NOVEL ONLINE FREE CHAPTER 248
Chapter 248: The Power of Force
Origin Power Skills were intrinsically tied to the Origin Power System. Even a basic skill like the Explosive Fist required Origin Power to activate. Without it, using Origin Power Skills was simply impossible.
"But what if," Flame Heart Yanxin mused, a glint of madness in his eyes, "I could use another form of energy to replace Origin Power as the activation energy for these skills?"
"Could I still utilize Origin Power Skills in that way?"
He answered his own question. "Yes."
"Besides Origin Power, there are other types of energy within the cells of living beings!"
"After all, does life cease without Origin Power? Of course not."
"Therefore, I delved into this subject and discovered an energy that can indeed replace Origin Power."
"It's called Force."
Flame Heart Yanxin slowly clenched his fists, and Lu Ming watched in fascination as the muscles in his arms bulged, rippled, and contorted, converging on his fists like waves crashing on a shore.
"This is Force!" Flame Heart Yanxin declared, his voice resonating with power.
"Force..." Lu Ming echoed the word, pondering its implications.
But before he could delve deeper into the concept, Flame Heart Yanxin attacked once more.
It was still a display of pure combat skill.
But this time, Flame Heart Yanxin held nothing back.
He infused every move, every technique, with the raw power of Force.
The result was terrifying.
Flame Heart Yanxin's physical strength, amplified by Force, rivaled Lu Ming's even in his Origin State.
He possessed no Origin Power, rendering Lu Ming's Origin-based abilities in the Origin State useless against him.
Every one of Flame Heart Yanxin's movements was imbued with Force techniques, making Lu Ming's protective skills ineffective. Lu Ming could only rely on his raw physical resilience to endure the onslaught.
To make matters worse, Flame Heart Yanxin could even replicate the effects of Origin Power Skills with Force, dramatically increasing his destructive potential. His explosive punches, fueled by pure Force, packed an even greater punch than Lu Ming's Micro-level Explosive Fist.
And Flame Heart Yanxin's experience in unarmed combat surpassed Lu Ming's.
In this intense close-quarters battle, Lu Ming quickly found himself at a disadvantage.
Flame Heart Yanxin feinted a jab, then swiftly switched to a low kick, catching Lu Ming's thigh and momentarily weakening his stance. Lu Ming retaliated with a headbutt to Flame Heart Yanxin's chest, pushing him back.
As Lu Ming shook off the pain in his thigh, he straightened up and glared at Flame Heart Yanxin.
"Your defense isn't normal either!" he observed, his voice strained.
Not only were Lu Ming's own body fortification techniques useless, but he also noticed a protective layer surrounding Flame Heart Yanxin, similar to a body protection technique but distinctly different.
This layer significantly reduced the damage Flame Heart Yanxin received.
This meant that while Flame Heart Yanxin's attacks inflicted excruciating pain on Lu Ming, Lu Ming's own blows barely affected his opponent.
Hearing this, Flame Heart Yanxin casually shrugged off his upper garment, revealing his sculpted torso.
Lu Ming's eyes narrowed, focusing on the man's physique. The muscles rippled and pulsed with a rhythmic pattern that seemed strangely familiar.
"This is..."
"Your Divine Fire Shield," Flame Heart Yanxin revealed with a knowing smile. "By manifesting the Divine Fire Shield through Force, I not only gain a layer of defense that even Origin Power can't penetrate, but it also allows me to bypass your own Divine Fire Shield."
He slowly extended two fingers, his voice taking on a didactic tone.
"To summarize, Force has two key characteristics."
"One, it can replicate, or even surpass, the effects of Origin Power Skills using only physical strength, completely independent of Origin Power itself."
"Two, it can mimic a Body Protection Technique, negating the opponent's defenses while providing protection for oneself."
Flame Heart Yanxin paused, a melancholic sigh escaping his lips.
"When I first discovered this, I was elated. I thought I had found a shortcut to power."
"But as I delved deeper into my research," he continued, his voice heavy, "I encountered a major obstacle."
Lu Ming anticipated his words. "Without Origin Power, it's impossible to achieve the same level of physical strength as an Origin Power user."
Flame Heart Yanxin nodded, his expression somber. "Precisely."
Of course, this conclusion had been reached before the advent of the Dream System.
However, in their current discussion, neither Flame Heart Yanxin nor Lu Ming brought up the Dream System.
Flame Heart Yanxin continued, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness, "Origin Power is an extraordinary element that can transcend the limitations of the physical body. Without it, anybody has its limits. These limits are pathetic and laughable compared to even Mortal Realm Origin Power cultivators!"
"Therefore, I realized that the path of Force is merely a skill, not a true Dao."
"It can be effective when combined with the Origin Power System, but without it, Force is nothing."
Flame Heart Yanxin looked up at Lu Ming, his eyes burning with curiosity.
"So, can you tell me how you attained your physical strength?" he asked. "Is it the strength of Origin Power, or something else entirely? I can't quite discern its nature."
Lu Ming fell silent.
The strength granted by the system wasn't Origin Power in the traditional sense.
He had proof of this. Before awakening, Lu Ming had used the system to farm attributes. At that time, he hadn't yet become an Awakened, so Origin Power hadn't entered his body or fused with his cells. Yet, his body had still surpassed human limitations, reaching levels stronger than many Awakened individuals!
After his awakening, Origin Power had indeed entered his body. However, Lu Ming didn't believe that the subsequent increase in his physical strength was solely due to Origin Power. He had never heard of anyone else, without the system's aid, being able to enhance their physical attributes by cultivating Origin Power Skills (other than Body Forging Techniques).
Therefore, Lu Ming was more inclined to believe that his strength originated from the system, not Origin Power.
Seeing Lu Ming's silence, Flame Heart Yanxin seemed to understand.
"Even if you don't say it, I get it," he said, a knowing smile on his face. "After all, at your age, even if you cultivated body-forging techniques from the moment you were born, it's impossible to be as strong as you are now."
He looked at Lu Ming, a strange light shining in his eyes.
But it wasn't a malicious light.
It was more akin to the spark of hope and excitement one might see in a teacher who had discovered a promising student.
"I didn't expect to encounter an anomaly like you in my final days," Flame Heart Yanxin said, his voice filled with a wistful tone.
"Young man, what's your name?"
"Lu Ming," Lu Ming answered honestly.
He had also come to a realization.
From Flame Heart Yanxin's perspective, he didn't seem to be an enemy. The man had shared so much with him, not out of the typical villain's tendency to monologue, but more like a mentor eager to pass on his knowledge to a worthy pupil.
As if confirming Lu Ming's thoughts, Flame Heart Yanxin smiled and asked, "Then, do you want to learn my Force technique?"
Lu Ming nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
Flame Heart Yanxin burst into laughter, but there was an eerie edge to his mirth.
"If you want to learn, you have to prove to me that you're worthy!"
With those words, Flame Heart Yanxin lunged towards Lu Ming, a sinister smile on his face.
His punches and kicks rained down like a storm, his voice echoing in Lu Ming's ears.
"Practical combat is the best teacher!"
"Right now, our physical strengths are comparable. If you want to defeat me, there's only one way."
"Use the same Force technique to grasp that slim chance of victory!"
"So, Lu Ming, you don't have much time..."
"Observe, imitate, learn, and then surpass..."
"Before I kill you!"
End of Chapter 248