Chapter 105: Minor Success in the Sword Intent Prototype, the Ace of Du Nan No. 3 High School?

(Please don’t flame me, sob sob... Four Chapters today, I just need to finish this awesome part...)

On the other side of the stands.

Xiao Ran and the others all turned to look at Arena 166.

They were also quite curious about Gu Yuexi’s true strength, but the information on the screen left them a little puzzled.

"A Second-Grade Middle Stage Beast Tamer? I thought she was at the Second-Grade Early Stage."

"Could she have broken through in the last few days?"

It was obviously the only explanation.

No one was too surprised. After all, advancing by a minor realm was perfectly normal.

"But even if that mosquito broke through to the Second-Grade Middle Stage, this fight will probably be tough."

Chu Yiran shook her head and analyzed calmly, "That guy, Luo Cheng, is the ace of Du Nan Third Middle School. Although he’s only a Second-Grade Early Stage Martial Artist, he has comprehended a Saber Intent Prototype and reached the Minor Success Realm."

"Furthermore, the Profound Tier Middle-Grade Saber Technique he cultivates has already reached the highest level of mastery. In terms of combat power, he’s strong enough to fight an ordinary Second-Grade Late Stage Martial Artist."

"A Saber Intent Prototype? And only at Minor Success?" Huo Mingxuan sneered dismissively. "That’s pathetic. I’d already comprehended the Gold Realm to the Minor Success stage by the time I was fifteen!"

"True."

Xiao Ran nodded in agreement, but couldn’t help but frown. "But Gu is from a small place like Jiang City. It’s unlikely she’s comprehended a Realm Prototype, so she probably doesn’t have the ability to perform Cross-Level Combat... Going up against Luo Cheng, her chances are slim."

A Grade only represents a Cultivator’s most basic Qi Blood or Mental Power strength.

What truly determines a genius’s potential and actual combat power, aside from mastery of Martial Arts Secret Techniques, is the comprehension of a "Realm."

This is the very foundation that allows true prodigies to engage in Cross-Level Combat!

The so-called "Realm" is a state of sublimated spiritual will.

Ninety-nine percent of Cultivators will never comprehend it in their entire lifetime.

Realms are divided into two types. One is the Martial Arts Realm—such as Saber Intent, Sword Intent, Spear Intent, and so on—which can vastly amplify a Martial Artist’s combat power.

This spiritual will is condensed when a Martial Artist cultivates a specific Martial Dao to the peak of perfection, giving them a profound understanding of its essence.

The other type, the Natural Realm, is the comprehension of the Power of Nature in the world.

For example, the Fire Realm and the Water Realm. These are less commonly comprehended by Martial Artists and are typically easier for Spiritual Cultivators to grasp.

When a Beast Tamer comprehends a Natural Realm, they can use it to amplify their Contracted Beast’s combat power, essentially giving it a powerful buff.

A Realm is the ticket to higher stages of Cultivation.

Only those who have comprehended a Realm are qualified to enter the Middle-Grade Realm, which is above the Fourth-Grade.

Only by cultivating a Realm to the level of Perfection can one enter the High Grade Realm, which is above the Seventh-Grade!

And a step beyond a Realm is "Origin"!

Only by comprehending Origin can one ascend to the King-level!

Therefore, advancing quickly through the Grades only indicates high talent in Qi Blood or Spiritual Cultivation.

Comprehending a Realm and mastering Martial Arts Secret Techniques, however, require extremely high aptitude.

Only those with both Top Notch talent and aptitude can be called geniuses in a place like Du Nan!

The minimum requirement for entering the Hidden Dragon Class at Du Nan First Middle School, besides reaching the Second-Grade Middle Stage, is to have comprehended at least one Realm Prototype to the level of Perfection!

This requirement alone is enough to bar countless geniuses at the Second-Grade Middle Stage!

As for that Luo Cheng, although his Saber Intent Prototype was only at the Minor Success Realm...

...even so, if he were at Du Nan First Middle School, he would still rank among the very best in the top Martial Dao class.

If he were in a small city like Jiang City, he’d be in a league of his own. Forget students his own age; he could probably even trade a few blows with the Third-Grade teachers at the schools there!

Gu Yuexi’s mosquito was indeed impressive, but its abilities were clearly more utility-focused.

Even if it had truly broken through to the Second-Grade Middle Stage, could it really be a match for a Saber Dao Martial Artist like Luo Cheng?

Those who wield sabers are widely acknowledged as having the fiercest combat power among Martial Artists of the same level!

The members of the Hidden Dragon Class were not optimistic about Gu Yuexi’s chances. They figured she would last one round at most before having to surrender in disgrace.

...

On the main platform.

Zhang Chengye from the Provincial Education Bureau also expressed a similar opinion to the leaders beside him.

"Governor Qi, I’ve heard of this Luo Cheng. He’s a good prospect with high talent in the Saber Dao. Although Gu’s Contracted Beast is at the Second-Grade Middle Stage, insect-type Demon Beasts aren’t suited for direct combat. This match... might be a bit dangerous for her, don’t you think?"

"She might even get hurt..."

Hearing this, the corner of Qi Chongshan’s mouth curled into a disdainful smile. "Dangerous? Hurt?"

"You’re worrying too much. Her mosquito is already at the Third-Grade Late Stage. Beating a Second-Grade Early Stage kid like Luo Cheng will be a piece of cake."

"What?! Third-Grade Late Stage?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengye and the other leaders from the Provincial Government were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

’How is that possible?!’

’As far as we know, even among this year’s candidates from the Capital City, the strongest Beast Tamer’s Contracted Beast is only at the Third-Grade Middle Stage!’

’How could Gu Yuexi’s Contracted Beast possibly be at the Third-Grade Late Stage?’

’That mosquito... It couldn’t possibly have an Emperor-level Bloodline, could it?!’

Qi Chongshan looked at their unsophisticated, wide-eyed expressions and sneered internally.

’Do you people have any idea what a top-secret-level prodigy is?’

Of course, while he acted utterly dismissive, he was actually shocked to his core.

’That mosquito was only at the Third-Grade Early Stage when it entered the Secret Realm two days ago. But when it came out, it had fucking become a Third-Grade Late Stage!’

’That growth rate is like it’s on fucking steroids! It’s absolutely ridiculous!’

The reason he hadn’t directly changed Gu Yuexi’s profile to "Third-Grade Late Stage Beast Tamer" was to avoid causing an even bigger uproar.

No one would believe it if they heard! An eighteen-year-old Third-Grade Late Stage Beast Tamer? Not even the Capital City has ever seen one of those!

’But it doesn’t matter.’

’Anyway, once Gu Yuexi gets on stage and demonstrates her strength, all doubts will vanish into thin air!’

...

Meanwhile, on Arena 166.

Gu Yuexi had already walked to the center of the arena.

She looked at the young man across from her, who was holding a long saber, and said flatly, "Make your move."

"?" Luo Cheng looked completely bewildered. He sized Gu Yuexi up and down, asking dumbfoundedly, "Aren’t you a Beast Tamer? Where’s your Contracted Beast?"

Gu Yuexi remained expressionless. "You? You’re not worthy of facing my Contracted Beast."

Luo Cheng: "???"

He was silent for a moment, then turned to the nearby referee and asked, "Referee, isn’t verbally insulting your opponent during a match against the rules?"

The referee froze for a second, then quickly looked down and meticulously flipped through the rulebook in his hands.

He then looked up and said, "It don’t say! If it don’t say, then it ain’t a rule!"

"Oh, okay then!"

Relieved, Luo Cheng turned back to Gu Yuexi and blurted out, "So you’re the one everyone’s been talking about, the one who got in through connections?"

"Yo, lady, you got a screw loose or something? You’re a Beast Tamer up against me, a Martial Artist, and you’re not even going to summon your Contracted Beast?"

"You don’t actually think you can beat me on your own, do you?"

"This is hilarious! You think you can even touch the hem of my clothes?!"

Gu Yuexi: "..."

Her fine eyebrows knitted together slightly, clearly annoyed by the guy’s antics.

The referee confirmed one last time, "Are you sure you’re not using your Contracted Beast?"

Gu Yuexi nodded.

"Alright..." The referee could only announce helplessly, "Let the match begin!"

A smirk spread across Luo Cheng’s face, a picture of arrogance. He even sheathed his long saber, crossed his arms, and declared with immense pride:

"Like I said, in this match... you won’t even be able to touch the hem of my clothes!"

Gu Yuexi’s eyes grew cold as she prepared to strike.

The next second.

Luo Cheng suddenly shot his right hand high into the air.

"I surrender!!"

Gu Yuexi: "...?"

The Referee: "???"