Perched atop two smooth, massive stones in the stone forest, Ye Tian and Xue Yuhai sat cross-legged, gazing at one another.
"Not long ago, I received news that Wei Yuanlong has acquired all the top-tier Insight Pills from several major cities nearby, which means I don't have any top-tier Insight Pills for you either. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you have managed to advance to Martial Master Level Nine through your own talent; the gap in our cultivation is not insurmountable," Xue Yuhai stated calmly.
Ye Tian felt a surge of emotion upon hearing that Xue Yuhai had previously assisted him in acquiring those Insight Pills. It was a pity that the cursed lord of Black Blood City had monopolized them all—truly unfortunate.
However, Ye Tian brushed aside these thoughts; after all, he had already reached Martial Master Level Nine, and with a year remaining until the assessment for the God Star Sect, he had ample time to advance to Martial Master Level Ten.
Noticing Ye Tian's calm demeanor, a flicker of admiration crossed Xue Yuhai's eyes as he nodded and continued, "As for your cultivation, it is up to you to devote yourself to rigorous training. I will impart some insights on breaking through to the Martial Spirit realm and guide you in honing your combat techniques."
"Starting today, I will share my insights on breaking through to the Martial Spirit realm every morning. In the afternoons, I will engage you in combat at the same cultivation level to refine your skills," Xue Yuhai declared, turning his gaze toward Ye Tian.
Ye Tian's face lit up with excitement; the prospect of learning about breakthroughs to the Martial Spirit realm was exactly what he desired. Furthermore, the chance to spar with Xue Yuhai to sharpen his techniques was an extraordinary opportunity.
"Let us begin. First, I will explain what the Martial Spirit realm entails…" Xue Yuhai closed his eyes and commenced his exposition on the Martial Spirit realm.
Ye Tian listened attentively, his eyes growing brighter as Xue Yuhai's words unveiled a new path to martial arts before him.
The Martial Spirit realm is a unique stage wherein warriors can form golden elixirs, extending their lifespan exponentially, almost like immortals.
Moreover, warriors of the Martial Spirit realm can traverse the air, covering thousands of miles in a single day.
Even a formidable Martial Master, such as one at Level Ten, is exceedingly vulnerable in the presence of a Martial Spirit warrior, akin to an infant, easily defeated.
From Xue Yuhai's explanations, Ye Tian deeply comprehended the vast capabilities of Martial Spirit warriors and their myriad mysterious abilities.
In essence, the Martial Spirit realm serves as a threshold in the path of martial arts; only by surpassing this threshold can one enter the hallowed halls of martial excellence.
…
Time passed unknowingly, and soon it was afternoon. After a light lunch, Ye Tian hastened to the city lord's manor.
In the stone forest of the back mountain, Xue Yuhai awaited him, already clad in training attire.
"Let us commence. Beyond your knife intent, unleash your full power upon me!" Xue Yuhai observed Ye Tian with an indifferent gaze, his hands clasped behind him, his imposing aura gradually manifesting.
Ye Tian nodded, regarding Xue Yuhai with a serious expression. Taking a deep breath, he roared, propelling himself forward like a rabbit, manifesting nine palm shadows mid-air.
Though utilizing the Thunder Palm technique at its pinnacle, the power Ye Tian unleashed after advancing to Martial Master Level Nine was awe-inspiring, filling the space with a relentless cascade of palm shadows.
Yet, Xue Yuhai's expression remained unchanged. With a mere flick of his finger, he effortlessly dispelled the attack.
"This technique, indeed, you have cultivated to its utmost pinnacle, but alas, even the finest technique requires the right timing and the ability to exploit the enemy's vulnerabilities!" Xue Yuhai remarked, continuing to point toward Ye Tian after dismantling the Thunder Palm.
Ye Tian's pupils contracted; although Xue Yuhai's gesture was unassuming, he sensed a wave of dangerous energy. The immense pressure and overwhelming aura left him gasping for breath.
"Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes!" Ye Tian couldn't help but shout, drawing the blood blade from his waist and striking at Xue Yuhai. The terrifying crimson blade light wove into a net of brilliance, nearly enveloping Xue Yuhai entirely.
Ye Tian believed that this time, Xue Yuhai would have no choice but to confront it head-on.
Yet, in the next moment, Ye Tian's eyes widened in disbelief.
Xue Yuhai, like a phantom, had seemingly traversed the space between them, appearing a short distance from Ye Tian before he realized it. He unleashed several finger strikes from afar, colliding with Ye Tian's blood blade.
Instantly, Ye Tian felt an overwhelming force reverberate through the blood blade, almost dislodging it from his grip. His internal true essence surged, unable to continue channeling into the blood blade, causing his execution of the Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes to falter mid-way.
Moreover, Ye Tian suffered a severe backlash, spitting out a mouthful of blood as he was sent reeling backward.
"How is this possible!" Ye Tian collapsed to the ground, bewildered and stunned. He could not fathom that the Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes had been interrupted, resulting in such backlash.
With equal cultivation levels, Xue Yuhai had subdued him, relying solely on technique and experience, defeating him in mere exchanges.
Ye Tian felt an overwhelming sense of frustration, an unprecedented blow to his self-esteem.
What nonsense about being the top talent of Blood Jade City; it was all just empty talk!
Ye Tian stared at Xue Yuhai, confusion etched on his face.
"I previously told you that no matter the technique, one must strike at the right moment while also being mindful of both your own and your opponent's vulnerabilities. When attacking an enemy's weaknesses, do not forget to conceal your own!"
"Over these past two years, your cultivation has surged rapidly. Although the side effects may not be immediately visible, a true expert can perceive that your foundation is unstable. Understand that other Martial Master Level Nine warriors have honed their skills over decades of arduous training, their combat techniques shaped through countless battles."
"Now, go home and reflect on this. Come find me again tomorrow!"
Xue Yuhai said this calmly before turning to depart.
Ye Tian left the city lord's manor in a daze, feeling utterly dispirited.
A blow!
An overwhelmingly heavy blow!
For the first time, Ye Tian felt acutely his own insignificance. Previously, he had believed the city lord's strength stemmed solely from superior cultivation, but now he realized how naïve that notion was.
With the same cultivation level, Xue Yuhai could defeat him in a couple of moves; they were no longer on the same tier.
This profound shock prompted Ye Tian to reflect deeply.
"Combat techniques... Yes! It's all about combat awareness!" Ye Tian's eyes suddenly sparkled with realization.
In his previous life, he had been the strongest special forces soldier in Huaxia, renowned for his unparalleled combat skills, of which the most vital aspect was his combat awareness. With an extraordinary calmness even in the face of death, he had ultimately emerged as the most formidable elite warrior.
However, after his rebirth, as he gradually encountered the formidable martial artists of the Divine State, the overwhelming power of their techniques led him to lose sight of his original intent and forget that once potent combat awareness.
"Over these years, I have excessively pursued powerful techniques while neglecting that these skills were developed step by step based on combat techniques by my predecessors."
"Thus, the essence of a martial artist lies not in techniques but in combat awareness. Only with the alignment of combat awareness can techniques unleash their greatest potential."
Ye Tian pondered this, a fierce light igniting in his eyes, eagerly anticipating his duel with Xue Yuhai the following day.
In truth, Ye Tian's combat awareness had never vanished; it had merely been intentionally overlooked. Today, under Xue Yuhai's guidance, that intense combat awareness had returned.
One could imagine that although Ye Tian's cultivation had not increased, his overall strength had undoubtedly surged.
For at this moment, Ye Tian's heart had undergone a transformation!
The following afternoon, Ye Tian sat cross-legged atop a smooth boulder, awaiting the arrival of Xue Yuhou.
Before long, the sound of footsteps approached. Ye Tian looked up to see Xue Yuhou, clad in combat attire, standing before him.
"I hope you won't disappoint me today," Xue Yuhou remarked coolly, then gestured provocatively with a beckoning finger.
Ye Tian remained silent, raising his blood sword, its edge aimed directly at Xue Yuhou, his gaze as sharp as the blade itself.
Xue Yuhou's eyes narrowed, a sudden wave of pressure washing over him, leaving him astonished. Could it be that, in just one night, this boy had truly grasped something?
Whoosh!
As Xue Yuhou marveled, Ye Tian seized the moment and struck with a fierce downward slash.
It was merely a straightforward cut—not the Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes or any other technique. Xue Yuhou noticed the myriad of flaws surrounding Ye Tian, yet the abundance of openings left him uncertain about which weakness to exploit.
"Kill!" Ye Tian bellowed, his fierce gaze brimming with lethal intent. The blood sword in his hand seemed alive, slicing through the air with a menacing hum, exuding a daunting aura.
"Good lad!"
Xue Yuhou's expression shifted, as he finally sensed the change in Ye Tian, a mix of astonishment and delight swelling within him.
Boom!
The two engaged in a rapid exchange, their clash resonating like thunder, causing the surrounding stone forest to tremble.
Time slipped away...
In the end, Ye Tian was still defeated, yet he bore no ill will; this time, he had held out for over a hundred exchanges before succumbing to Xue Yuhou.
From the mere couple of moves the day before to this day's hundreds, even Xue Yuhou could not help but marvel at Ye Tian's comprehension—truly remarkable.
Only Ye Tian understood that it was his combat awareness, honed through countless battles in his past life, that propelled him forward. However, the martial artists of his former world paled in comparison to those of the Shenzhou continent, and thus, his formidable combat awareness ultimately fell short against Xue Yuhou.
Yet, Ye Tian felt he had gained much; he could sense his progress. Given time, his combat awareness would only strengthen, and he would eventually surpass Xue Yuhou.
"Kid, this is enough for today. You've made significant strides, but don't let it get to your head. There are countless martial spirits like me in Nanlin County; your journey is still long!" Xue Yuhou concluded, dismissing Ye Tian.
As Ye Tian departed, Xue Yuhou wiped the sweat from his brow, still shaken. "I had expected it would take him at least a month to endure a hundred exchanges under my hand. I didn't anticipate he would achieve it in just a day. Thankfully, Liu Bao isn't here; otherwise, I'd have lost face as city lord."