Chapter 54: Integrating Ape's Might, Dual Vital Forces

Chapter 54: Integrating Ape’s Might, Dual Vital Forces (Please Continue Reading)

[Martial Arts: ...Iron Wire Fist · Residual (Level 2 1%)]

[Easy Mode: ...Iron Wire Fist · Residual 0 uses (200 Silver Taels/use)]

Seeing this, Su Chen froze in disbelief. "Why am I still at Level 2?"

Before integrating Ape's Might, he'd been at Level 2. Never did he expect to remain there afterward.

"Wait, my arms... something's changed!"

Suddenly, a wave of warmth surged through his arms. As he focused his senses, he gasped in shock.

"There's Internal Qi in my arms too!"

Doubtful, he checked again. Soon, he confirmed it—two distinct Vital Forces coursed through him: one in his palms, another in his arms.

"The Vital Force in my palms comes from Iron Sand Palm and Iron Thread Fist. This other one... must be from Ape's Might!"

Su Chen marveled at the dual forces within him. "No wonder Iron Shirt didn't improve. Integrating Ape's Might added a second Vital Force. And it's not just that—my palm's Vital Force now extends to my arms. They're like parallel lines, coexisting without interference."

As he manipulated both forces, they obeyed his will effortlessly. The palm force, once confined to his hands, now flowed freely through his arms.

"Let's test their power!"

In the courtyard, Su Chen scoured for test subjects before settling on nearby stones. After extensive trials, he concluded: "Both Vital Forces have similar strength."

But a new idea struck him. "What if I combine them?"

He found a head-sized rock—something his previous single-force palm strikes could never shatter completely. Now, as dual Vital Forces surged through his arm, the stone detonated like a bomb, exploding into gravel.

The sheer power startled him. Staring at his palm, he muttered, "Let's try metal!"

Back indoors, he grabbed a palm-sized iron plate, roughly finger-thick. The moment dual Vital Forces struck, it crumpled like a potato chip underfoot.

"This isn't just double the power", he realized. "Five uses deplete both forces completely—same as when I had only one. The Progress Panel really delivers. With this new force, my strength must've multiplied several times over!"

After verifying the results multiple times, he paused only because he'd exhausted all five uses.

"Ten days in Medicine Town is enough. Time to leave."

As he packed his kitchen supplies, a voice echoed outside:

"Leader, we've found the killer's trail!"

A kneeling subordinate reported to the Gray-Robed Man, who immediately ordered, "Lead the way!"

The gang leader strode forward, his subordinates trailing. Crowds parted instinctively at their approach, whispering once they'd passed.

An incense stick later, they halted at a street corner.

"He's in that house ahead!" a subordinate reported.

"Good!" The Gray-Robed Man's eyes narrowed. "Let's see who dares kill my men!"

As they turned the corner, a tall white-clad figure with a satchel approached.

"Halt! Who are you?" the Gray-Robed Man barked.

"A local resident", Su Chen replied flatly.

"I don't recognize you", the leader studied him.

"Newly moved in", Su Chen shrugged.

After a tense pause, the Gray-Robed Man waved him off. "Go. Watch where you step next time, stranger."

As they walked away, ten minutes brought them to a courtyard house.

"This is it!" a subordinate confirmed.

The wooden door exploded inward under a brutal kick. "Search everywhere!" the leader commanded.

Moments later, reports came back empty. The leader glared at his informant. "You're lying?"

"No! He definitely lived here!" the subordinate trembled.

"Where is he now?"

"I... don't know!"

The Gray-Robed Man's gaze fell on warm medicinal residue in a corner. Feeling its lingering heat, he suddenly stiffened.

"What did he look like?" he demanded.

"Ordinary... nothing special", the subordinate stammered.

Realization dawned. "Was it him?!"

"Quickly! Chase him down!"

Outside Medicine Town, Su Chen paused at a piercing shout: "Stop him!"

Looking back, he saw the gang sprinting toward him. The Gray-Robed Man approached, eyes locked on Su Chen's satchel. "Seize him!"

Surrounded, Su Chen narrowed his eyes. "We have no quarrel, do we?"

"I'm from the Medicine Gang", the leader coldly replied.

Su Chen's expression remained calm. "What does that have to do with me?"

"You murdered my men. Think you can just leave?"

"What do you want then?"

The leader's eyes sharpened. "Take him back. Carve him into pieces to join Leopard Brother in death!"

At his command, the gang surged forward.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end