High-Level Martial Era

"Haha, your gaze is certainly sharp," the elder in white laughed. "To recognize me in a single glance."

"Who in Xia Country doesn't know, doesn't recognize the venerable appearance of you, senior?" Li Yuan said with a respectful smile.

This respect was from the bottom of his heart.

In terms of strength, naturally, Dongfang Ji was the more powerful, indisputably the first person of civilization.

But within the bounds of Xia Country, if speaking solely of prestige, perhaps this elder held a higher place.

This was the accumulation of years, not something merely suppressible by strength alone.

"Li Yuan, using you as bait to set up a killing formation, you shouldn't have any objections, right?" the man in black spoke indifferently, looking at Li Yuan.

His gaze was very calm.

"None at all, it's what should be done," Li Yuan responded firmly. "I trust the principal's decision."

The education from an early age had long ingrained in Li Yuan this awareness... In a broader sense, the students of Martial Arts University were essentially pre-service soldiers.

"Even with trust, this matter poses some risk to you. After all, that is a formidable Flying Heaven assassin," Star Lord Bai Shan said with a smile. "Of course, your principal is indeed powerful, far surpassing the Flying Heaven Level in some aspects."

"Ultimately, the result was good," Star Lord Bai Shan said with a smile.

Li Yuan nodded slightly and couldn't help but say, "Principal, Dean Bai Shan, I heard from Dean Hai just now... the one who died was that 'Shadow's' clone, right?"

"I have found his true body and killed him," said Principal Fang Hai indifferently.

Li Yuan's heart jolted with surprise, growing even more curious about the principal.

So powerful?

"Li Yuan, don't be too surprised," Star Lord Bai Shan said with a smile. "Your principal can do it, and in a few more years, once you reach the peak of Flying Heaven, maybe you'll be able to do it too... perhaps even stronger than your principal."

Li Yuan laughed and said, "The principal's past deeds have always been a goal that encourages me to move forward."

Just kidding, with Principal Fang Hai standing right there, how could one casually agree with such a statement?

Perhaps Star Lord Bai Shan holds a higher status.

But the current official is not as relevant as the current authority, so it's still important to follow the principal's lead.

"Li Yuan," Principal Fang Hai finally spoke, "it was Dean Bai Shan himself who recently confirmed your selection for this year's second-class Martial God Inheritance quota in our Xia Country."

Li Yuan instantly understood the principal's intent and immediately responded respectfully, "Thank you, Dean Bai Shan."

"A small thing."

"This quota, which we in Xia Country must select annually, historically, most geniuses chosen were not as excellent as you," Star Lord Bai Shan said with a smile, looking at Li Yuan with increasing favor. "Among the young generation in Xia Country today, you are the best, it is only fitting we chose you."

Li Yuan remained silent.

Fitting? Xia Country has a population of over two billion, with countless martial arts prodigies under 30 years old.

It was only an existence like Star Lord Bai Shan who could regard this selection as trivial.

"Li Yuan, killing the Flying Heaven assassin infiltrator from the Tianliang Clan, you've indeed earned great merit," Principal Fang Hai continued. "Additionally, in the Blue Star Grand Competition virtual battle, your Spear Technique advanced to the intermediate rank of Fifth Stage, truly exceptional."

"Therefore, Dean Bai Shan's visit today is not only to verify the identity of that infiltrator but primarily was to meet you," Principal Fang Hai said.

"To meet me specially?" Li Yuan held his breath.

He suddenly recalled what Dean Hai had said before, that the higher-ups in Xia Country placed great importance on him.

Now, it seemed, this so-called higher-up...

Was likely referring to Principal Fang Hai and Star Lord Bai Shan.

"Every year, I meet with the top geniuses that have emerged in our Xia Country," Dean Bai Shan said cheerfully and kindly. "Don't be too constrained; Yu Jinghe was much more relaxed when he came to see me last year."

Li Yuan was speechless.

Relaxed?

Yes! In theory, his potential talent might be higher than Yu Jinghe's, but that was all theoretical.

Yu Jinghe, he was someone whose combat power was on par with the Flying Heaven Level, with strength at hand, naturally he had more confidence.

"Your core practice is the 'Stellar Spear Technique' and the 'Meaning of the Stellar,' right?" Star Lord Bai Shan continued.

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded. This was no secret.

"Dean Bai Shan is the founder of the 'Meaning of the Stellar,'" Principal Fang Hai said. "Many of the third-rank secret manuals openly available for free study in the alliance today were created by Dean Bai Shan."

"Created by Dean Bai Shan?" Li Yuan was surprised.

Long ago, he had wondered who could have created those third-rank secret manuals used for the mass study of Prime Warriors... Second-rank secret manuals were not difficult to create, even Li Yuan, if he spent the time, could hope to create one now, since they were just summations of methods in the use of Vigor.

At most, they weren't as refined as those thoroughly honed secret manuals.

But third-rank secret manuals?

This represented an artistic conception, one must achieve Unity of Heaven and Man, sensing nature itself... Like Li Yuan, currently, he could only cultivate on his own.

As for summarizing a secret manual? Passing it on to successors? Li Yuan wasn't capable of that.

It was indescribable, indefinable.

Just like how Li Yang and Dean Xu had taught Li Yuan before, they did so through repeated real combat... Letting Li Yuan himself experience the moves of Unity of Heaven and Man.

Even the powerful virtual network could perfectly imitate techniques below the Fourth Level.

But Fifth Stage Skills? It could only imitate up to 50%.

"Haha, no need to be amazed, it's just a manual that guides towards the true intent of heaven and earth," Dean Bai Shan said with a laugh. "When you reach the realms of your principal and me in the future, you'll likely be able to create many similar manuals, guiding the younger generations."

Li Yuan smiled.

If only it were really that easy.

By the looks of it, the whole of Xia Country might not even have a handful of people who reached the level of Principal Fang Hai and Star Lord Bai Shan.

"The Martial God Inheritance is the highest level of cultivation prepared for geniuses by the entire civilization; my Xia Country cannot provide that," Dean Bai Shan said with a smile. "But given your excellent performance, as your senior, I naturally should express some acknowledgement."

Li Yuan's heart caught in his throat; he knew the crucial moment had arrived.

The two Star Masters coming to see me definitely wouldn't just exchange pleasantries.

Just like when elders meet juniors for the first time, they usually prepare a gift.

"The two hardest paths in your upcoming cultivation, the first is Law Creation, which is essentially awakening Star Veins, and this point, you should be clear about," said Star Lord Bai Shan.

Li Yuan nodded, "The junior understands, having perused many texts within the Martial Hall."

Dean Fang Hai stood silently to the side, quite indifferently.

"You have strong spiritual power and a high level of skill... And with many methods to guide you, awakening three Star Veins will not be difficult," stated Star Lord Bai Shan. "But I believe, Xiao Hai... that is, Dean Hai has probably told you that your body likely contains a higher Spiritual Nature."

"He has mentioned it," Li Yuan nodded.

"Your physical quality is improving very quickly, which is probably related to this," said Star Lord Bai Shan. "So, my advice is that in the Prime Warrior stage, you don't need to rush into the Flying Heaven Realm."

"Don't need to rush?" Li Yuan was puzzled.

"So-called physical talent is actually Star Vein talent."

"Star Veins are the foundation of Origin Power, the basis of life," Dean Fang Hai suddenly said. "Your real 'Star Vein talent' is extremely high, so try to awaken as many Star Veins as possible during the Prime Warrior stage... the more, the better, ideally four, five, or even six!!"

"The more Star Veins you awaken, and the stronger each Star Vein is, the stronger your foundation will be, and the stronger you'll become as a Flying Heaven Warrior," said Fang Hai.

Li Yuan listened carefully.

These were things he did not know before.

"Star Vein talent involves, firstly, the number of Star Veins and, secondly, the number of Life Stars," stated Star Lord Bai Shan. "To become a Third Rank Flying Heaven Warrior, you must at least awaken three Star Veins. Otherwise, no matter how adept your skills are, it will be hard to break through...

Becoming a Flying Heaven Warrior requires at least a 29.9 level physical quality, Fifth Stage Perfect Skill, 29 levels of spiritual power, and the awakening of three Star Veins."

Li Yuan was all ears.

These four requirements form the foundation of becoming a Flying Heaven Warrior.

"That's just for achieving Flying Heaven. If you want to surpass Flying Heaven in the future, you must awaken even more Star Veins," Star Lord Bai Shan said earnestly. "Similarly, after advancing to the Flying Heaven Level, the more powerful your Star Veins are, the more you will continue to break through your limits and even have the chance to rival Demigods in terms of physical Origin Power."

"Demigods?" Li Yuan was startled.

"To surpass Flying Heaven is to achieve the Fourth Rank of Demigod," stated Dean Fang Hai blandly.

Li Yuan suddenly realized.

It turns out that transcending the Flying Heaven Level is to reach the Semi Divine Realm, which is also known as a Fourth Rank existence.

"Flying Heaven Level can rival a Demigod at the basic level?" Li Yuan listened breathlessly.

This was undoubtedly a great secret of the Martial Arts Cultivation path.

"Li Yuan, what do you think is the level of physical Origin Power of a peak Flying Heaven Warrior?" Star Lord Bai Shan suddenly asked with a smile.

"Flying Heaven Peak? Level 39, I guess," said Li Yuan as a matter of course.

Star Lord Bai Shan and Dean Fang Hai exchanged a look and both smiled.

"Wrong."

"What we commonly refer to as peak Flying Heaven Warriors are at level 35," said Star Lord Bai Shan. "Whereas, Demigod Warriors are at least at level 40."

Level 35?

Demigods at level 40?

"What about levels 36 to 39 then?" Li Yuan couldn't help asking, surely they couldn't be vacant.

"When Origin Power cultivation reaches level 35, that is the Flying Heaven Peak, and if the Skill Realm is sufficient, one can step into the Semi Divine Realm, which takes them directly to level 40," Dean Fang Hai explained. "However, to cultivate to level 36, one must awaken six Star Veins."

"To cultivate to level 37 in the Flying Heaven Realm, you must awaken seven Star Veins."

"And so on... In theory, if one could awaken ten Star Veins, they could cultivate to level 40 within the Flying Heaven Realm."

"However."

"Six Star Pulse, already signifies a dazzling genius."

"Being able to cultivate to level 37 with Seven Star Veins is an inconceivable achievement, and it's nearly legendary in the many Foreign Civilizations known to our human civilization, worthy of being called invincible in the same realm," said Fang Hai impassively. "As for more than eight Star Veins, it exists only in theory."

Six Star Pulse?

Seven Star Veins?

Li Yuan listened, breath taken away with awe, as Fang Hai and Star Lord Bai Shan seemed to be opening a great door for him!

A door he had never known existed before.

It turns out that the peak of a Flying Heaven Warrior is only level 35, not the 39 that he had imagined.

It turns out that the more Star Veins one awakens, the more one can continuously break through the limits of life.

"Likewise, the more Star Veins you awaken, and the stronger they are, the more fearsome the Star Techniques you'll be able to cultivate will be."

"The usual peak Flying Heaven Warriors are only at level 35, and they have no ability to withstand Demigods who are over level 40," said Fang Hai calmly. "But if one has a Six Star Pulse or Seven Star Veins, cultivating to the upper limits of level 36 or 37 within the Flying Heaven Realm, the fundamental gap with Demigods will greatly narrow...

Coupled with the multiple Star Techniques cultivated from many Star Veins, it may be possible to parallel Demigods."

"If the Skill Realm is even more sophisticated."

"For instance — stepping into the threshold of Laws."

"One may be able to truly rival Demigods with the body of Flying Heaven," Fang Hai spoke slowly, and a mysterious light flashed in his eyes: "Or even, slay a Demigod!"

"To slay a Demigod with the body of Flying Heaven?" Li Yuan was shaken to the core, filled with longing.

He was well aware that the further one progressed in cultivation, the harder it was to fight across ranks.

It's not uncommon in human civilization for a First Rank Martial Artist to fight a Prime Warrior.

But for a Prime Warrior to battle against one in the Flying Heaven Realm? That's very rare, and each one is a top-tier genius.

After all, which young Flying Heaven Warrior was not a genius of the Martial Path?

Not to mention overcoming a Demigod?

"In our Seven Stars human civilization, has anyone achieved this?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

Fang Hai fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Not yet!"