NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 146
The old wolf bear had indeed yielded a treasure trove of benefits. The Knight's Body Forging Technique, a surprising windfall, left Lu Ming quite pleased.
With their spirits buoyed by the successful hunt, the group returned to the Nanxiang Gathering Place. However, their celebratory mood was short-lived. Huo Sheng approached them during dinner, his expression grave.
"There's trouble," he announced, his voice heavy with concern. Lu Ming raised an eyebrow, prompting Huo Sheng to continue. "It's been a while since Lolita's mother last contacted her. The telepathic link between them has been severed from her mother's end. I suspect there might be an issue in New York."
Lu Ming remained unconcerned. "Aren't you overthinking it?" he asked.
Huo Sheng shook his head. "It's not just about the safety of the people in New York. We're too far away to offer immediate assistance. Their fate rests in their own hands. What worries me is that their situation could pose a danger to us."
Every coin has two sides. The telepathic connection between Lolita and her mother had provided Nanxiang with valuable intelligence, but it also served as a potential conduit for threats. It was a delicate balance, one that now seemed to be teetering on the edge.
While Huo Sheng grappled with this dilemma, Lu Ming's thoughts were elsewhere. He eagerly anticipated his evening training session, eager to test the limits of the Knight's Body Forging Technique.
Huo Sheng, lost in his thoughts, could only hope that their newfound strength would be enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Meanwhile, in New York, Maggie shared Huo Sheng's concerns. She yearned to contact her daughter and warn the Nanxiang Gathering Place of the impending danger, but her powers were too weak to risk detection. As a Level 6 Awakened with non-combat abilities, she felt powerless in the face of the fallen angels. Any attempt to communicate would likely result in severe consequences.
As evening approached, a group of fallen angels descended from the sky to prepare their evening meal. The Black Mist Zone's perpetual twilight deepened, casting an even gloomier pallor over the landscape. Dozens of fallen angels surrounded Maggie and Anderson, their eyes vigilant for any signs of betrayal.
Their primary focus was on Maggie, as Anderson had proven himself willing to betray the Nanxiang Gathering Place. Perhaps he truly believed in the fallen angels' cause, or perhaps he simply enjoyed being a follower.
"How much further?" the lead fallen angel inquired. Maggie sighed, her voice tinged with weariness. "We've covered about one-tenth of the distance today."
Despite the fallen angels' ability to fly at impressive speeds, the journey from New York to the Nanxiang Gathering Place was vast. They had been flying for eight hours since noon, yet they had barely made a dent in the distance.
The road ahead was long and fraught with peril. Even for these powerful fallen angels, the threat of death loomed large.
However, the fallen angels viewed the journey's perils as mere trials, insignificant compared to the value they placed on the captured Tribulation Transcenders. The three leading angels huddled together, their conversation conducted in a language that resonated directly within the minds of those nearby, including Maggie and Anderson.
"We'll avoid the Dragon Spirit's territory and take a detour," one suggested.
"To the right lies the Lizard Territory," another chimed in. "We can request passage from them. The Black Feather Tribe is well-respected; they won't refuse us."
Maggie learned, for the first time, that these fallen angels belonged to a group known as the Black Feather Tribe.
"Even with a detour, our progress is too slow," a third angel lamented. "At this rate, it'll take us over twenty days."
"There's no other choice," the first angel replied. "We must proceed cautiously."
The conversation dwindled, and the Black Feather Tribe settled down for the night. They built a bonfire, adding a special material to repel wild beasts and insects. In the flickering firelight, Maggie's face was etched with worry, while Anderson appeared nonchalant.
Back at the Nanxiang Gathering Place, night had fallen. After a day of activity, it was time for Lu Ming's preferred method of winding down.
Exercise!
In the secluded courtyard outside his new home, Lu Ming mentally reviewed the intricacies of the Knight's Body Forging Technique. The area, enclosed by a low wall, provided him with privacy for his training.
As Lu Ming began practicing the technique, synchronizing his movements with the specific breathing rhythm, he could feel the mysterious energy within him merging with his cells at a steady pace. This fusion was deeper and more profound than anything he had experienced before.
He opened his attribute panel, his attention drawn to the entries for Tiger Steps Stance Lv20 (0/2000), Resistance Stance Lv20 (0/2000), and Knight's Body Forging Technique (Entry) (1/100).
As he progressed through the Knight's Body Forging Technique, the proficiency of both the Resistance Stance and Tiger Steps Stance increased rapidly, each movement contributing roughly 3 points. However, the proficiency of the Knight's Body Forging Technique itself remained unchanged, likely requiring a complete cycle to register any advancement.
Half an hour passed, and Lu Ming concluded his practice. The updated proficiency levels of the three skills were:
Tiger Steps Stance Lv21 (385/2,100) Resistance Stance Lv21 (385/2,100) Knight's Body Forging Technique (Entry) (2/100)
His three-dimensional attributes (Strength, Physique, and Agility) had each increased by 1 point, and his free attribute points had skyrocketed by 43! This rate of improvement was quite satisfactory to Lu Ming.
As twilight settled over the Nanxiang Gathering Place, the grey sky deepened into a somber hue. However, Lu Ming felt invigorated, not a trace of fatigue clinging to him.
"Let's continue!" he declared, eager to further explore the potential of the Knight's Body Forging Technique.
He resumed his practice, losing track of time as he immersed himself in the rhythmic movements and controlled breathing.
Lu Ming returned home and lay in bed, once again opening the attribute panel:
Analyzing Lu Ming's Attributes:
- Name: Lu Ming
- Level: Mortal Realm, Level 1
- Age: 25 years old
- Strength: 2386.7
- Physique: 2397.6
- Agility: 1963.7
- Free Attribute Points: 1139
- Superpower: Awakening in progress...
- Skills: (Omitted)
- Basic Stance: (omitted)
Origin Power Skills:
- Basic Breathing Technique: Proficient (53/1,000)
- Explosive Fist: Perfect (70,000/100,000)
- Knight's Body Forging Technique: Entry (2/100)
Lu Ming's excitement is palpable. He has discovered a new method to enhance his abilities through the Knight's Body Forging Technique. The rate of improvement, gaining 43 free attribute points and increasing his three-dimensional attributes by 1 each in just half an hour, is quite satisfactory to him.
As twilight descends upon the Nanxiang Gathering Place, Lu Ming, feeling invigorated and far from tired, decides to continue practicing the Knight's Body Forging Technique, eager to explore its full potential.
Lu Ming realized that while the Knight's Body Forging Technique provided a steady increase in attributes, the majority of the gains were concentrated in free attribute points, a byproduct of leveling up his Stance Techniques. Still, slow and steady progress was better than none, and the possibilities of further advancement with the Knight's Body Forging Technique remained intriguing.
"I'll focus on the Knight's Body Forging Technique for now," Lu Ming decided. "I'll max out the two Stance Techniques first and see how the Knight's Body Forging Technique evolves as it levels up."
He resolved to temporarily set aside the Explosive Fist and concentrate solely on this new skill. With his training plan in mind, Lu Ming closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The following day, Lu Ming awoke to the dim light of the Black Mist Zone, guided by his internal clock. After a quick wash in the courtyard, he enjoyed a hearty breakfast prepared by Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan. Refreshed and energized, he immediately began his daily exercise routine.
An hour later, Lu Ming finished his workout, his three-dimensional attributes boosted by a staggering 41 points. The explosive growth in his abilities filled him with a sense of anticipation. Perhaps life in the Black Mist Zone wouldn't be as arduous as he had initially feared.