In the game "High Martial Arts," players start with the blessing of the Martial God.

Chapter 89 The Way of the Sword

Ruan Yun returned to the secluded room and conveyed the next plan to Hong Kang and the other man, who nodded repeatedly.

Hong Kang's eyes showed a thoughtful expression. Waiting for Ji Ming to break into the Star Ranking? What kind of idea is that?

He sighed inwardly. Uncle Yuan was standing too high. Little did he know that with Ji Ming's talent, if he was given time to develop, what if he couldn't control him in the end?

Looking at the confidence on Ruan Yun's face, Hong Kang thought, "That's right. In their eyes, how powerful is the Origin School? How could Ji Ming have swept them all away?"

That was indeed the case. He didn't believe it either, but he still felt uneasy.

After thinking about it, he didn't offer any advice, because whatever he said would be wrong at a time like this.

Besides, what does it matter to him whether he succeeds or fails?

He didn't have any schemes against Ji Ming!

"Let's leave it at that for now!"

After being persuaded by her uncle, Ruan Yun calmed down. "Ji Ming is not important. I heard rumors that the Education Department seems to be planning something. Be careful lately."

After speaking, she waved for the two to leave.

Hong Kang was filled with surprise when he left. He was surprised that Ruan Yun hadn't been removed from his position as the head mentor of freshmen. Was this really Ruan Yun?

It's truly as if the sun has risen in the west!

However, this was a good thing. Since she didn't mention it, Hong Kang naturally ate the pancake happily.

Inside a villa, a young man clenched his fist. "What did you say? We're not going to deal with Ji Ming for now?"

"My brother is injured like this, and the school won't avenge him?" He looked at the "bandaged man" lying on the bed, his eyes full of resentment.

"I hope you understand, this is Senior Sister Ruan Yun's intention," Wang Xunwu's virtual projection said solemnly.

Then he added, "Remember, the school of thought will no longer actively target Ji Ming!"

He emphasized the word "school of thought".

Upon hearing this, Yuan Heng's heart stirred, his eyes flickered, and he nodded, "Alright, Senior Brother Wang, I understand!"

"Okay, I understand!" Wang Xunwu hung up the call with satisfaction.

-

Yuan Heng walked to the bedside, tears welling in his eyes. "Dongqing, don't worry, your elder brother won't let Ji Ming off the hook!"

Yuan Dongqing's hands and feet were wrapped in bandages, and the green light of the healing potion flickered all over his body. "Breaking the Heavens Kill" has annihilation properties, and it is not easy to recover from having his arms severed. In addition, he suffered a severe shock to his will. This kind of injury means that he will not be able to cultivate for several months.

He was heartbroken and remained silent. Having wasted several months of his golden cultivation period, it would be difficult for him to make a name for himself in the Tianyi Star Palace.

"Ugh!"

Yuan Heng sighed, "Dongqing, Father will be staying in the Battlefield of Myriad Realms for a while longer. Your elder brother will take good care of you from now on."

After saying that, he opened the door and went out.

Yuan Dongqing slowly turned his neck, sneering inwardly, "Yuan Heng, you'll avenge me? I bet you're up to something again."

Thinking of Ji Ming again, he suddenly became agitated, his hatred barely concealed. "You two dogs fighting, you'd better die together!"

On the other side, Ji Ming followed behind Ye Zhou, who introduced the various areas to him as they walked.

"We've arrived at the accommodation area. If you keep walking along this road at the foot of the mountain, the next area will be the teaching area. Freshmen will start their systematic learning here. The college will assess their credits, and those who fail will have their resources reduced."

"You're a core student, so you don't need to worry too much. Just go every day. Of course, some courses are very important, so you'd better study them carefully."

"Well, luckily you're a core student. This year's head tutor for new students is Hong Kang, a guy from the Origin School. If you fall into his hands, he'll definitely cut your credits. Be careful in class. Hong Kang's strength isn't that great, but he's very cunning. Don't let him trick you!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Ming understood why the Origin School wanted to target him during the major exam. What a vicious scheme!

Anger welled up in his heart, and at the same time, he began to take Hong Kang seriously.

"Passing through the teaching area, we've arrived at the true heart of the Star Palace: the Wonders Zone!"

"The Moon Well, the Tower of Babel, and the Heavenly Plate are all placed here."

Ji Ming looked at it and saw that the Tower of Babel was quite conspicuous. It was pitch black all over and pierced the clouds. It was the most iconic building of Tianyi Star Palace. He still had two more spots to enter, but he didn't know what the effect would be.

Ye Zhou didn't offer any explanation, and continued, "Across the street, there's a commercial area and an exchange area where students and instructors from all departments can go. That's the common area for the Martial Arts Department."

He continued leading Ji Ming forward, warning him, "Remember the path you're on. We're about to reach the research sites of various schools of thought. Don't wander around without permission, or someone will mistake you for a spy and arrest you, and I'll have to bail you out."

Seeing his serious expression, Ji Ming nodded earnestly, but he was pondering the other person's words in his heart.

Research?

This wasn't the first time he'd heard it, but was there any connection between martial arts and those two words?

Aren't we martial artists just good at fighting? Why are we even researching this?

Ji Ming initially thought he had misheard, or that it was just a nice-sounding name, but now that they've even set up a research base, looking quite serious, it's hard not to think things through.

Ye Zhou stopped in front of a hemispherical silver building. "We're here!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Ming looked over and saw a sign hanging in front of the building that read, "Natural School Martial Arts Research Institute"!

There really is a research institute there?

"I know you have a lot of questions right now, we'll explain them together later," Ye Zhou said, raising his hand.

He approached the research institute, where a pair of electronic eyes emerged from the hemispherical building. A red light swept over the two of them and then opened a small door.

"Verification successful, please proceed!"

He pulled Ji Ming through the small door. The research institute didn't look big from the outside, but the space was all underground, and it was estimated that space expansion technology was used. The various areas were well-organized.

"I brought you to the research institute to familiarize yourself with the place. I've already entered your information so you can easily find me in the future. This place isn't really relevant to you right now. Before you reach the fourth level, focus on martial arts cultivation. You can consider whether to pursue this path after you reach the Nascent Soul Realm," Ye Zhou said, walking ahead.

"You can go to most parts of the research institute, but it's best to avoid the detention area and the separation area. It's not that we don't trust you, but those two places are dangerous!"

After passing through several metal doors, Ye Zhou arrived at a spacious room. He casually found two chairs and said, "Sit down. You can talk about your problems now."

Ji Ming didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly. He glanced around the research institute and couldn't help but ask, "Is this really for research?"

His tone revealed a deep distrust, not because he looked down on his profession, but because he felt that martial arts skills weren't being applied in this area!

"Ha ha!"

Ye Zhou smiled, not minding at all. "Didn't Senior Luo tell you that once a professional reaches the fourth rank, they can choose a second profession to begin their cultivation?"

"What?"

Ji Ming jumped up from his chair in surprise.

Ye Zhou gestured for people to calm down, "Don't get excited. Most professionals don't actually pursue a second profession; at most, they only dabble in it."

"Everyone's energy is limited, and the level of a second profession cannot exceed that of the primary profession, so the improvement in strength is not that significant."

Ji Ming paused for a moment, slowly accepting this surprising information. "So, you chose the [Bachelor's] degree?"

"That's right! This is the choice of almost all professionals, and for martial artists, the academic profession is especially important." Ye Zhou nodded in reply.

Why?

Ji Ming was puzzled. The upper limit for a Scholar was only the seventh rank, right? Why would it be the choice for all professions?

"Why?" Ye Zhou smiled. "You don't understand scholars, do you?"

Ji Ming was slightly taken aback, then nodded helplessly. Although his father was a bachelor, he was only at the first level. He himself didn't really understand the profession, let alone Ji Ming.

"The core of a scholar's cultivation is the [Light of Wisdom]!" Ye Zhou smiled faintly. "In short, this profession can enhance a person's comprehension!"

"Besides that, another suitable second profession for martial artists is the [Mech Pilot], whose core is [Light of the Mind], which can enhance willpower. These are the two professions most suited to the path of martial arts!"

Ji Ming stood there dumbfounded. So that's how it is!

Comprehension is crucial for all professions, and it becomes increasingly important as you progress. Willpower is also an indispensable condition for a martial artist's breakthrough. Wouldn't a mecha pilot combined with martial arts be a "mecha warrior"?

"Since you've chosen a bachelor's degree, you should naturally engage in research, since research is the most distinctive feature of this profession."

Ye Zhou then revealed another secret: "It is precisely because of the combination of martial artists and scholars that the Five Steps to Divinity were born. A single profession could never accomplish such an earth-shattering feat! The creation of a large number of martial arts techniques and skills is all due to the research capabilities of scholars."

"Powerful martial artists are all good researchers!"

"Of course, you can choose to be a mage or cultivator as your second profession in the future. Our school does not restrict this, but I advise you to minor in a bachelor's profession."

"Well, enough of that. These are things you should consider after you reach the fourth level. Now, just focus on practicing your martial arts!" Ye Zhou said with a smile.

"We martial artists value strength the most. Choosing the scholar profession is also to explore the path of the martial god. Our natural school mainly conducts research on identity cards."

"Identity card?" Ji Ming muttered.

"Um!"

Ye Zhou nodded, "Whether one can become a god by relying solely on the Five Steps to Godhood is unknown. In any case, no one has succeeded so far. The most promising one perished more than 30 years ago. Other paths to godhood still require attempts."

"As you know, your destiny card and identity card hold a shocking secret; if you can decipher them, you might find the path to godhood!"

"Hmm, the path to godhood is a bit far off. Our Natural School is more down-to-earth, and our main research focus is on 'The Mystery of the Identity Characteristics Hidden in the Blood Essence of Myriad Races'!"

Ye Zhou's gaze was intense. "This inspiration came from special identity cards like yours. If we could make the special the norm, and everyone could use the power of the unique characteristics of all races, the overall improvement to the Xuanhuang civilization would be unprecedented!"

"Oh?" Ji Ming's eyes lit up. "Teacher, how far have you progressed in your research?"

Ye Zhou suddenly felt discouraged, "Almost there, almost there!"

"oh!"

Ji Ming understood immediately: that meant it hadn't happened yet!

Ye Zhou exclaimed anxiously, "It's really almost time! I can now reliably produce the Black Pig Clan's special blood essence. After use, it will imbue the Black Pig Clan's racial characteristics for ten minutes!"

Ten minutes?

Ji Ming was surprised. So this [Myriad Forms] is so generous. One hour is probably all the power in the essence blood. Others would have an even lower conversion rate.

He thinks an hour is too expensive, but don't you think ten minutes is too much of a drain?

After all, it only has special characteristics, but it cannot bring out the full power of the blood essence owner!

"You dare question me?"

Ye Zhou scoffed, "Idiot! I have a special technique. Once I leave the life imprint of the corresponding race on the identity card, I can use it permanently without needing any life essence."

"Depend on!"

Ji Ming couldn't hold back any longer and grabbed Ye Zhou's leg, pleading, "Please teach me!"

"cough!"

His enthusiasm made Ye Zhou cough a little embarrassedly, "The technique is only effective against the Black Pig Clan right now."

Ji Ming stood up expressionlessly. What use is this trash race?

That's why we need you!

Ye Zhou said excitedly, "Once you break through to the fourth rank, you can study with me. If you can permanently use the characteristics of the Heavenly Demon Clan, just imagine how great that achievement would be!"

Ignoring Ye Zhou's empty promises, Ji Ming said, "Teacher, let's talk about the apprenticeship first!"

Ye Zhou smacked his lips, still wanting more, then paused, surprised by the question, "Become an apprentice?"

"Didn't we already pray for it?"

Ji Ming paused, "Just saying it verbally a few days ago is enough?"

"Hmm!" Ye Zhou nodded. "Isn't that enough? Do you intend to betray the school in the future?"

"Well, that's alright. Your grandmaster doesn't care. We can just part ways amicably."

Ji Ming was speechless. "Isn't there any statue of the patriarch where you can kowtow or something?"

"Your grandmaster was the founder of the Natural School. If you want, you can kowtow to him later!" Ye Zhou said casually.

"Oh! By the way, your teacher is very poor, so you'll have to ask your grandmaster for the apprenticeship gift!"

"Come, I'll take you to see your grandmaster."

Ye Zhou opened a small door, revealing a small room with a table on it. On the table sat a jade sculpture of an old man. He produced an incense stick, lit it with his source energy, and bowed to the jade sculpture.

Just as Ji Ming was dumbfounded, Ye Zhou explained, "Your grandmaster's true body is not in the Xuanhuang Realm. You can find him like I did in the future."

"Buzz!"

A beam of clear light shot out from the jade carving, and the old man that Ji Ming had seen before appeared before him.

"Grand-disciple Ji Ming greets Grandmaster!" Upon seeing this, Ji Ming immediately bowed. This was definitely a true big shot; his mere appearance had intimidated the two Star Palace mentors.

The old man smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad, much more respectful of teachers than your own!"

Ye Zhou was dumbfounded. This has to do with me?

You brat, trying to play palace intrigue game, huh?

"Our school doesn't have many rules. Just cherish your fellow disciples, respect your teachers, and protect the human race," the old man said with a faint smile.

"According to the rules, you should receive a gift for becoming an apprentice. Your teacher is a penniless wretch, so I'll give it to him for him!"

Ye Zhou was not ashamed at all; on the contrary, he encouraged Ji Ming with his eyes to ask for it without hesitation.

"Thank you, Grandmaster!" Ji Ming bowed respectfully.

"Tell me, what do you want?" the old man asked with a smile.

"My grand-disciple wishes to obtain a basic sword technique manual," Ji Ming replied.

Ye Zhou's face stiffened. The old man gave him a deep look. Ji Ming felt extremely uneasy. Could this thing be very precious?

"Luo Zhao asked you for it, didn't he? He certainly has high hopes for you." The old man said solemnly, "A sword-dao law inheritance, though valuable, I can give it to you, but you must not let it delay your cultivation!"

"Teacher!" Ye Zhou exclaimed anxiously, but was immediately interrupted by the old man, who pointed a finger at Ji Ming's brow. The latter was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses.

"Alright, this avatar can only be maintained for a limited time. I will meet you properly when I return. Ji Ming, you can go out now. I have some things to discuss with your teacher."

Ji Ming was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and left.

As soon as he left, Ye Zhou couldn't wait to complain, "Senior Brother Luo was too hasty. You should at least start practicing the Dao of the Sword after reaching the fourth level."

"Forget it, trust Luo Zhao's judgment!" He Chuan waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to say more.

Ye Zhou was taken aback. "Then why did you keep me here?"

He Chuan smiled, then looked at Ye Zhou with a dangerous gaze. Ye Zhou sensed something was wrong and tried to escape, but a large hand grabbed his forehead.

"You little brat! I told you to just tap the jade carving once, but you insisted on burning incense, didn't you? Are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?"

"Ah! Teacher, you've misunderstood!"

A strange power emanated from He Chuan's palm, and Ye Zhou felt as if he had been electrocuted, his whole body instantly sore and numb. "Teacher, I just took on a student, please give me some face!"

"Hey! Don't hit my face!"

Ji Ming came out of the cubicle. Only then did he finish organizing the things his master had given him. A new message appeared on the panel.

[Skill: First Rank in Swordplay (1/10000)]

A new skill bar has appeared, and it is no longer displayed as a percentage.

"The Way of the Sword? What is that?"

Ji Ming was puzzled. Was this the basic sword technique that Master Luo had asked him to seek?

"Hiss~"

At this moment, Ye Zhou walked out looking like he was itching all over, his face covered in bruises.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" He quickly went over to help the other person.

Ye Zhou straightened up and waved his hand calmly, "It's nothing. Your grandmaster insisted on sparring with me and giving me some pointers. You know, the old man's cultivation level is higher after all, so it's normal that I'm no match for him."

Ji Ming nodded, relieved, but also a little envious. His frequent sparring with Master Luo had greatly accelerated his progress. If he could receive personal guidance from his grandmaster, he would surely reap even greater rewards.

"Okay, that's all for today. From now on, you can attend classes as usual. I'll give you some pointers when I have time. If you need anything, you can come to me directly."

Ye Zhou forced a straight expression. "I've already given you the authority to stay at the research institute. You can stay here if you want, but the conditions will definitely not be as good as the villas in the core area."

"Take a look around as you like, I need to get back to work."

After saying that, he hurriedly left the rest area without waiting for Ji Ming's reply.

"hiss!"

Back in the research area, Ye Zhou could no longer hold back, baring his teeth and grimacing, "That old geezer, he really went all out! It was just a stick of incense!"

He pulled out a mirror and looked at himself, then breathed a sigh of relief. "I almost embarrassed myself in front of that kid Ji Ming!"

Fortunately, this silly boy believes everything.

"Uh—did I forget something?"

"Oops! I forgot to tell him about swordsmanship!"

Ye Zhou quickly took out his bracelet, sent the relevant information, and told him to take a look himself. True geniuses should be allowed to grow freely, just like his grandmaster did back then!

After applying some medicine, Ye Zhou continued his research. If he could find a way to permanently use the unique characteristics of the top 100 races, he would truly become famous!

How dare that old geezer hit him like that?

It's a pity that Ji Ming's cultivation level is too low. He should break through to the fourth level sooner!

Brother Luo is really something, making him learn swordsmanship. The Qian Tian School is indeed full of barbarians who only know how to fight.