High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Punch Force of 15,000 Kilograms

After ending the communication with Hall Master Yang, Dean Hai sat in the martial arts room, closing his eyes in deep thought.

Gradually, a faint blue glow appeared on Dean Hai's body, containing a strange power that enveloped him in a misty radiance, making him look almost divine.

Soon.

"Dean Hai, Li Yuan has arrived," came Li Yang's somewhat respectful voice from the doorway.

"Let Li Yuan come in," Dean Hai opened his eyes, and the blue glow quickly dissipated, returning him to his normal state.

Footsteps were heard outside.

Li Yuan entered the small martial arts room respectfully, "Dean Hai."

Li Yuan had great respect for the Flying Martial Artists.

"Come, sit down, don't be reserved," Dean Hai said calmly.

"Yes." Li Yuan approached and sat down obediently, just as he did last time.

Li Yang closed the door, and the room quieted down.

"I watched your match with Tantai Feng," Dean Hai said gently, with a smile, "Your performance was impressive. Not only did you surprise Dean Li and Dean Xu, but you also surprised me."

"Your excellence exceeded our expectations."

"You're overpraising me, Dean," Li Yuan quickly replied.

"No, I never exaggerate when I praise," Dean Hai smiled faintly, "Just turning eighteen and reaching a profound mind state... In the ten-plus years I've been a dean, I've never seen anyone in our school achieve that."

Li Yuan was speechless.

"The better you perform, the more attention you'll get, so don't be afraid to show your strength," Dean Hai smiled, "You ranked second in this year's Ten Schools Freshmen Battle, earning you a 'Heavenly Material Treasure' reward."

"Although the top four get rewards, the higher the rank, the better the reward."

"Now, let's make a selection."

Dean Hai tapped his smart ring, and a light screen projection appeared.

Immediately.

A large light screen over three meters long and two meters high formed in front of Li Yuan.

It displayed many texts and images.

"High-source treasures, body transformation treasures, body cultivation treasures, source power secret treasures, mental treasures, toxic treasures, biological young beasts, ore treasures, unknown effect treasures..." Li Yuan quickly scanned, noticing many categories.

Very complex.

Many terms Li Yuan didn't even understand.

"Heavenly Material Treasures are rare treasures nurtured by heaven and earth," Dean Hai explained, seeing Li Yuan's confusion, "Most of these treasures require a 'high-source environment', meaning a high concentration of source power. Our Seven Star Sea originally had no source power... So, there are very few Heavenly Material Treasures from our Seven Star Sea."

Li Yuan listened, learning secrets he hadn't known before.

"Many foreign civilizations live in worlds with source power concentrations far exceeding ours, so they have many rare treasures."

"In some cases, continuous source power nurturing over generations has made many life forms in these foreign civilizations inherently powerful. Like the black dragon I mentioned before, or even stronger creatures, this is the fundamental reason," Dean Hai patiently explained.

Li Yuan realized, now understanding.

"There are even more special areas."

"The Astral Realm," Dean Hai said, "As a special area where different civilizations intersect, many Astral Realms have nurtured incredible treasures... This is why many foreign civilizations compete with us for control of Astral Realms."

"Essentially, we are fighting over resources."

"Many common martial artists use blood medicine and source power pills, whose raw materials mostly come from Astral Realms we've conquered," Dean Hai said.

Li Yuan listened intently.

Some of this information he had heard before, but much of it was new to him.

"The 'high-source spirit springs' you consumed and some special metals, like the source power combat suits relied on by source martial artists," Dean Hai said, "All these fundamentally are Heavenly Material Treasures."

"Some of these treasures have become so common that people no longer find them precious, but to be precise, the source power pills, first-level blood medicine, and body-washing spirit essence you've encountered all belong to first-level treasures."

"And the high-source spirit spring and spirit nourished spring belong to second-level treasures."

"Third-level treasures are mostly what people consider 'Heavenly Material Treasures', rare and hard to mass-produce," Dean Hai said softly, "The body-washing spirit essence you used is a third-level treasure."

Li Yuan realized.

No wonder the body-washing spirit essence is much more precious than the high-source spirit spring.

"Third-level treasures are limited, many of which are rare even within our human civilization, with very special effects," Dean Hai said, "Among third-level treasures, their values can differ greatly."

"The most precious, like the 'Transcendence Fruit,' a single piece can transform an ordinary person into a source martial artist," Dean Hai said, "Or the 'Nine Revolutions Immortal Soul Fruit,' which can directly elevate a person's mental power to level 29."

"Even flying martial artists can greatly benefit from using them."

Li Yuan was stunned.

Transcendence Fruit? Something so powerful that it can directly turn a person into a source martial artist?

And the Nine Revolutions Immortal Soul Fruit is even more powerful, directly raising mental power to level 29?

I've worked so hard to reach a mental power of 23.

Reaching 29 will take an unknown amount of time.

"Don't think about it, these things are extinct, only appearing a few times in history," Dean Hai smiled, "Their value is hundreds or thousands of times more than a single body-washing spirit essence... They can't be bought with money."

Li Yuan was speechless, realizing there was nothing more to say.

Money is very important, but it is a measure for common items.

Rare treasures that even the top human civilization warriors desire... Money means little.

If something can be measured by money, it's usually something that can be continuously produced and supplied.

"This time, you can choose a third-level treasure," Dean Hai said, "But the value has an upper limit. The cheaper the item, the more you get."

"The more expensive, the less," Dean Hai pointed to the dense options on the light screen.

"Please guide me, Dean," Li Yuan said smartly.

He had only heard of a few of these treasures by chance; how could he make the right choice?

"If you ask me, I recommend the 'Star Earth Marrow Crystal,'" Dean Hai said.

Li Yuan was stunned.

Isn't this the treasure promised by Hall Master Yang?

"Heard of it?" Dean Hai smiled.

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded, "The Martial Hall contract includes a clause that if I reach fifth grade before 20, the contract will upgrade to S-level, and I'll receive such a treasure."

This kind of secret was unnecessary to hide from Dean Hai.

"The Marrow Crystal is a rare treasure nurtured by heaven and earth with many uses: strengthening the body, nurturing descendants, enhancing mental power, healing injuries... It has a wide range of applications," Dean Hai explained, "It comes in many types."

"You practice the 'Rock Solid Cultivation Method,' and the Star Earth Marrow Crystal should be the most suitable for you."

"For normal martial arts geniuses with high-level cultivation methods, choosing a treasure to enhance mental power is best."

"But you don't need that."

"On the contrary, your body transformation and growth need it the most," Dean Hai smiled, "Of course, this is my suggestion; the final choice is yours."

"I'll follow your suggestion, Dean," Li Yuan immediately said.

A suggestion?

When a leader gives a suggestion, it's best to treat it as a command, or else the suggestion becomes an opinion.

Besides, Li Yuan felt that Dean Hai made sense.

"Alright."

Dean Hai nodded slightly, "You ranked second this time, so you can exchange for eight units of Star Earth Marrow Crystal."

"This stuff can't be stored at your residence; it's unsafe. Whenever you need it, apply in advance and use it in a designated room in the Vermillion Building," Dean Hai said, "I'll have someone arrange it."

"Unsafe?" Li Yuan was puzzled.

"You can have millions or tens of millions of Blue Star Coins in your account, and no one would covet it," Dean Hai said calmly, "But these Heavenly Material Treasures are physical objects. If someone knows you have them, it's hard to ensure no one will harbor ill intentions."

"Losing the treasures is one thing; your life could be at risk."

"Remember, never test human nature."

"Understood." Li Yuan felt a chill.

Indeed.

A treasure worth over a billion Blue Star Coins... The key is personal safety.

"One more thing."

"Today or tomorrow, Starlight Martial Hall should contact you to upgrade your contract from A-level to S-level," Dean Hai said softly, "The promised Star Earth Marrow Crystal, equivalent to ten units, will also be prepared for you."

"The S-level contract with the Martial Hall?" Li Yuan was puzzled.

I haven't heard anything, how does Dean Hai know?

"Any other questions?" Dean Hai asked, "If not, you may leave."

Questions?

Thinking for a moment.

"Dean, if a person suffered severe physical trauma, shortening their expected lifespan, are there any third-level treasures that can extend life?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Your uncle?" Dean Hai smiled.

Li Yuan was stunned.

"I've reviewed all your information," Dean Hai said calmly, "Yes, there are, and not just one."

Li Yuan's eyes lit up.

"Your uncle was poisoned with Flame Erosion Bone Poison... Although the poison seems cleared by the Flame Tulip Nectar, that's just the appearance... He's too weak for supplements, and many rare treasures might have side effects, causing more harm than good," Dean Hai said, "The best and most common remedy is the 'Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit,' which counteracts the Flame Erosion Bone Poison perfectly."

"Using it will completely restore your uncle's body, with no lingering effects, extending his expected lifespan to over 120 years."

"Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit? Lifespan over 120 years?" Li Yuan was excited.

As expected!

Different strength brings different perspectives.

Uncle Wan knows nothing about this, only rumors, but Dean Hai, a Flying Martial Artist, can diagnose and treat accurately.

"This item."

"Valued at over ten billion Blue Star Coins."

"And you need an opportunity to buy it," Dean Hai said, "Restoring vitality isn't its main use; many powerful martial artists need it."

Ten billion Blue Star Coins? Li Yuan's heart sank.

So expensive!

"Thank you, Dean," Li Yuan said. At least he had some clues.

"By the way."

"Your mental power has exceeded level 20, so you can choose a mental secret technique 'Concentration,' and start practicing," Dean Hai suddenly said, "When you become a source martial artist and your mental power exceeds level 25, you can practice more mental secret techniques."

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.

...

After Li Yuan left, the door gently closed.

"Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit?" Dean Hai murmured, closing his eyes again.

Silently cultivating.

With Dean Hai's strength and wealth, obtaining such a treasure wasn't difficult.

But he wouldn't do it.

Even if a Flying Martial Artist favored Li Yuan, no one would make such an investment.

A treasure worth over ten billion Blue Star Coins to save an ordinary person, not a life-saving but life-extending treatment?

This goes beyond normal 'cultivation' and 'investment support.'

...

Soon after returning to the villa.

Li Yuan received a notification from the school and a bank notification.

"Eight units of Star Earth Marrow Crystal will be stored in the 'School Treasury'?" Li Yuan read the document, "If I want to use it, I need to apply a day in advance?"

"A designated room will be arranged?" Li Yuan thought.

Li Yuan had to admit, Kunlun Martial University's arrangement was very reasonable and safest.

As for the bank notification.

It was the '20 million' Blue Star Coins reward for the Ten Schools Freshmen Battle.

"This will keep me financially secure for the next few months," Li Yuan smiled.

Then, he glanced at the many messages on his smart ring from classmates and friends.

Most were inquiries or congratulations on his performance in the Ten Schools Freshmen Battle.

Messages from Tian Dazhuang, Li Tianyou, and others.

After replying to them one by one.

"Back to practicing spear techniques." Li Yuan set aside his smart ring and resumed training.

"Profound mind is a realm."

"As long as I continue to practice and comprehend, my spear techniques and fist techniques will quickly break through the bottleneck of 90% in the fourth stage," Li Yuan thought, "When my fist techniques reach 90%, my body's evolution efficiency will improve significantly."

"Level 14?"

"I should reach it in a week at most," Li Yuan anticipated.

Once at level 14, he could start spiritual guidance.

...

Training continued until after eight in the evening, with a break for high-source spirit spring.

Li Yuan finally stopped, glancing at the Divine Palace panel:

Skill Level: Spear Techniques (Fourth Stage 91%), Movement Techniques (Fourth Stage 84%), Fist Techniques (Fourth Stage 91%)

In one day.

He finally made a breakthrough.

"Mental profundity! Now, my skills are truly at the peak of the fourth stage. If I face Tantai Feng now, it will be even harder for him to win," Li Yuan closed his eyes, sensing his whole body.

With strong mental power, it seemed to merge perfectly with muscles, bones, and flesh.

Even deep-seated injuries and minor training-induced damages were now clearly visible.

Without reaching the 'mental profundity' state, these injuries would accumulate, affecting body progress and lifespan.

But now, with a single thought, many hidden injuries began to heal.

In the next few days, Li Yuan's body would become more vigorous and robust.

In essence, without any treasures, any martial artist with mental profundity could keep their body at peak condition.

"Punch power!" Li Yuan entered the punch power testing area, focusing his mind.

Suddenly, he threw a fierce punch.

At the moment of impact, countless subtle forces in his muscles and bones were mobilized by his mental power.

Boom!

The punch landed heavily on the large test bag.

Boom! A dull explosion sounded.

Instantly.

The screen in the punch power testing area displayed: "15,224 kilograms (action qualified)."