Gao Wu: My martial arts technique has entries.

Chapter 7 Breaking the Extreme
"good."

Lin Xianghong smiled and then said, "Your grandfather will be 500 years old in a few months. I will take you to see him. If you can catch his eye, it might make up for your lack of natural talent."

"really?"

Lin Shuyao was pleasantly surprised. Her comprehension was as high as the ninth grade, but her innate talent was only the third grade. If she could make up for her lack of innate talent, her future prospects would be greatly improved.

Her grandfather was no ordinary man; he was a powerful expert in the Divine Realm. Even if he had only forcibly broken through to the pseudo-Divine Realm where his potential was exhausted, he would still be considered a top-tier expert in Tianheng City.

Although his grandfather broke through in the Dark Domain and was trapped in the Level 2 Dark Domain, the resources in the hands of such a powerful person are unimaginable to ordinary people. He may even have treasures of rare and precious materials that can improve one's physical constitution.

"You don't need to be too happy yet. You have more than a hundred uncles and aunts, and I'm not the most outstanding one."

Lin Xianghong shook his head and calmly said, "Those treasures that can reshape one's constitution are coveted by many. It won't be easy for you to gain his approval."

"This final exam is your chance. You must secure a spot in the Dark Domain and then use the cosmic energy of the Dark Domain to perfect the Spirit Stream Technique."

"Besides that, as far as I know, your trip to the Dark Realm this time also has a special opportunity that is quite useful for breaking through the limits of basic external skills."

"External martial arts have reached their limit?"

Lin Shuyao's expression changed slightly, revealing a look of shock, but she quickly understood and said, "Is this because of that person?"

"Hmm." Lin Xianghong nodded: "Top-grade root bones are extremely rare. Your Third Middle School hasn't produced anyone with this kind of aptitude for several years."

"Your school's Principal Qian specially applied to the municipal government for an opportunity to help him achieve the breakthrough in external martial arts."

"This is quite an opportunity. If you can demonstrate enough strength, you might be able to get a share of the pie."

At this point, Lin Xianghong took a deep breath and said, "Whether it's internal or external martial arts, stopping at perfection only makes one an ordinary talent."

"To cultivate a kingly body that is invincible among its peers, or even just a quasi-kingly body, one must break through the limits of one's cultivation to have even the slightest chance."

"You said you can earn three hundred yuan a day as a tutor?"

During dinner that evening, Mr. Chu looked at the contract in his hand with a suspicious expression on his face.

For an apprentice-level martial artist, three hundred yuan a day is already an extremely high income. After all, Chu's father's annual income is only ten thousand federal coins, while Chu Kuang can earn that amount in just one month.

"Yes, the contract in black and white is right here."

"Moreover, my basic external skills have also broken through to the perfect level."

Chu Kuang smiled. He didn't intend to hide his income and cultivation level. He was worried that his father, Chu, might risk going to the Dark Domain to earn resources for him because he was short of money.

Although Chu's father was a martial artist at the peak of the apprentice level, he had lost an arm, so venturing into the Dark Domain to earn resources would likely be extremely risky.

"External skills perfected?"

Chu's father reached out and pinched his shoulder, and only after estimating his life level did he breathe a slight sigh of relief.

But he hesitated slightly, and then said thoughtfully, "Your vitality has indeed increased a lot. It seems that you have really broken through."

"But three hundred yuan a lesson fee is still too high. Do you have any connection with the Lin family?"

"Lin Shuya's older sister is my classmate."

Chu Kuang pondered for a moment, though he was also surprised by his hourly rate for teaching.

Upon seeing this, Chu's father sighed and said, "You owe them a great favor. You should think carefully about how to repay them in the future."

"I will teach Lin Shuya everything I know, so that I can live up to the tuition fee," Chu Kuang said calmly.

"Ah."

Father Chu said nothing more, but silently picked up his bowl and ate.

Chu Kuang assumed that his father was upset about his income, so he stopped trying to provoke him. He simply finished his meal in silence and said, "Dad, I'm going to practice martial arts."

……

"You still want to go?"

After Chu Kuang left, Chu's father and mother had another argument in the bedroom.

At this moment, Chu's mother was somewhat agitated, her eyes slightly red as she said, "The eldest son is quite perceptive, and he is already able to earn money. Why do you still want to take the risk?"

"It is precisely because he is a genius that I must do everything I can to support him."

"If he can get ahead in one step, he will get ahead in every step. The three years of high school are the most crucial. If he can get into a top-tier martial arts university, he will have a greater chance of breaking through to the Transcendent Realm or even the Extraordinary Realm in the future."

Father Chu said firmly and without room for doubt, “The Dark Domain is full of treasures. A single precious herb is worth thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. I can earn at least ten or twenty thousand dollars every time I go in. If I’m lucky, I can even earn tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

"Not only does the eldest brother need money for cultivation, but we also need to accumulate resources for the second brother. This is a rare opportunity."

"Brother Li has already agreed to let me go to the Dark Domain with him. If someone as disabled as me misses this opportunity, who will agree to let me join the team?"

"But……"

"No buts!"

The man's voice was incredibly resolute, with a hint of domineering power, yet also mixed with a deep-seated tenderness: "Though my arm is severed, my blade is not dull."

"And I'm going to the Ceres Frontier Zone. In case... in case I really die there, the Federation will give you compensation..."

"Stop talking!"

Chu's mother trembled all over, her eyes glistening with tears.

The pioneering zone refers to the dark realm that has not been fully developed, and it is often the most dangerous dark realm.

Father Chu did not speak again, but reached out to embrace the woman, only to find that with only one arm left, he seemed unable to hold her tightly.

"..."

"It will take a few more days for the Iron Armor Technique to reach its peak."

"My life level won't improve much during this period, so why don't I go to the Astral Plane and try my luck in the Tianheng City ranking competition?"

Chu Kuang was unaware of his father's plan. What he wanted now was to break into the top 3,000 in the Tianheng Star Realm ranking competition and get his hands on the 100,000 yuan interest-free loan.

With this in mind, Chu Kuang connected to the virtual device and projected his consciousness into the astral realm.

In an instant, he felt his consciousness traverse the boundless void and arrive in a virtual world.

Then everything, illusory, solidified completely, transforming into a sci-fi-esque star city. "Tianheng Star Realm."

Chu Kuang's mind raced; this Tianheng Star Realm was merely the lowest-level star realm.

Above that is the secondary star realm of Tianyuan C Star, but the secondary star realm has higher requirements for mental strength. Generally, one needs a life force of more than level six to be granted permission to enter it.

Putting that thought aside, Chu Kuang's mind swept across the entire Star City and found that there didn't seem to be too many people in the Star City, only about tens of thousands of active figures.

He was not surprised by this. Tianheng Star Boundary was only a first-level star boundary, and the only active martial artists were the local martial artists of Tianheng City, and these people were mainly students.

Most of the martial artists with a life level above level six are active in the second-level star realm of Tianheng C Star.

"Let's play ranked matches first."

Putting that thought aside, Chu Kuang immediately started playing ranked matches.

Since it was his first time participating in the ranking competition, Chu Kuang's ranking started from the bottom, placing him at number 87921 in the first year of high school in Tianheng Star Realm.

"More than 80,000, it seems that most people in the class have tried to participate in the ranking competition."

As the thought crossed Chu Kuang's mind, he decisively opened the ranked match and started queuing, quickly completing his first match.

Not long after the matchmaking time ended, Chu Kuang was teleported to an arena, where a fair-skinned and beautiful girl gradually solidified in front of him.

At the same time, a phantom light screen appeared above Chu Kuang's head.

【Chu Kuang】

[School: Tianheng No.3 Middle School]

[Ranking: 87921]

[Wins 0: Losses 0]

Win rate: None

Meanwhile, a message also appeared above the girl's head.

[Su Ling]

[School: Tianheng No.7 Middle School]

[Ranking: 79534]

[Wins 2: Losses 0]

[Win rate: 100%]

"It seems that this is the first time that the third-ranked student is participating in the Tianheng ranking competition."

After taking a closer look at the light screen above Chu Kuang's head, the girl named Su Ling appeared slightly relaxed.

It has been more than eight months since the start of the first year of high school. Those with a life level of more than five have basically participated in the ranking competition. Someone like Chu Kuang, who is only participating in the ranking competition now, probably has a life level of no more than five.

"The overall strength of No. 3 Middle School is stronger than that of No. 7 Middle School, but since they only came to pay their respects at this time, their strength is probably not much stronger."

"My life level is 5.5. My teacher said I have a chance to get into the top 10,000. I shouldn't encounter any strong opponents before I get ten consecutive wins."

With a firm resolve, Su Ling drew her slender sword and said, "Classmate Chu, please guide me..."

"Ding--"

Before she could finish speaking, the countdown had already reached zero.

In that instant, Chu Kuang made his move without any expression, thrusting out his spear like a cheetah.

This attack looked simple and unadorned, but its speed was astonishing, and it thrust straight towards Su Ling with an unstoppable momentum.

"not good!"

Su Ling's heart skipped a beat. It was too late to dodge, and in her haste, she could only raise her rapier to defend herself.

Unfortunately, trying to block a spear with a rapier was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Her sword was instantly knocked away, and then the spear pierced her chest, sending her flying backward and pinning her to the wall.

"Chu Kuang wins!"

As the artificial intelligence announced the results, the data above Chu Kuang's head was instantly updated.

【Chu Kuang】

[School: Tianheng No.3 Middle School]

[Ranking: 79534]

[Wins 1: Losses 0]

[Win rate: 100%]

The ranking match ended there, and Chu Kuang's figure instantly teleported out of the arena.

He didn't rest, and casually opened the ranked match again, just waiting for the next game to start, when he noticed an avatar flashing on the message page.

He opened it and saw that it was sent by Su Ling: "You... have no martial ethics, you attacked me before I could even finish speaking."

"In the Dark Realm, the enemy won't wait for you to finish speaking before making their move."

Chu Kuang replied casually, then blocked messages from strangers.

On the other side, Su Ling was still sending messages, only to find that the messages she sent had been rejected.

"Damn it, once I've digested the gains from this breakthrough, I'll definitely avenge myself."

In an instant, Su Ling's face flushed slightly. Recalling how this person had shot her through the chest, she clenched her fists in hatred.

Her external martial arts have just reached the pinnacle, and her life level still has considerable room for growth. It is estimated that her life level will soon reach 5.8, at which point it will be her chance to take revenge.

Chu Kuang was unaware of Su Ling's thoughts; he simply blocked messages from strangers to avoid being disturbed.

He wasn't too surprised that Su Ling was defeated in one move. Low-level martial artists don't have strong enough vitality, and it's easy for the outcome to be decided in one or two moves.

If a cultivator reaches the Transcendent Realm and cultivates a Martial True Body, their vitality will be greatly enhanced. At that time, if the difference in life level is not significant, it will take at least several dozen moves to determine the winner.

(End of this chapter)