NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 151
Lu Ming, by nature, preferred peace and harmony. He wished to coexist with others, free from conflict and strife. But ever since the apocalypse, he had been confronted by countless adversaries—villains who sought to harm him and expected him to submit meekly.
Lu Ming was no passive victim. He would not stand idly by while others threatened his well-being. To ensure his safety, he had honed his body into a weapon, capable of crushing any who dared to oppose him.
The Black Feather Tribesmen, with their arrogant demeanor and callous disregard for life, fell squarely into the category of "shameless." Lu Ming, taking a deep breath, opened his attribute panel.
The birdman he held in his grasp was, based on his perception, the weakest of the group. Yet, even this underling possessed Level 9 strength. And then there was Apulan, shrouded in an enigmatic aura that Lu Ming couldn't decipher, suggesting a power far exceeding Level 9.
Lu Ming had no knowledge of the levels beyond Level 9, no frame of reference for the strength of such an adversary. But with their murderous intent clear, Lu Ming had no choice but to unleash his full potential, to face the unknown with absolute power.
"System, add points to me!" Lu Ming commanded, his voice echoing within his mind.
He poured all 2,449 of his free attribute points into his three-dimensional attributes, pushing them far beyond their previous limits:
- Strength: 7533.7
- Physique: 7533.6
- Agility: 7542.7
This immense surge of power surpassed even the capabilities of Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan, disrupting Lu Ming's daily training routine. Yet, despite these extraordinary attributes, Lu Ming still couldn't discern Apulan's true strength. The fallen angel remained an enigma, his power unfathomable.
The unknown bred fear, and fear sharpened Lu Ming's senses. He fixed his gaze on Apulan, who stood with hands casually tucked in his pockets, oblivious to the true power he faced.
In a calm, measured voice, Lu Ming asked one final time, "Can we not fight? Can we coexist peacefully?"
Apulan merely scoffed, offering no response to Lu Ming's plea for peace.
Lu Ming saw the disdain in Apulan's eyes, the way he looked at him as if he were a mere insect, easily crushed underfoot. A cold determination settled within Lu Ming.
"You forced me to do this," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
With a surge of will, Lu Ming activated the Basic Breathing Technique (Proficient 73/1000), not as a supplementary practice, but as a catalyst for rapid advancement.
Like a vortex, Lu Ming's body drew in the surrounding mystery factors, the ethereal energy swirling around him like a miniature cyclone. It poured into his body through his breath and pores, fueling his transformation.
A radiant blue light enveloped Lu Ming, a visual manifestation of the power coursing through him. Amang's eyes widened in surprise.
"The Breathing Technique?" he exclaimed. "Such speed!"
"This person's talent is extraordinary!" Arnold observed, a hint of apprehension creeping into his voice.
Velo, who had been preparing to intervene, was also taken aback. "Remarkable talent! I've never witnessed such potential," he declared to Fala. "And his work ethic is unparalleled."
Extraordinary talent combined with unwavering dedication hinted at limitless possibilities. This strengthened Velo's resolve to aid these Tribulation Transcenders, though he knew he must choose his moment carefully to make the most significant impact.
Despite the accelerated absorption of mystery factors, Lu Ming's advancement through the Breathing Technique wasn't instantaneous. Apulan had ample time to strike while Lu Ming was in the midst of his transformation. Yet, the fallen angel remained motionless, hands tucked in his pockets, observing Lu Ming with a scrutinizing gaze.
Only when the blue light surrounding Lu Ming began to fade, signaling his ascension to Level 2, did Apulan look up at Amang. A silent exchange passed between them, and Amang gave a subtle nod. Apulan then turned back to Lu Ming, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"You're quite impressive," he conceded. "Therefore, I've decided to spare your life. I'll take you back with me, where you'll mate with various women and produce more gifted offspring."
In Apulan's eyes, Lu Ming was nothing more than a prized breeding animal, a source of powerful progeny. It would be a waste to kill such a valuable asset.
Amang nodded in agreement. "Let's adjust our strategy then. Capture this man and gather some fertile women. The rest can be eliminated."
But Lu Ming's expression remained unchanged, even at the prospect of being spared. He mumbled under his breath, a hint of madness creeping into his voice.
"It's too late... It's all too late..."
Lu Ming had ascended to Level 2, his attributes doubling once more. Chengcheng and Wei Lan's powers could no longer match his exponential growth, even if they were to reach Level 7.
This meant a daily loss of 41 attribute points for Lu Ming, a number that would double with each subsequent level advancement. In the long run, the potential loss was astronomical.
Because of the Black Feather Tribe's untimely arrival, Lu Ming had been robbed of a staggering amount of potential growth. His heart ached at the thought.
He recalled his first encounter with a Devourer, a creature named Sima Xiao. Lu Ming tilted his head, his gaze piercing Apulan's smug facade. What had become of Sima Xiao?
Oh, right. He had been reduced to mincemeat, fit only for dumplings.
Lu Ming's imagination took flight, his expression morphing into a mask of barely contained rage.
Apulan, oblivious to the danger he had unleashed, smiled at Lu Ming. "Can you advance again?" he taunted. "Keep going. Show me your limits!"
Lu Ming remained silent, his gaze fixed on Apulan. He didn't attempt another advancement; instead, he opened his attribute panel.
The updated information filled his vision:
- Name: Lu Ming
- Level: Mortal Realm, Level 2
- Strength: 15067.4
- Physique: 15067.2
- Agility: 15085.4
- Free Attribute Points: 0
- Transcendent Ability: Body Self-Limitation
Body Self-Limitation: You possess an almost perfect body! This superpower allows you to effortlessly mobilize every trace of energy in your body!
Forms:
- Self-Limitation State: Attributes halved, body becomes shorter and thinner, aura greatly restrained.
- Conventional State: Your current normal state.
- Explosive State: Attributes doubled, body becomes stronger, more suitable for combat.
- Desperate State: Consumes a large amount of stored energy and Origin Power each second. Attributes amplified fivefold for a short burst of astonishing power.
Lu Ming stared at the description of his newly awakened Transcendent Ability, Body Self-Limitation, utterly dumbfounded.