7: Efficiency Improvement

The last rays of the setting sun had not yet touched the western horizon, but Lin Ye had already put down his axe.

In front of him, the neatly cut black ironwood had piled into a small, half-person-high mountain, roughly estimated to be at least four hundred catties, far exceeding the three hundred catty task set by Steward Zhang.

Looking at this astonishing "achievement," Lin Ye himself was a little dazed.

"This is the power of the Coiling Force Clue..." he murmured, spreading his palm.

His palm was still covered with calluses, and the web between his thumb and forefinger was slightly red from prolonged vibration, but other than that, there was no longer the usual soreness and powerlessness that made his bones feel like they were about to fall apart. After comprehending the Coiling Force Clue, with every swing of the axe, he felt that the physical strength he expended was greatly reduced, while the efficiency of his chopping increased exponentially.

He no longer simply used the strength of his arms to chop, but learned how to mobilize the strength of his entire body, twisting his waist, rotating his hips, sinking his shoulders, concentrating all his strength at one point, and exploding it along the axe blade. The entire process flowed smoothly, carrying a strange sense of rhythm.

This was not just an improvement in technique, but an elevation in the mastery of his own strength.

Lin Ye wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh of relief. Now, he needed to transport this firewood back to the Outer Sect's sundry yard. This was also a strenuous physical task.

He picked up a few tough vines from the ground and began to bundle the firewood. In the process of bundling, he subconsciously applied the Coiling Force Clue's force exertion techniques. With a slight flick of his wrist, the vines tightened, and the bundled firewood stack was exceptionally neat and sturdy, much more secure than what he had bundled before.

"So... this clue can be used like this," Lin Ye's eyes lit up as he discovered a new world.

He divided the over four hundred catties of firewood into two large bundles. He first tried to lift one bundle, estimating it to be over two hundred catties. The heavy weight made him stoop, but when he adjusted his breathing and applied the Coiling Force to his legs and lower back, the feeling of heaviness actually lessened considerably. His steps became steady, and his breathing was much smoother than expected.

"Efficiency, all-round efficiency improvement!"

A surge of ecstasy welled up in Lin Ye's heart. The changes brought by the System were fundamental! It could not only allow him to Cultivate idly, but also, through this "Epiphany," enable him to perfectly apply the results of his Cultivation to all aspects of reality!

He no longer hesitated, carrying the first bundle of firewood, he took large strides and headed down the mountain... When Lin Ye appeared in the sundry yard carrying a mountain of firewood, it immediately caused a small stir.

There were a few other Disciples who had finished their tasks early resting in the yard. They first froze when they saw Lin Ye, then their gazes were drawn to the absurdly large bundle of firewood on his shoulder.

"Is... is that Lin Ye? How much firewood is he carrying?"

"Looking at the volume, it's at least two hundred catties! Did he carry it back by himself?"

"Am I seeing things? Wasn't he punished by Steward Zhang to cut three hundred catties of black ironwood today? What time is it, and he's already back?"

The Disciples whispered amongst themselves, discussing animatedly, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion as they looked at Lin Ye. In their impression, Lin Ye had always been a quiet, weak-bodied, extremely inefficient worker, a bottom-feeder who could be dismissed at any time.

His "tough guy" demeanor today truly overturned their perceptions.

Lin Ye seemed oblivious to the surrounding gazes. He walked straight to the firewood stacking area and, with a loud "thud," threw the firewood from his shoulder onto the ground, making a huge sound that seemed to shake the ground.

He did not linger, turning and walking back towards the direction of the back mountain.

"He... he's going again?" one Disciple stammered, wide-eyed.

Not long after, under the increasingly astonished gazes of everyone, Lin Ye returned, walking steadily, carrying another bundle of firewood of the same size.

The two huge bundles of black ironwood were neatly stacked together, like two small mountains, full of visual impact.

At this, the entire sundry yard fell silent.

Everyone looked at Lin Ye as if he were a monster. Over four hundred catties of black ironwood, completed early, and though he was panting now, he was far from exhausted.

Had this kid eaten the wrong medicine or was he possessed by something?

Just then, Steward Zhang, the Steward of the Menial Servants, strolled leisurely from the other end of the yard with his hands behind his back. He had originally intended to check if Lin Ye was slacking off, figuring that by this time, the boy should still be complaining bitterly in the back mountain.

But when he saw the two small mountains of firewood and Lin Ye standing beside them, his clothes soaked with sweat but his back ramrod straight, the leisurely expression on his face instantly froze.

"What... what's going on here?" Steward Zhang pointed at the pile of firewood, his triangular eyes full of astonishment.

Lin Ye immediately adopted his familiar, somewhat timid expression, lowering his head and respectfully replying, "Reporting to Steward Zhang, this Disciple... this Disciple has already brought back the firewood."

"Three hundred catties? Is it all here?" Steward Zhang walked forward suspiciously, kicked the hard firewood with his foot, and weighed it in his mind, his face growing increasingly grim.

This was more than three hundred catties! Four hundred catties was more than enough!

Moreover, there was still at least an hour before sunset!

"How did you do it?" Steward Zhang's voice turned gloomy, his gaze as sharp as a knife, as if trying to see through Lin Ye. "Did you use some trickery? Speak! Did you find someone to help you?"

A powerful sense of oppression swept over them, and the surrounding Disciples subconsciously took a few steps back, afraid of incurring his wrath.

Lin Ye sneered inwardly, but on his face, he appeared even more terrified, waving his hands repeatedly and saying, "No, no! This Disciple would not dare! It's... it's just that this Disciple was lucky today and found a patch of forest where the black ironwood... well, it seemed to be a bit brittle and easier to cut. So this Disciple... this Disciple cut a little more..."

This excuse was one he had thought of on his way back. It was full of loopholes, but it was the most reasonable explanation for now.

"Lucky?" Steward Zhang clearly didn't believe him. He narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Lin Ye. "Do you take me for a three-year-old? Black ironwood is black ironwood, how can it be brittle?"

"This Disciple... this Disciple is telling the truth and would not dare to deceive the Steward." Lin Ye buried his head even lower, his body trembling slightly, perfectly portraying the image of a frightened menial servant.

Steward Zhang stared at him for a long time but couldn't find any flaws. He couldn't find any evidence of Lin Ye cheating; after all, the firewood was real, and Lin Ye's sweat and fatigue were also real.

In the end, he could only attribute it all to the kid getting incredibly lucky.

"Hmph! Consider yourself lucky, kid!" Steward Zhang, unable to find a reason to vent his anger, could only spit out fiercely, "Since the task is done, get lost and don't be an eyesore here!"

"Yes, yes." Lin Ye felt as if he had been granted a great pardon, quickly bowed, and then swiftly turned and left the sundry yard.

Only after walking a considerable distance did he slowly straighten his back, glance back in the direction of the sundry yard, and a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He looked up at the sky.

The golden sunlight was warm and not dazzling, and a few leisurely white clouds drifted in the sky. There was still more than an hour before dinner and the evening collective chores.

This extra hour was entirely his own.

This was the first time since his Transmigration that he had his own free time during the day, time he could spend as he wished!

A feeling of comfort, named "freedom," filled his chest. He did not waste this precious time, but instead turned and walked towards the back mountain again, though this time, he bypassed the woodcutting area and headed towards a deeper, more secluded spot.

He needed to find an absolutely safe place where he wouldn't be disturbed.

Passing through a dense thicket, the sound of flowing water reached his ears. Lin Ye's eyes lit up, and pushing aside the last branch, a secluded small valley appeared before him.

A clear stream meandered through the valley, and by the stream grew several towering ancient trees of unknown species. Their dense canopies blocked most of the sunlight, forming a natural cool shade. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of moisture and green grass, and besides the chirping of birds and the sound of water, there was no other noise.

"This is it."

Lin Ye nodded in satisfaction. He walked to the largest ancient tree and sat down, leaning against its rough trunk. The fatigue of his body surged over him like a tide at this moment.

But he did not rest immediately; instead, he once again immersed his mind in his thoughts.

"System, continue to Cultivate Iron Sand Palm on autopilot."

【Please set the duration for autopilot.】

Lin Ye estimated the time and said, "Set it for 2 hours."

【Task created successfully!】

The familiar warm current once again generated between his palms. Lin Ye leaned against the tree trunk and adjusted to a comfortable position. Warm sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, dappling his body, and in his ears were the pleasant chirping of birds and the soothing sound of flowing water.

There was no longer Steward Zhang's scolding, no more heavy labor, no more anxiety about the future.

An unprecedented sense of peace and contentment enveloped him.

He slowly closed his eyes and, amidst the System's faithful operation, fell into a deep sleep.

This was the first truly peaceful afternoon nap he had taken since arriving in this world.

In his sweet dreams, on the light blue panel in his mind, the countdown was decreasing second by second, while the strength in his palms was quietly growing, thread by thread.