Upon first glance, it appeared that the experience point cost was somewhat high—20 points. The experience needed for just the initial stage of Tai Chi was several times that of basic martial arts. However, in terms of cost-effectiveness, it was significantly better.
For instance, leveling up from Level 2 to Level 3 in [Tai Chi Style] required 16 experience points and only improved 2 points of constitution and 1 point of strength, a total of 3 attribute points. This equated to almost 5 points of experience per attribute point gained.
In contrast, Tai Chi required 20 points but yielded an increase of 11 attribute points. Each attribute point cost less than 2 points of experience, highlighting its incredible cost-effectiveness.
"When I look at it this way, basic martial arts seem far inferior to these advanced martial arts," Chen Fan thought, using the temporary term "advanced martial arts" for what outsiders might call them. He glanced at his remaining 16 experience points.
He regretted not saving those experience points when he upgraded Tai Chi to Level 3.
They would have been better spent here. However, the situation didn't allow for that choice at the time.
Shaking his head, his attention returned to Tai Chi. Even though he knew that with the remaining 17 points of experience, he couldn't advance it to the next level, he couldn't resist trying.
At the very least, he would discover how many experience points were needed for the next level.
So, he added a bit more.
Tai Chi proficiency seemed to increase slightly, but then it stubbornly refused to budge.
"2%," Chen Fan noted, breathing a sigh of relief.
At this rate, it would require 50 experience points, meaning he needed 34 more points. Fortunately, a couple more hunting sessions, if he was lucky, would be sufficient.
Tai Chi practice for the day ended there. Chen Fan gazed at the attribute panel expectantly. If his guess was accurate, his physique should now exceed 30 points, allowing him to reach a higher realm.
Realm: Body Tempering Level 1
Rating: 5 (0/16)
Physique: 34.26
Strength: 23.36
Agility: 15.59
Spirit: 8.05
Potential Points: 20 (3 points/1 day)
Experience Points: 16
Sure enough, a plus sign appeared beside the first layer of body tempering.
"Is it a breakthrough? Is the probability of a breakthrough 100%?" Chen Fan wondered aloud. "Yes, it is indeed 100%."
He had worried that the other attributes might not keep up, resulting in less than a 100% probability. However, having met the physical attribute threshold, there was no reason to hesitate.
Chen Fan clicked to initiate the breakthrough.
Suddenly, he felt something in his mind shatter. A tremendous surge of heat swept through his limbs and bones in an instant, making his entire body's bones creak. Even his five senses became markedly sharper.
"Could it be the effect of improving my mental attributes?" Chen Fan pondered. He felt his focus intensify.
After a few breaths, everything returned to normal.
Realm: Body Tempering Double
Rating: 5 (0/16)
Physique: 37.68
Strength: 25.69
Agility: 17.14
Spirit: 8.85
Potential Points: 20 (5 points/1 day)
Experience Points: 16
Chen Fan examined his attributes, and a faint smile formed on his lips. His physical attributes were especially impressive, nearing 38 points, just 3 points shy of another breakthrough.
However...
His eyes landed on his strength attribute. In comparison, it seemed significantly lower. Why had the gap between his physical and strength attributes suddenly become so vast?
Thankfully, with 25 points in strength, he could effectively use a 100-pound bow.
So, just a few minutes later...
"What?"
Zhang Ren exclaimed.
Wang Pingping, who was practicing with her spear, also jumped in surprise and turned to look at Chen Fan with a puzzled expression.
"It's none of your business; focus on your training," Chen Fan replied sternly.
The others exchanged bewildered glances before continuing their practice.
"Boy, are you certain about what just happened?" Zhang Ren asked, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Are you absolutely sure you heard something like glass breaking in your mind?"
"Is he a warrior, Brother Fan?"
"Could he be a first-level Body Tempering warrior like Uncle Wei and the others?"
Wang Ping, Zhao Feng, and the rest couldn't contain their excitement upon hearing this revelation.
Reaching the first level of body tempering would grant them the strength to draw a 100-jin bow. And all this progress had occurred in just a few days?
Starting from a 40-jin bow, then 60, 80, and now potentially 100 jins? Chen Fan's rapid improvement astonished them.
"Indeed," Zhang Ren acknowledged with a mix of emotions.
It was true; someone who could master Taijiquan in just a couple of days couldn't possibly exhibit slow progress, especially with ample food resources. Though the speed of Chen Fan's advancement was remarkable, martial arts prodigies defied common sense.
Chen Fan, too, was stunned by the news, and after a moment of contemplation, he asked tentatively, "Uncle Zhang, now that I'm a Body Tempering Level 1 warrior like Uncle Wei and the others, does that mean I can also draw that 100-jin bow?"
"Follow me," Zhang Ren replied and led Chen Fan to the warehouse.
He had a hunch that Chen Fan might quickly manage to draw the 200-jin and 300-jin bows that were kept there.
"It would be a great boon if he succeeds," Zhang Ren mused to himself.
In a world teeming with dangers, survival depended on strength. The more powerful one was, the greater the chance of survival.
"Here," Chen Fan accepted the bow, which felt slightly heavier than the 80-jin bow. The bowstring was taut, and even a light touch made it vibrate intensely.
Zhang Ren handed him a quiver and cautioned, "Don't use the arrows you've been using. These arrows weigh two liang each, perfect for the bow you're holding."
"Two liang?" Chen Fan examined the arrows. They were approximately 90 cm long, with shafts almost as thick as a little finger, and arrowheads nearly 5 cm long and 2 cm wide, gleaming coldly.
Arrows of this kind could unleash immense power when shot from a bow weighing hundreds of catties.
"I'm eager to give it a try," Chen Fan said, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Though you're now a warrior, you just broke through, so don't push yourself too hard," Zhang Ren cautioned with concern.
"Understood, Uncle Zhang," Chen Fan replied with a knowing smile.
With this bow, he could potentially shoot and kill ferocious beasts from a distance of 200 meters. Even if he encountered a mid-level ferocious beast like an armored rhinoceros, he would have the power to fight back.
And perhaps, he would be able to advance [Basic Archery] to Level 6 faster, unlocking new abilities in the process.