Mastering a New Skill (PK—please keep reading!!!)

Mastering a New Skill (PK—please keep reading!!!)

Jiang Ning stood before the chopping block.

He gripped the woodcutter's saber tightly in his right hand, aimed at the log before him, and brought it down with all his strength.

Crack—

The sound of splitting wood rang out.

Jiang Ning could not help releasing the saber and shaking out his numbed right hand.

"Kid, can you handle it?" Auntie Sun poked her head out from the kitchen window.

"Sister Sun, I'm fine!!" Jiang Ning smiled at Auntie Sun.

He rubbed his palm. Once the blood began circulating again, the numbness quickly eased.

Then he gripped the woodcutter's saber again, pinned the log with one foot, and, with his blood and qi surging, yanked the embedded blade free in an instant.

The next moment.

With the saber in hand, Jiang Ning once again directed his blood and qi into his right arm, then viciously struck the half-split log.

One slash fell.

Crack—

The log split cleanly into two.

"Not bad!!" A calm voice suddenly sounded behind him.

Jiang Ning turned around, immediately set down his saber, and bowed.

"Master!!"

"Don't mind me! Chop properly. Chopping wood is also a form of training! The word Canglang represents a saber art!!" Wang Jin said slowly.

The moment Jiang Ning heard those words, his eyes lit up. He instantly understood why Wang Jin had assigned him this job of chopping wood.

So my performance this morning caught Wang Jin's eye!

His enthusiasm immediately surged.

If he had caught Wang Jin's eye, then for the time being, he no longer needed to worry about his personal safety.

Especially now that he could stay at the martial hall long-term, there was even less cause for concern.

Afterward.

Jiang Ning set another thick log upright and directed his blood and qi into his right arm.

One slash came down.

Crack—

The log instantly split in two.

The power of blood and qi really is marvelous! Jiang Ning silently marveled at the result of that slash.

With his first strike just now, since he had not unleashed his blood and qi, even his full-force blow had only split the log halfway.

But now, with his blood and qi erupting, he could split it cleanly in two.

That showed just how wondrous the power of blood and qi was.

Wang Jin stood where he was and watched for a moment. Then he nodded in satisfaction and headed toward the back kitchen where Auntie Sun was.

When he arrived at the kitchen.

Wang Jin's nose twitched slightly.

"You've treated that boy quite well. You even put Earth Ganoderma in tonight's meat broth."

"Hall Master!!" Auntie Sun immediately spoke with some nervousness, then hesitated before saying, "Looking at this little fellow makes me think of my own child. If nothing had happened, he should have been about this age too!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jin fell silent.

For several breaths, the kitchen was quiet, save for the crackling pop-pop of burning wood.

Then Wang Jin broke the silence.

"It's fine. Add more meat as well! I think highly of this boy too!"

Auntie Sun's eyes instantly brightened. "Hall Master Wang, are you saying this little fellow has hope of inheriting your mantle?"

Wang Jin shook his head. "It's still too early to say that! Whether he can seize this opportunity will depend on his comprehension. If his comprehension is lacking, even if he receives my inheritance, he won't get far! But for now, he can be cultivated first!"

"I understand!!" Auntie Sun looked slightly delighted. "This little fellow is very polite. I rather like him!"

Hearing that, Wang Jin seemed to recall something. His expression softened, and a faint smile appeared. "He truly is very polite!!"

Elsewhere.

While the two were talking.

Jiang Ning stood before the chopping block with his eyes wide open, his gaze filled with shock.

[Skill]: Wood-Chopping Saber Technique (Beginner 1/100)

Just chopping wood can earn me a saber technique? Jiang Ning was filled with astonishment.

Then a trace of joy appeared on his face.

Let's try again!

As the thought arose, he placed another log on the chopping block.

His blood and qi erupted.

Crack—

The log split in two.

[Wood-Chopping Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Wood-Chopping Saber Technique (Beginner 2/100)

It really works!

Joy rose in his heart, and a gleam flashed through his eyes.

Then he placed another log on the chopping block.

Crack—

As the woodcutter's saber fell, that log split in two once more.

[Wood-Chopping Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Wood-Chopping Saber Technique (Beginner 3/100)

"Not bad! Really not bad!"

Looking at the changes on the panel, he was exceedingly satisfied.

Experience is rising so quickly. This is far faster than Five Animals Fist! It may be even easier to gain experience in this skill than in Literacy!

After finishing his test, Jiang Ning was even more motivated.

"Logs were continuously split apart in his hands!"

[Wood-Chopping Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Wood-Chopping Saber Technique Experience +1]

[.]

After Wang Jin emerged from the kitchen, his attention was immediately drawn to Jiang Ning.

"Has this kid gone mad??" Wang Jin stared at Jiang Ning with his mouth slightly agape.

When Jiang Ning caught sight of Wang Jin from the corner of his eye, he immediately set down his woodcutter's saber. Panting lightly, he bowed to Wang Jin.

"Master!!"

Wang Jin waved a hand. "What are you doing, chopping wood with such effort?"

Jiang Ning answered with complete sincerity, "Master has allowed me to live at the martial hall and sheltered me from danger! I have no way to repay you, so I can only work hard to show my gratitude."

Hearing that, Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning helplessly. "There's no need for this. Work needs moderation too! If you exhaust your strength too much, how will you still practice your fist arts?"

Jiang Ning shook his head. "Master needn't worry. I still have the wild ginseng Senior Brother Zhou gave me to keep me going."

"You're eating wild ginseng to restore your strength so you can chop wood? Kid, you're putting the cart before the horse!" Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning, caught between laughter and tears.

"Master has both the grace of teaching and guiding me, and the grace of protecting me! The gratitude in my heart is beyond words, so this is the only way I can express it! If I simply accepted it with peace of mind, my heart would not be at ease!" Jiang Ning said with utter seriousness.

Wang Jin shook his head helplessly. "Fine, do as you please! Chopping wood can train your strength and help you become familiar with the feel of a saber. Where the eyes go, the hands follow—this is the foundation of saber arts! If your comprehension meets the standard and you become my true disciple, then this fundamental training in saber arts will be indispensable!"

"Understood!" Jiang Ning was full of excitement.

Seeing this, Wang Jin could not help smiling.

Young people are straightforward. Whatever is in their hearts shows on their faces! Unlike this old man, so composed and steady!

After that, Wang Jin secretly observed Jiang Ning for the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

This boy is loyal and values sentiment! Wang Jin nodded faintly, and his gaze toward Jiang Ning gradually softened.

Now I only hope this boy's comprehension meets the standard! With this boy's temperament, he could take care of me in my old age and see me through my final days. He would not betray his master or dishonor his ancestors! Looked at this way, he truly is a promising seedling! Still, what becomes of him will depend on what he fights for himself! If one does not strive in the martial path, one's achievements will be limited for a lifetime.

[Wood-Chopping Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Wood-Chopping Saber Technique (Beginner 99/100)

Just one more point of experience before I break through!

Seeing his panel, Jiang Ning's weary body jolted, and strength inexplicably rose within him once more.

He steadied the log, raised his saber, and brought it down.

Crack—

With a crisp sound, the log split down the middle.

[Wood-Chopping Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Wood-Chopping Saber Technique (Proficient 0/200)

In that instant, the final point of experience transformed from quantitative change into qualitative change, and the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique broke through from Beginner to Proficient.

As Jiang Ning held the woodcutter's saber, he instantly felt a sense of familiarity.

Instinctively, he knew how to exert force to unleash greater chopping power, and how to do so in the most efficient way to conserve his strength.

The muscles in his arm had grown tighter as his experience continued to rise. Now, with the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique's breakthrough, the muscles in his arm grew slightly warm, then tightened even further.

Jiang Ning set down the saber and clenched his fist. Feeling the change in his arm strength, he nodded in satisfaction.

Breaking through in the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique is truly cost-effective!

Breaking through to Proficient has already given me an initial effect. The later breakthroughs—Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Perfection—will only be stronger!

And there's also limit-breaking!!! A gleam flashed through his eyes. Thinking of the changes after limit-breaking, his heart filled with anticipation. Literacy's first limit-break gave me the trait of photographic memory. I wonder what trait the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique's first limit-break will give me?

With my current efficiency, it probably won't take many days to grind the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique up to limit-breaking!

Many thanks to White Sugar for the chapter recommendation, truly thank you!!!

(End of chapter)