The pure white space receded. Xu Wuyi looked around and found himself standing in a high-tech hall.
The dome was a hyper-realistic imitation of the starry sky. Beneath his feet, the floor was covered in flowing patterns of energy. Countless virtual avatars of all shapes and sizes, their IDs floating above their heads, moved through the hall, talking amongst themselves or simply vanishing in a streak of light.
This was the Star Martial Battle Network!
A virtual world that connected Martial Artists from across the globe!
Martial Arts could never be practiced in isolation. Duels and communication between Martial Artists were essential for advancing the path of Martial Arts.
The creation of the Star Martial Battle Network allowed Martial Artists from all over the world to communicate and spar at any time. Its impact on the Federation Martial Arts Realm was comparable to an industrial revolution.
Xu Wuyi steadied himself, pulled up the system map, and found the coordinates for the "Honghe First Middle School - Teacher Guidance Zone."
He selected "Teleport." The surrounding scenery instantly blurred, and a moment later, he appeared inside an antique-style private room in a teahouse.
Teacher Wang Wenhai was already sitting there waiting for him, sipping tea.
"You adapted quickly." Teacher Wang looked at Xu Wuyi, who had just appeared, and nodded. "How does it feel?"
"It's amazing." Xu Wuyi glanced around, reaching out to touch the wooden table and chairs beside him. The texture was smooth and warm, almost indistinguishable from reality. "I can hardly tell I'm in a virtual world."
"High-Tier Martial Artists can even achieve enlightenment here. Its mysteries are far beyond our current comprehension." Wang Wenhai didn't elaborate on the wonders of the Battle Network and cut straight to the point. "Since you've reached level 10.0, according to the rules, you can begin cultivating a Visualization Method."
He tapped a finger in mid-air, and a screen of light unfolded. Displayed on it were the ethereal images of five ancient scrolls, each with a unique design and exuding a distinct aura.
"These are the five basic Visualization Methods made public by the Federation. Each has a different focus, so it's crucial to choose one that suits your personality and Martial Arts style." Wang Wenhai began to introduce them one by one.
"The *Overlapping Waves Technique*. You visualize surging ocean waves, majestic in their power. It primarily cultivates Spirit Shock and instantaneous bursts of power, suiting those with aggressive personalities and ferocious techniques."
"The *Cyan Wood Technique*. You visualize ancient, towering trees, brimming with life. It focuses on recovery and endurance, accelerating the natural regeneration of one's Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power."
"The *Flowing Wind Technique*. You visualize a gentle breeze and drifting clouds, ever-changing and unpredictable. It focuses on Body Technique and reaction speed, making it suitable for agile Martial Artists."
"The *Great Sun Technique*. You visualize a great sun scorching the heavens, violent and blazing. It focuses on offensive power and increasing the heat of one's Qi and Blood. It has immense destructive power."
"The *Mountain Shifting Technique*. You visualize towering, majestic mountains, steady and immense. It primarily cultivates defense and the resilience of one's Spiritual Will."
After finishing his explanations, Wang Wenhai's gaze fell upon Xu Wuyi. "Your foundation in the *Basic Body Refining Technique* is exceptionally solid. You have a calm and steady personality and the patience to endure solitude. My personal recommendation is that you choose the *Mountain Shifting Technique*."
"Progress with it might be slow at first, but for your long-term development—especially for your future comprehension of 'Intention' and the even higher level of 'Heart Image'—it plays an irreplaceable foundational role."
'The *Mountain Shifting Technique*... and there's a 'Heart Image' beyond 'Intention'?'
Xu Wuyi's gaze swept over the five scrolls. With almost no hesitation, it settled on the scroll for the *Mountain Shifting Technique*, which depicted majestic mountains and exuded an aura of infinite weight and stability.
The Mental Realm conveyed by this Visualization Method perfectly matched the "steady as a mountain, foundation firm" feeling he had pursued while cultivating the *Basic Body Refining Technique*.
"Teacher Wang, I choose the *Mountain Shifting Technique*." Xu Wuyi's tone was resolute. From the very first glance, he felt this Visualization Method was a perfect match for him.
"Good!"
A flicker of approval flashed in Wang Wenhai's eyes, as if he had expected this choice all along.
He lightly tapped the scroll for the *Mountain Shifting Technique* and said, "The Cultivation Technique's legacy has been sent to your personal space. You can access it to practice whenever you want."
"Remember, practicing a Visualization Method must be done in an absolutely safe environment where your Heart and Spirit are tranquil. You must not be hasty."
"For your first Visualization, maintaining it for ten minutes is considered a success."
He paused, then added, "Activity on the Battle Network consumes Spiritual Power. Don't attempt Visualization here until your Visualization Method has reached the Great Success stage."
Xu Wuyi nodded solemnly. He had learned this information from textbooks before, but now that it was time for practical application, he still needed his teacher's detailed reminders to avoid making any mistakes.
"Alright, I've given you everything you need for now. You can go wander around the Battle Network on your own and get familiar with the place."
"The public combat zones have arenas for all different levels. You can go watch and learn, but don't jump into any actual fights for now, or you might deplete your Spiritual Power."
"Your immediate priority is to reach the Entry Level with the *Mountain Shifting Technique*." After finishing his instructions, Wang Wenhai's form began to slowly fade. "If you have any questions, contact me on the Battle Network anytime."
After Teacher Wang departed, Xu Wuyi didn't immediately log out of the Battle Network.
He was an eighteen-year-old, after all. It was only natural to be curious during his first time "online."
He explored the virtual world for a bit. The combat, trade, and lecture zones were the most crowded.
The first two were self-explanatory, but the lecture zone was where High-Tier Martial Artists gave lessons. There were free public lectures as well as smaller classes that required payment.
After wandering around for nearly half an hour, Xu Wuyi reluctantly chose to "log off."
Although he was eager to test his skills, Xu Wuyi knew he hadn't started practicing a Visualization Method yet and lacked the necessary Spiritual Power.
Just exploring the Battle Network was fine, but combat was too draining and could easily cause physical harm.
His vision was once again flooded with a stream of data. After a slight sensation of detachment, he could once again feel the back of the access pod's chair.
The helmet's indicator light went out, and the pod door slid open slowly.
...
「A quarter of an hour later」
Xu Wuyi was back in his room at home, preparing to cultivate the *Mountain Shifting Technique*.
The five Visualization Methods were the most versatile of their kind, compiled by the Federation Martial Department to suit a wide variety of people.
Various schools and lineages might have their own unique legacies, and there would surely be more advanced techniques in the future, but for Xu Wuyi right now, the *Mountain Shifting Technique* was already the best choice.
He sat cross-legged, emptied his mind, and tried to visualize a mountain.
The process wasn't difficult, as the mountain he needed to visualize was just a "small hill"—or even just a pile of rocks—no bigger than a person.
'The first stage of the *Mountain Shifting Technique* is to "move" this small hill away, piece by piece.'
First, you visualize a mountain, and then you move it. That was the essence of the *Mountain Shifting Technique*.
The reason this process was a Refinement for the Spirit was that the entire task had to be accomplished using Spiritual Power!
All five Visualization Methods worked this way. The *Overlapping Waves Technique*, for instance, required one's Spirit to endure the crashing of Overlapping Waves, while the *Great Sun Technique* demanded one endure the searing heat of a blazing sun.
The *Mountain Shifting Technique* required the cultivator to be proactive. This made it more difficult and slower in the initial stages, but its advantage lay in its gradual nature, which allowed for steady, stable progress.
'Alright, let's begin.'
Xu Wuyi banished all stray thoughts from his mind and began to immerse himself fully in his cultivation.