Chapter 33: Martial Arts Levels

“Alright.”

Ren Mian focused everyone’s attention. “Xinghuo, although you’re just a beginner extrahuman, your power already surpasses most of the advanced ones. You have little experience but a keen fighting talent and a great grasp of timing and overall strategy.”

“You have just two special abilities, right?” she suddenly asked.

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Chi Zhonglin and Jiangnan Caiyi exchanged glances.

With just two abilities, he’s this formidable. If he were to advance to mid-level or high-level and integrate more abilities, Ji Xinghuo would be unbeatable among his peers!

Immediately, both felt tremendous pressure.

“I’m not worried about your perception; it has been tested. As an archer, you are more than competent,” Ren Mian continued. “However, the stronger an extrahuman is, the more balanced they must be. Rangers are also supposed to have strong melee skills. How are yours?”

Ji Xinghuo hesitated.

To be honest, he wasn’t sure himself.

Relying solely on the basic functions of the All-Seeing Star Pupil, which include super visual capture, detailed insight, inherent high-speed reflexes, and sharp intuition for danger, he should do quite well.

If he activated All-Seen Serenlo, he’d be nearly invincible.

Of course, the condition is having enough melee lethality to break through enemy defenses.

Ren Mian changed her question: “What is your martial arts rank?”

“Amateur third dan.”

Ji Xinghuo replied, slightly embarrassed.

The martial arts rank is a direct indicator of one’s skill level, established by the Global Martial Arts Association over a century ago.

The lowest level has no rank.

Participants enter the association’s virtual platform, compete online where winners gain points and losers lose points, and ranks are determined by point totals.

Reaching 100 points advances someone to amateur first dan.

And so on.

The higher the points, the higher the rank.

First to third dan are considered amateur levels, impressive among regular people;

Fourth to sixth dan are elite levels, attainable only by the most talented, though extrahumans with years of training and combat experience usually reach between fourth and sixth dan. Beyond that depends on special abilities and innate talent;

Seventh to ninth dan are professional ranks, qualifying one as a martial arts expert.

Core members of a first-class professional league typically require a rank of at least seventh dan, and members of a super league must all meet this threshold.

The point thresholds for professional ranks are high, starting at 10,000 points with win rate requirements.

Every quarter, half-year, and annually the Martial Arts Association hosts promotion competitions for seventh, eighth, and ninth dan, with very few promotion spots.

Only a small number of martial arts masters manage to advance through these competitions.

Besides online points and win rate, another promotion method is participating in martial arts competitions at the provincial, national, or world levels, all officially sanctioned by the association. Winning a championship or ranking high can also advance one’s rank.

For instance, winning a provincial martial arts competition can promote someone directly to professional eighth dan.

Placing second to fourth in a national competition elevates one to ninth dan.

Beyond ninth dan is the Master level.

The Martial Arts Association organizes an annual Master promotion competition. Additionally, winning a national competition, regardless of previous rank, immediately grants the title of Martial Arts Master.

Above Master is the Grandmaster level.

Attainment is possible through a triennial Grandmaster promotion competition or by winning the World Martial Arts Championship, directly elevating one to Grandmaster.

Zhao Manying became a Grandmaster at 18 when she won the World Championship!

Beyond Grandmaster is the “Martial Saint” title, even more challenging to achieve.

The true path of martial arts doesn’t involve realms or secret techniques of sword or saber—only ranks. Realm is about personal enlightenment and understanding, while rank is solidly based on a record of defeating others.

A Martial Arts Master symbolizes tens of thousands of battle experiences, numerous promotion competitions, and various martial arts contests.

If you can win, you are strong in martial arts.

If not, all the martial arts theory in the world won’t matter—no one wants to listen.

Ji Xinghuo’s martial arts talent is exceptional, surpassing even his archery skills. Among his peers, he’s top-tier. Although he hasn’t spent much time training in martial arts, focusing instead on physical conditioning and sparingly participating in online battles, he still earned his amateur third dan with a very high win rate.

However, amateur third dan doesn’t seem sufficient now.

Hearing Ji Xinghuo was only an amateur third dan, Chi Zhonglin finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling significantly less pressure.

With such strong abilities and high combat talent, if his martial arts rank was also high, how could anyone compete?

“Hehe…”

He chuckled proudly, “I am a professional ninth dan and plan to enter the Master level next year. Xinghuo, if you ever want to advance, I can often spar with you and share some long spear combat techniques.”

“Good, I’ll definitely learn from you then,” Ji Xinghuo nodded earnestly.

“Xinghuo, I can help you too,” Jiangnan Caiyi, holding her samurai sword’s hilt, glanced at Ji Xinghuo’s winged sabre, “I also use swords, professional seventh dan.”

Ji Xinghuo smiled, “So Nancai is really skilled.”

“The most skilled is elder sister,” Jiangnan Caiyi whispered, “Although she doesn’t practice much martial arts, she is a Master.”

Ji Xinghuo was not surprised.

Ren Mian nodded slightly, “Amateur third dan is indeed a bit low, but with your talent, advancement should be quick. This is also a great way to boost your strength.”

“Regarding cultivation of star power…”

She thought for a moment and said, “I’ll mix some ‘Ether Tea’ for you later. Drink a cup before each training session to speed up star power recovery and growth.”

Ji Xinghuo’s eyes lit up. Ether Tea, that was good stuff.

A rarity that could accelerate star power cultivation, a cup worth over 5,000 Asia yuan, effective for just a few hours, and requiring long-term consumption to show benefits.

“Thank you, Sister Ren.”

“The Ether Tea tree is my own; it didn’t cost much to cultivate,” Ren Mian said casually with a smile, “Star power cultivation can’t be rushed; just keep at it. As for your abilities, you’re a Magnetic Madman without any expansion artifacts, unable to integrate more varied types in the short term, but I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

Her beautiful face took on a contemplative look.

“Then there’s only one way left—weapon and equipment,” Ren Mian scanned Ji Xinghuo from top to bottom, “No need to change your bow yet, it’s sufficient. Do you prefer using this type of flat-headed winged sabre, other types of swords, or even using a sword at all?”

“Best a bit heavier, sword or sabre either is fine,” Ji Xinghuo wasn’t particularly fond of any weapon as long as it was handy; even a hammer would do.

“I see.”

Ren Mian seemed to have made a decision, “Continue your training; I need to step out.” With that, she left.

Ji Xinghuo turned to Chi Zhonglin, planning a sparring session.

“Definitely next time.”

“I’m also heading out, won’t be back for dinner today.”

Chi Zhonglin clearly harbored no thoughts of reclaiming his earlier defeat, quickly making his escape; it was obvious he was off to indulge in some mischief.

Jiangnan Caiyi critiqued gently, “Zhulin’s hobbies are a bit poor.”

But Ji Xinghuo envied him.

Such a carefree and reckless lifestyle was what most men aspired to, though he himself wasn’t yet at the stage to enjoy life fully.

He envied it internally but remained serious on the surface, “Nancai, shall we practice together?”

“Please enlighten me, Xinghuo.”

Eager, Jiangnan Caiyi immediately drew her samurai sword.

The sharp blade gleamed coldly in her hand, seemingly effortless yet threatening to Ji Xinghuo.

Professional seventh dan was a level many people could only dream of achieving in their lifetime.

Ji Xinghuo drew his winged sabre, eyes focused.

The two squared off.

In martial arts sparring, whether online or offline, using extrahuman abilities with additional effects like flames, mental attacks, or transformations is forbidden, but skill-type and body-enhancing abilities like Flash Step, High-frequency Thought, and Star Strength are allowed.

“Xinghuo, I’m attacking now,” Jiangnan Caiyi gave a heads-up, suddenly stepping forward and raising her samurai sword for a heavy downward strike.

Clang!

Ji Xinghuo raised his sabre to block, sparks flying as metal clashed.

The winged sabre transmitted a tremendous force. Although he was ready to deflect, he couldn’t help but retreat two steps.

“Such strong power!”

“And very fast too…” Ji Xinghuo marveled inwardly.

The Refiner Demon was an incredibly tough professional archetype. The core ability, “Dark Matter Demon Body,” enhanced the body comparable to a spinning magnetic field and sealed a demon inside, granting demonic strength and abilities.

And this was without activating “Demonization.”

Otherwise, Jiangnan Caiyi’s strength would be even greater, capable of cleaving him in two with a single slash.

Still, she had already exploited his footwork flaw and closed in again, her lengthy blade scraping along the side of the winged sabre towards his head and hands.

Ji Xinghuo could only parry outwardly, retreating explosively.

Jiangnan Caiyi was relentless, advancing again with total disregard for defense.

Clang, clang, clang!

Ji Xinghuo stepped back three times, his Thousand Skillful Hands pushing to the limit, swinging the winged sabre left and right to block three slashes, struggling to maintain balance and fend off the attacks, even spotting an open guard in Jiangnan Caiyi but unable to counterattack, instead falling into a dire situation.

The fierce onslaught suddenly ceased, Jiangnan Caiyi lowered her sword.

“Xinghuo, you’re impressive.”

“Few can defend against my Triple Slash, yet you did. Your martial arts rank must be more than just third dan, at least fifth or higher,” she said earnestly.

Ji Xinghuo felt undeserving, “Nancai, one more strike and I would have lost.”

“This is a spar, not a competition; there’s no win or lose,” Jiangnan Caiyi replied understandingly with a smile.

Ji Xinghuo nodded, “Let’s go again.”

The sound of clashing blades echoed through the training ground, like forging iron.

Ji Xinghuo gradually acclimatized to his state.

Like a sponge, he absorbed Jiangnan Caiyi’s martial arts experience, deepening his mastery of the All-Seeing Star Pupil, applying it in combat as naturally as instinct, advancing rapidly in martial arts.

The two practiced with sabres until noon, by which time Jiangnan Caiyi could no longer easily overpower Ji Xinghuo.

She prepared a meal, and after eating and resting, they continued their duel.

An entire 25-hour day, Ji Xinghuo and Jiangnan Caiyi stayed in the training ground, only breaking thrice for meals and rest, constantly engaged in unending combat.

Such sparring drained physical strength and consumed star power, promoting star power growth during recovery, albeit less efficiently.

As night fell…

Jiangnan Caiyi’s samurai sword, a superweapon, remained undamaged.

Ji Xinghuo’s winged sabre, however, notched like a saw, finally snapped in two during a clash.

He looked at the broken sabre in his hands, feeling a pang of distress.

“I spent 18,000 on this sabre just yesterday, and it broke after one day.”

Slightly out of breath from a day’s training, even Jiangnan Caiyi, with her physical stamina, felt strained. Ji Xinghuo’s rapid improvement not only made the duels more taxing but also put immense psychological pressure on her.

“A sabre traded for a rise in martial arts rank is well worth it. Xinghuo should be happy,” she exhaled in disbelief, “You must be sixth dan by now.”

“Thank you, Nancai,” Ji Xinghuo sincerely thanked.

Jiangnan Caiyi blushed, “We’re teammates, Xinghuo, you’re too polite.”

Just then, Ren Mian, absent all day, returned, followed by a booze-smelling Chi Zhonglin, obviously just dragged from a club or bar.

“Xinghuo, continue,” Ren Mian said with a smile, tossing two pieces of equipment towards him.