Starting with Proficiency Panel
Chapter 65: Unrest

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Unrest

At the moment of contact, Cao Jingde’s defense had already collapsed, his arms like gates battered open, countless fist shadows intimately connecting with his body.

He was like a ragdoll, viciously thrown out, heavily crashing onto the ground.

Cao Jingde’s body was even marked with numerous visible indentations of fist seals, taking a long while to gradually fade and smooth out, as he lay on the ground grimacing in pain, his face twisted, groaning continuously.

"Huff..."

Lu Ren exhaled deeply, as his body functions underwent intense motion in an instant, his blood surging, and his internal hormones rising rapidly in a stress response. Moisture appeared on his body, transforming into mist that swirled around him, forming vaguely as a divine bird with wings spread, following the technique of the Phoenix Falcon Fist.

"Ding, you used the Phoenix Falcon Fist, using Phoenix Beak to defeat the enemy, gaining some insight. Your proficiency in Phoenix Falcon Fist +30"

He slowly lowered his slender arms, the muscles on the back of his hand appearing streamlined, but the muscle lines were distinct, flexing with discernible explosive power.

Especially the remarkably thick bat muscles on his back, which displayed immense strength with every move.

After arriving in this Underworld, Lu Ren entered the Realm of the Living without a single moment of slack, continuing diligent practice every day.

Lu Ren vowed, he never imagined he could endure such hardship, primarily because of the Skill Proficiency System that appeared in his mind. Watching the proficiency bar increase bit by bit gave him a considerable sense of satisfaction.

This quantified presentation allowed Lu Ren to clearly perceive his various Skills and the immediate growth brought by continuous improvement in his physical capabilities.

It could be said he grew stronger with each battle!

And last night, his Phoenix Falcon Fist had already advanced to a Proficient level, remarkably boosting his physical attributes.

"Name: Lu Ren

Spirit: 11 (Proficiency 1072/3070)

Constitution: 12 (Proficiency 1762/3550)

Power: 13 (Proficiency 1430/4060)

Agility: 15 (Proficiency 87/5170)

Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (Proficient 675/15748), Phoenix Falcon Fist (Proficient 332/15748) Attribute bonus: [Rapid Attack, Penetration], Heartless Sword (Initial Glimpse 1717/3932), Basic Dagger Technique (Initial Glimpse 1/3932)

Free Attribute Points: 0

Skill Points: 0"

The Proficient-level Phoenix Falcon Fist had given Lu Ren increases of two points in Power, one point in Constitution, and three points in Agility, and in addition to the previous Rapid Attack attribute, added a Penetration attribute.

This is a deeper application of power techniques by the Phoenix Falcon Fist, concentrating force on a single point, penetrating muscular layers to attack the internal organs of the body.

This attack method is enough to render the defense of most muscle layers ineffective, truly as Li Ziqing said, regarded as a First-class Fist Technique within the martial art schools without any deviation.

Although the skill proficiency needed for advancement increased significantly, in reality, practicing the fist technique once increased proficiency by one point, so when spread out like this, it wasn’t too difficult.

Even though the further along he went, the progress in proficiency seemed to become more difficult, often requiring several practices before it increased, at least he could see the progress moving forward.

Just afraid of practicing every day without knowing the progress, like chasing a woman, at least a computer has a progress bar, the woman’s progress bar just keeps getting longer.

Cao Jingde, who had tossed and turned on the ground for a while finally struggled to get up, breathing hard, filled with disbelief.

"Why is your punch speed a notch faster than before?! Have you broken through?"

Lu Ren: "Just a bit of insight."

"How did you do it?"

"Nothing but sheer diligence."

"..."

Gazing at Lu Ren, Cao Jingde shook his head slightly, holding his sides, and turned to leave.

"Leaving."

"Farewell, not seeing you off."

Walking to the threshold, Cao Jingde hesitated for a moment, then turned his head saying, "Something big has happened in Chentai City recently, you should be more careful and try not to go out."

Lu Ren calmly said, "I won’t go out."

"Indeed..."

Watching Cao Jingde’s departing back, Lu Ren shook his head slightly without further thought. Cao Jingde bore no malicious intent toward him, but being an outsider, a guest without known status, inevitably brought no small trouble at times.

But at least during this time, he stayed at his residence, fortunately remaining free from any hassle.

"Nine days left..."

Three peaceful, uneventful days passed. During this period, the government in coordination with the Demon Extermination Bureau’s activities intensified, even enacting curfews in recent days, prohibiting people from going out after sunset.

While typically lacking in energy, the city’s inhabitants seemed accustomed, without much opposition.

The Demon Extermination Bureau continuously dispatched more personnel here, at least one batch of Blue-clothed Envoys followed by another.

The Demon Extermination Bureau was also constantly recruiting talented martial artists within Chentai City, offering generous commissions—money tempts people; but those skilled in gathering Qi and blood were the only ones admitted to the Bureau.

If Lu Ren had not confirmed he couldn’t explosively accumulate Qi and blood, perhaps the Demon Extermination Bureau would have already sent someone to recruit him.

As for Cao Jingde, he hadn’t come to spar with Lu Ren lately, presumably due to being overwhelmed by recent big operations.

The atmosphere in Chentai City was becoming increasingly heavy, this once-prosperous place turning desolate. Even the Nine-Eyed Square, which was bustling day and night, had fallen quiet temporarily.

Even Lu Ren could sense something strange in the air, a feeling he had only experienced in the Underworld.

The Yang Membrane was gradually and cyclically weakening, and things from the Underworld were infiltrating the Mortal World.

Nearby, Landlord Chen conveyed this information through special channels.

Lu Ren wasn’t particularly surprised, merely suddenly recalling Zhang Yan and Chen Ling.

Wishing them to look out for themselves.

Until the third night before leaving, Lu Ren, having finished practicing the Heartless Sword and preparing to go back to rest, found himself stopping in his tracks.

He looked up at the four figures standing on his roof, speaking coolly, "Gentlemen, standing on someone else’s roof isn’t good for tile damage, right?"

The four on the roof were all dressed in the attire of the Demon Extermination Bureau—one in cyan, three in blue.

The Cyan-Robed Envoy was tall, stocky, with prominent muscles all over, appearing handsome except for slightly narrow eyes that added a trace of fierce coldness.

It’s not without reason that appearance reflects the mind.

The newcomers bore ill intentions.

The Cyan-Robed Envoy scrutinized Lu Ren, clothed in tight black attire with dual swords at his waist, condescension apparent as he spoke, "Are you Lu Ren?"

Lu Ren raised an eyebrow, "What do you want?"

The Cyan-Robed Envoy said, "I am Chen Ji, Cyan-Robed Envoy of the Demon Extermination Bureau, by order of the Governor of Chentai City. As battles approach, those of unknown origin need regulation. Come with us."

"Regulation, to where?" Lu Ren inquired.

In response, he wasn’t too surprised; thinking in the governor’s position, he’d also be scrutinizing people of unknown origins, especially those like Lu Ren, with high martial prowess, when facing impending battles.

One of the Blue-clothed Envoys sneered, "Where would someone of unknown origin like you expect to be pampered with good food and drink? Stay in prison!"