Time and again, Li Yuan practiced, seeking the special feeling he longed for in his heart, hoping to grasp it.
The so-called epiphany was never a process from 0 to 1 directly.
It was a qualitative change from 0.99 to 1.
In the past, Li Yuan had practiced the Stellar Spear Technique countless times, immersing himself in spear technique for years without sleep or rest, and time and again fought against various teachers and coaches.
This allowed him to unknowingly accumulate from 0 to 0.99.
Kimura Tatsuo’s spear technique was the perfect catalyst, offering him a glimmer of a chance to break through to 1.
But it was just a chance.
To truly seize it, he still needed to put in a tremendous effort to practice, refine, and summarize.
This was also the reason he came to practice with the spear immediately after each fight.
“Stars seem to form a circle, without a beginning, without an end.”
“The trajectory of the stars is also a circle,” Li Yuan practiced and pondered over and over.
At this moment.
Li Yuan no longer deliberately thought about how to use his spear technique against Dantai Feng.
Instead, he simply wanted to make his own spear technique stronger.
…
In the virtual network, within the ‘Combat Space’ of the Ten Schools Freshmen Fight, the final cage match had ended.
High above, the giant screen displaying the ‘Total Points Ranking’ was now completely fixed.
“Li Yuan, first place!”
“105 points.”
“First place,” thousands of students from Kunlun Martial University who had come to watch the matches all became excited.
That minority of second- and third-year students, while still rather composed, also began to clap.
“Li Yuan, Yu Ming, Guan Ying, Garava, Vikram, Dantai Feng, Ruan Wennan, He Liancheng, and other eight students are the top eight in total points for the second round,” the burly man above the arena announced in a deep voice, “They will advance directly to the fourth round.”
“Kimura Tatsuo… and another 128 students have ranked within the top 136 in total points for the second round and will enter the third round to decide the eight additional spots for the fourth round tomorrow.”
With the announcer’s spirited voice, the second round of the Ten Schools Freshmen Fight officially ended.
…
“Where’s the eldest senior brother?”
“Haven’t seen him,” the freshmen from the Sixth Institute of Kunlun Martial University couldn’t help but search for Li Yuan’s figure above the ring.
“Damn.”
“Brother Yuan is also putting on airs, that Dantai Feng conceded and advanced to the top eight,” Gu Qianghan couldn’t help but complain, “Brother Yuan took first in total points and isn’t even showing up here.”
“Does putting on airs make one stronger?” Gu Qianghan shook his head.
“No.”
“It’s not putting on airs that makes one stronger, but only the swagger of a true master is considered cool,” An Nong said, pretending to be profound.
“Otherwise, it’s just being a clown.”
…
At seven o’clock in the evening, as night fell.
Whoosh!
Li Yang arrived at Li Yuan’s villa in a flying vehicle, a smile on his face.
“Teacher,” Li Yuan, having received the news of Li Yang’s visit, had been waiting in the living room.
“You did well today,” Li Yang said with a smile as he sat down on the sofa, “Have a seat.”
Li Yuan’s victory over Kimura Tatsuo today allowed him to bask in glory in front of teachers from all schools, naturally bringing him great joy.
“Hmm,” Li Yuan sat down.
“Taking first in total points and giving the university a boost is not bad,” Li Yang said with a smile, looking at Li Yuan with more and more satisfaction.
“Hardly,” Li Yuan shook his head, “Dantai Feng conceded in the second round, otherwise, with his strength, taking first in total points would have been a piece of cake.”
Li Yuan was self-aware.
First place in the second round’s points? It was only a nominal title.
“Being humble is necessary, but there’s no need to be overly modest,” Li Yang said with a laugh, “Dantai Feng conceded, but Yu Ming and Guan Ying didn’t, and neither did the elite students from other schools.”
“Why didn’t they take first place?” Li Yang laughed, “Isn’t it because they’re not as strong as you?”
“`
“Your ability to overshadow Yu Ming and Guan Ying has proved that you are no worse than the elite students of the top three martial arts schools in the world,”
Li Yuan nodded, not explaining any further.
“What, still worried about Dantai Feng?” Li Yang asked curiously.
“Yes,” Li Yuan did not hide his concern. “Teacher, to be honest, if it were against anyone else, like Garava, Yu Ming… Although I’m not absolutely certain of victory, I believe I would have a chance.”
“Only with Dantai Feng, if he uses his shield and sword, upon self-reflection, I’m more likely to lose than win.” Li Yuan admitted honestly, “My strength is still not enough.”
One should be realistic in their martial arts training, not falsely arrogant.
A tough challenge is a tough challenge.
“Ha ha ha.” Li Yang looked at Li Yuan with a smile. “Actually, I never expected you to win.”
Li Yuan was taken aback.
He didn’t have hopes for me to win?
“Do you know who Dantai Feng is? He is just a step away from reaching Subtlety in his mind and spirit,” Li Yang said with a smile.”Among the freshmen at Starfire University, he’s expected to compete for the top spot.”
“The top spot at Starfire University is practically contending for the top spot worldwide.”
“In other words, Dantai Feng, in your cohort, has hopes of challenging for the worldwide first place, or at least the top five,” Li Yang stated solemnly.
Li Yuan was surprised.
Dantai Feng was so formidable? He actually had the potential to challenge for the top spot worldwide.
“Normally, for a competition like the freshman fight of the ten schools, Starfire University shouldn’t choose their strongest students to participate; there’s no point in honing them.”
“The second tier of elites should be chosen according to custom.” Li Yang shook his head, “Like Yu Ming, Guan Ying… that’s why I previously thought you had a chance to fight for first place.”
“This time, I don’t know what the higher-ups at Starfire University were thinking to actually send him.”
Li Yuan listened quietly.
“So, with Dantai Feng here, I stopped expecting you to take first place,” Li Yang said with a laugh.”Not that you’re inferior to Dantai Feng, it’s just that the progress you’ve made in the past six months is even more remarkable… I believe you will definitely beat him in the future.”
“But for now, you indeed fall short of him.”
Li Yuan nodded slightly; Dantai Feng’s strength was truly formidable.
“The third and fourth rounds of match schedules are out, and you won’t be facing Dantai Feng prematurely,” Li Yang said solemnly.”That is to say, even if you two were to face each other, it would only be in the final match.”
“The upper and lower halves of the tournament?” Li Yuan mused.
“Yes.”
Li Yang said with a smile, “So, my only requirement for you is to make it to the finals, ensuring a top-four finish.”
“Reaching the finals would be a victory.”
“You don’t need to bear any psychological burden.”
“If you stop at the top four, well, the rewards aren’t much different from those for the champion or runner-up, and you’ll still receive Heavenly Materials Treasures.”
…
Li Yuan saw Li Yang off and then returned alone to the underground Martial Arts Room.
The lights came on, making the Martial Arts Room bright as day.
Li Yuan stood in the center with his spear, silently pondering Li Yang’s words.
In fact.
Li Yang’s words could be summarized in one sentence: “It’s okay to strive for second place.”
“Second place?” Li Yuan pondered silently.
Li Yang was not wrong.
In fact, he had clarified the situation to Li Yuan to avoid any major psychological burden on him.
However.
“Victory or defeat? Second place?” Li Yuan shook his head, no longer dwelling on it, and continued to quietly refine his Spear Technique.
Pursuing that profoundly mystical state.
…October 6th, the third round.
There were no top-level masters among the competitors, so Li Yuan didn’t go to watch; he just continued practicing on his own.
That day, the other eight spots for the top 16 were decided.
…
October 7th, the fourth round.
Kunlun Martial University had clear skies.
Today, the final champion of the freshman fight of the ten schools would be determined all the way from the top 16.
“`