In the skill list, the proficient-level [Flying Stone (1999/3000)] had not been deliberately practiced by Tang Wen in recent days.
At the proficient level, it was sufficient for hunting rabbits, chickens, and even injuring people.
The 1999 experience points for Flying Stone were naturally gained during bird hunting and other hunting activities.
[Flying Knife Skill, Mastery (901/1000)] was a skill he had been diligently practicing recently. Every day in the woods, apart from hunting, he always had a flying knife in hand.
[Wind-splitting Saber, Beginner (451/500)] was practiced daily with the blacksmith, Li Da Niu.
But the skill he valued the most was [Eight Section Brocade, Beginner (967/1000)]. This Taoist technique could simultaneously enhance both physical and mental strength! It was truly a divine skill!
The next day, Tang Wen still did not go out hunting.
He woke up early and immediately started practicing the "Eight Section Brocade" in his room, immersing himself in it. He practiced several times in one go, pushing the experience to—Beginner (997/1000), on the verge of breaking through.
As for when to break through, he wanted to wait a bit, to hunt more game in the next couple of days and have more meat before making the breakthrough.
After finishing the Eight Section Brocade, he went to the blacksmith's house and practiced the saber repeatedly until he broke through the current level of his saber technique.
[Wind-splitting Saber, Beginner → Mastery (3/1000)]
After the skill upgrade, Tang Wen rested for a while and then practiced the Wind-splitting Saber technique again.
With the saber in his hand, he felt an inexplicable familiarity and affection. The saber in his hand moved as if it were an extension of his arm, striking wherever he pointed, effortlessly and with great force!
The Li Da Niu family stood on the steps watching.
"Brother Tang is amazing!" Sister-in-law Li and the maid, though standing far away, couldn't help but feel a bit scared.
Li Da Niu didn't say anything, but he was deeply shocked: Little Tang has been practicing the saber for less than a month, right? I've been a guard for three years and have been practicing the saber for over five years, and my saber skills seem to be only at his current level...
Is this what talent is?
After finishing a set of saber techniques, Tang Wen suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration!
That feeling of joy was like drinking a can of Coca-Cola on a scorching summer day.
Li Da Niu looked at him with a complex expression: "Brother! There's nothing more I can teach you."
Tang Wen smiled: "How could that be? What I have is just superficial, with no real combat experience. I'm far behind you, Brother Li."
...
In the morning, he went to the market to buy bricks and sand, and hired two workers with two catties of foxtail millet. They worked all morning to build a stove and two large heated brick beds in his new house.
In the afternoon, he practiced the flying knife.
In the yard, the siblings stood apart.
Swish! Tang Tang suddenly threw out a wooden block.
Thud! Tang Wen hit it with a knife.
"Hehe, this is fun." The older sister became interested in this "game," finding joy in making her brother fail by throwing wooden blocks and pieces from various tricky angles.
By sheer luck, after half a day, the experience for the Flying Knife Skill shot up.
[Flying Knife Skill, Mastery (991/1000)]
"I'm exhausted, I'm not practicing anymore. I'm going to rest and cook." Tang Tang hung her arms like a zombie from Plants vs. Zombies, walking dejectedly towards the room.
Only 9 experience points away from breaking through, but the older sister was too tired to continue.
Ordinary practice wouldn't help.
Tang Wen shrugged and decided to help his sister prepare dinner.
After dinner, Tang Wen continued practicing the Wind-splitting Saber under the moonlight, the blade gleaming brightly.
From dawn till dusk, apart from eating and resting, Tang Wen spent almost all his time in cultivation.
The next day, deep in the wild forest.
Tang Wen pulled out a burlap bag from his chest, containing roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes, their aroma wafting through the air. However, he didn't eat them. Instead, he extravagantly broke the sweet potato into small pieces and scattered them meticulously on the ground.
He scattered them here and there, not sparing any, until the entire sweet potato was spread out.
If the Scavengers had seen this behavior, they would have probably come to lick the ground.
Thud, thud, thud…
Tang Wen hid and practiced his Flying Knife Skill.
"Cluck, cluck, cluck…"
The familiar call of a pheasant rang out.
Tang Wen quietly put away his flying knife and saw a pair of pheasants landing on the ground covered with sweet potatoes, eating happily.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Without even aiming, he unleashed a series of flying stones.
The two pheasants were struck down, twitching all over.
Tang Wen picked them up and walked downwind, skillfully digging a hole to drain the blood, then placing the prepared pheasants into his backpack.
"Snort, snort, snort…"
What was that noise?
He gently put down the backpack, gripped his flying knife, and approached the area where the sweet potatoes were scattered in the woods.
"Snort, snort…"
A half-grown black boar was happily rooting in the ground, its tail wagging, clearly enjoying its meal.
A wild boar!
My roasted sweet potatoes are really effective. This wild boar must weigh at least a hundred pounds of meat, right?
Tang Wen tightly gripped the flying knife in his right hand, ready to strike, but the next second, he loosened his grip.
No, I can't be reckless. The wild boar's skin is thick and tough. One flying knife definitely won't kill it.
It runs fast too. What if I don't have time for a follow-up strike?
Wouldn't it just take the flying knife with it?
But no matter what, if the wild boar is injured, it will definitely flee.
Tang Wen didn't think his two legs could outrun its four.
Hmm, unless I make it charge at me!
This is a bit risky. Hunters always say, "One bear, two boars, three tigers."
Wild boars are not harmless animals. This tusked male boar in front of me could definitely injure someone if it charges!
So, I need to kill it, but not recklessly.
After some thought, Tang Wen crouched down and hid behind a large tree. He took out several stones and threw them in three different directions.
Crack, crack, crack!
The stones hit the trees, making loud bangs.
Snort, snort, snort!
The wild boar was startled, not knowing what was in front of it! It turned around and charged towards Tang Wen's direction.
That's exactly what I wanted!
Thud!
The flying knife plunged into the wild boar's left eye! Blood spurted out.
A direct hit.
"Roar, roar, roar!"
The wild boar didn't fall. It roared and charged at Tang Wen.
Thud!
Another knife, blood splattering everywhere.
The wild boar's right eye was also blinded.
[Skill: Flying Knife Skill, Mastered → Proficient (1/3000)]
"Roar!"
Bang!
The charging wild boar slammed into the tree in front of Tang Wen. The tree swayed slightly, and the boar's legs gave out, collapsing to the ground.
Tang Wen knew it wasn't dead yet. He gripped his long knife, took two steps around, and slashed at the boar's neck!
Blood sprayed like a spring, staining the ground a deep red. The boar twitched a few times and soon fell still.
What a bountiful harvest!
After the boar's blood drained, Tang Wen grabbed its ears and struggled to stuff it into the large backpack.
The backpack was over a meter tall, but fitting a half-grown wild boar was still a challenge.
After much effort, he managed to get it in, but most of the boar's head was still sticking out.
He could only use a rope to tie up some branches to cover the pig's head, preventing others from seeing it.
"Up!"
Tang Wen suddenly hoisted the basket onto his back, but his footing faltered, nearly causing him to stumble.
"This wild boar must weigh over a hundred pounds!"
With heavy steps, he hurried toward the camp. Along the way, he took a break and finally, panting heavily, appeared at the camp entrance before noon.
The road was bustling with people. Seeing Tang Wen return early, some shook their heads and commented, "Whose child is this, coming back with just a few branches?"
"These are all thin twigs; they don't burn well. Thick wood is better."
"Poor kid, doesn't even know how to gather firewood!"
"..."
Tang Wen ignored them, keeping his head down as he walked.
Knock knock knock, a series of knocks sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" came Tang Tang's cautious voice.
"It's me, sis."
"I thought you weren't coming back until noon?" Tang Tang, who was washing clothes, shook her hands dry and unlatched the door.
Tang Wen bent over as he entered the yard.
Tang Tang peeked outside, then turned to lock the door and reached out to support her brother's basket.
"Be careful, it's heavy!"
"Whoa!" Tang Tang was startled and instinctively lowered her voice, "What is it? It's so heavy!"
"Wild boar."
"What?" Untying the rope and
seeing the pig's head, the older sister couldn't help but widen her eyes.