Chapter Seventeen: Celestial Crystal Academy

When Tang Tian crawled out from behind the gate of light, as exhausted as a dying dog, he had already completed eighty thousand repetitions of the Flash Fist. The stamina granted by the Crane Qi Method was truly formidable, allowing Tang Tian to devote more time to cultivation instead of mere meditation. Tang Tian's powerful adaptability was on full display; though this was only his second time undergoing such grueling training, he was already beginning to show signs of acclimation.

This time, though the ordeal was still painful, it was far better than the last. At least, when Tang Tian emerged from behind the cross-shaped gate of light, he was conscious rather than unconscious.

Nevertheless, this relentless training still left him utterly drained in spirit. His success rate with the Flash Fist fluctuated between sixty and seventy percent. As he accumulated more practice, Tang Tian noticed minute awkwardnesses in his movements. He began to adjust these subtleties, and this very act led to a noticeable improvement in his success rate.

This was not the first time Tang Tian had done such a thing. During his training in the basic martial arts, he had already become accustomed to this approach. Simply following the teacher’s instructions never brought him to a state of perfection. The reason his basic martial arts were honed to such an immaculate degree was precisely due to his persistent corrections.

The Flash Fist was no exception.

The quality of the bronze card was not high to begin with; it was likely that the creator of this Flash Fist card had little true mastery of the art. The method of soul general card possession did allow for rapid entry into new techniques, but it carried its own limitations.

The depth of understanding contained within a soul general card was directly tied to the creator’s own abilities. Expecting a mediocre individual to forge a brilliant soul general card was nothing but a fool’s dream. Bronze soul general cards, in particular, offered the shallowest and most indistinct insights. To strengthen and refine one’s technique, much depended on individual talent and effort.

Tang Tian’s natural aptitude was average, but his foundation was solid. With enough repetitions, any awkwardness in his movements would become as apparent as dust exposed by a gust of wind. Second-tier fist techniques shared strong connections with the basics, and the Flash Fist was no exception.

Tang Tian could hardly explain the reasoning, but the fundamentals of fist techniques had seeped into his very bones and become instinct. He could sense what felt right and what felt off.

His approach was simple: wherever there was awkwardness, he would adjust until it felt natural. The higher the success rate of the Flash Fist, the more correct the method. Through his persistent tinkering, the Flash Fist began to quietly evolve, taking on more and more of Tang Tian’s personal style.

As a result, his success rate rose rapidly. At his peak, he even reached a seventy-four percent success rate.

Although this figure was nothing as shocking as Wang Zhen’s, it would still startle most if made public.

Tang Tian, however, was not satisfied. Accustomed to a hundred percent perfection, seventy-four percent was an eyesore. Still, he was in no hurry. Five years of foundational martial arts training had instilled in him great patience.

After all, cultivation was always a matter of steady, persistent work.

His Crane Qi Method progressed swiftly; the energy concentration behind the gate of light was high, and the method was already taking substantial shape. The complex and intricate routes of the inner skill were etched firmly into his mind, and the crane forms—well, they were just drawing little cranes.

The Crane Qi Method was indeed, as Old Wei had said, a technique of enduring breath. Tang Tian’s stamina had always been remarkable, and with the Crane Qi Method, his training time increased dramatically. Though its effects in battle were yet unknown, it was perfectly suited for cultivation, and his progress soared as a result.

This delighted Tang Tian.

With improved training efficiency and the hardship token in his possession, he no longer feared practicing any number of martial techniques.

Fist techniques, finger techniques, palm techniques, lightness skills, joint locks...

He would master them all!

To become a godlike hand-to-hand combat specialist!

Hmm, why do my eyelids feel so heavy... so drowsy...

And with that, Tang Tian once again drifted into a hazy sleep.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

When Tang Tian awoke, three days had passed. He was stunned by his own capacity for sleep. Even more astonishing, his third-tier Crane True Force had made a slight advance.

To gain true force just by sleeping—what a bizarre form of energy!

Tang Tian leapt out of bed in a rush, pained by the thought of wasting three whole days.

He pushed open the door, and the sunlight outside dazzled his eyes.

The midday sun scorched with its oppressive heat, washing over him as he stepped outside.

On the training grounds, Amory was drenched in sweat, each swing of his wooden blade executed with utmost seriousness.

Fly-cow...

Tang Tian stared blankly for a moment, then stepped out of the wooden hut, hands in pockets, and strolled to the edge of the training field. With a slap, he leapt onto one of the wooden stakes bordering the grounds. “Well, boy, you’re certainly diligent, aren’t you!”

Amory had heard Tang Tian’s voice long ago and paused, turning around with his wooden sword slung over his shoulder, sweat streaming down his body. He looked at Tang Tian and burst out laughing. “Basics Tang, you’re finally awake! I was going to wake you, but the old man said you were mentally exhausted and needed to sleep. But to sleep for three days—amazing!”

There was a note of envy in Amory’s voice, as if he found sleeping for three days to be a remarkable feat.

This guy is definitely doing it on purpose...

A vein throbbed on Tang Tian’s forehead. Trying to sound solemn, he replied, “Of course. A godlike youth even sleeps like a god! This is the sleep god... Oh, Fly-cow, you had better work hard. Now that I’ve learned the Crane Qi Method, I’m fierce as a tiger. Be careful I don’t beat you like a dog!”

Amory laughed heartily. “Basics Tang, I’ve learned a new technique too—the Earthshaker Blade! It’s powerful! Come on, let’s have a match! This time, I’ll take it seriously. The old man was right: only by defeating your opponent with your strongest technique can you truly show them respect!”

Tang Tian’s face darkened, and he muttered under his breath, “Great, this guy’s been completely brainwashed by that country bumpkin old man.”

“Who are you calling a country bumpkin?” came a sinister voice from behind Tang Tian.

He jumped, and when he turned, there was Old Wei, staring at him with a hostile expression.

Tang Tian instantly flashed a brilliant smile. “Aha! Old man, I was just saying you’re incredible—you can even teach this dumb ox.”

“Basics Tang! Did you just call me dumb? You’re dead!” Amory howled.

“What’s all this noise?” Old Wei suddenly glared at Amory, who instantly fell silent.

Tang Tian felt a strange sense of unease. He scratched his head, wondering if something had happened during the three days he slept. Since when did this dumb ox listen to Old Wei so obediently?

How odd...

“All right, today I’m taking you both somewhere,” Old Wei waved his hand. “Go clean yourselves up. Don’t embarrass me.”

Tang Tian couldn’t help but protest, “Old man, we’re both cleaner than you.”

Old Wei’s face reddened, and he coughed. “Wait here for a moment.” Before the words had finished, he was already gone from sight.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Tang Tian and Amory stared in a daze at the four large characters above the entrance: Celestial Crystal Academy. Streams of people bustled around them, and each passerby was dressed in fine clothes, exuding an air of nobility.

Occasionally, curious glances were cast their way. The three of them, in their shabby attire, stood out like sore thumbs.

“Hey, old man, are you sure you brought us to the right place?” Amory couldn’t help but ask.

Celestial Crystal Academy was the top-ranked school in Starwind City, the most prestigious institution in the city. Only the wealthy, the noble, or the truly gifted could enter. Except for a few years when Qianhui Shangguan had burst onto the scene, Celestial Crystal’s position as number one had been unshakable. The academy boasted the city’s most powerful teachers, the most complete training facilities, the largest stardust stone shop, the highest-end soul general card shop...

Looking across the entire Wu’an Star, Celestial Crystal Academy was a leading name.

At that moment, a middle-aged man approached.

“Excuse me, are you Principal Wei?”

“That’s me,” Old Wei replied breezily.

“Please follow me—our headmaster has been waiting for you.” The middle-aged man was exceedingly polite, leading the way.

Old Wei nodded and said to Tang Tian and Amory, “Follow me and don’t get lost.”

The two followed obediently.

“Something’s off, we should be careful not to let the old man sell us,” Tang Tian whispered.

“Mm, mm, we’re both geniuses—we must be worth a lot,” Amory nodded vigorously.

A look of embarrassment crossed Old Wei’s face. Without any obvious movement, Tang Tian and Amory both received a knock on the head.

The middle-aged man’s smile remained calm, though he couldn’t entirely hide a trace of disdain upon hearing their words.

As they passed, the academy’s students stared in surprise. The three were so out of place here.

Yet none of them seemed uncomfortable. Old Wei exuded an air of authority, while Tang Tian and Amory looked like curious children, marveling at everything they saw.

Many of the academy’s facilities were things they’d never even laid eyes on before.

Celestial Crystal Academy was vast, and after a while, they finally arrived at the headmaster’s office. The middle-aged man was startled to see an elderly figure waiting at the door; though he had served the headmaster for many years, this was the first time he’d seen him personally waiting outside to receive guests.

“You’re finally here!” the old man said with a laugh, stepping forward with open arms.

Old Wei grinned and embraced him. “I had no choice but to shamelessly ask to use your place.”

“There’s no need for such formality between us,” the headmaster chuckled. He turned to study Tang Tian and Amory with great interest. “So these are the disciples you’ve chosen?”

Old Wei shook his head and pointed at Amory. “He is. He specializes in blade techniques; I watched him for years and finally managed to lure—er, recruit him.” He then pulled Tang Tian over. “I think he’s suited to becoming a hand-to-hand combat expert. You know that’s not my forte, and I didn’t want to hold him back, so I brought him along too.”

“A hand-to-hand combat expert?” The headmaster’s eyes gleamed as he reevaluated Tang Tian.

“Yes, and a very unusual one at that,” Old Wei replied with a sly grin.

“A most unusual hand-to-hand combat expert,” the headmaster echoed, interest deepening. “Let’s talk inside. Assistant Xu, please show our two young friends around as you see fit.”

The middle-aged man bowed at once in acknowledgment.