High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 379: Chapter 219: The Scholar’s Judgment

His name was Chen Yanqiu, a former physics professor at an ordinary university in Jiangnan Province.

Though he had been retired for many years, he had devoted his life to studying the essence of energy and the relationship between space and speed.

Even though he was long removed from his teaching position, the pursuit of knowledge was in his very bones.

Browsing the Firewood Library every evening for the latest cutting-edge papers was an unbreakable habit of his.

On the screen, the Firewood Library’s interface was clean and professional.

Professor Chen’s gaze drifted over the ”newly published” section.

Suddenly, a title and a name—both familiar and yet strange—caught his eye: On the Essence of Speed and Will Breakthrough, by Li Wen.

”Li Wen?” Professor Chen pushed up his glasses, a hint of confusion on his face.

’Could that be the new Changning King, Li Wen? Rumor has it his skill with a blade is divine, that he’s slain countless demons... But a research paper...?’

He shook his head slightly, subconsciously dismissing the connection.

’A Titled King is an incredibly revered figure, managing countless affairs daily. They barely have enough time for their own cultivation, so how could one possibly have the time to write an academic paper that requires such a deep theoretical foundation and long-term study? It must be a scholar with the same name.’

In the fortress cities of the Human Race, while the name ”Li Wen” had become famous because of the Changning King, it was hardly unique.

With a flicker of curiosity, he clicked on the paper and entered preview mode.

The opening introduction was concise yet profound, directly addressing the core role of speed in Martial Dao cultivation and even within the Laws of the universe.

After just a few paragraphs, Professor Chen’s finger slowed its scroll across the screen.

His brow furrowed slightly as he leaned forward unconsciously, his gaze locked on the text and the derived formulas.

The paper wasn’t just a pile of obscure jargon; instead, it used clear, fluid language combined with the practical experience of Martial Dao cultivation.

It offered a deep analysis of the physical essence of speed, the amplifying effect of willpower on energy manipulation, and the synergistic action between the two when breaking through the bottlenecks of a Martial Arts Realm.

Some of its bold hypotheses—regarding the micro-level description of energy particles in extreme motion and the influence of a ”will-field” on one’s perception of spacetime—made even Chen Yanqiu, a man steeped in this field for decades, feel a profound shock.

”Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” Professor Chen couldn’t help but exclaim in a low voice, his thin fingers tapping excitedly on the screen.

”To combine the macro-level Martial Arts Realm with micro-level physical models so exquisitely! The logic of the arguments, the groundbreaking perspective... it’s a complete revelation!

Whoever wrote this is no ordinary person. They must be a great scholar with profound achievements in speed-related fields, someone who has dedicated many years to quiet research!”

The end of the preview left him wanting more, and a powerful desire to see the complete work surged within him.

Without hesitation, he clicked to purchase and download, paying the required fee.

The paper’s complete contents loaded in an instant.

Feeling as though he’d found a priceless treasure, Professor Chen eagerly immersed himself in the text, poring over it word by word.

He would nod at times, then fall into deep thought, his eyes glinting with a ravenous thirst for knowledge.

Almost at the very instant Chen Yanqiu clicked to purchase.

「Changning City. Atop the tallest watchtower.」

Li Wen, clad in a black combat uniform, was leaning against the railing and gazing into the distance.

His gaze pierced the phantom of the Demon Realm that shrouded the sky as he pondered how to acquire scholar experience and what exactly defined the ”Scholar” identity.

His mind was buzzing with activity, various plans and validation strategies swirling through his thoughts.

Suddenly, he felt a stir and submerged his consciousness into the depths of his mind.

The familiar, translucent panel materialized, and two new, unmistakable messages popped up:

[Your published paper has been purchased and downloaded. Scholar EXP +1]

[Profession: Scholar Lv. 16 (86 → 87/3,276,800)]

”Hm?” Li Wen’s focus sharpened, a glint in his eyes.

’Someone who meets the requirements already purchased and downloaded it?’

The two copies his parents purchased had already been identified by the system as invalid sources.

But the EXP from this third buyer was accepted by the system!

’While one point of EXP is just a drop in the bucket, this proves I’m on the right track.’

Li Wen felt a flicker of joy, but it was followed by a deeper curiosity.

’The key is how the system defines a ’Scholar’. Is it a professional title? A certain level of academic achievement? Or the relevance of their research field?’

Waiting for random buyers to solve this mystery was too slow.

Li Wen’s gaze hardened. He made a decision in an instant.

As a newly Titled King of the Human Race, his status as the Changning King came with extremely high-level privileges.

He decided to make use of that privilege.

With a flicker of his will, a specific, encrypted communication interface appeared on the miniature communicator on Li Wen’s wrist.

He directly dialed the private line of the Firewood Library’s highest-ranking director.

...

「Firewood Library Headquarters. In the largest office on the top floor.」

Director Wang Kang was buried in a mountain of documents and data reports.

His fingers flew, switching rapidly between several screens.

He was handling the library’s complex affairs, from daily operations and copyright reviews to the promotion of high-value papers.

Though it was nearly midnight, the office was still brightly lit.

Suddenly, a unique, low-pitched hum sounded—a tone unlike any from his regular communicator.

Wang Kang’s fingers froze. He snapped his head up, his expression turning grave.

That ringtone... It was for a special, secure line that only a handful of the Human Race’s top leaders and important figures like Venerables and Titled Kings could dial directly!

He immediately dropped everything, straightened his posture, took a deep breath, and quickly answered the call.

The screen displayed an encrypted communication ID, but he knew who it was—someone with authority high enough to connect directly to his private, top-floor line.

”Hello. This is the Firewood Library headquarters. I’m Director Wang Kang.”

His voice carried a deep, genuine respect, along with a barely perceptible trace of nervousness.

A young but steady and powerful voice, carrying an unseen authority, came from the other end of the line:

”Director Wang Kang, this is Li Wen.”

Wang Kang’s heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

The Changning King, Li Wen!

The Human Race’s most brilliant young Titled King!

He hurriedly replied, ”Changning King! Please, give me your instructions!”

Li Wen’s voice was clear and direct:

”I need your assistance with something. I just published a paper on the library’s platform, On the Essence of Speed and Will Breakthrough.

I need to see the detailed identity records of all users who have purchased and downloaded this paper since its publication. And I need it fast.”

”Yes, sir! One moment!” Wang Kang didn’t hesitate for a second. A request from a Titled King was the highest possible directive.

He immediately turned and began working rapidly on the main administrative screen of his console.

Using the library’s highest administrative privileges, he instantly pulled up all the backend data for the paper.

He confirmed, speaking quickly:

”Changning King, I have the data. Since publication, your paper has a total of three valid purchase and download records.

Shall I transmit the complete files on all three buyers to you, including their identity, professional history, and research fields?”

”Transmit them,” Li Wen said simply.

”Understood! The encrypted file has been sent. Please confirm receipt.” Wang Kang’s movements were swift, and the operation was complete in seconds.

”Efficient. Good work,” Li Wen’s voice softened slightly.

”It is my honor to be of service! If there is anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask!” Wang Kang replied respectfully.

The call ended.

The entire exchange was highly efficient, lasting less than a minute.

The communicator on Li Wen’s wrist flashed, and the encrypted file arrived.

He immediately opened it.

Li Wen’s eyes scanned the file quickly.

The first two records were clear and explicit: Changning City, Li Hong, Wang Juan. His parents.

His gaze fell on the third record:

User ID: ChenYQ007_JS

Name: Chen Yanqiu

Identity Information: Resident of Jiangnan Province, West District. Former Professor of Physics at Jiangnan University of Science and Technology (ordinary institution), now retired.

Research Fields: Classical Mechanics, Theoretical Physics (with a focus on energy dynamics and spacetime relationships), previously conducted long-term research on energy dissipation models for high-speed objects...

The purchase time, precise to the second, perfectly matched the moment Li Wen received the EXP notification.

IP Address: XX Street, West District, Jiangnan Province

The information was incredibly detailed.

’Chen Yanqiu... a retired physics professor... and his research fields are energy, speed, and spacetime...’

Li Wen mused to himself, the corner of his mouth curving into a knowing smile.

’Just as I thought. It seems the system’s criteria favor professionals with a formal research background in a relevant discipline and a sufficient depth of knowledge.

People like university professors and researchers—true ’Scholars’. Professional titles and past research experience are the key indicators.’

Whether the relevance of their research field was also a weighted factor would require more samples to confirm.

But at the very least, the core profile of a ”Scholar” was now clear.

’As long as more experts who fit this definition of a ’Scholar’ purchase the paper, the continued increase in EXP will confirm it.’

Li Wen felt reassured; his earlier speculation had been preliminarily confirmed.

He closed the communicator panel, and his figure vanished silently from the top of the watchtower, melting into the city’s nightscape.

The next step was to figure out how to get his paper seen and recognized by more true scholars.

...

「Meanwhile, in a courtyard in the West District of Jiangnan Province.」

Professor Chen Yanqiu finally looked up from the screen and let out a long breath, his face flushed with a mixture of shock and deep satisfaction.

He took off his reading glasses and rubbed his weary eyes, but the excited gleam in them hadn’t faded in the slightest.

”Genius! This is the work of a true genius!” He couldn’t help but slap the table.

”To so clearly elucidate the essence of speed, and to take a seemingly metaphysical power like the Martial Arts Will,

and explain its ability to leverage energy and the Laws using something akin to a physics model!

Especially the hypothesis of ’Will-Resonance Enhanced Directional Particle Energy-Level Transition’—it’s opened up a whole new door!

This scholar, ’Li Wen,’ is an absolute, reclusive master of the field!”

In his excitement, Professor Chen immediately thought of several of his old friends, all accomplished figures in the world of physics or related interdisciplinary fields.

”No! A paper this exquisite can’t be kept to myself! If Old Hu and Old Ma miss out on this, they’ll have my hide!”

He immediately put his glasses back on, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened his contact list.