Chapter twelve: Encounter

In the classroom of Yucai High School, the morning light streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a faint halo over the room. There was a slight chill in the air, signaling the onset of autumn. Students entered the classroom in small groups, preparing for the day's lessons.

"Fang Xing, have you been taking some kind of magical elixir lately?" Xia Long stood at the door, his gaze resting on Fang Xing, his tone filled with a mix of surprise and teasing. "How come your body-refining progress is faster than anyone else's?"

Fang Xing, who had been flipping through his notes, looked up and smiled. "Teacher, there's no magical elixir. I've just been lucky with my training recently."

"Don't be so modest," Xia Long walked over to Fang Xing, patting him on the shoulder and lightly pressing his fingers into his skin. A hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. "Your skin is tough and resilient. You're beyond the normal body-refining stage. If I'm not mistaken, you have a high chance of developing Copper Skin, maybe even breaking through to Jade Skin."

"Jade Skin?" Ouyang Qianqian, sitting nearby, raised her hand in curiosity, "Teacher, reaching Copper Skin is already a rare achievement. What is Jade Skin?"

Xia Long nodded with a serious expression. "The highest stage of body refinement is Jade Skin. The skin not only becomes durable but also shines like jade, with incredible defense and regenerative abilities. Martial artists who attain Jade Skin are rare talents throughout the history of the Federation. If any of you manage to achieve it before the college entrance exams, it wouldn't just be about getting into a university — you might be directly recommended to the Federation's top martial arts academies."

The classroom buzzed with excitement, and everyone turned to Fang Xing with eyes full of envy and anticipation. Even Fang Xing hadn't expected the breakthrough in the Great Dragon Stance to bring about such a drastic change in his abilities.

"Teacher, do I really have a chance to achieve Jade Skin?" Fang Xing asked, still somewhat skeptical.

Xia Long chuckled. "There's a chance, but it's not something that can be achieved just through effort. The second stage of the Great Dragon Stance has significantly improved your odds of reaching Copper Skin. As for Jade Skin? That requires both talent and resources."

Fang Xing nodded thoughtfully, weighing his options. The breakthrough in the Great Dragon Stance had indeed brought about a physical transformation, but could he really have the talent to reach the level of Jade Skin? A spark of determination and ambition ignited within him.

"Teacher, is there a third stage to the Great Dragon Stance?" Liu Wei's eyes lit up as he eagerly asked. He too longed to advance further in martial arts, especially with the Federation exams on the horizon.

"There is," Xia Long replied after a pause. "The third stage allows you to merge with the stance, becoming one with it, rather than simply adapting to it. Those who reach this stage have the potential to develop Jade Skin."

"And the fourth stage?" Fang Xing suddenly asked, remembering Xia Long had mentioned something about achieving an 'aura' before.

"The fourth stage leads to the 'Dragon Aura,'" Xia Long's expression grew serious. "But that's not something you should be worrying about right now. Achieving the Aura stage requires more than just talent — you also need opportunities."

The classroom fell into a brief silence, and everyone was lost in thought. In the history of the Federation, only a handful of people had ever reached the pinnacle of martial arts. Among them, how many could possibly walk that path? For a moment, the gap between dreams and reality weighed heavily on their hearts.

After school, Fang Xing walked alone along the tree-lined path of the campus, kicking at the pebbles on the ground, his mind far from peaceful. The breakthrough in the Great Dragon Stance had indeed brought substantial progress, but he knew he lacked the resources to push himself further. He needed more methods and opportunities to stand out in the intense martial arts competition.

"Hey, Xing, want to train together tonight?" Liu Wei caught up to him, asking tentatively.

Fang Xing shook his head, his gaze distant. "No, I've got something else to do."

With that, he turned and walked toward the dormitory. Liu Wei watched him leave, frowning. "What's up with him lately? He's becoming more mysterious."

Entering his dorm room, Fang Xing quickly opened a hidden door. On the other side was not the dorm's backyard, but a mysterious alternate world. He had discovered this world some time ago and had been secretly using it to enhance his martial arts abilities. Time in this world flowed at the same speed as in reality, but its resources were exceptionally abundant. The wild foods here, in particular, could rapidly boost his physical strength.

"It's about time to start today's experiment." Fang Xing muttered to himself. He took out a red berry from his backpack and fed it to a captured white mouse. Within minutes, the mouse died from poisoning. Fang Xing nodded. "It seems the food here, though powerful, isn't without its risks."

Next, he tore off a piece of roasted bird meat from the alternate world and took a bite. The meat was tender and flavorful, melting in his mouth, followed by a warm surge of energy that spread throughout his body. He felt his limbs and bones enveloped by a comforting power, his inner breath growing stronger.

"This feeling… it's similar to the effects of the nutrient solutions in reality, but even stronger!" Fang Xing couldn't help but marvel. His training efficiency in this alternate world far surpassed reality, with noticeable progress after each session.

Just as he was about to continue training, a red dot suddenly flashed on the monitor screen.

"Someone's here?" Fang Xing immediately straightened up and pulled up the surveillance video. The screen revealed several figures—four people dressed in ancient-style clothing, moving swiftly through the forest.

"These people… they're not ordinary locals." Fang Xing furrowed his brows and observed closely. Leading the group was a burly middle-aged man, whose movements radiated a powerful aura. Fang Xing quickly deduced that the man was at least a third-stage martial artist, possibly at the Jade Skin level.

"What should I do?" Fang Xing's heart raced. He knew that facing such formidable warriors, he was still far from their league. But he also realized this could be a golden opportunity. He could use these warriors to learn more about the martial arts system of this alternate world, or even find a chance for a breakthrough.

"Stay hidden and observe. Don't act rashly," he whispered to himself, his eyes fixed on the screen.

The four warriors in the forest seemed unaware of Fang Xing's hideout. Their target appeared to be a dangerous beast lurking deep in the woods. Fang Xing remained in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment.

"Maybe it's time to start pretending I'm one of the locals in this world," he muttered with a sly grin, already crafting his next move.

The exploration of this alternate world was just beginning.