novellhall Chapter 12 Daily Life, Level 3, Body of Steel
Chapter 12 Daily Life, Level 3, Body of Steel
So when Jolyne returned from leave and pushed open the bookstore door, the first thing she saw was an unknown creature wrapped in a blanket lying on a wicker chair.
The human-shaped silhouette beneath the blanket rose and fell slightly with heavy breathing, exuding an indescribable, faint smell of blood (or perhaps it was just my imagination?).
And a kind of cold, metallic scent.
Naturally, he was startled.
I almost threw the breakfast soy milk I was carrying away.
The blanket stirred, and a thin hand, bearing obvious signs of exercise, reached out and wearily lifted a corner of the blanket.
"...The boss?"
"What are you yelling about so early in the morning?"
His voice was hoarse from just waking up, but it sounded like he still had plenty of energy.
This is our protagonist, Lu Qingfeng. After three days, he finally remembered that he is still a bookstore owner. Congratulations!
Ahem, enough with the banter.
The main reason was the endless nightmares last night, and the realization of his physical potential, which left Lu Qingfeng exhausted.
After waking up early, remembering that Jolyne, who had taken leave, would be returning soon, he moved to a different spot for himself.
"You scared me! Boss, are you alright? Why are you sleeping here?"
Xu Lun put down his breakfast and saw that although Lu Qingfeng was tired, he was still in good spirits and did not seem to be sick.
"Wow! Boss, what...what were you doing last night? Staying up all night cultivating immortality? Or did some female demon drain your energy?"
"It's nothing, I was doing some research and accidentally stayed up all night."
Jolyne saw that he did not seem to be seriously injured, but rather that he was just mentally exhausted, so she nodded.
"Okay, you rest first, I'll go watch the shop."
The bookstore returned to quiet.
Lu Qingfeng leaned back in the rattan chair, closed his eyes, and felt the sluggish sensation of his body being hollowed out.
As early as this morning, Lu Qingfeng noticed the abnormality in his body.
…………
Let's rewind to the early morning.
You have grown significantly through independent training.
[Life level elevated!]
[Martial artist level increased to lv3!]
[Network notification: You have undergone a profound professional transformation, significantly boosting your base vitality (maximum health, base saving throws, etc.)!]
Your Qi and blood have received a (powerful) boost!
Based on your growth path, you acquire the career trait: Physical Strength.
Based on your growth path and the characteristics of this baptism, the skill will not be randomly drawn this time. You have obtained the skill: Steel Body (Passive) Lv1!
[Life potential fully unlocked, Constitution +1]
[Strengthen Body: Constitution +1, Maximum Health Moderately Increased]
【Iron Body (Passive) Lv1】
[Basic Defense Boost: Permanently increases skin, muscle, and bone density; Physical damage resistance +10%]
[Strong Physique: Significantly enhances resistance to toxins, diseases, and harsh environments; Basic exemption (Strong Physique) test +1]
[Stamina Boost: Stamina recovery speed is slightly increased, enhancing sustained combat ability]
This skill symbolizes the pinnacle of physical refinement, making your flesh and blood an impenetrable steel barrier capable of withstanding blades.
P.S.: Is this truly a level that can be achieved simply by tempering the body? — Necromancer, Curse-Maker, Fenrir, Soulfire Mentor
P.S.: This is how martial artists are; you wouldn't understand if you weren't a martial artist. —Lord of All Armies, King of Miracles, ███
Lu Qingfeng slowly and deeply exhaled a breath of stale air.
This aura was condensed and lingering, forming a clearly visible white ribbon in the cool morning air before slowly dissipating.
He lowered his head and clenched his fists tightly.
Click! Click!
The knuckles emitted a series of crisp, powerful popping sounds, a clear and pleasant sound from extremely strong muscles and bones.
The smooth muscle lines on his arms were even more defined in the morning light, and his skin had a healthy wheat-colored glow.
It feels firm and solid to the touch, as if covered by an invisible, tough membrane.
His physical essence underwent a transformation!
The feeling of heaviness transformed into stability, and the feeling of emptiness was replaced by abundant vitality.
If the previous power was like a flood that needed to be guided by tyranny, then this body itself...
It became an even stronger steel fortress, capable of bearing and unleashing terrifying power!
He glanced at his wrist instinctively.
The slight scratches and dents that might have existed there have long since vanished without a trace.
"man of Steel……"
Lu Qingfeng muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He walked to the corner of the backyard and picked up the heavy sword, Chongyue.
It feels lighter than before, which is not just due to increased strength, but also to the body's adaptation to and ability to bear the weight.
He tried to lightly slice his forearm with the side of the sword.
laugh--
The sound of metal clashing rang out.
The mountain passed by without leaving a trace.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and Lu Qingfeng used almost all his strength, but Chong Yue was almost thrown back.
"A physical body comparable to steel?"
ψ(*｀ー´)ψ I have ascended to godhood.
What? You're asking why the protagonist, despite receiving such a significant power boost, is still the same old character?
This brings us to what Lu Qingfeng did.
Because the enhanced power was too great, he forgot that he was still in a weakened state of soul.
Upon entering the instance, the Soul Weakness status could not be naturally restored within the instance.
So, although Lu Qingfeng managed to clear out the monsters, he also discovered the secret passage below.
However, he was seriously injured as a result and had no choice but to commit suicide again to quit.
………………
Let's rewind to the present.
Jolyne glanced at the shopkeeper, who was curled up in the wicker chair, with a hint of worry, but finally shook her head and turned to go to the front hall to organize the bookshelves.
The aroma of soy milk and fried dough sticks filled the cool morning air, carrying the warmth of everyday life.
Lu Qingfeng wrapped himself tightly in the blanket, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness sink into the comprehensive network panel.
[Soul Weakness (Stacked): 3 hours 21 minutes remaining]
【Soul Weakness (Stacking): All attributes -60%, skill effects reduced by 75%】
The scarlet notification flashed glaringly on the network panel.
The soul weakness from dying in two instances actually stacked!
The six-hour punishment has become a superposition, and the effect is not a simple 1+1.
Instead, it was like a heavy shackle, tightly binding his strength, agility, and perception.
Even the warmth brought by the [Qi] became negligible, like a candle flickering in the wind.
The skill effects have been greatly reduced; the recovery of the secret power of the interception technique is as slow as a tortoise's pace, and the amplification of the violent power has also been greatly reduced.
Worse still, the compounded weakness seemed to intensify the chilling and tearing feeling in the mind, with each breath carrying the lingering echo of phantom pain.
He struggled to pick up the soy milk that Jolyne had brought, the warm liquid sliding down his throat, the feedback from [Qi Gathering] was so weak that it was almost imperceptible.
The body's instincts are desperately craving energy, but weak digestive and absorption efficiency turns this craving into a painful ordeal.
He could only eat in small bites, forcing himself to swallow high-energy foods, as if he were repairing a container riddled with holes.