Kunlun Martial University, deep within the vast villa district that belonged to the Sixth Institute.
It was very quiet, with only a handful of super-sized villas, each beside its own lake.
This area was on the outer periphery of Kunlun Martial University. It was September, and with the sun setting in the west, the not-too-large lake surface shimmered, presenting a stunningly beautiful scene, akin to a gorgeous painting.
"You're saying, Li Yuan took the 'Hundred Marrow Spirit Drought' for the second time, and bore it all by himself?" Dean Hai, dressed in blue, was leisurely sitting on the grass beside the villa, wearing sunglasses and fishing.
A parasol was erected, shielding him from the sunlight.
Beside him, someone was continuously cutting fresh fruit and was also constantly replacing drinks on the table that were no longer chilled.
"Yes," Li Yang replied solemnly, standing in the sunlight, "His willpower seems to have improved a lot since last month."
"Not bad," Dean Hai said indifferently after taking a sip of his cold drink, "What's his Physical Quality level now?"
"Almost 13.4," Li Yang said.
"The progression is slower than I expected, but it's still acceptable," Dean Hai said indifferently, "At this rate of improvement, he probably won't be able to participate in the next Combat Assessment."
"Dean is wise," Li Yang nodded and said, "The next Combat Assessment is expected to be at the end of February next year. By then, his Physical Quality will most likely reach level 15. Participating in the Combat Assessment... would hold no value for polishing his skills."
The intention behind the Combat Assessment is to temper the students, to let them feel the pressure of life and death.
However, if you combine Fourth Level high-rank skills with Physical Quality above level 15, it would lead to chaos at the Fifth Combat Assessment base.
It would then be losing the original purpose of the Combat Assessment.
As for higher-level Combat Assessments?
Given human civilization's overall strength, it's very difficult to capture that many advanced members of an Alien Race because they are hard to control, and any carelessness could cause serious trouble.
Secondly, Martial Artists above level 15 can play a significant role in many places.
Therefore, once Physical Quality exceeds level 15, it is often real combat, not an assessment.
"If he progresses quickly enough to reach level 15 ahead of time, let him head to 'Mingxu Star Realm' before January next year for his first life-and-death experience," Dean Hai said indifferently, "If he is a bit slower, then let him go in March."
"January or March next year? So soon for a life-and-death challenge?" Li Yang was startled, and couldn't help saying: "Dean Hai, his freshman year hasn't even ended, shouldn't we wait for Li Yuan's strength to be stronger?"
"Mingxu Star Realm is rife with Exotic Beasts, and we've only established observation points. If he just reached level 15 and then went in, it might be a bit dangerous," Li Yang explained.
Different from the Combat Assessment, the risks of the assessment are relatively controlled.
But venturing into a Star Realm, like Mingxu Star Realm which is a true 'pioneering Star Realm' still in the Inquiry phase.
Once danger is encountered, rescue is not immediate, and Li Yuan would have to rely solely on himself.
"Mingxu Star Realm is just a First Level Star Realm."
"The preliminary Inquiry results show that Second Rank native lifeforms are sparse in the entire Mingxu Star Realm, with a moderate level of danger." Dean Hai said indifferently, "There is indeed danger, but it's precisely because of the danger that he can truly be tempered."
"If he is nurtured in a greenhouse all the time, when will he grow up?"
"Li Yuan is different from the other students," Li Yang insisted, "Other students, most of them resort to..."
"There is no difference," Dean Hai gave a sideways glance to Li Yang, and said indifferently, "I understand what you mean. If Li Yuan continues practicing by the book, he can surely cultivate straight to level 20, or even a higher level."
Li Yang subconsciously nodded his head.
Why do most students go forth for life-and-death experiences after reaching level 15? They've hit a ceiling, and improvement is too slow.
At that time, without the stimulus of life and death, entering Fourth Stage skills would be almost hopeless.
"But my perspective is different from yours," Dean Hai looked at Li Yang, "I am not cultivating him to become a Prime Warrior."
"I hope he can become a Flying Heaven Warrior."
"If he wants to create Laws, then the higher and younger his skills are, the better his chances of success."
"Furthermore, he's special. To become a Flying Heaven Warrior, he must have Sixth Stage Skills." Dean Hai explained patiently, "If he practices by the book, he would likely reach Subtlety next year."
"From Fourth Stage to Fifth Stage, if there is no external stimulus, through regular cultivation, can you be sure when he'll break through?" Dean Hai posed the question back.
Li Yang shook his head, speechless.
Skill cultivation becomes increasingly difficult to break through as one progresses.
The jump from Third Stage Perfection to Fourth Stage can trap the vast majority of Martial Artists.
Like any student from Kunlun Martial University, they could have easily been termed 'top students' in their adolescence.
But if you broaden the time frame to twenty or even thirty years after graduation, the number of students who actually become Prime Warriors barely exceeds 40%.
Let alone reaching Fifth Stage Perfection 'Subtlety' from Fourth Stage Circle Perfection; this is an even bigger bottleneck.
If one's skills can step into Fifth Stage, combined with high-rank Cultivation Methods, one can smoothly cultivate to level 29 as a Prime Warrior.
A level 29 Prime Warrior, in the outside world, is already a highly influential figure in any region or state.
At present Kunlun Martial University, there are some students who have reached Subtlety.
But Fifth Stage Skill students? Not a single one.
"From a level 29 Prime Warrior to a level 30 Flying Heaven Warrior, it's like a chasm," Dean Hai said indifferently, "To become a Flying Heaven Warrior, skills must be at least at Fifth Stage Perfection."
"The greater the potential, the stronger the body, the harder it is to break through."
"Like Yu Jinghe, who has surpassed the 'Heavenly' realm and has stepped into the Sixth Stage and truly begun to comprehend the Laws."
"And what of it? He is still a level 29 Prime Warrior," Dean Hai said indifferently, "You yourself have Fifth Stage skills, don't you understand?"
Li Yang was at a loss for words.
Didn't he understand? Of course, he did!
Li Yang himself was equally trapped at the Fifth Stage of skills.
"Coddling along the way, having a smooth and worry-free cultivation might seem good, but Li Yuan would be able to safely cultivate to level 20 or even beyond level 25."