New Skills?

Meng Tian was sitting on a toilet near the cafeteria, carefully pondering about his current set of skills. As he was looking through his skills, he saw that he had a perfect level close-combat weapon specialty- the Sword, a perfect level bewildering skill, a perfect level movement and escape skill, and a perfect level hiding skill.

But, he was still lacking a long-range attack skill, and a skill solely for defense. The skills for these two areas are not available to him... And he only had one attack technique in his arsenal. Hence, he decided to level up his close-combat skill- Boxing.

100 Energy Points spent... [Boxing Lv.2 (Intermediate) (0/100)]

1000 Energy Points spent... [Boxing Lv.3 (Advanced) (0/1000)]

10,000 Energy Points spent... [Boxing Lv.4 (Perfection) (0/10,000)]

Now that he had upgraded all five of his major skills to level 4, he could not afford the required Energy Points to level them up again. Hence he stopped this 'cultivation session'. It was also time for his Martial Arts class to finish.

He came out of the toilet, washed his face a little and walked towards the gym. As he entered the gym, the students present were getting ready to finish up their practice. Teacher Tiao was also guiding some of them.

Meng Tian ignored the curious glances from the students, and went up to Teacher Tiao and slowly asked, "Teacher Tiao, I have some doubts regarding my martial techniques. Can you clarify them?"

Teacher Tiao nodded very casually and dismissed the class. They both walked back to her office and she sat in her chair gesturing Meng Tian to grab a chair as well.

"Tell me, what do you need?"

He was already used to Teacher Tiao's straight forward attitude. Hence, he answered very naturally, "As tomorrow we will be leaving for the camp, I was thinking about my current martial techniques. By any chance, do you happen to have any martial techniques specifically for defense? If so, I would request an opportunity to observe the technique once."

Teacher Tiao was surprised by Meng Tian's request, as she had not expected this query to come from him this fast. The students selected for the training camps often have similar thoughts.

The three basic level martial techniques taught at school cover the aspects of defense, offense and escape in an integrated approach. The training camp was specifically designed to introduce the prospective Martial Apprentices to the cruel world outside the society.

Although, they were only taught three martial techniques, they were expected to perform their utmost best using these tools to pass the trials and escape the dangers during the two-month training period. This was the reason why the camp was deemed dangerous for high school students.

Teacher Tiao looked at him silently for a few seconds and said, "A skill that's completely focused on defense is only available to Martial Apprentices who have already started cultivating their bodies using Qi. As you have already reached this level of physical fitness, you are eligible to learn such skills. But, I do not enough authority to teach you any of them."

Meng Tian felt that it was a pity, not being able to get any new techniques from her. He could ask Principal Ren but he was not feeling up to it, as he had already gotten so many recovery serums from him. Just as he was about to take his leave from Teacher Tiao, she spoke once again...

"However, since you only asked to observe a defensive technique, I can give you a small demo... And it would not violate any rules. But you have to keep in mind that such techniques can only be learnt once you start your Qi cultivation. Hmm... Look closely."

Immediately, a pressure started emanating from her body as a thin layer of Qi wrapped around her. It was a radiant crimson energy barrier used to protect the cultivator's body. Meng Tian was carefully observing to see if he could get any Experience from this technique.

After a few seconds, Teacher Tiao deactivated her technique and looked at Meng Tian only to find him completely immersed in his own thoughts staring into a distance. She knew that he was a martial genius but learning this technique required one to have already started their Qi cultivation. However, what she did not know was that Meng Tian was already a genuine Qi cultivator with dual talents in water and wood.

Be that as it may, Meng Tian had completely immersed himself in the newfound surprises brought upon by the two pop up windows in front of his eyes.

[Talent Unlocked: Elemental Fire Affinity]

[Elemental Qi Barrier- Experience +10]

Just as he saw Teacher Tiao execute her technique, Meng Tian's mind was filled with new information- it was the shadow of a woman controlling the Qi inside her dantian to flow through her meridians, and completely cover the surface of her body. Once the Qi barrier was complete, the shadow vanished and entered Meng Tian's Soul inside his consciousness space.

And the most unexpected surprise was the new talent that he had obtained. He could now call upon Fire from his surroundings and control it... Meng Tian had yet to test his talents and the extent to which he could control different elements. He just had not spent the time required for it.

Meng Tian came out of his reverie and looked at Teacher Tiao gratefully. She just gave him a slight smile as she did not know what he had obtained from her demo, but she was not concerned about it. "Very well, do not waste time. Go home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Just at the moment that Meng Tian left her office, Teacher Tiao heard a familiar voice in her mind. "You have done well. I wonder what surprises he would show in the camp. Hahaha..."

Fatty Li had been waiting outside the school gates for quite sometime when a hand tapped his shoulders. It was none other than his best friend and the rising star of the school, Meng Tian. He had just finished speaking to Teacher Tiao, went to pick up his school bag and came out.

"Xiao Tian!! Hey man... What is up with you these days? It's like you've become a new man. Are you really going to attend the District Training Camp? It is going to start from tomorrow right..."

"My dear Brother Fang, you know that I don't like to show off. Sigh... And this camp is something that I cannot avoid."

"Alright, just be careful out there. I heard the training camp can be very dangerous."

They walked back to their houses and Meng Tian was welcomed by his parents. He did not expect them to be back home at this time. He walked into the house and told them all about his supposed 'awakening' of a flawless body, his water element talent and his three martial techniques.

He obviously did not inform them about his system, skills, etc. and also information about him being accepted as the disciple of a Martial Wargod.

His Parents looked surprised by the sudden news but kept their cool. Hua Baihe held her son's hands and looked at him with concern. Meng Shu seemed to be thinking very hard about something. After Meng Tian's narration of the events from the past three days, they looked at each other and sighed together.

"Xiao Tian, we have already been informed by your School Principal regarding your participation in the District Training Camp. And from what you have said, it looks like you want to attend as well."

His father Meng Shu looked at his wife for a second and continued, "We have no objection for you to go there as long as you promise us one thing... You must keep yourself safe. If anything happens to you... Sigh..."

"Your father is right. We are happy for all these abilities that you have awakened... And also very proud that you have reached such a level right in your first year of high school. But, from what we understand, this camp will be very dangerous. So, you must be extremely careful at every step of the way."

She gently stroked his head and smiled at him, but Meng Tian could clearly see the unease in her eyes. Although he knew that his cultivation would keep him very safe, he still made it a priority to safely come back home... And he etched in his heart, never to let his parents worry about him.

Meng Tian looked at his parents and nodded, "I will..."