High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Transformation! First Understanding of the Unity of Heaven and Man

After breaking through level 20, all living beings' mental powers reach an astonishing level of perception of both themselves and the outside world. This heightened mental strength allows Source Martial Artists to perceive their entire bodies more acutely, achieving a profound sense of inner awareness.

Mental and life levels form the foundation. The stronger the foundation, the easier it is to understand and master techniques.

What about Li Yuan?

His mental power is as high as 24.8, comparable to an intermediate Source Martial Artist. More importantly, his skills are already extremely advanced. Guided by Dean Hai to cultivate the "Star Intent" and repeatedly witnessing Dean Li and Dean Xu's demonstrations of the "Unity of Heaven and Man," he has gained a certain understanding of the concept but has yet to break through completely.

Inner awareness and total control over the body's minutest forces are already an extreme form of physical skill, almost impossible to surpass. The next level is where technique approaches the Dao, seeking the mysterious and profound wonders of nature—this is the "Unity of Heaven and Man," which requires not just physical talent but also a kind of spiritual insight.

In the half month since returning to Jiangcheng, Li Yuan's mind has been repeatedly and intensely impacted, experiencing more complex changes than in his entire months at university. The Fish Spirit Tide brought unprecedented destruction to Jiangcheng. Patrolling the city at night, fighting life-and-death battles with second-tier aliens, and his teacher's final moments, entrusting his child to him—all these events have deeply affected 18-year-old Li Yuan.

A person's talent is divided into innate and acquired. Innate talent is fixed, but acquired talent is shaped by countless experiences. Many people, despite ordinary talent, achieve great things through the tempering of life's experiences. Life experiences are crucial.

Li Yuan's natural talent is already very high. His experiences since middle school have gradually honed his mind, allowing him to make rapid breakthroughs. Even without the "Divine Palace," his physical progress before becoming a Source Martial Artist would have been slow, but his skill development would still have been fast, potentially soaring to great heights by his thirties or forties. However, that would be a different path.

In reality, with the help of the Divine Palace, Li Yuan's transformation speed has been more than ten times faster than normal cultivation, with all kinds of accumulations occurring much quicker.

Until today.

After returning from the award ceremony for the "First-Class Silver Medal," sitting on the rooftop and quietly observing the peaceful city and countryside under the starry sky, Li Yuan's mind gradually entered a unique state. He vaguely sensed the profound mysteries of the vast universe and his own insignificance.

"Heaven and Earth and I," Li Yuan's mind completely immersed, his heartbeat slowing down, entering a state of 'self-forgetfulness.'

Gradually, countless insights from the Star Intent" flooded his mind. Li Yuan felt as if he had become an ordinary star in the vast starry sky—immense and boundless, yet insignificantly small in the grand cosmos, like dust.

This stark contrast of grandeur and insignificance created a fascinating unity.

"The universe is vast, and compared to it, even towering stars are like tiny specks of dust."

"As Dean Hai said, even flying martial artists, who can move mountains and control seas, are merely larger ants in the grand scheme."

"The vastness of the universe is worth pursuing for a lifetime." Li Yuan sat quietly, countless thoughts and insights flowing.

This was an enlightenment, a transformation of the mind. In this special environment, Li Yuan's mind and the surrounding world achieved a perfect union.

"However."

"The vastness of the universe doesn't change who I am. Human civilization's spark may be a fleeting flame in the cosmos."

"Large stars may be cosmic dust."

"But I have my own will. Though small, it will shine brightly." Li Yuan felt all of this quietly.

In his mental world, the star he had become grew more radiant, more dazzling.

No matter how vast the starry sky, it couldn't block his light.

"Star Intent," second level—"Stardust."

Simultaneously.

Silently, Li Yuan's mind seemed to detach from his body, entering the vast expanse of the world... the Unity of Heaven and Man.

The union is not of the body but of the mind.

The mind is as vast as the world. Only a strong enough mind can travel far.

In an instant, as Li Yuan's mind united with the world.

A silent force from the world's essence nourished Li Yuan's mind, rapidly transforming his mental and spiritual consciousness.

"My mind," Li Yuan felt incredibly comfortable, his mental power continuously transforming.

Mental power is the soul.

The growth of the soul mainly relies on the body's nourishment, but once a technique reaches the level of the Unity of Heaven and Man, the vast world can also nurture the soul.

Mental power and skills are complementary, neither solely achieving the other.

Even more.

In Li Yuan's special state of mental transformation, his mind instinctively guided his star meridian to operate, drawing a large amount of source power into his body, continuously transforming his physical constitution.

...

That night passed quickly for Li Yuan.

When he emerged from that special state, his entire demeanor had subtly changed.

In the distance, a hint of dawn appeared on the horizon.

"My mind?" Li Yuan opened his eyes, noticing a subtle change in his vision, the world appearing more vibrant and lively.

The entire world seemed to come alive.

"My mental power and body?" Li Yuan, slightly dazed, instinctively looked at his Divine Palace interface.

—— Life Level: 16.5 (First Tier)

Punch Strength: 21,800 kg

Speed: 66.2 m/s

Mental Power: 26.6

Willpower: 30

Spiritual Awakening Degree: 25.4% (Current Limit 30%)

Star Meridian: Level 10

Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Level 4, 99%),Movement Technique (Level 5, 1%), Fist (Perfection) (The rock fist technique is mastered it cannot be improved further. Dont know just read some comments on qidian)——

Staring at the changes in his Divine Palace interface, Li Yuan was stunned for a long time.

"This is the Unity of Heaven and Man?"

"They say once a skill reaches level five, one can become a Source Martial Artist within a year. I didn't believe it before, but now..." Li Yuan felt incredulous.

In just one night, his life level increased by 0.4! His mental power surged over 1 level. Even his mental willpower unknowingly reached level 30, the level of a flying martial artist.

Although this was because Li Yuan's first experience of the Unity of Heaven and Man was like the first activation of his star veins, where the initial nourishment by the world's force had an excellent effect.

But the results were still astonishing.

It was foreseeable that in the upcoming time, Li Yuan's body and mental power would grow at an even more exaggerated speed.

"The Fist technique has reached perfection, representing my ultimate control over my body." Li Yuan closed his eyes, feeling that every minute force in his body was perfectly harmonized.

There were no more obstacles.

Even his mind could easily extend outside, sensing the profound mysteries of the surrounding world.

His skill level had approached the Dao!

At just eighteen, Li Yuan's skill level was already moving in that direction.

"Eighteen years and four months."

"Level five, the Unity of Heaven and Man." Li Yuan continued to sit on the rooftop, gazing at the strands of light on the horizon. "This level, in the history of human civilization, should be considered extremely fast."

Perhaps there were more monstrous talents like Fang Hai, who achieved the Unity of Heaven and Man at sixteen.

But those were exceptions, rare even in human history.

Moreover, compared to Fang Hai's two-year journey from level four to level five... Li Yuan's eighteen-month journey from level three to level five was even more astonishing.

"Unfortunately."

"My teacher couldn't witness this moment." Li Yuan's heart dimmed slightly. "If my teacher knew, he would be very happy."

That night, during the fierce battle with the second-tier alien alongside his teacher, Li Yuan could feel his teacher's extreme joy and excitement.

A master's greatest expectation is for their disciple to surpass them.

"Teacher."

"I will carry your hope to the pinnacle of the Global Martial Arts Tournament." Li Yuan's eyes shone brightly, facing the dawn. "And one day, I will stand at the summit of human civilization's martial arts."

Chasing the peak of martial arts.

This was Li Yuan's desire.

...

Having just reached the Unity of Heaven and Man, Li Yuan didn't rush to tell anyone. Instead, he returned to his underground martial arts room.

The lights were bright.

"Black Star Spear." Li Yuan grasped his weapon, silently feeling the force within.

Whoosh!

The spear moved, and Li Yuan once again practiced his Starry Spear Technique. The movements were continuous and magnificent.

It seemed unchanged from before.

However, if an expert with deep awareness observed, they would be astonished to find that Li Yuan's spear technique now had a special rhythm.

It was as if—the spear had gained a spirit!

"The Star Intent."

"This is the true Intent of the Stars." Li Yuan practiced repeatedly, trying to integrate his insights into the Starry Spear Technique.

Once skill reaches near the Dao, the differences in techniques and weapons become negligible.

The five major killing moves of the Starry Spear Technique were already versatile enough for use.

The "Star Intent" focuses more on a sense of 'intent,' a feeling of harmony with the universe.

However!

Even as Li Yuan practiced repeatedly, making his spear techniques significantly more powerful, the Divine Palace still showed his spear technique stuck at level four, 99%.

"Just practicing might not be enough. I should test it in battle." Li Yuan thought.

Entering the rest room, he got into the virtual network pod.

Logging into the Starry Sky Combat Network.

...

"Master, it's been a while since you came." The fairy-like girl fluttered, her voice excited.

"It has been a while." Li Yuan smiled faintly.

Since achieving deep awareness, his time battling on the Starry Combat Network had significantly decreased.

He only logged in occasionally when he felt like having a few ranked matches.

"Beep~" Li Yuan checked his rank data: Ranked Matches: Eclipse Rank. Points: 784 (1000 points to qualify for a promotion match) Ranked Win Rate: 69% ...

"Ranked Match." Li Yuan clicked to start a ranked match, seeking a worthy opponent to test his thoughts.

Only twenty seconds later.

"Match found." The system prompted.

"This time was quick; I thought it would take a few minutes." Li Yuan grinned.

...

Time flew by, match after match. Facing numerous experts with deep awareness, Li Yuan effortlessly won each battle.

Victory! Victory! Victory!

He was unstoppable!

Though his spear technique seemed stuck at level four, 99%, his level five movement skills made him nearly invincible in the Eclipse rank.

Today.

Perhaps guided by fate, Li Yuan's matches went exceptionally smoothly.

He felt more and more in sync as he fought.

In an hour, he won fourteen matches. His spear technique grew sharper, faster, more ferocious.

Finally.

In the fifteenth match, the system matched him against a "Transcendent Rank" super expert, a true level five master.

This match was entirely one-sided.

Li Yuan struggled to defend against the opponent's sword with his spear. If not for his level five movement skills, he would have been defeated long ago.

"Hmm?"

As another sword strike flashed, Li Yuan could no longer block it. Instinctively, his spear suddenly surged, vaguely drawing a mysterious force from the universe.

The spear's speed soared.

Clang! The spear clashed with the sword, and Li Yuan was forced back.

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment.

Then, another blade light cut through, and the dazed Li Yuan vanished into nothingness.

However.

Just before disappearing, Li Yuan's face showed a slight smile, his mouth opening as if to say 'thank you.'

In Li Yuan's Divine Palace interface, a new prompt appeared: "Your spear technique has advanced from level four, 99% to level five, 1%."

...

As Li Yuan finished this match.

"Important notification."

"Li Yuan, from China, aged 18, in his latest virtual battle, his spear technique drew upon 'heavenly force,' suggesting his skill level has reached level five." A message from the Starry Sky Combat Network's intelligent system was sent.

As an S-level key message, it was directly relayed to Starlight Martial Hall, Starry Sky Martial Hall, and China's Martial Arts Bureau.