Chapter 85: Chapter 67: Concealing the Edge, Poised to Strike

In the private Martial Arts Room, the lights illuminated the young man’s calm face.

Li Wen sheathed his saber and stood still, feeling the steadily improving sense of control over his body. A thought quietly crossed his mind.

’Why haven’t I signed with one of the four coveted top-tier factions, even though I’ve already reached the Unity Realm and my saber techniques are unrivaled among my peers?’

The words of Teacher Fang Chengwu still echoed in his ears.

"Technique Awakened, especially combat types, are indeed dazzling in the early stages. They can rapidly advance a skill to a level that ordinary people find difficult to reach."

Teacher Fang had analyzed calmly at the time, "This kind of explosive early-stage growth can easily create the illusion of superior talent. However..."

He paused, his tone carrying the clear-eyed awareness of an industry insider:

"The path of the Martial Dao is long. When it comes to crossing the great chasm of breaking through to the Intent Realm, the accumulation of technique is certainly important, but what it tests more is a Martial Artist’s comprehension of the world’s energy, their control over the resonance between their body and the world, and that elusive quality of insight.

Pure Technique Awakened rely heavily on the comprehension granted by their awakening to rapidly advance their skills in the early stages.

But this very reliance can, to some extent, obscure their exploration of higher-level principles and even create a kind of path dependency.

Therefore, in the eyes of the top-tier factions, the upper limits of such an Awakened’s potential are a hidden concern. They may shine brightly early on, but they aren’t guaranteed to continue advancing at a high pace later."

"So," Fang Chengwu said, looking at Li Wen with a frank yet somewhat helpless expression,

"even if you were to apply with your current Unity Realm saber techniques and your status as a combat Technique Awakened, the Big Four would, in all likelihood, only offer you a B-rank contract.

The resource allocation, initial funding, and core cultivation points would all be greatly reduced. And..."

He added a crucial point: "If you’re the one approaching them for a contract right now, they’ll have the absolute upper hand at the negotiating table. It’s almost certain they’ll lowball you."

Li Wen listened calmly, understanding completely. This was one of the reasons he hadn’t acted rashly.

Teacher Fang’s analysis coincided perfectly with the clear insight Li Wen had into his own future path, thanks to his panel.

’Technique Awakened becoming mediocre in the later stages? That’s a script for other people.’

Fang Chengwu’s next words revealed a deeper strategy: 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"My advice is—be patient. Aim for the provincial mock exam. It’s the first and largest public debut of everyone’s rankings at the provincial level.

At that time, observers from all the top academies and the four major factions will definitely be gathered there.

You just need to go all out in the mock exam’s combat assessment, display the true power of your Unity Realm, and achieve a result that will shake the entire province.

By doing so, you can turn a passive situation into an active one. You’ll make multiple top-tier factions see your value and have them bid against each other. Then, and only then, will an A-rank contract be truly within reach."

Teacher Fang’s words were encouraging, but they also reflected his consistent educational philosophy: "Aim for the highest, and you may achieve the middle; aim for the middle, and you will only achieve the lowest."

He had given Li Wen the seemingly unattainable goal of an A-rank contract, hoping that the pressure of such a high target would make him erupt with potential beyond his limits.

But Li Wen also keenly perceived the rational, dispassionate judgment deep in Fang Chengwu’s eyes, one that wasn’t particularly optimistic.

’Teacher Fang actually thinks the goal is too high.’

The province’s elites would be gathered—how many chosen ones from top academies and Martial Dao families would be competing?

Given the overall platform and past results of Bluestone Third Middle School, and even Bluestone County as a whole, what were the chances of making the Big Four take notice and start a bidding war over a single person in the mock exam? The odds were indeed slim. He probably even thought a B+ rank contract would be a huge success.

As a teacher, Fang Chengwu was using an encouraging "high-end goal" to spur his student to pursue what might only be a "mid-tier" result. This was the painstaking effort of a dedicated teacher.

However, deep in Li Wen’s heart, there was a calm certainty.

’Teacher Fang doesn’t know that the ace up my sleeve is far more than just the status of an Awakened.’

Li Wen’s gaze turned toward the steadily operating profession panel and the coiled, jade-like Primordial Spirit in his sea of consciousness. His Scholar level was an inexhaustible source of power.

Every level-up brought a burst of insight and a surge in Spiritual Power, which would translate into faster advancement in his saber technique realm, more perfect control over his body, and even powerful assistance for breaking through to the Intent Realm in the future.

This was the true source of his confidence, allowing him to ignore the "late-stage bottleneck theory for Awakened."

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

Therefore, Fang Chengwu’s advice was not only feasible, but it also played right into Li Wen’s hands.

’Don’t make the first move. Don’t rush.’

He didn’t just want an A-rank. On that exam ground, under the watchful eyes of thousands, he would use his Unity Realm long saber to deliver a dazzling, world-shaking strike and show everyone.

Even if he only revealed his current level of talent, it would be enough to compete for an S-rank contract.

He would make those top-tier factions willingly and proactively offer him their best terms.

...

「March 20th. Morning.」

「A ward in the County Central Hospital.」

"Dad, I’m leaving," Li Wen said in a steady voice as he tucked his father in.

Li Hong’s complexion was much healthier, and his voice was stronger. "Go on. Don’t worry about me. Do well on your exam!"

Wang Juan was also by his side, repeatedly reminding him, "Ah Wen, relax. Just do your best!"

Li Wen nodded and strode out of the ward. The morning sun shone on his straight back, imbuing it with a sense of soaring power.

As he stepped through the gates of Bluestone Third Middle School and approached the academic building, which had been set up as the examination site, he immediately sensed a completely different atmosphere from usual.

"Brother Wen is here!"

"Morning, Li Wen!"

"Brother Wen, we’re counting on you to show your stuff in the Martial Dao assessment!"

Students from the regular classes with whom he usually only shared a nodding acquaintance now greeted him enthusiastically, their eyes filled with admiration and even a hint of sycophancy.

He walked as if surrounded by a natural halo, attracting countless gazes of envy, curiosity, or awe.

A few students from the regular classes who had been on fairly good terms with Li Wen before now crowded around him, their words full of a "don’t forget us when you’re rich and famous" kind of intimacy.

A few people from the Stellar Class had also arrived. When Huang Hao saw Li Wen, his eyes lit up, and he strode over.

His large, fan-like hand habitually moved to clap Li Wen on the shoulder, but he abruptly stopped it mid-air. He scratched his head instead and said with a simple-hearted smile:

"Li Wen, it’s time for the academic exams you’re so good at. The academic subjects are pure torture for us muscleheads. You’re the only one who can ace them so easily every time. I’m so jealous of that brain of yours!"

Another member of the Stellar Class next to him sighed in admiration.

"Yeah, your academic scores are definitely the best in our Stellar Class. You’ll probably secure first in the whole school. If you have a breakout performance in the Martial Dao assessment too, tsk tsk... you’re a real top-scorer candidate!" His words were filled with undisguised envy.

Li Wen smiled and gave a simple reply, "They’re alright. Let’s all do our best."