Chapter 64 - 64 61 The Choice of a New Combat Skill

64: Chapter 61: The Choice of a New Combat Skill 64: Chapter 61: The Choice of a New Combat Skill The next morning. Xiao Jie got up early. Today, he decided to experiment with the new skill he learned yesterday. After bustling about in the kitchen for twenty minutes, Xiao Jie stared at the ‘Garden Roasted Cake’ in front of him, dumbfounded. It was a breakfast he had just made based on the recipe that popped up in his mind. The crust was golden brown, enclosing a filling of verdant chives and golden egg. Chives, egg, crust—that’s basically a chive pocket, isn’t it? Although its shape was different—it was round. But it basically looked like an improved version of a chive pocket. And really, it looked quite appetizing; it would definitely sell if he set up a stall on the street. On regular days, Xiao Jie only ever made some simple stewed dishes, and this was his first attempt at a pastry, surprisingly it turned out pretty well. Taking a bite, well, it did taste exactly like a chive pocket, hardly different from what you’d buy at a breakfast shop, seems like this is the level of entry-level cooking skills. In the future, if he could upgrade his cooking skills and learn a few more recipes, he might enrich his daily diet. It’s actually a pretty practical skill. After breakfast, Xiao Jie entered the game. Firstly, he headed to the vicinity of the farmlands, ready to turn in his task. Sure enough, that Tian Bao was there tending to the fields, and when he saw Xiao Jie, he immediately dropped what he was doing. “I’ve brought back the land deed for you.” Tian Bao was overjoyed, “Hidden Moon Following Wind, I didn’t think you’d really do it. I knew I could rely on you! Let me have a look.” Xiao Jie handed over the deed. System prompt: You have completed the task [Find the Land Deed]. You have given the land deed of the Tian Family Mansion back to Tian Bao. Your reputation in Ginkgo Village has increased by 80 points, now standing at 60/500 (Respected). System prompt: Since your reputation in Ginkgo Village has reached the level of ‘Respected’, the villagers’ attitude towards you has improved. When interacting with villagers from this village, you may unlock more interaction options. Huh, this is pretty good. Tian Bao looked at the land deed in his hands, excited, “The land deed of the Tian Family Mansion is finally in my hands. Once those demons outside are cleared, I can return to my longed-for ancestral home. How is it? Is the mansion just as majestic as before?” Remembering the sight of the Tian Family Mansion burning fiercely yesterday, Xiao Jie earnestly replied, “Indeed, it’s quite majestic.” “Haha! Thanks to you, brave sir. Alas, I have little to offer in return. Here’s 100 wen I’ve scrimped and saved from farming—please accept it as a reward.” “No, you better keep it for yourself. I enjoy helping others for the joy of it.” “Ah, thanks then, brave sir! Who would have thought there are still good people like you in this world?” System prompt: Tian Bao’s favorability towards you has increased by 10 points, now at 70/100. Unconsciously, Xiao Jie had started to treat these NPCs as if they were real people. Having unintentionally burned down someone’s house yesterday, he didn’t feel right accepting the 100 wen, not expecting that it would actually increase his favorability. Of course, the main reason was that he now had money. A hundred wen wasn’t that important anymore; he could afford to be impulsive once in a while. Xiao Jie tallied up the income in his backpack, which amounted to over 2,400 wen. There was what he’d saved before, loot from straw men, and a few pieces of junk equipment he’d picked up and sold yesterday. But, of course, the main contribution was the 1,300-plus wen from Tian Youcai. This was the first time Xiao Jie had so much money since he started playing the game. He felt like he could make some purchases to boost his capabilities. He didn’t really need any equipment—just a better bow and arrows. But the ones sold in the Newbie Village were so-so, and they didn’t seem like they would increase the damage by much. Speaking of which, why not learn a skill instead? The leader of the Militia, Tie Qianli, offered combat skills training for a fee. It wasn’t cheap either; even the low-level combat skills cost 1,000 wen, and the better ones were 2,000 wen. Previously, too stingy to spend his money, he felt like now, with money in hand, it was time to acquire one to expand his repertoire of skills. Heading straight for the Militia training ground, several members of the militia were practicing, with Captain Tie providing guidance. Seeing Xiao Jie approaching, Captain Tie surprisingly took the initiative to greet him. “Is that Hidden Moon Following Wind? I’ve heard you helped Yang Baichuan banish the Evil Spirit and you also recovered Tian Bao’s land deed. Not bad at all. What brings you here, looking for me?” Hearing Captain Tie’s words, Xiao Jie immediately understood. This must indeed be a benefit of reaching ‘Respected’ status. The attitude of the villagers towards him really had changed, even the normally stern Captain Tie was much more cordial. “Captain Tie, I came to seek guidance and learn a trick or two from you, may I know if it is possible to receive some instruction?” “Haha, of course, it’s possible. As a returnee like yourself often encounters dangers while abroad, it’s proper to learn a couple of moves. Speaking of which, I know quite a few martial arts, but most are unremarkable, nothing too impressive. If you’re interested, just pick one.” A list of skills available for learning suddenly popped up before him. Barbaric Charge: Learning requires: 1000 coins. Black Tiger Heart-pulling: Learning requires: 1000 coins. Lazy Donkey Roll: Learning requires: 1000 coins. Helical Slash: Learning requires: Knife Specialization (entry-level), Strength 12, Agility 15, 2000 coins. Long Spear Thrust: Learning requires: Gun Specialization (entry-level), Strength 15, Agility 12, 2000 coins. Sweeping Strike: Learning requires: Axe Specialization (entry-level), Strength 18, 2000 coins. Smashing Strike: Learning requires: Hammer Specialization (entry-level), Strength 20, 2000 coins. Backstabbing: Learning requires: Dagger Specialization (entry-level), Agility 18,, 2000 coins. Breaking Army Sword Skill: Learning requires: Sword Specialization (entry-level) 3000 coins, Strength 15, Agility 15. Huh, is there an extra one? He was somewhat surprised when he saw the Breaking Army Sword Skill. Xiao Jie clearly remembered that the last time he checked, there wasn’t an option for the Breaking Army Sword Skill, let alone any skill related to swordsmanship. It must be because his reputation had reached a respectful level, unlocking new content. Demanding 3000 coins, it seems to be a powerful skill. Thinking so, he started to check it out. [Breaking Army Sword Skill (Swordsmanship) Activation: Changes your attack module from an ordinary attack to—Sword Dance: Breaking Army Seven Forms. Usage Requirement: Concentration, an additional 30% Physical Strength consumption. Skill Description: Swordsmanship used by the Wind Singing State Soldiers on the battlefield, collectively created by several instructors, is concise and practical, and embodies both strength and speed. It is exceptionally suited for beginners of swordsmanship.] Xiao Jie, reading the skill description, now fully understood the effects of Cultivation Technique class skills. This is quite impressive—it changes the attack module outright. He recalled how Ye Luo used Sword Dance when killing the Night Ghost, wondering then how that girl could have so many combat skills. Turns out it was a direct change in the attack module. In other words, as long as you keep clicking the mouse, you can execute a continuous series of sword moves. However, he was puzzled about how to learn Sword Specialization in Ginkgo Village? Since Tie Qianli was teaching swordsmanship, it implied that the village must offer a task where one could learn Sword Specialization. This is basic game design philosophy. If the player were required to go to the State Mansion to learn Sword Specialization before coming back to learn swordsmanship, that would be quite unreasonable. Any decently designed game wouldn’t be set up like this. Though this game is incredibly magical, from his experience so far, it still follows the design principles of a normal game. Therefore, there must be a way to learn Sword Specialization in Ginkgo Village. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Xiao Jie racked his brain, he couldn’t think of any tasks related to swordsmanship. Now he had three choices: learn Helical Slash, or learn two skills with no prerequisites. Or save up 3000 coins and then figure out a way to learn Sword Specialization. After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Jie dismissed the third option. The Breaking Army Sword Skill was just an entry-level swordsmanship, and he could directly learn Sword Specialization once he got to town. It wasn’t worth wasting too much effort on it; he would be better off leveling up earlier. So it was better to learn a Saber Skill or two combat skills with no prerequisites. He started to examine the few combat skills he was interested in. Helical Slash: Spin your body while launching three consecutive helical slashes forward, each attack dealing 80% of weapon damage. Wow, isn’t this the move used by the bandit who killed Han Luo? Barbaric Charge: Lift your shield and launch a fierce charge at the enemy in front, dealing blunt impact damage equal to the shield’s armor value and knocking the enemy down. Black Tiger Heart-pulling: Strike the target’s chest, dealing 250% of hand-to-hand combat damage, paralyzing the enemy for 0.5 seconds, and disrupting their concentration. (Must be used up close.) Lazy Donkey Roll: Can be used when on the ground, performing a quick, forced roll to evade enemy attacks.