One week later, under the willow trees...
Li Hao practiced the sword as he had done thousands of times, his movements elegant as he cut through the air.
The Taiche Sword sliced the wind with perfect and graceful arcs.
Li Hao could feel that his sword was now filled with strength. After his breakthrough last week, his power had increased rapidly, and the technique he had only just begun to understand had now reached the level of Small Success.
Technique mastery also has levels. One's mastery determines how effectively a technique can be used in real battle.
The levels are:
Entry/Beginner – where you've only grasped the basics and cannot yet wield the technique proficiently.
Small Success/Small Accomplishment – where you can perform half the moves and execute them freely at any time.
Great Success/Great Accomplishment – where the technique is fully learned, and you can use every move without flaw.
Great Perfection – the true peak. At this level, not only is the technique mastered, but every move is executed with such perfection it seems as if the technique was created by you.
Beyond these are the Transcendent Levels, which surpass even Great Perfection. At that stage, you don't just master a technique—you refine it, elevate it beyond its original form, creating a superior version.
Li Hao, however, didn't concern himself with this. With the system and his rapid cultivation speed, reaching those heights seemed unnecessary.
Those levels are uncharted territory. Unless one spends thousands of years on a single technique, reaching that stage is almost impossible.
And that's assuming the technique is on par with your current realm. The higher one climbs, the longer it would take.
Beneath the willow tree, Li Hao gazed ahead. With his current age, realm, and bloodline, his body hadn't changed much outwardly, but he could feel the internal effects.
His white hair, like flowing story clouds, had turned moon-white with a faint, reflective glow.
His skin was pale white, blending naturally with his neutral white hair and his eyes—an ethereal mix of white, purple, and blue.
His attire had also changed. He wore a black garment beneath a white robe, adorned with blossoming flower patterns.
He looked handsome with his new style—like one of the young masters from the noble clans.
Just then, his mother and father arrived.
"Hao'er, are you ready to leave?" Lu Ru-Yue asked gently.
"How could he not be ready? It's his big day—he's going to learn martial arts at the Martial Academy," Li Han said with a smile. One could hear the pride in his voice.
"Alright, Hao'er," Lu Ru-Yue said in a slightly serious tone, "we know you're strong, but don't hurt your fellow students while you're there."
"But most importantly, take care of yourself," Li Han added. "Train hard, but don't overdo it. Hard work only pays off when used wisely."
"Oh look, the carriage is here," Lu Ru-Yue said. "Li Hao'er, before you leave, give your mother a hug."
Li Hao, about to leave, paused. His expression stayed neutral, but his thoughts drifted.
After a second or two, he turned around and hugged his mother goodbye before stepping forward.
His journey to the Martial Academy had begun.
Li Hao, seated in the carriage, looked out at the town passing by. His destination lay just several miles away, outside its borders.
"In a few days, the entrance ceremony will be held. I must be there to participate," Li Hao thought.
"This is only the beginning. With the spiritual power concentration in this region, I'm lucky I even managed to refine my body." He looked down at himself.
"If not for my great talent, I'd be slower than those who rely on blood essence," he clenched his fist and added,
"But this small town is already built atop a formation. My progress here will be extraordinary."
And so, Li Hao traveled, his thoughts focused solely on Dao comprehension.
In the vast Bitter Spring Town, which stretched several kilometers wide, a mountain peak stood just outside its limits. Covered in jade-green trees, atop the peak rested a grand Martial Pavilion.
Several palace buildings adorned the area—all white, with many featuring blue flame patterns and blue flat rooftops.
Lush trees surrounded the compound, and a long wall enclosed the entire palace, sealing it from the outside world.
As time passed, the carriage stopped. Li Hao stepped out, feeling the fatigue that comes from sitting too long on a bumpy road. But he was used to it, thanks to his extended cultivation sessions.
Looking up, he saw the magnificent palace—spanning five kilometers square, filled with various buildings and martial structures.
The place resounded with the sharp sound of fists cutting through the air—it was a den of martial artists.
Yet Li Hao felt nothing in his heart. He had no interest in these low-level martial artists.
His goal was simple: to cultivate in peace. But if anyone disturbed that peace, he would not hesitate to act.
Li Hao walked forward. This was only the outer gate, where the non-special disciples resided. But this was merely the beginning.
"A month from now, there will be a martial test. Whoever gets the highest score will be allowed to enter the Inner Court," Li Hao thought, his expression unchanged.
"But alas, all disciples are required to attend. Otherwise, I would simply stay in my hut and cultivate."
He continued walking—without fear, contempt, or arrogance—but with resolve.
His resolve was not to be invincible within the Martial Academy.
But to be unrivaled beneath the heavens—
The absolute strongest, the one who commands, but cannot be commanded.