Chapter 48

There were also differences between the individuals in the Iron Person realm. For example, elves could reach a silver lifespan of 1,000, whereas humans could reach a lifespan of 800 despite attaining the gold realm. Given this gap, some people would strive to get better.

This was the information Lin Yao discovered on the Internet, but he didn’t contemplate it too much. Right now, he was mainly preoccupied with the classification of the Iron Person.

‘I remember that every 1% improvement of the Iron Person will enable one to create one more vital energy seed. With the mortal Human Body Limit and Iron Person 1%, I’ll be able to accommodate 11 vital energy seeds. Right, according to the Internet, when one reaches Iron Person 30%, in addition to condensing 40 vital energy seeds, one will be able to unleash two vital energy seeds in the body at once. This is also at the intermediate martial artist level.’

There was still a huge difference between the powers unleashed by one and two vital energy seeds. The human physique would be boosted by 50% when two vital energy seeds were unleashed, in comparison to 30% when one vital energy seed was unleashed. Furthermore, this did not take into account any other aspects.

‘30% is akin to being an intermediate martial artist who can unleash two vital energy seeds instantly. 60% is akin to being an advanced martial artist who can unleash three vital energy seeds, and 100% is the limit of a martial artist, when one can unleash five seeds. At this juncture, one can either pursue a breakthrough or continue to accumulate. My most important goal currently is to increase the Iron Person to 30%.’

This was very straightforward. He just had to train diligently.

While basking under the noon sun, Lin Yao rested shortly before continuing to train under the sunlight.

In between his training, he would drink some water from the drinking fountain next to him.

During the boring training time, Lin Yao discovered that he was not the only one on the training ground. There were some familiar faces—Yan Yan from the top class, Di Qiang, who had realized the profound meaning of military boxing, and Xu Wanqing.

‘This is probably a training place for geniuses and students from the top class. I’ve actually reached this league.’

As he thought about this, Lin Yao was not interested in conversing with the rest of them. He was well aware that cultivation was a very personal thing.

Lin Yao basked and trained in the sun, restoring his energy. He felt very comfortable in this place and he did not waste a single second of his time.

He also practiced the Sword-Drawing Technique during the intervals between his military boxing sessions.

This was a very effective move, but Lin Yao was only proficient at it. He needed to reach perfection.

‘The essence of the Sword-Drawing Technique is to be fast, accurate, and ruthless. I’m not fast enough yet.’

This was a boring cultivation practice that consisted of training and drawing the sword repeatedly. However, it was also compulsory for a powerhouse to lay a foundation.

The only demerit that made Lin Yao frown was that, when practicing the Sword-Drawing Technique, he could only draw the sword, as no one was assisting him while he was practicing. This was not very effective. The best way to practice the Sword-Drawing Technique was to block someone’s attack in the split second before it hit him.

‘I’ll look for Zhang Heng during the lunch break. This is also considered mutual training, but it’ll be best if a powerhouse can use attack moves against me. I’m not stressed by Zhang Heng’s attacks.’

…

While Lin Yao was training, some people had been observing him. Naturally, those who paid the most attention to him were the top three students of the other classes, who were going to contend with him two days later.

At the sight of Lin Yao training, some people felt wary, while others dismissed him.

‘Flashing Sword-Drawing Technique. Humph, what a heretic move. So long as my fists are strong and fast enough, I can rout every obstacle.’

As he thought about this, Di Qiang firmly believed in the strength of his fist and was not bothered by Lin Yao’s ability. He was solely focused on improving himself. That should also be the reason he had been able to comprehend the profound meaning of military boxing.

Unfortunately, everyone else had a different mindset from Di Qiang. Even Xu Wanqing had been observing Lin Yao’s Sword-Drawing Technique, trying to estimate the speed at which he was drawing the sword and gauge whether she could resist his moves.

Some people observed him, while some disregarded him. Lin Yao ignored all this and focused on his training wholeheartedly.

When it was noon, Lin Yao found Zhang Heng, who had also finished training, and told him about his idea.

“Mutual training. Let’s go. But you can’t use the flash. That thing is too rogue.”

“Don’t worry, what I want to practice is the Sword-Drawing Technique, so I won’t use the flash. I’ll also use as little vital energy as possible.”

The two of them, who had decided to duel, stood on the edge of the training ground. Lin Yao then bowed and made the gesture of drawing a sword, and Zhang Heng raised his fist and began attacking.

Clang.

As Zhang Heng charged toward him, Lin Yao flicked his left thumb and unsheathed the sword with his right hand. A sword resembling a curtain was pulled out, slashing toward the area between Zhang Heng’s chest and abdomen.

However, Lin Yao did not utilize his vital energy during this attack. He was using purely the Sword-Drawing Technique. Although his technique was fairly good, Zhang Heng had also practiced military boxing diligently for a decade and fought with others thousands of times.

He had been keeping a tight watch on Lin Yao’s right hand. When Lin Yao drew the sword, his body reacted faster than his mind and he intuitively moved to block the attack.

The clanging sound of striking iron was produced by Lin Yao’s ironwood sword as it slashed at Zhang Heng’s boxing gloves.

After he blocked the move, Zhang Heng’s body lunged at Lin Yao and entered Lin Yao’s inner circle. Before Lin Yao could even react, he tried to grab him with both hands.

“Stop, I lost… Sigh… True enough, I can’t fight someone like you, who has practiced military boxing for a decade purely with my Sword-Drawing Technique.”

Lin Yao had not been on the offensive earlier. Although he had been unable to use his sword after Zhang Heng had broken into his inner ring, he didn’t know how to use his sword to force his opponent to retreat either. He could, in fact, abandon his sword and engage in hand-to-hand combat with Zhang Heng.

Lin Yao had also practiced military boxing for several years and was not any weaker than Zhang Heng in this aspect.

However, this was a duel, not a match in the arena. He was not yearning for victory. He only wanted to discover his shortcomings.

Upon seeing Lin Yao admit defeat, Zhang Heng quickly retreated. “You’re already very swift when using your sword, but military boxing can fend off most kinds of offensive moves. All this has become my physical instinct after training hard for more than ten years. I can react as soon as you draw your sword. Why don’t you unleash your vital energy and see what happens?”

“Let’s talk about that later. I’ll try to see if the Sword-Drawing Technique works first.”

“Alright, I’ll also consider this practice for dealing with this kind of opponent.”

Thus, Lin Yao and Zhang Heng began another duel on the edge of the training ground. Zhang Heng attacked, and Lin Yao drew his sword. Lin Yao wanted to determine if he would be able to break Zhang Heng’s defense with the sword and hit his body.

He initially felt that he stood a chance. However, after a few rounds of practice, Lin Yao realized that Zhang Heng could resist every attack because military boxing had already become part of his physical instinct.

Zhang Heng had reached the stage when one’s moves were aligned with the mind and body. Although he still could not break the shackles and master full-body control, he was just a step away. This sword move of Lin Yao could not hurt Zhang Heng at all.

The Sword-Drawing Technique was a single blow at the iron level. If he could not succeed with one move, he would be defeated as soon as Zhang Heng closed in on him.

“Sigh… True enough. Although military boxing is simple and straightforward, it’s a useful technique. I shouldn’t have gone and learned an ultimate move last week. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been defeated during the first match.”

“Don’t complain, you’ll advance and become a martial artist sooner or later, and the move you’ve learned can be put to use then… I’m going to use my vital energy this time. Be careful.”

“Bring it on. Just don’t use the flash.”

Each of them stood on one side again. Lin Yao took a deep breath, bowed, and made a sword-drawing gesture. Upon seeing this, Zhang Heng charged toward him. When he reached Lin Yao, he hollered and lunged with a heavy punch. Nevertheless, Lin Yao could sense that his best friend had conserved some of his strength. He was planning to block the attack.

‘Unfortunately, my speed will not be the same.’

Boom! The vital energy seed in Lin Yao’s body exploded and the energy contained in the seed transformed into a hot current that flowed through Lin Yao’s entire body, stimulating it greatly. This enabled Lin Yao to break part of his shackles and unleash extraordinary powers.

As the current flowed in his body, Lin Yao flicked his left thumb and twitched his right hand. He then unsheathed a curtain-like sword gleam that streaked across the air and slashed at Zhang Heng.

The moment the sword gleam appeared, Zhang Heng’s body moved, attempting to block the attack. However, Lin Yao’s sword was faster this time. Before Zhang Heng’s fist could reach the line of defense, Lin Yao’s sword gleam had already broken the defense of Zhang Heng’s two hands and slashed at the latter’s body.

Bang. Zhang Heng’s body was hit viciously by Lin Yao’s sword and was flung one meter away.