High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices-Chapter 31: New Directions

His consciousness sank into the Star Martial Battle Network as he once again pulled up the instructional recording for the *Wind-Settling Spear*.

As Xu Wuyi repeatedly practiced the entry-level Basic Forms until he reached proficiency, the instructional recording updated and unlocked new content.

It was a power generation technique called "Cloud-Pushing Force."

This wasn’t an independent Spear Technique, but a special Power Transfer Technique designed specifically to enhance thrusts.

In the recording, a virtual figure holding a long spear demonstrated the secrets of the Cloud-Pushing Force.

Its core lay in the instantaneous burst and transmission of Qi and Blood. It required the cultivator, at the very moment of thrusting the spear, not to rely on arm strength alone, but to channel power sequentially through the waist, back, shoulders, arms, and even the wrist.

Like waves building upon one another, the power would finally gather at the very tip of the spear before being abruptly released.

It was also like pushing aside the clouds to reveal what lies beyond, hence the name "Cloud-Pushing Force."

Mastering this force would significantly increase the power and speed of the Cloud-Breaking Stab. At higher realms of mastery, it could even produce a secondary burst of power and penetrate defenses.

Xu Wuyi watched, his Heart and Spirit stirred with excitement.

The Cloud-Pushing Force possessed incredible destructive power. If he could master it, his combat prowess would jump to another level.

He immediately began to practice in his private training space.

Holding the virtual long spear, he assumed the Army Stabilization Form. He focused his Heart and Spirit, recalled the key points from the recording, and began to slowly circulate his Qi and Blood along a specific path.

On his first attempt, the power stagnated at his waist and hips, failing to travel smoothly upward. The spear tip moved limply, devoid of force.

On his second, the power barely reached his shoulders, but he applied too much force with his arm, disconnecting it from the power generated by his waist. The spear shaft wobbled, and there was no sense of "Power" to speak of.

A third time, a fourth...

The difficulty of the Cloud-Pushing Force far surpassed that of the three Basic Forms. It involved precise control of Qi and Blood and coordinated muscle activation. The slightest mistake in any part of the sequence would result in failure.

Xu Wuyi, however, didn’t mind in the slightest. His gaze was focused as he repeated the movements over and over, making adjustments each time.

He had the *Martial Arts Diligence Record* to guide him, so his mastery of the key elements of the Standard Actions was far faster than that of an ordinary person.

Sweat trickled from the temple of his virtual avatar. Waves of fatigue from his intense concentration washed over him, but he was enjoying every moment.

The feeling of overcoming a challenge and inching closer to his goal was intoxicating.

HUMMM!

As the long spear thrust out, its tip unexpectedly let out a short, clear hum. Its speed abruptly increased, carrying a sharp presence as if it were about to pierce the very air!

’I’m close!’ Xu Wuyi felt a flicker of joy; he had a feeling.

Although the move was far from Perfection and the Power felt a bit stiff, that unique sensation of force gathering and instantly erupting was unmistakably the embryonic form of the Cloud-Pushing Force!

He immediately looked at the panel in his sea of consciousness.

[Wind-Settling Spear Current Realm: Entry Level (36.1%)]

[Standard Practice Sessions Completed Today: 3]

Just as he’d thought, a successful thrust using the Cloud-Pushing Force had been recognized by the panel as "Standard Practice."

Although the proficiency gained each time was minuscule, every little bit counted. More importantly, this meant he had found the right way to practice.

...

After his virtual class ended for the day, Wang Wenhai found him back in the real world, inside Honghe First Middle School’s Training Hall No. 1.

"How’s it going? Are you getting the hang of the *Wind-Settling Spear*?" Wang Wenhai asked, looking at Xu Wuyi as he climbed out of the access pod.

"Still figuring it out. I just learned the ’Cloud-Pushing Force’," Xu Wuyi answered honestly, omitting any mention of the panel or his specific progress since reaching the Entry Level.

"The Cloud-Pushing Force?" A flash of surprise crossed Wang Wenhai’s eyes, quickly turning to admiration. "Well done!"

"That’s the first little hurdle in the *Wind-Settling Spear*. The fact that you figured it out so quickly means your comprehension is even better than I thought."

"You’re giving me too much credit, Teacher Wang. I just practiced a lot," Xu Wuyi said, scratching the back of his head.

’He genuinely didn’t think his comprehension was anything special; he just relied on repetitive practice to master new Martial Arts, one step at a time.’

Wang Wenhai didn’t press the issue, simply smiling. "I came to find you to finalize the focus for the next stage of your training."

"The core focus remains the same: increasing your Qi and Blood and improving your combat ability. As for resources, keep exchanging for Qi Blood Potions and get your level up past 11.5 as quickly as possible. That’s the baseline for aiming for the Three Greats and the Seven Stars."

"I understand," Xu Wuyi nodded.

’He had never doubted that Life Energy Level was the foundation of everything.’

"As for combat," Wang Wenhai’s tone shifted, "you’ve reached the Minor Achievement realm in the *Basic Body Refining Technique*. A foundation as solid as yours is rare among your peers. If you just rely on arena matches to gain experience, your progress will slow down. You’re ready to go straight to Rank Battles."

The Star Martial Battle Network’s Rank Battles had always been the core of the Battle Network, the place where Martial Artists flocked to prove themselves.

In these battles, a Martial Artist’s virtual avatar must perfectly match the results of their physical body scan, replicating their real-world Life Energy Level and physique.

This meant that every opponent in a Rank Battle was a perfect replica of their real-world self, capable of unleashing their full combat potential.

Despite the limitations of the Battle Network’s own Simulation Level, it was more than sufficient for Martial Artists who had not yet reached the rank of Martial Master.

"Okay." Xu Wuyi nodded. "I’ll go give the Rank Battles a try once I’m more familiar with the Cloud-Pushing Force from the *Wind-Settling Spear*."

’This was my original plan anyway. I figure that once I’ve completely mastered the Cloud-Pushing Force, my proficiency with the *Wind-Settling Spear* will be nearing the Minor Achievement realm.’

’However, breaking through to Minor Achievement will probably involve a bottleneck. When that happens, I can use real combat to find a way to break through.’

"It’s good you have a plan."

Wang Wenhai paused, then looked at Xu Wuyi with a blazing gaze. "Also, you can start actively trying to comprehend the ’True Intention of Martial Arts’."

"Normally, I wouldn’t advise a student to try this, but your situation is different, since you’ve previously perceived the embryonic form of an ’Intention’."

Xu Wuyi’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained impassive. "The True Intention of Martial Arts? Teacher Wang, I’ve had occasional flashes of insight recently, but they’re always very vague. And it seems even harder to perceive them inside the Battle Network."

’According to the *Martial Arts Diligence Record*, I had once "faintly perceived" the True Intention of "the Mountain." I wasn’t sure to what degree I’d perceived it, and since the True Intention of Martial Arts is incredibly difficult to describe in words, I could only be vague.’

Wang Wenhai didn’t seem to doubt him. Instead, hearing the last part of his sentence, he couldn’t help but chuckle. "That’s only natural. The Battle Network is built upon Spirit, after all. If the Simulation Level isn’t high enough, it’s very difficult to gain any new insights."

"Conversely, if you comprehend a True Intention of Martial Arts in the real world, you can still apply it quite well inside the Battle Network."

"So that’s how it is..." Xu Wuyi realized. This finally answered one of the questions that had been nagging him.

’The last time I had a glimmer of insight was during my fight against Zeng Bonan, but I only truly comprehended the True Intention of "the Mountain" while practicing after I returned to the real world. This must be why.’

Wang Wenhai added, "However, nothing is ever set in stone."

"I just said that you can’t perceive the True Intention of Martial Arts in the Battle Network because the Simulation Level is too low. But what if it were high enough?"

Xu Wuyi froze for a second, then blurted out, "The Battle Network can temporarily increase its Simulation Level to help me perceive the True Intention of Martial Arts?"