NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 152
Lu Ming had been lamenting the potential loss of daily attribute gains due to his rapid advancement. However, the awakening of his Body Self-Limitation superpower opened up new possibilities.
"Self-Limitation State? Attributes halved?" Lu Ming pondered. "Doesn't that mean I won't be able to advance further?"
It seemed that way. He had been planning to continue leveling up to ensure a swift victory over the Black Feather Tribe, avoiding a prolonged and potentially dangerous conflict. He desired control, not a fair fight.
But now, with the Body Self-Limitation superpower, further advancement seemed unnecessary. He had a trump card, an Explosive State that could double his already impressive attributes, and a Desperate State that could amplify them fivefold, albeit at a cost.
Furthermore, having reached Level 2, Lu Ming could now vaguely sense the strength of his opponents. The majority of the birdmen were Level 9 Mortal Realm warriors, far weaker than him in his current state. Of the three leaders, two didn't seem to pose much of a threat in his Normal State.
The remaining leader, while potentially stronger than his Normal State, was unlikely to surpass his Explosive State, let alone his Desperate State.
"Is this a guaranteed victory?" Lu Ming mused, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
Despite his newfound strength, Lu Ming couldn't definitively determine if he was truly invincible. He wrestled with uncertainty, unsure whether to push his limits further with another advancement.
While Lu Ming remained silent, the Black Feather Tribe mistook his hesitation for fear. The birdman held captive in Lu Ming's grip trembled, his fear misinterpreted as weakness.
"Let go of me! Let go of me!" he squawked. "Our leader has offered you mercy! Why aren't you on your knees, thanking us?"
Lu Ming remained unresponsive, his grip unwavering. The Black Feather Tribe members were offended by his defiance.
"Kid," the birdman hissed, "I'll remember this. When you reach our territory, I'll have countless ways to make you suffer. I'll break your legs! I'll devour your firstborn in front of you! I'll—"
But his threats were cut short.
There was a sickening crunch as Lu Ming exerted a slight pressure on the birdman's wrist, shattering the bones with ease. The sudden act of defiance stunned the creature, surprise momentarily eclipsing the searing pain.
A scream tore from the birdman's throat, but it was abruptly cut short as Lu Ming swiftly twisted his head, mirroring the fallen angels' brutal execution of Maggie and Anderson.
Amang, Apulan, and Arnold's faces hardened, their initial amusement replaced by cold fury. This brazen display of aggression, killing one of their own before their very eyes, was a blatant challenge to their authority.
"Teach him a lesson!" Amang roared, his voice booming with rage.
Apulan lunged forward, eager to avenge his fallen comrade. But before he could strike, his vision blurred, and Lu Ming vanished. In a blink, he reappeared in front of Apulan, his hand clamping around the birdman's neck.
Before Apulan could even register Lu Ming's strength, he found himself being dragged away. In three swift strides, they were outside the Nanxiang Gathering Place, standing in a vast open expanse. Lu Ming flung Apulan aside like a ragdoll, then turned to face the remaining members of the Black Feather Tribe hovering in the sky. He curled his finger, beckoning them with a defiant gesture.
The message was clear: the confines of the settlement were too narrow for this confrontation. Let the battle unfold in the open.
And...
"I alone will take on all of you!" Lu Ming's declaration hung in the air, a challenge thrown at the feet of the Black Feather Tribe.
Amang's laughter boomed through the night, a mixture of amusement and anger. He couldn't believe he was being provoked by a mere Level 2 Mortal Realm warrior.
After a quick glance at the Nanxiang Gathering Place, ensuring no one could escape, Amang led the descent towards Lu Ming. The rest of the Black Feather Tribesmen followed, their wings beating rhythmically as they landed beside Apulan.
Apulan's eyes blazed with fury. "I was careless!" he growled, refusing to acknowledge that his defeat was due to a difference in strength.
Amang, sharing Apulan's sentiment, patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Let's not make that mistake again," he said.
With a deep breath, Apulan strode towards Lu Ming, his pride wounded and his desire for vengeance burning hot.
From his hidden vantage point, Velo observed the scene with growing unease. Lu Ming's imposing figure and the subtle aura surrounding him sparked a sense of familiarity in the old warrior.
"This person is a bit strange..." Velo muttered, a frown creasing his brow.
The strength of a Level 2 Mortal Realm warrior was well-defined, with little room for deviation. Yet, Lu Ming had effortlessly seized Apulan's neck and flung him out of the Gathering Place, a display of power that defied the limitations of his level, even with the aid of body forging techniques.
From his outsider's perspective, Velo could see what the Black Feather Tribe could not. They attributed Lu Ming's feat to a cheap ambush, a disregard for honorable combat. But Velo sensed something more profound. In terms of raw physical strength, this Level 2 Awakened was on par with Apulan, a Level 1 Physique Realm expert.
"Could he truly have been practicing body forging techniques since birth?" Velo pondered. "No, that's impossible."
Unable to unravel the mystery behind Lu Ming's extraordinary strength, Velo turned his attention to the colorful light emanating from Apulan's body. A sigh escaped his lips.
"Unfortunately, these new Tribulation Transcenders lack a strong foundation," he lamented to Fala. "They haven't mastered many Origin Power Skills. The Black Feather Tribe, with their ancient lineage and inheritance, possess a significant advantage in that regard."
Even if Lu Ming and Apulan were evenly matched in terms of base strength, Apulan's mastery of numerous Origin Power Skills would tip the scales in his favor. Each additional skill would widen the gap between them, stacking the odds against Lu Ming.
Velo's heart sank as he watched the impending confrontation. He couldn't shake the feeling that Lu Ming, despite his impressive strength, was outmatched.
Apulan advanced towards Lu Ming, each step accompanied by a surge of light from his body. The light coalesced into various forms:
- Origin Power Skill: Black Feather Battle Armor Technique: A shimmering armor materialized around Apulan, enhancing his defenses.
- Origin Power Skill: Soldier Transformation Technique: Two gleaming sabers appeared in his hands, ready for combat.
- Other Origin Power Skills: Additional light enhanced his skin's resilience and augmented his wings, increasing his speed.
With each skill activated, Apulan's aura intensified, projecting an overwhelming sense of power.
Lu Ming, however, remained unfazed. In his Normal State, Apulan's strength didn't seem to pose a significant threat.
Suddenly, a thunderous boom erupted as Apulan launched himself forward, his speed amplified by his wing enhancements. He appeared before Lu Ming in the blink of an eye, twin blades slashing towards Lu Ming's neck from opposing angles.
Lu Ming narrowly dodged the attack, but Apulan's follow-up kick caught him off guard. The eagle-like talon slammed into Lu Ming's chest, sending him reeling backward with a powerful force.
Apulan's leg emitted a deafening crack as he recoiled from the impact, flapping his wings to regain his balance.
An awkward silence descended upon the scene. Apulan's face cycled through a range of emotions – shock, disbelief, and finally, humiliation. He wanted to turn to Amang and confess his inability to defeat Lu Ming, but before he could speak, Lu Ming's voice broke the silence.
"You're very strong," Lu Ming admitted, acknowledging the power behind Apulan's kick. It was the first time he had been forced back in combat.
"Therefore," Lu Ming continued, his voice hardening, "I must use my true abilities!"
Apulan opened his mouth to respond, but his words caught in his throat as Lu Ming's body began to expand.