The blade trembled slightly, emitting a low hum, as if echoing the thrill of its master’s breakthrough.

His chest rose and fell gently, his breathing steady and deep. There was no heavy panting as one might expect, only the satisfying release of power and... an inevitable sense of peace.

He’d broken through.

It wasn’t wild ecstasy or uncontrollable excitement.

Instead, it was a profound, matter-of-fact sense of relief, like finally summiting a lone peak that had been looming in his sights for days.

The joy was deep and restrained, like a warm current hidden far beneath the ocean’s surface.

He had finally taken the reins of his power, achieving a union of body, mind, and technique. He had crossed the true threshold of the Martial Dao and entered the Unity Realm.

He stood quietly, feeling the power inside him—surging without cease, yet perfectly harmonious and unified.

Turning his Divine Sense inward, he observed the qi and blood flowing and pulsing within his new realm. Every wisp of power seemed to cheer in delight, growing more tame, more refined.

’Fire Hall University...’ His gaze pierced the massive observation window and fixed on the deep night sky.

The first mock exam, in half a month, would be the first stage to showcase this newfound power.

He pulled out his communicator and dialed Fang Chengwu’s number.

His voice was perfectly calm. "Teacher Fang, I’ve broken through. Saber technique—Unity Realm."

The other end of the line fell silent for several seconds. Then, Fang Chengwu’s calm, steady voice came through, laced with unmistakable gratification. "Excellent! Wait for me there."

「A few minutes later.」

The door to the private Martial Arts Room slid open without a sound.

Fang Chengwu walked in, still dressed in his simple gray suit. But his gaze was sharp as a hawk’s, instantly locking onto Li Wen in the center of the room.

Li Wen could clearly feel it. Under Teacher Fang’s "scrutiny," his qi and blood felt as if they were being scanned by an invisible force. The new aura of "perfect unity" about him had nowhere to hide from an expert of Fang Chengwu’s caliber.

Fang Chengwu walked into the center of the training area. A genuine smile spread across his face, tinged with a hint of awe.

"One and a half months. From first learning a top-tier saber technique to reaching the Unity Realm. Li Wen, you’ve set a record that is enough to shake all of Bluestone County."

He didn’t mention the medical fees. He simply clapped Li Wen on the shoulder, his touch firm and steady, conveying a silent affirmation and sense of trust.

"Now that you’re in the Unity Realm, you should know this state is vastly different from the basic, advanced, or even top-tier techniques you’ve practiced. It has no clearly defined ranks."

Li Wen’s expression was focused as he listened intently.

Fang Chengwu clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace, his voice clear and steady as he unveiled the next stage of the Martial Dao for Li Wen.

"Once you step into the Unity Realm, it means a Cultivator has fused all their techniques into a single whole, achieving a state of perfect harmony between ’body, mind, and technique’."

"In this realm, the techniques you’ve practiced become the foundation that nourishes your potential. But the power you can unleash will have long since surpassed the shackles of mere technique."

He paused, looking at Li Wen with eyes full of expectation.

"This is only the beginning. Beyond the Unity Realm is the Shi Realm, and that is the true gulf separating the proficient from the powerful."

Li Wen’s eyes sharpened. He had heard this term from Fang Chengwu before, and he had personally experienced Ling Feng’s terrifying "Shi."

"So, what is ’Shi’?" Fang Chengwu asked, then answered his own question.

"’Shi’ is when your will guides your qi and blood, and your qi and blood resonate with the energy of the world, ultimately forming an invisible, powerful Energy Field around you! It represents a higher level of mastery and command over power!"

"Only at the Shi Realm does a Martial Artist truly gain terrifying abilities: moving objects with their mind, projecting energy from their body, walking on air, or even feats of legend like ’overturning rivers and upending seas’."

"This is the fundamental mark that distinguishes an ordinary Martial Artist from a true genius, a true powerhouse." Fang Chengwu’s tone grew grave.

"To comprehend ’Shi,’ the first step—and the only foundation—is to achieve one hundred percent Body Control."

’One hundred percent!’ That was the first time Li Wen had heard of such a concept.

Fang Chengwu had previously mentioned how critical Body Control was for grasping secret techniques early, but Li Wen never imagined it was such an absolute prerequisite for the Shi Realm.

"Without the ability to control every muscle fiber, every inch of bone, and every wisp of circulating qi and blood as easily as moving your own limbs—it’s absolutely impossible to draw upon the world’s energy and resonate with it to form ’Shi’."

Fang Chengwu looked at Li Wen. "This part is a matter of pure, painstaking effort. It’s not like comprehension, which is mysterious and elusive. As long as you have the determination and perseverance to hone your perception and control day after day, you will eventually get there."

A hint of approval appeared in his eyes.

"And the formidable Body Control Power you’ve already shown, even before reaching the Unity Realm, undoubtedly puts your starting point far beyond that of an ordinary person."

Li Wen understood.

"However," Fang Chengwu’s tone shifted, becoming serious, "achieving one hundred percent Body Control only gets you a ticket to the show. The second step—truly comprehending ’Shi’—is the greatest hurdle. That process depends almost entirely on an individual’s innate comprehension."

His expression held a hint of resignation and wonder.

"Some people, after reaching one hundred percent control, might sit quietly for a moment, gaze at the heavens, watch a flowing stream, hear a clap of thunder, or face a life-and-death crisis, and in a flash of insight, they achieve it. They draw upon the power of the world, and their ’Shi’ is formed. People like that are the true chosen ones." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Then there are others. No matter how hard they try, how much they observe, how far they push themselves, the Shi Realm remains like a flower in a mirror or the moon’s reflection in water—visible, but forever out of reach. They remain stuck for their entire lives, able to do nothing but lament..."

Fang Chengwu’s gaze grew incredibly deep, filled with a yearning for true genius.

"Therefore, beyond the prerequisite of achieving one hundred percent control, whether or not one can comprehend ’Shi’ depends largely on fate, on opportunity, and on... innate comprehension! This is the key that separates a genius from the masses."

He looked at Li Wen, his expression dead serious as he emphasized,

"But one thing is universally acknowledged: the earlier a Martial Artist comprehends ’Shi,’ the greater their innate comprehension, and the more limitless their future potential."

At the mention of the word "early," an incredibly bright light flashed in Fang Chengwu’s eyes.

"Do you remember Ling Feng?"

"He is that exact kind of top-tier genius. Shortly after his Body Control reached one hundred percent, during a routine combat drill, he invoked the Shi of wind and thunder, comprehending the Shi Realm in an instant. Now *that* is a true peerless prodigy."

"A genius like that is the only kind worthy of a ticket to Fire Hall University." Fang Chengwu looked at Li Wen, his words landing like hammer blows—both a goad and a vessel for his immense expectations.

"The Unity Realm is already legendary at Bluestone Third Middle School."

"But the real goal, the real stage..."

"Lies beyond Bluestone!"

"Lies beyond the Shi Realm!"

"It is in the Fire Hall!" Fang Chengwu’s voice grew quiet, yet each word carried immense weight.

"Li Wen, do not stop. From this moment on, you will hone your control, build your power, and await the moment you comprehend ’Shi’. That will be the true, decisive beginning."

Moonlight streamed through the massive observation window, spilling into the private Martial Arts Room. It coated Li Wen, who stood Focusing Spirit and listening with rapt attention, in an austere, silver glow.