NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 274
CHAPTER 274 Force
Everything unfolded just as Zhanglang Lu(Cockroach Green) had predicted.
As soon as Lu Ming engaged with Zhanglang Ge(Cockroach Pavilion), he realized that the battle would be a protracted one. Zhanglang Lu possessed formidable physical strength, far exceeding Lu Ming's in his [Self-Limitation State]. Additionally, Zhanglang Lu wielded a diverse array of offensive Origin Power skills, indicative of extensive training in various combat techniques.
However, despite his impressive abilities, Zhanglang Lu had not attained Divine level nor transformed into the Source of Mystic Silver Patterns. Consequently, neither his physical strength nor Origin Power skills could breach Lu Ming’s defenses, who was also an Ancient Realm expert with defensive Silver Patterns. Colorful Origin Power skills struck Lu Ming’s Body Protective Light, but the defense remained entirely unaffected.
Lu Ming quickly assessed the situation and reached a conclusion. “Impossible to penetrate.”
It wasn’t entirely impossible to break through, but it would take time. Lu Ming’s Silver Patterns, though weaker than those of the average Ancient Realm expert, could withstand Zhanglang Ge’s attacks for a day or two before succumbing. However, the power of the mystical patterns could regenerate on its own, making a complete breakthrough virtually impossible.
The consumption of Origin Power was minimal. One hour’s worth of Origin Power loss could be recovered by Lu Ming in just a second. In other words, if Lu Ming stood still and allowed Zhanglang Ge to strike him, Zhanglang Ge could inflict no harm at all.
Similarly, Lu Ming found himself unable to inflict any damage on Zhanglang Ge. Heavy punches landed on Zhanglang Ge’s green protective light with “thud” sounds, but Zhanglang Ge remained unfazed, while Lu Ming’s wrist grew sore from the repeated impacts.
All the flashy moves, such as [Annihilation Explosion] and [High-Speed Fist], proved utterly useless.
“The power of the mystical patterns, the power of the natural order…” Lu Ming thought. “Completely overwhelmingly powerful!”
Lu Ming and Zhanglang Ge were undeniably among the weakest entities in the Ancient Realm. Yet, even these relatively weaker Ancient Realm experts were far superior to the strongest individuals in the Origin Realm.
After nearly a minute of exchanging blows, Lu Ming and Zhanglang Ge reluctantly separated. They stood five meters apart, eyeing each other warily. Lu Ming contemplated his next move, while Zhanglang Ge seemed increasingly frustrated.
“Are you still going to fight? In my opinion, you might as well wait for death,” Zhanglang Ge taunted, glancing over at Esek and Tang Chongye on the battlefield. As Golden Pattern Ancient Realm experts, they were the ones shaping the course of the battle.
Lu Ming ignored the taunt and continued to assess his situation. After a moment of reflection, he spoke resolutely, “Again!”
“It’s the same no matter how many times you try. I’ve fought such battles too many times.” Despite his words, Zhanglang Ge, seeing Lu Ming approach once more, spread his hands and assumed a defensive posture.
As the two adversaries closed the distance, Lu Ming quickly reached a point where he was within arm’s length of Zhanglang Ge. He pulled back his shoulder, gathering his strength. His fist drew to his waist, and with the force from his waist, Lu Ming prepared to deliver a powerful punch.
Seeing the scene unfold, Zhanglang Ge made no immediate reaction. He simply shielded his face to avoid further insult. After all, neither of them could breach the other's body protective technique.
A fierce wind of punches swept through, landing squarely on Zhanglang Ge's chest. The intense pain left him stunned. In the next moment, he was sent flying backward, his chest's silver pattern shattering upon impact. Lu Ming’s heavy punch struck Zhanglang Ge with a resounding collision, and the [Annihilation Explosion] special effect activated, creating a gaping, bowl-sized bloody hole in his chest.
Clutching his chest and retreating rapidly, Zhanglang Ge stared at Lu Ming in disbelief. “How is this possible?! How is this possible?!”
“There’s nothing that’s impossible…” Lu Ming murmured, then said, “After all, what I used is a technique specially developed by a super expert who dedicated a lifetime to countering the power of the Superpower System!”
Flame Heart Yanxin had left a profound impression on Lu Ming. Although he knew little about Flame Heart’s life, identity, or even his level, Lu Ming surmised that anyone capable of developing such a formidable Force System must be extraordinarily powerful.
The situation before him only confirmed Lu Ming’s conjecture. Flame Heart Yanxin was undoubtedly from the Ancient Realm and stood out among its experts. The Force System he had developed was specifically designed to counter experts of the Superpower System.
“Silver Patterns are born from Origin Power skills and represent the rule patterns that arise when an Origin Power skill is cultivated to the Divine level,” Lu Ming reflected.
“This unique system vaguely touches upon the essence of Origin Power,” Lu Ming mused. “As for the Force System, it’s a high-level substitute for the Origin Power system. Previously, I thought its effects were limited to enhancing the strength of Origin Power skills and bypassing the opponent’s Body Protective techniques.”
“But that’s just one aspect of it…”
The Force System, born from the quest to find alternative paths to godhood, could not be so simple. At its core, the Force System was aimed at the Ancient Realm, specifically designed to counter the mystical patterns.
Even at the Ancient Realm, using the Force System instead of Origin Power could completely bypass an opponent’s Silver Patterns in both attack and defense. This meant that even without offensive Silver Patterns, Lu Ming could still use Force to disintegrate the protective Silver Patterns of Zhanglang Ge.
“In that case, defense should be the same!”
As he was contemplating this, a light figure suddenly appeared in front of him. It was Zhanglang Ge’s brother, Zhanglang Lu. He arrived with swift speed and slapped Lu Ming’s chest.
Zhanglang Lu bore two Silver Patterns on his body. The first was a Body Protective technique. The second was an Origin Realm Origin Power skill—[Heart Accelerating Palm].
The killing power of the [Heart Accelerating Palm] with Silver Patterns was exceptionally lethal when first developed. Given the relatively low strength of Lu Ming’s Silver Patterns, logically speaking, even if this attack did not instantly kill Lu Ming, it should still be able to destroy Lu Ming’s body protective technique and the power of his Silver Patterns.
However, under the Force System, the nature of everything changed.
With a resounding “thud,” a powerful force surged over, sending Lu Ming flying backward. However, he quickly stabilized himself. The Silver Patterns on his chest remained unaffected; they neither fluctuated nor dimmed.
“Because I didn’t use the power of Silver Patterns at all!” Lu Ming realized.
The basis of his defense was the Force. All the Silver Patterns were completely ineffective before Lu Ming, both in offense and defense. What remained was a contest of pure combat skills and personal strength.
This meant that even someone from the Origin Realm, or even the Spirit Realm without mystical patterns, could use the Force System to nullify the advantages provided by the power of the Ancient Realm’s Silver Patterns.
Recalling Flame Heart Yanxin’s teachings, Lu Ming suddenly recognized the true value of what he had learned.
“The Force System is merely a skill, not the Dao. It doesn’t offer any means to strengthen oneself directly. But for me, with a system that can infinitely increase physical strength, the Force System can become my Dao!”
“This is what I can rely on as I enter the Ancient Realm!”
At that moment, Lu Ming sighed in relief, dispelling the earlier gloom, and felt a profound understanding of his path that he had never experienced before.
“As someone newly entering the Ancient Realm, I indeed don’t have an advantage compared to other Ancient Realm experts. My mystical patterns are weaker, and the physical strength I once relied on doesn’t provide much of an edge.”
“However, the path of the Force System can bridge the gap between my Silver Patterns and those of other ordinary Ancient Realm experts, bringing us back to the type of battle I excel in and am most familiar with.”
“Perhaps I won’t consider the Force as my future Dao. But at least, at this moment, Force is my protective technique!”
With this newfound understanding, Lu Ming felt a shift in his attribute system. Opening the attribute panel, the description of the Force System came into view.
End of Chapter 274