『Fist Technique』
"This is all the Psionic Stars that I could accumulate..."
Using the new feature of his art that he had recently been using often, Ling Yan had managed to recycle several common-grade artifacts that he had blatantly stolen. It was not that much, as it seems to only be converted for one or two Psionic Stars per artifact. Nonetheless, he was going to take as many as he can get—especially since he was venturing into unknown territory.
"I'm still not used to fighting, it seems..."
Over the course of his journey, collecting the herbs from a list that his gentle big sister had reluctantly provided, he encountered several beasts with little to no innate power. While that was the case, they still attacked Ling Yan indiscriminately.
He was relatively unharmed—aside from a few scratches. However, it was not his biggest concern at this time. It had to do more so at the fact that he had moved so awkwardly when facing his enemies.
"If it wasn't for my cultivation, I would have likely ended up food for these beasts."
Ling Yan was not wrong. He was so stiff and rough around the edges that even a normal bystander back in his old world would call it 'pathetic'. His punches and kicks were barely landing, and even if he did land them, he had looked so unsightly doing so. His control over his Qi was just as worse—as it scatters whenever he tries to attack.
[Set the Host's Insight and Expertise to Initial Mastery(Fist), Requires 3 Psionic Stars]
"..."
[This includes memories and experiences that will enable the host to execute the movements naturally without practice.]
"..."
[Judging from the host's current state, the host is recommended to take this course of action.]
"Alright... you don't have to say it, Psi" Feeling defeated by his crushed pride, he could only reluctantly agree to the system's suggestion.
Ling Yan thought of the idea that even if Psi was not a human—he could feel that it was internally mocking him. He had to get revenge for this someday, he thought.
[Confirmed]
"...!"
In a single flash, his mind was flooded with several scenes—his body tingled and shivered with each millisecond. It was as if he was reborn. As if all the pores in his body were brimming with energy and life.
"This...!"
In his mind, memories surfaced. He had glimpsed through a specific moment, being in a plain white world with nothing but him. Ling Yan knew and felt that it was indeed his body, but also not.
A surge of Qi enveloped his fist, its weight getting lighter but stronger. He could feel it—the feeling that it could destroy even a large boulder.
And just as he thought that...
"This feels so real..." What was not in front of him before, now stood a huge rock.
Without regard to his thoughts, his fist moved forward at astonishing speeds—shocking Ling Yan. His hand rippled as it came into contact with the rock. Cracks could be heard, and before Ling Yan could process what was happening—it disintegrated into pieces.
He could certainly feel his hand, but also as if he was not in complete control. He had compared the experience similar to a lucid dream.
"..." Ling Yan's jaw dropped, he was too stunned to speak.
[Seeing as the host has learned the basics of accumulating Qi(Fist), the host is then recommended to learn a fist technique. Here are the following recommendations based on the host's Psionic Stars.]
"Wait...! I have to use my Psionic Stars again!? I thought that was already it... aren't you just a shady scammer at this point, Psi?" Ling Yan grimaced, he couldn't believe he had fallen for a scheme.
[...]
[Obtain a Random Common-Grade Fist Technique, Requires 5 Psionic Stars]
[Obtain and Learn a Random Common-Grade Fist Technique (Instant), Requires 8 Psionic Stars]
[Obtain a Random Rare-Grade Fist Technique, Requires 15 Psionic Stars]
[Obtain...]
As if ignoring Ling Yan's retort, the system began to show him more suggestions on where to spend his beloved Psionic Stars. Feeling dejected again, he could only comply.
<<----------->>
"That went surprisingly smooth... odd."
As he was on his way back to the village, Ling Yan couldn't help but feel a huge sense of relief. He did not expect it to be quite uneventful.
"Shouldn't be at this time, I'd be encountering the Impure Lesser Qilin—and in the end, it becomes my tamed beast?" Ling Yan mused at the thought.
Ling Yan's face showed a little bit of disappointment, he could not fully try out his new fist technique. However, he indeed practiced it this time—he had learned from his previous mistakes, after all.
It was almost sundown, and he was almost out of the forest. Despite everything, Ling Yan felt fulfilled somehow—as if he didn't mind having adventures like these once in a while. It was a good refresher since he was mostly cultivating indoors most of his time.
"...?"
[Warning: The host is approaching a group of cultivators with killing intent (100 meters)]
"As I thought... they couldn't wait, huh?"
Ling Yan had a good guess about who these people were, but he still couldn't fathom why they would resort to killing.
Truth be told, this fact was still shocking to Ling Yan. Although he was aware of the importance of surviving in this world—he was still not used to the idea of killing someone out of convenience.
"..."
"Hoh...? If it isn't our village's beloved guest. It's quite dangerous to be alone in the woods—did the chief send you on an errand? Haha, that's quite cruel of her. I'd say she wanted you to die out here." The man chuckled menacingly, as if mocking Ling Yan.
In front of Ling Yan stood five men—these were Deng Wei's most loyal subordinates and revered him more than their own village chief. It was clear what they were here for—and Ling Yan knew that.
[Confirmed]
"...! ...what!?"
"You! what did you do to my men!?" Deng Wei exclaimed.
"It seems conflict, wherever you are, is sometimes inevitable." Ling Yan calmly said.
Deng Wei's men all fell to the ground—unconscious. The burly muscular guy had a confused and exasperated expression on his face. Who could blame him? It was all too absurd.
"I originally planned to bully you a little—but it seems you're quite hateful as I thought! You must pay with your life!" He began charging at Ling Yan, his anger consuming him.
"Pardon me."
As if Ling Yan was a totally different person, he began circulating Qi in his body—his aura exuding from his body. He remained oddly tranquil, without regard to the man charging at him.
"Hah! What can a 5th layer do to me!? You're just a mere ant to my Qi Refining 7th layer!"
"...[Grand Thunder Fist]"
Just as the man was about to grapple his relatively skinny opponent, Ling Yan's fist streaked at lightning speed, his hand as light as a feather, landing with a thud in Deng Wei's stomach. A surge of thunder escaped in all directions as it connected and the shockwave could be felt along with the earsplitting sound.
"...!?"
Despite his huge body, Deng Wei was sent flying—and was not able to properly react due to the sheer speed of it. It was as if his world had suddenly turned white. Terrifying, he last thought, as his consciousness began to fade.
"..."
Ling Yan just stood there, as silence returned once more. He kept wondering back to the question he had once asked himself just a little while after he arrived in this world.
Was he really a heartless person?
It was necessary, sure—Ling Yan convinced himself. He, however, did not feel a single reservation or regret in fighting when his life is in danger. As the sun falls to the horizon, Ling Yan moved forward. He had dinner to catch up, after all.