Chapter 20: Knife Technique, Small Mastery!

In the courtyard, Jiang Ning picked up another thick log and placed it on the chopping block. 

With a swift motion, he brought the knife down. 

Crack 

The knife sank nine-tenths into the wood. 

Jiang Ning exerted force with his arm and the thick log split cleanly in two. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

Jiang Ning kicked the scattered wood pieces aside and grabbed another thick log. 

"At this rate, I should be able to grind out the remaining 200 experience points tonight, right? With the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique at Small Mastery, I should be able to split logs in one strike, shouldn't I?" 

The thought of being so close to his goal filled Jiang Ning with even more motivation. 

Compared to the Five Animals Fist, the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique was undoubtedly much easier to gain experience in. 

Although the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique was relatively basic and didn't contribute as much to his overall strength as the Five Animals Fist, the rapid accumulation of experience made up for its shortcomings. 

Jiang Ning also held some expectations for this knife technique. 

After all, the breakthrough of the "Literacy" skill had granted him a special trait: photographic memory. 

So, Jiang Ning was equally hopeful about what the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique might offer upon its breakthrough. 

With this anticipation, Jiang Ning continued to swing the knife, one strike after another. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

[...] 

[Skill]: Firewood Chopping Knife Technique (Proficient 86/200) 

After glancing at his panel, Jiang Ning took a short break. 

During this rest, he picked up a book he had brought with him earlier in the day. His goal was to gain experience in the "Literacy" skill during these intervals of physical recovery. 

This not only increased his knowledge but also slowly strengthened his "spirit," commonly known as mental energy. 

At the same time, he was also looking forward to the next breakthrough of the "Literacy" skill. 

Based on his speculation, each subsequent breakthrough would grant him a new trait. 

[Literacy Experience +1] 

[Literacy Experience +1] 

[...] 

[Skill]: Literacy (First Breakthrough 93/2000) (Trait: Photographic Memory) 

Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction. 

Being able to see his gradual progress, especially with clear and tangible goals, made every effort feel rewarding. Each step brought him closer to his objectives, and this sense of progress was intoxicating. 

Since learning that reaching perfection in a skill and breaking through its limits could grant special traits, his expectations had grown even higher. 

After resting, Jiang Ning returned to chopping wood. 

With each strike, every log he split brought him a subtle sense of improvement. 

His hands became steadier, his strikes more accurate, and his movements smoother. 

When the bright moon hung above the treetops, Jiang Ning looked at his panel with barely concealed excitement. 

[Skill]: Firewood Chopping Knife Technique (Proficient 199/200) 

"Just one more experience point!" 

He placed another thick log on the chopping block, steadying it. 

Then, gripping the knife tightly, he swung it down. 

Whoosh 

The blade sliced through the air with a sharp sound. 

Crack 

The thick knife nearly split the entire log in one strike, leaving only a small section connected. This clearly indicated that the strength in his arm had increased slightly. 

Although the improvement wasn't drastic, it was noticeable. 

After all, after nearly two hundred logs in such a short time, his arms were already fatigued, and his palms were numb from the vibrations. He couldn't exert his full strength. 

Yet, even under these conditions, the depth of the cut was deeper than before, reaching nearly 95% of the log's thickness. 

With a final exertion of force, the log split completely in two. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

At this moment, as the notification appeared, a qualitative change occurred. The Firewood Chopping Knife Technique on his panel advanced from Proficient to Small Mastery. 

[Skill]: Firewood Chopping Knife Technique (Small Mastery 0/500) 

Simultaneously, Jiang Ning's mind flashed through the two hundred strikes he had just performed. 

Each strike's force, and each strike's landing point all were being refined in his mind. 

Finally, countless images merged into one: a single strike slicing through the air and landing on the log. 

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes, a glint of blade light seemingly flashing in his gaze. 

In the next moment, he gripped the knife and brought it down on another log on the chopping block. 

Swish 

The knife cut through the air, landing squarely in the center of the log. 

Crack 

With a crisp sound, the log, which had previously been difficult to split, was cleanly cut in two. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

"It's different now!" Jiang Ning exclaimed, swinging the knife a few more times casually. 

He then picked up another log, steadied it, and aimed at a dark grain line on the wood. 

Swish 

The knife came down again, precisely following the grain line. 

Crack 

The log split cleanly in two once more. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

"The Small Mastery level of the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique is indeed different! Not only is the force application more refined, but my hand-eye coordination is also flawless. With this efficiency, grinding experience for this skill will be even faster." 

Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction. 

Then, he glanced up at the bright moon overhead. 

"It's getting late," he murmured. "I can still practice the fist techniques a couple more times before going to bed." 

Under the bright moonlight, Jiang Ning found a spacious area and began practicing the Five Animals Fist. 

With threats like Xu Yunfeng, Cao Bin, and possibly even the Worship God Cult looming, Jiang Ning didn't dare to slack off. 

Coming to the martial arts school had been an opportunity made possible by his elder brother's sacrifices. He couldn't waste it. 

[Five Animals Fist Experience +1] 

[Five Animals Fist Experience +1] 

After two rounds of practice, Jiang Ning's skin was slightly flushed, and his shirt was soaked with sweat. Steam rose from his head. 

"The Five Animals Fist drains your stamina!" Jiang Ning shook his head helplessly. 

Even after consuming a large amount of energy and the precious earth fungus at dinner, the two rounds of fist practice left him feeling weak and exhausted. 

Clenching his fist, he felt the flow of vital energy within his body. 

He nodded slightly. "Two more strands of vital energy have been refined. The Five Animals Fist, as a foundational martial art, is indeed far superior to the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique. Although progress is slow, the rewards are well worth the effort." 

[Skill]: Five Animals Fist (Beginner 28/100) 

After glancing at the progress of the Five Animals Fist, the panel disappeared from Jiang Ning's view. 

"Over a quarter of the way there. At this rate, it should take about three more days to reach Proficient. By then, my vital energy will be even more abundant. But in three days, the issue of medicinal resources will arise." 

Thinking about this, Jiang Ning felt a headache coming on. 

The wild ginseng he had consumed today had played a significant role in his rapid progress. 

The medicinal effects of the ginseng had allowed him to sustain the repeated practice of the Five Animals Fist. 

Without the support of the ginseng, Jiang Ning estimated that his practice frequency would drop by at least half, possibly even to a third of today's efficiency. 

This wasn't without reason. 

The improvements in strength, agility, and physique from practicing martial arts were incredibly rapid, far surpassing anything like fitness training in his previous life. 

Moreover, it allowed him to cultivate a unique force: vital energy. 

Such rapid improvement methods inevitably placed a heavy burden on the body. 

Without the support of potent medicinal resources, one would have to slow down the pace, gradually building up the body's foundation to avoid overtraining. 

But in his current situation, Jiang Ning couldn't afford to progress slowly. 

The threat from Xu Yunfeng was imminent. 

Jiang Ning was well aware that Xu Yunfeng, in his ambition to climb higher, gain merit, and join the colossal Cao family, would gradually lose patience. 

Especially once his elder brother lost his official position, Xu Yunfeng's restraints would diminish even further. 

Although, under normal circumstances, his brother would only lose his position after failing the year-end evaluation, Xu Yunfeng had the backing of Cao Bin, who in turn was supported by the Cao family. 

The Cao family controlled the mines, water transport, and population registries of Luoshui County. As one of the local powers, their influence was immense. 

Once they started maneuvering, it wouldn't take long for his brother to be dismissed on some pretext, or even thrown into prison. 

So, Jiang Ning didn't know how much time he had left. 

Having been in this world for over two months, he had already grown attached to his elder brother and sister-in-law. 

He especially adored Little Doubao. 

Even though he could now stay at the Canglang Martial Arts School and his safety was no longer an issue, he couldn't stand by and watch his family suffer such a calamity. 

Therefore, he had to accelerate his progress. Only by mastering the fist techniques and passing Wang Jin's assessment could he become Wang Jin's true disciple. 

Only then could he protect his elder brother's family!