30: Chapter 3 Fishman Warrior

A strange feeling welled up in Qin Yan's heart. He shook his head and commanded, "Xiao Shu, open the New Student instructor information email."

"Understood, Master."

Following the cold electronic female voice's response, a clear virtual projection screen appeared before Qin Yan. It listed detailed information for all of this year's New Student instructors, including their avatars, names, affiliated institutes, cultivation Realms, areas of expertise, research achievements, and recruitment preferences.

Qin Yan focused intently, spending nearly an hour to roughly browse through all the information.

According to the statistics, there were 19 Sixth Grade instructors and 57 Fifth Grade instructors; the rest were all Fourth Grade instructors!

"As expected of one of the two Top-tier Martial Arts Universities, this faculty lineup... is too luxurious!"

Qin Yan felt deeply shocked once again.

Based on his own cultivation needs, he initially shortlisted several prospective instructors:

First was Instructor Xiao Huo from the Sixth Institute, with Sixth Grade Peak strength and also a Sixth Grade Alchemist!

The Sixth Institute was a special institute of Modu University of Martial Arts, specializing in various skills like Alchemy, equipment forging, pharmacy, and command.

It was the wealthiest among the six major institutes.

He had the Martial Arts Skill System, so he didn't really need an instructor's guidance for his Spear Technique.

What he lacked were resources, money, and connections!

And a powerful Alchemy instructor could perfectly satisfy all of these!

"I just don't know if the System can add Skill Points to these crafts."

Qin Yan thought to himself.

Next was Instructor Luo Cheng from the First Institute, at the Sixth Grade Middle Stage. His Spear Technique had already reached the terrifying Sixth Stage High Level, making him a top-tier existence among all instructors. If he could become his disciple, it would be of great benefit to his Spear Technique cultivation.

...He listed a total of five or six alternatives.

After all, he hadn't yet made a Breakthrough to become a Martial Artist. Although his Spear Technique was excellent, it was still unknown whether he could catch the Dharma Eye of those top instructors, especially Instructor Xiao Huo. He didn't know the first thing about Alchemy, so the probability of being noticed wasn't very high.

It was more secure to prepare several options.

"Next, it's time to look at the specific content of the New Student trial."

Qin Yan took a deep breath and gave the command to Xiao Shu.

"Understood, Master."

As soon as she finished speaking, the content on the screen changed. It no longer showed human portraits, but a projection of a hideous creature!

It was a humanoid creature, but it had a fish head covered in fine scales, and its eyes glowed with a ghostly blue, ferocious light.

It was burly and tall, estimated to be over 2.5 meters. Its skin was grayish-blue and as rough as leather.

It held a rusty yet chillingly cold Sea Halberd. It had webbed toes and sharp fangs in its mouth, emitting a savage and fishy stench.

"This creature is the 'Merman Warrior,' a basic combat unit of the Sea Race. They have low intelligence, a cruel nature, and immense strength."

"Their strength ranges from first grade Low Level to Third-Rank Peak."

"They are one of the primary enemies of humanity on coastal and aquatic battlefields," Xiao Shu explained in her cold electronic voice at the right moment.

Qin Yan stared intently at the hideous Merman Warrior in the projection, his heart involuntarily beating faster.

This was the first time he had "encountered" an alien race so clearly!

Even though it was just a projection, its lifelike form and the ferocious aura it emitted still made his heart skip a beat.

Their strength is generally between first and third grade?

That meant even the weakest Merman Warrior was comparable to a human First Grade Martial Artist!

With his current 99 cal of blood qi and his status as a non-Martial Artist, facing one head-on would definitely be more ill-fated than good.

"However, the purpose of the trial isn't to require us to defeat it."

Qin Yan analyzed calmly, "Instead, it's to assess our overall qualities, such as how long we can hold out under the Merman Warrior's attacks, our adaptability, and our combat skills."

"As long as I perform well enough and show great potential, even if I ultimately 'lose,' I might still gain the favor of the instructors."

"I must find a way to maximize my advantages within three days."

"The hope of a Breakthrough to Martial Artist is slim, so the only Breakthrough point is my Martial Arts Skill!"

Thinking of this, Qin Yan's consciousness sank into his mind and looked at the System panel that only he could see:

Thinking of this, Qin Yan looked at his panel.

[Sky-Supporting One Qi Stance: Level 5 (Perfection)]

Blood Qi: 99 cal

spirit: 42 Hz

Spear Technique: second stage (61%)

Skill Points: 91 points

Note: As long as you work hard, you will be rewarded.]

Qin Yan applied his Skill Points toward his Spear Technique.

In an instant, a massive amount of profound insights regarding the application of Spear Techniques poured into his mind like an epiphany. Various force-exertion techniques, Move variations, and Concept comprehensions improved rapidly!

Consuming 17 Skill Points, Spear Technique progress increased to second stage (90%)!

Consuming 15 Skill Points, Spear Technique progress reached second stage (100%)!

However, the progress bar stalled at 100%, seemingly hitting a Bottleneck.

Without hesitation, Qin Yan continued to invest Skill Points. After consuming another 20 Skill Points, the progress bar jumped suddenly, and the Spear Technique broke through second stage Perfection, becoming—Third Stage (1%)!

Qin Yan didn't stop, investing all the remaining Skill Points.

Finally, when the remaining Skill Points were exhausted, his Spear Technique stabilized at the Third Stage (17%) Realm.

"The higher the stage, the harder it is to improve. At Third Stage Low Level, increasing by 1% requires nearly 2 Skill Points... It seems the cost of 'hard work' will only increase in the future."

Qin Yan felt a hint of pressure, "However, a Third Stage Low Level Spear Technique should be considered top-tier among the New Students, right?"

"After all, many low-grade Martial Artists might not even reach the Third Stage in their skills."

If Rank isn't enough, make up for it with skill!

This was his greatest reliance at the moment.

Thinking of this, Qin Yan was eager to try it out and wanted to find a place to familiarize himself with his skyrocketing Spear Technique skills.

The Yellow-grade dormitory for four people could only meet basic living needs; it didn't even have a decent training room.

He got up and left the dormitory, walking toward the public martial arts room marked on the campus map.

"I must give it my all in this New Student trial!"

"The goal is to at least secure a dormitory in the Earth-Grade area!"

Qin Yan's gaze was firm.

The Heaven-grade Area consisted of small manors with independent training grounds and herb gardens. Only the top ten New Students could enter, and he wasn't very confident about that.

But the Earth-Grade area consisted of townhouses. Although they were for two people, they were equipped with shared private martial arts rooms.

The top hundred New Students could enter, and he was quite confident about this.

When the time came, he wouldn't have to run to the public area for every training session like he did now, wasting time.

Everything had to be fought for with strength!

Half an hour later, following the signs, Qin Yan arrived in front of a grand circular building. This was the public martial arts hall.

The hall's interior was massive, divided into countless independent or semi-open training rooms. All kinds of advanced training equipment, strength-testing stone tablets, and movement technique testing areas were readily available.

However, as Qin Yan stepped toward the entrance, a soft laser scanned his body.