Chapter 32 I need it badly
Skill: Thrust (Level 1)
Description: A precise and focused piercing strike designed to bypass defenses.
Effect (Level 1):
Damage: +10% base sword damage. Penetration: Slightly bypasses defensive Qi or light armor. Cooldown: Minimal, usable consecutively if stamina allows.
Skill: Horizontal Slash (Level 1)
Description: A focused, precise horizontal strike aimed at exploiting an opponent's guard or weak points.
Effect (Level 1):
Damage: +8% base sword damage. Accuracy: Increased chance to hit vital areas when targeting. Cooldown: Minimal, but slightly stamina-draining when chained.
Skill: Vertical Slash (Level 1)
Description: A strong downward strike that channels weight and momentum to overwhelm defenses.
Effect (Level 1):
Damage: +12% base sword damage. Impact: Slightly staggers opponents with weaker defenses. Cooldown: Moderate, requires a brief recovery period after execution.
Zhao Lingfeng studied the three basic sword techniques before him, their icons grey. Each one represented the basic fundamental movements any swordsman would learn.
"Back to basics."
He remembered countless hours spent practicing these basic swings in the outer court's training grounds. Usually after his chores were done. And by then, the sun would be going down and most disciples would be preparing for the night.
The [Horizontal Slash] had low power, but offered possible critical damage. However, one had to be skilled to make exploit the attacks. The [Vertical Slash]'s raw power was tempting, but it required proper positioning and left him vulnerable if he missed.
His gaze settled on [Thrust].
"Simple. Direct. Efficient."
It was the best option.
He needed reliable damage output that didn't depend on circumstance or momentum. Most importantly, due to his weak cultivation base, [Thrust] may be the only skill that allowed him to inflict meaningful damage on his enemies. Being able to penetrate through one's spiritual power, tough bodies or the like was absolutely necessary.
He placed 1 [Sword Dao Insight] point into [Thrust].
The grey icon blazed with sudden color, and a familiar sword whooshing sound filled his consciousness.
Knowledge seemed to flow directly into his mind. Not just the mechanical movements, but a deeper understanding of the technique's principles. The way to shift his weight, how to align his blade for maximum penetration, the precise timing of the strike...
Ding!
[Skill Unlocked: Thrust (Level 1)]
The fog of endless branches parted slightly, revealing five new grey icons branching out from the basic techniques.
After unlocking his first sword skill, Zhao Lingfeng's eyes were drawn to the newly revealed branches of the skill tree.
[Quick Step] - A basic movement technique for swift positioning.
[Guard Break] - An aggressive strike meant to shatter defenses.
[Rising Slash] - An upward cut that could catch opponents off-guard.
[Flowing Edge] - A buff that enhanced attack speed and flow between techniques.
[Sharpened Edge] - A straightforward buff to raw cutting power.
His gamer instincts immediately latched onto the buff skills. In his past life, enhancements that increased one's abilities or stats were often the cornerstone of powerful builds. For instance, a 20% damage increase to every attack usually outweighed a flashy technique you could only use occasionally.
"[Flowing Edge] would make my attacks smoother, more fluid... And [Sharpened Edge] is pure damage output."
But three points for the first stage?
He studied the costs with a frown.
That would consume most of his remaining [Sword Dao Insights], leaving him with little flexibility. And the initial benefits seemed... negligible.
"If only the System showed the maximum potential. For all I know, these could scale into something incredible. Or they could cap out at mediocre bonuses."
He needed reliable power now.
His eyes returned to Thrust. The next level's preview showed significant improvements:
Skill: Thrust (Level 2)
Damage: Base Sword Damage increased to 15%
Penetration: Increased armor and Qi penetration.
Speed: The thrust becomes slightly faster.
"Mastery over versatility."
Better to have one reliable technique he could execute perfectly than several mediocre options.
He invested two more points into [Thrust], watching as the skill icon pulsed with newfound power.
Ding!
[Thrust has reached Level 2!]
Knowledge flowed into him once again. The basic principles remained the same, but now he understood subtle refinements to the technique, especially how to effectively thrust it faster to increase the penetration and power.
He looked towards the next preview of the skill, intending to go further.
His eyes widened.
[Thrust Level 2] >>> [Piercing Thrust] (Level 3)
Description: A refined thrusting technique that focuses on precision and penetration, allowing the sword to pierce through tougher defenses with minimal resistance.
Damage: +20% base sword damage
Penetration: Ignores 10% of the opponent's physical or Qi-based defenses
Armor Break: Has a small chance to weaken an opponent's defensive stance upon landing a clean hit
Cooldown: Minimal, but requires precise execution for maximum effect.
He almost immediately tapped to unlock the skill, but paused.
[Requires 3 [Sword Dao Insight] to unlock.]
"Three points?"
He stared at the evolved form of his thrust technique with barely contained frustration.
The potential of [Piercing Thrust] taunted him.
The ability to bypass 10% of an opponent's defenses wasn't just a simple damage increase. It was a game changer. In a world where cultivators could reinforce their bodies with Qi and had strong bodies, any technique that could pierce through those natural defenses was invaluable.
He wasn't sure exactly how it worked in the previous levels because he never unleashed the skill, but the word usage of "Ignore" was telling.
And that armor break effect... against stronger opponents, creating even a momentary weakness in their guard could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
But he only had two points left.
I need this skill badly.
His fingers drummed against the plain iron sword in his lap.
"Think. What's the quickest way I could gain a [Sword Dao Insight]."
He wracked his brain, trying to parse through the System's mechanics.
The quickest way was likely to comprehend the Sword Dao. But the problem was his talent was questionable. At the very least, his talent was not enough to attract attention from someone who followed the path of the sword. In fact, Zhao Lingfeng had never ever had proper guidance with the sword by a master or have a sword manual to reflect on.
The next best option would be to use the sword itself and try to gain insights.
Or…
Suddenly, a commotion broke through the quiet murmurs of the resting chamber.
Zhao Lingfeng looked up from his contemplation of the Sword Dao interface.
Huh? Senior Brother Fan Wei is back already?
It was Senior Brother Fan Wei and another cultivator's turn to act as distant scouts. They had only been out for an hour, yet they had already returned.
He saw that seeing Senior Brother Fan Wei's usually stoic face marred by barely concealed alarm as he spoke in hushed tones with Qin Yi and several others.
Something was wrong.
Zhao Lingfeng rose quietly, careful not to disturb his sleeping Stone Claw Bear companion. As he approached the gathered group, fragments of urgent whispers reached his ears.
"...completely bloodied..."
"...couldn't even see what hit them..."
"Where are the others?" Someone demanded in a harsh whisper.
Fan Wei's expression darkened further, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple despite his controlled demeanor.
"Unknown. Ming Hui could barely speak before losing consciousness."
Zhao Lingfeng's heart sank as he pieced together what had happened.
Earlier, a group had volunteered to escort some of their injured members back to the entrance. It had seemed reasonable at the time. Those too wounded to continue would only be a liability deeper in the realm.
Now Ming Hui, one of those escorts, lay unconscious before them, his robes shredded and caked with blood. The scout who'd received his message was still rambling about how Ming Hui had appeared, barely coherent enough to warn them of an attack before collapsing.
"Shut up about how he looked when he arrived," Qin Yi snapped at the flustered scout. "What exactly did he say about what attacked them?" Although he asked this scout, his question was directed to Fan Wei.
However, Fan Wei, despite being able to speak, had something preoccupied in his mind.
The scout faltered. "He... he didn't specify. Just that they were ambushed trying to leave, and—"
"Useless!" someone hissed. "Did he at least say where?"
But Zhao Lingfeng wasn't listening anymore.
His eyes were fixed on Fan Wei, seeing the minute tremors in the senior brother's usually steady hands.
He understood exactly why Fan Wei looked like that…
Even his own heart was starting to pound relentlessly in his chest.
Among the people who were in the leaving group had been Junior Brother Liu, who at the tender age of twelve and only the second level of Qi Refining, had been deemed too vulnerable to continue.
Zhao Lingfeng locked eyes with his senior brother.
Their expressions almost mirrored each other.
The secret realm is a trap.
The words of his SSS-rank quest…
Could it be as he thought?
That leaving may be…
Fan Wei suddenly turned, his movement sharp with purpose. "I'm going to find them."
"Hmph. This Qin will—" Qin Yi started to move, but several hands immediately pulled him back.
"Senior Brother Qin, you haven't fully recovered," one of his trusted subordinates urged. "The medicine is still working through your system."
Qin Yi's face darkened with frustration, but he couldn't argue. As the de facto leader, abandoning the main group would be irresponsible. His gaze shifted to Tan Rei, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
They couldn't afford to lose their other high-level cultivator.
"I'll go."
The words came from Zhao Lingfeng, drawing all eyes to him. Seeing his serious demeanour, several cultivators nodded approvingly. After all, a beast tamer with a massive Stone Claw Bear would be ideal force for a rescue mission.
"Awesome!" someone exclaimed. "With Fellow Daoist Zhao Lingfeng's aid, we might have a chance."
"His beast taming abilities would be of great use if we were to run into those aggressive beasts," another added eagerly.
"Oooh? Thank the Heavens…" a young cultivator sighed in relief. "Now I'm less worried for them."
The mood in the chamber lifted slightly as the rescue mission was taking a brighter turn.
"By the way," a voice cut through the murmurs,
"what is Fellow Daoist Zhao Lingfeng's cultivation level?"
The simple question dropped into the chamber like a stone in still water. Faces turned toward Zhao Lingfeng with dawning realization.
How had none of them thought to ask before?
Between the chaos of the beetle battle, Zhao Lingfeng's tendency to keep to himself—rarely speaking to the others—his choice to sit alone instead of with his brothers from the same sect, and his private conferences with only Qin Yi and Tan Rei, everyone had just... assumed.
Even Qin Yi and Tan Rei shared a startled glance, suddenly aware they'd never actually confirmed this rather crucial detail.
All eyes fixed on Zhao Lingfeng expectantly.
He looked strangely weak, but as a mysterious beast tamer cultivator with the same level of authority as Tan Rei and Qin Yi, few doubted his strength. Most weren't concerned. Zhao Lingfeng had to be at least at the Eighth Level of Qi Refining.
If not, then surely no lower than the Seventh!
Zhao Lingfeng shifted uncomfortably, then cleared his throat.
"The path of cultivation is like a winding river," he began, adopting a profound air. "Its depths can be deceiving, its currents unpredictable. What appears shallow might hide unfathomable—"
"Brother Zhao," Qin Yi cut him off, his tone carrying equal parts warning and exasperation. "There is no time to waste. Just tell us your level."
Zhao Lingfeng's shoulders slumped slightly.
He didn't evade everyone's eyes, but he muttered something under his breath.
Some people managed to hear it, but they tilted their heads thinking they heard wrong.
"What was that?" someone asked.
"...Third level of Qi Refining."
*Silence*
The silence that followed was absolute.
Someone coughed.
The scout who'd been so flustered earlier now stared at Zhao Lingfeng as if seeing a ghost.
Another person actually took another's hand and used it to slap himself.
"Third... level?" someone finally managed.
"*Hahaha* Senior Brother Zhao, your joking right?"
A boisterous Seventh level cultivator laughed and heartily patted Zhao Lingfeng on the shoulder. She held a much higher level cultivation than Zhao Lingfeng, and had respectfully addressed him as a "Senior Brother".
"Senior Sister… I'm unfortunately not kidding," Zhao Lingfeng replied.
"Wow your serious expression makes it appear that you aren't kidding. You're a really good actor."
"I wish I was, but I'm not acting. With the urgency of the situation, I can't afford to make a joke for something like this."
Or rather, he couldn't hide it in the first place.
After those words were said, the chamber descended to silence again before erupting into loud chatter.
"Impossible! Was the Liuyun sect a beast-taming sect?!"
"The Thunder Silk harvest... how did he...?"
"We've been following the guidance of someone weaker than most of us?!"
"That's only a level higher than Senior Brother Wu's current level!"
Qin Yi and Tan Rei's had their expressions frozen. But after some thought, they shifted from frozen to something closer to understanding, as if several puzzling pieces had suddenly clicked into place.
The Stone Claw Bear stirred at the commotion, raising its massive head. Its drowsy eyes surveyed the chamber before settling on Zhao Lingfeng with what almost looked like pride, completely unbothered by the revelation of its master's cultivation level. The beast thought that the master was getting praised. This meant by extension the bear itself was also getting praised.
But it was too sleepy to move.
With a self-satisfied grunt, it let its head sink back down, though one eye remained cracked open to observe the 'praise' through a sleepy vision.
Stone Claw Bear: Master strong. Me strong~