State Solidification

"Chopping wood counts as martial arts too?"

Gu Sheng was stunned at first, then delighted.

Whatever the reason, since chopping wood counted as martial arts and appeared on the Proficiency Panel, things would be much easier!

"Based on the development settings from my previous life, as long as I grind proficiency to 100%, I can advance to the next level."

"Chopping ten logs gives exactly 1% proficiency at the Beginner level. Ideally, chopping a thousand logs should raise Chopping Wood to Minor Mastery!"

"In reality, it will vary depending on my condition and comprehension, but it shouldn't be far off."

As Gu Sheng pondered this, he gradually understood why Chopping Wood had appeared on the Proficiency Panel.

"Holding an axe to chop wood actually requires considerable technique. It can also strengthen the arms, so in a sense, it really can be considered the crudest form of martial arts."

"If this Wood Chopping Axe Technique were given to someone else, it would probably only make them more efficient at chopping wood. But I'm different. If I train Chopping Wood to Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, or even Perfection, its power will definitely transform."

"Most importantly, once my Chopping Wood level rises, I'll earn more money every day!"

Gu Sheng could not help licking his dry lips. He took another sip of water, his eyes gleaming.

The most urgent matter was solving his survival problem.

Earning two copper coins a day—and sometimes having to dip into his savings—left Gu Sheng with little sense of security.

But now that he had hope of earning more money, Gu Sheng was immediately filled with motivation.

He looked at the piles of dry firewood as though he were looking at piles of experience points and copper coins.

"Time to grind!"

He rose to his feet and stood a log upright.

He raised the axe over his head with both hands, then brought it down with force.

This time.

Gu Sheng clearly felt something different.

During his previous dozens of chops, his physical condition and concentration had varied, so naturally the force and accuracy of each strike had differed as well.

But now.

The moment he swung the axe down, he clearly felt that some kind of power was boosting him, leaving him in better condition than ever before!

If he remembered correctly, this was exactly how it had felt during his smoothest and least strenuous chop earlier.

"That's it. This must be one of the panel's functions: State Solidification. As long as I've reached an optimal state in this martial art, the panel will remember it, and every attempt afterward will maintain that optimal state!"

Delight appeared in Gu Sheng's eyes. He struck twice in succession and split one log.

It saved him at least twenty percent of his strength!

The dull, tedious task of chopping wood actually left him wanting more.

"Keep going!"

Thud!

Crack!

The two sounds alternated through the courtyard in a steady rhythm.

Gu Sheng felt better and better as he chopped.

Including his rest breaks, another ten logs were chopped after a quarter of an hour.

Gu Sheng glanced at the Proficiency Panel, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. Sure enough, Chopping Wood had become Beginner 2%!

It was exactly as he had guessed.

"The effects of this State Solidification are actually this good!"

"Without the panel, once my stamina dropped and my arms grew sore, those last ten logs would have taken far more than a quarter of an hour to chop! I might not even have managed to finish two hundred logs before sunset."

"But now, I might be able to chop even more!"

Having tasted the benefits, Gu Sheng rested for a while at regular intervals before continuing to chop.

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

The sun hung high in the sky, blazing fiercely. Gu Sheng was drenched in sweat, and he had long since taken off his coarse cloth shirt and set it aside to keep it from being soaked through.

Rubbing his increasingly numb arm muscles, Gu Sheng plopped down on the ground and ate a rice-bran cake with the well water he had drawn.

It tasted terrible, but he had to eat. He had expended too much strength, and if he did not replenish himself, he might faint.

Fortunately, his morning results were outstanding.

More than a hundred and twenty logs had been chopped and stacked neatly to one side.

The proficiency of Chopping Wood on the panel had also successfully reached 12%.

At 12% proficiency, Gu Sheng found it even easier. He became even more certain that without the panel, he would not have been able to chop even a hundred logs in one morning.

"Even if my strength isn't as good this afternoon, chopping another eighty or ninety logs will be more than enough. Once I finish today's task, I can gradually gain a foothold from now on!"

Gu Sheng bit into the cake, silently feeling the slight pain of the rough cake scraping against his throat. His gaze grew increasingly firm.

A moment later.

"Keep going!"

Gu Sheng endured the soreness in his muscles and began chopping wood again.

.

Crack!

A round log had just been set upright when Gu Sheng swung both arms in a full arc. As if guided by some unseen force, his axe did not embed itself in the top of the log. Instead, it went straight past the top and lodged in the middle.

"What was that?"

Gu Sheng's eyes widened in surprise.

Just now, his arms had been so sore that he had simply raised the axe a little higher. Who would have thought this would happen?

He thought back carefully, and his eyes lit up.

"Just now... I borrowed the strength of my waist and abdomen!"

He opened the panel and saw that Chopping Wood proficiency had instantly jumped from 12% to 16%!

The corners of Gu Sheng's mouth curved upward.

Proficiency was not gained simply by mechanically repeating an action. Purposeful reflection and sudden insights could make grinding proficiency far more effective.

After learning to borrow the strength of his waist and abdomen, Gu Sheng immediately felt greatly relieved. His chopping speed also increased considerably.

The rhythmic cracking sounds echoed from the woodshed in the rear courtyard, leaving even the servants of the main household who occasionally passed by somewhat astonished.

Gu Sheng immersed himself in the rhythm of chopping wood.

Time flew by.

The Golden Crow slanted westward.

Gu Sheng looked at the five full piles of chopped firewood on the other side, joy on his face.

His first day's work had finally been completed perfectly.

Two hundred and fifty-three logs—twenty-five percent more than the two hundred he had initially expected. It was all thanks to the Proficiency Panel.

At this moment, on the panel.

Chopping Wood proficiency had already reached 29%!

"At this rate, if things go quickly, I might be able to raise Chopping Wood to Minor Mastery in three days!"

Gu Sheng was exhilarated. Carrying his belongings, he went to find Gu He to settle his wages.

At a separate courtyard.

More than ten tenant farmers dressed in coarse clothes were lining up to receive their wages. Each looked humble and deferential, and after taking their money, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Gu He with thankful smiles.

Naturally, the main household of Gu Family Village did not employ Gu Sheng as its only day laborer.

When it was Gu Sheng's turn.

Gu He looked up. Seeing the thin youth covered in sweat, his arms still trembling, he lowered his tone slightly and asked:

"How much firewood did you chop?"

Gu Sheng replied:

"Reporting to the steward, two hundred and fifty-three logs in total."

Gu He was taken aback. He looked Gu Sheng up and down again, inwardly admiring the youth's perseverance. With the boy's physique, chopping two hundred logs was already difficult enough, let alone more than two hundred and fifty. He had clearly endured through sheer willpower.

As for Gu Sheng deceiving him?

That was basically impossible.

"Wages start at one hundred logs. Chop a full two hundred and you get two copper coins. Anything beyond that does not count," Gu He said flatly.

Gu Sheng promptly revealed a shy smile. The fourteen-year-old farm boy had delicate features, and his smile made him seem especially approachable.

"I only got this job because of your kindness, Steward. Since I could do more, I naturally did more. Two copper coins will be enough."

Gu He smiled and shook his head.

"You little fellow, take it. I'll give you three copper coins this time. Make up the remaining firewood quota another day."

He counted out three thumb-sized copper coins from the small cloth pouch beside him and handed them to Gu Sheng. Then he waved his hand, signaling for the next day laborer to step forward.

Gu Sheng accepted without hesitation. After quietly thanking him, he turned and left.

Still, he had formed a favorable impression of Steward Gu He.

The pleasant aftereffects of chopping wood had not fully set in yet. Gu Sheng only felt slightly tired, with a dull soreness in his arms, waist, and abdomen.

Moreover, he had just received three copper coins, enough to buy more than half a jin of rice bran. In his good mood, his steps became a little lighter.

It was not much, but it was a good start.

Stepping over the scattered patches of sunset light, Gu Sheng headed toward the edge of the village.