Chapter 11: Skill: Scout Eagle

Chapter 11: Skill: Scout Eagle

"The Abyssal World is scarier than I imagined," Su Muyu exclaimed.

Lu Heng looked into her eyes, wanting to confirm if there was any hesitation in her gaze, but he was also worried that she might truly regret her decision.

Su Muyu shook her head, her tone resolute, "I had carefully considered my decision before entering with you. Since I've made up my mind, I won't regret it."

Just as they were talking, Lu Heng heard a bone-crunching 'snap' in his ear.

Shh! Lu Heng signaled for silence, then tiptoed towards the source of the sound.

Rounding the street corner, he saw a grayish-black creature under the eaves, gnawing on the bones of an unknown creature.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Stone Gargoyle.

Judging by its size, it was likely a 4th-rank Stone Gargoyle.

Lu Heng signaled Su Muyu to hide, then circled around to ensure there were no other Abyssal monsters nearby before drawing his iron sword and slowly approaching.

The Stone Gargoyle suddenly turned its head, noticed Lu Heng's presence, and immediately spread its wings to fly towards him.

Lu Heng neither dodged nor evaded; like an arrow released from a bowstring, he charged straight at the Stone Gargoyle.

Utilizing the high agility of his Agility-based talent, he leaped forward, channeling Essence Energy to infuse his sword with lightning power, and struck with a powerful double-handed blow.

The Stone Gargoyle let out a shrill screech and immediately hardened its outer layer, closing its wings to block the sword's light.

Bang! The sword struck the Stone Gargoyle's rocky skin, emitting a loud 'bang' as if striking granite.

The Stone Gargoyle fell from mid-air, rolled a few times on the ground, quickly got back up, and didn't seem to be severely injured.

As Lu Heng expected, the Stone Gargoyle's defense was among the highest in low-rank demons, and its ability to harden its outer layer made it highly resistant to elemental damage like fire, lightning, and frost.

This meant that the Lightning Weapon had little effect on it and couldn't deal significant damage.

However, the Stone Gargoyle had a fatal weakness; after hardening its outer layer, it lost its ability to fly.

So, Lu Heng could slowly wear it down.

He treated this as a chance to practice his Seven-Segment Sword Technique, relentlessly hacking at the Stone Gargoyle with each strike faster than the last.

The sword's edge slashed against the rocky outer layer, sparking small bursts of fire.

Enraged, the Stone Gargoyle let out an angry screech and waved its claws in retaliation.

The 4th-rank Stone Gargoyle was powerful, with an average attribute score of 13.

Aside from Agility, Lu Heng's other attributes were lower than the Stone Gargoyle's.

However, this Stone Gargoyle lacked psychic-type skills, so attributes like Spirit and Perception had no impact on the battle.

There was only a slight difference in Strength.

Lu Heng's rich combat experience, coupled with the second layer of the Seven-Segment Sword Technique, made up for the disparity in Strength.

With each forceful strike, his sword technique proficiency began to rise.

[Sword Technique Proficiency +1 for using sword skills in combat]



[Sword Technique Proficiency +1 for using sword skills in combat]



Finally, after a series of powerful strikes, his Expert Sword Technique Proficiency reached its maximum (2000/2000).

[Expert Sword Technique Proficiency is now complete, entering the third layer of sword technique - Subtle Level.]



With his improved sword technique, Lu Heng's swordplay demonstrated the subtle difference in skill when drawing and sheathing his sword.

When unsheathing, his strikes were as fierce as a tiger descending from the mountains.

When sheathing, the sword's glow seemed to flicker like lightning.

Lu Heng's strikes became faster with each blow, and his subtle control of strength unleashed the most ferocious offense.

The Stone Gargoyle, overwhelmed, screeched in anger, trying to counter with its claws.

However, after Lu Heng's sword technique improved, his attacks became more powerful. The sword's glow sliced through the Stone Gargoyle's rocky skin, sending fragments flying.

Driven to desperation, the Stone Gargoyle screeched continuously, abandoning its defensive posture and forcefully countering with its claws.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Heng swung his sword vertically.

The blade unleashed a crescent-shaped glow, slicing into the Stone Gargoyle's shoulder, creating a gap in its rocky outer layer.

Lu Heng's eyes flashed with determination, targeting this gap, and executed the 'Cloud Piercing Technique,' aiming directly at the opening.

Sensing the impending danger, the Stone Gargoyle, agile as it was, attempted to dodge, but it couldn't escape the falling sword's strike.

The subtle sword technique allowed Lu Heng to adjust the trajectory of his sword's light, even as the tip pierced the stone gargoyle's body. Despite the gargoyle's evasive maneuvers, Lu Heng precisely struck the chink in its rocky skin.

Pfft!

With a roar, Lu Heng's sword pierced through the gargoyle's body, emerging from its back.

As he skewered the gargoyle, Lu Heng activated his Lightning Weapon, releasing a torrent of electricity from within the creature.

The gargoyle let out agonizing shrieks, struggling and writhing, but eventually, it turned to ash amidst the lightning.

Lu Heng sheathed his sword with a smooth and efficient motion.

The remaining demon energy of the gargoyle condensed into a demon crystal core.

[Hunt Stone Gargoyle: Absorb 40 points of demon energy.]



During Lu Heng's battle...

Su Muyu remained calm, aware that facing such a formidable monster meant she couldn't help. The best course of action was to avoid becoming a burden.

So, she picked up a riot shield and positioned herself against the wall, out of the battle's reach.

Watching Lu Heng's graceful swordplay, she felt a glimmer in her eyes, growing fonder of the feeling of standing behind him.

At that moment, she resolved to be his solid support, aiding him in carving a path through the apocalypse.

After defeating the gargoyle, Lu Heng picked up the demon crystal core from the ground and examined its attributes in his palm.

[Scout Eagle Crystal Core: Absorb the crystal core's energy for a chance to learn the skill "Summon Scout Eagle."]



[Summon Scout Eagle: Summon a scout eagle to perform reconnaissance in the sky. The eagle possesses the ability to detect invisible objects. The range of invisible detection = 1 x Perception attribute. Skill Cost: 20 Essence Energy. Skill Level: D-Rank.]



Upon seeing this skill, Lu Heng couldn't help but smile.

This skill was incredibly practical and perfectly suited for a Perception-type metahuman like Su Muyu, complementing her talent.

Lu Heng turned and waved her over, "Don't just stand there, come and try it. See if you can learn this skill."

Absorbing a skill crystal core only offered a chance to learn the skill; it wasn't guaranteed.

"Oh."

Su Muyu responded and quickly walked over.

Lu Heng tossed the crystal core to her, saying, "Just like before, crush it and absorb the energy inside."

This time, Su Muyu was more experienced. She set down her shield, gripped the crystal core with both hands, and squeezed with all her might.

The crystal core transformed into a stream of energy that flowed into her body through her palms.

"Try to control the energy and direct it into the skill slot, forming an energy cluster," Lu Heng instructed from the side.

Su Muyu nodded and followed his instructions, channeling the energy into the first skill slot, gradually forming an energy cluster the size of a walnut.

As the energy cluster formed, she quickly checked her attribute panel and exclaimed happily, "I learned it! This skill is now on my panel."

"Try out the skill's effect," Lu Heng reminded her.

"Mmhmm."

Su Muyu nodded and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she attempted to use the skill.

Energy flowed out of the skill slot, converging along her veins and into her palms, slowly forming a scout eagle with a wingspan of 40 centimeters.

The translucent eagle flapped its wings and took flight, circling in the air.

Without needing Lu Heng's reminder, Su Muyu closed her eyes and initiated her innate talent, Summoning Vision.

As she closed her eyes, her vision changed instantly, as if her eyes had been transplanted onto the eagle, allowing her to view the ground from above.

The sensation was incredible, and she became immersed in this extraordinary experience.

She controlled the eagle, circling above herself and Lu Heng, feeling delighted and slightly excited.

Just then...

In her vision, she spotted a translucent object moving along the wall, emerging from an alley and pouncing towards Lu Heng's back.

As it drew closer, she could see it more clearly—a demon with sharp claws and sinister horns.

It was unmistakably a demon.

Su Muyu rushed towards Lu Heng, shouting, "Careful!"

As she embraced Lu Heng, her back was struck by a powerful blow, sending her flying.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end