Chapter 97: Ranked 10th in China, The Time of Bright Moon
With his current level of martial skill, it would not be difficult for Li Yuan to reach 300 points in the Meteor rank within one or two weeks. However, achieving this quickly was not easy. After a series of victories, the matchmaking system of the Starry Sky Combat Network would often "penalize" players by matching them against opponents far stronger than themselves.
From 10 p.m. the previous night until nearly 2 a.m. the next morning, Li Yuan fought continuously.
In the empty battle space, with a swift thrust of his spear, a towering opponent was reduced to nothing but a shocked expression before dissipating into nothingness. The blood from his throat disappeared instantly, restoring silence to the arena.
"So tough. It took hundreds of moves to gather momentum and unleash the twelve consecutive strikes of 'Star River Waterfall,'" Li Yuan said, as he retracted his spear and held it at its midpoint.
The twelve consecutive strikes required continuous momentum building, each strike faster and stronger than the last, ultimately overwhelming the enemy. However, opponents in the Meteor tier were all experts, most being real-life source martial artists with high levels of knowledge and insight. Many could recognize Li Yuan's techniques and would do everything to disrupt his momentum or find opportunities to kill him during his buildup.
"All experts," Li Yuan reflected, smiling as he recalled the twenty-plus battles of the night.
Facing one expert after another provided him with significant insights. He encountered many advanced techniques from second and even third-tier secret methods, which broadened his horizons.
Glancing at his ranking data, he saw:
Tier: Meteor
Points: 306 (1,000 points required to enter the promotion match)
Win Rate: 41%
"Finally broke 300 points. Little Jade said I'd get a special document at 300 points," Li Yuan muttered. "I wonder what it is."
With a thought, he ended the battle and returned to his personal space.
"Congratulations, Defender Yuan, on your victory. Points +9."
"Congratulations, Defender Yuan. You are now ranked 48th globally on the Blue Star Youth Genius List, 10th in China, and 2nd in Jiangbei Division," the system notified him as he returned.
"Congratulations, Defender Yuan. Having reached 300 points in the Meteor tier before the age of 18, you are invited to the 'Time of Bright Moon.'" Another notification flashed.
"10th in China, 2nd in Jiangbei?" Li Yuan wondered. "Is Jiangbei's first place Tian Dazhuang?"
Although he hadn't interacted much with Tian Dazhuang, Li Yuan had great respect for him. Given his terrifying talent, Tian's blade skills would only have grown stronger since their last encounter a month ago.
.....
In his personal space on the Starry Sky Combat Network, a girl in purple, radiating a soft glow, circled Li Yuan excitedly.
"Congratulations, master! You've reached the top 10 in China and 2nd in Jiangbei!" she exclaimed, seemingly in awe of Li Yuan.
"Alright, calm down," Li Yuan smiled. "Little Jade, I just received the 'Time of Bright Moon' document you mentioned. Open it for me."
"Yes, master," Xiao Yu nodded.
A light screen appeared, filled with text and corresponding images.
"Master, look," Little Jade explained, pointing to the screen. "The Starry Sky Combat Network rewards young masters who reach 500 points in the Gold tier, or the Meteor, or Bright Moon tiers before the age of 18."
"Yes," Li Yuan acknowledged.
Reaching the Meteor tier at age 18 rewarded 500,000 Blue Star Coins.
Reaching the Bright Moon tier rewarded 20 million Blue Star Coins.
"The 'Time of Bright Moon' is an invitation extended to young masters who reach 300 points in the Meteor tier. Reaching 300 points usually indicates a mid-level four-stage martial skill," Little Jade explained.
"To reach the Bright Moon tier, one typically needs a high-level four-stage martial skill."
"The Eclipsing Sun tier requires mastery at the four-stage perfect level, known as 'Subtle Mind.'"
"The Transcendent tier typically requires five-stage skills."
"Understood," Li Yuan nodded.
The more he trained and grew stronger, the more he realized how rare five-stage skills were. He estimated that achieving five-stage skills in reality required either extraordinary talent or being a highly powerful source martial artist, at least on the level of Dean Li.
As such, the Bright Moon tier was considered high, and it was extremely rare for Eclipsing Sun-tier fighters to become broadcasters in the virtual martial world.
On the other hand, real-world martial skill classifications were not as precise as the Divine Palace panel, which could detail progress down to the percentage. Instead, they used broad terms like beginner, intermediate, advanced, and perfect.
Based on his own progress, Li Yuan estimated:
"Four-stage beginner: approximately 0%-30%"
"Four-stage intermediate: approximately 30%-60%"
"Four-stage advanced: approximately 60%-90%"
"90%-100% is likely the four-stage perfect level, also known as 'Subtle Mind.' At this point, one should be able to seek ways to enter the five-stage skill level," Li Yuan thought.
Although his estimates might not be exact, they should be close enough.
"So, if I can get my spear skills to around 60% of the four-stage level before August 29th, I might reach the Bright Moon tier?"
Instantly, Li Yuan felt motivated.
Half a year ago, while struggling in the Gold tier, he never dared to dream of reaching the Bright Moon tier rewards. But now, he had a glimmer of hope.
It's mid-April now.
"I have four months to hone my spear skills," Li Yuan calculated.
Improving from 26% to over 60% in four months would be challenging. The deeper the perception of the body, the harder it became to extract more potential. If it were easy, the Starry Sky Combat Network wouldn't offer a 20 million Blue Star Coin reward.
"I'll go for it," Li Yuan grinned.
Money was always needed. He foresaw that as his body improved, the resources required for further enhancement would only become more expensive.
"I also need to strive for the S-level contract with Starlight Martial Hall, which requires achieving five-stage skills before age 20," Li Yuan thought. "Plus, there's the Star Earth Marrow Crystal."
Though he wasn't sure what the Star Earth Marrow Crystal was, it was undoubtedly precious.
"First goal: reach the Bright Moon tier by September."
"Second goal: attain the Subtle Mind level."
"Third goal: achieve five-stage skills," Li Yuan set three clear objectives for himself.
Setting goals and striving towards them was far more effective than blind training.
Nations had five-year plans; why shouldn't individuals?
....
After exiting the virtual network, Li Yuan resumed training in the "Great Sun Starry Sky Technique." At 5 a.m., he headed to school from home.
.....
Unbeknownst to him, news of his top 10 ranking on the Blue Star Youth Genius List had already reached the relevant authorities by that night.
.....
In her office at the Starry Sky Martial Hall, Song Yi stared at the latest report on Li Yuan, shocked.
Yesterday, when Wan Qinghe had discussed it with her, she thought he was bluffing. Based on her knowledge, Li Yuan's spear skills had just reached the four-stage level in early March.
Unexpectedly, within a night, Li Yuan not only surpassed 300 points in the Meteor tier but also became the 10th in China.
This rapid progress was astonishing.
"His physical fitness improved by one level in a month."
"His martial skills, which just broke into the four-stage level in early March, reached the mid-stage within a month?" Song Yi murmured.
The more she analyzed, the more she was amazed.
Physical fitness could be attributed to some treasure, but martial skills? That was pure talent.
"What a monster," Song Yi shook her head, then smiled.
"6 million? Worth it!"
"Forget it. Since Wan Qinghe asked for 10,000,000, I'll meet his demand," she decided.
Once the thought surfaced, it lingered.
"10,000,000! Let's end this enmity once and for all," she concluded. It was worth paying a few million Blue Star Coins to avoid antagonizing a super genius.
.....
That afternoon, thousands of kilometers away, in the Kunlun Martial University in Longxi Province, two figures were deep in discussion.
An elderly man in a black robe and a bald man stared at the same light screen, displaying detailed information.
It included Li Yuan's April exam results and his ranking on the Blue Star Youth Genius List.
Both exchanged glances, their expressions curious.
"Did you say you sent Li Yuan the 'Ultimate Extreme Training Guide' a month ago?" the bald man asked.
"Yes," the elder nodded.
"And you planned to have him struggle with it to curb his arrogance, then tell him using the 'Body Cleansing Essence' would reduce the pain by 50%, right?" the bald man continued.
"Correct," the elder nodded again.
"And now Starlight Martial Hall reports that Li Yuan has been training with the 'Extreme Training Method' for a month with great results, reaching the entry-level?"
"Yes," the elder nodded, stunned.
"Old Fan! Should I praise you or scold you?" the bald man asked, perplexed.
"Dean Li, we should look at the results," Fan Jin said calmly. "The result is that my extreme training plan successfully tested a true martial genius for Kunlun Martial University."
"His willpower, mental strength, and physical talent."
"Most importantly, his rapid progress in martial skills."
"The more advanced the skills, the faster the physical potential is unlocked."
"All of this perfectly aligns with my 'Extreme Training Plan' research," Fan Jin declared. "I believe he will become a source martial artist before his third year."
"Perhaps even Dean Hai might take an interest. Should we try?" Fan Jin suggested cautiously.
Kunlun Martial University had eight colleges, each with one principal and three vice-principals. Dean Li was a vice-principal of the Sixth College, while Wan Qinghe's "Ninth Senior Brother" was the principal of the Eighth College.
Dean Hai, they referred to, was the principal of the Sixth College, a renowned flying martial artist across China.
"Not yet!"
"Your idea is still theoretical and hasn't been successfully tested," Dean Li shook his head. "You know Dean Hai's temperament. If the candidate is unsuitable, Li Yuan won't suffer, but we will."
Fan Jin recoiled.
Dean Hai was much older than them.
"Let's wait and see. It's only been a month. If Li Yuan's progress hasn't slowed by the end of the July practical exam, I'll consider recommending him to Dean Hai," Dean Li decided.
"Alright," Fan Jin nodded. "I'll keep a close eye on Li Yuan."