Chapter Two: Sword Light

"Why do you want to learn martial arts?" Fang Xing asked from the corner of the classroom, his eyes a bit dazed.

At that moment, Xia Long's voice resonated from the front, deafening, as if time had turned back to when he first attended a martial arts class.

"Because you are reserve soldiers! Someday, you will face the servants of the evil gods, and learning martial arts is essential for survival!" Xia Long's expression was serious, his gaze intense.

"Remember this: train hard! Only then can you stay alive!" His tone was filled with urgency.

Fang Xing recalled that he had been no different from the students before him, yet he secretly felt grateful that he hadn't found himself on the battlefield. "Our background determines that we can't choose another path; learning martial arts is our only option," he silently thought.

As Xia Long continued his lecture, Fang Xing's thoughts gradually cleared. When Xia Long described the dangers posed by the minions of the evil gods, he mentioned, "These creatures are not only powerful but can also corrupt our minds. The early federal army underestimated this threat and suffered heavy losses."

"However," he smiled slightly, "the evolution of human martial arts can resist this mental corruption. Although reaching the 'Courage Realm' is challenging, the federation has developed many martial arts techniques that can grant you similar powers through hypnosis, which is the origin of A-grade martial arts."

Fang Xing pondered this. It seemed that only he, as a bio-enhanced individual, could walk this martial path, yet the journey ahead remained arduous. Drugs, energy armor—these were all out of reach for him. For him, taking up a sword on the front lines was his only escape.

"I need to strive to reach the second realm of martial arts before graduation; otherwise, it will be a dead end on the battlefield," he resolved.

"Today's class will start with the 'Great Dragon Stance.'" Xia Long's voice pulled him back to reality.

As everyone adjusted their stances, Fang Xing felt every cell in his body awakening during the stance training, as if connecting with the ancient spirit of martial arts. He slowly breathed, imagining himself as a giant dragon, his spine undulating with each breath.

"Persevere! You must persevere!" he shouted within. Time seemed to stretch, each second a test of his will.

Just as he felt he was reaching his limit, a flash of sword light flickered before his eyes, as if pulling him back to the moment of his traversal. That sword light bore the weight of countless worlds, conveying some force to him.

"Is this… my opportunity?" Just then, a panel flashed in front of him, simple yet clear:

[Name: Fang Xing]

[Age: 16]

[Occupation: Martial Artist]

As his consciousness deepened, Fang Xing saw new sections opening up:

[First Realm: Flesh and Blood (Refinement: 21/100)]

[Military Boxing Twelve Styles: 55/100 (Beginner)]

[Great Dragon Stance: 67/100 (Beginner)]

"Is this my golden finger?" he thought, and then felt a surge of energy rising within him, as if his limbs and bones had suddenly gained new strength.

"Alright, thirty minutes are up!" Xia Long's voice echoed, jolting him awake.

"Ah Xing, your stance seems even better now; you must have practiced hard at home!" Liu Wei joked while wiping sweat from his brow.

"This is just my normal level!" Fang Xing replied with a smirk, but inwardly thought, "This is merely the beginning of my potential."

During the subsequent military boxing training, Xia Long explained every move and technique thoroughly. Fang Xing felt the vibrations of his punches cutting through the air, his eardrums ringing with the impact, fueling his determination. He gradually mastered each move, feeling his strength and speed increase.

"Only when you can unleash a true 'Cannon Fist' will you be considered a beginner," Xia Long's words echoed in his ears, urging him to continue striving.

Fang Xing's heart was filled with resolve: "I want to grow stronger, not just for myself, but for those fighting on the battlefield!"

As he poured all his energy into training, an unexpected strange symbol appeared at the bottom of his attributes panel, hinting at more unknown powers awaiting him.

"This will be my path of martial arts—a journey filled with challenges and opportunities," Fang Xing thought, his heart brimming with anticipation.