Translator: CKtalon
Xu Jingming could sense his body’s transformation, but his mind was like the stars in the sky. He was extremely calm as he continued executing his evolutionary method while experiencing the changes in his body.
Over and over again.
Xu Jingming only stopped after practicing three times. He was finally satisfied.
With a mind like the stars and other celestial bodies, I can also mobilize my body at a deeper level? Xu Jingming revealed a look of delight. Ever since he obtained the opportunity to possess Xuan, he spent eight hours a day practicing the Mental Tempering Art.
Mental Tempering Art gave a wonderful feeling, and Xu Jingming enjoyed it. His body and mind were relaxed and ethereal as if it was cathartic.
As he liked this feeling, he naturally entered this state when practicing his evolutionary method. He never expected to successfully mobilize his body at a deeper level.
Being able to mobilize the body at a deeper level means that this state of mind is also suitable for combat. Xu Jingming looked forward to it.
Mind like the stars and celestial bodies.
The celestial bodies appear silent, but they are actually constantly in motion.
When he possessed Xuan, his spiritual perception enveloped the entire planet. Back then, he could clearly sense the speed of the planet’s orbital revolution and its rotation speed. The constant motion of the massive celestial body had long shocked him.
Although it was in seemingly perpetual motion, the planet itself remained silent.
The unification of this silence and motion was the Mental Tempering Art’s essence.
Silence in the inner mind.
But the body is like a celestial body in motion. I can use evolutionary methods and fight. Xu Jingming reached out, retrieved a spear, and executed his spearmanship. Every move and stance seemed to carry the surging momentum of a star’s motion.
The motion of stars had terrifying might.
Xu Jingming also liked practicing his spear as he practiced repeatedly.
Boom!
Suddenly, he swept his spear, and with this sweep, it was as if stars were crashing over. At this moment, his tendons, bones, and muscles were naturally mobilized deep down. The motion of his tendons, organs, and even his neural network became much more intense, and the strength that erupted from his body immediately increased.
A terrifying sweep of the spear seemed capable of crushing everything.
This move feels like it’s at Lv. 4. Xu Jingming revealed a look of delight and looked at his personal combat strength interface. But it’s just one random move, and it’s not stable enough to be used. It still hasn’t been recognized by the virtual world yet.
However, it’s obvious that I can walk the path of ‘mind like the stars and celestial bodies.’ Xu Jingming continued practicing his spear.
Beam Transformation Spear Technique was a systemic set of spear techniques. It looked like it only consisted of thrusting, but it had actually been fused with footwork. Thrust also had all kinds of thrusting techniques—Forward Thrust, Backward Thrust, Chain Thrust, and so on. It could also be used to attack and defend. This was Xuan’s greatest achievement in his life.
Even though Xu Jingming had learned a little, he knew enough to gain the system’s recognition. But now, only a single Sweeping Spear move of his had reached the necessary realm; it wasn’t enough for the system to recognize it.
After taking this step, it won’t be long before my entire spearmanship breaks through to Lv. 4. Xu Jingming saw hope and immersed himself in it.
…
While Xu Jingming was immersed in cultivation, Lei Yunfang visited Liu Hai.
In the martial arts arena in Liu Hai’s personal space.
“Brother Liu.” Lei Yunfang lowered his stance and wore a vexed expression. “I’ve been stuck at the Lv. 3 bottleneck and can’t break through no matter what. Can you give me some pointers? I’m quite at my wit’s end, especially when I see juniors beginning to surpass me one after another. Sigh…”
“Show me your personal combat strength interface,” Liu Hai said.
Lei Yunfang tapped it open and allowed Liu Hai to see it.
“Your movement technique and saber technique are already at Lv. 3 99%.” Liu Hai nodded. “In terms of realm, you’re definitely not inferior to Fang Yu. For that Fang Yu… I saw the video of his combat. Although he’s slightly stronger than you, his strength is limited. He definitely hasn’t reached Lv. 4! If he reaches Lv. 4, defeating you will be very easy.”
“If he hasn’t reached Lv. 4, that means he’s talented,” Liu Hai said after some thought. “You’re both Lv. 3, but he’s talented in his physique, giving him greater strength and speed. It’s natural that he can suppress you.”
“I think there are several people stronger than Fang Yu from watching Global Crossfire,” Lei Yunfang said. “They should’ve reached Lv. 4.”
“It’s very normal for a few people in the world to reach Lv. 4.” Liu Hai nodded.
“Then, how should I break through?” Lei Yunfang asked.
“You received a Lv. 5 saber technique, right?” Liu Hai asked.
Lei Yunfang nodded.
“Among the Lv. 5 saber techniques, there should be footwork and mental tempering techniques,” Liu Hai said. “According to the description in the legacy, the mental tempering technique appears outlandish, but it actually allows one’s ‘consciousness’ to become stronger. This also means that the neural network signals will be stronger. Stronger signals… can also be used to dig deeper into the body.”
Lei Yunfang nodded. “Yes, I’ve obtained a mental tempering technique.”
“Then, temper it,” Liu Hai said. “There are no shortcuts when it comes to mental tempering. Some people might be young, but their willpower is very strong. Some people are old, and their willpower is very weak. It still depends on the person.”
“I think my willpower is quite strong,” Lei Yunfang couldn’t help but say.
“After one’s mind and will become stronger, they need to have synergy with their combat system,” Liu Hai said. “Every move and stance in combat can naturally be fused with a strong mind and will. Only then can one mobilize their body’s potential to reach Lv. 4.”
Lei Yunfang nodded. “I understand that too.”
“Of the legacies we received, the path has long been made clear,” Liu Hai said. “There are no shortcuts.”
“Then, I’ll continue practicing.” Lei Yunfang nodded. “Brother Liu, thanks.”
“Being behind for a moment is nothing. I believe that it’s not that easy for us, the older generation, to be overtaken,” Liu Hai encouraged.
Lei Yunfang nodded and disappeared from the martial arts arena.
Liu Hai watched this scene; then, he extended his hand and held a shield and saber. According to the higher-ups, only Jingming and I are receiving the highest level of grooming in China. I wonder which resource Jingming chose. However, this Lv. 8 legacy… is much more profound than the Lv. 5 Shield Saber Technique. It will be difficult to fully figure it out even after 100 years.
Liu Hai was very satisfied with his choice.
The complete Lv. 8 legacy was much more in-depth than the weaponry training on Earth. Liu Hai immersed himself in it every day and drew on it to constantly enrich his Taiji Shield Saber system.
…
Xu Jingming and Liu Hai were immersed in their martial arts while Global Crossfire was underway. Experts from all over the world fought intensely one after another, and the situation gradually became clearer.
People knew who was stronger!
Who in the world could be ranked in the top three? Who could be ranked in the top ten? The audience had a rough guess from watching all those matches.
“Sigh, another loss.”
“Zhang Qing also lost.”
Countless viewers in China’s official livestream sighed.
In this battle, Zhang Qing led experts from China to fight experts from the USA, but she lost the match.
“It’s been five days since Global Crossfire began, but has nobody in China won every match? Zhang Qing has 9 wins and 1 loss, Zhou Yi has 5 wins and 3 losses, and Fang Yu has 15 wins and 2 losses. Nobody won every match!”
“This sucks. Another loss!”
“We still have the world champion—Liu Hai—Lei Yunfang, and Xu Jingming!”
“Let’s not talk about Lei Yunfang; he even lost to Fang Yu! Xu Jingming hasn’t dared to participate in Global Crossfire either. From my point of view, he doesn’t have the confidence. Perhaps we can only place our hopes on Liu Hai.”
“Only Liu Hai can be relied upon.”
“Is it that difficult for China to produce an expert who wins every match?”
“Fang Yu defeated Lei Yunfang and also defeated USA’s Kai Saint Mills. I trusted him so much! Who would’ve thought that he would first lose to Tiger Fussen and then to Russia’s Alan Emelianenko?”
“Tiger Fussen used to be world number two. Alan Emelianenko used to be world number three! It’s very normal for Fang Yu to lose.”
“Everyone says that he’s second in China and that he has a chance of surpassing Liu Hai in the future. Surpass my ass!”
“Lose, lose, lose! I’m so stifled watching a losing match!”
The audience exited the livestream.
Li Miaomiao, Sister Kong, and Xiaozeng were also watching.
“Boss, China is at a disadvantage in Global Crossfire. Many Lv. 3 experts don’t seem capable of entering the global top five,” Sister Kong said. “Fang Yu has already lost two matches.”
“It looks like it’s up to Liu Hai and Brother-in-law,” Xiaozeng said. “When will Brother-in-law participate? Many people are looking forward to him participating.”
“I’ll ask him when I’m back.” Li Miaomiao got up as well, and her expression wasn’t too good. “It sucks watching a losing match. I shouted myself hoarse, but we still lost. Zhang Qing is my idol. Sigh…”
“Let’s go, Boss.” Sister Kong and Xiaozeng were disappointed as well.
China’s top experts had many fans. Fans watched the competition every time with anticipation, so losing the competition did break many hearts..