Zhao Mu spent the next three days cultivating the Beginner Spear Technique until he had completely mastered it.
With its proficiency maxed out, he successfully unlocked the advanced combat technique, Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix Spear.
However, he had no intention of practicing it immediately.
His goal in choosing multiple Elementary Battle Techniques was never to master each one individually. Instead, he wanted to broaden his combat foundation and use those techniques to strengthen the Seven Kills Battle Technique.
As expected, once the Beginner Spear Technique reached its maximum proficiency, the Seven Kills Battle Technique instantly gained 20 proficiency points.
Its total proficiency had now reached 356 points.
Zhao Mu could clearly feel that the technique was approaching another qualitative transformation.
The change within his body became more obvious every day.
His physique hadn't become overly muscular, nor had his weight increased. Instead, his body remained lean, perfectly proportioned, and as agile as ever.
Yet beneath that ordinary appearance lay astonishing strength.
Lifting objects weighing more than 500 catties felt effortless, completely defying common sense.
It was as though a mysterious power—something entirely different from Spiritual Energy—was slowly awakening within his blood, bones, and muscles.
Although Zhao Mu didn't yet understand what this power was, he knew one thing with certainty.
As long as he continued mastering more Elementary Battle Techniques, the answer would eventually reveal itself.
---
It was now the day before his scheduled duel with Shao Han.
The entire training camp buzzed with anticipation.
This would be the first major public battle since everyone had entered Qingfeng Camp.
One side was Zhao Mu, the highly anticipated E-rank Special Student.
The other was Shao Han, the young master of Lujiang City's influential Shao family and a B-rank Awakener.
Everyone wanted to witness the outcome.
Could talent truly determine a person's future?
Or would Zhao Mu shatter that belief?
---
That morning, Zhao Mu woke after sleeping for barely more than an hour.
As usual, he remained lying on his bed and entered a state of meditation.
Thanks to his constant training, his Intermediate Meditation Technique—Spiritual Energy Rotation—had already reached 512 proficiency points.
Although proficiency increased much more slowly at higher levels, Zhao Mu had one enormous advantage.
A complete meditation session now took only one minute.
Because of this incredible speed, he could still gain nearly ten proficiency points every day.
If this continued, the technique would enter its third stage within two months.
He couldn't help looking forward to it.
If Spiritual Energy Rotation evolved into an Advanced Combat Technique, its cultivation efficiency would likely become two or three times greater than it already was.
The more Zhao Mu trained, the more he appreciated the value of his Demon Clown ability.
Students like Mo Guanguan and Lu Yan, both A-rank talents, had received Advanced Combat Techniques immediately after joining the camp.
But receiving a technique didn't mean mastering it.
Advanced Combat Techniques had incredibly high learning requirements.
Most people couldn't even understand the manuals, let alone practice them.
Even gifted geniuses like Mo Guanguan and Lu Yan needed time to cultivate them.
Zhao Mu's path was completely different.
He steadily built his foundation from the most basic techniques upward.
Once his Advanced Combat Techniques reached the third stage, his cultivation speed would be no slower than that of any A-rank genius.
More importantly...
His foundation would be far stronger.
The farther they progressed, the greater his advantage would become.
---
After finishing meditation, Zhao Mu headed downstairs as usual to practice in the open area outside the dormitory.
By the time dawn began to brighten the sky, a familiar figure approached.
Mo Guanguan arrived wearing a simple tracksuit.
Ever since their first morning run together, she had developed the habit of joining Zhao Mu every day.
Seeing him run countless laps each morning had awakened her competitive spirit, making it impossible for her to stay away.
Zhao Mu smiled.
"Let's go."
"I'm running thirty kilometers today."
Mo Guanguan glanced at him.
"Don't you have elective classes this morning?"
He shrugged casually.
"Thirty kilometers is just my warm-up."
She let out a soft snort.
By now, she had become completely immune to Zhao Mu's outrageous confidence.
Still...
She secretly promised herself that one day she would surprise him with something even more impressive.
Zhao Mu, however, noticed the unusual expression on her face.
"You seem upset."
"Is something wrong?"
Mo Guanguan sighed.
"I might run into someone I really don't want to see."
"Being in a bad mood because of that is normal, isn't it?"
Zhao Mu looked surprised.
"You're an A-rank Special Recruit."
"Who in Qingfeng Camp would dare provoke you?"
Students of her caliber were treated like priceless treasures.
The instructors might train them harshly, but outside of training, no one was allowed to cause them trouble.
Mo Guanguan shook her head helplessly.
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained."
"It's nothing serious."
"If it comes to it... I'll just avoid them."
She quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway..."
"How are your preparations for tomorrow's duel with Shao Han?"
"Can you win?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Mu smiled.
"I will win."
His voice was calm.
But it carried absolute confidence.
Mo Guanguan raised an eyebrow.
"The gap between Battle Rank and Private Rank isn't small."
"If I'm guessing correctly, Shao Han has been hiding his true strength this whole time."
"He's probably preparing for a breakthrough so he can defeat you in front of everyone and restore his reputation."
"You embarrassed him badly."
"He'll definitely go all out."
"You should be careful."
Zhao Mu nodded.
"Thanks for the warning."
"But no matter how well Shao Han prepares..."
"He shouldn't underestimate me."
His eyes narrowed.
"He wants to use me as a stepping stone."
"He wants to regain his reputation by crushing me in front of everyone."
"If that's his plan..."
"He'd better be prepared."
"Because he might fall even deeper than before."
---
Zhao Mu continued his training exactly as usual.
His daily routine was already intense enough.
There was no need for any last-minute preparation.
---
Meanwhile...
Several enormous military airships bearing the Xuanwu Royal Clan emblem landed at Lujiang City's military airport.
The day of the duel had finally arrived.
---
The match was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at the East Suburb Martial Arts Hall.
Zhao Mu followed his normal routine.
He woke early.
Meditated.
Exercised.
By sunrise, both his body and mind had reached peak condition.
Afterward, he changed into his combat gear and carefully inspected all of his equipment.
Several Ember Remains now adorned his fingers and wrists.
Just one month ago, such treasures had been far beyond his reach.
Now...
As a Jinhai Master, he could forge them himself and use them freely.
Knowledge truly was wealth.
Being rich felt wonderful.
---
When Lu Yan and the others woke up, they found Zhao Mu already fully prepared.
Each of them gave him an encouraging smile.
"Brother Zhao Mu, you've got this!"
"Shao Han isn't your match."
"If you defeat him while only at Battle Rank 6, the entire Qingfeng Camp will be shocked."
"No one will ever look down on your E-rank talent again."
Zhao Mu smiled confidently.
"Of course."
"I'll win this battle."
---
At six o'clock, even Meng Qiuqiu had gotten up.
The group headed to the cafeteria together.
Before a decisive battle, it was best to eat only until sixty percent full.
A heavy meal would only slow one's movements.
While eating breakfast, Zhao Mu's electronic wristband vibrated.
It was a message from Shao Han.
"Zhao Mu, are you ready?"
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Mu's face as he typed his reply.
"I'm ready."
"Ready for you to lose."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)