Journey to the martial academy, inner disciple (part 2)

Li Hao went to the gate.

The gate was white with blue lines all over it. On the side was a disciple, with blue eyes that shone with radiant enthusiasm and black hair with a glossy look.

He was wearing white martial garments with a little bit of blue underneath, and wristbands that tightened the sliver of his clothes.

His presence was not high and couldn't leave any everlasting impression, but his aura was that of a First Rate martial artist, earning him some regard.

Li Hao continued walking over. At his age, he was 4 feet tall, around 112 cm. His presence was unlike that of others—he didn't exude any presence at all.

If one wasn't looking directly at him, they might think he wasn't even there.

"Hi," Li Hao said in an uninterested tone, making it clear that he wasn't there to talk.

"Mm, who is this kid?" Even though the gate disciple felt entitled, he didn't put his thoughts into words.

What if he messed with the wrong disciple? What if, after entering the sect, that disciple had great talent and was taken in by the grand elders?

His own disciple position might as well be revoked—and that would be the lightest punishment.

"How can I help you, junior?" he asked in a polite, but not affectionate tone.

Li Hao responded lightly, "I'm here to register as a new disciple."

"Oh, that. Then please give me your name and username," the outer disciple asked.

"My name is Li Hao," Li Hao replied.

"Ok. To get yourself accommodation, you need to go straight from here. When you reach the grand square, turn left and you'll see where new disciples take their residence," the outer disciple directed.

"After you enter, you'll see an old man. He'll tell you where your residence is," the outer disciple added.

Li Hao turned and walked into the martial academy. He didn't care much about what was said.

As he walked on the stone steps of the martial academy, the green grass and trees around him reflected a calm atmosphere.

The sound of fists cutting through air and footsteps that felt rhythmic made one feel that this was the right place for martial artists.

Li Hao walked for a while. With the distance to the Register Hall being 1 km away, his walk was peaceful.

Li Hao reached the Register Hall. It was a magnificent building with a peaceful atmosphere.

Li Hao walked in, his soft footsteps not making a sound in the quiet space.

Inside, at the reception desk, sat an old man. He looked to be in his 60s, with a slightly pale and wrinkled body.

His white hair was tied in a bun at the nape of his neck, secured with a single worn pin.

His blue martial robes bore a sword pattern that flowed in the breeze. His presence was like a fluttering wind, making one feel as if he didn't exist.

Li Hao walked in and said in a loud but neutral tone, "Elder, I've come to Register for a residence."

The old man on the seat heard this. His eyes slowly opened as his ethereal aura faded. His blue eyes, though withered, still showed vitality.

The elder sat up straight, stretched for a bit, and fixed his gaze as he asked, "And who might you be, little fellow?"

"I'm Li Hao, a new student of the martial academy," Li Hao replied in a calm and serene tone. He had remained calm from the start to the end.

"Oh, so you're the first to arrive of the new disciples this year. It seems that you're in good luck. Since you came first, you get the best room for new disciples," the elder said in a low tone.

"Thank you, elder," Li Hao said. But before he could leave, the old man stopped him.

"Wait, kid. I forgot to give you this. It's a martial artist book for beginners. You need to study it fully," the elder said.

"And don't forget, there are morning martial arts classes. You don't need to attend, but if you seek the martial path, you should," the elder continued.

"Ok, elder," Li Hao said as he walked out, his direction now the dorm room. This place had thousands of disciples.

The academy is divided into outer, inner, and core. Li Hao was but an outer disciple.

The core zone had a diameter of 1 km, being the center of the sect. The inner court had a 1.5 km diameter and was located right after the core.

It surrounded the core of the disciple court. The last was the outer court, with a 2.5 km diameter.

Li Hao walked all the way to his dorm. It was a four-room house with a diameter of 15 meters.

It had a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and cultivation room. When Li Hao entered, the interior was quite nice and made life easier.

Li Hao went to the bedroom and unpacked. As he sat on the bed in a lotus position, he started to read the book the elder had given him.

"This place is called Bitter Spring Town, and it is one of the big towns in the Eastern Dao."

The Eastern Dao is the eastern domain of the Ming Dynasty, which combines four regions/provinces out of the 58 total provinces.

The Eastern Dao is controlled by the Supreme Martial Sect, with the leading sect being the Twilight Martial Hall.

Being a peak Fifth Grade Sect, it has power that could rival other province holders.

"It seems that this world is bigger than I thought. With the range of this town being 210 km in diameter, at my speed, it wouldn't take long to cross to the other side," Li Hao thought.

"Let me see the realms of martial artists," Li Hao continued to read.

The martial path is divided into many realms. But with the strong backing of the Jin Family, a Fourth Grade family, they are able to reveal much more about the martial path.

The realms are:

THIRD RATE (first turn, second level)

(60 yrs lifespan)

[strengthen the skin and blood]

SECOND RATE (first turn, fourth level)

(70 yrs lifespan)

[strengthen the muscles and tendons]

FIRST RATE (first turn, sixth level)

(80 yrs lifespan)

[strengthen the organs]

MASTER (first turn, ninth level)

(90 yrs lifespan)

[strengthen the bones and bone marrow]

Each realm is divided into 3 sections: entry, proficiency, and peak. With every realm you break through, you increase your power by two.

TRANSCENDENT MASTER (second turn, third level)

(200 yrs lifespan)

[gather spiritual power into the core]

UNRESTRAINED (second turn, sixth level)

(300 yrs lifespan)

[reach a spiritual inner core size of 2.5 cm radius]

PROFOUND / MYTHIC (second turn, ninth level)

(400 yrs lifespan)

[reach a spiritual core size of 4 cm]

You increase your power by ten between the Profound Realm and the Life and Death Realm.

LIFE AND DEATH REALM (third turn, third level)

(1000 yrs lifespan)

[open up a spiritual sea; refine the body with spiritual power]

NATURE REALM (third turn, sixth level)

(1500 yrs lifespan)

[comprehend nature intent]

VOID REALM (third turn, ninth level)

(2000 yrs lifespan)

[reach great perfection in one high human technique]

From now on, realms are divided into entry, proficiency, and peak, and are further divided into early, mid, and late stages.

With every minor breakthrough, you increase your power by two

(e.g., from entry early stage to entry mid stage — multiply power by two).

With every major realm you cross, you multiply your power by ten.

WILLFUL REALM (fourth turn)

(4500 yrs lifespan)

[create the martial spirit; reach the first level of law comprehension]