High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices-Chapter 36: First

The two stepped out and entered the middle of the field.

Without any unnecessary talk, both immediately took their stances.

Zeng Bonan once again assumed the Starting Form of the Basic Body Refining Technique, while Xu Wuyi appeared much more casual, simply standing there calmly.

The previous scan had shown that their Life Energy Levels were identical: 11.4!

"Begin!" Teacher Wang announced, positioning himself a short distance away from the two.

Real-life combat was nothing like the Battle Network. One careless mistake could result in injury, especially in a duel between evenly matched opponents. He had to be ready to step in and de-escalate things at a moment’s notice.

Zeng Bonan made his move. Deeply aware of how formidable Xu Wuyi’s defensive counters were, he didn’t rush into a brute-force attack this time. Instead, he used rapid, continuous footwork, his figure moving like the wind as he circled Xu Wuyi, his palms a flurry of motion.

One moment he was like a butterfly flitting through flowers, the next like Mount Tai crashing down. He had unleashed a Palm Technique that masterfully blended feints and real attacks, trying to disrupt Xu Wuyi’s rhythm and find a true opening.

His improvement was indeed obvious. He executed this Palm Technique with a natural fluidity, a clear testament to his arduous training.

However, Xu Wuyi’s performance sent a chill through the hearts of everyone watching.

Faced with Zeng Bonan’s storm-like probes and feints, his response was utterly different from before.

He was no longer rooted to the spot. Instead, he used simple, efficient footwork to move within a small area.

Each movement was perfectly timed, not only evading the offensive but also allowing him to cut into Zeng Bonan’s weak points.

Xu Wuyi’s movements weren’t fast, yet he always managed to neutralize the attacks with the slightest of motions at the very last second.

"He’s gotten stronger again," Hu Haobo muttered to himself as he watched the scene unfold.

It was still a defensive strategy, but where the old Xu Wuyi had simply held his ground, the current one moved with an effortless grace. It was the kind of ease that only comes from complete mastery of the situation.

After a brief minute on the defensive, Xu Wuyi began his counterattack.

He was still using techniques from the Basic Body Refining Technique, but the occasional fist, palm, or finger he extended carried an extremely condensed, sharp aura.

It didn’t feel like a punch or a kick, but more like an invisible long spear being swung and thrust!

The longer Zeng Bonan fought, the more alarmed he became.

He felt as if he were facing a fortress covered in spikes; not only could he find no opening, but he would also get nicked from time to time.

’I can’t let this go on!’ Zeng Bonan steeled himself, deciding to use brute force to break through his opponent’s finesse.

He took a sudden, deep breath, and his Qi and Blood erupted. His right fist, which had been gathering power the entire time, shot out like a cannonball.

He unleashed Rock Collapse, the most powerful move in the Basic Body Refining Technique, aiming it straight at Xu Wuyi’s core!

The punch was immensely powerful, and the air itself let out a heavy whoosh.

Based on this punch alone, even if Zeng Bonan’s Basic Body Refining Technique hadn’t reached Minor Achievement, it had certainly achieved Perfection at the Entry Level.

Faced with this earth-shattering punch, Xu Wuyi’s expression remained calm.

He chose neither to block it head-on nor to evade it completely.

As if he had prepared for it all along, at the very instant the fist was about to strike, his body arched back like a willow branch swaying in the wind.

At the same time, his left hand shot out like a bolt of lightning. It wasn’t a block; his fingers were slightly curled together like a bird’s beak, striking with pinpoint accuracy at a pressure point on Zeng Bonan’s wrist!

Despite being launched second, the strike landed first. Its speed was astounding, and his fingertips carried a piercing Power—it was an adaptation of the Cloud-Pushing Force from the Wind-Settling Spear!

Zeng Bonan felt his wrist go numb, and the Fist Force he had gathered instantly dissipated by more than half. He was horrified!

And Xu Wuyi’s counterattack had already begun!

He didn’t retract his striking left hand. Instead, he rode the momentum, pressing down and gripping Zeng Bonan’s wrist, pulling it downward and destroying his opponent’s center of gravity.

Simultaneously, his right fist, which had been held in reserve, shot out along a perfectly straight line. It was silent, yet incomparably swift!

It was another adaptation: the Cloud-Breaking Stab!

His Qi and Blood were highly concentrated at the point of his fist. Though it wasn’t a spearhead, it carried an unstoppable Intention!

Zeng Bonan’s momentum was spent, and he had yet to gather new strength. With his center of gravity thrown off, all he could do was watch helplessly as the fist rapidly grew larger before his eyes, finally coming to a firm stop just inches from his throat.

The wind from the punch made his skin ache.

The entire arena fell deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

From the moment Zeng Bonan unleashed his ultimate move to Xu Wuyi’s dismantling it, countering, and securing victory, the entire process took place in the blink of an eye!

The speed was astonishing, the techniques were unorthodox, and the result was beyond anyone’s expectations!

Zeng Bonan had lost!

And he had lost so cleanly, so decisively, that it was as if the two weren’t even in the same league.

Even Wang Wenhai was stunned, because Xu Wuyi had been able to pull his punch at the last second. This meant he was far from using his full strength.

Xu Wuyi slowly withdrew his fist, took a step back, and said with a smile, "Thank you for the match."

Zeng Bonan stood there, stunned for a moment, before shaking his head with a wry smile. "I lost. The gap between us is too wide."

Xu Wuyi didn’t say anything more.

He knew he had been able to win so easily not just because his Wind-Settling Spear was nearing Minor Achievement, but more importantly, because he had been sparring with countless experts in Rank Battles.

Because his Spear Technique was improving so rapidly, the number of masters he could face was far greater than what was available to Zeng Bonan and the others. That was the true difference between them.

Martial Arts must be honed through actual combat!

"In this challenge, Xu Wuyi is the victor. His rank is now number one," Zhou Yun announced, patting Zeng Bonan on the shoulder.

The challenge was over, but the heated atmosphere in the arena had yet to completely cool.

Teacher Zhou walked forward, her gaze sweeping over every student present, lingering for an extra moment on Xu Wuyi and Zeng Bonan.

"The match is over, and you all saw the result." Her voice was clear and calm. "But this is just the beginning, an internal assessment before the joint examination."

"Your opponents aren’t just your classmates beside you. They are also the elites from United Middle School and Silver Port First High School, and beyond that, every high school student in all of Dongjiang Province."

Wang Wenhai picked up where she left off, his tone firm and steady. "The three-school joint examination is less than ten days away."

"Tomorrow morning, after the scheduled Body Refining Technique practice, we will be adding a ’Guided Battle’ session. We’ll have another round five days after that."

He scanned the room, saw the confused looks on the students’ faces, and explained, "Teacher Zhou and I will take turns acting as your opponents to simulate the ’Guided Battle’ portion of the college entrance exam’s practical combat test."

This news energized the students.

The chance to face off against genuine Martial Master Level teachers, even in a guided capacity, was an incredibly valuable experience.

Normally, this part of the training wouldn’t begin until two months before the college entrance exam.

This was because students’ Life Energy Levels tended to increase rapidly during the final semester of high school, thanks to a massive infusion of resources.

Starting the guided battles too early wasn’t very effective and would, in fact, take away from valuable training time.

However, with the joint examination so close, it was completely worth investing some time into it.

"Everyone hear me?" Wang Wenhai’s voice rose as he clapped his hands. "Tomorrow morning, don’t be late! Now, dismissed! Go on and get to it!"

The students began to disperse, each returning to their own training. Some headed to the meditation room to practice the Visualization Method.

Everyone had their own routine, but Xu Wuyi’s was ironclad: he practiced the Body Refining Technique every morning without fail.