Chapter 23: Ascension, Sweeping Through

After executing a skill, Fu Chen immediately checked its level, confirming his suspicions.

The Skill Master had previously mentioned that there were two ways to level up skills. One was by learning directly from skill manuals; even without true understanding, one could achieve results simply by following the instructions. The other method relied entirely on diligent practice and personal insight, where the skill improved as one’s understanding deepened. Skills improved in this way were embedded in one’s soul and memory, representing a personal mastery of the technique.

During his three years in his past life, Fu Chen had raised most of his primary martial artist skills to very high levels, some even reaching the maximum. His insights and understanding of these skills did not vanish just because he had been reborn. In other words, the experience and cultivation realm of his past life remained. Because of this, even though he was using a Level 1 skill, it was being executed with the mastery of his former self. Every time he used it, the skill level was pushed upward by the refinement of his past experience.

"Hahaha, as I thought! The three years of experience and insight from my past life won't go to waste. Thank goodness I didn't switch classes."

Thinking this, Fu Chen felt a surge of ecstatic joy, momentarily forgetting the monster charging toward him. Fortunately, he had a well-coordinated teammate; Qin Yumao had already rushed up behind him. She swung her long spear, unleashing a "Dragon Manifestation" to strike the monster, killing it on the spot.

Seeing this, Qin Yumao was stunned, completely bewildered. She looked at Fu Chen with wide-eyed surprise. "Hong Chen, what is going on? We killed a monster in just two hits?"

He could never reveal the truth about his rebirth. After a moment's thought, Fu Chen feigned arrogance and laughed loudly. "Hahaha, yeah, two hits to kill a monster. That’s because I’m a martial arts genius."

Although Qin Yumao was accustomed to following Fu Chen's lead during combat and quests, she was no fool. She had her own thoughts and judgment, and a simple claim of being a "martial arts genius" couldn't fool her. She frowned and said earnestly, "I’m serious. I’m not joking. This isn't normal."

"I'm serious too," Fu Chen said,收起 (putting away) his laughter as he stepped toward her. He explained with a grave expression, "I really am a martial arts genius. The skill leveled up after only three uses, and the damage increased."

"You... your skill leveled up automatically after only three uses? How is that possible!" Qin Yumao asked in disbelief.

"I'm not lying to you. My 'Dragon Manifestation' is now Level 5. In addition to the base attack power, it adds 400 physical damage." Fu Chen explained solemnly, then added, "Of course, the internal energy cost has also increased to 44 points."

Qin Yumao was dumbfounded. She swallowed hard, checked her own skill list, and sighed, "A Level 1 Dragon Manifestation only adds 75 physical damage. Yours actually adds 400! Hong Chen, how on earth did you do that?"

"I can't really explain it," Fu Chen said, rubbing his chin and playing dumb. "It’s just an intuition—a sense of how the skill should be used. For example, back when I first tried out the skills, my intuition told me I preferred close-combat techniques, which is why I chose the martial artist class."

After hearing this ambiguous explanation, Qin Yumao fell silent, and to her own surprise, she began to believe him. After all, geniuses truly did exist in this world, throughout history and across all cultures.

There were poetry geniuses who could compose immortal verses off the cuff based on their observations of life. There were musical prodigies who could create popular songs without ever having studied music theory. There were scientific geniuses who found inspiration in mundane life to create inventions that shocked the world. Just as Laozi said, "Great talent takes time to mature," it seemed that such people existed simply to shatter the perceptions of ordinary folk.

Curious, Qin Yumao circled Fu Chen and examined him closely. "Hong Chen, perhaps you really are a martial arts genius."

"She actually believed it? Holy crap, that worked?" Fu Chen was stunned. A few random lies had actually gotten him through. Looking at Qin Yumao with complex emotions, he thought to himself, "I never expected 'Huang' to be so gullible. You really can't tell from the outside."

Qin Yumao suddenly became excited, full of anticipation. "Hong Chen, let's keep fighting monsters! Let's see if you can continue to improve your skills."

This suggestion was exactly what he wanted. Fu Chen replied with a simple "Alright" and turned to rush toward the next monster.

Once in range, Fu Chen executed a "Dragon Manifestation" with even greater focus, following the methods of his past life. The Demon Cow Porter was struck, and a red number—626—floated above its head, indicating the damage dealt. With only a sliver of health left, the monster was finished off by Qin Yumao’s follow-up "Dragon Manifestation."

This time, when Fu Chen checked his skill level again, "Dragon Manifestation" had reached Level 7. Quickly looting the gold and items from the ground, he rushed toward the next monster and shouted, "Keep going!"

Qin Yumao followed closely, and they unleashed their "Dragon Manifestation" skills almost simultaneously. However, this time, her attack hit nothing—it didn't "miss," but rather the monster had already been killed before her attack landed. Fu Chen’s single "Dragon Manifestation" had instantly killed an 8th-level monster with over 600 health points.

Qin Yumao couldn't help but offer a bitter smile, unsure whether to be happy for Fu Chen or to mourn her own uselessness. She looked at him helplessly and asked, "Under these circumstances, how am I supposed to fight monsters to practice my skills?"

Fu Chen couldn't help but let his smile widen—it was hard to contain his joy. Without hesitation, he said, "That’s not a problem. Let’s swap positions; you take the lead, and I’ll provide support."

Qin Yumao paused, thinking, "Have I become so accustomed to following his lead that I've stopped thinking for myself?"

From the next monster onward, they swapped roles, with Qin Yumao taking the lead and Fu Chen assisting. Even so, whenever Fu Chen unleashed his "Dragon Manifestation," the monster was usually killed instantly. The only exceptions were monsters with "Defense Boost" or "Health Boost" attributes, which could put up a bit of a fight.

They killed five or six more monsters in a row; everywhere they went, the enemies were swept aside by a single "Dragon Manifestation." As they neared the completion of their quest for the Demon Cow Porters, Qin Yumao noticed Fu Chen had started using his "Inch Power" skill.

She looked over, puzzled. "Why did you suddenly change skills?"

"I don't need to practice 'Dragon Manifestation' for now. I want to see if I can level up these other two as well," Fu Chen replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Qin Yumao couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "What level is your 'Dragon Manifestation' now?"

Fu Chen said nonchalantly, "Level 10. It deals base physical damage plus 973."

On the surface, Fu Chen appeared calm and collected, but inside, he was laughing wildly. He was only Level 9, and yet, thanks to the experience and cultivation realm of his past life, he had managed to raise "Dragon Manifestation" to Level 10. It was as if his max-level past self was helping his current self grind for experience—it was incredibly satisfying.

Qin Yumao was left speechless. The gap was simply too large; it was incomparable! She told herself, "From now on, I'll just honestly stick to riding his coattails!"

With that in mind, Qin Yumao, who was responsible for the main attacks, turned back to the fray. With the "martial arts genius" Fu Chen supporting her, every monster in their path was wiped out.

They quickly completed the three quests they had accepted in Xia Yin Village, and it was nearly seven in the morning. Both of them used their "Return to City" scrolls to head back to Sifang Fortress.

Qin Yumao took the initiative to suggest, "There isn't much time left. Let's leave the quest turn-ins for tomorrow. See you tomorrow."

"Sure, see you tomorrow!" Fu Chen agreed with a smile and watched as Qin Yumao left first.

Fu Chen couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Tomorrow? Even if Yang Siyao isn't very attentive, she should be logging in by tomorrow, right?"