Chapter 24: Spear Courage

Chapter 24: The Guts of the Spear

At two in the afternoon, all students of Class Three, Grade One, assembled punctually in the martial arts hall.

The new campus life, with a compact and efficient rhythm, officially began.

The first class was a cultural lesson.

The teacher was an elderly man with graying hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He offered no self-introduction, simply stepped onto the podium, activated a holographic projection, and began lecturing on the first chapter of "Comprehensive History of the Empire"—"The Dark Age and the Rise of the Emperor."

His voice was calm and steady, recounting how humanity, after losing the ability to navigate the Warp, endured a ten-thousand-year dark age, isolated in every corner of the void.

And how that sun-bright eternal powerhouse, the Emperor, single-handedly reunified the human Empire, constructed the Warp network, inaugurated the "Great Crusade" era, and laid the foundation of today's human Empire—a grand epic.

This period, a heroic saga, was utterly captivating.

Qin Feng sat in the back row by the window, listening with great concentration.

He meticulously recorded every key time node and every important historical event on his data pad.

These seemingly dry historical facts might one day become vital information for his survival in battles against alien races or unknown civilizations.

Sometimes, a trivial gap in information could determine a warrior's life or death.

Not everyone was as focused as he was.

Nearby, a few students had already slumped over their desks, emitting soft snores.

Most of them were the top-ranked geniuses who poured all their energy into martial arts training.

In their view, strength was everything. As long as they were powerful enough, so-called history and knowledge were merely useless ornaments.

The old man paid them no heed, continuing his lecture unhurriedly.

After two hours of cultural class, there was a brief ten-minute break.

Then, the homeroom teacher, Wu Shangfeng, appeared once again at the podium.

The martial arts class had begun.

"Sit up straight!"

Wu Shangfeng's voice boomed like thunder, jolting several drowsy students wide awake.

His gaze swept across the room, and the oppressive aura of a strong man made the entire martial arts hall solemn.

"From today onward, you can completely forget the 'Imperial Basic Body-Training Method' you learned in middle school."

His voice was devoid of emotion. "That was just a simplified version to lay the crudest foundation. Here, you will learn the true foundation of Imperial martial arts."

He called up a holographic projection, and the names and introductions of two cultivation methods floated in midair.

[Imperial Body-Training Method (Beginner)]

[Imperial Meditation Method]

"First, the 'Imperial Body-Training Method,'" Wu Shangfeng pointed at the first method. "The official body-training method of the Empire, divided into three levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—based on the depth of human potential it unlocks."

"The beginner method can develop your Life Index from 1 to 10, the limit of a first-level warrior. What you practiced in middle school falls under this category."

"The intermediate method can develop the Life Index from 10 to 20, corresponding to the second-level warrior range."

"As for the advanced method, it can develop the Life Index up to 30, the limit of a third-level warrior. Beyond that, you'll need to seek more specialized and powerful inheritances."

Wu Shangfeng's gaze swept over students like Shi Potian, who were already on the verge of breaking through to second-level warrior.

"I know some of you are nearing the ceiling of a first-level warrior. But don't be impatient. Listen anyway—there will always be different gains."

Then, he pointed to the second method.

"Next is the 'Imperial Meditation Method.'"

His tone, when mentioning the word "Emperor," unconsciously carried a hint of reverence.

"Martial arts cultivation tempers both body and mind. The flesh is a boat; the spirit is its rudder. Without a strong mental will to steer it, even the mightiest body is just a rampaging beast. This 'Imperial Meditation Method' is your entry into spiritual cultivation."

"Its core is to sharpen your spirit and temper your will by visualizing the eternal, supreme powerhouse of our human Empire—the Emperor—thereby slowly increasing your spiritual strength."

"Remember, 'slowly.'"

Wu Shangfeng emphasized. "Spiritual cultivation is harder and more dangerous than physical training, allowing no rashness. But its rewards are immense. A powerful spirit not only keeps you absolutely calm in battle but also elevates your perception and control of psychic energy to new heights."

"Legend has it that those with exceptional talent and deep fortune may, during visualization, even gain the Emperor's blessing and attention, reaping unexpected benefits. Of course, that's just a legend."

After speaking, Wu Shangfeng distributed the complete mental formulas and cultivation diagrams of both methods to each student's personal terminal via the classroom data system.

"Now, you have one hour to comprehend on your own. If you have any questions, you may ask."

As his voice fell, the entire classroom fell silent.

All the students immediately immersed themselves in studying these fundamental laws that would be crucial to their future.

Qin Feng also opened his terminal and carefully memorized every detail of both methods.

The content of the "Imperial Body-Training Method (Beginner)" was consistent with the "Basic Body-Training Method" he had practiced before, but more profound and complex.

The techniques for exerting force and circulating blood energy were far superior to the basic version.

As for the "Imperial Meditation Method," it opened a door to a whole new world. Following the method's instructions, he slowly closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and emptied his mind.

He began to try to visualize in his mind that supreme being who existed only in history and legend.

He imagined a majestic figure, clad in golden armor, wielding a great sword burning with holy flame, standing amidst the sea of stars.

His face was indistinct, but the boundless majesty of ruling the universe and protecting all life seemed to pierce through the barriers of time and space, transmitting clearly.

The moment he successfully constructed this vague image, the panel deep in his consciousness silently refreshed.

[New cultivation method detected...]

[Mastered methods:]

[Imperial Meditation Method (Not Yet Initiated)]

[Proficiency: 0/10]

[Effect: Slight increase in spiritual strength.]

[Hint: When proficiency reaches 10, it can be upgraded to Initiated level.]

Qin Feng opened his eyes and found that the panel's content was no different from when he had first encountered the body-training method.

The hour of self-study passed quickly.

Wu Shangfeng stepped onto the podium again.

"Alright."

His voice interrupted everyone's contemplation. "Body training and meditation are daily tasks you must persist in from now on. Now, we move to the next item—the selection of cold weapons."

With a wave of his hand, the holographic projection changed.

Rows of cold weapons of various shapes appeared on the light screen.

Sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, forks... covering almost every standard weapon type in human history.

"Warriors develop their Life Index to strengthen their bodies. And strengthening the body ultimately aims to fight and kill more efficiently. In the Empire's war history, psychic weapons—such as the laser guns, planet-destroying cannons, and personal power armor you know—are very powerful, but... these are external objects."

"During your safe growth period, the school does not allow you to overly rely on these psychic weapons. Your only task now is to temper your body and master a cold weapon combat skill that will accompany you for life."

Wu Shangfeng’s gaze grew ever sharper.

“A person’s energy is limited. The path of cold weapons is vast and profound; bite off more than you can chew and you’ll choke. An ordinary man, in his entire life, can at most master one or two weapons to the pinnacle of perfection. So now, I only allow you to choose one as your future main direction.”

“Of course, the choice is not set in stone. The school will give you a one-month adjustment period. Within that month, if you find that the weapon you chose does not suit your personality or physical condition, you may apply to change.”

Having said that, he began to explain one by one the strengths and weaknesses of the mainstream weapons on the light screen.

“The saber, the courage of a hundred weapons. Its momentum is fierce, sweeping and grand; it is the fastest to learn and its power is the most direct.”

“The sword, the gentleman of a hundred weapons. Light and ethereal, agile and versatile, it emphasizes technique and body movement, ever-changing, with an extremely high ceiling. Its drawback is that it is easy to learn but hard to master.”

“The axe and hammer, representatives of heavy weapons. One force overcomes ten techniques, pursuing ultimate destructive power. They are immensely powerful, but lack flexibility and have large openings.”

...

Wu Shangfeng’s explanations were precise and thorough, analyzing the characteristics of each weapon and the people suited for them with perfect clarity.

The students in the classroom listened with utmost seriousness.

This concerned the direction of their future martial path; no one dared to take it lightly.

Shi Potian chose the “saber” without hesitation.

Qian Duoduo scratched his head, hesitating for a long time between “hammer” and “axe.”

After explaining all the mainstream weapons, Wu Shangfeng waited fifteen minutes, then turned his gaze to the entire class.

“Have you all thought it through? Now, make your choices.”

Qin Feng’s eyes slowly swept over the dazzling array of weapons on the light screen.

In the end, his finger paused on the long and straight spear.

An inch longer, an inch stronger.

The spear is one of the most practical and efficient weapons on the battlefield.

It integrates offense and defense, capable of both mid-range thrusts and close-range sweeps.

It does not demand excessive spiritual energy like the sword, nor does it blindly pursue fierceness like the saber.

What it emphasizes is precision, steadiness, and the efficiency of a single fatal strike.

“I choose the spear.”

Qin Feng confirmed his selection at his seat.

Is anyone watching? Feels like I’m playing single-player—please, dear readers, give me some data support~

(End of chapter)