifth-stage skill students in the virtual battle of the Global College Martial Arts Competition, varying slightly each year."

Li Yuan pondered.

In his current class, people like Guan Ying, Yu Ming, and Gaurav might also reach the fifth stage in a few years.

Tantai Feng? He has a high chance of breaking through in the next year or two.

Time indeed has a magical power.

"This competition should be divided by age," Li Yuan couldn't help but sigh. "Otherwise, it's too unfair for freshmen."

"You never thought it was deliberately arranged this way?" Dean Li smiled. "The intent is to let each batch of so-called top geniuses face some hardship and temper their character."

"Secondly, the rewards of the Global University Martial Arts Competition are excellent... Since there are only so many spots, it's all integrated into one competition." Dean Li explained.

Li Yuan realized, that made sense.

"Regardless of others, if Tantai Feng can break through, he might have some hope." Dean Li said. "Your main focus should still be on yourself."

"My expectation for you is to make it into the top ten of the virtual battle."

"With two months left, it's enough time for you to improve your strength significantly," Dean Li smiled. "If you make it into the top ten, the rewards will be beyond your imagination."

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded.

The top ten?

His main competitors were the martial arts geniuses from global colleges who had broken through to the fifth stage of skills.

"Lastly, about the Bright Ruins Astral Realm."

"The day after tomorrow, you'll depart," Dean Li said. "The school has arranged for you to enter through the third entrance."

"The survival challenge lasts for a month."

"Return to school as soon as it's over." Dean Li instructed. "The school has forged a new identity for you, and you just need to slightly disguise your appearance... So, if necessary, revealing your fifth-stage skills is fine."

"Understood." Li Yuan nodded.

Although he had some fame, it was limited to Jiangcheng City and at most within Jiangbei Province, so few would recognize him quickly.

Just like Li Yuan himself wouldn't deliberately pay attention to the appearances of battle heroes.

...

Soon, Dean Li and Dean Xu left.

Li Yuan's life returned to peace, and for the next two days, he patiently spent time with his uncle and aunt.

Two days later.

On January 1st, 2044, in the Seven Star calendar.

Fully armed, Li Yuan bid farewell to his family.

"Uncle, Aunt, I'm going to Soaring Star for special training this time and won't be able to contact Blue Star for a month." Li Yuan smiled. "I'll get in touch after returning from Soaring Star."

This was the excuse Li Yuan gave.

He didn't want to worry his uncle and aunt.

"A month? That long without contact? There's no danger, right?" Chen Hui showed a trace of concern on her face.

"Go ahead. Going to Soaring Star is a rare opportunity, a cultivation holy land for human civilization." Li Changzhou smiled. "Don't worry about us at home."

...

Using the alias "Xu An," Li Yuan traveled through the Starlight Martial Hall's channels and boarded a special aircraft.

Heading towards the Bright Ruins Astral Realm.

"The Bright Ruins Astral Realm has four stable entrances, and occasionally unstable ones appear." Li Yuan looked at the information in his hand, astonished. "It's similar to the Fish Spirit Astral Realm."

The Fish Spirit Astral Realm has entrances stretching hundreds of miles, unstable, and often appearing deep underground, making it hard to guard against.

Half a day later.

Li Yuan arrived at the third entrance of the Bright Ruins Astral Realm in Jiangnan Province.