Under the level 10 effect of the Heavenly Martial Body Refining Art, Zhang Yu could sense that his grasp of combat had become more refined. Even the slightest changes in his opponent’s moves could not escape his observation. Furthermore, he could more precisely mobilize every ounce of his strength for battle, resulting in a soaring surge in his practical combat abilities.

However, this state also consumed an immense amount of energy. After maintaining it for just one minute, Zhang Yu began to feel dizzy and lightheaded.

“This ‘Total Concentration’ state should only be used in crucial moments of battle, and not wasted carelessly.”

The level 10 Heavenly Martial Body Refining Art gave Zhang Yu greater confidence in the martial arts competition.

“But it’s still not enough…”

Thinking of the unfair and unjust competition in the Dharma Competition, and of Zhang Pianpian’s words about striving for first place in the martial arts competition, Zhang Yu wanted to further increase his chances of success.

So, he once again opened the shopping platform and looked at the martial arts techniques he had bookmarked recently.

Zhang Yu had indeed pondered over what to cultivate after reaching level 10 of the Heavenly Martial Body Refining Art.

At this moment, he was looking at an Expert-level martial art called the “Imperishable Imprint,” priced at 30,000 credits after a discount. He also read the user reviews and the level 10 effect description…

The Imperishable Imprint, like the Heavenly Martial Body Refining Art, was an Expert-level technique.

It was a technique specifically designed to target an enemy’s mana, enabling mana redirection and mana reflection.

Not only was it extremely difficult to master, but specializing in it was even more challenging. The user review section was filled with comments about how difficult it was to learn and master. Those who bought it inevitably had to spend money on tutoring.

One-star review: “Avoid! Absolutely do not buy! You can’t learn it on your own. Hiring a tutor costs tens of thousands of credits!”

Two-star review: “Bought it for the original price of 60,000, only to see it discounted later!”

One-star review: “I’ll give it a good review after I reach level 10.”

Zhang Yu speculated that the reason for the discount might be that the technique was so difficult to learn and master that sales were poor.

However, this was not a problem for Zhang Yu because he discovered that the Imperishable Imprint only had four stances.

Besides, he could fully utilize the technique’s level 10 effect in the upcoming martial arts competition, and it could complement his Limitless Cloud Hand technique.

“While the Limitless Cloud Hand can redirect force and borrow strength, the Formless Cloud Shield also has its weaknesses. It’s vulnerable to opponents who use special mana to disrupt the shield.”

“But if I combine the Imperishable Imprint with the Limitless Cloud Hand, I can redirect or even reflect the opponent’s special mana.”

“Coupled with the All-Encompassing Qi Gathering Art to constantly replenish mana, and the Heavenly Martial Body Refining Art to observe the entire arena and grasp every detail…”

“My combat system will be even more complete, allowing me to excel at overcoming stronger opponents, and more adept at… avoiding injuries even when winning.”

In the martial arts competition, being able to avoid or minimize injuries when facing opponents with higher stats was crucial for a poor student like Zhang Yu.

Therefore, compared to more aggressive and dominant offensive techniques, Zhang Yu preferred defensive and counter-attacking techniques.

If there was one drawback to the Imperishable Imprint… it was its price. Even after the discount, it still cost 30,000 credits, and Zhang Yu only had a little over 30,000 credits left in his account.

In other words, if he bought this technique, he would be penniless.

But thinking of the strongest high school student in Songyang, and his goal of entering the Top Ten academies…

“I must enter the Top Ten, I must win the competition champion! The first-place prize in this martial arts competition is 50,000 credits. If I can’t win first place, it’s useless for me to hold onto these 30,000 credits.”

With this thought, Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and spent all 30,000 credits in his account in one go.

In an instant, he received the electronic manual for the Imperishable Imprint.

After browsing through it, the technique appeared on his Feather Tome and he switched it to specialization mode.

As a technique specializing in mana redirection and mana reflection, the most critical aspect of the Imperishable Imprint was controlling mana. The external stances were simply the foundation, consisting of only four stances.

Thus, in less than a minute, Zhang Yu had mastered the technique to level 1.

Instantly, countless memories of practicing the Imperishable Imprint flashed through his mind.

Zhang Yu felt that his control over mana was becoming increasingly pure. He could even temporarily convert the mana of an opponent’s attack into his own and then send it back.

Of course, this process also consumed mana, but the amount Zhang Yu consumed was less than the mana of the opponent’s attack.

Zhang Yu nodded secretly: “As long as I continue to improve the Imperishable Imprint, I will be able to use less mana to manipulate more of my opponent’s mana.”

“According to the website description, after the Imperishable Imprint is raised to level 10, it only costs 30% of one’s own mana to manipulate 10 units of mana.”

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu nodded secretly and continued to diligently practice the Imperishable Imprint.

…

In the blink of an eye, two more days had passed, and the day before the martial arts competition had arrived.

Figures fluttered in the training ground. It was Lei Jun, who was taking on both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen at once, guiding them.

During this period, Lei Jun was increasingly surprised by the rapid progress of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

“These two kids’ understanding of various martial arts is increasing day by day, and their practical combat experience is growing so fast.”

During these days, to maintain the suppression of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen while maintaining 2 levels of physical strength output, Lei Jun had to use more and more practical combat skills each time.

But what surprised him the most was…

“These two people have gradually developed their own fighting styles through daily practice and repeated sparring with me.”

Lei Jun punched out, only to be blocked by a mass of white Qi controlled by Zhang Yu. He only felt that the power of this punch had dissipated and that most of it had been unloaded by the other party. “Every time, I have to use special mana to break his Qi first, and then it turns into a mana consumption battle as I fight.”

“As a result, he has recently mastered that technique called the Imperishable Imprint, and his defense is becoming more and more watertight.”

“Well… this time, there is no need to worry about him being beaten into bankruptcy in the martial arts competition.”

Lei Jun turned around and blocked Bai Zhenzhen’s sword fingers with a palm, and said in his heart: “Bai Zhenzhen… this is a real martial arts genius.”

“In just two weeks, she has been able to gradually keep up with my current change of moves, see through the flaws in my moves, and attack the places that I must rescue.”

“But her fighting style… is too dangerous.”

Boom!

As Lei Jun increased his output again, a mana shock swept over, blasting the two of them away.

“Today’s tutoring is over.”

He said with emotion: “You two have made great progress during this period, and your improvement is almost complete.”

“In tomorrow’s competition, you must remember that safety comes first. Always put your own safety first. Don’t force yourself, don’t demand it.”

Bai Zhenzhen had become familiar with Lei Jun during this period, and replied directly: “Understood, Old Lei, do you think we can get into the top few?”

Lei Jun thought for a while and said: “There is a chance for the top ten.”

Bai Zhenzhen: “Only the top ten? There is a chance?”

Lei Jun smiled helplessly: “The three famous schools have too many means that are beyond the standard. Even the conventional methods are something that you simply can’t afford. The stats of the top students are also higher than yours. It can be said that you were never on the same starting line. You two should laugh in secret if you have the opportunity to enter the top ten.”

“Enough, go back and prepare. And don’t forget to bring the medicine for the competition tomorrow.”

“At 0:00 tonight, we will gather at the gate of Bailong High School.”

The location for this martial arts competition was Bailong High School.

Zhang Yu was slightly startled when he heard this: “0:00 at night?”

Lei Jun took it for granted: “Bailong High School has classes during the day, so the competition is scheduled at 0:00 at night.”

Zhang Yu could only say that Bailong High School never disappointed him in terms of being inhuman.

Zhang Yu asked again: “How do we get there?”

Lei Jun said: “Take the subway by yourself.”

“There are only two of you participating in the martial arts competition, do you still want the school to charter a bus?”

Zhang Yu could only say that Songyang High School never disappointed him, just like Bailong High School.

Lei Jun looked at the backs of the two leaving, and sighed in his heart: “If they two were born into rich families, maybe they would have the opportunity to test into the Top Ten academies.”

…

That night.

After continuing to sprint for two hours, Zhang Yu finally raised the Imperishable Imprint to level 10.

His body shook violently, and he felt that the meridians in his body had become much tougher, as if they had undergone thousands of refinements, and were more able to accommodate the operation of various special mana.

At the same time, the experience of mana redirection and mana reflection in his mind merged at this moment, as if completing some kind of sublimation, and finally had a new understanding.

At this moment, when he cast the Imperishable Imprint again, Zhang Yu was confident that he could directly convert the opponent’s mana to supplement his own mana loss.

That is to say, after the Imperishable Imprint is raised to level 10, he can become stronger as he fights, and supplement his own mana with the mana of the opponent’s attacks.

Of course, this absorption and replenishment also has its limits.

“In a battle, I can supplement up to 30 units of mana in this way. Any more than that… my current meridians won’t be able to withstand it.”

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu looked at his Feather Tome again. After these two weeks of hard work, his basic data had also improved greatly.

Zhang Yu

Dao Heart Level 3 (53%)

Mana 21.8

Physical Strength Level 1.51

“Alas, if only I could have learned the All-Encompassing Qi Gathering Art one or two months earlier, and had more time to improve my physical strength…”

After returning home and taking a shower, Zhang Yu hurriedly caught the bus and embarked on the road to Bailong High School.

…

At 23:31 in the evening.

As soon as Zhang Yu came out of the subway station, he saw a building about thirty stories high, and he knew that this was where Bailong High School was located.

But he didn’t have time to look at these now, because Zhang Yu was very, very, very hungry at the moment.

“Where’s A-Zhen?”

“I have to borrow some money from her to buy dinner, otherwise, how can I fight in the competition when I’m so hungry?”

As for Zhang Yu’s own money, of course, it had already been spent.

Just one Imperishable Imprint had wiped out 30,000 credits from his account.

The remaining change was also spent on eating, drinking, and buying medicine in the past few days.

Just as Zhang Yu was anxiously looking around, a hand suddenly patted him on the shoulder.

Zhang Yu turned his head and said in surprise: “A-Zhen? Hurry up…”

“Yu-zi, lend me some money.” Bai Zhenzhen covered her stomach and said weakly: “I don’t have money for dinner, and I feel weak all over.”

Zhang Yu exclaimed: “You also spent all your money?”

Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu’s reaction and said painfully: “You also spent all your money? What is your spending concept? How can you spend money to the point where you can’t even afford dinner?”