First Steps into the Endless Path of Martial Arts: Combat Begins

"This blade technique is considered exceptionally outstanding even among foundational martial arts."

Having mastered it effortlessly, Wang Xian left the library.

On his way home, his mind continuously replayed and savored the movements.

With his past life’s martial insights, he could naturally recognize the unique brilliance of this blade technique at a glance.

It harnessed the fluidity of water to shape the form of the blade.

"At my current progress, with the right sparring partner, reaching mastery within a month won’t be difficult."

The fastest way to elevate one’s martial prowess was always through real combat.

A suitable opponent was ideal—preferably free and consistent.

His uncle’s martial arts school was a decent option, but most trainees there focused on fist techniques.

Sparring with a blade in hand would be out of place.

That left only one alternative: the virtual world.

Joining other martial schools cost money, and Wang Xian saw no need for that.

Besides, he didn’t have much to splurge with at the moment.

So, the only choice was...

"Martial Infinite..."

Rongcheng, Old District, Hailan Community, Unit 3, Floor 10, Room 38.

The moment he returned home, Wang Xian thought of this game.

Eagerly heading to the study, he strapped on the virtual helmet and equipped the accompanying martial gear.

The house had been left to him by his parents, and he lived alone.

So, he could do whatever he pleased at home without restraint.

The helmet and gear had been purchased when he first entered high school, costing several thousand in total.

Most people in Dragon Country could afford them, contributing to the game’s nationwide popularity.

[You haven’t logged in for three months. Bubble has prepared a welcome-back reward for you...]

A notification chimed the moment he logged in.

In his past life, Wang Xian recalled rarely playing this game during his senior year.

High school seniors weren’t burdened with strict evening self-study sessions—unless you counted solo martial training.

Most of his time was spent reading novels or begging Chen Yuting to let him spar with her at the martial school...

Even when he did play, it was usually the game’s "Battle Royale" mode.

But that mode leaned toward casual fun, with the system adjusting players' real-world martial prowess for balance.

It was the crowd’s favorite entertainment option.

"Bubble" was the game’s AI assistant.

"Enter Solo Martial Arena Ranked Matches."

Wang Xian cut straight to the point.

The Solo Martial Arena Ranked Matches were the most prestigious mode in the game.

A player’s real-world martial ability underwent no system adjustments—only a minor margin of error.

In other words, your in-game performance would deviate no more than 5% from reality.

Of course, for martial artists above the third realm, even a 5% difference could be significant.

For those beyond the sixth realm, a mere 1% disparity could be magnified infinitely.

But for those below the third realm, a 5% gap hardly mattered.

Since the mode had credibility, it naturally drew more attention, viewers, and stronger competitors.

[Player vitality detected: 0.5. This is your first ranked match. Adjust sensory settings? (Note: Higher settings increase realism and pain perception.)]

"Set all to maximum."

[Settings applied. Current rank: Bronze, 0 wins, 0 losses.]

[Searching for opponent...]

[Match found. Opponent: Spicy Little Chicken (Bronze), Vitality 0.6, 5 wins, 2 losses.]

The moment the match began, Wang Xian felt his vision blur as he materialized on a martial arena.

Across the platform stood a shorter man, masked and wielding a longsword, his flowing hair giving off a chivalrous aura.

Of course, Wang Xian knew this was just a cosmetic skin—virtual attire for flair.

"Let’s spar," the opponent chuckled, clearly pleased to face a greenhorn with zero wins.

Wang Xian nodded.

The moment the words left the man’s mouth, his blade flashed like cold light as he lunged forward with an oddly elusive footwork.

Fast.

Wang Xian’s eyes gleamed.

Indeed, anyone daring to compete in martial ranked matches had some skill.

This guy’s vitality was only mid-tier compared to his classmates, yet his speed surpassed any of them.

It meant he could utilize at least 80% of his physical potential.

Wang Xian remained still, merely tilting his blade slightly.

Waiting calmly.

The way of water was ever-changing.

So too was the way of the blade.

Then, in an instant—

Wang Xian’s saber surged with an intangible force as he slashed outward.

"Huh?" The opponent barely reacted, hastily raising his sword to block.

But the next moment, the blade descended like a storm—smooth, relentless, unbroken.

Within a few strikes, the man faltered.

A final cleave shattered his form, dissolving him into motes of light as he vanished from the arena.

[Victory! Current record: 1 win, 0 losses.]

[9 more wins to advance to Bronze I.]

Wang Xian clicked his tongue.

The Flowing Water Blade Art’s opening move, "Flowing Clouds," hadn’t even finished before his opponent fell.

Still, virtual sparring had its charm.

"Flowing Clouds" was the foundational stance, designed to lock the foe in an unending tide of strikes, wearing them down like an inexhaustible current.

"Blades are interesting..."

In his past life, he’d only ever used spears.

This time, he could explore other martial disciplines to broaden his understanding.

Without pause, he queued for another match.

His second opponent was slightly stronger in vitality and record.

But they only lasted long enough for him to complete "Flowing Clouds."

By the fifth opponent, he finally unleashed the second stance: "Storm and Darkness."

In the Flowing Water Blade Art, this technique conjured countless afterimages—swift as wind, dense as rain, illusions masking lethal truths.

A semi-finishing move.

Once "Flowing Clouds" locked the rhythm, an abrupt shift to this stance made it nearly impossible to counter.

With this, Wang Xian secured four more consecutive wins.

By now, his comprehension of the Flowing Water Blade Art had deepened.

"Too bad no one’s pushed me to use the final stance yet..."

He’d only grasped it conceptually.

If he could execute "Tidal Surge"—the ultimate technique—in actual combat, he’d likely reach perfection in the Entry Realm within days.

However, his winning streak attracted fiercer opponents.

The last two had vitality nearing 1.0, and most had trained in foundational martial arts.

[You’ve won 9 consecutive matches. Proceed to the final placement match?]

"Continue."

[Searching for opponent...]

[Match found. Opponent: Everlasting Kirito (Bronze I), Vitality 1.5, 58 wins, 3 losses.]

The moment he saw the stats, Wang Xian froze.

Then he smirked.

"What kind of matchmaking is this?"

He shook his head, instantly recognizing that this opponent was clearly not meant for this rank.

These are the players who drop into low-tier matches to dominate after the seasonal rank reset.