9: Fighting skills fusion, swift wind slash

Every year after Canaan Academy's enrollment, the students would collectively travel to the Gama Empire's border fortress, and then take a flying Demonic Beast to cross the Black-Corner Region to reach the Academy.

During this period, in addition to the leading instructor and the senior students in the team, there were also military escorts.

Major dangers would generally not occur along the way, but minor crises would appear from time to time.

Sometimes, when passing through forests, the instructor would arrange for students to gain experience, engaging in combat with wild beasts, and sometimes even confronting Rank 1 Demonic Beasts.

"Splitting Wind Palm!"

As the palm strike landed, a wild wolf's tongue stretched out in pain. Before its howl could even escape, a tremendous force erupted in its waist and abdomen.

"Rhino Mountain Strike!"

Lin Xiu's movements were incredibly swift; immediately after a successful strike, he seamlessly followed up with another move.

The crisp sound of bones shattering echoed within the wild wolf's body. After falling to the ground, it struggled a few times before becoming motionless.

"So impressive."

"I feel like he has already mastered these two Fighting Skills."

Some plainly dressed students showed a hint of envy in their eyes when they saw Lin Xiu cleanly and efficiently take down a wild wolf.

Everyone had become familiar with each other during this time, after all, Lin Xiu was not an introverted person.

Many people's situations were similar to Lin Xiu's; they had not been exposed to Fighting Skills before. Although they were practicing, in actual combat, some people still couldn't control their Dou Qi to circulate normally.

In contrast, Lin Xiu could not only unleash the power of Fighting Skills but also change his moves in time.

"What's the big deal? Is it that hard to learn a Yellow Rank Low-grade Fighting Skill?" Where there was envy, there would be jealousy.

Te Lan City had recruited a total of fifteen students this time, including individuals from prominent Families like the Lin Family.

These types of people looked down on the commoner students, and moreover, some had seen Steward Lin talking with Lin Xiu that day. A simple investigation revealed Lin Xiu's status within the Lin Family.

Therefore, they felt very uncomfortable having their thunder stolen by a stableboy.

[You engaged in a battle, Splitting Wind Palm experience + 20]

[You engaged in a battle, Rhino Mountain Strike experience + 20]

Glancing at it, Lin Xiu paid no attention to the others' gazes and continued to search for new opponents.

He hadn't known before that combat could increase the experience points gained for Fighting Skills; he only discovered it later.

These past few days, Lin Xiu had experienced several battles and had already raised both Fighting Skill Ranks to Level 4.

[Splitting Wind Palm lv4 (400/400)]

[Rhino Mountain Strike lv4 (400/400)]

"Is the Yellow Rank Low-grade Fighting Skill Rank limit Level 4?" Seeing that the experience points were full, Lin Xiu secretly speculated.

He still had 7 attribute points. When Lin Xiu tried to add points, two options appeared before him.

[One: Increase Rank, can be increased up to 2 times. Each increase enhances the power of the Fighting Skill.]

[Two: Fighting Skill Fusion. After fusing Fighting Skills of the same Rank, you can obtain a brand new Fighting Skill of a higher Rank.]

(Note: Fighting Skill types need to be consistent, meaning offensive Fighting Skills and defensive Fighting Skills cannot be fused together.)

[Current "Splitting Wind Palm" and "Rhino Mountain Strike" can be fused. Proceed with Fusion?]

"Yes."

Lin Xiu immediately made his choice.

[You consumed 1 attribute point and obtained the Yellow Rank Intermediate Fighting Skill "Swift Wind Strike"]

[Swift Wind Strike, Yellow Rank Intermediate: Your charge can unleash even greater power. While sending the opponent flying, you will subconsciously deliver your strongest strike.]

A large amount of information flashed before his eyes. The original two abilities, "Splitting Wind Palm" and "Rhino Mountain Strike," were replaced by the new "Swift Wind Strike."

[Swift Wind Strike lv1 (0/100)]

A description of Swift Wind Strike flashed through his mind, and Lin Xiu realized he had completely mastered the new Fighting Skill.

"Let's try it." Lin Xiu was curious about what changes would occur when two Fighting Skills fused.

Coincidentally, a young girl in front of him stumbled on a tree root while retreating, and a wild wolf was poised to pounce on her.

"Ah!"

Seeing the wild wolf pounce, Xiao Mei instinctively let out a cry of surprise, crossing her hands to shield her eyes.

Just then, a figure rushed over from behind and to the side. The wild wolf was sent flying by him. While its body was still flipping in the air, that person twisted his body, leaped up, and delivered a palm strike to the wild wolf's body.

Bang!

The ground let out a muffled thud, dust flew, and the wild wolf lay on the ground with a collapsed area at its waist and abdomen, instantly becoming motionless.

"So strong!" Lin Xiu shifted his gaze from the wild wolf to his hands. "It feels like muscle memory. The moment it was sent flying, my waist and legs immediately began to exert force; everything happened naturally."

Compared to Rhino Mountain Strike, the impact speed of Swift Wind Strike also saw a noticeable increase.

However, what Lin Xiu valued most was the combo. After the two Fighting Skills fused, his combos became smoother.

"Thank you." Still immersed in joy, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

Lin Xiu saw that it was the young girl. He nodded slightly, "You're welcome. Be careful next time."

With that, he continued to search for new opponents.

Swift Wind Strike's Rank was still very low. If it were raised to Level 4, it might unleash even greater power.

Lin Xiu was very much looking forward to it. At the same time, he also began to anticipate the Fighting Skills in the ring.

"He seems to have completely mastered it already. It hasn't even been half a month, has it?" Not far away, Ruo Lin's gaze had been following Lin Xiu. Wild wolves couldn't withstand more than two moves in his hands.

"Whether it's talent or Luck, we'll soon find out." The instructor next to Ruo Lin's eyes flickered, seemingly having made a decision.

After the wolf pack was dealt with, the team continued its journey.

Evening.

"Teacher Huo Lan, you were looking for me." Lin Xiu stood before a middle-aged man.

This was the teacher responsible for recruitment in Te Lan City, a Yellow Rank instructor, and also a Great Fighter.

"I noticed you seem to have mastered those two Fighting Skills. Now I'll teach you a new one." Huo Lan went straight to the point. He gestured for Lin Xiu to step back, then began to demonstrate.

The new Fighting Skill was a leg technique called Whip Kick, a Yellow Rank Intermediate Fighting Skill.

With one foot on the ground, Huo Lan's body rotated, and his other leg swung through the air.

Snap!

The air seemed to explode, emitting a crisp sound.

Although he hadn't made close contact, Lin Xiu felt how terrifying the power in that leg was. A wild wolf, if hit by that kick, would probably be shattered into pieces.

"You follow me." After the demonstration, Huo Lan explained the circulation route of Dou Qi to Lin Xiu. The reason Fighting Skills were called Fighting Skills was because they incorporated the power of Dou Qi.

Lin Xiu practiced three times, and text flashed before his eyes.

[You successfully learned a new ability — Whip Kick]

[Whip Kick lv1 (0/100)]

"I'll be watching. Don't be lazy, understand?" Huo Lan seemed to have some expectation for Lin Xiu.

"Understood." Lin Xiu nodded emphatically. He was actually more excited than Huo Lan. If Whip Kick and Swift Wind Strike were fused, what kind of combo would emerge?

However, the prerequisite for Fusion was to max out the ability's Rank. The limit for Yellow Rank Intermediate was Level 5.

Lin Xiu didn't plan to use attribute points for leveling up. While practice was tiring, it could improve his Physique, which was also a gain.

Moreover, he planned to save his attribute points for improving his Cultivation Technique.

After maxing out his Aptitude, Lin Xiu's Dou Qi Cultivate speed increased. He had already broken through to Dou Qi Stage Eight, and even Stage Nine was mostly complete.

It wouldn't be long before he could consider making a Breakthrough to Fighter.

At that time, Lin Xiu could consider finding a Cultivation Technique to Cultivate, but he currently had no ideas, as the instructor hadn't mentioned information in that regard.

"Hardworking people generally don't have bad Luck. I hope you truly have talent in this area."

Before turning to leave, Huo Lan glanced at Lin Xiu, who had already begun to practice with focus.