"Xu Wuyi?" Zhou Yun frowned slightly, quickly searching her memory. "The one with the 8.6 Life Energy Level? I remember him being quite hardworking, but his talent is very average. Has he done anything noteworthy?"
"In the last combat class right before the break, he defeated the 9.2-level Han Mengmeng," Wang Wenhai said calmly.
"Han Mengmeng?" Zhou Yun was a bit surprised. After another moment of thought, she said, "Han Mengmeng's Spiritual Snake Hand has reached the Minor Achievement level. And while her unstable foundation is a weakness, her technique isn't that easy to break through. What happened?"
Wang Wenhai's fingers swiped quickly in the air, pulling up a video file.
Of course, all combat practice at the school was recorded so that teachers and students could review it afterward. It also served as a way to investigate the facts if an accident occurred.
"Take a look."
A light screen unfolded in the main viewing area, and a clear image began to play. It was the fight between Xu Wuyi and Han Mengmeng.
Zhou Yun crossed her arms, watching with great interest.
At first, her expression was rather neutral. When she saw Han Mengmeng completely suppressing Xu Wuyi with her Spiritual Snake Hand, she nodded slightly, clearly approving of Han Mengmeng's technique.
But as Xu Wuyi held his ground without retreating under the storm-like attacks, his movements completely free of panic, her gaze gradually grew serious.
Actual combat is a huge test of a Martial Artist's mentality.
Before they had access to the virtual machines, students didn't get many opportunities for actual combat. To be able to perform at this level was already the mark of promising talent.
When the video reached the point where Han Mengmeng's technique had lost its momentum, and Xu Wuyi followed a perfectly-timed block with a swift counterattack, Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow.
"Stop!" Zhou Yun called out.
The image froze the instant before Xu Wuyi's fist struck Han Mengmeng's chest.
"Go back one and a half seconds, slow motion," Zhou Yun instructed.
Wang Wenhai had, of course, already given her operational control. As the command was issued, the virtual AI quickly complied.
In slow motion, every detail of Xu Wuyi's seemingly simple Mountain-Shattering Fist was laid bare.
"This power generation... it's not what a C- Level Mountain-Shattering Fist should look like at all. Its core is the Bow Step Punch from the Basic Body Refining Technique." Zhou Yun knew what she was looking at, spotting the key in a single glance. "And that strike... there's something to it... It's more than just standard form."
She looked at Wang Wenhai. "You suspect he's grasped the rudiments of 'Intention'?"
"It's not a suspicion. I'm basically certain," Wang Wenhai said, pointing at the frozen frame. "Look at the refinement of his Qi and Blood circulation. That's not something you can achieve through sheer hard work alone. You have to have an understanding of the Cultivation Technique that transcends the physical movements."
"I've been observing his training recently. Compared to before, his precision and Qi and Blood Control have improved dramatically. It's like he's a completely different person."
Zhou Yun stared at the screen in silence for a few more seconds before finally nodding. "Interesting. To grasp 'Intention' at the Entry Level of a Body Refining Technique during the Martial Disciple Stage... that level of comprehension... no wonder you're taking a special interest in him. What's his Life Energy Level now?"
"The record still says 8.6, he hasn't been tested again. I gave him five standard E-level Qi Blood Potions to give him a boost," Wang Wenhai said. "I wouldn't be surprised if his Life Energy Level reaches 9.5 after the winter break."
An expenditure of a few tens of thousands of Federation Coins was actually not much for a Martial Artist.
For a Martial Artist like Wang Wenhai, who still had hopes of breaking through to the Martial Master realm, this was merely the cost of a few days of training.
Zhou Yun didn't question Wang Wenhai's investment. Instead, she smiled. "Looks like you've really unearthed a gem. If he can keep up this momentum, he has a real shot at the Three Greats."
"For a promising talent with this level of comprehension, once their potential is unlocked, their rate of progress is truly something to look forward to."
Zhou Yun was well aware that falling behind temporarily meant nothing. A student's talent and comprehension were far more important.
With the help of abundant resources, it was common to see students make explosive progress in the second semester of their senior year, or even in the last month or two before the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination.
There was no shortage of geniuses who leaped several Life Energy Levels and skyrocketed from near the university-acceptance threshold right into the Three Greats. She hoped Xu Wuyi would be the next one.
She paused, her fingers tapping in the air to pull up a few other student files. "Besides him, there's Fang Rui from Class Two, Life Energy Level 9.7, from a family with a strong martial arts background... Lin Xiaoyu from Class Three, her Body Technique is outstanding... Let's do a comprehensive evaluation and draw up a preliminary watchlist."
The two of them discussed for a long time in the analysis room, going through the potential candidates for the intensive training class one by one.
They both knew that this intensive class was not only about the students' futures but also about the school's honor and their own teaching accomplishments.
"I hope we can send a few more kids to knock on the door of the Three Greats this year," Zhou Yun said finally.
...
Xu Wuyi had no idea that two of his teachers were evaluating him and holding high hopes for his future.
Another day dawned. This was already the third day since he had taken the Qi Blood Potion.
The residual medicinal effects had been completely digested and absorbed. Xu Wuyi was now relying entirely on his own stamina and willpower to train.
The process was still arduous.
Every time he reached seventy or eighty repetitions, it was like wading through a swamp—each step was exceptionally difficult.
But with the experience of the past two days, Xu Wuyi's will was more tenacious, and his tolerance for his body's limits was stronger.
He even began to explore how to more effectively manage his stamina and adjust his breathing rhythm under extreme conditions, all to complete the standard movements with minimal exertion.
This in itself was a form of cultivation—a tempering of his mind and control.
[Standard Training Completed for Today: 100 reps]
[Effective Training Reps Today Have Reached 100. Acquired one 'Enlightenment']
As the notification for the one-hundredth repetition appeared, his third Enlightenment descended upon him.
This time, the insight was more subdued, mainly serving to further integrate and solidify the gains from the previous two instances. The degree of his realm's advancement also stabilized.
[Basic Body Refining Technique—Current Realm: Entry Level (41.5%)]
In three days, he had skyrocketed from 0.8% to 41.5% in the Entry Level. A rate of improvement like that would be world-shockingly fast if anyone found out.
At the same time, Xu Wuyi could clearly feel the changes within himself.
Although he couldn't accurately measure his Life Energy Level himself, he was certain that he had definitely and firmly surpassed the 9.0 threshold for university admission. He might have even exceeded it by a fair bit, possibly reaching around level 9.2.
That evening, after finishing his training, Xu Wuyi stared at the four remaining Qi Blood Potions in the metal box and fell into thought.
'Teacher Wang said one every five days was a safe absorption period. But I have 'Enlightenment' to increase my proficiency and solidify my foundation. My training intensity is much higher than an ordinary person's, so three days is enough to digest the potion's effects.'
'Should I follow the instructions step-by-step, or should I take the rest of these potions as quickly as possible?'
He weighed the risks and rewards. In the end, his desire for strength overwhelmed his caution about the potential dangers.
'Winter break is precious. I have to make every second count!'
'The sooner I can push my Life Energy Level to 10.0, the sooner I can access the Star Martial Battle Network...'
'I have the Martial Arts Diligence Record. As long as I work hard enough, my Martial Arts proficiency will eventually increase. The only thing I'm truly lacking is actual combat experience.'
The Martial Arts College Entrance Examination was all about actual combat.
Whether it was the point-based tests against instructors or the practical combat exams between students, they all required a massive amount of practice.
And the virtual machines allowed a Martial Artist to fight without any fear of consequences, to unleash their full abilities. It didn't matter if they were injured or even killed in action, which was undoubtedly a huge advantage.
At this thought, Xu Wuyi's gaze hardened, and he made his decision.
Tomorrow, he would take the second Qi Blood Potion!