Chapter 25: This Is the True Child of the Version

Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, Training Grounds.

"After digging up dirt for so many days, it’s finally time for a change of pace. I wonder what this new map is like."

"The requirements for this mission are quite high, though. 95 kilograms of force and a speed of 9.5 meters per second. My current breathing technique is only at 4% proficiency; I’m falling short in both strength and speed. Has anyone here met the requirements?"

"I’ve been practicing the Leopard Shadow Step a lot lately, so I’ve reached the speed requirement, but I’m still 3 kilograms short on force."

The four newcomers—"A Leaf Floating in the Clouds" and the others—stared at the mission posted on the bulletin board with burning eyes. Despite their relentless 24-hour grinding over the past four days, they were still trailing behind the requirements.

"Even if the mission rewards for this new map are average, game developers wouldn't test a game without reason. There might be special plotlines or hidden tasks," said "Twilight of the Gods," his eyes lighting up.

He had previously triggered a special plotline while digging, earning 500 points in one go, which he sold to "Luo Wushang" for 100,000 credits. This could be another golden opportunity. 100,000 credits meant he wouldn't have to worry about living expenses for months; he could even afford extra meals every day, making his dorm mates suspicious that he had won the lottery. He no longer had to be frugal, even when dying repeatedly while exploring the underground radiation zones. To improve his efficiency, he had endured over a dozen deaths to boost his "Startling Spirit Breathing Technique" to 8% proficiency. Currently, his physical stats met the mission requirements, and he was only a hair's breadth away from becoming a true apprentice.

"Qingwei, how are you doing?" Luo Wushang asked Zhang Qingwei, who had just walked over.

"My speed is fine, but I’m 0.4 kilograms short on force," Zhang Qingwei replied with a smile. "But taking this mission today shouldn't be a problem."

As he spoke, Zhang Qingwei sat cross-legged and began practicing the Startling Spirit Breathing Technique. Within minutes, he spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto the floor.

"Right, that’s done. My breathing technique has reached 8%," Zhang Qingwei wiped his mouth and gave a happy smile. "I’m a bit heavily injured, though—a lung is bleeding severely. You guys go ahead, I’ll respawn."

Zhang Qingwei forcefully pushed his breathing technique, his body turning blood-red before he disintegrated into ashes. The scene left the others feeling envious. Breathing techniques weren't something you could just improve at will; they required constant exploration. With the right insight, progress was fast, but without it, even dying a few times was useless.

"Brother Zhen, are you going?" asked "Gunslinger from Beyond the Border."

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Fang Zhen replied without hesitation. "I'll just take the day off. If the captain yells at me, so be it."

"It's a real shame. My breathing technique and the Gunslinger's are improving slowly; we're only at 7%. We'll have to leave the pathfinding to Brother Zhen," sighed "One Gun Dominating the World."

In their ten-man mecha squad, only Fang Zhen had reached 10% in his breathing technique, making him a quasi-apprentice. Among the ten of them, he was one of only two. It would take the others at least two or three days to catch up, and they would likely have to spend a fortune on respawns to speed up the process.

Outside the City of Light-Chasing.

The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the earth. Everywhere the eye could see was a wasteland; there wasn't even a blade of grass—only scorched soil shrouded in radiation. A three-wheeled vehicle, the size of a small truck, rumbled slowly along the cracked streets. Fang Zhen, Luo Wushang, Twilight of the Gods, and Zhang Qingwei sat in the back, looking around with the curiosity of newborns.

"This map is massive! We’ve been traveling for over an hour. At this speed, we must have covered at least thirty kilometers," Fang Zhen remarked, stunned by the scenery. "I can't imagine how much money they spent to create a map this large and detailed."

"It really is huge," Twilight of the Gods agreed. "In any other game, a map this size would have several towns. This game doesn't even have one. Their commitment to realism is insane."

In typical virtual games, maps were large, but they were usually packed with checkpoints, quests, and buildings. *High Martial Arts Descends* had none of that. Such a bold, extravagant approach was unheard of.

"This vehicle is pretty nice. I wonder when we'll be able to own one. It would make traveling so much easier," Luo Wushang said, more interested in the tricycle than the scenery. If they could own a vehicle like this, they could leave the NPCs behind and transport ore and timber themselves—the efficiency in earning points would be far greater than digging.

"A vehicle this awesome probably won't be player-owned," Fang Zhen said, stroking the metal frame with longing. "I checked, it’s electric—just needs a charge. If I could actually own this, I could work the hall master to the bone."

Lin Qi, who was driving, was rendered speechless by their conversation. It was just a battered, second-hand electric tricycle that had seen better days, yet to these players, it was a divine artifact. Lin Qi didn't dare imagine how they would react if they knew that the High Martial Arts world featured armored combat vehicles capable of fighting off mutant beasts and power armor for martial artists—all of which were sold directly in the City of Light-Chasing.

Of course, Lin Qi longed for those items too, but the prices were beyond the reach of even the middle class. Even for him, the current rental cost for this rusty tricycle was 2,000 bits per month—a sum that a disenfranchised drifter could never afford. If not for the need to repair the martial arts hall, he would never have rented it.

The Gray Bear Mines.

After three hours of driving, a sprawling mountain range appeared before them. The mountains were covered in towering trees, a vibrant contrast to the wasteland they had traversed. Not long after entering the mountain trail, a drone with a wingspan of over two meters flew down, scanning them with its mounted machine guns and RPGs.

"Identity confirmed. You may now follow me to the mining area."

The appearance of the drone and its sophisticated armament left the four players stunned. Even the viewers watching the stream were left speechless, unable to believe what they were seeing. They were promised an apocalyptic wasteland—how did it become a world of futuristic technology? Why learn martial arts when you could just learn how to use guns?

"Brothers, is it too late for me to switch to mechanical engineering?"

"Holy crap! The world-building in *High Martial Arts Descends* is insane. I had no interest in martial arts, and if it weren't for the 100% virtual immersion, I wouldn't have pre-registered. Now I'm hooked! Mechs and cannons—I have to get in there. My marksmanship is top-tier; I’m fast and accurate within ten paces!"

As the chat room buzzed, Lin Qi arrived at the mine entrance with the drone. "Alright, split into two groups. One group moves ore from the mine, the other chops down trees," Lin Qi instructed the four.

The Gray Bear Mines were vast. Even the major gangs in the City of Light-Chasing couldn't control every inch, mostly focusing on keeping outsiders out. Lin Qi had a partnership with the Azure Crystal Weapon Shop; the mine would record his output, and the shop would pay accordingly. As long as they didn't want to die, the miners didn't worry about discrepancies. The mine cared about ore, not the common trees on the mountainside, so they didn't mind the woodcutting.

The four looked at each other. Luo Wushang and Zhang Qingwei went to move ore, while Fang Zhen and Twilight of the Gods headed to chop wood.

In the forest:

"Brother Zhen, why didn't you fight for the ore-moving job? With your strength and speed, you wouldn't be any worse than Sister Qingwei. Maybe the Hall Master would have agreed," Twilight of the Gods asked curiously. Fang Zhen had the most strength among the ten, and his speed was second only to Luo Wushang. Moving ore wasn't difficult, just tedious, but 100 kilograms earned 3 points—far better than chopping and carrying wood.

"That's where you're wrong," Fang Zhen chuckled. "Before the new map opened, the NPC made us learn two martial arts. The Leopard Shadow Step can be practiced while moving goods, but what about the Stone-Crushing Fist? I’ve been curious about that. A game test wouldn't include useless skills."

"You mean... the Stone-Crushing Fist is meant to be used here?" Twilight of the Gods asked, still confused.

"Exactly," Fang Zhen nodded like a professional pro-gamer. "Every test has a purpose. We tested the Leopard Shadow Step in the basement of the hall, so here at the Gray Bear Mines, we’re testing the Stone-Crushing Fist. Doesn't the description clearly state it?"

"The first stage is the 'Post-Crushing Realm.' These trees are natural wooden posts! This is a holy training ground. If we don't practice the Stone-Crushing Fist now, when will we?"

"Brother Zhen, you’re a genius! Your understanding of this game is invincible!" Twilight of the Gods gave him a thumbs up. He had thought the Leopard Shadow Step was the meta, but it turned out the Stone-Crushing Fist was the true child of the version!

"Alright, let's practice quickly before they notice. Otherwise, they'll compete with us for it." Fang Zhen waved his hand dismissively and found a four-to-five-meter-tall tree, ready to begin his training.