Wind Howl Valley lay thirty miles west of Jiangnan City.
It was a long, narrow valley, with towering cliffs on either side, barren of even a blade of grass. The terrain inside was unusual, higher in the north and lower in the south. Whenever the north wind blew, it formed a powerful gale that howled out of the valley mouth like a wailing ghost. That was how the valley got its name: Wind Howl Valley.
Ordinary Martial Artists didn't dare set foot there. The gale was like a blade, easily shredding ordinary clothes and slicing skin. Even a 1st Grade Martial Trainee would be covered in cuts after half an hour without a defensive technique.
But for Lin Fan, this was the ideal place to train.
He stood at the valley mouth, feeling the gale rushing toward him. Wind blades sliced at his face, stinging faintly but not quite breaking the skin. As the [Basic Breathing Technique] circulated, a thin layer of Vital Energy shielded his body.
"This is the place."
Lin Fan took a deep breath and stepped into the valley.
The moment he entered, the wind suddenly grew three times stronger! The howling gale swept sand and stones into his face, making his cheeks ache. He had to squint and move sideways, each step a struggle.
[Basic Footwork: Maintained balance in the gale, proficiency +2]
The Status Panel's prompt lifted Lin Fan's spirits.
It worked!
He braced himself against the gale and continued deeper into the valley. The farther in he went, the stronger the wind became, until he could barely move. Every step forward took a tremendous amount of strength.
But Lin Fan didn't retreat.
He silently recited the essentials of the footwork: lower your center of gravity, keep your steps light, ride the wind instead of fighting it...
Gradually, he found his rhythm.
The wind came from the left, and he shifted to the right. It came head-on, and he leaned back slightly to let the force slide past. When it slackened, he surged forward with it...
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +3]
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +3]
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +4]
His proficiency was increasing almost twice as fast as it had in the Slum District's alleys!
"Not enough."
Lin Fan gritted his teeth and started attempting more dangerous moves—leaping, rolling, and abruptly changing direction in the gale.
One mistake, and a sudden gust swept him off his feet and slammed him into the cliff face. His back burned with pain; he had probably scraped it raw.
But he got up and kept going.
Another time, he misjudged the wind while jumping. The gale sent him flying sideways, and he crashed into a pile of rocks. Cuts marked his arms and thighs, and blood seeped from them.
He kept going anyway.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +5]
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +5]
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +6]
The worse his injuries got, the faster his proficiency increased.
Lin Fan could feel his body adapting to the extreme conditions. Every fall sharpened his sense of the wind; every injury strengthened his balance.
Three hours later.
Lin Fan sat slumped against a hollow in a sheltered cliff face, gasping for breath. He was covered in cuts, and his clothes had several tears, but his eyes shone with startling brightness.
He opened the Status Panel:
[Basic Footwork: Proficient (998/1000)]
Only two points to go!
"Again!"
Lin Fan struggled to his feet and charged back into the gale.
This time, he didn't deliberately practice his footwork. Instead, he relaxed completely and let his body respond to the wind on instinct.
When the wind came, he naturally turned sideways. When it eased, he naturally surged forward. When it abruptly changed direction, his foot slipped into place, and he twisted around in an almost uncanny way, coming to a steady stop.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]
[ Ding! Basic Footwork advanced to Minor Accomplishment Level (1001/5000)]
[Attribute Bonus: Speed +20%, Evasion Rate +15%]
[Characteristic Unlocked: Follow Like the Wind (Automatically adjusts your center of gravity while moving to adapt to complex terrain)]
Success!
Lin Fan felt a surge of joy, but before he could properly take in the changes from his breakthrough, the Status Panel flashed two more prompts in quick succession:
[Detected synergy between Basic Footwork and Basic Breathing Technique, producing a resonance effect] [Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +10] [Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +10]
A string of prompts flashed by furiously.
Lin Fan paused, then understood. Maintaining his footwork in the gale required him to keep his Breathing Technique circulating, supplying Vital Energy and restoring his stamina. Now that his footwork had advanced, his body could use Vital Energy more efficiently, which in turn improved his Breathing Technique.
He immediately sat cross-legged and circulated [Basic Breathing Technique] with all his might.
The gale still raged, but Lin Fan seemed to have become one with the wind. Every breath followed its rhythm, and Vital Energy flowed through his body several times more smoothly than before.
[Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +5]
[Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +5]
[Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +5]
Half an hour later.
[ Ding! Basic Breathing Technique advanced to Minor Accomplishment Level (1001/5000)] [Attribute Bonus: Vital Energy Cap +50%, Recovery Speed +30%] [Characteristic Unlocked: Endless Vitality (Vital Energy slowly regenerates automatically and can be maintained even in battle)]
Lin Fan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of Turbid Qi.
He could feel that his Vital Energy was nearly twice as abundant as before! It also flowed with perfect ease, without the slightest hitch.
"Now for my fist technique."
Lin Fan stood and looked toward the piles of rocks scattered through the valley.
Stones of all sizes lay there, some as large as millstones. The gale made them tremble slightly, and they scraped together with a clacking sound.
He walked up to a boulder as tall as a man and settled into a Boxing Stance.
[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1292/5000)]
"Throwing punches in the gale means fighting the wind resistance while keeping my force concentrated..."
Lin Fan took a deep breath and punched!
"Thud!"
His fist slammed into the boulder with a heavy sound. But the gale weakened the blow by thirty percent, leaving only a faint white mark on the stone.
Not enough.
Lin Fan drew back his fist, adjusted his breathing, and punched again.
This time, he tried channeling Vital Energy into his knuckles and releasing it in a burst at the moment of impact.
"Boom!"
A crack appeared across the boulder's surface.
[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +3]
It worked, but not quickly enough.
Lin Fan frowned and pondered. The biggest problem with training his fist technique in the gale was that wind resistance scattered the force of his punches. How could he keep that force concentrated as it passed through the wall of wind?
He closed his eyes and carefully recalled how the punch had felt.
The wind... wasn't an obstacle. It was a medium.
He shouldn't fight the wind with his fist force. He should use the wind.
A flash of insight.
Lin Fan punched again. This time, he didn't rely on brute force. Instead, he drove his fist forward in a spiral, like a drill boring through the wall of wind.
"Shing—"
His fist cut through the air with a sharp whistle.
"Rumble!"
The man-high boulder split down the middle, sending stones flying!
[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +8]
[Technique Unlocked: Spiral Force (Rotating fist force pierces through, increasing destructive power)]
Lin Fan's eyes lit up.
He had found the way.
For the rest of his time there, Lin Fan threw himself into a frenzy of training.
By day, he practiced footwork and fist techniques in the gale. At night, he sheltered from the wind and circulated his Breathing Technique to recover. When he was hungry, he chewed on dry rations; when he was thirsty, he drank spring water seeping from the cliff face.
His wounds scabbed over, split open, and scabbed over again. He didn't care.
The proficiency on his Status Panel climbed at a visible speed.
[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1897/5000)] [Basic Footwork: Minor Accomplishment (1324/5000)] [Basic Breathing Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1215/5000)]
On the evening of the third day.
Lin Fan stood at the deepest point in Wind Howl Valley, where the gale was more than three times as strong as at the valley mouth. An ordinary 1st Grade Martial Trainee would be badly injured if they lasted ten breaths there.
But he could stand firm.
And that wasn't all—
Lin Fan moved, darting through the gale. His steps were light as feathers, each movement perfectly avoiding the strongest gusts while using the wind to accelerate.
In ten breaths, he shifted between thirty-seven positions within a ten-zhang radius without a single mistake.
Then he stopped abruptly and faced a boulder twice a man's height.
He punched.
There was no sound.
Where his fist passed, the gale parted on its own, forming a vacuum channel. His fist struck the cliff face without resistance.
"Crack... crack!"
Spiderweb-like fractures spread rapidly across the boulder's surface, centered on the imprint of his fist.
"Boom!"
The entire boulder shattered into countless fragments, which the gale swept away.
Lin Fan drew back his fist and stood silently.
The proficiency of all three skills jumped at once on the Status Panel:
[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (2103/5000)] [Basic Footwork: Minor Accomplishment (1502/5000)] [Basic Breathing Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1408/5000)]
He was still far from Major Accomplishment, but compared to three days ago, his improvement was a qualitative leap.
More importantly—
Lin Fan opened his Attribute Panel:
[Character: Lin Fan] [Age: 16] [Realm: 1st Grade Martial Disciple (First Stage)] [Lifespan: 100 years] [Strength: 15 (+3)] (Base 12; after the 50% bonus from Minor Accomplishment in fist techniques, 18, rounded for display) [Defense: 11 (+2)] (Base 9; after the 50% bonus from Minor Accomplishment in the Breathing Technique, 13.5, rounded for display) [Speed: 13 (+3)] (Base 10; after the 50% bonus from Minor Accomplishment in footwork, 15, rounded for display) [Spirit: 14] [Comprehension: 15] [Bone Structure: 18] [Vital Energy: 220/220] (Minor Accomplishment in the Basic Breathing Technique; Vital Energy Cap increased by 50%) [Skill Points: 0] [Techniques: Basic Breathing Technique (Minor Accomplishment 1408/5000)] [Martial Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Minor Accomplishment 2103/5000), Basic Footwork (Minor Accomplishment 1502/5000), Gale Sword Technique (Entry Level 45/100)]
All three basic skills had reached Minor Accomplishment Level, each granting a 50% attribute bonus!
With 18 Strength, he was more than three times stronger than an average adult!
With 15 Speed, he could sprint a hundred meters in about six seconds!
With 13 Defense, ordinary blades could barely harm him!
With 220 Vital Energy, his staying power had greatly increased!
Lin Fan was still a 1st Grade Martial Trainee, but his actual combat strength far surpassed that of an ordinary one. He could even threaten a 2nd Grade Martial Artist!
"Finally..."
Lin Fan clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him.
Three days of hellish training had been worth it.
He looked toward the valley mouth. The sun was setting, dyeing the sky orange-red.
The assessment was tomorrow.
"Wang Hao, weren't you going to teach me a lesson?" A cold glint flashed in Lin Fan's eyes. "Well, let's see who teaches whom a lesson tomorrow."
He gathered his things, ready to leave Wind Howl Valley.
But just as he turned around, Lin Fan suddenly stopped.
He sensed something near the mouth of the valley.
It wasn't the wind, nor an animal—it was footsteps. Human footsteps, and there was more than one person.
Lin Fan immediately darted behind a boulder and held his breath. He shifted Basic Breathing Technique into internal-breathing mode, reducing his presence to a minimum.
After a few breaths, three figures appeared at the mouth of the valley.
The man in front was tall and thin, dressed in gray martial clothes with a saber at his waist. Two Strongmen followed behind him, both wearing vicious expressions.
They clearly hadn't come to train. They warily surveyed the valley, their hands never leaving their weapons.
"Boss, is that kid really going to come to a place like this?" one Strongman asked with a frown. "This damn place is so windy, it could blow a person away."
"Young Master Wang's information is reliable," the tall, thin man said gravely. "That kid hasn't shown up in the city for the past few days. He's definitely found somewhere secluded to train. Wind Howl Valley's conditions are harsh, but it's the best place to practice movement techniques. This is the most likely place he'd come."
Lin Fan's heart jolted.
Wang Hao's men! They'd actually tracked him down here!
"But the valley's so big. How are we supposed to find him?" the other Strongman asked.
"Spread out and search," the tall, thin man ordered. "Remember, Young Master Wang wants him alive. You can cripple his arms and legs, but don't kill him. He still has to be 'useful' before the examination."
"Understood."
The three of them split up and began searching the valley.
Lin Fan watched from the shadows, his eyes cold.
Wang Hao didn't just want revenge. He also wanted to cripple Lin Fan before the examination and stop him from taking part!
What a vicious move.
In the past, Lin Fan might have chosen to avoid confrontation. But now...
He glanced at his Attribute Panel.
18 points of Strength, 15 points of Speed, and three Basic Skills at Minor Accomplishment Level.
"Perfect. I'll use you to test myself."
Lin Fan moved soundlessly, merging with the shadows along the rock wall like a wisp of smoke.
He chose the Strongman on the left as his target. He was the weakest, around the peak of the 1st Grade, and the least thorough in his search, constantly complaining about the wind.
The Strongman reached a pile of scattered rocks, stopped, and prepared to rest for a moment.
Just as he turned around, a figure shot out from behind the rocks!
The Strongman saw only a blur. He didn't have time to react.
Thud!
A precise hand chop struck the side of his neck.
The Strongman's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed limply to the ground.
[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2] [Combat Experience +1]
Lin Fan didn't linger. He quickly dragged the Strongman behind the rocks and concealed him, then turned toward his next target.
This time, it was the Strongman on the right. He was slightly stronger, close to the 2nd Grade, and more alert, too.
Lin Fan didn't confront him head-on.
He picked up a small stone and tossed it into the distance.
"Tap."
The stone landing made only a faint sound in the wind, but the Strongman still heard it. He immediately turned toward the noise and drew the short knife at his waist.
The moment his attention was drawn away, Lin Fan moved.
Not from the front, nor from the side—but from above!
He climbed the rock wall without a sound, then leaped down from three meters up, both feet coming down hard on the Strongman's back!
Crack!
The sound of breaking bones rang out clearly.
The Strongman cried out and fell face-first to the ground, unable to get back up.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +5] (High-Ground Ambush) [Combat Experience +2]
Only one remained: the tall, thin man.
He was the strongest of the three, at least mid-level 2nd Grade, and experienced in combat.
Lin Fan didn't rush to attack. He stayed hidden and watched the man's movements.
The tall, thin man had clearly sensed something was wrong—the two men under him had been silent for too long.
He stopped, warily scanning his surroundings, his right hand already gripping the hilt of his saber.
"Come out," the tall, thin man suddenly called. His voice drifted away on the wind. "I know you're here."
Lin Fan didn't move.
"You managed to take down both my men without a sound. You've got some skill," the tall, thin man continued. "But you think that means you can win?"
He suddenly spun around, his saber flashing as he slashed at a patch of shadow behind him!
Clang!
Metal clashed against metal.
Lin Fan used his Pig Iron Short Sword to block the strike, but the enormous force numbed his wrist and sent him staggering back three steps.
"So it was you." The tall, thin man recognized Lin Fan and sneered. "Young Master Wang was right. Rats from the Slum District like you are best at hiding in the dark."
Lin Fan said nothing. He steadied his breathing and assumed a Boxing Stance.
"Still thinking of resisting?" The tall, thin man scoffed. "I don't know how you took down those two good-for-nothings, but you don't stand a chance against me."
His blade shifted, splitting into three saber-shadows that slashed toward Lin Fan's upper, middle, and lower body all at once!
The full strength of a 2nd Grade Martial Artist was on display—the saber was fast, powerful, and struck from a treacherous angle.
If Lin Fan had faced this strike three days ago, he would never have been able to block it.
But now...
Lin Fan's steps shifted, his body drifting like willow fluff in the wind as he narrowly dodged the three saber-shadows. At the same time, he thrust his short sword toward the man's wrist.
"Oh?" The tall, thin man gave a small exclamation and withdrew his saber, retreating. "Your footwork's not bad."
But he didn't panic. His saber technique changed, becoming even more relentless. Like mercury spilling across the ground, it enveloped every inch within three feet of Lin Fan.
This was the Mortal Tier Mid Grade saber technique Fine Rain Blade, renowned for its unceasing, intricate strikes and especially suited to wearing down an opponent.
The tall, thin man's strategy was clear: overwhelm Lin Fan with his superior cultivation, exhaust his vital energy, then capture him with ease.
But he'd miscalculated.
Lin Fan had far more vital energy than he'd imagined.
With a total of 220 points of vital energy, and the automatic recovery from his Endless Vitality trait, Lin Fan held on against the man's storm of saber strikes!
Thirty moves, fifty moves, a hundred moves...
The longer they fought, the more alarmed the tall, thin man became.
The kid's resilience was terrifying! He was clearly only 1st Grade, yet he'd held out this long against his saber. His footwork was growing smoother, and his punches were becoming sharper.
Even more frightening, it seemed like his opponent was... learning?
Every time the saber came close, Lin Fan found a more skillful way to evade. Every counterattack was more cunning and harder to defend against.
"I can't let this drag on!"
A cruel glint flashed in the tall, thin man's eyes. He took a deep breath and poured his vital energy into his saber. A faint green glow rose along the blade.
Mortal Tier High Grade martial skill—Wind-Rending Slash!
This was his ultimate trump card. One strike could cleave metal and shatter stone. With his 2nd Grade cultivation, it was powerful enough to badly injure a Martial Artist of the same grade.
The blade's light swept forth like a bolt of silk, tearing through the gale wind as it slashed straight at Lin Fan's face!
There was no dodging this strike.
But Lin Fan had no intention of dodging.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He suddenly released the short sword in his right hand, sending it flying toward the man's chest. It was a feint.
The real killing move was in his left hand.
He punched.
Spiral Force!
His fist twisted forward along a strange arc, passing through a gap in the blade's light and striking the tall, thin man squarely in the chest.
Thud!
A dull impact rang out.
The tall, thin man's body stiffened, and his saber's momentum stopped. He lowered his head and looked at his chest. His clothes were intact, but inside his rib cage, Spiral Force had knocked his organs out of place.
"You..."
He opened his mouth, spat out a mouthful of blood, and slowly fell to the ground.
[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +15] (Defeated a 2nd Grade Martial Artist while lower-ranked) [Combat Experience +5] [Achievement "First Display of Prowess" unlocked: Defeated a 2nd Grade Martial Artist for the first time] [Reward obtained: Skill Points x1]
Lin Fan drew back his fist, breathing hard.
That punch had consumed nearly half his vital energy. But it had been worth it.
He went over to the tall, thin man and crouched to check him. The man was still breathing, but his internal organs were badly injured. He'd need at least three months to recover.
"Go back and tell Wang Hao," Lin Fan said coldly. "If he messes with me again, next time he won't get off with just serious injuries."
He searched the three men and found some coins and healing medicine. Apart from that, they had nothing else.
Lin Fan hadn't killed them—not because he was softhearted, but because he didn't want trouble before the examination. Leaving all three badly injured would be enough to keep Wang Hao in check for a while.
He dragged them into a sheltered cave, left them some water and dry rations, then turned and left Wind Howl Valley.
The sun sank completely below the horizon, and dusk began to fall.
Lin Fan glanced back at the valley, then looked toward Jiangnan City.
Tomorrow was the examination day.
All the grudges and schemes would be settled there.
He touched the Identity Card inside his clothes, his gaze resolute.
This time, he would show everyone that even a boy from the Slum District could soar through the heavens.
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