Chapter 17 He had indeed reached the second level, but barely managed to hold on.
Is he going to withdraw?
Seeing Hu Sanyi reach out with a serious expression, Zhang Chu frowned. Both of them were Level 1 warriors; if it came to a fight, Zhang Chu’s Sky Cannon was already at basic proficiency, so he’d have no problem one-on-one.
“Brother, if you’re unwilling to sell, Old Hu won’t force you,” Hu Sanyi said, noticing Zhang Chu’s hesitation. He took out a business card and handed it over. “The Gale Squad relies on reputation. If you have any hunting business in the future, just look for me. We’ll offer you the best prices.”
Absolutely!
Zhang Chu breathed a sigh of relief. Watching the four members of Gale Squad leave, he nodded to himself. Their reputation was indeed well-earned.
That evening.
Zhang Chu and his companions were eating skewers at a roadside stall next to the warrior black market. As the meal ended, Li Dashan insisted on paying, threatening to get upset if they didn’t let him. After bidding farewell, Zhang Chu returned to his apartment, already past midnight.
He browsed the forum for a while before noticing a message from Zhou Chuanxiong, the manager of the 12th floor at the Warrior Center, sent an hour earlier: “Brother, I’m off tomorrow. If you come by, I’ll have my colleague arrange things for you.”
“Brother Zhou, I’ll come the day after tomorrow. I’ll only visit the virtual hunting ground when you’re on shift, so you can earn the commission.”
Zhang Chu understood Zhou Chuanxiong’s meaning. Right now, he was trending on the forum. A few rounds in the virtual hunting ground would refresh the leaderboards, and the viewing area on the 11th floor would rake in profits.
“Real brother!” Zhou Chuanxiong replied instantly.
Zhang Chu turned off his phone and slept early.
The next morning, he arranged to meet Zhao Wuming at the Kovi Research Institute. According to the medication schedule, it was once every three to seven days; today was the third day.
Zhang Chu had become a prominent figure at Kovi. From the security guard at the entrance to the beautiful nurses and research specialists, everyone greeted him warmly.
Upon seeing Zhang Chu, Zhao Wuming was visibly excited. “Mr. Zhang, the trial data for the Essence Blood Pill is extremely stable. We’ve already developed the third generation, with greater stability. Are you continuing today?”
“Since I signed a long-term contract, I owe this job my best,” Zhang Chu joked as he entered the trial center.
As usual, various devices scanned his body, confirming nothing abnormal. An electronic arm handed over a box containing the Essence Blood Pills. Outside, Zhao Wuming and his team monitored the data.
This batch was different: tinged with a translucent red, and a faint lily fragrance.
“Mr. Zhang, you may begin. It’s best to proceed gradually,” Zhao Wuming said over the intercom.
Looking at the two pills in the box, Zhang Chu couldn’t be bothered with splitting them up—he swallowed both at once.
Outside, Zhao Wuming stood up in shock, quickly instructing his colleagues to monitor Zhang Chu’s physical condition closely.
The effects of the third-generation Essence Blood Pill rivaled that of a Level 1 mid-grade Vitality Pill. Taking two together could make a normal person’s blood burst from their body.
“Ding!”
Eyes closed, Zhang Chu waited for the system.
Sure enough, ten seconds later, the system chimed: “Detected host has ingested two Level 1 low-grade Essence Blood Pills: Vitality +30.”
His personal information panel popped up:
Name: Zhang Chu
Level: 1
Vitality gained: 30
Total Vitality: 296.1/500
Martial Skill: Sky Cannon (Level 1, low-grade)
Skill Proficiency: Basic
Before Zhang Chu could get excited, a white pop-up appeared: “Estimated consumption of 100 Vitality points. Martial Skill proficiency will reach Intermediate. Execute?”
Damn!
The long-awaited white pop-up nearly made Zhang Chu shout aloud. He recalled that the last time he awakened the martial skill module and used Vitality to boost proficiency was right after taking a Vitality Pill.
So, as long as the trial medication increased his Vitality, he could activate the martial skill proficiency module?
“Execute!” Zhang Chu commanded mentally.
His total Vitality instantly dropped from 296.1 to 196.1.
But in his mind, a virtual figure appeared, repeatedly practicing the Level 1 low-grade martial skill “Sky Cannon,” each movement bold and forceful.
In just a few seconds, Zhang Chu felt his proficiency in Sky Cannon improve dramatically.
He checked his personal panel again.
Martial Skill Proficiency: Intermediate
Damn!
He had finally figured out how to upgrade martial skill proficiency.
After an hour of observation, Zhang Chu left the Kovi Research Institute.
After a bowl of noodles across the street, he headed out of the city.
Swallowing beast cores increased Vitality quickly and helped boost warrior levels. Trial medication Vitality could activate martial skill proficiency.
Back at Kovi, Zhang Chu had exchanged 100 Vitality for intermediate proficiency in his martial skill—he’d thought it through.
Today’s plan:
Morning, trial medication; noon, head out to the Beast Forest to hunt.
In short, today he would push his Vitality past 500 and reach two stars.
Facing Level 1 beasts.
Even among Level 1 warriors, proficiency in martial skills determined safety.
Moreover, Zhang Chu had asked around: few Level 1 warriors could raise martial skill proficiency from basic to intermediate.
...
With last time’s experience, Zhang Chu handed over his warrior card with ease.
Twenty-one years old, Level 1 warrior.
The guard looked at the electronic display, shocked. So young—and already Level 1!
The Beast Forest was the official hunting ground managed by Binzhou Warrior Administration, with shuttle buses.
Thirty yuan round-trip ticket, ninety minutes by bus, with a five o’clock return.
After buying his ticket and boarding, Zhang Chu calculated: he’d arrive at noon, giving him five hours in the forest.
The Beast Forest wasn’t a charity: you had to buy a ticket and rent equipment.
Ticket: 1,000 yuan.
Equipment rental varied: for Level 1 warriors, top-tier cost 50,000, basic about 8,000.
To take beast cores out of the forest, you had to pay 90% of the market price.
Seeing this rule, Zhang Chu laughed.
He’d swallow the cores on the spot—what could they do, cut him open?
Level 1 warriors training here.
Except for people like Huang Lili or rich kids, everyone rented equipment.
Zhang Chu, with little money, only bought the ticket, startling the staff.
Officially entering the Level 1 beast zone.
Zhang Chu quickly separated from the other Level 1 warriors.
He needed to act alone; that way, he’d avoid fighting over beast cores.
In about ten minutes, Zhang Chu encountered an old friend: the Level 1 beast, the Wasteland Armored Wolf.
One blow—Sky Cannon—sent the wolf to its grave.
A beast core in hand.
He didn’t rush to consume it, cherishing every minute in this place.
Over the next hour, Zhang Chu’s luck exploded.
With intermediate-level Sky Cannon, he fought boldly, taking down two Trihorn Rhinos single-handedly.
Here, nothing from the beasts could be taken out for free.
So Zhang Chu only dug out the cores, buried the bodies to prevent detection.
...
After a few hours, Zhang Chu’s skill with Sky Cannon was refined to perfection.
Side slide!
Body turn!
Hook punch!
Boom!
After finishing off the last Mountain Sheep, he realized he’d reached the boundary between Level 1 and Level 2 beasts.
Any further, and it would be dangerous.
“It’s about time. Time to tally up!”
His bulging backpack was full of beast cores—mostly Level 1 low-grade, with only one mid-grade.
After washing the cores in spring water, Zhang Chu climbed a big tree to avoid being discovered.
“Ding! Detected host has consumed one Level 1 low-grade beast core: Vitality +30!”
“Ding! Detected host has consumed two Level 1 low-grade beast cores: Vitality +60!”
“Ding! Detected host has consumed one Level 1 mid-grade beast core: Vitality +60!”
Nearing five o’clock, Zhang Chu felt his breath carried a bloody stench.
He’d finally finished all the cores in his bag—his belly was so swollen, it looked like he was three months pregnant.
“Let’s see if I have enough Vitality to break through to Level 2!”
With a thought, his personal panel appeared:
Name: Zhang Chu
Level: 2
Vitality gained: 360
Total Vitality: 556.1/1500
Martial Skill: Sky Cannon (Level 1, low-grade)
Skill Proficiency: Intermediate
“Level 2—this is the power of Level 2?”
Zhang Chu clenched his fists, feeling the surging strength within his body, exhilarated.
Seven days!
From a worthless wretch with 28 Vitality to a Level 2 warrior.
Who else!
“Old Hu, get out of the way! It’s the Tyrant Tiger!”
Just as Zhang Chu was about to leave, a rough voice shattered the silence.
He looked in the direction of the shout—a massive Tyrant Tiger was chasing four wounded men.
“The Gale Squad—Hu Sanyi?”