High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 229: Chapter 157: Protective Sword Imprint, Flying Star Achieved

”Even at the same cultivation level, it doesn’t matter how fast you are. Once you’re caught in a powerful trapping domain, you become like a dragon stranded in shallow waters—unable to bring your full strength to bear.”

He paused, and seeing Li Wen’s pensive expression, he elaborated:

”A domain’s effectiveness is directly tied to the caster’s level of skill. If the one casting the domain has a much lower skill level than the one being trapped, the domain will be torn apart or weakened to the point of being useless.

But if the reverse is true, and the caster’s skill level far surpasses their target, the domain’s power will be amplified immensely. Anyone caught inside will struggle even to breathe, let alone use their speed to their advantage.”

”That Demon Race King-level expert was already at a higher level than Meteor Marquis. Under the terrifying suppression of the ’Heaven-Encompassing Forbidden Area,’

even with the unparalleled speed granted by the Ninth Heaven of his Nine Heavens Divine Body, Meteor Marquis was like a bird trapped in a bog, unable to spread its wings.”

the principal concluded, his tone grave.

Li Wen fell silent for a moment, his expression growing solemn.

Any lingering joy from his breakthrough to the Ninth Heaven was washed away by this grim tale from history.

He completely understood the principal’s intent.

”I see. Domain suppression... It really is an inescapable trap. Thank you for the warning, Principal. I will be far more cautious from now on.”

’He knew exactly what the principal was getting at. By revealing the potential of his Nine Heavens Divine Body at the Ninth Heaven, his value to the Human Race was now limitless, and the threat he posed to the Demon Race was immense. They would surely try to assassinate him, no matter the cost.’

’Before, my talent might have only warranted high-level assassins. But now? It’s enough for the Demon Race to deploy their true trump cards and most precious resources.’

”It’s good that you understand the stakes.”

The principal watched the doubt in Li Wen’s eyes vanish, replaced by a profound wariness, and nodded in satisfaction.

The purpose of this summons was less for congratulations and more for a stern warning.

Seeing how quickly Li Wen grasped the situation, his perceptiveness and composure gave the principal even greater hope.

”Reaching the Ninth Heaven is a monumental achievement, but it also means you’re entering an even more perilous stage. Don’t be too conspicuous. Hide your strengths, act cautiously, and you will endure.”

”I will remember your teachings!” Li Wen promised solemnly.

Afterward, the principal asked about Li Wen’s insights from the breakthrough and the current condition of his Divine Body. Li Wen answered each question, and the two chatted for a bit longer, sharing thoughts on cultivation.

After a short while, Li Wen noticed the principal seemed to have other matters to attend to, so he rose to take his leave.

”If you have no other instructions, Principal, I will take my leave.”

The principal nodded slightly. ”Go on. Consolidate your gains. You have a long road ahead of you.”

Li Wen bowed again, then turned and started down the small path leading away from the peak.

The moment he turned to leave, an almost imperceptible glint flashed in the seated principal’s eyes.

His left hand, resting beneath the stone table, casually flicked a finger.

HUM!

An unusual fluctuation, so faint it was nearly imperceptible, instantly condensed in the air to form a mark.

A completely transparent, sword-shaped sigil smaller than a fingertip shot forward at a speed beyond the limits of perception, silently imprinting itself onto the back of Li Wen’s neck.

The moment the sigil touched his skin, it vanished like a water droplet absorbed by a sponge, leaving no trace, not even the faintest ripple.

It penetrated and merged completely. It wasn’t merely attached; it was embedded in the deepest layer of his life force, vanishing entirely as if it had never been there.

Miraculously, Li Wen, who was steadily making his way down the mountain, felt nothing at all.

He was still lost in thought, mulling over the conversation about domains and assassination.

He was completely unaware that in the moment he left the cliff, the principal had used his incredible power to secretly place an invisible protective talisman on him.

...

More than three months had passed since Li Wen’s Nine Heavens Divine Body had broken through to the Ninth Heaven.

「Early morning, December 28th, Year 227 of the Galactic Calendar.」

Li Wen awoke from a deep meditation, his mind clear.

As was his daily routine, he habitually summoned his information panel. A screen of light unfolded silently before him:

[Name: Li Wen]

[Age: 20]

[Level: Advanced Super Martial Artist (29.9)]

[Class: Scholar Lv. 12 (48,960 → 108,000 / 204,800)]

[Skills: Saber Technique - Intent (74%), Dawn Five Forms (Instant Rainbow Form 100%, Silent Rainbow Form 100%, Mountain-Toppling Form 100%, Celestial Gap Form 70%)]

[Cultivation Techniques: Nine Heavens Divine Body - Ninth Layer (100%), Shocking God Stab - 3rd Layer (100%)]

”The Ninth Layer is complete. I’ve finally reached this point.”

Li Wen muttered to himself, his gaze lingering on the line that read ”Nine Heavens Divine Body - Ninth Layer (100%)” as the feeling in his heart solidified into certainty.

The ”100%” marker after ”Nine Heavens Divine Body” was perfectly clear, a testament to the blood and sweat he had poured into it for the past three months.

Theoretically, with Li Wen’s terrifying comprehension and efficiency, it should have only taken him a month and a half to go from entering the Ninth Layer to reaching the ”Great Perfection” described in the classic texts.

And that had been the case, at first. His initial cultivation had progressed with unstoppable momentum, and he reached 99% in just one month.

However, that final 1% proved to be an insurmountable chasm that stalled his progress for two whole months.

During that time, Li Wen had consulted all the records on the Ninth Layer of the Nine Heavens Divine Body in the archives of Nine Heavens Peak, and even those in the greater collection of Spark University.

Every text clearly stated that the state he had achieved at 99% was the pinnacle of perfection, with no further progress possible.

But this directly contradicted the clear indicator on his panel, which showed he was still 1% away from 100%.

’Was the panel wrong, or was there a blind spot in the entire cultivation world’s understanding?’

In the end, Li Wen chose to trust the panel. It had been his most reliable guide since he’d been transmigrated.

He didn’t rush to break through with his Ninth Layer Nine Heavens Divine Body at 99%. Instead, he continued to draw down lightning to temper his body, continuously seeking insights and making adjustments, striving for perfection with an almost paranoid focus.