Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Consecutive Breakthroughs

The clamor and attention on the Red Star Network didn’t affect Xu Wuyi for long.

The battle against Hong Nianyi’s Illusion, and the brand-new insight gained from the initial fusion of the "Mountain" and "Inferno" True Intentions, was a generous gift. However, it would take time to fully digest it, to let it merge with his blood and become etched into his very instincts.

Xu Wuyi understood this well.

He followed his daily training regimen almost rigidly, yet he was constantly making minute adjustments and optimizations.

The operation of the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace* grew more efficient, continuously catalyzed by the double portion of Earth Fire Marrow. His Qi and Blood became more refined with each "Melting," and his Life Energy Level increased steadily.

Meanwhile, the Visualization for *Heart Fire Refining Spirit* constantly expanded his spiritual domain. The Nine-Turn Heart Fire burned quietly in his Dantian Sea of Consciousness, tempering his Spirit while also feeding back into a more precise control over his Qi and Blood.

The increase in his Spiritual Strength was even more pronounced than his Life Energy Level, laying a crucial foundation for his future training.

As for his daily, unwavering combat practice, besides drilling the increasingly proficient *Shocking God Spear* and trying to integrate the initial Mental Realm of a "sun over a mountain peak" into his Spear Techniques, Xu Wuyi devoted a considerable portion of his energy to the eight remaining Nine Stars Stele Illusions in the Red Star challenge space.

Defeating Hong Nianyi’s Illusion had involved a degree of luck and a sudden burst of power. More importantly, he had relied on the properties of the [Undying Flame] and the momentary sublimation from his True Intent Fusion.

Xu Wuyi was well aware that a gap still existed between him and those top-tier Geniuses who had left behind legendary records before reaching Level 35.

’If I can’t even consistently defeat an Illusion with less than ninety percent of the original’s strength within a minute, how could there not be a gap?’

This gap was the perfect whetstone.

Among the nine Illusions, Hong Nianyi’s was actually ranked third, while Xu Wuyi’s own Illusion was ranked fourth.

Since he himself had only barely managed to defeat Hong Nianyi’s Illusion, the Illusion of him simulated by "Red" was naturally a bit weaker.

Therefore, he didn’t get ahead of himself by challenging the higher-ranked Illusions. Instead, he challenged them one by one.

These Illusions had vastly different combat styles. Their expertise in Martial Arts, their True Intentions, and even their tactical thinking were all unique, bringing him considerable gains.

Every challenge, win or lose, was like a high-intensity, highly targeted special training session.

Xu Wuyi immersed himself in all sorts of combat scenarios.

Failure was the norm, but victory brought immense rewards.

He could clearly feel his practical combat experience accumulating and solidifying at an astonishing rate.

The attack patterns from the different Illusions, and even some seemingly insignificant combat habits and minor tricks, were all absorbed like nutrients and integrated into his own system of Martial Arts.

His application of the fused "Mountain" and "Inferno" True Intentions also grew more natural and seamless under the constant, intense pressure of these battles.

Although he was still far from being able to manifest the "sun over a mountain peak" phenomenon at will, his Spear Techniques could now consistently contain that unique, interwoven flavor of steadfastness and searing heat, doubling their power.

Amidst this focused, arduous training, time quietly slipped by to the end of September.

Autumn deepened, but the atmosphere on campus grew slightly feverish with the spread of a piece of news.

On this day, Xu Wuyi had just finished his morning session of *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace* training and was regulating his breath to replenish his Qi when a message from Anna arrived.

[Message: Zhai Zidu, a first-year student from Black Stone Academy, registered his breakthrough to the Martial Master Realm yesterday. His Life Energy Level has been confirmed at 30.2.]

[Message: Wu He, a first-year student from Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy, also broke through to the Martial Artist rank. His Life Energy Level is 30.1. This student previously had an ordinary record; this breakthrough has attracted some attention. Specific details are still being verified.]

Xu Wuyi’s gaze swept over the messages, his expression calm.

’Zhai Zidu’s breakthrough was expected. The foundation of a Genius from the Northern Lands should not be underestimated.’

’Based on the youth tournament, aside from an anomaly like me, Zhai Zidu was the number one first-year student this year.’

’But this "Wu He"... Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy really runs deep. There are always hidden figures who pop up at crucial moments.’

’To break through to the Martial Artist rank right at the end of the first year is definitely not a fluke. It’s either a case of exceptional talent combined with Thick Accumulation and Thin Emission, or there are unknown resources or opportunities backing him.’

"Two more rivals at the same level," Xu Wuyi muttered to himself. He felt no pressure, but rather a faint sense of excitement.

The path of Martial Arts was never meant to be walked alone.

With powerful peers and targets to chase, the road ahead becomes clearer, and one’s steps become firmer.

Over at Star Martial University, there was still no news of a second person officially breaking through to the Martial Artist rank.

Xu Wuyi would occasionally chat with Qin Rui, Zhao Qingwei, and other members of his team on the Battle Network.

Everyone was on edge, their preparations to break through to the Martial Artist rank having reached the final stage.

However, Xu Wuyi estimated that the first person from their university to break through would likely be Zhao Qingwei. Her Spiritual Power was the most refined, giving her a significant advantage at the critical juncture of advancing to the Martial Artist rank.

As time entered mid-October, news began to arrive one after another.

First was Zhao Qingwei.

[Star Martial University first-year student Zhao Qingwei has registered her breakthrough to the Martial Master Realm. Life Energy Level: 30.0.]

When the news arrived, Xu Wuyi and the others offered their simple congratulations in the team channel.

Zhao Qingwei’s reply was as concise as ever, but beneath her calm tone, one could sense a hint of relief and new anticipation.

Star Martial University finally had its second Martial Artist, which boosted morale somewhat.

However, before the excitement from this news could fully dissipate, a bombshell from Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy dropped, spreading like wildfire.

On October 18th, the official website of Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy updated with two registration entries almost simultaneously.

[Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy first-year student Song Xingxian has registered his breakthrough to the Martial Master Realm. Life Energy Level: 30.3.]

[Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy first-year student Chu Shanhe has registered his breakthrough to the Martial Master Realm. Life Energy Level: 30.1.]

Song Xingxian’s breakthrough was logical. As one of the twin stars of the Song Family, he was expected to take this step at this time.

What truly caused an uproar was the news of a sparring match that took place on an internal training ground at Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy, which circulated shortly after the registration information was released.

Song Xingxian and Chu Shanhe, the two newly advanced Martial Artists, held a semi-public sparring match shortly after completing their registrations.

The process was brief and stunning.

Within a dozen or so moves, Song Xingxian was completely at a disadvantage, his offense and defense in disarray.

What Chu Shanhe displayed was not any of the familiar B-Level Combat Skills. His entire body was covered in a flowing, dark-red luster.

He directly used his body to fight against a weapon. As he threw his fists and feet, his Qi and Blood surged as if they were tangible. He met Song Xingxian’s attacks head-on, remaining as steadfast as a mountain, and ultimately won with overwhelming superiority.

"It’s the *Blood Nerve*!"

The knowledgeable instructors and disciples from the Noble Families recognized the signature characteristic at once.

The number one unorthodox Martial Art in the Federation, the *Blood Nerve*!