Micro-level Movement Technique

Leaving the suburban villa, the Warfire Squad followed the highway toward the city center.

It was Ning Ze's first time seeing the Wilderness Area during the day.

The buildings on both sides of the highway had completely collapsed. The gray-white ruins were littered with concrete, while crimson steel rebar lay exposed between chunks of dirt.

The road beneath their feet was full of cracks, with weeds over half a meter tall growing from within them. There were also strange pits everywhere—footprints left behind by rampaging monsters.

Looking into the distance.

Gigantic trees rose from the ground one after another, while at the end of the highway hung a golden Great Sun halfway down a mountain.

Ning Ze's expression was silent.

Plants had erased the traces of human habitation. Perhaps the scenery was natural, but it was also incredibly primitive.

And primitive meant danger. Even a patch of grass could conceal a life-devouring threat.

If they could not drive out the monsters, then humanity would have to become just as powerful in order to survive in this wilderness.

Yet the reality was that people had to fend off Beast Tides even while hiding within the small Base Cities. Only martial artists could venture out here.

Suddenly, Zuo Xingyuan raised his right hand while jogging, and the entire squad immediately stopped.

Zuo Xingyuan looked toward one side of the road.

There was a black shadow amid the gray-white ruins, with a large pool of blood surrounding it.

"A Shadow Cat Monster. Its tail is between forty and fifty centimeters long. Its strength is below F-rank. If you're careful, you should be able to handle it."

"Xiao Ze, go! It'll be your first battle today!"

Feline monsters were incredibly fast, and their neural reaction speed was even more outstanding.

If their strength was equal, humans could more easily kill this kind of monster by responding to every change without changing themselves.

But Ning Ze's 2,200 kilograms of strength had only just reached the Intermediate Warrior level.

This monster, however, was close to an Advanced Beast Soldier, meaning it possessed nearly 4,000 kilograms of strength.

Its terrifying speed was no weaker than that of an Advanced Beast Soldier, making it far stronger than yesterday's Crimson Horned Horse.

Ning Ze used a longsword and relied mainly on agility. The Shadow Cat Monster's combat style completely countered him.

Before leaving, Zuo Xingyuan's words had been full of comfort and encouragement. Yet now, he showed no mercy at all.

Fortunately, Ning Ze was wearing a Combat Suit that could withstand the cat's claws. Otherwise, he would only be brutally slaughtered by this Shadow Cat Monster!

But even if he won, it could only be a miserable victory.

The other members of the Warfire Squad remained silent. Not a single one objected. It was not only because Zuo Xingyuan was the captain—they also wanted to see what Ning Ze was made of.

If his strength was insufficient, he should simply return to school and train.

They could still watch over him now, so this counted as tempering. But if they were hunting monsters normally, they could not even guarantee their own survival. How could they possibly protect Ning Ze?

Hunting monsters in the Wilderness Area had never been a joke. It was called hunting, but in truth, it was a fight for one's life.

Sometimes, hunter and prey traded places!

Ning Ze's pupils suddenly contracted. Then he nodded heavily, tightened his grip on his longsword, and moved at once.

He quietly approached the monster.

Once he had passed the spot where Zuo Xingyuan and the others were hiding, he began sprinting at full speed. His instant speed directly exceeded 35 meters per second.

Ning Ze had thoroughly studied all kinds of monsters at school. The Shadow Cat Monster's senses were exceptionally keen. He would be discovered before he could sneak close.

Rather than letting the Shadow Cat Monster seize the chance to ambush him, he might as well provoke it directly and attack head-on—a fight to the death!

Seeing him so brave and sensible, Zuo Xingyuan curled his lips into a faint smile.

He turned around.

"Old Yang, it's up to you now. This kid can actually zone out in battle. He's still too naive and green."

Yang Chao nodded, raised the machine gun in his hands, pressed his face to the scope, and rested his finger on the trigger, ready to fire at any moment.

"Don't worry, I'll keep watch. Even if he can't defeat this Shadow Cat Monster, he should at least be able to protect his head and stay alive. He can't be that stupid, right?"

Xu Liang's square face was stern, and a trace of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Daring to lose focus in battle is treating his own life like a joke. I already sent yesterday's matter to Boss Ning. This kid can wait until he gets home and gets chewed out!"

Ma Yu's face darkened, his eyes filled with concern. He coldly snapped, "Enough. Stop talking. It's about to begin. Don't affect Yang Chao." His words were merciless, but everyone still cared deeply about Ning Ze. Having a gunner cover him could prevent accidents.

At this moment.

Ning Ze had already charged close, and the Shadow Cat Monster had assumed an attacking stance as well.

It crouched atop the gray-white concrete blocks. Its jet-black fur was sleek and glossy, its body arching and lowering in a wave-like motion. A forty-centimeter-long tail swayed from side to side behind it.

Its purple vertical pupils stared straight ahead. Its muscles were compressed to the limit, as though they could erupt at any moment. The ten hooked claws in its paws sank into the concrete beneath it as easily as if it were tofu.

A flash of silver appeared.

The longsword in Ning Ze's hand suddenly thrust forward.

At the same time, a black shadow darted toward him even faster.

Clang!

A crisp impact rang out.

Ning Ze's longsword was knocked directly to one side, while five chillingly pale claw shadows appeared before his eyes.

He knew his own situation best. The monster could not gauge his strength, but he was different.

He had long been mentally prepared. This Shadow Cat Monster was nearly half again as strong as him. He simply could not confront it head-on.

He had not used his full strength in that earlier strike.

Now that his longsword had been knocked aside, he still had enough strength left to defend.

With a twist of his wrist, a silvery-white arc slashed toward the cat's claws in midair.

Screech!

A sharp sound like grinding teeth rang out.

Sword and claw collided. A trace of mockery flashed through the Shadow Cat Monster's eyes. Having confirmed that Ning Ze was weaker, it continued pouncing forward.

"I've been exposed."

Ning Ze's expression did not change. He drew back his longsword and thrust toward the monster's eyes, actually abandoning defense.

He understood his disadvantage. Naturally, he would not allow the Shadow Cat Monster to get close and entangle him in melee combat.

In truth, from the very beginning, he had only one way to win—trade injury for a kill!

Clang!

A crisp collision rang out, and the black shadow borrowed the force to retreat.

The Shadow Cat Monster leaped away. Its body spun through the air, and when it landed, it was already facing Ning Ze as it attacked again.

Ning Ze did not choose to pursue. Instead, he assumed a defensive stance.

In the distance.

Zuo Xingyuan, who had been watching the battle, shouted in a low voice, "Old Yang, get ready to fire."

There was no response.

Zuo Xingyuan frowned tightly, disappointment rising in his heart.

On one side was a human who had just become a martial artist, with strength only at the Intermediate Warrior level. On the other was a monster close to the Advanced Beast Soldier level, one that excelled in speed.

At the same level, the greatest possible difference in strength between the two could approach double!

In fact, Ning Ze not only had only one method to win—he also had only one chance.

It was during their first exchange.

The monster could not discern Ning Ze's strength. Once it charged in, if it wanted to flee again, it would have nowhere to borrow force from in midair. That was its greatest opening.

Since it feared a trap, the monster would not dare attack with full power in the first exchange.

As long as Ning Ze dared to press his advantage, then with a weapon in hand, he could trade injury for injury. Once the monster was wounded, its speed would decrease. Ning Ze, wearing a Combat Suit, would surely be able to win.

Otherwise, with such a vast difference in strength, Ning Ze could only passively defend his vital points. His disadvantage would grow increasingly obvious, and with his current combat experience, he would have no chance of victory.

If he was lucky, he might drag things out a little longer. But once his stamina was exhausted, he would die.

This test was not merely one of courage, but also of choice. He had to be ruthless toward himself! He had to dare to risk it all!

Clearly, in Zuo Xingyuan's eyes, Ning Ze had already chosen to give up when he retreated into defense.

Believing that his companions would protect him, Ning Ze did not possess the resolve to trade injury for a kill.

Always relying on teammates would not do. When real danger came, everyone would struggle just to save themselves.

Zuo Xingyuan frowned as he watched that bedraggled figure dodge again and again. Ning Ze was now merely making a final, desperate struggle, repeatedly forced into peril by the monster as he barely held on.

He had been wrong from the very beginning. How could he possibly win?

Like a snowball rolling downhill, his disadvantage would only become more and more apparent until the monster toyed with him.

Once...

Twice...

Three times...

Zuo Xingyuan sighed inwardly, then called out coldly, "Old Yang, fire!"

There was still no movement.

On the battlefield, the yellow-brown figure and the jet-black figure intertwined. Gray-white dust flew into the air amid their tumbling movements.

But such an environment was nothing to a gunner.

After a long career of combat, Yang Chao might not be able to fire with his eyes closed purely by instinct, but at the very least, based on the occasional flickering silhouettes, he could accurately hit the Shadow Cat Monster.

Ning Ze dodged awkwardly once more, only to fall straight to the ground.

Zuo Xingyuan's heart trembled at the sight. His mouth was harsh and his methods were harsh, but how could he wish Ning Ze harm? This was only meant to temper him.

Once he was down, he could only fight in close quarters. The Shadow Cat Monster excelled in speed. If it got close, how could Ning Ze possibly resist?

If the Shadow Cat Monster truly entangled him, Ning Ze would be toyed to death. It only needed to slash at his temple once to tear his skull open.

Zuo Xingyuan panicked. His voice trembled slightly as he shouted, "Old Yang, fire!"

At the same time, he quickly swept his peripheral vision toward his side. Yang Chao was like a statue, staring at the battlefield without blinking.

It was not that he could not see the crisis on the battlefield, yet he simply would not fire!

It was not only Yang Chao. Even the others stood by with folded arms.

Cold sweat broke out in Zuo Xingyuan's heart, and his scalp went numb.

Yes, they had discussed it beforehand. After entering the Wilderness Area, he, the captain, would play the good guy while also playing the villain and being ruthless.

The others were to act either colder, harsher, or even disgusted and annoyed! They were supposed to stir up trouble and play the good cop, messing with the kid's mindset.

They were supposed to thoroughly temper the boy, from his body to his heart.

But in this situation, if they did not save him now, he would die!

This was Brother Ning's son!

These people were truly cold-blooded!

"This Movement Technique..."

Zhang Chen, who rarely spoke, muttered softly. A brilliant light burst from his eyes.

"Movement Technique, my ass!"

Zuo Xingyuan was getting anxious. These people were really going to drive him mad!

He did not dare step in himself, afraid the monster would launch a final counterattack before dying. Nor did he dare interrupt Yang Chao. This was Ning Ze's final chance to survive.

Yet Ma Yu nodded in agreement as well. His gaze was fixed on the battlefield, unwilling to miss even the slightest detail. Finally, he said in a low voice, "A Micro-level Movement Technique. Good kid!"

His eyes were somewhat dazed as he spoke. Micro-level was only the next realm beyond the basics, yet that single step was like an impassable abyss!

Most Warlord-level experts had not reached the Micro-level realm.

In life-and-death battles against monsters, one used tiny movements of the body to let the monster's attacks brush past, leaving oneself unharmed!

Because the body moved less, one could evade more times in the same amount of time, making it extraordinarily efficient.

But this type of Movement Technique was incredibly difficult! Incredibly difficult! A single error, and claws that had been calculated to pass two centimeters from a martial artist's body without causing injury—

If there was an error... the monster's claws could slash across the martial artist's body, disemboweling them! In a fight against a monster, one mistake could easily cost a life.

It required countless brushes with death, built upon years of combat experience, before one could possibly master such a technique.

The body was easy to control, but combat was difficult to predict. This was confidence forged through countless battles! It was also a special realm.

Those without talent could rely on hard work, yet still fail to comprehend it in their entire lives.

Those with talent could master it unconsciously. But... he should at least have fought a few battles first!

Others might not know, but how could they, his uncles, not know?

Ning Ze had only just entered the Wilderness Area. Yesterday, he had been kicked while killing a Crimson Horned Horse, yet today he had entered such a realm?

For a moment, Ma Yu felt that the world was unreal.

But as he watched the yellow-brown figure gradually rise to his feet, no longer oppressed by the threat of death, he became certain once more. It was indeed Micro-level!

"Micro-level, my—"

Zuo Xingyuan had just begun to curse when he saw Ning Ze stand back up beneath the Shadow Cat Monster's attacks. He was stunned. The disadvantage had actually been reversed?

The monster was still the same monster. The pale claw shadows seemed stamped into the air, yet the battle had completely changed.

Ning Ze ignored the Shadow Cat Monster's claws. He turned gracefully, letting the claws brush past his body, then casually flicked his sword forward. The blade cut through the monster's fur.

The Shadow Cat Monster howled in pain. Its savagery was aroused, and its movements became even more violent. It suddenly pounced forward, actually trying to trade injury for injury.

Ning Ze effortlessly evaded the claws again. His longsword darted out, his posture relaxed and unrestrained, leaving another bloody wound on the Shadow Cat Monster's body.

The tense, thrilling battle had turned into sword dancing and cat teasing?

"Micro-level?"

Zuo Xingyuan tilted his head, his face twisting strangely, seemingly covered in question marks. The envy in his eyes looked ready to overflow.

He admitted it—he was jealous!

He was already over thirty, and his strength was at the Intermediate Warlord level, yet his Movement Technique had not reached the Micro-level.

Ma Yu was nearly forty and had fought for almost twenty years. He had reached the Micro-level in his Movement Technique. Zuo Xingyuan was somewhat envious, but he could accept it. He felt that he was close to reaching the Micro-level himself.

But Ning Ze? A rookie who had just entered the Wilderness Area had actually achieved Micro-level in his Movement Technique too. Why? Just because the kid had a handsome face?

Yang Chao, holding the machine gun, once again revealed a faint smile. Still, he remained alert as he covered Ning Ze. He remembered that when Ma Yu first reached Micro-level, he had spent a month adapting to it. Even if this kid had a Micro-level Movement Technique, he probably was not very proficient yet, right?

On the battlefield.

Ning Ze's brows furrowed slightly. Since the battle began, he had been keeping track of his Movement Technique proficiency. Once his Movement Technique reached Micro-level, the battle had eased, allowing him to carefully observe its growth rate.

Now, he discovered that his Movement Technique proficiency was barely increasing. Or rather, it was increasing very slowly—less than one point per minute.

After fighting for so long, "Spirit Rhino Hundred Steps" was only at Micro-level 5/10000.

At the start, it had gained seven points in only a few breaths. Why had it suddenly become so slow?

Ning Ze's gaze sharpened. Since this beast could no longer rapidly improve his Movement Technique, he would finish it off!

"Wooo!"

An extremely shrill roar rang out. Having sensed the killing intent, the Shadow Cat Monster snapped awake. Its bloodshot purple slit pupils filled with terror as it turned to flee.

Ning Ze sneered. It had tortured him like that just moments ago, its eyes full of mockery, and now it wanted to run?

Too late!

Silver light flashed, leaving several Sword Shadows in midair. The Shadow Cat Monster dodged frantically, but in the end, the longsword pierced through its eye and punctured its brain. The beast instantly went still.

Ning Ze smiled happily, then crouched down to process the beast's materials.