Chapter 42

Wuji refers to martial arts techniques, special abilities. Ordinary Wuji can be performed using the body, but their power is far less when compared to using Yuanli (primordial energy). Many Wuji cannot even be released without Yuanli.

The purpose of Wuji is to enhance a martial artist's various abilities. Through special techniques, Yuanli circulates within the body through certain unique pathways, forming various formations to enhance attack, defense, speed, and so on.

Therefore, in a strict sense, many Wuji can be simulated using a circuit diagram. Yuanli starts from the dantian (energy center), passes through the complex meridians in the body, and then forms special formations through these meridians, finally being released from a certain part of the body.

Jiang Yi encountered a very strange event just now. A circuit diagram suddenly appeared in his mind, a diagram as clear as the Wuji operation path. However, most of this diagram was complete, but a small part in the middle was missing.

Jiang Yi believed he had a chance to comprehend this Wuji because he had the front and back parts of the diagram. He could deduce the missing middle part based on the front and back parts, thus obtaining a perfect circuit diagram and comprehending this incomplete Wuji.

Theoretically, this is feasible, but in practice, it is very difficult. If he made a mistake, Jiang Yi's Yuanli might become chaotic, causing his meridians to burst and leading to his death.

However, at this moment, Jiang Yi couldn't care less. He was immersed in the excitement of discovering a new ability. He sat down and focused entirely on comprehending the Bursting Yuan Palm.

It was already late at night, and Jiang Yi had no sleepiness. After half an hour, he opened his eyes because the black Yuanli was completely consumed, and the circuit diagram in his mind disappeared. His mind also felt less clear and calm, and he exited that strange state.

"Continue comprehending!"

He immediately gathered black Yuanli in his mind. In the Wu Hall, his cultivation speed doubled, and the seal being broken further increased his cultivation speed. At this moment, he could cultivate ten strands of black Yuanli in just over half an hour, so he wasn't afraid of the black Yuanli being completely consumed.

He continued cultivating until dawn. After a sleepless night, he didn't feel the slightest bit tired; instead, he looked more spirited than the previous night.

He cultivated for another hour to replenish his black Yuanli, then went outside to start his daily training sessions. He checked the list with Manager Yang and saw a very uncomfortable name: Jiang Gushui!

Jiang Gushui was at the fifth level of the Cauldron Casting Realm. Clearly, Jiang Yunshan hoped he could improve his strength, at least enough to join the Western Garrison Army, if not the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy.

Jiang Yi couldn't avoid the match this time, or it would raise more suspicion from the Jiang family. He entered silently and noticed that Jiang Gushui's gaze was somewhat off.

He was secretly anxious but maintained a cold and indifferent appearance, saying nothing. Fortunately, Jiang Gushui didn't seem to have too much suspicion. After being beaten for half an hour, he left with a bitter smile.

"Did Jiang Gushui recognize me?"

After Jiang Gushui left, Jiang Yi carefully recalled his every move, but he couldn't be sure. The next person had already started, so he could only ignore it.

At this critical moment, even if Jiang Gushui recognized him, there was nothing he could do. He wasn't afraid as long as he didn't leave the Wu Hall. Would the Jiang family dare to kill him?

He fought five matches in the morning and remained spirited. He returned to continue comprehending the Bursting Yuan Palm and didn't sleep until late at night.

The next day, Jiang Gushui didn't appear, but Jiang Rulang did. His gaze was still somewhat special, but he hid it well. Jiang Yi didn't care much, ready to face whatever came his way.

The following days were peaceful. Jiang Gushui appeared twice and thanked him profusely. It was said that he had mastered a new Wuji and invited Jiang Yi to visit the Jiang family, promising a warm welcome.

Jiang Yi maintained a cold and indifferent appearance, saying nothing, and inwardly sneered. He dared not go to the Jiang family; he might walk in but be carried out.

Time passed quickly. As the recruitment ceremony for the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy and the Western Garrison Army approached, the entire Tianyu City became more lively. Many young members of small families from nearby towns came early to Tianyu City, waiting for the start of the recruitment ceremony. Many members of larger families from other cities also came, hoping to recruit some outstanding young talents to join their families. Of course, there were also many people who came just to watch the spectacle.

Two days before the recruitment ceremony, the Wu Hall became much quieter. Clearly, the higher-ups of each family had given their young members a break to relax and prepare for the competition.

Although Jiang Yi didn't need to participate in the training sessions, he became even more diligent. He was at the final stage of comprehending the Bursting Yuan Palm. Following the circuit diagram in his mind, he continuously deduced and verified, gradually figuring out the technique of compressing Yuanli.

For a full day and night, Jiang Yi ate a few cornbread when he was hungry and took short naps when he was tired. He was completely obsessed, fully focused on comprehending the technique.

Finally—

On the eve of the recruitment ceremony, Jiang Yi finally opened his eyes. His bloodshot eyes were filled with fatigue and excitement. After spending seven or eight days, day and night, comprehending the technique, with the help of the black Yuanli's mysterious ability, he completed the circuit diagram for the Bursting Yuan Palm.

He didn't rashly try it out immediately but fell into a deep sleep. He was too exhausted! In such a state, he didn't dare to try running the Bursting Yuan Palm, as a single mistake in the circulation path could cause his meridians to burst, leading to his death.

"Hmm?"

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Yi suddenly woke up. He looked around in confusion and saw through the window that it was already midday. He quickly got up, washed up, and rushed out.

"Lang, don't be in a hurry!"

Manager Yang suddenly came out of a room and smiled at him, saying, "Today is just some ceremonies and registration. The actual competition starts tomorrow."

"I know! But I need to register..." Jiang Yi quickly said and continued to rush out.

"You silly boy!"

Manager Yang smiled bitterly, "Do you even know what time it is? By the time you get there, the registration will be over. I had someone register for you early this morning. Here, this is your token!"

"Ah?"

Jiang Yi took a black token and saw the numbers "536" on it. He gratefully bowed to Manager Yang, "Thank you, Manager. No matter the outcome, I, Lang, will remember your kindness."

"Ha ha!"

Manager Yang didn't take it seriously, paused for a moment, and then said, "Lang, I won't say more. It's best if you succeed this time, but if you fail, don't be discouraged. As long as I'm here, you won't suffer. Alright, come in, I'll explain the rules of the recruitment ceremony to you."

"Okay!"

Jiang Yi's spirits lifted, and he quickly followed Manager Yang into a small room, then through a small door into a small secret chamber.

Manager Yang let Jiang Yi sit down, took a sip of tea, and said, "You've probably heard of the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy? This academy is very prestigious, one of the three major academies on the continent. It's located in the Thirty Thousand Mountains on the border between our Shenwu Kingdom and the Great Xia Kingdom to the south. This is the only academy that recruits commoners. The other two, the Azure Dragon Academy and the Hundred Flowers Academy, rarely recruit, and the Azure Dragon Academy is only open to the princes and princesses of the six feudal lords or the children of super-rich families."

Jiang Yi nodded. He had heard of the Azure Dragon Academy and the Hundred Flowers Academy, both ranked higher than the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy, but they rarely recruited externally. Only the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy recruited a small number of students each year in the cities of the six feudal lords, and this time coming to Tianyu City was a stroke of luck for the young people of Tianyu City.

Manager Yang paused and continued, "This time, the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy and the Western Garrison Army are recruiting simultaneously, which is not a coincidence. It's because the Western King is giving face to the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy. Otherwise, why would the powerful Western Garrison Army come to a small city like Tianyu to recruit soldiers? Of course... you shouldn't even think about joining the Western Garrison Army. The slots are all predetermined, so your only chance is to compete for one of the five slots at the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy."

"Predetermined? How is that possible? The Western King is so wise and powerful, and the Western Garrison Army is so strong. This can't be true, right?"

Jiang Yi blinked in doubt, imagining a powerful man revered by all the young people of Shenwu Kingdom: the Western King!

Perhaps because the Western King also had the surname Jiang, or perhaps because the Great Elder had once been a servant in the Western King's palace, Jiang Yi greatly admired this most powerful man in Shenwu Kingdom. Of course, it wasn't just Jiang Yi; the Western King was a hero in the hearts of all Shenwu Kingdom's citizens. Without him and his Western Garrison Army, Shenwu Kingdom might have been destroyed long ago.

He debuted at the age of thirteen, became famous at fifteen, took command of the Western Garrison Army at eighteen, and led ten thousand troops to defeat the thirty thousand invading Beiliang Army, making him famous throughout the land. Two years later, he inherited the title of Western King. Since then, he has fought in dozens of battles, winning every one, and his strength is unmatched. At less than forty years old, he became one of the top experts on the continent, invincible in Shenwu Kingdom. He is a god-like man, the guardian of Shenwu Kingdom.

So when Manager Yang said the Western Garrison Army was so dark, Jiang Yi was very skeptical, as it would tarnish the reputation of his idol.

Manager Yang smiled and shook his head, "Lang, you're still too young and don't understand many things. Clear water doesn't hold fish. Even if the Western King knows about these things, he wouldn't say much. Alright, don't interrupt me. Listen to what I have to say."

Manager Yang's expression became serious, and he explained, "The recruitment process for the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy is simple! There are two methods: the arena matches and the elimination matches. The first method is a public challenge to all registered martial artists. Anyone can step onto the stage to fight, and they must win a hundred consecutive matches. This is very difficult, but if you can win a hundred matches, you can directly secure a slot. The second method is a draw-based competition, where the winners advance and the losers are eliminated. The competition continues until only five people remain. Of course... if someone secures a slot through the arena matches, and all five slots are taken, the elimination matches become meaningless! I can clearly tell you that there are over two thousand registered martial artists this time, and at least a hundred of them are at the seventh level of the Cauldron Casting Realm or higher. So... I advise you not to have too much hope."