Chapter 72: Basic Archery Level 8
Chen Fan sighed softly and looked at his status panel:
Realm: Tempered Body Third Layer
Level: 8 (0/100)
Constitution: 65.67
Strength: 56.11
Agility: 32.28
Spirit: 12.97
Potential Points: 113 (7 points/day)
Experience: 10
The ten-point strength increase from 46 to 56 was monumental. With enough effort, he might even draw Uncle Zhang's 300-jin bow now.
Yet wielding it still felt cumbersome compared to his current weapon.
Moreover, 113 Potential Points meant he could easily afford another physical enhancement.
He couldn't forget his pending realm breakthrough opportunity. While stacking attributes before breaking through maximized gains, flexibility remained crucial.
Chen Fan resolved to push both his Taijiquan and Meteor Archery to their limits before attempting breakthrough - unless imminent danger forced earlier action. Though not optimal, the gains would still be significant. One couldn't postpone progress indefinitely.
He devoted the following hours to Basic Archery practice. Methodically loosing arrows at targets, he maintained twenty shots per minute for 6% proficiency gain.
Such intensity demanded ten-minute recovery periods, though his Level 1 Blood Circulation skill reduced downtime by a third while boosting proficiency gains.
After two hours, faint warmth suffused his body - Basic Archery had leveled. With his current stats, the attribute gains felt negligible.
[Basic Archery: Lv7 (0%), Traits: Strong Body Lv7, Arm Strength Lv7, Deliberate Shooting Lv7, Mounted Archery Lv5, Rapid Fire Lv2]
Chen Fan's gaze lingered on the final trait. Rapid Fire Lv2 boosted firing speed by 60% - his true prize.
With the 200-jin bow, his shots per minute jumped from twenty to twenty-six. Triple-shot execution time shrank from five seconds to four. While seemingly minor, the heavier bow's power more than compensated.
"Continue." He nocked another arrow after brief rest. "Reach next level. New traits would be ideal."
The skill panel showed under 0.1% gain - expected. "Eight hundred more arrows to Level 8. At twenty-seven shots per minute... six hours total." Evening's approach made this feasible.
His obsession stemmed from calculation: Level 8's triple-shot would take three seconds. Against an Ironhide Rhino charging 100 meters in three seconds, three kill-shots became possible.
One well-placed 200-jin arrow could drop the beast. Three misses meant deserving death by trampling.
"Xiao Fan! Lunch!" Chen Guodong's voice echoed from the stockade.
Uncle Zhang stored his bow. "I'll stop here." Afternoon training duties awaited - more students meant more responsibilities, especially with Gu Clan members joining.
Chen Fan smiled. "Spear practice tonight? Same as yesterday?"
"Agreed." Zhang nodded, pleasantly surprised. The youth's dedication to spear arts pleased him.
Turning to Gu Ze, Chen Fan suggested, "Join your uncle's martial training this afternoon."
"Martial arts?" The youth blinked.
"Forms without foundation crumble like sandcastles. Archery's no different - no physique, no victory against mid-tier beasts."
"Understood." Gu Ze reluctantly eyed his bow. Chen Fan spoke truth - physical cultivation mattered most, especially for an Awakener doubling strength output.
Returning with targets, Chen Fan found their families sharing lunch. Chen Guodong and Gu Jianghai laughed boisterously while their wives exchanged gossip.
Both youths ate silently - Chen Fan strategizing archery gains, Gu Ze planning physique breakthroughs. Only Chen Chen ate with singular focus.
Post-meal, Chen Fan resumed archery while Chen Guodong led stance training. Though provisions sufficed, rationing remained necessary - Chen Fan alone consumed ten pounds daily. Prioritizing adult males stayed pragmatic.
Sunset approached.
"Xiao Fan! Return now!" The watchtower guard's urgent cry carried. Distant roars signaled active beasts. Lingering risked attracting predators.
"Coming." Chen Fan unleashed a final triple-shot. As the third arrow flew, familiar warmth surged - Basic Archery leveled.
[Basic Archery: Lv8 (0%), Traits: Strong Body Lv8, Arm Strength Lv8, Deliberate Shooting Lv8, Mounted Archery Lv6, Rapid Fire Lv3]
He exhaled. Made it before dark.
Rapid Fire Lv3 - only advanced beasts might withstand three sniper-grade shots within 100 meters. The Song Fortress expedition's safety increased.
Yet vigilance remained vital. In this apocalypse, humans often proved deadlier than mid-tier beasts.
(Chapter End)
