High-Level Martial Era

"The top thirty in the Blue Star Youth Ranking?" Li Yuan nodded in approval.

To reach the Fallen Star level, one must at least achieve Body-Mind Unity.

And once Body-Mind Unity is achieved, Body-Mind-Weapon Integration is no longer a bottleneck and is bound to be successful, the only question being how long it will take.

According to the data Li Yuan got from the Starry Skies Fighting Network a few days ago, there were already 164 participants who had reached the Fallen Star level on the Blue Star Youth Ranking.

"Based on my previous estimates, a perfect score in the martial arts skills section of the college entrance exam is likely to be Fourth Level Martial Arts Skills," Li Yuan thought to himself, "Could it be that a few months ago, this Tian Dazhuang was already at Fourth Level Sword Technique?"

If that were true, at this age, one's strength would be increasing rapidly.

A few months have passed, and the opponent's strength is definitely stronger now.

Top thirty in the Blue Star Youth Ranking? Li Yuan did not think it was impossible.

"In this world, what's never lacking are geniuses," Li Yuan realized more than ever the significance of this statement.

At this moment.

"Sis, don't scold me, it was just an accident," Gu Qianghan turned his head towards Lin Lanyue, "Next time I'll be serious, I promise..."

"Explain what to me?" Lin Lanyue frowned, "You lost, so just watch the battle carefully, see who your opponent is, and understand where you lost."

Gu Qianghan immediately shut his mouth.

He obediently turned his attention back to the duel on the platform.

In fact, Gu Qianghan was not without talent nor did he lack cultivation resources.

It's just that he was born in Rome, naturally optimistic, and spoiled by his parents; he was never under any pressure from a young age… In school, most classmates were very willing to be his friend.

...

On the platform.

"So weak! It seems that, as Dragon Senior said, looking across the whole Blue Star, my martial arts skills are among the top of my peers," Tian Dazhuang slightly shook his head, "Then let the massacre begin."

"Clang!"

"Pfft!" "Pfft!" The sword technique was fierce and swift! With each slash, the force was unstoppable.

Dodge? There's no escape!

Defend? Unbearable!

Not a single person could withstand his broadsword's cleaves twice.

Blood was splattered!

Tian Dazhuang's score rapidly rose to first place and kept on climbing, leaving the second place far behind.

"This strong? Isn't it said that physical quality is the same?"

"Attack him."

"Gang up on him." The faces of the other participating students changed; they all realized the necessity of targeting this killing demon and without hesitation, attacked him from all sides.

They all understood that if they didn't take down Tian Dazhuang, they would not be able to secure first place.

Of course, there were also many who subconsciously shrank back, trying to avoid Tian Dazhuang.

"Gang up?"

Tian Dazhuang was expressionless, wielding the broadsword in his hand, his movements were eerily unpredictable, even faster than all other participants.

He directly broke out of the encirclement.

Then, the slaughter continued!

It should be known that those who were able to participate in the invitation event were definitely the elite students who all had hopes of getting into one of Xia Country's top five prestigious schools.

However, when these elite students faced Tian Dazhuang, an inconspicuous youth.

One broadsword, from the north to the south of the platform, seemed unstoppable!

...

On the platform, all the students not yet in battle were looking at the figure on the platform in shock.

"How fierce!"

"That guy with the sword is too strong; he's just on a different level from the others."

"Who is he? I don't recognize him."

Many people couldn't help but look at the huge scoreboard above the platform, visible from all directions.

"Tian Dazhuang? My great-great-grandfather's name was Dazhuang, I think."

"Who still has this kind of name these days?"

"I remember now, he is from Shi Zhou, he scored full marks in Martial Arts Skills during the January assessment! He's the only full scorer from Shi Zhou!"

"Awesome."

"Damn, look at our city's top scorer, see that? Tian Dazhuang killed him with three slashes. So satisfying! That idiot mocked me last time, acting tough and got struck by lightning, huh."

"Is this really a high school senior?" The entire Spectator Platform erupted into a frenzy.

The figure holding the broadsword, plain-looking and under one meter eighty in height.

But at that moment, he, was the king of the platform.

Tian Dazhuang, a very common and even somewhat retro name.

But everyone remembered it well.

...

Jiangbei Martial Arts University, inside the College Building located in the War Fortress.

In one of the supersized conference rooms, more than fifty people were sitting.

They were vaguely divided into five teams.

These people were teachers from Xia Country's top five prestigious schools and 'observers' for this invitation event.

Their role was to observe these students.

Currently, all observers were each staring at the holographic projections in front of them, which showed the 'Cage Melee' scene of the invitee students.

Each observer could rotate the projection 360° for convenient observation of the battle from various angles.

"This Tian Dazhuang."

"Fourth Level skills! His sword technique is probably close to intermediate Fourth Level now."

"His movement technique is also Fourth Level."

"Skill level, barely enough for SS rank."

"SS rank? I think it's still lacking a bit, but he's certainly not bad."

"Not to mention Blue Star, just in Xia Country, according to the data we've collected, his martial arts skills can definitely rank in the top five," the observers from the five prestigious schools were all taking notes and discussing with each other.

"Look at his profile."

"From a poor family, definitely has perseverance, and has awakened his Martial Spirit, giving him an S is no problem."

"Seeing how he strikes, so decisive, calm enough, he won't be bad in actual combat."

"As long as he's not too poor in actual combat, no problem."

"At least an S rank." The observers from the five prestigious schools almost all made their judgment.

They would pre-collect data, organize a list predicting those capable of reaching S, A, and B ranks, from high to low.

Then, based on the list, during the invitation event, they would observe each person's martial arts skills, physical quality, actual combat, and many other aspects.

Ultimately, anyone qualifying for A rank or above will be directly issued a special training invitation.

B rank? That would depend on the number of students.

Of course, the profiles are mainly based on the records from the January assessments a few months ago.

After such a long time, there are bound to be changes.

Historically, almost every session has had students who have burst onto the scene, demonstrating strength beyond expectations.

...

Time passed, and in a clash of experts, victories were determined with remarkable speed.

In less than ten minutes, the first battle had ended, and only Tian Dazhuang remained on the stage.

He was, without a doubt, the first.

Dong Haifeng? His ranking was barely in the top one hundred and ten—not very noticeable.

...

Swiftly, the second battle commenced right after.

Wang Yu entered the arena and immediately unleashed her fury.

Clutching a sword and shield and clad in light armor, her shapely figure was as fierce in combat as it was appealing.

She likewise astounded all the students present.

"She's too strong."

"Can a girl really be that powerful?"

"Damn, I was just sneaking a peek at her, brothers, she's all yours now."

"So powerful." Many students were surprised.

If Tian Dazhuang's approach was dominating, a straightforward cleave with his heavy saber rolling over everything, resistant to any variation you might throw at him.

Then Wang Yu's sword was enigmatic and unpredictable, paired with her shield technique, she showed no fear in the face of surrounding attacks.

"Who is stronger between her and Tian Dazhuang?"

"Both are strong, it's hard to say."

"That's also a perfect score in martial arts skills? Damn, fighting us is just bullying."

Many students discussed among themselves.

If during the first battle, many students could comfort themselves with 'it's not that we are weak, but he is too fierce.'

Then Wang Yu's arrival truly made these students understand the meaning of a perfect score in martial arts skills.

The majority of elite students had skill scores of less than 360 points.

Moreover, even those with skill scores of 360 or 370 points, when facing Wang Yu, were generally killed in seconds.

Only with Third Stage and high-rank skills could one withstand a few moves against her.

Fourth Level skills, achieving body-mind-weapon integration, under the same physical quality, the exploitation and utilization of bodily potential, muscles, and vigor were far superior to Second Stage and Third Stage skills.

"Tian Dazhuang's strength seems stronger." Li Yuan made a judgment, his gaze fixed on the voluptuous girl on the stage.

"Really?" Lin Lanyue asked curiously, "How can you tell?"

"Movement technique." Li Yuan stated confidently, "Tian Dazhuang's movement technique is stronger, while Wang Yu's shield technique... is not quite at perfection, probably not yet at Fourth Level."

Lin Lanyue nodded slightly, Li Yuan's opinion was similar to that of her swordsmanship teacher.

...

The third battle commenced, with Wu Dongdong and Lin Lanyue both being chosen.

During this fight.

Wu Dongdong shone brightly as well, wielding a long spear like wind and lightning.

Her ability to shift forms was terrifying, likewise sweeping the entire field!

Li Yuan was not surprised by Wu Dongdong's performance, but Lin Lanyue's did catch him off guard.

"Second?" Li Yuan looked at the final standings on the scoreboard.

Lin Lanyue actually shot up to second place.

Partly, this was because Wu Dongdong was intentionally helping Lin Lanyue, keeping her from being attacked too much.

On the other hand, it was Lin Lanyue's swordsmanship that had truly become more formidable.

"Third Stage and high-rank? She must be around 80% at the Third Stage." Li Yuan made his judgment.

He had progressed rapidly over the past half year.

While Lin Lanyue's improvement in skills was neither the best nor the fastest, it was extremely fast nonetheless.

...the first three battles ended, and there was a one-minute rest.

On the spectator platform.

"Damn, sis, Dongdong, with you guys coming in first and second, how am I supposed to show my face in the neighborhood?" Gu Qianghan complained, "What happened to the Three Heroes of the neighborhood, leaving me as the only weakling?"

"Gu Qiang, you are first too!" Wu Dongdong teased.

She had just switched seats, sitting next to Lin Lanyue now.

"Last place is still first!" Gu Qianghan shook his head, "Just my luck, facing Dazhuang right at the start."

"That's also first place." Wu Dongdong smiled.

"Li Yuan, if you also make it into the top ten later, I'll be utterly humiliated." Gu Qianghan lamented pitifully.

"Alright, then I won't make the top ten. I'll just kill myself in the opening to keep you company, how's that?" Li Yuan joked.

"Forget it, I was just kidding. You should go all out." Gu Qianghan looked disheartened, his eyes devoid of spirit as he spread his limbs and looked to the sky, "I should think about how I'm going to explain this to my dad when I get back. Last place... sigh, I'm going to get beaten again."

"The last time I got beaten... was also the last time."

The people around them burst into laughter.

The one-minute rest was over.

On the stage.

"The fourth battle, begin." The man in black on the stage spoke slowly.

Swish!

Li Yuan vanished from his seat.

"Li Yuan." A glint of expectation flickered in Lin Lanyue's eyes as she focused on the stage.

"Let's see." Wu Dongdong said earnestly, "Yue Yue, you've always said he's good."

"After observing him this half day, he seems to be a decent person, just not talkative."

"I hope his strength isn't too weak."

...

Inside the War Fortress conference room.

"In the first three battles, all three S-ranks have appeared and performed well, and eight from the A-rank showed up."

"This fourth battle only has two from A-rank."

"No one has an absolute advantage, once the fight starts, it's likely to be intense for a while." The observers from the five major schools chatted and laughed, all relaxed.

The previous three battles had been watched intently by them.

Only the ten observers from Kunlun Martial Arts University noticed that in addition to the two scheduled A-rank students, there was a third one.

"Li Yuan."

"Li Yuan has also entered this battle." Teachers from Kunlun University paid attention to Li Yuan.

"I hope you don't disappoint." Teacher Fan Jin inwardly remarked, watching the stage intently.

Thirty seconds later.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Li Yuan, armed with a long spear and dressed in light armor, appeared on the stage with the other 199 combatants.

"Hm?"

"Not good." Fan Jin's heart skipped a beat, "Why is Wu Luo, another A-rank student, right beside Li Yuan?"

"This Wu Luo seems to have also entered the top 1000 of the Blue Star youth rankings, even earlier than Li Yuan."

"This is trouble!"