High Martial Arts: I Awaken a Low-Tier Martial System Chapter 4: Comprehension Aptitude

Following lunch in the cafeteria, Jiang Ye headed back to the Martial Arts classroom.

Martial arts cultivation has long integrated into everyday life in this world.

High school students begin rigorous martial arts training right away, practicing at least five days weekly with full-day sessions.

Several students were already practicing independently inside the classroom at that time.

Spotting Jiang Ye, Wen Yuehui hurried right over to him.

"Ye, have you heard?"

Wen Yuehui murmured softly, "The college entrance exams are changing next year, with university admission lines pushed even higher!"

"Exam reform?" Jiang Ye froze in surprise.

Wen Yuehui nodded firmly, "Regular universities are hiking their requirements—you need Perfection in the ’Star Martial Cultivation Technique.’ We’re likely in deep trouble!"

"Breaking through to Perfection before exams, who knows the fortune it’ll cost."

He let out a deep sigh.

It’s no empty saying that literature favors the wealthy while martial arts demands even greater riches.

Swift advancement in martial arts absolutely hinges on substantial funds.

Jiang Ye exclaimed in shock, "Even Great Success won’t secure spots in regular Martial Universities?"

"You might squeak in, but only the lowest-ranked ones."

Wen Yuehui shook his head, "Those bottom-tier regular Martial Universities—what sets them apart from junior colleges?"

Jiang Ye inquired, "And the Twenty-Five Schools Alliance?"

"The Twenty-Five Schools Alliance?" Wen Yuehui replied offhandedly, "Their bar’s rising too, but it’s irrelevant to us anyway."

"Why bring them up? Dreaming of applying there?"

"Dreams are free, aren’t they?"

"You trying to make me burst out laughing? Fine, you win."

Wen Yuehui grinned, brushing it off, "I harbored big dreams once too. Back in elementary school, I aimed for the top ten elite schools! Reality crushed them, though..."

...

Their casual talk stretched on until class began.

Chen Zilu marched into the classroom doorway, clad in a pristine white martial arts uniform, paired with white shoes and socks.

"Star Martial Cultivation Technique: Fist Technique Chapter, moves one through thirty-six."

"Today, I’ll showcase advanced techniques. Watch closely."

Chen Zilu declared icily.

Jiang Ye’s gaze sharpened, locking in focus.

Advanced techniques get revealed mainly to those hitting Minor Success, making sightings scarce.

Composure etched on her face, Chen Zilu launched into the fist demonstration for everyone.

Grip, stance, shake, and intercept essentials flowed flawlessly through her fluid fist sequence.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, Jiang Ye plunged into a strangely clear, expansive mindset.

Everything around blurred out, spotlighting only Chen Zilu and her display, magnifying countless details.

"Could this be... a 30% boost in comprehension?"

Jiang Ye’s thoughts raced as he observed intently.

Chen Zilu flowed elegantly, exposing a slender white waist and midsection.

Jiang Ye fixed his stare on her form, capturing every minute nuance.

The ’Star Martial Cultivation Technique: Fist Technique Chapter’ boasts just thirty-six moves, yet a full cycle demands an hour and taxes the body heavily.

"Boom!"

At last, Chen Zilu unleashed a final strike, akin to a dragon gliding through the void, concluding her show.

She remarked casually, "Now, cultivate independently. Question me on anything unclear."

Her words dropped, and the class dove into practice.

Yet Jiang Ye remained rooted, motionless for ages.

Unbeknownst to others, his mind whirled at full throttle right then.

"My past practice hid countless flaws and gaps!"

Jiang Ye squeezed his eyes shut as insights flooded his consciousness one by one.

Chen Zilu’s lesson struck like lightning, unlocking vital understandings in a flash!

"Hoo~"

Moments later, Jiang Ye assumed his stance deliberately.

Punches and chops flowed smoother, freer with each motion.

"Fist Technique Chapter isn’t merely fists."

Jiang Ye recalled Chen Zilu’s guidance: "Fist practice demands shoulders, waist, abdomen, hips, and legs powering together—each strike harnessing full-body musculature."

Comprising thirty-six moves, each with thirty-six actions, the ’Star Martial Cultivation Technique: Fist Technique Chapter’ spans Entry, Minor Success, Great Success, and Perfection.

Master muscle activation across all actions and flawlessly execute the thirty-six moves, and Perfection looms near.

This demands supreme command over every body fiber.

Legends claim ’Star Martial Cultivation Technique’ Perfection grants total self-mastery even in intimate realms, with lasting potency.

Jiang Ye falls short still, but this session propelled massive gains, placing Minor Success tantalizingly close.

...

While Jiang Ye lost himself in training,

Chen Zilu’s eyes swept the Martial Arts classroom.

This marked her debut of advanced techniques in second-year ninth class.

Talented pupils ought to reap insights and leap forward by now.

Chen Zilu surveyed quickly, spotting no such standout.

"Regular class kids lag in martial talent and insight alike."

Unfazed, Chen Zilu inwardly sighed.

But mid-thought, her face shifted faintly, eyes darting one way.

"Hm? That student’s grasping it."

Chen Zilu zeroed in on a boy.

Lean and wiry, his hair spiked oddly, likely styled that way.

Identifying him, memories stirred: "Li Zhichao? Parents are martial titans, he’s lesser gifted but outshines peers..."

Chen Zilu pondered briefly before looking elsewhere.

Then, glancing past, her eyes halted on Jiang Ye again.

"Jiang Ye? Nearing breakthrough too?"

Chen Zilu studied Jiang Ye thoughtfully.

...

Nearby Jiang Ye,

Wen Yuehui halted after three hours of cultivation, sweat-soaked.

Seeing Jiang Ye persist with fists, he pondered, "Why’s he enduring so much longer today?"

Three hours might seem trivial.

Yet full-body mobilization rivals nonstop grueling workouts for that span.

Abruptly, Wen Yuehui twigged, "He’s on the verge of Minor Success!"

Right then,

Jiang Ye’s punches surged fierce, breaths syncing perfectly with strikes.

"Crack, crack, crack!"

Joint pops erupted from his shoulders, spine coiling like a dragon’s ridge, priming explosive fists!

"Boom!"

A punch blasted out, a dull thud rippling the air faintly.

"Breakthrough... to the cultivation technique’s Minor Success!"

Jiang Ye snapped from his trance.

Staring at his fists, joy surged.

Moments ago, shoulder and waist muscle control vaulted skyward.

As if beckoning them effortlessly.

Henceforth, every punch taps shoulder-waist full might, unleashing vastly superior force.

Thus dawns Star Martial Cultivation Technique’s Minor Success!

The display updated ’Star Martial Cultivation Technique’ from Entry (99%) to Minor Success (1%).

"Never thought I’d surge straight through this time!"

Ecstatic, Jiang Ye beamed.

Entry-to-Minor Success bears a stubborn bottleneck.

He’d figured another week minimum.

Yet one class shattered it.

"’Ancestor’s Friend’ effect? Terrifyingly potent." Jiang Ye savored the thrill.

He credited the swift leap to that 30% comprehension surge.

"Ye, congrats on hitting Minor Success!"

Wen Yuehui approached, earnest, "You’re now among ninth class elites!"

Witnessing his buddy’s triumph, pure delight filled him.

Jiang Ye smiled, shaking his head, ready to reply.

Suddenly, Li Zhichao nearby unleashed crackling joints.

"Yaah!"

He hurled a punch abruptly, fist imprint clanging like metal on metal, jarring eardrums.

"Hiss!"

Wen Yuehui gasped, "Li Zhichao? He hit Great Success!"

Jiang Ye whipped around.

Fresh to Minor Success, and a classmate vaults to Great Success?

For regular classers, Great Success pre-exams rates elite.

Sophomore Great Success? Exceptionally rare.

"Li Zhichao."

Chen Zilu noted, "Sophomore Great Success sets you far above peers."

"Still, Great Success to Perfection poses the ultimate hurdle in Star Martial Cultivation Technique. Stay diligent."

"Yes."

Li Zhichao saluted Chen Zilu, face impassive.

Chen Zilu continued, "Grab enhancement potions—they supercharge breakthroughs."

Li Zhichao furrowed brows slightly, "Don’t potions damage the body...?"

Chen Zilu assured, "Dragon Pill side effects are negligible."

Li Zhichao agreed with a nod.

"Dragon Pill?" Jiang Ye echoed inwardly.

Though not addressed to him, any breakthrough aid warranted note.

Wen Yuehui eyed him, whispering, "One Dragon Pill runs three thousand bucks—forget it."

"Three thousand per pill?!"

Jiang Ye reeled inwardly, stunned.

His foster mom’s monthly wage matched that.

"Exactly, that’s why they say literature suits the poor, martial arts the rich."

Wen Yuehui lamented, "The wealthy have it made—if only I were loaded."

Jiang Ye gained sharper insight into martial arts realities.

He resolved silently, "Guess I’ll push forward solo from here."

Meanwhile,

Chen Zilu eyed Jiang Ye, aware he was one of two class graspers of advanced techniques.

A faint smile curved her lips as she said:

"Jiang Ye performed solidly too, at last reaching Minor Success."

Sophomore second-semester Minor Success rates merely decent.

Talent-wise, Jiang Ye trails the top ten classmates sharply.

Yet she chose encouragement now.

"Jiang Ye, unclear points? Ask me anytime."

Smiling, Chen Zilu pivoted and departed.

Envy rippled through the classroom toward Jiang Ye.

Chen Zilu offered him personal guidance alone.

Even Li Zhichao lacked such favor.

No helping it—Jiang Ye’s diligent cultivation and striking features earned it.

As boys stewed in jealousy, post-class girls seized the moment, offering Jiang Ye a water bottle.