Chapter 44 (1/2)
What Shen Zhe wanted to do most was to keep a low profile.
However, he could barely do that under such circumstances.
The news that Zhao Chen had been quickly improved by the herb liquid was already out. It would seem as if they were covering it up if they didn’t take part in the contest.
Instead of being suspected, might as well participate in the contest in the most daunting way.
As Zhao Fan said, it would be fine as long as they claimed that their achievements boiled down to hard work instead of the herb liquid.
Whoever wanted their herb liquid would have to reconsider if they were noticed by the academy after getting a good ranking.
It was also the best way to resolve the crisis for Wang Xiaofeng.
“Alright, I’m in!” Shen Zhe nodded his head.
“It’s settled then…”
Relieved, Zhao Chen said, “However, while body polishing is invincible in melee fights, it has to work with battle techniques. We might not be able to get a good ranking!”
“We have two days. We can practice it now…” Liu Pengyue waved his hand.
Wang Xiaofeng smiled bitterly. “You think there’s enough time?”
Every battle technique required a tremendous amount of time to be grasped. Even the simplest would take two or three years; they had only two days to work with.
It was definitely impossible.
“Besides, battle techniques have higher demands on calculation. You need to calculate the enemy’s position, moves, hardness and power in order to carry out your combat ability. It’s going to be hard for us!” Wang Xiaofeng shook his head.
“Performing battle techniques requires calculation, too?”
Shen Zhe was stunned.
From the books he read a few days prior, he knew that training battle techniques needed calculation. However, was it possible to calculate while fighting a constantly changing battle?
“The performance of a battle technique depends on the person who has grasped it!”
Wang Xiaofeng explained, “You need to calculate your and your enemy’s power when you practice, and conduct the pertaining exercises unless you reach the level of Familiar!”
Battle techniques were divided into five levels: Beginner, Mildly Fluent, Familiar, Greatly Fluent, and Perfect.
Only by reaching the Familiar level of proficiency would they be able to perfect battle techniques automatically without any calculation.
“So, is it unlikely to pick up a battle technique very quickly?”
He was disappointed.
As a bad student, he didn’t have enough calculation abilities. Secondly, the contest would be held two days later. There was little time for practice.
“Do you have any books of battle techniques?” Shen Zhe asked them after a brief hesitation.
“I brought one from my family. It’s designed for those in the Seven Star Stage!” Wang Xiaofeng took out a book.
Shen Zhe accepted the book and saw “Falling Leaves Palm” on it.
He opened it in a hurry.
The book had formulas, equations and detailed data to best carry out the battle technique…
He read it for a moment and felt dizzy.
“It’s not easy to learn, is it?” said Wang Xiaofeng, “When I read it, I had to focus my full attention, or I would fall asleep!”
“That’s right… Learning is too difficult!”
Zhao Chen and the rest of them nodded.
Seeing that they were just as bad at learning as himself, Shen Zhe shook his head helplessly.
Asking them to learn battle techniques was indeed too demanding.
Shen Zhe sighed and said, “Let me borrow your book…”
He had to study it more carefully to see if he could come up with a solution.
Wang Xiaofeng nodded.
It wasn’t an advanced technique and it did not cost much.
Zhao Chen and the rest of them discussed more about their team while Shen Zhe returned to his dormitory.
His top priority was to improve himself. As long as he became a Mage or a Martial Artist, all his problems would be solved.
“I haven’t found the Blood of the Blue Fox or the Gold and Silver Tobacco yet, so I can’t repair my veins and illuminate the stars. I have to pick up battle techniques to improve myself…”
Shen Zhe considered the situation on his way.
Until he reached the Seven Star Stage, his capabilities consisted of the power of the stars, his physical strength and battle techniques. He would be able to solve crises with less effort if he could learn a battle technique.
“Learning a battle technique through the regular approach requires years of hard work. I can’t do that…”
He read the book carefully after he returned to his dormitory and realized that practicing it also required calculation abilities.
It was impossible to learn it the normal way.
He had to find a way to cheat.
What was the point of living without being able to cheat?
“I want to grasp the Falling Leaves Palm!”
“Help me assimilate the Falling Leaves Palm!”
“I can grasp this battle technique…”
…
He wrote hundreds of lines with the pencil in the blink of an eye, but they all dispersed without leaving any trace behind.
“…”
His goldfinger wasn’t as reliable as he thought!