Immortal Martial Academy - Chapter 2
“Bang…”
On the tester, the force value surged to over 100,000 pounds.
Wu Xianyao’s face lit up with joy; achieving only the first realm’s perfection with the incomplete Nine Suns World Illuminating Art granted him immense strength, enough to dispatch monsters with a single punch.
[Congratulations on entering the Martial Dao First Realm, Headmaster! Rewarding Qi and Blood Weapon Manual along with the exclusive Headmaster’s weapon, the World Illuminating Spear.]
This was unexpected, Wu Xianyao thought, pleasantly surprised. If not for his inability to progress in the Martial Dao due to lack of innate talent, he wouldn’t have been in such despair before obtaining the system.
As someone who had previously been a martial arts grandmaster, being unable to advance further in the Martial Dao was a crushing blow.
He retrieved the World Illuminating Spear, its body gleaming golden, designed to be disassembled into three sections or stored within his Dantian for cultivation, upgrading alongside his Martial Dao level.
Wu Xianyao reviewed the information in his mind – the Weapon Manual, essentially a guide to crafting suitable weapons for Qi and Blood Martial Artists.
In his previous life, Wu Xianyao specialized in spear techniques, and now wielding this spear felt as natural as extending his own arm, perfectly attuned to his movements.
After three months, he achieved great mastery in the Martial Dao’s First Realm, Body Tempering Realm.
With this accomplishment, he gained self-defense capabilities against the Monster Race.
Back in his room at the settlement area, now covered with a layer of dust, Wu Xianyao stirred his Qi and Blood. With a wave of his hand, he opened the window, sending the accumulated dust outside.
Checking messages on his wristband, he noticed 99+ notifications:
Li Junlin: “Wu Xianyao, coming to the class reunion tomorrow?”
Lan Yuecai: “Are you okay?”
Chen Beixuan: “I believe in the Martial Dao; I will break its limitations.”
Reading these messages, Wu Xianyao smiled faintly, knowing that everything would change – this damned world was about to transform.
He replied to each message, feeling quite content.
Dressed in casual black attire, Wu Xianyao stepped out of his small room.
This modest living space was provided by the state, allocated to everyone, offering comfort despite its size.
Wu Xianyao accessed his system interface:
[Host: Wu Xianyao / Title: Acting Headmaster]
[Age: 17]
[Gender: Male]
[Cultivation Technique: Nine Suns World Illuminating Art (Incomplete)]
[Realm: Body Tempering Great Perfection]
[Physique: None]
[Preaching Points: 0]
[Current Deduction Time for Martial Dao: 0 minutes]
[Task 1: Enroll three students, Reward: Ten minutes of Deduction Time, Deadline: One year.]
[Task 2: Enroll ten students, Reward: Thirty minutes of Deduction Time and one faculty member, Deadline: One year.]
[Task 3: Establish an Immortal Martial Academy and enroll 30 students. Reward: Martial Skill – Heaven Slaying Sword Drawing Technique, two additional faculty members, Time Limit: Two years.]
[Library]
– Nine Suns World Illuminating Art
– Qi and Blood Martial Dao Manual
– Blood and Qi Tool Forging Manual
Currently, with nine months remaining to complete tasks, Wu Xianyao needed to recruit three more students.
His first consideration was his classmates; however, none of them had shown any innate abilities yet. Their future held marriage, having children, joining the military, and eventually being devoured by monster beasts on the battlefield.
Although the gifted delay entering the battlefield by three years, their ultimate fate isn’t much better.
Wu Xianyao still had at least one year left, ample time to change many things significantly.
“Ding!”
Chen Beixuan: Where are you? Want to meet up tonight?
Wu Xianyao: Sure, let’s go to our usual spot!
Chen Beixuan: Sounds good!
Exiting the neighborhood, they boarded a bus heading towards their favorite barbecue joint.
As Wu Xianyao approached the store entrance, he noticed the owner, a man in his thirties, grilling skewers with a cane due to missing a leg.
“Hey! Xiao Wu, long time no see. You’ll be turning eighteen next year, right? Almost time for finding a wife!”
“Uncle An, just one more year, it’s coming soon.”
Getting married at eighteen was mandatory by law, just like joining the military; there were few restrictions on speech in this world.
Arriving before Wu Xianyao, Chen Beixuan greeted him as he took a seat across from them. “What’s up? Feeling like some drinks?”
Next to Chen Beixuan sat a graceful girl who, upon seeing Wu Xianyao, politely stood up and extended her hand, saying, “Hello, Wu Xianyao, I’m Qing Qing, Chen Beixuan’s wife.”
With a gentle handshake, Wu Xianyao smiled and responded, “Nice to meet you, Sister-in-law. Just call me Xiao Wu.”
Chen Beixuan’s parents were both alive but disabled, veterans of war. Having fully able-bodied survivors from such battles was considered incredibly rare, almost miraculous due to ancestral blessings. While not unheard of, it was exceedingly uncommon.
Wu Xianyao wasn’t so fortunate; his parents had perished on the battlefield, leaving him under the care of the state.
The trio enjoyed their barbecue, sharing stories and laughter about the past three months.
“In three months, I’ll be heading to the front lines,” Chen Beixuan said calmly. “Qing Qing is pregnant now, and going early might mean returning sooner. If I die in battle, at least Qing Qing won’t have to go to the battlefield herself, ensuring someone remains to raise our child.”
Qing Qing paused momentarily while pouring wine, knowing this situation was inevitable. Even members of influential families couldn’t escape these obligations.
“I propose a pact: if we both perish on the front lines, this agreement is nullified. However, if one of us survives, they will help take care of the other’s family,” Chen Beixuan said with a smile, showing his acceptance of death.
Wu Xianyao gazed intently at Chen Beixuan, studying him closely.
Chen Beixuan returned the serious look, meeting Wu Xianyao’s eyes.
“Train with me, and I’ll ensure your safe return,” Wu Xianyao declared earnestly.
“I’ve always been training, as you well know. Currently, I’m already near the peak of human physical limits. With the military gear enhancement, my punches can reach three thousand pounds, giving me a significant chance to survive,” Chen Beixuan confidently replied.
Wu Xianyao fell silent, aware that martial arts had long been deemed useless in this world, serving only for personal fitness.
“The Martial Dao connects to divinity. Will you trust me this time? In these three months, I’ll empower you to defend yourself. I understand your skepticism; martial arts have been dismissed as futile for ages. But this time it’s different – since we aren’t gifted, our survival depends solely on ourselves.”
Wu Xianyao spoke with conviction, his eyes shining with hope.
Chen Beixuan looked at Wu Xianyao, feeling inexplicably compelled to take one last gamble. After all, he had nothing left to lose.
“Alright!”
Wu Xianyao produced an enrollment notice and borrowed a pen from the shopkeeper.
Chen Beixuan examined the notice, giving Wu Xianyao a puzzled look. “Is this for my admission?”
Wu Xianyao nodded, “Trust me, I need you as well.”
As Chen Beixuan signed his name, a beam of light entered his mind.
[Dear student Chen Beixuan, welcome to the Immortal Martial Academy! Admissions are ongoing; please await patiently for the start of classes.]
“What’s happening?” Feeling the notification in his mind, Chen Beixuan looked at Wu Xianyao with surprise, yet hope began to rise within him.
“Aoao!!!” A beastly roar shook the heavens, and outside on the streets, people were fleeing everywhere.
Wu Xianyao stood up, gazing down the street where a monstrous faewolf, over three meters tall, was causing chaos.
He vanished before Chen Beixuan’s eyes. “I’ll explain later, first let me deal with that Dog Monster.”
Qing Qing, who had remained silent throughout, watched in astonishment at Wu Xianyao’s speed.
Seeing Wu Xianyao disappear so swiftly, Chen Beixuan wanted to speak but held his tongue, the spark of hope in his heart shining even brighter.