High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Zhai Zidu threw a straight right punch. Before the fist even arrived, a bone-chilling coldness rushed forward.

Xu Wuyi flicked his long spear, its tip jabbing toward the surface of Zhai Zidu’s fist.

He didn’t meet it head-on. The moment the spear tip touched the fist, it trembled slightly, turning the thrust into a sweep that slid along Zhai Zidu’s arm toward his ribs.

Zhai Zidu reacted with extreme speed, blocking with a downward press of his left fist while simultaneously sweeping with his right leg, kicking up a wave of Power that resembled Ice Blades.

In an instant, the two exchanged more than ten blows.

Ice-blue fist shadows and dark-gold spear glints intertwined, the sound of their collisions as dense as falling rain.

Zhai Zidu’s Fist Technique was indeed exquisite. The "Northern Lands Cold Fist" displayed extreme might in his hands. Each punch carried a chill that could freeze one’s Qi and Blood, and coupled with his refined Body Technique, his assault was like a surging tide.

But Xu Wuyi’s Spear Technique was even more seamless.

It had no fixed routines. Every thrust was simple, precise, and perfectly executed. No matter how ferocious Zhai Zidu’s attacks were, Xu Wuyi could always neutralize them with minimal movement before countering, striking directly at an opening.

Thirty seconds later, Zhai Zidu took a spear to his left shoulder.

Although it was a virtual body, the pain simulated by the system and the effect of his Qi and Blood being obstructed still remained. Zhai Zidu grunted, his assault slowing slightly.

Xu Wuyi didn’t press his advantage with a fierce attack. Instead, he took half a step back, giving Zhai Zidu a chance to recover.

Zhai Zidu took a deep breath, his gaze growing even more focused.

He changed his tactics. No longer aiming for a quick victory, he pushed the chilling intent of his Ice Soul Skills to the absolute limit, attempting to use the low temperature to slow Xu Wuyi’s movements.

The temperature inside the Training Ground dropped sharply. A thick layer of ice formed on the ground, and snowflakes began to drift through the air.

Xu Wuyi could feel that the circulation of his Qi and Blood was indeed slightly affected. His movements were half a beat slower than usual.

But that was all.

The physique forged by the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace was extremely resistant to extreme environments. After a few seconds of adaptation, he regained his rhythm.

The long spear struck out again.

This time, his Spear Momentum carried a hint of the essence of Golden Crow Sky Splitting—not the complete Martial Technique, but its Mental Realm of "ultimate condensation and penetration."

The spear tip pierced the cold mist, aiming for Zhai Zidu’s chest.

Zhai Zidu crossed his fists to block, the ice-blue Power coalescing into an ice shield in front of him.

CLANG!

The spear tip struck the ice shield, which emitted a crisp cracking sound.

The ice shield lasted less than half a second before shattering. The Spear Momentum, its force not yet spent, broke through the defense and pierced Zhai Zidu’s chest.

The virtual body’s critical injury protocol was triggered.

The countdown stopped.

[Battle Over. Duration: One minute, seventeen seconds.]

Zhai Zidu looked at the "wound" on his chest, fell silent for a few seconds, and then gave a wry smile. "The gap between us is still so wide."

Xu Wuyi retracted his spear. "Your Fist Technique has improved a lot, and your use of the cold intent is more refined than before. You just lack practical combat experience against top-tier opponents. Some of your reactions aren’t seasoned enough."

He was speaking the truth. After experiencing numerous clashes at the Innate Level during the war, Xu Wuyi possessed an absurdly dominant prowess in Martial Master Level battles, even without using his Heart Image.

"Another round?" Zhai Zidu asked.

"Alright."

In the second match, Zhai Zidu lasted one minute and forty-two seconds.

This time, he learned his lesson and no longer relied solely on brute force. He used his icy Power more flexibly, sometimes creating a large area of low temperature to restrict his opponent, and other times condensing it into a single point for a powerful strike. His tactics were much more varied.

But in the end, he was still defeated by one of Xu Wuyi’s sudden counter-thrusts.

After logging out of the Battle Network, the two sat down in the rest area.

Zhai Zidu’s forehead was beaded with sweat, but his eyes were bright. "That was great! It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a satisfying fight."

The two chatted for a while longer about their insights into Martial Arts, and over an hour passed without them noticing.

As they were about to part, Zhai Zidu once again thanked him solemnly. "Today’s exchange has been incredibly beneficial. Brother Xu, if you need anything in the Northern Lands, please don’t hesitate to ask."

"I will."

...

News of Zhai Zidu’s visit somehow got out.

Over the next few days, Martial Artists from the Northern Lands began to show up at his door one after another.

At first, it was instructors and students from Black Stone Academy, who came under the pretext of seeking guidance, wanting to witness the strength of the "Federation’s Number One Genius."

Xu Wuyi refused no one. As long as time permitted, he would spar with and guide them on the Battle Network.

His reputation gradually spread throughout Black Stone Academy.

"That Martial Artist Xu from Star Martial, his Spear Technique is incredible! I couldn’t even withstand three of his moves."

"It’s not just his Spear Technique. His advice is truly sharp and to the point. I was stuck on an issue with my power generation for three years, and he pinpointed the problem in a single sentence."

"And he’s very easygoing, not arrogant at all."

Amidst the praise, the number of visitors grew.

By the seventh day, even local Innate Martial Artists from the Northern Lands had been stirred.

That afternoon, while Xu Wuyi was in his residence contemplating his Heart Image, the doorbell suddenly rang.

He opened the door to find two people standing outside.

One was Chen Zhang, the Senior Steward from the Sky Tower. The other was a middle-aged man of about fifty, dressed in a fur coat common in the Northern Lands. His features were rugged, and his aura was as solid as a mountain.

"Martial Artist Xu, sorry to disturb you." Chen Zhang introduced with a smile, "This is Senior Yan Song, the ’Northern Lands Cold Blade.’ He is a famous unaffiliated Innate Martial Artist in the Northern Lands. He heard you were here and wanted to come for an exchange."

Yan Song clasped his fist, his voice booming. "Fellow Xu, please forgive my presumptuous visit."

Xu Wuyi could sense that although this Senior Yan’s aura was restrained, a sharp edge honed through countless trials was still faintly palpable. This was a man of practical combat, one who had blood on his hands.

"Senior Yan, you’re too kind. Please, come in."

He welcomed the two into his home.

Yan Song didn’t beat around the bush. After sitting down, he said directly, "I heard from the juniors at Black Stone that Fellow Xu’s insights into Martial Arts are unique, and that you have a real knack for guiding the younger generation."

"I have been stuck at the initial stage of the Innate realm for eight years. Recently, I’ve felt my bottleneck loosening, but I’m always missing that final spark. So, I’ve come shamelessly to ask for a few words of advice."

Xu Wuyi poured a cup of tea and pushed it over. "Senior, you exaggerate. An exchange, certainly. But I wouldn’t dare presume to ’advise’ you."

Yan Song picked up the teacup, drained it in one gulp, and set it down, his gaze sharp as he looked at Xu Wuyi. "My Heart Image is the ’Cold Plains Blade Domain.’ Its core is Blade Intent, fused with the desolation, grimness, and bitter cold of the Northern Lands’ ice plains. I’ve been refining it over the years, and my Blade Intent has become more and more condensed, my Domain more and more stable, but..."

He paused, his brow furrowing. "But I always feel like something is missing. It’s too ’cold,’ too ’dead.’ Once the Domain forms, all life is extinguished, and even I feel oppressed by it."

A thought stirred in Xu Wuyi’s mind.

’It’s the problem of "death" and "life" again.’

’It seems this is indeed a common problem for many Martial Artists from the Northern Lands. They overly pursue the extremes of "cold," "hard," and "kill," while neglecting the "life" aspect of Martial Arts.’

"Senior Yan," Xu Wuyi began slowly, "besides ’killing enemies,’ what other use does your Blade Domain have?"

Yan Song was taken aback. "A Domain is obviously for combat. What other use could it have?"

"Then what is the purpose of combat?" Xu Wuyi pressed.

"Naturally, it’s to win, to protect, to..." Yan Song spoke halfway and then abruptly stopped.

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