"Buzz~~~"
Lin Zhao's mind went blank. His abilities from his previous life had awakened in this one. What kind of destiny was this? And before him was the familiar "Farmer's Three Fists." He had learned this three-move boxing technique from Uncle Long Zaitian, a farmer from the town, and now it had awakened in his game. If this wasn't a heavenly opportunity, what was?
Moreover, the boxing style of Farmer's Three Fists could be integrated into swordsmanship. Wouldn't this be a perfect fit for his current Sword Hero profession?
As soon as he thought of this, Lin Zhao couldn't help but feel excited, almost moved to tears. He had thought he was completely severed from his past life, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Everything from his past life might still be there. Since Farmer's Three Fists could awaken, could War God's Gallbladder awaken? Could the three Sword Nourishing Lakes awaken? Could the flying sword Ming Yue, gifted by senior sister Ming Yue Chi, awaken? Could a piece of the sword tip of Han Niu Sword, the Confucian Sage's sword gifted by teacher Qin Suihan, awaken? Could that immortal-grade Sword Heart awaken?
If all these could awaken, Lin Zhao's resources in the game would be incomparable to other players!
He took a deep breath, looked at the icon of "Drawing Up Onions from Dry Land" before him, raised his hand, and gently clicked, choosing to fuse it with swordsmanship!
The next moment, a bell rang—
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations, [Drawing Up Onions from Dry Land] has been fused into a sword technique. Please name the sword technique!
...
Right before his eyes, a simulated image of this new sword technique appeared. A small golden figure holding a sword suddenly raised the blade and soared from the ground, the blade carving a fiery arc upwards and forwards, sending a monster flying into the air and keeping it suspended for a full second. This move was somewhat similar to the "Rising Dragon" in fighting games. It launched the target into the air, allowing for one or two follow-up attacks. Especially against opponents falling from the sky, this "Rising Dragon" style of attack would be quite effective.
"Got it..."
Lin Zhao smiled with satisfaction. Let's call it "Rising Dragon Slash." The name fit this sword strike perfectly. In his previous life, Lin Zhao had also had this idea when using Farmer's Three Fists. Drawing Up Onions from Dry Land was a punch from bottom to top, sending an attacking enemy flying with a single punch, which was similar in effect to a rising dragon.
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations, you have obtained the original skill [Rising Dragon Slash] (S-class)!
...
The next second, a golden skill icon appeared in Lin Zhao's skill list, depicting the image of a rising dragon with a sword. The skill description was also quite fitting and seemed quite powerful—
[Rising Dragon Slash] (S-class): Unleashes a sword qi that rises from the ground, launching enemies within a 3-yard radius into the air for 1 second, dealing 150% of attack damage. The attack effect is invalid when the target successfully defends.
...
Lin Zhao frowned. The description of Rising Dragon Slash revealed a crucial piece of information: the skill was invalid if the target defended. This meant that although Rising Dragon Slash was powerful and domineering, if the target successfully defended, Lin Zhao would still maintain inertia and remain airborne for a period. During this time, it would be a golden opportunity for the opponent to attack him, which was what Chen Xue called "certain hit back." The consequences were imaginable.
He took a deep breath. He had to use this skill cautiously in the future. It was fine against beginners, but against masters who could defend in an instant, carelessly using Rising Dragon Slash would be his downfall. Therefore, against true masters, the timing of using Rising Dragon Slash should be when he had used his precise footwork and micro-operations to create an opening or stun the opponent, followed by a Rising Dragon and various follow-up attacks to defeat them. This was the true routine of Rising Dragon Slash.
He was quite happy.
With Rising Dragon Slash here, the awakening of Qi Charging to the Bulls and Horse Galloping Through Wind would only be a matter of time. Perhaps even the three Sword Nourishing Lakes and the Sword Heart might return. By then... he wouldn't dare say anything else, but among players, he would undoubtedly be a leading figure among Sword Immortals, one step closer to the goals set by Sister Bai and third senior brother.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhao looked up at the sky. Was his senior brother, in the Ancestral Court of the Military Scholars in the upper realm, also watching him? One hundred years had passed; how was senior brother doing? Had the heavenly backlash from his feat of one-sword-slaying the Demon Ancestor and the Demon Emperor healed?
Actually, among all those who had looked after him, Lin Zhao liked his third senior brother the most. He was like a real brother to him, someone he could talk to about anything, and who took great care of him.
No more thinking, he had to keep working hard!
...
Lin Zhao checked his level and realized it was time to return to the city to learn skills. However, whether he could leave the city again after returning was a question. So, he sent a message to Mo Yin: "Mo Yin, do you have any friends in Cloudfall County? See if the people from Prosperous Peony are still guarding the gate?"
"They're gone."
Mo Yin said, "After Brother Bai Yi and your group successfully charged through the East Gate, Ghost King withdrew all the guards and scolded 'Luan,' who was in charge of guarding the gate, profusely. Afterward, he said that blocking the gate again today was meaningless. Tomorrow morning, they will re-seal Cloudfall County, not allowing members of the Scarlet Moon Knights to leave the city for supplies."
"Got it, thanks!"
"Brother Bai Yi is too polite..."
Lin Zhao lightly tapped his forehead, feeling a bit speechless. He was somewhat convinced by Ghost King's actions. That person's mind... it was as if it had been squeezed through a door. He simply couldn't figure out his thought process. However, it was best that the people from Prosperous Peony weren't blocking the gate now. He could go back and learn the two level 40 attack skills.
"Swish~~~"
A ray of light enveloped him. After crushing the town scroll, Lin Zhao returned to the city and headed straight for the profession training institute. The profession training institute of Cloudfall County was located within a dilapidated stone wall behind the main square. Sitting on the stone wall was an old Sword Immortal with a blade of grass in his mouth. He was a ten-realm Star River realm Sword Cultivator, an old immortal, and a semi-Sword Immortal. Not only was he responsible for teaching all the Sword Heroes in Cloudfall County, but he was also likely one of the guardians of Cloudfall County. For years, although Fusheng Great Wall and Shan Hai Pass had stood firm, the cultivators of the Four Northern Tribes were constantly infiltrating human territories. Every county city had such a ten-realm expert as a guardian, otherwise, it could become quite troublesome.
"Kid!"
The old Sword Immortal's gaze was condescending as he chuckled, "It seems your sword cultivation has achieved some minor success, and you are qualified to learn a bit of superficial swordsmanship from me. Come, come, five gold coins per sword technique, no credit. My old bones' money for drinking and eating all depends on you brats."
With a "clang," a skill learning panel descended. Lin Zhao was slightly speechless. It was indeed a bit expensive, but it didn't matter. He had farmed so many monsters; he had this much money—
[Sword Qi Traceless] (S-class skill): Upon activation, your attacks have a chance to generate sword qi that continuously pursues, dealing area-of-effect damage for 7 seconds. Learning requirement: Level 40. Learning cost: 5g.
[Sweep the Army] (S-class skill): Deals three consecutive slashes to the target, dealing 80%, 100%, and 120% of attack damage. Learning requirement: Level 40. Learning cost: 5g.
...
Both S-class skills were learned!
With two "swishes," two golden S-class skill icons appeared in Lin Zhao's skill bar. This, combined with Qian Kun Yi Zhi, Rising Dragon Slash, Perfect Defense, and Taking Life and Death Lightly, meant Lin Zhao actually possessed 6 S-class skills. In terms of sheer skill data, he definitely had the strength to dominate all others.
Sword Qi Traceless was a passive pursuit skill. After initiating an attack, there was a chance to unleash a derivative sword qi that struck targets within range. It seemed to be an AoE pursuit skill that would definitely increase his attack damage. As for Sweep the Army, it was a single-target attack skill. At level 1, Sweep the Army dealt a total of 300% damage, which was already quite terrifying. At level 10, it would undoubtedly be even more so!
Looking at the two skill icons, Lin Zhao was quite satisfied. He smiled slightly, repaired his equipment, replenished his potions, and then ran away, rushing out of Cloudfall County as quickly as possible. Afterward, he headed directly towards Chen Xue and the others' location, entering the more northern map to find monsters suitable for his level. He also needed to be closer to everyone so that if they were attacked by Prosperous Peony, Lin Zhao could rush over to support them at any time.
To the north, beyond a maple forest, was a dense bushland called Golden Orange Grove. Scattered throughout the bushland were some lush golden orange trees. At this time, some small golden oranges on the trees had turned golden and were about to ripen.
"Young man!"
Before Lin Zhao could step into the Golden Orange Grove, a person holding a steel spear and riding a white warhorse emerged from the edge of the jungle. Clad in armor, he looked around 30 years old, with a resolute face. He lightly raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't go any further into the forest ahead. That area has already been declared a forbidden zone by the Cloudfall County government, and no one is allowed to enter."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao was slightly taken aback and turned to look at the person. He was a rather high-level NPC—
[Garrison Commander Han Yi] (Sixth-rank Warrior)
Level: 50
Introduction: Commander of the border cavalry of Cloudfall County, possessing formidable boxing skills and warrior cultivation, widely respected in the army.
...
Lin Zhao knew a little about the military structure of the Great Shang Dynasty. This Garrison Commander was a separately established military rank, roughly equivalent to a Cavalry Commandant. In the Great Shang Dynasty's cavalry, their position was between a Centurion and a Battalion Commander, commanding approximately 300-600 men. He was considered a mid-level officer.
"Sir."
He stepped forward, frowning, and asked, "Why has this Golden Orange Grove been designated a forbidden zone?"
"Alas, it's a long story."
Han Yi wore a worried expression. "In recent times, north of Fusheng Great Wall, the demon race shows signs of resurgence. Some lower and middle-tier demon cultivators are very active, some even crossing the mountains and secretly infiltrating the heartland of the Great Shang Dynasty. This Golden Orange Grove was originally a place where wolf packs roamed. Recently, a mid-tier wolf demon has been causing trouble, constantly inciting the wolves to attack our border army camp. Therefore, the County Governor has declared this place a forbidden zone, and no one is allowed to enter."
This, Lin Zhao was quite familiar with.
He gently drew the Azure Tent Sword from behind him, the blade hanging low, and smiled, "There's no point in just strictly guarding it. How about I go to the Golden Orange Grove on your behalf and see what's happening inside? Perhaps I can help?"
"Oh?"
Han Yi's eyes lit up. "Do you have confidence?"