In the Devouring World, it was already late at night.
As soon as his consciousness descended, Shen Ping felt the power surging within his body's cells. In reality, he was still just an ordinary person, but here, he was at the Senior Warrior level. This difference was also key to distinguishing between reality and the High Tower.
He checked the time.
It was two in the morning.
Shen Ping began to perform deep breathing exercises.
The Golden Finger had no effect in reality.
"You took one deep breath and gained 1 point of Comprehension Ability."
"..."
After three breaths, he opened the virtual frame in his vision.
[Comprehension Ability Points: 37]
[Exchange Count: 0]
At this rate, he would be able to exchange again in another two or three days.
Looking at the virtual frame, Shen Ping stroked his chin in thought.
Previously, he had only thought that breathing could grant Comprehension Ability points, but then, after hitting a monster with his first sword strike, it proved there were other methods.
This indicated that the Golden Finger was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
"Aside from the methods of gaining Comprehension Ability, I don't know what other uses this virtual frame has, or rather, if there's anything deeper about Comprehension Ability and the Exchange Count!"
Shen Ping muttered to himself. He still knew too little about the Golden Finger, but it didn't matter. He would have plenty of time to slowly familiarize himself with it in the future.
...
After three days of rest at the military supply base, the Black Ice Squad set off again for the Wilderness Area.
Shen Ping had long been impatient. After all, at the military supply base, he couldn't go find monsters to fight, naturally missing out on the Comprehension Ability gained from striking with his blade.
"Xiao Shen, how does it feel to get your first share of money?"
As they were traveling, Wang Zhan nudged Shen Ping's shoulder.
Shen Ping was startled, then replied, "It feels great."
"Haha!"
Wang Zhan and Li Zi both laughed.
Why did they, as Martial Artists, work so hard? Wasn't it to hunt more monsters and earn money?
Last time they entered the Wilderness Area, it was mainly to help Shen Ping adapt quickly, so everyone earned relatively little.
This time, after resting at the military supply base, they didn't return to the base city but instead re-entered the Wilderness Area. Their goal was naturally to hunt more Warlords.
After all, every trip to the Wilderness Area was a gamble with their lives. It would be too uneconomical to return if they earned too little.
"This time, we're going to the 0174 District. Our target is at least three Warlord-level beasts!"
Bang!
The sound of a sniper rifle pierced the sky, causing many monsters to roar.
On the outskirts of the 0174 District, the Black Ice Squad cooperated with each other, quickly clearing the Materials from the corpse of an Elementary Warlord Tiger-tailed Cat, then decisively retreated to the rooftop of a dilapidated bank building not far away.
They sealed off the staircase.
Once everyone reached the rooftop, they all relaxed.
With their squad's strength, hunting an Elementary Warlord was not difficult, but the process of collecting the Warlord's corpse Materials was fraught with danger. During this time, they not only needed to constantly clear out the surrounding soldier-level beasts but also had to be wary of other Warlords that might charge over.
And once they fell into a stalemate, it was easy to be surrounded by a large number of soldier-level beasts.
Therefore, every time they hunted a Warlord-level beast, it was almost like dancing on the tip of a knife.
"Our luck is good; we encountered one right at the edge of the district. We'll kill two more and then head back!" Bai Feng said with a smile.
No squad would stay in the Wilderness Area for a long time. After all, the Wilderness Area was desolate and uninhabited, and staying too long would make one feel depressed and monotonous.
"Captain, I'm going downstairs to practice my blade techniques!" Shen Ping stood up and said.
Bai Feng nodded, "Alright, be careful."
Soon, Shen Ping left the rooftop.
"High Comprehension Ability, and so diligent and hardworking. Xiao Shen will probably catch up to us very soon," Wang Zhan sighed.
Li Zi clicked his tongue and said, "Yes, our potential has basically peaked. Even if we train hard, it's difficult to improve."
"By the way, Captain, after we return this time, I believe Xiao Shen's combat power will reach the Warlord-level. How about we go directly to a large city next time we come to the Wilderness Area?"
Bai Feng glanced at the two of them, thought for a moment, and said, "Large cities allow for faster earning, but they are also very dangerous, especially when encountering other teams. If a conflict arises, it will be difficult for me to look after you."
Wang Zhan and Li Zi's expressions subtly changed.
The dangers of the Wilderness Area, besides monsters, also included other hunting teams. Most of the time, when two sides met, no conflict would occur, but if they were competing for monster Materials, there would definitely be conflict.
And those who dared to venture into large cities were basically elite Warlord squads; even God of War could be encountered.
"Let's wait a bit longer. Once Shen Ping's physical fitness reaches the Warlord-level, with his blade techniques, his combat power will be comparable to a Mid-level Warlord. Then our squad can venture there!" Bai Feng said slowly.
...
In a spacious room downstairs, Shen Ping opened the virtual frame.
[Comprehension Ability Points: 55]
[Exchange Count: 1]
Seeing this, he chose to exchange without hesitation.
The virtual frame vibrated, 50 points of Comprehension Ability quickly disappeared, and the Exchange Count returned to zero.
At the same time, that feeling of clear, high-speed thought, as if shackles had been broken, surged again.
This time, all of Shen Ping's thoughts were focused on the Flowing Wind blade technique.
Almost instantly, the memories of watching the video of the Flowing Wind Secret Manual flashed continuously in his mind like a projector.
With each flash, he felt as if he had personally embodied the strong practitioner performing the blade technique in the video, clearly sensing the essence and true meaning of the blade technique.
Swoosh.
He drew his battle blade, and his body instinctively began to practice the blade technique.
Soon, blade shadows flickered in the room. In addition, his movement technique became faster and lighter, but upon closer inspection, one could notice that the distance of his steps and shifts was continuously shrinking.
A moment later, Shen Ping sheathed his blade.
"Subtle Level. My movement technique has officially reached the Subtle Level!"
The sign of the second stage of the Flowing Wind blade technique was the Subtle Level movement technique, and now he had achieved it.
"As expected of an Epiphany, which is said to be rare and hard to come by, and directly triggered by the Golden Finger at that! Even without any prior accumulation, it allowed me to directly master the second stage!"
Shen Ping's face was filled with excitement.
"Continue!"
Although he had mastered the second stage of the saber technique, his physical quality was still a little short of a Senior Warrior.
The purpose of a Secret Manual, besides increasing explosive power, was most importantly to greatly improve the body's efficiency in absorbing Universal Qi in conjunction with the guiding techniques and force exertion skills within the Secret Manual.
Whoosh, whoosh.
He Cultivated until he was exhausted.
Shen Ping endured the soreness in his body and performed the most primitive genetic Cultivation, 'Five Hearts Towards Heaven'. As he made the movements, wisps of free-floating Universal Qi began to gather, and the cells within his body's muscles absorbed it with immense thirst.
"Excellent, this absorption is twice as efficient as before!"
"At this rate, Cultivating for two months might allow me to reach Warlord-level physical quality!"
"And if I have another Epiphany during that time, the duration might even be shortened!"
After Cultivating.
Shen Ping became even more hopeful for the future.