Dragon Sparrow

When Wu Ming received the call, he was studying the guiding technique for psychic mind masters. He had been obsessing over it for the past eight days, but unfortunately, he had made no progress. His telekinetic power was still improving at a snail's pace.

His Genetic Energy was the same.

"I understand. I'll be right there."

After hanging up, Wu Ming focused his mind and looked at the panel.

[Strength: 2680 KG → 2764 KG (Intermediate Warrior)]
[Psychic Power: 3460 KG → 3552 KG (Intermediate Warrior)]

"Just as I thought. Without a guiding technique, relying purely on cells to absorb cosmic energy is far too inefficient."

He shook his head helplessly. An increase of eighty or ninety kilograms in eight days meant only around ten kilograms a day.

At this rate, by the time the beast tide arrived in September, he would at most reach Advanced Warrior level. He would not even touch the threshold of a Battle General!

Fortunately, he had expected as much from his talent, so he was not discouraged. After all, his cheat was about to arrive.

Thinking of the batch of equipment he had forged at Zhu Workshop, Wu Ming immediately grew excited. He quickly headed downstairs and made his way toward the Ruan residence.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang at the villa entrance.

"I'm coming~"

Light, cheerful footsteps sounded from inside. The next second, the door opened, revealing Ruan Qingzhu's little face. She looked pleasantly surprised. "A-Ming, you got here so fast!"

Wu Ming answered honestly, "Our homes aren't far apart. It only took me a few minutes to run over."

"Oh, you blockhead. Can't you say something nicer? Like how you missed me?"

Ruan Qingzhu lightly punched him. "And here I came out specifically to greet you."

"Alright, alright." Wu Ming raised both hands and smiled. "I admit it. I haven't seen little Qingzhu for a few days, and I've missed you terribly."

"Oh, get lost. That was so half-hearted." Ruan Qingzhu could not help laughing, her little face flushing slightly. "Alright, come in. Professor Zhu is waiting for you inside."

The two chatted and laughed as they entered the villa. After passing through the foyer, Wu Ming immediately spotted three wooden crates standing side by side in the center of the living room. The smallest was less than a meter long, while the largest stood a full two meters tall.

Four people sat on the living room sofa. Besides Ruan Zaixing and Miao Yueling, Wu Ming recognized only Zhu Huazhi.

Compared with eight days ago, the professor no longer looked haggard. He seemed much more energetic overall.

A young woman in her early twenties sat beside him. Her features bore a faint resemblance to Zhu Huazhi's. She was most likely his gravely ill daughter.

Sure enough, upon seeing Wu Ming, Zhu Huazhi immediately rose to his feet. He patted the young woman's shoulder and said, "Hongyu, this is young friend Wu, the one who saved you. Without the medicine he gave us, you might never have woken up again."

Zhu Hongyu hurriedly stood and bowed to Wu Ming. "Brother Wu, thank you for the special medicine."

"It wasn't anything. We each got what we needed." Wu Ming quickly waved his hands. "And don't call me brother. You look like you're older than me. I'm only in my final year of high school."

"Final year of high school?" Zhu Hongyu's face reddened. She was already twenty-one and in her third year of university, yet she had called a high school boy her brother.

It could not be helped. After undergoing genetic optimization several times, Wu Ming had grown a little more, making him look much more mature.

Zhu Huazhi smiled beside her. "After my daughter woke up and learned that someone had brought medicine for her, she kept wanting to thank you in person."

"It was also my fault. I had too many things on my mind that day and forgot to ask you for your contact information and address. In the end, I could only contact President Ruan and have the items sent here."

"I see." Wu Ming suddenly understood. He recalled that he really had not left any contact information. No wonder the equipment had been delivered to the Ruan villa.

"What's wrong with sending it here? I supplied the materials, too."

Ruan Zaixing suddenly said, "Alright, brat, hurry up and open the crates. Let me see what you made with all those precious materials."

"That's right. Young friend, you must have been waiting anxiously these past few days. Open them and take a look."

Zhu Huazhi also smiled, his tone carrying a hint of concealed pride.

"Alright." Expectation filled Wu Ming's face as he walked over to the long wooden crate in the middle and lifted its lid.

The next moment, his gaze froze, as though it had been firmly captured by something.

It was a slender battle blade. Its blade had a subtle curve, blending the finest qualities of the Miao saber and the modao. Its spine was thick and steady, while its tip tapered to an extreme thinness, reflecting a cold metallic gleam beneath the sunlight.

This was precisely the perfect close-combat weapon Wu Ming had envisioned. It excelled at chopping and slashing while retaining the sharpness for thrusting attacks.

Wu Ming instinctively gripped the hilt and lifted it. After swinging it twice, he gave a soft sound of surprise, sensing that its length was slightly off.

Then his gaze dropped. "This hilt..."

"I took the liberty of lengthening it," Zhu Huazhi explained. "According to your design, the blade remains one point three meters long, placing it right at the boundary between a one-handed blade and a two-handed blade."

"But you do not know much about blades and swords. If you wanted to hold it with both hands, a twenty-centimeter hilt would inevitably force your hands together, making it difficult to exert strength."

"Therefore, I extended the hilt to thirty centimeters. The entire blade is now one point six meters long, leaving enough space between your hands and allowing you to exert force more smoothly. You can try it if you don't believe me."

Wu Ming followed his instructions and gripped the hilt, leaving roughly a fist's width between his hands. He then slashed with force and found that the motion was indeed extremely fluid, with his strength flowing through without obstruction.

He then switched to a one-handed grip, lightly rotated his wrist, and spun the blade in a flourish. It did not feel awkward at all, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Master Zhu, you've put a lot of thought into this. I really like this blade."

Of course, it was not only the blade itself that he liked, but also the talent it brought with it.

[Equipment detected: Alloy Battle Blade]

[Talent 1: Blade Prodigy, blade technique comprehension +150%]

[Talent 2: Cultivation Prodigy, Genetic Energy talent +150%]

[Talent 3: Nimble Footwork, movement technique training efficiency +100%]

[Equip?]

This was the strongest piece of equipment Wu Ming had encountered so far. It combined blade technique, movement technique, and Genetic Energy talent, for a total bonus as high as 400%!

One had to know that this was calculated according to his current physical strength, and he had no idea whether these bonuses had already reached their limit.

If there was still untapped potential, then perhaps even after he cultivated to the Battle General level, he could continue enjoying the same bonuses.

At that thought, Wu Ming's face was full of delight. He lovingly stroked the blade and, with a thought, equipped it in his Equipment Bar.

"It's good that you like it."

Seeing his work recognized, Zhu Huazhi revealed a proud smile. He suggested, "Young friend, such a treasured blade cannot remain nameless. Since you are its master, you should give it a fitting name."

"Of course, if you cannot think of one, I can do it for you."

"A name for the blade?" Wu Ming lowered his head to look at the long blade in his hands, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's call it Dragon Sparrow."

"Dragon Sparrow?" Zhu Huazhi was slightly startled before praising it. "A fine name. It has the domineering might of a dragon and the agility of a sparrow, perfectly matching this blade's balance of hardness and softness."

Wu Ming smiled. When he looked at the Equipment Bar again, he saw that its displayed name had already changed.

[Equipment Bar 1: Battle Blade · Dragon Sparrow (effects omitted)]