System: Game World

Tang Ling felt powerless. With the so-called "natural-talent", he had taken a big step into the world of extraordinary. He thought that he had passed the hardest part but it would seem that it is only the beginning.

His awakening was worth thousands of credits but to advance further, he would need to enter a complicated system where connections and money are everything. But he, himself, was just a humble man from the slums. He did not wealth nor connections.

Sighing again, Tang Ling could only get up and prepare to enter [Heavenly Ascension].

...

Ducke looked back at Tang Ling's apartment and sighed again. For all his life, he only had Tang Ling as a friend. Other people despised his social status and personality and chose to distance themselves, or even worse, trying to trick him. He had fallen for it several times and finally grown out of this stage. At the age of 24, his life changed and now, under the cheerful and honest-looking facade, was a cold abyss.

In his darkest times, only Tang Ling was willing to trust and respect him. It was also him that made him realize that the world isn't such a beautiful place, correcting his ways of life.

"This guy..." Ducke shook his head, looking at the pistol Tang Ling gifted him. "He doesn't say it but I know that he got into trouble, perhaps even danger..."

Although the gun looked like the ones used by the Cowboys of the West, as a hardened underworld man, it was easy to see that it was modified.

To be precise, it was a modified firearm of a now-discontinued series. This was a favorite for hitmen. It was deceptively strong and had no legal registry on who owns it. The firing power is not that strong so it can pass off as a civilian carry in most areas but the special bullets it contains are particularly strong against the flesh, tearing tendons, and bones like paper.

These types of guns are very niche in the underworld but reached a sky-high price in auctions and deals. In essence, it was a disguised military weapon, and its rarity and price are second to the legendary 'silenced guns'.

"Bro..." Ducke was moved.

=======

One week has passed.

During this time, Tang Ling alternated from practicing martial arts in the Game World to hunting in the real world.

From hunting, he had gathered 500 credits post-tax. This made him sigh at his rapid acc.u.mulation of wealth. Rent in the slums was 10 to 50 credits every month and right now, his income averaged at 71 credits every day. Although he knew that it would thin out in the future, it is still miles away from his previous income.

From practicing martial arts, he had gained new moves like [Parry], [Thrust], and [Intermediate Dodge].

[Parry (Skill): Parry an opponent's attack, giving a window of opportunity to counter-attack.]

[Thrust (Skill): You have learned the way of thrust. Thrusting motion deal more damage.]

[Intermediate Dodge: Your skill in dodging has increased. The reaction time between the response and the action is shortened, the dodging range is further increased.]

As time passes, the other disciples began to leave, going back to their old ways. The only companion he had was Brother Zhu who he sparred with all this time. On the sixth day, he also left. Leaving him time alone to study the [Aspects of the Leopard], and today would also be the day that he leaves.

[Name: Tang Ling

Level 28

Class: Martial Artist (Second Stage)

HP : 843/843 (+100HP)

Qi: 100/100

Mental Energy: 7/7

Stamina: 100%

Strength: 2.8

Agility: 2.8

Constitution : 2.83

Spirit: 2.85]

As he sparred and hunted Beasts like no tomorrow, his level increased to LV28, leaving Master Gu stumped at how fast his cultivation speed was.

At the end of the 7 days of training, Tang Ling found out that with his basics mastered, his improvement started to stagnate and so, decided to venture out again. He then bid farewell to Master Gu and promised to return the manuals in good shape when he returns. Although it was a different world and its culture still seems a little strange to Tang Ling, an act of kindness should be repaid and a borrowed object cannot return dilapidated. It should be true in both worlds.

Master Gu sighed after hearing his intention to leave.

"How have our morals changed. A few decades ago, it had been expected for students to bid farewell graciously. However, in the present, sincere farewells and thanks have become rare. Even if I don't doubt that they are grateful for the things I have taught, no one ever reached the level of sincerity such as you."

Melancholy struck him like no tomorrow, and his eyes became cloudy for a moment.

'Maybe I'm becoming old.' he thought, 'Schools and sects have been rapidly developing over the years and now, there are hundreds of sects in the Northern Region alone. Martial arts and knowledge are now viewed like commodities and are not as sacred as before. What they become are untempered cultivators and flowery scholars not tempered generals and meritorious scholars...'

Thinking about this, Master Gu felt that such a good seedling of good morals should not fall young or degrade in shallow power; perhaps the future is not in the hands of the city dwellers but in the hands of the country bumpkins. Such people are worth preserving, for the world is better with them.

"Tang Ling, I hope that you won't involve yourself in a power struggle. Temper yourself like a real cultivator. We, martial artists, train our bodies and align ourselves with Heaven to transcend the human condition. To step on the muddy water that is the mortal world is necessary but do not overstay and immerse yourself into petty matters, you will be dragged down in the end; never to reach the top."

Saying that, he tossed a broadsword which hanged the side to him: "I've noticed that your sword is quite common, too common for any martial artists. Although it is good enough for any gentleman traveling the city, it is not robust enough to handle any villains, monsters, and demons that can arise in Jianghu. Take this."

[Northwind-Tempered Runed Broadsword (Rare)

LV Requirement: 30

Damage: 100 ~ 325

Attribute: Cold Steel, Sturdy.

Skill: Determination

Description: A Northwind blade is one of the rarest and prized blades you can find in Jianghu. The blade itself is the journey of a strongman braving the cold winter storm in search of greatness. Blacksmith Jiang Hai braved the terrible weather of Mt. Tengshan and spent three days on the peak to forge five blades: dao, jian, broadsword, dagger, and a heavy saber. Tempered by the Northern Wind which happens every five years, the blades demonstrate clear peak craftmanship demonstrating the tenacity and strength of the creator, hereby conferring him the title of Forgemaster. On the blade is inscribed a rune which is in harmony with heaven and earth, giving the wielder the determination of the forger himself!]

[Cold Steel: Forged in the cold winds of Mt. Tengshan, the steel has condensed some ice attribute. Its essence can injure and kill spiritual creatures with its mere touch. Double damage against fire-type enemies.]

[Sturdy: The blade is extremely hard. It is capable to resist and block attacks with relative ease. The reverse is also true, the hardiness of the blade with its great mass has the chance to damage weapons when struck against each other. The effects are limited against Magic-grade and below weapons.]

[Determination (Weapon Skill): Infuse the forger's will into oneself. For three seconds, damage incoming will be reduced by 50%, debuffs will be reduced by 25% and if he is able to land a strike before the effects wear off, the damage will be increased by 50%.

Cooldown: 24h

~The sheer will and dedication of this blacksmith radiate from the blade, a will that many warriors crave for it is the ultimate glory for warriors to be fearless and strong against adversaries.~]

Tang Ling was so gratified and touched that he had no words to say except:

"... Thank you." Tang Ling bowed.

Master Gu indicated that he could leave.