Chapter 19: Teaching, Instructing, and Dispelling Doubts

In a short span of time, Shi Yu had already come to a clear understanding. With just a slight hint from Song Yunwei, he had pierced through the superficial layer and grasped the entire essence.

Time was the key; time could change everything.

The data for graduating seniors was compiled half a month before the college entrance examination. The entire examination period in Daxia lasted for half a month, with the highly anticipated battle for the Heaven and Earth Rankings scheduled at the very end.

In other words, there was a whole month in total.

For most ordinary students, one month of hard work might bring some improvement, but nothing substantial.

However, for those gifted prodigies blessed by heaven with extraordinary talent, one month was enough to change everything!

Especially for the college entrance exam—a month that could determine the course of one’s life!

Take Shi Yu himself as an example: in just one month, even without venturing into the Western Journey, he could at least ascend to the fourth tier of the Nascent Yuan Realm and begin advancing toward the fifth tier!

What if a prodigy deliberately held back their cultivation before the exam and then broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm during the exam? Could they not be allowed to break through and explode in power at such a critical moment?

Seeing that Shi Yu had grasped the subtlety, Song Yunwei continued, “This kind of strategy is only for those aiming for the Heaven Rankings. Ordinary students can hardly hold back their cultivation deliberately.”

Ninety percent of students were between the sixth and seventh tiers of the Nascent Yuan Realm by the time of the exam; very few reached the eighth tier.

Beyond that, even higher realms were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Shi Yu took a deep breath. “So, Sister Song, you want me to hold back at this realm, right?”

Song Yunwei nodded. “Exactly. If you only reach the tenth tier of the Nascent Yuan Realm, it’s too risky to aim for the Heaven Rankings.”

“There can be no room for luck during the exam.”

“You must firmly grasp the initiative yourself; your own strength is the most reliable guarantee.”

“Therefore, you need to prepare an appropriate cultivation method for the Foundation Establishment Realm in advance, and become thoroughly familiar with it before the exam.”

“That way, when the exam comes, you can soar and compete with other prodigies.”

Song Yunwei gave her disciple a reassuring word: “As for the cultivation method for the Foundation Establishment Realm, don’t worry. I will find one for you. Of course, the cost will be deducted from the one million you have.”

Shi Yu looked at her serious expression and recalled the earlier bargaining quarrel between her and Tianheng’s Xia Yuan. He couldn’t help but marvel—having a martial arts mentor made all the difference.

If he were cultivating alone, he wouldn’t have considered all these aspects at all.

A teacher imparts the way, explains doubts, and imparts knowledge.

As for the cost of the cultivation method, Shi Yu understood well that acquiring a suitable method was more than just paying money—it required time, energy, and connections behind the scenes.

***

“Thank you, Sister!” Shi Yu’s thanks were heartfelt.

During this time, he had many to be grateful for: Song Yunwei, Lin Zhenfeng, and Yu Guochuan.

Without their help, he wouldn’t be progressing so smoothly.

“Having discussed your soul and cultivation realm, there are two more important aspects,” Song Yunwei said after sipping her tea, continuing her instructions to Shi Yu.

“They are the level of your weapon skills and your physical constitution.”

“As for weapon skills, it depends on your personal preference and specialty—whether to continue refining your blade techniques or try another weapon.”

Shi Yu understood what she meant.

Currently, Daxia’s martial education began in the first year of high school, and besides basic physical training, weapon training was an essential part.

To unify teaching quality and accommodate most students’ circumstances, the weapon training focused on Daxia’s widely popular horizontal saber.

Three sets of basic saber techniques were specially compiled for students to choose from.

Saber techniques were also an important part of the high school martial arts exam.

However, starting from the third year, students with special talent in weapons were allowed to choose other weapons for the exam and could earn extra points.

For example, spear, sword, halberd, axe, whip, staff, lance, and so forth.

Therefore, Song Yunwei specifically asked Shi Yu about his preference.

After all, Shi Yu’s saber skills in the first two years were already outstanding, and much of his top score in martial arts came from his exquisite saber techniques.

He already had his own thoughts on this matter.

In the past, he might have chosen to continue honing saber techniques, as it was the most reliable path and the choice of most students.

Generally, people wouldn’t give up a familiar weapon to relearn a new one.

Even if the exam offered bonus points, those points had to be attainable.

After all, with only one year, if the training were mediocre, he might not even secure basic points, making it more trouble than it was worth.

But now, Shi Yu was determined to take a new path.

He looked at Song Yunwei with resolute eyes. “Sister Song, I choose to practice the long staff!”

The staff was the ancestor of all weapons; all other long weapons evolved from it.

“You want to practice the staff...” Song Yunwei mused. “That’s not a bad choice. Staff techniques are easier to learn than spear techniques and easier to master.”

“In the third year, you will have a better chance to secure bonus points in weapon skills.”

***

“All right, then staff it is!” Song Yunwei nodded in approval.

She began to think carefully: “The school has a few manuals on staff techniques, which are enough for ordinary students, but for you...”

“There should be better methods at Tianheng. If we can’t find a suitable one there,” she muttered to herself, “we can look at home.”

By “home,” she naturally meant the Song family.

The Song family was large and influential; she was thinking of turning to her own family for help.

As for Shi Yu, there was only one reason for choosing the staff.

That was because of the Great Sage!

If one day he could wield a golden-hooped staff like the Great Sage and fight against heaven and earth—just imagining the scene excited him immensely.

Seeing Shi Yu’s suddenly excited expression, Song Yunwei asked curiously, “You really like the staff?”

Shi Yu nodded emphatically.

Song Yunwei pondered, thinking boys generally liked the staff, so she didn’t press further.

...

“Lastly, there’s your physical constitution.”

Song Yunwei frowned. “I reviewed your final report.”

“Your punching strength is only 465 kilograms, which puts your constitution at barely level seven.”

“This value, while excellent compared to ordinary people, falls short when compared to those top talents competing for the Heaven Rankings.”

“However, this is understandable—your family’s conditions are average; they cannot afford expensive qi and blood supplements or special nutritional meals for cultivation.”

Listening to Song Yunwei’s detailed analysis, Shi Yu was at a loss for words.

How could he explain that his body was actually strong and that the punching strength was only a show?

That his constitution level was actually higher than his soul’s?

He couldn’t say it now.

As Shi Yu was troubled, Song Yunwei continued, “Therefore, your biggest weakness is your constitution. You must raise your constitution level before the exam.”

Shi Yu could only obediently nod on the surface.

At this rate, his constitution level would become increasingly formidable!