High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices-Chapter 106: Freshman Challenge

A slight smile touched Xu Wuyi’s face as he looked over the detailed analysis report.

’As expected of Star Martial University’s top AI...’

In the current Federation, AI had become widely integrated into daily life.

However, the level and power of these AIs varied significantly depending on their field and function.

Civilian AIs were naturally the lowest level, possessing only basic analytical capabilities. The one Xu Wuyi had used back at Honghe First Middle School, on the other hand, already possessed Humanoid Level intelligence.

But Anna, Star Martial University’s public AI, was said to be second only to the military’s top-tier systems, capable of analyzing even Grandmaster Level combat.

Not even the corporations Black Stone and Starry Sky could compare in this domain. Data sources are a critical metric for an AI’s advancement and iteration, and in this respect, Star Martial University was uniquely blessed.

For Xu Wuyi, however, there was an even more important point: Anna was free!

The Star Martial Battle Network could have generated a similar analysis report for someone of Xu Wuyi’s level, but that would have cost money.

Unlike a simple task like recommending a Martial Art, the Battle Network had a clear fee structure for system analysis reports: for the Martial Disciple Level, a single report cost three hundred thousand Federation Coins.

’And then there’s the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear...’

Xu Wuyi already knew this Spear Technique was the advanced version of the Wind-Settling Spear. He had wanted to learn it for a long time but had never been able to find the source.

The Star Martial Battle Network didn’t list this Spear Technique; apparently, its creator had no intention of letting people purchase it directly with Federation Coins.

However, the Star Martial University’s Martial Arts library had it!

"Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear..." Xu Wuyi murmured the name, his gaze falling to the "Acquisition Method" section on the screen.

[Acquisition Method: Star Martial University Internal Martial Arts Library (Requires points for exchange)]

[Exchange Price: 150 points.]

points.

Xu Wuyi’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had learned before arriving that points at Star Martial University were extremely valuable, their worth far exceeding what could be measured in Federation Coins.

Many rare resources that couldn’t be bought with money on the outside required points to be exchanged for here.

In terms of the most basic Life Potion, one point had the purchasing power of ten thousand Federation Coins, making 150 points equivalent to one and a half million.

And that was just the base value. When exchanged for scarce resources, the purchasing power of the points was significantly higher.

Therefore, points were precious and best used to redeem items unavailable in the outside world. Life Potions could just be purchased directly with Federation Coins.

Buying them through the university’s internal channels also came with a discount.

The S-class freshman scholarship Xu Wuyi received included three million Federation Coins and 300 initial points.

This was undoubtedly a huge sum, but it also wouldn’t last long. A single B-Level Spear Technique would cost him half his points.

Even calculated in Federation Coins, the price of the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear was very high, exceeding that of ordinary B-level Martial Arts.

Xu Wuyi guessed this was partly due to its rarity and partly because this Martial Art required its user to possess the True Intention of Martial Arts.

That threshold alone naturally screened out the vast majority of Martial Artists.

"Would you like to retrieve the detailed information and prerequisite requirements for the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear?" Anna inquired promptly.

"Retrieve them," Xu Wuyi nodded.

The content on the screen changed, displaying a detailed introduction to the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear.

It was a Spear Technique that focused on the fusion of momentum and Mental Realm, divided into eight stances.

Each stance embodied a different ’Soul Suppressing’ Intention—some were like a mountain crashing down from above, others like being imprisoned within an abyss.

When practiced to the Great Success realm, its Spear Momentum could directly affect an opponent’s Spirit and Qi and Blood circulation, causing them to lose heart before the fight even began.

The prerequisites for exchange were mastery of a C-level or higher Spear Technique to at least the Minor Achievement realm, and a certain level of Spiritual Strength on the part of the cultivator.

Xu Wuyi met both of these conditions.

"I’ll exchange for the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear." Xu Wuyi made his decision without much hesitation.

Points were meant for increasing one’s strength. Investing them in a core Martial Technique that suited him and could directly boost his combat power was the wisest choice.

"Command confirmed. Points deducted: 150. Your current point balance: 150," Anna’s voice remained level.

[Successfully exchanged for the B-level Martial Art, Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear. The technique’s data has been synced to your personal terminal. You may learn it by importing it into your consciousness via a Virtual Pod, or by retrieving holographic demonstration footage in a training room.]

[Please note: Unauthorized distribution without the university’s permission is strictly forbidden. Violators will be severely punished.]

"Understood," Xu Wuyi responded.

A faint pulse of data flashed across his communicator, signifying that the exchange was complete.

Xu Wuyi nodded, his mind already formulating a training plan. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

’First, I’ll spend a few days going over the basic stances of the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear. Combining that with my foundation from the Wind-Settling Spear should allow me to reach the Entry Level quickly. After that, I can use the Virtual Pod for simulated combat to polish the details.’

But just as he was about to close the Martial Arts library interface, Anna’s voice sounded again.

"Additionally, based on your enrollment date, I am reminding you to take note of the ’Freshman Challenge’ event."

Anna continued, "The event is designed specifically for each incoming class of freshmen, and the deadline is August thirty-first. The challenge takes place in a designated area on the Star Martial Battle Network and involves killing simulated Star Beasts."

"Based on the number of floors cleared and your final ranking, rewards such as points, special items, and access privileges will be distributed. Detailed information has been sent to your email."

’A Freshman Challenge?’

He quickly opened his email and carefully studied the "Freshman Challenge" details Anna had sent.

The challenge was held within the Star Martial Battle Network, in a special area called the "Star Beast Hunting Ground."

It simulated various types and levels of Star Beasts, from the lowest-level Martial Disciple-grade "Star-Spotted Wolf" to powerful Star Beasts comparable to a Martial Artist.

Freshmen had to start from the first floor and challenge their way up, floor by floor. There were point rewards for clearing each floor, and the final rankings were based on the total number of floors cleared, with the top-ranked participants receiving even more generous rewards.

Notably, the challenge would lock a challenger’s Energy Level. On the first floor, for instance, all challengers would be fixed at a Level 13 standard.

As for the rewards, points were a given, but there were also special potions, such as the D-level Blood Circulation Potion awarded to the top three finishers.

The Blood Circulation Potion was not in the same series as the Life Potion and had a different effect. It couldn’t directly promote an increase in one’s Life Energy Level, but it could activate Qi and Blood and cleanse impurities from the body.

Its effect was similar to Xu Wuyi’s Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace, capable of increasing Qi and Blood Strength, though he didn’t know how potent it was.

The Blood Circulation Potion belonged to a series of rare potions that always had a price but were never on the market. Even if Xu Wuyi didn’t necessarily need it himself, he could trade it for something valuable.

’The deadline is over a month away. I have to practice the Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear to at least the Entry Level realm as soon as possible. Otherwise, the boost to my combat power will be limited, and it’ll be difficult to get a good ranking in the challenge.’

’Still, since I know about it now, I might as well go test the difficulty and get a feel for what I’m up against.’

Acting on the thought, Xu Wuyi immediately logged into the Star Martial Battle Network.