Chapter 104: Fatal

When Wang Liang unleashed the strength of Body Tempering Third Layer, Lu Yu once again felt that despair that had once seeped into his very marrow.

A distance of merely three meters now lay between the two of them like an insurmountable chasm.

Although Lu Yu could occasionally struggle to take a step forward, the next second, he would be ruthlessly forced back again.

Zhao Shan and the others cast sympathetic gazes toward Lu Yu one after another.

"Sigh, Little Yu is going to suffer again."

"Yeah, it feels exactly the same as the previous situation."

At this moment, Sun Gang laughed and said, "Don't worry, with Little Yu's ability, it won't be long before he makes Old Wang admit defeat."

"Really?" The crowd was half-doubting this.

They vaguely felt that this time might not be so simple, and the outcome would not be decided as quickly as before.

However, Wang Liang also heard the surrounding people's discussion, and upon hearing these words, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Of course it wouldn't be that fast.

Although a Martial Artist at Body Tempering Third Layer has nearly double the physical fitness of one at Flesh Refining Chuji, his rich experience in using a spear could not be underestimated.

Plus the natural advantage that a long weapon has against a short weapon...

"However, sparring with this kid can be considered a different kind of fun."

In the arena, the sound of the blade colliding with the spearhead was incessant.

Lu Yu remained high-spirited.

To him, the stronger the strength Wang Liang used, the faster his proficiency in Basic Blade Technique would grow.

Just like now, even with three meters between them, every successful Block increased his proficiency by about 0.3%, and if it were a Slash, the increase could be close to 1%. One must know, this is a level 5 Basic Blade Technique; if the distance were to close even more, the effect would undoubtedly be even more significant.

Of course, the hope of significantly shortening the distance in a short time was not great.

Time passed quietly, and the onlookers in the open space gradually thinned out.

After all, most people had not even reached the Body Tempering First Layer Realm, and their physical strength and energy were far inferior to Lu Yu and Wang Liang, making it truly difficult to sustain for a long time.

Just at this moment, Lu Yu suddenly felt a surge of warmth in his body, followed by his feet feeling light, and his whole body lunged forward abruptly, only to be poked by Wang Liang's spear.

"What's going on?" Wang Liang put away his long spear and asked with a face full of confusion.

Lu Yu's movement just now looked as if he hadn't controlled his body well and had used too much force. But with his ability, he really shouldn't make such a low-level mistake.

"Maybe I'm a little tired," Lu Yu hurriedly explained.

"Hmm, then how about we rest for a while, or call it a day?"

"It's fine, Wang Shu, I'll just rest a little and drink some water," Lu Yu said hurriedly.

His Basic Blade Technique was still a long way from reaching level 6, and it was not even 9 o'clock yet; he was truly unwilling to go back so early.

"Alright." Wang Liang didn't think much more of it.

He himself could also take this opportunity to rest for a moment and adjust his state.

Just then, Qin Hai, who had been watching from the side for a long time, stepped forward, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Wang, Wang Shu, can I... also learn blade technique from you?"

"You want to learn blade technique?" Wang Liang was quite surprised.

Lu Yu, who was just about to check his Skill bar, also couldn't help but turn his head in surprise.

"Yes." Qin Hai nodded after taking a look, "Just in case, I also want to learn a close-combat skill. If I ever get approached by someone, at least I'll have the power to fight back."

"Is that so? How about I teach you tomorrow?"

"Wang Shu, why don't you teach me a few moves first? I can practice on the side by myself," Qin Hai said hurriedly.

People much better than him were working so hard; if he didn't strive to catch up, the gap would only get bigger and bigger.

Moreover, he remembered that when Lu Yu first started, he practiced just as diligently.

"Alright." Wang Liang saw through Qin Hai's thoughts but did not point them out.

Clearly, this kid wanted to emulate Lu Yu. However, Lu Yu's comprehension was one in ten thousand, and the gap between Qin Hai and him was truly not small.

But then again, having a goal and being willing to put in the effort for it is always a good thing.

Even if the final result might not be satisfactory, at least it wouldn't be a waste of time, and who knows, he might actually create a miracle?

The look of surprise on Lu Yu's face gradually dissipated, replaced by gratification.

Qin Hai's ability is Strength Amplification; if he uses a close-combat weapon, the power might be even more astonishing. Of course, the danger coefficient of close combat would also be much higher.

Fortunately, it's better to be prepared.

Lu Yu withdrew his gaze and looked at the Skill bar.

Just now, he suddenly felt his feet light and his speed seemed to have increased a little bit; something must have changed somewhere.

After a search, he finally found the "culprit."

【Basic Footwork: lv3, Trait: Swift level 3】

"Basic Footwork is actually level 3?" Lu Yu widened his eyes, and a thought couldn't help but pop into his mind: when exactly did Basic Footwork reach level 2?

He tried hard to recall, but had absolutely no impression.

"Maybe it's because I've learned too many things, and I haven't paid much attention to it on a daily basis." Lu Yu scratched his head.

He guessed that it might have been while practicing spear techniques, and just now while practicing blade techniques, that he incidentally improved the proficiency of Basic Footwork.

Of course, it also couldn't be ruled out that the intense running during the battle with the horse bandits yesterday increased a lot of proficiency.

Undoubtedly, this was a good thing, one step closer to unlocking 【Basic Movement Technique】.

After Wang Liang taught Qin Hai two or three basic movements, he walked over to continue serving as Lu Yu's sparring partner; looking at him, he seemed to be enjoying it as well.

Time flowed slowly, and two hours passed.

Lu Yu gradually shortened the distance between the two from three meters to about 2.6 or 2.7 meters, after which it was difficult to push forward even a fraction.

Finally, accompanied by a faint warm current flowing quietly through his body.

A strange feeling surged into his heart once again.

【Basic Blade Technique: lv7, trait, Powerful level 7, Fierce Attack level 7, Fierce Slash level 4, Fatal level 1】

【Fatal: Each time the skill level increases, the probability of a successful attack hit or block increases by 30%. Takes effect when equipped with blade-type weapons.】

"Fatal? This effect is about the same as the Sure-Kill trait of Basic Spear Technique."

Lu Yu glanced at it; it increases hit and block probability, and it looks like it isn't only effective for single blades?

He looked at 【Basic Footwork】 again; the proficiency had indeed increased, but the margin was extremely low, not even reaching 1%.

However, in the span of one night, Basic Blade Technique had risen seven levels, and Basic Footwork had also risen one level; Lu Yu was already quite satisfied.

"Wang Shu, it's almost eleven o'clock. Shall we stop practicing here for today?"

"Alright." Wang Liang nodded. For him, even if he didn't sleep all night, he would still be full of energy the next day.

"Qin Hai, you should go back and rest early too."

Qin Hai, not far away, responded after hearing this and put away the blade in his hand.

He felt exhausted all over, relying entirely on a sense of conviction to keep going.

After the three of them said their goodbyes, Lu Yu looked at 【Shadowless Quick Blade】 with anticipation on his way back, and then chose to confirm.

With level 7 Basic Blade Technique, the completion time was shortened from one day to 10 hours; it would be unlocked tomorrow morning.

"Only Basic Footwork is left." He pondered to himself.

According to what Wang Shu meant, setting up countless wooden stakes on the ground to train footwork would definitely be much faster than just improving Basic Footwork incidentally.

Hopefully, it can be done in one day tomorrow.

Mental and Agility attributes were currently his weak points. It was just that he hadn't found a way to improve the Mental Attribute yet. Since there was a way to improve the Agility attribute, he naturally had to unlock the training as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, he looked at the attribute panel:

Realm: Flesh Refining Chuji

Level: 9

Constitution: 97.13

Strength: 89.50

Agility: 49.33

Spirit: 17.15

Potential Point: 128

Experience Value: 460

Compared to noon, the Strength attribute had the most significant increase, a full 10 points! Constitution increased by 5 points, and the Agility attribute also increased by 4 points.

"Still a few points short of reaching the breakthrough threshold." Lu Yu looked behind the Realm, where no plus sign had appeared.

"However, even if I reach the threshold, I probably can't guarantee a 100% successful breakthrough. The Agility attribute is still a bit low."

"Keep working hard. Arrow Technique cannot be left behind either."

After the battle at noon, the proficiency of Basic Arrow Technique grew rapidly; it was currently less than 30% away from level 9.

He believed that once Basic Arrow Technique reached level 9, there was a high probability of unlocking a new trait.

Of course, before that, he had to go to Zhou Family Fort to scout the situation.

"I hope to have some gains." Lu Yu sighed softly.

The next day, while the sky was still dim, his younger brother Lu Jun was still immersed in his dreams, so Lu Yu quietly got up and came to the main hall.

His mother Geng Lian had also woken up early and was cooking porridge with Blood Rice in the kitchen.

Lu Yu sat opposite his father Lu Guohao. Lu Guohao's expression was full of worry as he said, "Xiao Yu, do you really have to go? Dad thinks that the person who spied on us with the Telescope might not remember the rest of us, but he will definitely have a deep impression of you. If you are discovered after you go in, it will be troublesome."

Lu Yu said with a wry smile, "Dad, I know, so this time I don't plan to bring a bow and arrows."

"What?" Lu Guohao opened his mouth in surprise, "No bow? Then what if you encounter danger?"

"Dad, don't worry." A warm current surged in Lu Yu's heart, "I'm just not bringing a bow and arrows, it's not like I'm not bringing a weapon. Just in case, I will bring a long spear. If I run into a Fierce Beast on the way, it won't be hard to run."

"But..." Lu Guohao still couldn't set his mind at ease.

"Dad, you also said before that the person has a deep impression of me. If I go in with a bow, it will likely arouse his suspicion, so for the sake of safety, it's better not to bring one."

"Of course, this doesn't mean I won't bring a bow back."

Lu Yu smiled slightly, "I plan to use the money searched from that horse bandit leader to buy a Five Hundred Catty Draw Weight Bow, and buy some more Blood Rice while I'm at it."

Yesterday's twenty catties of Blood Rice, five or six catties were given to Qin Hai, leaving fourteen catties. After eating only two or three meals, only ten catties were left. At most, it would be finished in three or four days, so he definitely had to go buy more.

Lu Guohao heard this and didn't know what to say for a moment.

He wanted to go with Lu Yu, but he understood that if something really happened, he would only be a burden to his son.

If he didn't go, he really couldn't set his mind at ease.

"Dad, don't worry, nothing will happen." Lu Yu comforted him, "I'm just going to buy some things and scout the situation by the way. Maybe we are overthinking it, and that person didn't take this matter to heart at all?"

"I hope so." Lu Guohao managed to squeeze out a smile, but that smile looked even worse than crying.

"What are you two talking about? Why are you both looking so worried?" Geng Lian walked over with the steaming rice porridge and asked with a smile.

"Nothing, Mom." Lu Yu smiled.

It was better not to let his mother know about this, so she wouldn't have to worry along with them.

Lu Yu drank several large bowls of porridge and felt warm all over. When he checked his Potential Points, they had increased by more than 20 points.

However, he really didn't plan to fight anyone on this trip.

After all, with his current strength, causing trouble at Zhou Family Fort was a bit overestimating his own capabilities.

After finishing the porridge, Lu Yu stood up and, taking advantage of the moment his mother left, said softly, "Dad, I'm leaving now."

"Be extremely careful." Lu Guohao's eyes turned slightly red.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen." Lu Yu smiled at his father and walked toward the Warehouse.

On one hand, it was to get his weapon, and on the other, it was to say a word to Wang Liang. If someone from Zhou Family Fort happened to come while he was away, he could only count on Wang Liang.

"Rest assured, I will guard the Zhai well," Wang Liang patted Lu Yu on the shoulder, "As for you, be careful with everything."

Under the gaze of several confused onlookers, Lu Yu held his long spear and walked toward the Zhai gate.

He did not go to find Ji Bingyu, because Ji Bingyu's mastery of her supernatural ability was not yet proficient enough.

If there were results, she would certainly have taken the initiative to find him, but since there had been no movement until now, the result could be imagined.

Therefore, for him to go find her would only increase her pressure and make her feel even more guilty.

"No matter what, one must still rely on oneself. If one blindly relies on predicting the future to act, then what difference is there between that and those useless people in Yongan City?"

He muttered a sentence in a low voice, then strode forward.