Chapter 60: Physical Forging Martial Art

Chapter 60: Physical Forging Martial Art

【Challenger Prompt (Global Channel)：Player "Wan Feng" absorbs the contents of a Memory Shard and acquires the special skill "Celestial Rune Combat Technique."】

Celestial Rune Combat Technique：

Special Skill Tier: Second Tier

Skill Description: A non-Life Soul-based special skill that can be cultivated and activated to absorb ambient spiritual energy from the environment—or draw (spiritual power) through Energy Crystals. Grants bonus Body Forge Rank Experience Points during cultivation.

As the global prompt echoed across the game world, the green Memory Shard absorbed by Zhou Xiao disintegrated into dust in his palm, scattering into the wind.

The memory contained within had been filtered and modified by the Challenger System, blocking visual details of the technique’s cultivation. Instead, it was etched directly into Zhou Xiao’s mind as an imprint. No learning required—he instinctively understood how to use the Celestial Rune Combat Technique.

The system’s announcement sparked heated discussion on the in-game forums.

All players were envious, swarming the threads to ask what exactly the Celestial Rune Combat Technique was.

Monster World’s enhancement system revolved around two core paths: Stellar Vein and Body Forge. Stellar Veins represented potential, but having more Stellar Vein slots didn’t guarantee strength. Without Body Forge Rank compatibility, even monsters with numerous Stellar Veins were limited by their Life Soul’s rank.

Yet advancing Body Forge Rank was notoriously difficult.

Stellar Vein upgrades required Sacrificial Power that increased gradually—starting at just 500 points. But Body Forge Rank progression demanded a staggering 10,000 Sacrificial Power as a baseline. This high threshold crippled many players’ progress.

While players could consume spiritual herbs or specific Spirit Ore stones to gain Body Forge Experience Points, finding these resources required luck. Worse, the cost of advancing Body Forge Rank didn’t stay fixed at 10,000—it increased exponentially with each tier, creating an ever-widening gap between progression and resource expenditure.

According to in-game Guides, Body Forge Rank had tiers. The first ten ranks required 10,000 Sacrificial Power each, but beyond that, the cost multiplied exponentially. The Guide explained that the physical body needed immense strength to withstand the diverse forces of different Life Soul traits. Each breakthrough revealed new bottlenecks, demanding even more Sacrificial Power to overcome.

Though the Guide’s explanation was detailed, most players dismissed it as dry game mechanics. The result? Body Forge Rank progression became increasingly punishing as players grew stronger, making it one of the largest future drains on Sacrificial Power.

Now, discovering a special skill that absorbed ambient energy particles from the environment to generate Body Forge Experience Points sent players into a frenzy. Threads exploded with questions.

Amid the rising tide of forum activity and relentless friend requests, the man himself, Zhou Xiao, finally posted a video demonstration:

【Here’s the damn effect you all want. Stop sliding into my Dms, it’s driving me nuts!!!】

Poster: Wan Feng

Content: (Video attachment)

---

The video was recorded from a Guide’s clone perspective. On-screen, Zhou Xiao stood at the edge of an Ancient Battlefield.

Suddenly, his left foot stepped forward with effortless grace, executing the combat technique imprinted in his mind. Sparks of crystalline energy materialized in the air, drawn toward his movements. They clustered on his skin, slowly seeping into his body, flowing along predefined paths through his limbs and internal systems.

As the energy entered, his muscles rippled. The shimmering particles coated his muscle fibers, enhancing their resilience and strength.

Using the Physical Forging Martial Art required harmonizing three elements: breathing rhythm, physical movements, and the internal circulation of energy.

Thanks to the direct memory imprint, Zhou Xiao’s demonstration was flawless—fluid, precise, and utterly seamless.

Minutes later, the perspective shifted to Zhou Xiao’s point of view. A semi-transparent progress bar hovered in front of him:

【Body Forge Rank 0: 12.48/10,000】

Mastery: Celestial Rune Combat Technique (Tier 2)

Celestial Rune Combat Technique Active: Gaining 0.96 Body Forge Experience Points per minute (exact gains vary based on environmental energy density and technique tier; can be accelerated with specific spiritual herbs).

---

After watching the video, players flooded the comments:

* I’m a College Student: "Okay, I’m jealous. At this rate, you’ll gain 1 Sacrificial Power per minute. Theoretically, ten thousand minutes—seven days—and you’ll hit Body Forge Rank 1. Damn you, why can’t I get this luck?"

* Nightfallapproach: "I was just about to post a guide saying Body Forge Rank can be earned through physical training. I run laps around Dizhong Village daily. Now I feel like an idiot. My gains are nothing compared to yours! How do we get this technique?!"

* This Punch You Can’t Block: "Bro, tell us how to get Physical Forging Martial Art! I need it too!! Please!!"

* Concerned Citizen: "Why is everyone else getting lucky? They mine high-grade Spirit Ore, I dig up grade 1 trash. They hunt Primordials easily, I’ve never even seen one. Does this game have a hidden luck stat? I’m mining nonstop for three hours to vent. Screw the forums, I can’t take seeing others get rich anymore!"

* Beaverbeats: "Dude, share the details! The game’s about faction progression—we’re all in this together. Don’t hold out!"

* Big Weapon: "They say three years of martial arts won’t beat a year of fighting, and three years of fighting won’t beat a year of falling. But three years of falling won’t beat buying a gun. Anybody interested in Endtimes Tech Guild’s second-gen Spirit Energy Firearms? 150 Sacrificial Power for max damage. Way better than grinding Physical Forging Martial Art!"

---

Zhou Xiao didn’t hide the truth. He explained how he’d obtained the Physical Forging Martial Art.

When players learned it came from the Wealth God, their mental image of him solidified further. Many had long debated the Wealth God’s nature on forums, comparing him to "mysterious merchants" common in other games—Npcs that only lucky players could encounter, offering rare items unseen in standard shops.

Zhou Xiao’s revelation crystallized this perception: the Wealth God was a roaming benefactor, gifting random opportunities. From his initial Vile Crystal to the current Physical Forging Martial Art, the gifts varied wildly—and better rewards likely awaited discovery.

With their affection for the Wealth God skyrocketing, players launched a full-scale search, determined to secure their own fortune.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end