6: exceptional talent

In the gravity training room, the heavy air was suddenly shattered!

The alloy door slid open silently, and Principal Zhou strode in, his footsteps carrying a gust of wind. In his hand, he tightly clutched a document with gold-stamped edges, emanating a faint fluctuation of Spiritual Qi.

Lin Yuan instantly exited his deep Cultivate state and shut down the gravity System.

"A great Opportunity!" Principal Zhou's voice carried irrepressible excitement as he slapped the document down on the pressure-resistant table with a "smack." "An emergency notification just issued by the Municipal Education Bureau! Two days from now, at the 'Tianqi Plaza' in the city center, the city-wide high school senior Reserve Martial Artist combat tournament will be held!"

Lin Yuan took the document, his gaze like lightning, instantly locking onto the core content:

"...Testing teaching results... city-wide high school senior Reserve Martial Artist combat tournament..."

"Top twenty in individual rankings: Body Tempering Pill (High Grade) x 1!"

"Champion's additional reward: One piece of military-standard 'Advanced combat power equipment'!"

"Those with outstanding performance will receive special attention from the 'Cangqiong Martial Academy' special recruitment observers!"

"Advanced combat power equipment!" Lin Yuan's pupils constricted suddenly, and his breathing quickened! Things flowing out from the military were definitely not ordinary items!

"Resources specially approved by the military! Treasures the Municipal Education Bureau had to nag for half a year to get approved!" Principal Zhou's eyes shot out sharp light as he jabbed his finger heavily at the last line of the document. "But the most important thing is the eyes of the Cangqiong Martial Academy! Kid, this is a ladder straight to the clouds!"

He lowered his voice, carrying a hint of ruthlessness: "I've already signed you up! Two days from now, no need to hide anymore! Give it your all! Last year's champion was our First High, and this year, you must bring this championship back for me!" A rare "fierce" expression appeared on his face.

Looking at the "ferocious" Principal Zhou, Lin Yuan couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't worry, Principal, the championship is already reserved by me!"

Principal Zhou couldn't help but laugh too, then straightened his expression: "Remember! On the path of martial arts, hiding one's edge is wisdom, but when it's time to draw your sword, you must be sharp and imposing! The more dazzling you are, the greater the torrent of resources you can attract! This is an immutable iron law!"

Three days later, in the gravity training room. The air was as viscous as lead and mercury.

"2.5 times standard gravity, activating!" The cold mechanical voice announced even greater pressure.

Hum!

An invisible immense force descended with a roar! Lin Yuan's entire body's muscles compressed to the limit like steel springs, emitting a faint yet dense vibration! Sweat had just seeped out of his pores when it was pulled into bead strings by the terrifying gravity, rolling down the grooves of his back, which was as tense as rock.

Boom!!! Crack—!

His right fist, charged with Starlight and Primordial Purple Qi, was like a meteor from beyond the heavens, slamming heavily into the pitch-black force-measuring pillar! A muffled, thunderous sound accompanied the metal's groans of being unable to bear the load! The scarlet numbers at the top of the pillar soared crazily, finally locking firmly—

60.8!

"60-point barrier, broken!" Lin Yuan exhaled a breath of turbid air, the breath shooting out like a white ribbon for three feet! Turning off the gravity, his body suddenly felt light, as if it were about to float up. He could clearly feel that the Spiritual Qi surging within his body had undergone a qualitative change, becoming more refined and more explosive! This was a slight leap in life level brought about by breaking through the 60-point combat power barrier!

With a thought, the data panel appeared:

【Host: Lin Yuan】

【Basic combat power: 60.8】

【Realm: Reserve Martial Artist】

【Aptitude: Promising Talent (→ Outstanding Aptitude, requires 100 evolution points)】

【Cultivation Technique: Starlight Body Refining Art (Yellow Rank High Grade)】

【Martial Skill: Mountain Crushing Fist (Minor Achievement 95%)】

【evolution points: 46 (+5/daily)】

【Primordial Purple Qi Fusion Rate: 0.004%】

【Special: Item Appraisal (Elementary)】

Two days! From 53 to 60.8! An average daily increase of nearly 4 points! evolution points accumulated to 46 simultaneously! Mountain Crushing Fist was just one step away from entering the Major Achievement Realm!

"Time to go." Lin Yuan changed into his crisp, ironed school uniform. On the left chest, that Reserve Martial Artist badge was now inlaid with a dazzling gold rim, flowing with a noble luster under the light—this was the symbol of breaking through 50 points of combat power! Principal Zhou had personally delivered it last night, instructing: "Today, you must shock the entire audience with the bearing of a king!"

Pushing open the door to the senior year (7) classroom.

The noise was cut off as if by a sharp blade!

All gazes, as if attracted by a magnet, instantly focused on that badge flickering with golden light! Several students who were playing around froze in place, as if under a binding spell.

"Gold... gold rim?!" The sports committee member Zhang Hao's voice sounded like it had been rubbed with sandpaper, cracking, "50... above 50 points?!!"

Boom!

The classroom completely exploded! Three weeks! Just three weeks! From starting as a 10-point Reserve Martial Artist to breaking through the 50-point barrier and wearing a gold-rimmed badge! This speed, let alone in Tianming City, was a myth across the entire province!

Lin Yuan smiled, responding to the cacophony of questions with modest ambiguity. When he passed Zhao Hao's seat, the other's face was so gloomy it could drip water, and he slammed his book shut with a "bang"—once an arrogant and domineering playboy, his 20 points of combat power were now as insignificant as dust in front of Lin Yuan.

"What... what have you experienced during this time?" Chen Xue leaned in, the tip of her ponytail sweeping across Lin Yuan's shoulder with a faint fragrance. The badge on her chest showed 11 points of combat power; she had just passed the Reserve Martial Artist assessment last week.

"Special training arranged by the Principal." Lin Yuan responded softly, his gaze keenly catching a glaring bruise on her wrist, "This injury...?"

Chen Xue quickly pulled down her sleeve, a flash of panic in her eyes: "Yesterday... I was careless during training..."

"Quiet!" Teacher Li Wen stepped into the classroom with swift and decisive action, her gaze locking onto the gold badge immediately, her pupils slightly constricting. She then announced loudly: "All Reserve Martial Artists, immediately head to Tianqi Plaza to gather! Lin Yuan, come with me!"

In the hallway, Teacher Li Wen looked at the badge flowing with golden light and gasped: "This speed of your progress! This..."

"The resources the Principal gave have very good effects." Lin Yuan responded skillfully.

Teacher Li Wen took a deep breath, forcing down her shock, and took out a supplementary notice, her expression grave: "The competition format has been temporarily changed! It was pushed by Zhao Tianxiong!" She pointed to the added clause, "This year, it adopts a 'Defending Champion System,' with each school sending only one representative to defend the arena! You are the defender for our First High!"

Lin Yuan scanned the document, noting the protection clause "can apply for a break after defeating five people in a row," and the corners of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

"Zhao Hao is currently at 20 points, which is considered top-tier among ordinary students, and his father wants to pave the way for him..." Teacher Li Wen said with sarcasm.

"No matter." Lin Yuan calmly folded the notice, his gaze like a sword, "I will let them see clearly what a... chasm is!"

Tianqi Plaza was packed with people, the noise deafening! Ten high-strength alloy arenas reflected a cold, hard luster under the scorching sun.

The moment Lin Yuan followed Teacher Li Wen into the contestant passage, the whispers of the entire plaza, like a lake surface into which a boulder had been thrown, exploded with a roar!

"Look! That's Lin Yuan from First High!"

"Gold-rimmed badge! My god! Did he really break through 50 points?!"

"He must have used prohibited stimulants! Otherwise, how could he..."

"Bullshit! The joint test report from the Martial Arts Association and the Education Bureau was published yesterday! It's clean! This is a real Prodigy!"

On the judge's panel, Zhao Tianxiong, the helm of the Zhao Group, narrowed his triangular eyes, cold light flickering: "Zhou Weiguo... what kind of potent medicine did he feed him?"

Beside him, Zheng Guodong, the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said indifferently: "The allocation of resources complies with regulations. However, President Zhao, your son seems... a bit too impatient."

Following his gaze, one could see Zhao Hao already standing in the challenger's position on Arena No. 1!

He was wearing a custom-made, expensive black combat suit, the Reserve Martial Artist badge on his chest polished until it shone, and directly facing Lin Yuan, who was walking slowly onto the stage, he made a throat-slitting gesture full of provocation and malice! His face was full of "You're just a piece of trash who got lucky"!

"Match start!" The referee waved the command flag!

"Trash! Show your true colors for me!" Zhao Hao was like a lit explosive, his figure shooting out! On his right fist, the dark red "Burning Heaven Technique" flames rose with a roar, carrying high temperatures that distorted the air, heading straight for Lin Yuan's face! He wanted to wash away his shame with one blow!

Lin Yuan stood quietly like an abyss, his eyes calm and still. Just as the burning fist was less than three inches from his nose and the scorching heat wave was already hitting his face—

Swish!

He moved! His right hand turned into a blurred afterimage, precisely locking onto Zhao Hao's wrist like a scalpel! His five fingers, like tiger pliers cast from steel, gave a gentle twist!

Crack!

The crisp bone-cracking sound that made one's teeth ache, accompanied by Zhao Hao's heart-wrenching scream, echoed through the entire plaza!

"Ah—! My hand!" In the midst of the intense pain in his left hand, Zhao Hao instinctively reached for his waist and pulled out a syringe emitting a dangerous blue light!

Trying to inject prohibited drugs?!

A cold glint flashed in Lin Yuan's eyes, and his right leg whipped out!

Snap!

The blue syringe turned into a streak of light, flying far out of the arena and shattering into pieces!

"Contestant Zhao Hao! You have violated the rules by using an undeclared enhancement stimulant! You are immediately disqualified! Your results are void!" The referee's roar spread through the loudspeakers across the entire plaza!

"Bastard!" On the judge's panel, Zhao Tianxiong stood up abruptly, his face livid, his whole body emitting a terrifying Aura! But he was pressed down on the shoulder by Deputy Director Zheng Guodong, a soft yet tough force pushing him back into his seat.

"President Zhao!" Zheng Guodong's voice was cold and dignified, carrying an unquestionable warning, "With everyone watching, the rules are like a mountain! Moreover... Lin Yuan has already caught the eye of 'that person' in the Ministry of Education! You, think clearly about the consequences!"

At the same time, a notification popped up on the panel in Lin Yuan's mind:

【Combat Insight: Mountain Crushing Fist upgraded to 'Major Achievement' (1%)!】

【New Trait: Spiritual Qi Penetration (Attacks carry a weak armor-piercing effect)!】

The following battles completely devolved into Lin Yuan's personal show!

The second challenger was the ace from Second High, Li Minghao, with 35 points of combat power! Known throughout the city for his ghostly "Phantom Steps"!

"Start!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three indistinguishable afterimages of "Li Minghao," carrying sharp gusts of wind, simultaneously lunged at Lin Yuan from three tricky angles!

Lin Yuan's eyes were calm, a pale purple light flashing and vanishing on his right fist as he delivered a plain and unadorned straight Mountain Crushing Fist, blasting towards the front!

Boom—!

The air, as if struck by an invisible heavy hammer, let out a sonic boom! The violent fist force, carrying the "Spiritual Qi Penetration" trait, was like crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood!

Puff! Puff!

The afterimages on both sides instantly dissipated! The real Li Minghao in front was struck as if by lightning, his protective Spiritual Qi instantly torn apart, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, flying backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming heavily onto the edge of the arena!

"Lin Yuan from First High, wins!" The referee's voice carried a hint of trembling.

Wow—!!!

The audience stands completely boiled over! Exclamations, screams, and applause swept through the entire plaza like a tsunami!

"My god! One punch! Just one punch!"

"That's Li Minghao with 35 points of combat power! The ace of Second High! Just like that, he's gone?"

"Monster! This is definitely the strength of a formal Martial Artist!"

The next two hours became a nightmare for all challengers!

Third, 28 combat power, skilled in defense, had his defense shattered by a single punch and fell unconscious!

Fourth, 31 combat power, excelled in speed, was swept by a fist wind that arrived after him but struck first, falling off the arena!

... The eighth, 37 combat power, gave his all, yet was still disarmed by a single Mountain Crushing Fist, kneeling down to concede!

The ninth, the tenth...

When the tenth challenger clutched his chest and staggered to concede, the entire plaza fell into a brief silence, followed by an explosion of deafening, tumultuous, and fanatical cheers!

"Ten consecutive wins! Ten consecutive wins!"

"First High! Lin Yuan!!"

"Champion! Champion!!"

"This year's top scorer in the college entrance exam! It must be him!"

The referee excitedly raised Lin Yuan's arm, his voice echoing through the sky via the loudspeaker: "I announce! Given that contestant Lin Yuan has completed ten consecutive wins in defending the ring, he has locked in the championship of this tournament ahead of schedule! Congratulations to First High! Congratulations to Lin Yuan!"

Amidst the cheers, Lin Yuan felt the surging power and boiling Battle Intent within his body, and the data panel quietly refreshed:

【combat power: 61.0】

【evolution points: 51】

【Mountain Crushing Fist (Major Achievement 5%)】

On the podium, under the gaze of everyone, Deputy Director of the Education Bureau, Zheng Guodong, personally handed the championship reward to Lin Yuan. First was a long sword, deep blue all over, about three feet three inches long!

The sword body seemed to be forged from star fragments, flowing with a deep, dark blue luster, the edge flickering with a cold glint, as if it could cut through light!

The hilt was crafted from a type of white metal as warm and smooth as jade, with a deep blue crystal the size of a dragon's eye embedded at the end, inside which a galaxy seemed to be rotating!

The moment Lin Yuan's fingers gripped the cold hilt—Hum! A pure, cool energy containing the power of the stars instantly surged into his body! At the same time, the panel in his mind erupted with brilliant blue light:

【Obtained: Cold Star Sword (Blue Grade · Standard Issue)】

【Effect: Basic combat power +20 (Requires wearer's basic combat power ≥ 50)】

【Trait: Starlight Resonance (Automatically absorbs starlight power during Cultivate, slightly increases Cultivate speed)】

【Can consume 100 evolution points for 'Grandmist Tempering/Evolution', to Purple Firmament Sword (combat power +50)!】

"Good sword!" Lin Yuan flicked his wrist, and the sword body emitted a clear, melodious hum, like a dragon's roar! The Sword Qi was chilling, the coldness overbearing! This was definitely a treasure from the military's bottom-of-the-box collection!

Zheng Guodong then handed over a sealed, exquisite jade box, inside of which were three high-quality Body Tempering pills.

He patted Lin Yuan on the shoulder firmly, his eyes full of appreciation: "Good lad! Your future is limitless! Prepare well for the college entrance exam, I have high hopes for you!" At the same time, he handed over a business card with special material and gold-foiled edges, "If you have any needs, contact me directly!"

Lin Yuan solemnly took it, his gaze keenly catching Zhao Tianxiong in the corner of the judges' stand, his eyes as sinister and venomous as a viper, staring fixedly at him, whispering and roaring something into a communicator.

"No need to pay attention to small-time scoundrels." Principal Zhou Weiguo's figure appeared beside Lin Yuan like a mountain, his voice steady, "The Zhao family? They can't flip the sky in Tianming City! Let's go, back to school!"

On the floating vehicle back, the principal explained the Origin of the Cold Star Sword in detail: "This is the third-generation standard melee weapon of the military's 'Star Sequence'. The core material is taken from 'Star Tear Iron', a specialty of the 'one-star Small World' in the outer domains, and it has excellent conductivity for Spiritual Qi!"

"See that crystal on the hilt? That is the crystalline core of a 'Century Starlight Grass'! It not only amplifies the sword's power, but if worn during Cultivate, it can also attract faint starlight, accelerating the accumulation of Spiritual Qi!"

Lin Yuan touched the cold sword body thoughtfully, feeling the dormant starlight power within it. The value of this sword far exceeded the 20 points of combat power bonus... It was even more of a Sharp Weapon for accelerating Cultivate!

"Principal," Lin Yuan suddenly spoke, "I want to request another three days of leave."

"Oh?" The principal raised an eyebrow, "For it?" His gaze fell on the Cold Star Sword.

"To break in a new partner, and by the way..." Lin Yuan flicked the spine of the sword with his finger, emitting a clear sword chime, his eyes sharp, "In one go, break through the 70-point mark!"

The principal's hand on the steering wheel jerked, and the vehicle swayed. He turned his head, staring at Lin Yuan as if looking at a monster: "You... how much are you at now?!"

"61." Lin Yuan's tone was calm, "In three days, around 73 should be no problem."

The car fell into a long silence. After a long time, the principal squeezed two words through his teeth, filled with complex emotions: "...Monster!"

Gravity room, brightly lit. Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, the Cold Star Sword resting across his knees, the sword body deep blue, the crystal glowing faintly. He spread out his notebook, his pen tip flying, formulating the sprint plan for the final 73 days.

"Current basic combat power: 61"

"After Cold Star Sword bonus: 81"

"Daily basic growth: 4.9 points"

"evolution points daily: 5 points, 73 days total: 365 points!"

"100 points for evolution of Aptitude, remaining 265 points!"

"Evolve Cold Star Sword (100 points) → combat power +50!"

"If Cultivate efficiency increases to 15 points daily... before the college entrance exam, breaking through 1000 points is not a delusion!"

The pen tip paused heavily!

"Just do it!"

He took immediate action. He attached the Cold Star Sword to the specially made sword clip at his waist.

Hum! A cool and majestic power of the stars instantly coursed through his entire body! The number on the wrist detector soared from 【61】 all the way up, finally stopping steadily at—81!

"Let me feel you first!" Lin Yuan drew his sword, the sword light like water! The essence of the force generation of the Perfection-level Mountain Crushing Fist was perfectly integrated into the sword moves!

His figure was like a dragon, the sword light like lightning! Every swing of the sword brought up a sharp, light purple Qi glow, leaving terrifying sword marks, an inch deep and with edges as smooth as a mirror, on the specially made energy-absorbing alloy walls of the gravity room! Sword Qi crisscrossed, the coldness bone-chilling!

After three hours of extreme swordsmanship integration:

【Basic combat power: 63.0】

【Cold Star Sword bonus: 20】

【Current total combat power: 83】

【Mountain Crushing Fist (Major Achievement 7%)】

"Perfect compatibility!" Lin Yuan sheathed his sword, his eyes full of satisfaction.

For the next ten days, Lin Yuan entered a near-crazy mode of bitter Cultivate! He only maintained four hours of deep sleep every day, devoting the remaining twenty hours entirely to extreme Cultivate! The gravity room was kept at 2.5 times!

The top-tier nutritional potions and concentrated Spiritual Qi liquids provided by the principal filled the rest area, ensuring that his overloaded body could receive the most timely replenishment and repair!

Sweat soaked the floor, Sword Qi tore through the air, only the belief in becoming stronger supported him to constantly break through his limits!

The morning of the eleventh day. When the first ray of simulated morning light shone through the special filter plate on the top of the gravity room, Lin Yuan had just finished a round of Great Circulation. In his mind, the data panel finally popped up that long-awaited, golden-shining prompt:

【evolution points: 100!】

【Conditions met, do you want to immediately upgrade 'Cultivation Aptitude' to 'Outstanding Talent'?】

"Upgrade!!!" Lin Yuan did not hesitate at all, his intent exploding like thunder!

Boom—!!! It was as if the first thunderclap from the beginning of the Universe had exploded within his body! A vast warm current originating from the source of life erupted from within his body, instantly sweeping through his entire being, washing over every inch of his Meridians, bones, flesh, and even the deepest parts of his Soul!

Crackle! Crackle! Crackle! His entire skeleton emitted dense popping sounds like frying beans, as if it were reorganizing and evolving! Muscle fibers were crazily torn and reborn, becoming tougher and more explosive!

A large amount of foul-smelling, viscous black Impurities seeped out from the surface of his skin! The most astonishing change occurred in the Sea of Consciousness—the originally blurry mental perception instantly became incomparably clear, and its range skyrocketed! He could even "see" countless colorful Spiritual Qi particles in the air, dancing like happy little elves! His control over Spiritual Qi had improved by more than just one level!

【Cultivation Aptitude promoted: Outstanding Talent!】

【Effect: 1. Cultivate efficiency +300%! 2. Spiritual Qi affinity greatly improved! 3. Mental perception strengthened! 4. Bottleneck Breakthrough probability increased!】

【Next stage: Peerless Genius (Requires 1000 evolution points)】

Lin Yuan couldn't wait to circulate the "Starlight Body Refining Art"! Inhale—Exhale—As soon as the Cultivation Technique was activated, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred!

Not only did his own speed of absorbing Spiritual Qi skyrocket several times, but the Cold Star Sword in front of his knees seemed to receive a strong resonance, and the starlight crystal on the hilt suddenly erupted with brilliant blue radiance!

Wisps of pure starlight power were actively drawn out, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, continuously flowing into Lin Yuan's Meridians, perfectly merging with the Spiritual Qi of the Starlight Body Refining Art, and surging together!

The time for one Great Circulation was shortened to an appalling degree—less than a quarter of the original time!

"Too... too strong!" Lin Yuan felt the majestic power surging within him like a breached river, his heart surging with excitement!

After just one hour of Cultivate! The number on the combat power detector soared from 【102.0】 all the way, finally stopping at—106.0!

One hour, an increase of 4 points! Equivalent to a whole day in the past!

"At this rate... a daily increase of 15 points is by no means empty talk!" The flames of ambition burned in Lin Yuan's eyes! Charging to 1000 points before the college entrance exam? That would be a number that would make the entire province and even the Federation tremble!

He quickly recorded the latest data, which was enough to subvert the cognition of ordinary people:

【Host: Lin Yuan】

【Basic combat power: 106.0】

【Realm: Reserve Martial Artist】

【Aptitude: Outstanding Talent (→ Peerless Genius, requires 1000 evolution points)】

【Cultivation Technique: Starlight Body Refining Art (Yellow Rank High Grade), can be deduced and evolved】

【Martial Skill: Mountain Crushing Fist (Major Achievement 28%), can be improved】

【evolution points: 1 (+6/daily)】

【Primordial Purple Qi Fusion degree: 0.005%】

【Special: Item Appraisal (Elementary)】

【Equipment: Cold Star Sword (+20 combat power), black tortoise ring (Protection 3/3)】

The Primordial Purple Qi slowly fused by 0.001% as Lin Yuan's physique strengthened, the Reserve Martial Artist Breakthrough brought 0.001%, and devouring the ancient martial copper coin increased it by 0.002%. Now, the daily income of evolution points was as high as 6 points (basic 1 + 0.005% Fusion degree bonus 5)! But Lin Yuan still felt it was not enough.

"0.005%... it is still far from true Fusion. Only 62 days left before the college entrance exam... can I encounter another Opportunity similar to the 'ancient martial copper coin'?"

He looked at the cold alloy walls of the gravity room, his gaze seemingly piercing through the Void Realm, wanting to pursue that faint yet crucial turning point.