Translator: CinderTL
On the arena, Jiang Ye stood tall, spear in hand.
"That ultimate move just now," he mused, his eyes thoughtful, "I didn't execute it perfectly."
The first ultimate move of the Great Sun Spear Technique, Sunrise in the East, should have conjured a dazzling halo, radiant as the rising sun, when the spear's momentum reached its peak.
But what Jiang Ye had unleashed was merely a fragmented halo.
He hadn't fully mastered this ultimate move.
"Still, managing to execute it at all is quite impressive," Jiang Ye smiled.
After all, he was still uninitiated in the Great Sun Spear Technique, a profound tier, high-grade spearmanship.
To unleash such power despite his lack of mastery was already remarkable.
Tier: 0 (1/100)
Matches: 1
Win Rate: 100%
"During the battle, I didn't use my signature move, Nine Luminaries Star-Treading," Jiang Ye calmly analyzed. "Moreover, the 50% damage boost from Beauty's Inquiry triggered far too infrequently."
In the Virtual Cosmos, trigger probabilities were indeed significantly lower.
Fortunately, Jiang Ye still had many trump cards he hadn't revealed.
For instance, the active effect of "Foot Dao is Also Dao," which granted a 50% damage boost to foot strikes.
When combined with the Nine Luminaries Star-Treading technique, the resulting power was truly remarkable.
I still need more active buffs, Jiang Ye thought to himself. I should try unlocking more achievements when I have time.
He had already considered this back in Ancheng, but financial constraints and environmental limitations had prevented him from acting on his ideas. Now that he had come to the Eastern Ten Provinces and established a modest financial foundation, he could finally put his plans into action.
First, I'll try for a ten-win streak.
Jiang Ye clicked the rematch button, his figure dissolving into a phantom-like wisp.
In another Independent Cosmos, Zhao Qingli's figure materialized in the resting hall.
After all.
I still lost to him head-on, Zhao Qingli thought, a hint of resignation in her clear eyes.
Previously, although Jiang Ye's score and ranking had surpassed hers, they had never actually faced each other directly. Zhao Qingli had secretly believed that if they clashed, her Entry-level Profound Tier blade arts, combined with the million-yuan investment she had made this month, would give her a chance to defeat him.
Alas, reality proved harsh.
He probably wasn't even using his full power.
"I remember he also has a Cosmic Secret Art," Zhao Qingli mused. "If he uses that, I wouldn't stand a chance."
This battle had made her realize the gap between her and Jiang Ye.
"Still, Jiang Ye's strength is still quite a bit behind people like Shen Changxi and Liu Wanxiao."
Zhao Qingli's eyes filled with confusion. "How did he take first place in the Freshman Entrance Trial?"
How strange!
What she didn't know was that even the teachers at Penglai University were puzzled by this.
Based on their assessment of Jiang Ye's life level, he was clearly inferior to the top hundred students.
Yet somehow, he had secured first place among the freshmen.
The teachers could only attribute this to Jiang Ye's unique "physique."
"Regardless," Zhao Qingli said, her eyes shining with anticipation, "I hope he can make it into the top ten at the Freshman Competition in three months."
"By then, he'll definitely surprise my sister."
A moonlit figure flashed through Zhao Qingli's mind.
She knew Zhao Jingxue had always disapproved of her deal with Jiang Ye.
Zhao Qingli wanted to prove she hadn't misjudged him.
Taking first place in the Freshman Entrance Trial meant little, as it wasn't a formal competition.
But the Freshman Competition?
That was a fair and square contest of raw strength. Even making it into the top ten would be a remarkable achievement.
"I need to work harder too," Zhao Qingli murmured, taking a deep breath. With her snow-white legs, she re-entered the matchmaking queue.
Jiang Ye remained unaware of Zhao Qingli's thoughts.
After finishing his battle, he immediately queued for another match, relentlessly challenging the Cosmic Rank.
One match.
Two matches.
Three matches.
Time flowed by.
Before he knew it, Jiang Ye had fought nine matches.
Tier: 0 (9/100)
Matches: 9
Win Rate: 100%
Nine consecutive victories!
One more win would secure a ten-match streak, a minor milestone that would double his merit points for continued streaks.
"Begin!" Jiang Ye clicked the matchmaking button without hesitation.
In an instant, his figure dissolved into a swarm of light particles, vanishing from the waiting lobby once more.
Fifteen minutes later.
Whoosh! Jiang Ye's figure reappeared in the waiting lobby.
Huff... huff...
He gasped for breath.
"What kind of matchmaking is this?" Jiang Ye chuckled. "Pairing me against a late-stage first breakthrough opponent? Trying to break my ten-win streak?"
He glanced at his battle record.
Tier: 0 (10/100)
Matches: 10
Win Rate: 100%
"I won."
"Thank goodness 'Tilting at Windmills' triggered twice in that battle," Jiang Ye thought, relieved. "Otherwise, even with the damage boost from 'Foot Dao Is Also Dao,' I wouldn't have been able to defeat him."
"I'm still quite a ways from the late stage of the first breakthrough," Jiang Ye said, his expression turning serious.
This battle had made him acutely aware of the gap between his current state and the late stage of the first breakthrough.
Even for geniuses, advancing from the first to the second breakthrough typically requires undergoing at least ten Primary-Tier Primordial Cosmic Cleansings.
Those in the late stage of the first breakthrough have generally experienced at least seven such cleansings, while those at the peak of the first breakthrough have undergone ten or more.
Jiang Ye, however, had only experienced two ordinary cosmic temperings since his first breakthrough.
Thanks to the Cosmic Blessing and Penglai's Gift, his transformation was now equivalent to the mid-stage of the first breakthrough.
After winning his tenth match, Jiang Ye didn't continue pushing for a higher tier.
The cultivation energy he had accumulated that day had been nearly exhausted in the intense combat.
Continuing to fight would yield little further progress.
He exited the Virtual Cosmos and returned to the main villa.
Jiang Ye glanced at his status panel:
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Uninitiated: 31% → 40%]
"Two hours of combat practice has given my spearmanship another explosive boost."
"Teacher Zhu's cultivation plan is remarkably effective," Jiang Ye thought to himself. "It's perfectly tailored for me."
He could sense that as his combat time increased, his progress gradually diminished.
Two hours proved to be the optimal duration.
"Summary," Jiang Ye murmured, closing his eyes. The day's cultivation sessions and battles flashed through his mind.
He extracted key issues, lingering doubts, and areas for improvement.
Every day, Jiang Ye had three hours to seek guidance from Zhu Honglie.
These three hours were crucial.
If used effectively, they could be more beneficial than ten hours of solitary cultivation.
Jiang Ye was currently preparing for tomorrow's session.
A moment later, Jiang Ye opened his eyes, his mind clear and focused.
"Excellent."
"Following Teacher Zhu's cultivation plan, combined with the Martial Dao Dietary Supplement," Jiang Ye murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "My cultivation speed should increase threefold or even fourfold."
"Within three months, I should be able to reach the peak of the first breakthrough."
"Hmm."
"Now, I can start thinking about new achievements," Jiang Ye thought to himself.
It wasn't yet midnight.
He had already surpassed his usual daily cultivation goals.
Jiang Ye planned to investigate how to exploit system bugs to unlock more Low Martial Achievements.
Ding!
He activated his phone's projection.
"Gray Market," Jiang Ye said, tapping open an app Zhao Qingli had recommended.
Most of the items listed weren't for civilian use; some were even military-grade weapons.
In short, they were things you'd never find in a regular store.
When Jiang Ye had browsed the app before, he'd noticed that some of these items might unlock new achievements.
Now, he scrolled through the shopping page, his eyes scanning the listings.
Half an hour later, he added several items to his cart, filled out the delivery address, and placed the order.
You need to pay 250,000 federal currency.
Processing payment...
Payment successful! Your purchased items are expected to arrive tomorrow. Please wait patiently.
"Tomorrow!" Jiang Ye's eyes lit up with anticipation. "I hope these choices unlock new achievements."
He quickly pushed the thought aside, sat cross-legged, and entered the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder to begin his grueling mental training.
The next morning, Jiang Ye's phone buzzed with a notification:
The items you purchased have arrived at Penglai University. Please collect them promptly!
(End of the Chapter)
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