Chapter 2

Every middle school sets up a number of martial arts halls on campus, and anyone with aspirations in martial arts can apply for the martial arts program.

The ratio of literary to martial students in middle schools is generally around fifty-fifty. Those with average martial talent usually don't persist in pursuing the martial arts program.

When Lin Yuan and Wu Di arrived at the school's martial arts hall, many young men and women were already training by striking the rubber human models.

The sound of punches and kicks hitting the models was continuous.

As soon as they entered, several polite juniors greeted Lin Yuan enthusiastically:

"Senior Lin!"

"Good morning, Senior Lin."

"Hmm."

Lin Yuan's name was well-known in Qingshan No. 1 High School.

A genuine oddity, even the principal couldn't handle him.

His literary scores were exceptionally high, breaking and significantly improving the school records for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. He was a genius among geniuses.

He is now in his senior year, the final year of high school.

In the last monthly exam, he almost achieved a perfect score.

Despite being such a once-in-a-millennium genius, he stubbornly decided to take the martial arts exam.

This definitely made the school administration roll their eyes and almost faint.

Lin Yuan's literary scores were as good as his martial arts scores were poor.

With a fire-type spirit seed, after years of cultivation, his total spiritual energy was only 41, which was the level of a mid-tier second-stage martial artist.

Even many freshmen and sophomores were stronger than Lin Yuan.

However, Lin Yuan was more diligent than anyone else, pushing his basic martial arts to the extreme.

If he continued like this, he would at most become a basic martial arts teacher, far from the bright future in literature.

...

Countless eyes in the martial arts hall were fixed on the beautiful figure in the center.

Jiang Yining continuously kicked the dummy in front of her.

Her ponytail was high, her appearance pure and natural, without a trace of makeup.

To become a beloved prodigy and the goddess in the hearts of countless young men, Jiang Yining's powerful strength was indispensable.

It was said that she had already opened all twelve meridians and advanced to the third-stage martial artist half a year ago.

While Lin Yuan was warming up, more people gradually gathered in the martial arts hall.

Even some students who rarely attended basic martial arts classes came to join the crowd, watching the goddess from a distance.

Most of the young men were self-aware.

They were from two different worlds; even if Jiang Yining stood in front of them, they would tremble, let alone pursue her.

"Phew."

"Finally, after more than three years, I can start cultivating."

Feeling the strength of his bones after more than three years of training, Lin Yuan felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

Fortunately, there was still half a year before the college entrance exam.

If everything went smoothly, half a year would be enough.

The first four stages of martial arts are actually the processes of awakening, opening meridians, tempering the body, and refining the soul.

In the Tian Shui Kingdom, they are directly referred to as first-stage martial artists and second-stage martial artists.

Currently, Lin Yuan and Wu Di are in the stage of opening meridians, which is the second-stage martial artist.

Almost all young men and women in this world will awaken their spirit seeds between the ages of 12 and 14.

This spirit seed represents the elemental attribute of the martial artist.

For example, a blue spirit seed indicates a water-type martial artist.

A brown spirit seed indicates an earth-type martial artist.

A red spirit seed indicates a fire-type martial artist.

Spirit seeds come in various attributes. For example, even within the same fire type, different colors represent different qualities of the spirit seed.

For instance, the difference in combat power between ordinary "purple fire" and "phoenix purple fire" is vast.

This is what is commonly referred to as "talent."

The reason Lin Yuan is said to have extremely poor talent is that the light of his fire spirit seed is weak and somewhat pale.

From the color at the time of awakening, it slightly resembles "Nine Abyss Yin Fire."

However, the released spiritual energy is vastly different, confirming that it is not Nine Abyss Yin Fire but likely an unrecorded inferior fire seed.

For example, there are only about 30,000 types of fire spirit seeds recorded in the martial arts compendium.

There are naturally many unrecorded unknown seeds, which are generally judged by the fullness and quality of the spirit seed.

Normally, spirit seeds will gradually take root and sprout within the body as the martial artist cultivates.

However, Lin Yuan's white fire remained inactive no matter how he cultivated, causing his spiritual energy to grow extremely slowly.

By now, no matter how persistent Lin Yuan was, he would have long since been forced to abandon cultivating this "white fire seed."

"Fortunately, I have it."

Lin Yuan sighed slightly, and his spiritual energy circulated.

At this moment, there were two spirit seeds flickering within his body.

One was red with a hint of white, looking sickly.

The other was a full, silver-gray!

Twin spirit seeds are not rare in this world.

Even Wu Di has twin spirit seeds of fire and electricity.

There are also martial artists with three or four spirit seeds.

However, having more spirit seeds does not necessarily mean better talent, as the quality of the spirit seeds varies.

For example, four inferior spirit seeds are definitely no match for one good spirit seed.

Many martial artists with twin spirit seeds choose to cultivate one of them.

For example, Wu Di's fire spirit seed is far inferior to his electricity spirit seed, so he focuses on cultivating the electricity spirit seed and abandons the fire spirit seed.

Nine out of ten martial artists would make this choice.

Lin Yuan's silver-gray spirit seed is an extremely rare mechanical-type spirit seed!

This spirit seed is very rare in the Tian Shui Kingdom.

Of course, spirit seeds of different types cannot be compared horizontally; they are merely rare.

Therefore, Lin Yuan couldn't even find a teacher in Qingshan City.

After reading a large amount of material, he finally found a suitable cultivation method.

The reason for Lin Yuan's slow spiritual energy progress over the past three years lies in this.

Mechanical-type martial artists are different from other types.

If the body's strength is not up to standard, the pressure of the mechanical-type spiritual energy on the bones, flesh, and meridians is unbearable for mechanical-type martial artists.

Therefore, Lin Yuan diligently practiced basic martial arts every day to strengthen his body, mostly self-taught.

Only a few days ago did his body strength finally meet the entry requirements for mechanical-type martial artists.

Using the money he had saved over the years, he bought two basic mechanical-type spiritual techniques and practiced for a few days, with excellent results.

"This half a year will be busy."

Lin Yuan thought to himself.

He had not told anyone, not even Wu Di, about the second spirit seed in his body.

Firstly, this was not a secret for Lin Yuan; it wasn't something that would cause a world of trouble if revealed.

On the contrary, in this real world, especially after entering the martial arts academy, the more talent and strength you display, the more attention and resources you receive.

There were two main reasons he didn't tell Wu Di.

The first reason is that there is very little information available in Qingshan City about mechanical-type martial artists, and Lin Yuan himself was unsure if he could cultivate smoothly.

What if the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment?

The second reason is that Wu Di had never initiated a conversation about spirit seed talent with Lin Yuan.

Brothers consider each other's feelings.

Wu Di knew Lin Yuan's spirit seed talent was poor, so he never brought up these topics, not even mentioning his own spirit seed cultivation in front of Lin Yuan.

...

It was nine o'clock, and Old Yang, who was responsible for the basic martial arts class at Qingshan No. 1 High School, arrived at the martial arts hall on time.

Seeing Old Yang arrive, everyone gradually stopped their warm-up.

Old Yang was a genuine fourth-stage martial artist, over a hundred years old, yet still full-faced and energetic.

"Come, you, you, you, and you."

"Four of you, perform a set of basic boxing."

Basic martial arts are the foundation of combat.

If one studies martial arts, martial arts classes will be offered in the first year of high school, and some martial arts families will even have their children practice steps or boxing and kicking from a young age.

Combining these basic martial arts with spiritual energy and techniques forms the foundation of a martial artist.

After Old Yang called up the three boys and one girl, whispers immediately broke out below:

"Wow, so handsome."

"Senior Pei is so handsome."

...

Lin Yuan had been focused on warming up and thinking, not noticing the crowd.

The moment he saw the genius martial artist Pei Xi from his year being called up, he subconsciously glanced at Wu Di.

Sure enough, Wu Di snorted coldly, his face showing a look of seeing an enemy.

Rivals meeting, the eyes turn red.

This Pei Xi, like Jiang Yining, is one of the top 5 geniuses at Qingshan No. 1 High School.

He also comes from a martial arts family.

His appearance is beyond reproach. Wu Di often mentions the high school handsome guy rankings, where Pei Xi is third, just slightly behind Lin Yuan, who is second.

In terms of talent, strength, appearance, family background, and temperament, Pei Xi comprehensively outshines Wu Di.

A complete defeat...

Lin Yuan sighed silently.

...

Pei Xi always wore a confident and warm smile, and the hearts of countless female students below beat rapidly.

Basic boxing is familiar to any martial artist.

Although it was Pei Xi's first time attending a basic martial arts class, the basic martial arts of martial arts families are generally not bad.

Thus, Pei Xi confidently began his routine under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people.

The martial arts hall was filled with the sound of his powerful movements!

Lin Yuan, who had never seen Pei Xi perform basic boxing before, closely observed the details of his movements.

"Very good."

There were slight flaws, such as his steps and center of gravity not being stable enough when punching.

However, it was still better than 99% of high school martial artists.

"Pity."

Lin Yuan's eyes were sharp. By the time Pei Xi was halfway through his routine, he knew something was about to happen.

After finishing his routine, Pei Xi slowly stood still, and a few fangirls below clapped.

Pei Xi naturally wore a confident and composed expression.

Unfortunately, the next moment, his smile froze on his face.

Old Yang's cold voice echoed in the center of the martial arts hall:

"Are you here to attend class?"

The entire martial arts hall fell silent for a moment, and even the sound of swallowing could be heard.

"Indeed."

Lin Yuan thought to himself.

Not far away, Wu Di was initially stunned but then instantly understood why Old Yang was angry, almost laughing out loud.

He may be lazy, but he hadn't missed a single martial arts class in the past three years due to Lin Yuan.

He was very familiar with Old Yang. Even if one's boxing was poor, Old Yang would not get angry.

The only thing that could make Old Yang angry was not focusing on the boxing during practice!

Wu Di was scolded by Old Yang in his first year for not paying attention.

Those who frequently attended Old Yang's classes knew that he often said, "To improve, one must respect the basics of martial arts."

Pei Xi's boxing was good, but he performed it as if it were a show.

His eyes occasionally glanced at Jiang Yining. Wasn't he asking for trouble?

"If you're not here to attend class."

"Then get out now!"

While Pei Xi was still stunned, Old Yang's powerful voice echoed.

At that moment, Pei Xi's anger and shame intertwined, his expression changing rapidly, and his warm smile completely disappeared.

Wu Di below was trembling with excitement, feeling extremely satisfied!

After a few seconds of adjustment, Pei Xi finally suppressed his negative emotions, politely bowed, and said:

"Sorry, Old Yang."

"It won't happen again."

Old Yang did not respond, ignoring him.

He continued to guide the other three martial artists.

"This female student's punch lacks power, watch me."

"Left bow stance, left hand pulls back to the waist, punch with the right hand."

"The power of this punch does not come from the waist."

...

Pei Xi took a deep breath, maintaining his composure as he returned to the line, the veins on his temples gradually fading.

He dared not be angry, and he had no reason to be angry.

Pei Xi's eyes glanced at Jiang Yining, but she didn't look at him. Instead, he saw Wu Di's gloating eyes and slowly clenched his fists.

"Lin Yuan, come up and demonstrate."

"Yes."

After half an hour of detailed guidance, Old Yang called Lin Yuan up.

Lin Yuan slowly walked to the center of the martial arts hall, his steps heavy, his eyes suddenly sharp, and his entire demeanor changed!

"Feel every move Lin Yuan makes."

"Begin."

Old Yang nodded slightly at Lin Yuan.

As Lin Yuan began his routine, he became the focus of everyone's attention!

Even Jiang Yining watched him intently.

"Perfect."

Seeing the power and position of each of Lin Yuan's punches, Old Yang smiled even more, nodding continuously.

A perfect basic boxing routine is one where one's strength is fully concentrated.

Even the picky Old Yang could not find a single flaw in Lin Yuan's routine.

"Ah."

Many students sighed slightly. Whenever Lin Yuan demonstrated basic martial arts, whether it was boxing or kicking, it seemed to glow.

Unfortunately, heaven envies talent, and his spirit seed talent is so poor.

Otherwise, he would also be a prodigy.

With Old Yang's continuous explanations, the morning passed quickly.

In the afternoon's sparring class, Old Yang would not be present.

Combat experience is something a teacher cannot teach; it can only be understood and comprehended through constant battles.