NOVEL NEXT 13. Into The Forest Part 1
Chapter 13: Into The Forest Part 1
Weakness (Rank 1)
When you focus all your concentration on a target, you’ll have a chance to uncover its weak points. Projectiles hitting those weak points shall have their effects doubled.
As usual, the description was brief. But, Luo Ling, as the true source of [Records of Toil]’s creation, understood what the tablet was trying to tell. But because he understood the true potential of the new ability, he couldn’t accept it as easily as he had done when Penetration first appeared.
In Murim, martial arts were vastly developed to the point that they transformed from something that only strengthened the body to capable of performing extraordinary supernatural feats. Long leaps, attacking from several meters away, remotely controlling weapons, moving at a speed of sound, controlling certain elements… all these were possible thanks to different and exotic martial techniques developed over several thousands of years of history.
An ability that ignores defense was not something new to Luo Ling. People who practice Yin-elemental martial techniques could imbue their Yin mental force into weapons to achieve a similar result. Even he had done it with his [Light Wheel Swordsmanship] techniques in the past.
Compared to this, the effects of Weakness were way too unbelievable.
Hitting the weak points of a martial technique deals twice or ten times the damage— this was common knowledge. Sometimes, there was even a possibility of the technique failing and backfiring on the user when these weak points were targeted. Once known where to strike, even an average 3rd-rate martial warrior grunt could kill a perfected(stage-1) martial master.
However, finding those weak spots was what took up the skills.
A martial artist would know where their technique’s weak points lie and cover them up with other martial techniques so it would not be obvious. Unless their opponent was a talented martial artist who had experienced similar styles in abundance, it’d be nearly impossible to notice those weak points. At least they were not something one would see just by squinting their eyes.
But, what did he see here?
This Weakness ability could tell him where the weakness lies of a target just by focusing!? As a competent and experienced martial artist, Luo Ling showed some skepticism.
How could it be so easy?
With full of doubt, he put this newly obtained ability into practice.
Result? It was indeed that easy.
The finger-sized hole on an opposite tree’s trunk could attest to that.
When he focused all his attention on that thick trunk, he noticed a dull orange glow towards the edge of the trunk. It took about five seconds for it to be visible. Still skeptical, he loaded an arrow and let it loose, aiming at the highlighted spot.
Initially, Luo Ling assumed the arrow would only pierce a few centimeters into the tree's trunk. After all, the tree he chose was so thick that he couldn't wrap his hands around it. But to his surprise, the arrow didn’t stop at the trunk—it kept going until it punctured straight through to the other side.
Luo Ling put down the bow and exhaled a deep breath.
Strong!
Weakness was too unreasonable of an ability and didn’t agree with any martial arts logic he was aware of.
The trunk of that tree boasted a toughness surpassing a Martial Warrior who practiced body-strengthening type manuals. Yet such sturdiness was unable to deter a mere dull-tipped bamboo-made arrow.
That is to say, with the strength of a subpar 2nd-rate Martial Warrior, he could kill a well-trained Shaolin monk at Martial Master from his previous life who was adept in body strengthening.
Luo Ling snickered, imagining the looks on those bald donkeys' faces when they heard about his newfound ability. How would they react when their so-called "invulnerable" bodies were pierced by the arrows of a mere second-rate martial warrior?
Strength aside, Luo Ling found its weakness as well, a glaring one at that.
First, time— Weakness took about five seconds to materialize the weak point of the tree. It was only a motionless and unintelligent object, yet he had to focus for five seconds before he could see the orange glow. How long would it take to find the weak points of another human or a beast? Although he had yet to check it out, Luo Ling was sure it would be more than five seconds.
Because it took so much time to manifest, this ability might only see its usefulness in ambushes.
Second, energy— after he shot the arrow and successfully exploited the weak point of the tree, Luo Ling felt slightly fatigued, like he just ran at his full speed for a few minutes. It should be noted that as a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior, his focus was on building his stamina. Moreover, when Archery evolved, it boosted his stamina by a huge margin.
Yet, even with all these improvements, he still felt out of breath just after one usage.
It was clear that he couldn’t use Weakness as leisurely as Penetration. He had to be careful and sparingly use this ability.
Although Weakness had its limitations, Luo Ling couldn’t deny its potential. At the very least, he could contend against a real Martial Master with the strength of a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior.
Strength breeds confidence. And Luo Ling had his boosted sufficiently.
After Archery upgraded to Houtian III, he stopped training with it, stuffed his stomach with some steamed buns, and began working on the Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging exercise.
While Archery improved his battle prowess, the body forging exercise was the true cultivation technique he had to practice to improve his martial warrior rank. It was more important. As he expected, because stamina had undergone a massive boost, he could repeat the exercise more than ten times.
But Luo Ling stopped after ten rounds.
He could not expend all his stamina because there was one last exercise left for him to do.
Holding the handle of the heavy wooden sword designed to look like a long sword, Luo Ling began swinging it in a rhythm. He consciously avoided following any specific pattern of the many sword-martial cultivation techniques he knew as he wanted the tablet to register not a technique but the swordsmanship itself.
The fruits earned from Archery were rather sweet, after all.
~-X-~
After the rabbit was roasted thoroughly, Luo Ling ate it for lunch. The abundant nutrients in its flesh would improve his muscle mass and physique after it was digested. Maybe, tomorrow, he would see some tangible improvements.
Feeling stuffed, Luo Ling packed up his stuff and returned to the orphanage to sleep. His body was aching all over and he was thoroughly exhausted. Since there was nothing else for him to do, he might as well take a nap.
Luckily, the orphanage had gotten quieter ever since those people from the sect visited. He didn’t know what caused this change, but he was rather thankful for not being bothered by those snot-nosed brats for once.
Luo Ling swore he’d sleep like a log until dinner time.
Unfortunately, fate had different plans for him.
Bang!! BANG!!
As the thunderous banging echoed through the room, Luo Ling awoke with a start, instinctively slipping a hand under his pillow to grasp his stone-sharpened knife. His eyes darted around the dimly lit space, muscles tense and senses alert. After a tense moment, he exhaled in relief upon realizing he was still alone.
BANG! BANG!!
“Ling!! Wake UP!!!”
Someone shouted from the other side of the door, and Luo Ling found this voice rather familiar. This pitched, raspy voice could only belong to one person—gatekeeper Daluo. But the man had never visited him in the orphanage. After all, they were not that close. Why was he here so suddenly?
With burning curiosity, Luo Ling walked to the door opened it, and nearly jumped out of his skin when a sweaty bald, unkempt-bearded face came too close for his comfort. He jumped back, flustered, and furrowed his brows, shooting a glare at the man.
Before he could question the man’s intention, gatekeeper Daluo’s anxious voice poured out.
“Ling, come with me, quick! An important guest needs your help.”
What?