High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Golden Jade Skills

Luo Liang issued a challenge.

The message, a mix of classical and modern prose, stated that he had long heard of their exceptional performance in the new student challenges and greatly admired them. He was therefore issuing a public challenge in the hopes of mutual improvement.

Despite the polite language, the aggressive intent of the challenge was unmistakable.

”Tsk.” Xu Wuyi merely glanced at it before closing the post.

Almost simultaneously, a communication request from Shen Wei popped up. The moment it connected, his signature booming voice echoed, ”Holy crap! Xu Wuyi, did you see? That Luo kid actually made his move! And he’s challenging both you and Li Hao? Why doesn’t he go after Qin Rui? Does he really think you two are pushovers?!”

On the communication screen, it wasn’t just Shen Wei; the virtual projections of Yu Peiling, Xu Zhi, and Zeng Bonan were also present, apparently gathered in a private area on the Battle Network.

”Perhaps he thinks Qin Rui is too tough to mess with,” Yu Peiling said, her tone tinged with amusement. ”After all, Qin Rui has the biggest reputation, is a Central Province local, and I hear his Life Energy Level has even reached 19.”

”By contrast, Xu Wuyi from Dongjiang and Li Hao from the outskirts of the Southern Domain seem like more ’suitable’ targets for a challenge.”

Two months into the semester, details about Li Hao’s supposedly mysterious background had gradually come to light.

It could hardly be called mysterious; he came from a small, remote province in the Southern Domain, the kind of genius that only appeared in the area once every decade or so.

The region was just so remote that hardly anyone had paid him any mind before.

”I say he’s just got a death wish!” Shen Wei snorted. ”Does he really think clearing the new student challenge was a fluke? When he actually faces Xu Wuyi, he’ll find out what a real gap in power looks like.”

Xu Zhi was more level-headed, offering his analysis. ”Luo Liang is the standout of his generation in the Xingjing Luo Family. He’s proud and arrogant.”

”He held the number-one rank for two straight months by gaming the points system. He probably feels he’s built up enough of a reputation and that it’s time to challenge the true top echelon to establish his dominance. Choosing Xu Wuyi and Li Hao was almost certainly a calculated move.”

Since the student rankings were only for reference and the school didn’t even publish a full list—students could only see their own rank—Luo Liang had to resort to this method to make a name for himself.

Zeng Bonan added in a low voice, ”The internal network is buzzing right now. A lot of people are talking, eager to see who’s stronger—him, the supposed ’number one,’ or you guys who were at the top of the new student challenge.”

Xu Wuyi listened to their discussion, his expression calm. He smiled faintly and said, ”It’s been two months. Everyone is improving. If he wants a challenge, I’ll give him one.”

...

Luo Liang’s challenge caused a huge stir on the internal network.

Threads filled with curiosity, speculation, betting, and analysis appeared one after another.

Most new students were just there for the show, eager to see what kind of sparks would fly from this clash between the established top dogs and the new contender.

However, before Xu Wuyi had even responded, a rather unexpected piece of news began to spread the very next day.

Luo Liang and Li Hao had engaged in a public duel in the Battle Network arena!

The news spread as if it had wings.

When Xu Wuyi finished his morning training and turned on his communicator, his screen was already flooded with information about it.

Shen Wei had even sent him a recording of the duel, accompanied by a string of exclamation marks.

”Quick, look! Li Hao took action! But... he lost!”

Xu Wuyi played the recording.

The fight took place on a standard arena map.

Li Hao’s figure moved like a phantom, leaving countless afterimages across the field.

Xu Wuyi had heard that Li Hao practiced a B-level Body Technique that made him incredibly fast. It was precisely this advantage that had allowed him to achieve such outstanding results during the new student challenges.

He wielded a dark Curved Saber in each hand, his attacks tricky and vicious, aimed exclusively at vital points like the joints and throat. It was a classic assassin’s approach, executed with incredible speed.

His opponent, Luo Liang, was a tall, straight-backed young man with a disdainful look on his face.

Facing Li Hao’s storm of attacks, he didn’t dodge or evade, merely raising his hands, which were clad in Gloves.

Just as Li Hao’s Curved Sabers were about to strike his body, a strange luster suddenly bloomed across the surface of Luo Liang’s skin. It was neither gold nor jade, yet it gave off an impression of immense durability.

CLANG! CLANG CLANG!

Li Hao’s Curved Sabers slashed against Luo Liang’s arms and chest, erupting with the sound of striking metal and sending sparks flying!

Yet on Luo Liang’s skin, only faint white marks remained; the blades hadn’t even broken the skin.

’That defense...’ Xu Wuyi’s eyes narrowed.

In the recording, Li Hao was clearly stunned, his movements faltering for an instant.

Luo Liang seized the fleeting opportunity. With a loud laugh, his fist—glowing with that same golden-jade luster—shot out like a battering ram. The move was simple and crude, yet it carried overwhelming power.

Although Li Hao used his superb Body Technique to desperately evade, he was still caught by the edge of the punch’s shockwave. His Protective Qi and Blood shattered instantly, and he was sent flying backward, ruled as defeated.

The fight was over quickly. Less than three minutes passed from the start to Li Hao’s defeat.

The recording caused an even greater uproar on the internal network.

Li Hao’s speed and assassination techniques were startling, but Luo Liang’s terrifying, impenetrable defense was even more suffocating to watch.

Furthermore, the Life Energy Levels the two had displayed in the arena were also revealed by observant onlookers.

Li Hao’s was 17.6, placing him in the upper tier of the current first-years, but still within the category of a normal Genius.

But Luo Liang’s was a shocking 18.9!

This was far higher than most had estimated; he was barely a step behind Qin Rui, who was rumored to have the highest level.

Instantly, the tide of opinion on the internal network began to shift. Many people who had been optimistic about Xu Wuyi’s chances now fell silent.

If Li Hao’s dual sabers couldn’t break his defense, could Xu Wuyi’s spear?

What’s more, Luo Liang also had the advantage in terms of Life Energy Level.

Now everyone understood why he had avoided Qin Rui to challenge Xu Wuyi and Li Hao first.

It wasn’t just because Qin Rui’s Life Energy Level was high, but also because Qin Rui specialized in Swordsmanship. His offensive power was immense, giving him a better chance of piercing Luo Liang’s defense.

In contrast, Xu Wuyi was known for his defense, and Li Hao specialized in striking vital points. Their direct offensive power was clearly inferior to Qin Rui’s.

After all, the one thing assassins feared most was his type of flawless, ”iron-skinned” opponent.

Xu Wuyi’s communicator began ringing incessantly with new requests. Most were from people wanting to share the news or gauge his reaction.

Xu Wuyi ignored the inquiries and accepted the call from his small group.

On screen, his friends’ expressions were much more somber than they had been the day before.

”I didn’t expect Li Hao to lose so quickly...” Yu Peiling’s brow furrowed. ”He specializes in his Body Technique, but his strength can’t be weak. To think he couldn’t even get past Luo Liang’s defense.”

Shen Wei had lost his earlier scorn, his tone now somber. ”18.9... That bastard was hiding his true strength! And that body-hardening skill is insane. He can really block weapons with his bare skin?”

Xu Zhi, who had been silent, finally spoke, a trace of uncertainty in his voice. ”Did you guys notice the characteristics when he activated his skill? His skin took on a golden-jade luster, and it was indestructible...”

”It’s very similar to a rare martial art recorded in my family’s old texts.”

”What martial art?” Several of them asked in unison, turning to him.

Xu Zhi took a deep breath and slowly uttered three words: ”Golden Jade Skills.”