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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Minor Achievement in the Body Refining Technique

[Grasped a trace of the True Intention of Martial Arts: 'Mountain'. Training efficiency temporarily +100%. Comprehension temporarily +50%.]

In his sea of consciousness, the words that appeared on the Bronze Ancient Scroll made Xu Wuyi's heart clench before it began to pound wildly.

'Efficiency doubled! Comprehension up by half!'

The last time he'd grasped the rudimentary form of an 'Intention', it had only brought a 50% efficiency bonus. This time, not only had his efficiency doubled, but he also gained a temporary boost to his Comprehension.

'And this time, it's really the "True Intention of Martial Arts," not just a rudimentary form!'

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Wuyi immediately assumed the Starting Form of the *Basic Body Refining Technique*: Holding the Essence and Guarding the One.

This time, he intentionally maintained the Visualization of the "mountain" in his mind.

A profound intention, heavy and immense as a mountain, enveloped his body. The circulation of his Qi and Blood no longer merely followed the routes of the Cultivation Technique; it now flowed like a steady mountain stream, deep and unyielding.

His form remained perfect, but its inner "quality" seemed to have undergone a metamorphosis.

[Standard Practice completed today: 1]

A notification appeared on the panel.

Xu Wuyi glanced at it, his Heart and Spirit perfectly calm.

With just this single practice session, he could clearly feel that the growth in his Qi and Blood and his understanding of the Cultivation Technique's details were far beyond normal!

'A temporary 100% increase in efficiency... it really lives up to its name!'

He didn't dare delay for a second, immediately throwing himself into the next round of practice.

A second time, a third, a fourth...

Empowered by the Mental Realm of the "Mountain," the strain on his Heart and Spirit seemed to lessen, and his mind grew exceptionally focused.

Although his body still grew tired, the fatigue felt as if it were being shouldered by some other power—as if the mountain itself was sharing the burden, placing very little strain on his will.

He was completely immersed in this trance-like state of practice.

The Standard Actions that once required meticulous control now came to him effortlessly, performed with a smooth, natural grace.

The hands of the wall clock swept silently, circle after circle.

Inside the room, there was only the sound of the young man's steady breathing and the rush of air from his movements.

[Standard Practice completed today: 50]

[Standard Practice completed today: 80]

[Standard Practice completed today: 99]

When he completed the ninety-ninth round of standard practice, Xu Wuyi wasn't as tired as he usually was; his mind remained steady.

He effortlessly controlled his body, perfectly executing the one-hundredth cycle of movements.

He concluded the form, holding the final pose.

[Standard Practice completed today: 100]

[Practice a technique one hundred times, and its meaning will become clear!]

[One hundred effective practice sessions completed today. Rewarded with one instance of "Enlightenment."]

'It's here!'

The instant the notification appeared, that familiar torrent of insight once again swept through his sea of consciousness!

But this time, under the combined effects of the anchoring power of the "True Intention of Martial Arts: Mountain" and the "Temporary Comprehension +50%" bonus, the torrent was far more manageable, yet also far more vast!

In that instant, every detail, every point of confusion from the past several months—no, from the past three years of practicing the *Basic Body Refining Technique*—along with the entire foundation he had painstakingly built, was mobilized and synthesized.

The bottleneck that had held him back for so long shattered under this powerful surge of Comprehension, emitting a crack as if it were being overwhelmed.

"CRACK—"

It was as if something inside him had shattered, or as if he had pushed open a great, dust-sealed door.

His surging Qi and Blood instantly broke through their shackles. The pathways of circulation seemed to widen, and an unprecedented sense of power flooded every inch of his body!

In his sea of consciousness, the Bronze Ancient Scroll shimmered with light as the text upon it suddenly changed:

[Martial Arts Diligence Record]

Martial Arts: Basic Body Refining Technique

Current Realm: Minor Achievement (0.1%)

Martial Arts Traits: Locked

Evaluation: Profound foundation, abundant Qi and Blood.

'I broke through!'

Xu Wuyi stood still, feeling the unending surge of Qi and Blood within him as an ineffable exhilaration washed over his heart.

'The *Basic Body Refining Technique* at the Minor Success Realm!'

For a high school student to cultivate the *Basic Body Refining Technique* to Minor Achievement was exceedingly rare.

Those with insufficient talent could never reach this stage, while true geniuses would have long since acquired better Martial Arts to build their foundations.

No fool would spend their days practicing the *Basic Body Refining Technique* over and over again.

But Xu Wuyi had no choice. The *Basic Body Refining Technique* was the best Martial Arts he had access to, and it was also the only one recognized by the [Martial Arts Diligence Record].

'At this rate, my Life Energy Level will probably break through 11 soon, maybe even higher...'

He glanced at the time. The high-intensity practice session, combined with the Enlightenment, had taken just over four hours in total.

The efficiency was frighteningly high.

Although the effects of the Temporary Comprehension Bonus had faded, the improvements from breaking through to the Minor Success Realm were a tangible gain that remained with him.

An intense wave of fatigue and hunger gradually washed over him.

Xu Wuyi knew the fatigue from a hundred repetitions hadn't vanished—it had merely been delayed. He had to stop practicing for the day; overexerting himself would only damage his foundation.

He slowly concluded his practice and dragged his exhausted yet powerful body toward the bathroom.

The hot water sluiced over his body, washing away his fatigue and gradually calming his racing heart.

...

「Meanwhile, in a private training space on the Star Martial Battle Network.」

On a simulated, open training ground, three figures were sparring.

They were Zeng Bonan, Hu Haobo, and Liu Jing.

As the first students in Class One to reach Life Energy Level 10.0 and gain access to the Star Martial Battle Network, the three of them had naturally formed a group and often sparred together.

Hu Haobo's Life Energy Level had only recently surpassed 10.0. He had a lean, powerful build, a sharp gaze, and a chillingly ruthless expression.

He specialized in a C-level Palm Technique, the *Stone Splitting Palm*, which was known for its fierce and powerful techniques that aimed to defeat an opponent in a single strike.

This was unusual. Typically, high school students would only learn a single D-level Martial Arts for combat practice in addition to the *Basic Body Refining Technique*.

Only those with extreme confidence in their own Comprehension and talent chose to learn C-level Martial Arts, hoping to score higher in the combat portion of the college entrance exam.

At that moment, Hu Haobo was sparring with Zeng Bonan.

"Hah!"

With a sharp exhalation, Hu Haobo thrust a simple, unadorned palm straight at Zeng Bonan's face. The wind from the strike was fierce, carrying a sensation like tearing air.

Zeng Bonan's expression remained unchanged as he countered with the same steady and solid *Basic Body Refining Technique*. With a quick shift of his feet and a slight turn of his body, he evaded the brunt of the attack while precisely blocking his opponent's wrist with his forearm.

WHAM!

As their Power clashed, Hu Haobo felt his palm strike what seemed like a sheet of tough leather; the force of his blow was skillfully deflected.

He snorted coldly and transitioned with incredible speed. His palm dropped, morphing into a claw that jabbed toward Zeng Bonan's ribs from a vicious and tricky angle.

Zeng Bonan remained unruffled. Generating power from his core, he pivoted slightly like an immovable rock while his other hand shot out like lightning, precisely striking Hu Haobo's elbow joint.

A numbing sensation shot through Hu Haobo's arm, and his assault was thwarted once more.

A flicker of impatience crossed his face. His attacks grew more ferocious, shifting between fists, palms, fingers, and claws as he unleashed the full, ruthless essence of the *Stone Splitting Palm*. Every strike was aimed at Zeng Bonan's vital points.

However, Zeng Bonan was like a true reef in the ocean—no matter how the wind and waves battered him, he remained utterly unmoved.

His movements were always perfectly standard, concise, and effective. He could always neutralize Hu Haobo's attacks with minimal effort.

In his hands, the *Basic Body Refining Technique* no longer seemed like a simple Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, but a powerful Martial Technique, equally proficient in both offense and defense.

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