High-Level Martial Era

The ranking battle mode, with consecutive wins, would occasionally match Li Yuan with those masters above 500 points in the Gold Stage,

but those were still the minority—most of the time, he was prioritized to match with players who had nearly the same amount of points.

"After creating 'Hidden Dragon in the Cleft,' my Spear Technique has greatly improved. Now, when I face the Martial Arts masters in the lower levels of the Gold Stage, my win rate has increased significantly," Li Yuan said with a hint of exhaustion but still brimming with fighting spirit.

His points had been soaring up until now.

"Ordinary adults, with insufficient spiritual power, would probably need to rest after six or seven battles, and can fight a maximum of twenty to thirty bouts per day at most; otherwise, they would strain their energy and affect their real-life cultivation," Li Yuan's eyes twinkled with light.

"But me, I can experience up to two hundred virtual battles in a single day and still maintain my peak condition."

Why had Li Yuan's Martial Arts Skills skyrocketed over the past year?

Aside from his innate comprehension in Spear Technique,

it also had an inseparable relationship with his continuously strengthening spiritual power.

The stronger the spiritual power, the more control he has over his body during daily practice, the faster the improvement in his Spear Technique.

Similarly, in the virtual Combat Network battles, he could fight more bouts.

His year of virtual fights was equivalent to the training many others would accumulate over three or even five years.

With such conditions, how could Li Yuan's Martial Arts Skills not improve rapidly?

"The last battle, I must win,"

"Five thousand bucks, they're mine," Li Yuan clicked on the option box—Start Matching.

Beep—Match Successful.

"Entering the ranking match soon, your opponent is in the Gold Stage (499 points)… Countdown 10, 9…"

...

Inside a broadcasting room on the Starry Skies Fighting Network, the live stream title read, 'Martial Path Champion's Road, Furiously Rushing to 500 Gold Stage Points.'

In the broadcasting room was a young elf-dressed girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, and… a middle-aged commentator.

"Brothers,"

"Xiu'er, who is aspiring to be the Martial Path champion of South Bright City, surpassed 360 points in Martial Arts Skills during the last school Martial Path test… today, she attempts to rush to 500 points in the Gold Stage,"

The girl occasionally tossed her head, looking quite adorable as she awaited the match.

But the middle-aged commentator was very excited.

"Reaching 500 points in the Gold Stage, not to mention South Bright City, even in the whole of Jiangbei Province, there are still fewer than 50 people under 18 who can reach this stage… Let's see if Xiu'er can succeed in her third attempt," the middle-aged commentator quickly said.

"Oh! Match successful!"

"The opponent's points are 496, another Martial Arts master aiming for the Gold Stage,"

"In her previous two attempts today, the opponents both had over 600 points. This time, with only 496 points… let's watch with anticipation… 5, 4…" the middle-aged man said excitedly.

There were plenty of Martial Arts livestreamers in the Gold Stage.

But for underage broadcasters to reach the Gold Stage was quite rare. The additional appeal of battling for the top spot in the college entrance exam, an elven young girl, attractiveness… these gimmicks attracted even more attention.

This broadcaster named "Xiu'er" was quite popular on the Starry Skies Fighting Network.

At the moment, the viewing count had already surpassed two thousand people.

Of course, as a minor, she couldn't broadcast alone; at least not until over 16 years old, and even then, a guardian must accompany her and there's a time restriction on weekly broadcasts... all mandated by law.

"This time, I should succeed,"

"The opponent's 496 points seem much weaker than the last two,"

"Knock out the opponent."

"Xiu'er has fought over 30 matches today, with a win rate of 56.6%, which is very good. I'll tip her."

"I've been watching Xiu'er's broadcasts for two years,"

"It's nurturing! Raising a Martial Path champion, I'm just waiting for the day Xiu'er becomes one,"

"She'll definitely win," a torrent of text bullet comments, voice bullet comments, image bullet comments flashed by... along with various tips.

Suddenly,

Whoosh! The live broadcast scene shifted, forming a fighting arena, and a young man with a long spear appeared on the other side of the stage.

"A young man?"

"The opponent looks so young; could he also be a minor?"

"Definitely an adult, this is just a virtual image. If he were also a minor, wouldn't he be vying for the top spot in the college entrance exam too?" the audience discussed among themselves.

...

On the battle stage,

"Hm? So many people?" As soon as Li Yuan stood on the stage, he realized that the previously empty Spectator Platform suddenly filled with a massive crowd, teeming with thousands of viewers.

"A big broadcaster?" Li Yuan glanced around, and his gaze finally rested on the elven girl holding a silver long spear twenty meters away.

Normally in Gold Stage matching, even if you encountered a broadcaster, having a hundred spectators was considered good.

Meeting a big broadcaster with thousands of viewers? It was the first time Li Yuan had encountered such a thing today.

Li Yuan could completely block out the sound from the Spectator Platform and ignore the external audience... but he chose not to.

"A broadcaster?"

"Seems to be an underage girl broadcaster?" Li Yuan heard some of the audience's voices, "Let's see how strong she can be."

In fact, Li Yuan had tried broadcasting before; he had thought about earning money through live streaming to ease his family's financial pressures... but he soon realized.

This industry was deeply complex.

Unless one was a super-high-level expert in the Sun Eclipse Stage, becoming popular as a broadcaster was very difficult.

Those who did become popular broadcasters had more than just Martial Arts Skills to thank.

Being good at fighting did not guarantee proficiency in broadcasting.

Making money was never simple in any field.

Moreover, Li Yuan was very clear in his understanding that virtual battles were ultimately just an auxiliary means for honing Martial Arts Skills, and real-life cultivation was the core.

The purpose of making money, too, was for cultivating the Martial Path.

One should not lose sight of the essence by focusing on the superficial.

"Xiu'er?" Li Yuan looked at the name of the elf girl, vaguely recalling having scrolled past her live broadcast videos.

But the impression wasn't deep; she likely wasn't one of the top broadcasters.

"Hello."

"May I take a turn with this?" asked the elf girl, holding a silver long spear with a giggly smile, quite adorable.

Li Yuan slightly furrowed his brows.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the elf girl moved with the speed of an 8.0-grade Physical Quality, like lightning as she charged toward Li Yuan.

"Xiu'er starts playing dirty again."

"Stab him!"

"This guy must have been tricked, probably hasn't watched Xiu'er's livestream." The Spectator Platform erupted with numerous voices.

"Pfft!" The silver long spear thrust straight!

"Straight Thrust?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Yuan gripped the spear with his left hand and supported it with his right, thrusting straight with a midline stance as well.

It was as though both were using a mutually destructive move.

But the long spear Li Yuan had chosen was nearly three meters long, about half a meter longer than his opponent's... and Li Yuan's character model was taller with longer arm reach.

It was destined that Li Yuan's spear would be the first to strike the opponent.

An inch longer, an inch stronger.

"Bang~"

At the moment their spear tips crossed, the elf girl's Silver Spear suddenly trembled, unleashing terrifying strength in an attempt to knock Li Yuan's long spear aside... clearly, she had realized her weapon's disadvantage.

"Bang~"

However, Li Yuan, as if foreseeing her move, similarly shook his long spear with equal hardness.

Then, with a glance from the corner of his eye, he swiftly backpedaled, landing and neutralizing the impact of the force.

"Whoosh!" A violent rush of air from the spear wind.

The elf girl's follow-up thrust came up empty, the spear tip just an inch from Li Yuan's head.

"Despite the continuous collisions, she still maintains the stability of her spear for consecutive attacks... This must be some kind of killer move," Li Yuan dodged the thrust and made a judgment, "I must be cautious."

In a usual scrimmage, repeated impacts cause recoil that transmits through the spear, affecting the fighter, making many maneuvers difficult and requiring adjustment.

If the opponent can attack consecutively, it indicates that the combination is very special.

Such killer moves are those that perfectly harness Vigor, allowing for defense and attack combinations that ordinary people can't achieve.

"Such quick reflexes, such strong movement technique," the elf girl said, equally surprised at her pretty face.

This combination was one of her killer moves, which often took her opponents by surprise and allowed her to resolve fights in just a few moves.

..."Such impressive movement technique."

"Very steady!"

"The common folk includes a true master."

"Xiu'er just got outplayed," laughed many spectators on the Spectator Platform; they weren't really concerned about winning or losing.

...

"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"

With each collision, both sides proved to be masters of Spear Technique, constantly moving at high speed and probing for opportunities.

Each was trying to find the other's weakness and seize the chance.

But Li Yuan was very steady, scarcely initiating an attack, preferring not to attempt glory but to avoid fault, his defenses repeatedly blocking the elf girl's Silver Spear.

"Virtual combat is for honing Spear Technique, fighting one more or one fewer battle makes little difference," Li Yuan thought calmly, not in a hurry.

But desperation gradually grew in the elf girl.

She could hear the murmurs of the surrounding audience, many making light of her with comments like 'kind of boring,' 'won't you fight,' 'charge in,' 'just circling around,' 'are these two putting on a play,' 'Can you still be called Xiu'er if you can't put on a show,' 'Where's all that bragging now,' 'told you she's not up for it'..."

While the elf girl wanted victory, the race to 500 Points and the associated rewards, she was also looking for an impact on her livestream.

"This guy, like a turtle."

"If this keeps up, the fight won't end in five minutes, probably half the spectators will leave, not waiting any longer," the elf girl gritted her teeth and took the initiative to attack.

"Clang!" "Bang~"

Mere moments after the spear shaft and tip collided several times, Li Yuan kept retreating while the elf girl advanced with each step.

"Here's my chance," the elf girl's eyes sparkled.

In less than ten exchanges, as Li Yuan was almost backed to the edge of the ring and the elf girl thought she was about to win.

"Whoosh!" The normally defensive Li Yuan suddenly exploded into action, his long spear thrusting swiftly.

"Rip~"

The long spear tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound!

"Not good," 'Xiu'er,' the elf girl's pupils contracted. Just as she thought of retreating, the spearhead pierced through her throat.

It was simply too fast!

The skirmish had lasted nearly two minutes, with her dominating the scene for over ninety percent of that time.

But as she launched a continuous attack at the moment when her old strength was spent and new strength had not yet emerged, Li Yuan seized the opportunity for a decisive blow.

"The Martial Arts livestream is popular with spectators, who will tip with gifts for entertainment, allowing one to profit."

"Sometimes those spectators can also ignite one's passion for battle," Li Yuan silently retrieved his spear, glancing toward the now bustling Spectator Platform nearby: "But acting on momentum can also result in being constrained and troubled by it."

"Life-and-death battles should be pure."

"Fighting isn't for show, it's about determining life and death."

"Your Martial Arts Skills are not inferior to mine, but you didn't focus your heart entirely on the battle," Li Yuan stared at the spot where the elf girl had vanished: "That is why you lost."

Life-and-death battles have never been determined solely by Physical Quality or Martial Arts Skills.

It's also about mentality.

Practicing the Solid Rock Cultivation Technique, Li Yuan had a frighteningly stable mentality.

"Congratulations, Defender·Yuan, you've won this Gold Stage match, Points +10."

"Congratulations, Defender·Yuan, you've reached 500 Points at the Gold Stage, eligible to claim a reward of 50,000 Blue Star Coins."

"Congratulations, Defender·Yuan, you have entered the 'Starry Sky Youth Ranking,' placed at number [4684] globally, number [1224] in the Xia Country District, and number [47] in the Jiangbei Division, detailed rankings can be checked through the following methods..."