Chapter 9: The Law of Battle
The next few days in the Imperial Army passed like a storm.
There was no fixed schedule, no gentle progression. Every day felt like a test, and every test felt like it could break someone if they weren't careful. Morning began with endurance drills, followed by combat practice, then more combat, and somehow even more after that.
Lin Yuan adapted quickly.
Not because his body was strong—but because his mind was changing.
With Boundless Comprehension, nothing stayed confusing for long. Movements that once felt awkward became natural after a few repetitions. Techniques that others struggled with for days… he quietly understood within hours.
He didn't show off.
He didn't need to.
---
Su Yan, however, noticed everything.
During training, while others were barely keeping up, she found herself improving at a strange pace—faster than before, smoother, more controlled. Every correction Lin Yuan gave her made immediate sense, as if he wasn't just teaching her what to do, but why it worked.
One evening, after a particularly exhausting session, she sat beside him under a tree, breathing lightly.
"…You're holding back," she said.
Lin Yuan glanced at her. "From what?"
"From standing out."
He smiled faintly. "Standing out sounds troublesome."
"…You're already troublesome," she replied.
"…That hurts."
But he didn't deny it.
---
On the seventh day, everything changed.
All recruits were gathered in the central ground. The same scarred officer stood before them, his presence as heavy as ever. This time, however, there was something different in the air.
Anticipation.
"Those who remain," the officer said, his voice steady, "have passed the initial selection."
No cheers.
No celebration.
Everyone simply listened.
"You will now be granted access to the Imperial Army's foundational technique…"
A brief pause.
"…Infinite Battle Law."
---
Even Lin Yuan's eyes sharpened slightly.
So this was it.
---
The technique was distributed in the simplest way possible—a jade slip placed in each recruit's hand. No ceremony, no explanation.
Learn it or fall behind.
That was the only rule.
---
The moment Lin Yuan touched the jade slip, information flooded into his mind.
A complete cultivation system.
Brutal.
Direct.
Relentless.
---
The Infinite Battle Law wasn't about refinement or balance. It was about pushing the body to its limits, breaking it, and rebuilding it stronger through battle. Pain was part of the process. Injury was expected. Growth came from surviving.
"Simple and violent…" Lin Yuan murmured under his breath.
Pang Hu, standing beside him, looked like he might cry.
"Brother Lin… this thing wants me to get beaten up to become stronger."
Lin Yuan nodded. "Yes."
"…Can I refuse?"
"No."
"…I hate this place."
---
That night, Lin Yuan sat alone again, the jade slip resting in his hand.
He didn't start cultivating immediately.
Instead—
He thought.
---
The system appeared quietly.
---
✨ [Objective Updated]
Acquire Infinite Battle Law ✔
✨ [New Objective]
Integrate into Boundless Path
---
Lin Yuan stared at the words for a moment.
"…That was already the plan."
---
He closed his eyes.
Inside his mind, the structure of the Infinite Battle Law unfolded clearly. Every circulation path. Every enhancement method. Every way it pushed the body toward growth.
Then—
Without effort—
He began to see its flaws.
---
"It relies on external energy too much…"
"It damages the body faster than it heals…"
"It works… but it's inefficient."
---
Normally, such thoughts would be absurd. This was a technique created by the Imperial Army—refined through generations, proven in countless battles.
But to Lin Yuan—
It was just… incomplete.
---
The Boundless Martial Foundation within him began to stir.
Slowly.
Quietly.
As if responding.
---
"…Let's try something."
---
He began circulating the technique.
But not exactly as written.
---
Instead of absorbing energy from the surroundings, he redirected the process inward—forcing his body to generate its own energy first, then using the battle law's structure to refine it further.
It was difficult.
Painful.
Far more than the original method.
---
His muscles tightened.
His breathing became heavier.
A faint tremor ran through his body.
---
Pang Hu, who had been lying nearby, glanced over.
"…Brother Lin, why do you look like you're about to explode?"
"…I might be."
"…Should I run?"
"…Probably."
"…Okay."
Pang Hu rolled slightly further away.
---
Inside Lin Yuan, the two systems clashed.
The external.
And the internal.
---
For a moment, it felt like everything would collapse.
Then—
Something aligned.
---
The chaotic energy stabilized.
Not perfectly.
But enough.
---
A new flow emerged.
One that didn't depend on the outside world.
One that… belonged to him.
---
Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
"…Interesting."
---
✨ [Integration Progress: 12%]
---
A faint grin appeared.
"Only 12%…"
---
Instead of frustration—
He felt excitement.
---
Because for the first time—
He wasn't just learning a technique.
---
He was improving it.
---
The next morning, training felt different.
Every strike.
Every movement.
Every impact—
Carried a subtle change.
---
Lin Yuan still wasn't the strongest.
But his growth…
Was no longer normal.
---
Su Yan noticed it immediately.
"You changed something," she said quietly during training.
Lin Yuan stretched slightly. "Maybe."
"…It's not maybe."
He smiled. "Then don't copy it."
"…Why?"
"You'll probably collapse."
She stared at him.
"…You're serious."
"Very."
---
Not far away, Pang Hu was getting knocked down again.
"THIS IS NOT CULTIVATION, THIS IS ASSAULT!"
Lin Yuan shook his head.
"…He's improving too."
"…How?" Su Yan asked.
"By surviving."
---
As the sun rose higher, the training ground filled with the sound of combat once more.
But this time—
Lin Yuan stood in the middle of it.
Calm.
Focused.
And slowly—
Becoming something different.
---
✨ [Boundless Path Progress Increasing…]
---
Not just stronger.
---
But unrestrained.