#58 - Chapter 58 Using Perception Skills

The long-range martial skill chosen by Shen Xingyan had a rather intimidating name: Subduing Demon Staff.

Its characteristic was swift and fierce staff techniques, primarily focused on attack, while also emphasizing defense. Its main advantage lay in the amplification of strength. When combined with agility, it could achieve a suppressive situation of 'fast against fast.' When practiced to a profound level, the staff's momentum would coordinate with Origin Energy to generate powerful shockwaves, which could be used for both offense and defense.

For close-quarters combat, he chose Dragon Elephant Fist, which also had the characteristics of both offense and defense. It was a versatile fist technique that enhanced both speed and strength. With prolonged practice, it could also promote physical and mental well-being.

It was said that when the realm was raised to the Minor Accomplishment stage, the Origin Energy within the body would faintly manifest the forms of dragons and elephants, greatly enhancing defense and offense.

Although comprehensive, its shortcoming was also obvious: it didn't excel in any particular aspect.

As for the crucial footwork, he still chose the slightly more expensive Gale Step. In terms of speed enhancement, it was significantly faster than other footwork skills.

Its agility bonus was the most outstanding among similar martial skills. After reaching the Minor Accomplishment stage, its speed would increase dramatically, creating afterimages. After all, this was the last line of defense for survival, and Shen Xingyan felt it couldn't be compromised.

After selecting the three martial skills, Shen Xingyan didn't look at any others. Instead, he took the three books directly to the counter, ready to pay and leave.

At this moment, the seemingly leisurely old man at the counter finally sat up. He took the three books Shen Xingyan handed over, glanced at them, and then looked at Shen Xingyan's youthful face. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly, seemingly muttering to himself, "Young people are really ambitious. They don't understand the principle of 'biting off more than one can chew,' buying three books at once."

After saying that, the old man looked at the three books and said in a hoarse voice, "That's 860 copper coins in total. I'll give you a discount, make it 850."

After the old man announced the price, the three books automatically detached from his hand and returned to Shen Xingyan's. At the same time, a Star Origin Card automatically appeared beside Shen Xingyan, while the old man leaned back in his chair and resumed reading.

Shen Xingyan understood the meaning behind the old man's seemingly self-deprecating words. After all, it was well-known that martial skills were easy to learn but difficult to master. Now that he had bought three martial skills at once, it did seem a bit greedy in the eyes of others.

Only Shen Xingyan himself knew his own capabilities. With the 'Comprehension' skill, he could temporarily increase his comprehension by 9 points within an hour, reaching a terrifying value of 17 points. The effect it produced was not simply a matter of 1+1 equaling 2.

If Shen Xingyan didn't need too many martial skills and didn't want to attract too much attention, he wouldn't have only bought these three books.

And he didn't explain much to the old man, even feeling that it was good that the old man thought that way.

Now, Shen Xingyan's attention was drawn to the three books in his hand and the Star Origin Card floating beside him.

After quickly understanding the reason for this magical occurrence, a hint of envy couldn't help but appear in his eyes. At the same time, he realized that this seemingly lazy old man was actually a formidable figure.

He had heard at school that when a Practitioner's mental strength reached a certain level, they could release it to manipulate objects. The fact that the old man could so casually control books and Star Origin Cards showed the profound level of his mental strength.

Moreover, the old man's act of telekinesis seemed inexplicably cool to Shen Xingyan, making him imagine what it would be like.

When his mental strength became stronger in the future, he could even directly control his body to float in the air, reaching the level of the base commander!

However, Shen Xingyan was just thinking about it. He couldn't do such a thing at this stage. He could only use the Star Origin Card's innate settings to summon the card to his hand.

Shen Xingyan put away his longing thoughts. Now, looking at the old man, he felt that the other party had become mysterious, giving him the feeling of a reclusive master.

"It's best to have as little contact as possible with such experts. It would be terrible if the other party discovered my unusualness from the details." Shen Xingyan's heart suddenly sounded an alarm. He quickly nodded to the old man to express his gratitude, and then touched the Star Origin Card in his hand.

As the payment of 850 copper coins was successful, the old man's Star Origin Card instantly disappeared from its original location, leaving only Shen Xingyan's right hand holding the card suspended in the air.

Shen Xingyan didn't feel any embarrassment. Respecting the elderly and caring for the young was a traditional virtue of the base. Afterwards, he didn't say anything more, turned around and left the bookstore, heading in the direction of home.

Only at this time did the old man look up at Shen Xingyan's back, sigh softly, and then return to his calm, continuing to read.

Shen Xingyan didn't stop at any other places along the way, returning directly to his home.

Before learning the martial skills, he stretched his body slightly to warm up.

Then, without waiting any longer, he picked up the Dragon Elephant Fist manual, ready to begin learning. The Subduing Demon Staff martial skill was temporarily put aside due to conditions.

Shen Xingyan checked his own attributes in the Star Origin Card, his gaze slowly lingering on the 'Comprehension' skill. With a slight thought, the Comprehension skill was activated instantly.

His corresponding Comprehension value also increased to 17 points, more than doubling his original 8 points.

At this moment, Shen Xingyan only felt that his mind had instantly become clear, as if every faint thought could be amplified geometrically. The speed of his thoughts made him feel amazed.

Although this was already the second time he had used the 'Comprehension' skill, the feeling of having a 'God's perspective' was indeed too novel for him.

The first time he used the 'Comprehension' skill, due to the urgency of the situation, he didn't have a good experience of this feeling. Now he really had a good experience.

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: If I had such comprehension when I was at school, I wouldn't have had to work so hard!

After carefully savoring this wonderful feeling, Shen Xingyan didn't delay any longer. He picked up the Dragon Elephant Fist manual in his hand and began to read.

The Dragon Elephant Fist, composed of five basic fist techniques—'Chop, Burst, Drill, Cannon, Sweep'—was quickly understood and stored in Shen Xingyan's brain as he read, aided by his ultra-high Comprehension value.

As he read deeper, it seemed that a small figure began to appear in his mind, repeatedly practicing this set of fist techniques.

Slowly, the little figure also changed from the initial jerky stumbling during practice to becoming more and more smooth.

The movements made by the little figure also slowly became concise and simple. Its form was upright and stable, its steps steady, and the practiced movements became more and more swift and solid.