68: Chapter 68 Concealing Strength, Ready to Strike

Chapter 68: Sheathing the Blade, Awaiting the Moment (Please Subscribe!)

In the solitary martial arts room, the light illuminated the serene face of the young man.

Li Wen sheathed his blade and stood still, sensing the steadily improving control over his Physical Body within, a single thought quietly crossing his mind.

Why, despite having already stepped into the Unity Realm and possessing a Blade Technique that overshadowed his peers, had he still not signed a contract with those coveted Four Great Factions?

Teacher Fang's words still echoed in his ears.

"Technique Awakened individuals, especially combat types, indeed shine brilliantly in the Early Stages, able to rapidly push a single skill to heights unattainable by ordinary people."

Teacher Fang had analyzed calmly at the time, "This explosive Early Stage growth easily creates the illusion of extraordinary talent. However—"

He paused, his tone carrying a trace of clear-eyed understanding from within the industry: "The path of martial arts is long. Especially when breaking through the chasm that is the Momentum Realm, while accumulation in the skill itself is important, it tests even more a Martial Artist's comprehension of the energy of heaven and earth, their mastery over the resonance between their Physical Body and the world, and that elusive Comprehension Ability.

Pure Technique Awakened individuals rely heavily in the Early Stages on the enhanced understanding brought by their Awakening to rapidly refine their skills.

But this very reliance can, to a certain extent, obscure the exploration of higher-level principles, even forming a kind of path dependency.

Therefore, in the eyes of top factions, these types of Awakened individuals have hidden concerns regarding their potential ceiling. They may be glorious in the Early Stages, but they may not necessarily continue to advance triumphantly in the later stages."

"So," Fang Chengwu looked at Li Wen, his gaze frank yet tinged with helplessness, "even if you applied now with your current display of Blade Technique - Unity Realm and your identity as a combat Technique Awakened, after evaluation, The Four Great Factions would most likely only offer a B-Rank contract.

The degree of resource allocation, the initial funding amount, and the core Cultivation points would all be significantly discounted. And—"

He added a crucial point: "If it's you actively seeking a contract now, they hold absolute initiative at the negotiating table. Driving down the price is almost inevitable."

Li Wen listened calmly, understanding dawning in his heart. This was one of the reasons he hadn't rushed into action.

Teacher Fang's analysis aligned perfectly with his own clear insight into his future path, gained through his panel.

Technique Awakened individuals tending towards mediocrity in the later stages? That was someone else's script.

Teacher Fang's next words pointed to a deeper strategy: "My suggestion is to—hold your ground. Set your sights on the Provincial First Mock Exam. This is the first, and largest, public ranking of everyone at the provincial level.

At that time, observers from top-tier universities and The Four Great Factions will inevitably gather in force.

You just need to go all out in the practical combat assessment of the First Mock, display the true might of your Unity Realm, and achieve a result that can shake the entire province.

This way, you can turn passivity into initiative, let multiple top factions see your value, make them bid against each other. Then, an A-

Rank contract will truly be within reach."

Teacher Fang's words carried encouragement, as well as his consistent philosophy of nurturing Li Wen—"Aim for the best, you might achieve the good; aim for the good, you might only achieve the average."

By presenting the seemingly distant goal of an A-Rank contract to Li Wen, he hoped Li Wen would unleash potential surpassing his limits under the pressure of a high target.

But Li Wen also keenly detected the trace of rational, not overly optimistic, calm judgment deep in Fang Chengwu's eyes.

In his heart, Teacher Fang actually considered this goal too high.

With elites gathering from across the province, how many favored sons and daughters from top academies and martial arts families would be competing?

Given the overall platform of Qingshi No. 3 Middle School, even Qingshi County, and past results, to make The Four Great Factions take enough notice in the First Mock to be willing to bid for one person? The hope was indeed slim. He might even consider a B+ Rank contract a huge success.

As a teacher, Fang Chengwu was using an encouraging "top-tier goal" to spur his student to pursue even just a "mid-tier" result. This was the teacher's well-intentioned effort.

However, deep in Li Wen's heart lay a tranquil certainty.

Teacher Fang didn't know that the trump cards in my hand far exceeded just the identity of an Awakened.

Li Wen's gaze turned inward to the steadily operating profession panel and the jade-like Primordial Spirit residing in his Sea of Consciousness. The Scholar Rank was the inexhaustible source of power.

Each level-up brought explosive bursts of Comprehension Ability and soaring Mental Energy, all of which would translate into faster advancement in Blade Technique Realm, more perfect control over his Physical Body, and even powerful assistance for impacting the Momentum Realm in the future.

This was the real foundation of his confidence, allowing him to disregard the "Awakened Late Stage Bottleneck Theory."

His talent would only grow higher and more comprehensive with time, catalyzed by the profession panel.

Therefore, Fang Chengwu's suggestion was not only feasible but also perfectly aligned with Li Wen's own intentions.

Don't make the first move. Don't rush for the moment.

What he wanted wasn't just an A-Rank. He wanted, on the exam stage under the gaze of all, to use that long blade of the Unity Realm to slash out a dazzling, startling brilliance, to tell everyone:

Even if he only revealed this portion of his talent, it was enough to qualify him to contend for that S-Rank contract.

He wanted those top factions to willingly, proactively offer their best terms.

March 20th, early morning.

County Central Hospital, patient room.

"Dad, I'm leaving." Li Wen adjusted his father's blanket, his tone steady.

Li Hong's complexion had improved considerably, and his voice held more vigor: "Go on. Don't worry about me. Do your best on the exam!"

Wang Juan also chimed in with repeated advice from the side: "A Wen, relax, just do your best!"

Li Wen nodded and strode out of the room. The morning sun shone on his straight back, carrying a kind of soaring strength.

When he stepped through the gates of Qingshi No. 3 Middle School and approached the teaching building, already set up as an exam venue, he immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from usual—

—a distinct ambiance.

"Brother Wen is here!"

"Good morning, Li Wen!"

"Brother Wen, we're counting on you to show your Divine Might in the martial arts assessment this time!"

Ordinary classmates who usually only exchanged nods now greeted him enthusiastically, their eyes filled with admiration and even a hint of ingratiation.

As he walked past, it was as if he carried his own halo, attracting countless gazes—envious, curious, or awestruck.

Several classmates who had been on decent terms with Li Wen back in the ordinary class now crowded around him, their words full of the closeness implied by "if you become rich and powerful, don't forget your old friends."

Several members of the Flying Star Class had also arrived. Huang Hao's eyes lit up when he saw Li Wen, and he strode over.

His large, fan-like hand habitually moved to pat Li Wen's shoulder but stopped mid-air, forcefully retracted, and instead scratched his head. He grinned warmly, "Li Wen, it's time for your forte again—the cultural exam. Cultural subjects are pure torture for us muscle-heads. Only you can ace them effortlessly every time. I really envy that brain of yours!"

Another Flying Star Class member nearby also sighed, "Yeah, you're definitely still the ace in cultural scores for our Flying Star Class. You might even secure the top spot in the whole school. And with your martial arts performance about to explode... tsk tsk, a real contender for top honors!" His words held undisguised envy.

Li Wen smiled, responding briefly, "It's alright. Everyone, do your best."