High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 66: Li Yuan Takes the Stage

"Top thirty on the Blue Star Youth Ranking?" Li Yuan nodded. To reach the Meteor Stage, one must at least achieve mind-body unity. And once that is achieved, mind-body-weapon unity is no longer a bottleneck; success is inevitable, it's just a matter of time. According to the data he received on the Starry Sky Combat Network a few days ago, there were already 164 people who had reached the Meteor Stage on the Blue Star Youth Ranking.

"Based on my previous estimate, a perfect score in martial arts skills for the college entrance exam is likely equivalent to fourth-stage skills," Li Yuan thought. "Could it be that a few months ago, Tian Dazhuang was already at the fourth stage of his blade technique?"

If that were true, this age is precisely when strength grows rapidly. A few months later, his strength would certainly be even greater. Top thirty on the Blue Star Youth Ranking? Li Yuan believed it was possible.

"This world has no shortage of geniuses." Li Yuan increasingly understood the meaning of this phrase.

At this moment, Gu Qianghan turned to Lin Lanyue, "Sister, don't scold me. It was just an accident. Next time, if I'm serious, I'll definitely..."

"Explain to me?" Lin Lanyue frowned. "You lost, so just watch carefully. Look at your opponents and see where you lost."

Gu Qianghan immediately shut his mouth and obediently watched the arena.

In reality, Gu Qianghan was not lacking in talent or training resources. However, he was born in wealth, inherently optimistic, and spoiled by his parents, growing up without any pressure. At school, most classmates were happy to be friends with him.

...

In the arena.

"So weak! It seems, just as Senior Long said, that across the entire Blue Star, my martial arts skills are among the best of my age group," Tian Dazhuang thought, his eyes showing a slight shake. "Then let the slaughter begin."

"Clang!"

"Slash!" "Slash!" His blade technique was fierce and swift! Each strike was unstoppable.

Dodge? Impossible!

Withstand? Unbearable!

No one could withstand two strikes from his broadsword.

Blood splattered!

Tian Dazhuang's score and ranking soared to first place and continued to rise, leaving the second place far behind.

"So strong? Aren't physical fitness levels supposed to be the same?"

"Attack him."

"Surround him." The other participants' faces changed, realizing the danger of this killing god. They unhesitatingly surrounded him.

They knew that if Tian Dazhuang wasn't dealt with, they couldn't take first place.

Of course, many instinctively retreated, trying to avoid Tian Dazhuang.

"Surround me?"

Tian Dazhuang, expressionless, swung his broadsword. His movements were ghostly and much faster than any other participant, breaking through the encirclement directly.

Then, the slaughter continued!

It should be known that those who came to this invitation event were elite students, all with the hope of entering the top five martial arts universities in the Xia Kingdom.

However, when these elite students faced the unassuming Tian Dazhuang, wielding his broadsword from the north to the south of the arena, no one could stand against him!

...

All the students who had not yet participated were shocked, watching the figure in the arena.

"So fierce!"

"That guy with the blade is too strong, on a completely different level from the others."

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

Many looked at the giant leaderboard above the arena, visible from all directions.

"Tian Dazhuang? My great-great-grandfather had a similar name."

"There are still people with such names?"

"I remember now, he's from Shizhou, with a perfect score in martial arts skills during the January assessment! The only perfect score in Shizhou!!"

"Amazing."

"Damn, the top scorer in our city got cut down by Tian Dazhuang in three strikes? Feels good! That idiot mocked me last time. Got what he deserved."

"This is a high school senior?" The entire spectator area was in an uproar.

The figure wielding the broadsword was unremarkable and under 1.8 meters tall, but at this moment, he was the king of the arena.

Tian Dazhuang, a very ordinary and even old-fashioned name, was remembered by everyone.

...

At Jiangbei Martial Arts University, in the main teaching building of the war fortress, over fifty people sat in a large conference room, divided into five teams. These were the teachers from the five major martial arts universities in China, serving as the 'observers' for this invitation event.

Their task was to observe the students.

At the moment, all the observers were focused on the holographic projections in front of them, showing the ongoing 'cage battles' of the invited students. Each observer could rotate the projection 360° to observe the combat from different angles.

"This Tian Dazhuang."

"Fourth-stage skills! His blade technique is probably close to mid-fourth stage."

"His body technique is also at the fourth stage."

"His skill level is barely at SS rank."

"SS rank? I think he's a bit lacking, but he's indeed impressive."

"Not just on the Blue Star, but even within China, based on our collected data, his martial arts skills can definitely rank in the top five." The observers from the five major schools discussed and noted their observations.

"Check his data."

"Poor family, certainly has the perseverance, and has awakened his martial spirit. An S rank is appropriate."

"Look at his decisive moves, calm and collected. He won't be bad in actual combat."

"As long as he isn't too poor in actual combat, he's fine."

"At least S rank." The observers from the five major schools had almost reached a consensus.

They had pre-collected data and categorized the students into expected S, A, and B ranks, from high to low. During the invitation event, they would observe each student's martial arts skills, physical fitness, actual combat, and other aspects.

In the end, students meeting A rank and above would receive special training invitations directly.

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

Of course, the data was mainly based on the January assessments. Over time, there would certainly be changes. Almost every year, students would exceed expectations and show greater strength than anticipated.

...

Time passed, and the battles between experts were decided quickly. In less than ten minutes, the first battle ended, with only Tian Dazhuang remaining.

He was the undisputed first.

Dong Haifeng? His score ranked around 110th, not very noticeable.

...

Quickly, the second battle began.

Wang Yu entered and immediately exploded. She wielded a sword and shield, clad in light armor, with a fiery figure and even fiercer combat style.

She also shocked all the students present.

"So strong."

"A girl can be this powerful?"

"Damn, I was just checking her out. Guys, she's all yours."

"Amazing." Many students were astonished.

If Tian Dazhuang's style was domineering, cutting through everything with his broadsword, then Wang Yu's swordsmanship was unpredictable, perfectly complemented by her shield technique, unafraid of being surrounded.

"Who's stronger, her or Tian Dazhuang?"

"Both are strong, hard to say."

"Also a perfect score in skills. This is what a perfect score means? Damn, fighting them is like being bullied." Many students discussed among themselves.

If Tian Dazhuang's outburst in the first battle allowed some to console themselves with "It's not us, it's him being too fierce," Wang Yu's appearance made them truly understand the significance of a perfect score.

Most elite students had skill scores below 360 points. Even those with 360 or 370 points were mostly defeated by Wang Yu.

It would take at least high third-stage skills to withstand a few moves. Fourth-stage skills, with mind-body-weapon unity, utilized body potential, muscle, and bone strength far beyond second and third-stage skills.

"Tian Dazhuang seems stronger," Li Yuan concluded, watching the fiery girl in the arena.

"Really?" Lin Lanyue was curious. "How can you tell?"

"Body technique." Li Yuan affirmed, "Tian Dazhuang's body technique is stronger, and Wang Yu's shield technique isn't perfect yet, probably not at the fourth stage."

Lin Lanyue nodded slightly. Li Yuan's judgment matched her swordsmanship teacher's evaluation.

...

In the third battle, Wu Dongdong and Lin Lanyue both participated.

In this fight, Wu Dongdong shone brightly, wielding a long spear with lightning speed. Her movements were terrifying, sweeping through the arena!

Li Yuan wasn't surprised by Wu Dongdong's performance. What did surprise him was Lin Lanyue.

"Second place?" Li Yuan looked at the final scores on the leaderboard.

Lin Lanyue had taken second place.

Part of this was because Wu Dongdong intentionally helped Lin Lanyue, preventing her from being surrounded too much. But another part was due to Lin Lanyue's improved swordsmanship.

"High third-stage? Probably around 80% of the third stage." Li Yuan judged.

In the past six months, his progress had been rapid. Lin Lanyue's skill improvement wasn't top-tier, but still very fast.

... After the first three battles, there was a one-minute break.

In the spectator area.

"Wow, Sister, Dongdong, you both got first and second place. How will I face the neighborhood now?" Gu Qianghan complained, "We're supposed to be the three heroes of the neighborhood, and I'm the weakling?"

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

She had swapped seats to sit next to Lin Lanyue.

"Last place!" Gu Qianghan shook his head. "I was unlucky to face Dazhuang right away."

"That's still first." Wu Dongdong laughed.

"Li Yuan, if you get into the top ten, I'll really have no face left." Gu Qianghan said pitifully.

"Okay, I'll not make the top ten and suicide at the start to accompany you, how about that?" Li Yuan joked.

"Forget it, I was kidding. You should do your best," Gu Qianghan said dejectedly, lying flat and looking at the sky. "I should think about how to explain to my dad. Last place... I'll get beaten again."

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

Everyone around laughed happily.

One minute passed.

In the arena.

"The fourth battle, begin." The black-clad man announced.

Swish!

Li Yuan disappeared from his seat.

"Li Yuan." Lin Lanyue's eyes showed a hint of expectation as she watched the arena.

"Let me see." Wu Dongdong also looked serious. "Sister Yueyue, you've been saying he's good."

"After observing him all day, he seems nice, just doesn't talk much."

"Hope his strength isn't bad."

...

In the war fortress, in the conference room.

"Three S-levels appeared in the first three battles, all performed well, and eight A-levels."

"The fourth battle only has two A-levels."

"No one has an absolute advantage. Once the fight starts, it'll probably be intense for a while." The observers from the five major schools chatted leisurely.

They watched the first three battles very seriously.

Only the ten observers from Kunlun Martial Arts University noticed another participant besides the two A-level students.

"Li Yuan."

"Li Yuan is in this battle too." The teachers from Kunlun University noticed Li Yuan.

"Hope you don't disappoint." Teacher Fan Jin thought, focusing on the arena.

Thirty seconds later.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Li Yuan, armed with a long spear and clad in light armor, appeared in the arena with the other 199 participants.

"Hmm?"

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

"This Wu Luo is also in the top 1000 on the Blue Star Youth Ranking and has been there longer than Li Yuan."

"Trouble!"

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