Chapter 40: Momentum Attunement, Power Surge

Chapter 40: Momentum Attunement, Power Surge (Please Support)

[Easy Mode: ...Iron Wire Fist: Residual x1 (100 silver taels/activation)]

After drinking the Vital Energy Powder, Su Chen’s Progress Panel changed immediately—he could now activate Easy Mode.

“Activate Easy Mode.”

[Easy Mode Activated: Soak in warm water for ten minutes to advance Iron Wire Fist: Residual to Level 1.]

An hour later, the Progress Panel refreshed:

[Name: Su Chen]
[Martial Arts: Iron Wire Fist: Residual (Level 1, 1%) | Raging Waves Blade Technique (Limit) | Turtle Shell Art (Limit) | Ape’s Might (Perfected, 1%) | Bone Shrinking Technique (Perfected, 1%)]
[Easy Mode: Iron Wire Fist: Residual x0 (100 silver taels/activation) | Raging Waves Blade Technique x0 (any complete Crescent Blade Art/activation) | Turtle Shell Art x0 (unlocked) | Ape’s Might x0 (10 gold taels/activation) | Bone Shrinking Technique x0 (10 gold taels/activation)]

Yet Su Chen barely noticed the Progress Panel. His gaze fixated on his palms.

At first glance, they looked unchanged. But he distinctly felt a subtle current of energy surging within.

“This is…Vital Force?”

Hardly daring to believe it, Su Chen murmured in astonishment, his eyes widening.

Crack!

He strode to a small stone, channeling the Vital Force to his palm.

Without even straining, he watched the stone fracture as the energy coursed into it, cracks spreading like wildfire across its surface. A crisp sound echoed as the stone burst open like a blooming flower. A gentle squeeze reduced it to dust, scattering into the air.

“It really is Vital Force!”

Delight flooded his voice. He hadn’t expected that just days after asking Hong Ming about Momentum Attunement, he’d achieve it himself out of nowhere.

“This fast? I wasn’t even ready!”

His incredulous words paired with a smug grin would’ve surely provoked Hong Ming’s wrath.

While his master spent decades failing at Momentum Attunement, Su Chen had only cultivated for a short time. Truly, comparing people was infuriating!

After calming down, Su Chen mused, “Vital Force is powerful, but scarce. I used it once and it vanished.”

“No wonder that bandit didn’t sustain it. We’re both new cultivators with limited reserves.”

“It’s like the Sleeve-Hidden Blade—save it as a final move to devastate enemies.”

“This is just the start. Upgrading Iron Shirt might increase my Vital Force reserves. That’s when its true power will emerge.”

He glanced at the Progress Panel and groaned, “Another 100 taels for Easy Mode next time!”

There went his savings—though he’d never been rich to begin with.

“Then again, Ape’s Might and Bone Shrinking Technique only need one more Easy Mode activation to reach Limit. Adding Iron Shirt’s upgrade…300 taels total.”

Ugh, headaches!

Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. Problems would resolve themselves eventually. With his current strength, bread and butter—and money—would come.

Putting aside distractions, he resumed testing Vital Force.

By nightfall, he was still engrossed. The more he tested, the more he marveled at its lethality—a true killer’s tool.

Yet strangely, the Vital Force only flowed within his palms, refusing to extend into his arms. After multiple attempts, he attributed this limitation to the martial art’s incompleteness.

“Iron Thread Fist and Iron Sand Palm could merge. I wonder if Iron Shirt can fuse with Ape’s Might or Turtle Shell Art? Not sure yet. Something to explore later.”

Brushing the thought aside, he finally stopped testing and stepped out for a quick meal.

Returning home early, he resumed crafting Dreamweaver Powder late into the night before sleeping.

Two days later, Su Chen stood before the county courthouse’s wanted list.

After successfully making Dreamweaver Powder and resting a day, he’d come to hunt bounties.

The list hadn’t changed since his last visit.

“Champion Yang?”

A voice interrupted his thoughts. Turning, he recognized a courthouse official he’d met briefly.

“I’m the county clerk,” the man smiled. Eyeing Su Chen and the wanted posters, he asked, “Here to take on a bounty?”

Su Chen nodded. “These wanted posters are all outdated. Any recent updates from the authorities?”

The clerk shook his head. “As you guessed, these are old. The courthouse doesn’t even know if these fugitives are alive or dead.”

A pang of disappointment struck. He didn’t mind the effort—but hated wasting time chasing shadows.

“Champion Yang, may I invite you inside for a word?” The clerk glanced around cautiously.

Su Chen caught his meaningful look and nodded. “Lead the way, Clerk.”

Inside the grand hall, tea was served before the clerk discreetly exited.

Su Chen waited, eyes drifting to the entrance. Moments later, Magistrate Tao Wenxuan strode in, bowing warmly.

“Magistrate Tao.” Su Chen greeted him, then glanced at the clerk.

Tao chuckled. “The clerk told me you were at the courthouse. I almost didn’t believe it. It’s been a while, Champion Yang. You’ve lost none of your vigor.”

“Straight to the point, please.” Su Chen cut through the pleasantries.

Unoffended, Tao leaned in. “I have a special bounty. Interested?”

“Elaborate.”

Tao’s tone turned grave. “This target is linked to the Pure Land Sect.”

Su Chen’s brows furrowed. The Pure Land Sect—a rising rebel force in Qian Dynasty’s twilight years, active near Qin Prefecture, notorious for defying the throne.

Unlike other rebels, they’d vanished after their initial uprising, only to reemerge in shadows. Now it was clear—they’d been lying low, waiting.

Seeing Su Chen’s silence, the clerk interjected, “The reward is 100 taels.”

At this, Su Chen’s eyes gleamed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end