Chapter 62: Chasing the Dao
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Chapter 62: Chasing the Dao
Dao skills are the true skills, Dorman explained.
What does that mean? Jack asked. Brock stood on the floor beside them, nodding as if following the conversation.
It means that Dao skill are the way to go. Dorman shook his head. Normal skills are useful, yes, but only at the start. As you rise in Grade, they lose their value. Imagine being a D-grade immortal who can fly and destroy mountains. Would the ability to strike slightly harder with a hammer be helpful?
No, Jack replied easily.
Exactly. At that level, simple skills are useless. Only the Dao matters.
And thats where Dao skills come in.
Dao skills are skills that have been adapted to your personal Dao. You cant just read an information crystal to learn them; you have to forge them yourself. Most people begin forming them when they choose their Dao Seed and break through to the E-Grade, and they are lucky to get one Dao skill in their entire lives. However, if you want to become a true warrior, they are essential. They do with your Dao what normal skills do with your body.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
Use it better.
Exactly. Dorman nodded. The real use of normal skills is as the foundation on which to build your Dao skills. It saves us the trouble of learning mundane stuff so we can focus on imbuing the Dao into them.
I see Jack had read the information packages on the Dao, of course, but they didnt give details on these skills. They mostly discussed the three first stages of the DaoDao Roots, Dao Seeds, and Dao Treesand how to best advance from stage to stage. You know a lot of stuff for a kid, Dorman.
I am not a kid. Im young. After the System, those two are not the same, he replied with a sad smile, dodging Jacks teasing.
Jack himself chuckled. He turned his gaze to the ceiling, trying to stare at the sky through it. Its incredible that you managed to rise so far at such a young age, he finally said. When I was sixteen, all I could think about was girls and video gamesand not even in that order.
I know what you mean. For me, it was just computer games. When the System arrived I dont know what set me apart, to be honest. I was just lucky to be in the perfect circumstances to rise, along with the skills to capitalize on them. A ton of luck, too. Kobold nests are a nightmare.
Jack threw him a surprised glance.
I guess, he replied. Goblin tribes are easy. Just kill a bunch, avoid getting burned alive, then poof, levels.
Dorman chuckled, then stood. Anyway, he said. Ill go now. After this battle, I want to meditate on a few things. You should as well.
Not losing any time, are you?
If I did, I would be dead.
Jack smiled as he waved his young friend goodbye. He watched him head for the stairs, but didnt move to follow. As Dorman had said, they both had things to meditate on, and the sooner they did it, the better.
What a strange fellow he mused, going to his meditation mat. Cold like ice, but opens up real quick if youre strong enough. And being so mature as a teenager Its almost sad.
He reached the mat and took a seat, putting Dorman away from his mind. He took in the mystic patterns, which almost seemed to be moving. He closed his eyes, barely sensing Brock sitting beside him on the mat, which he hadnt done before.
Then, he was lost in meditation.
The Dao Root in his soul grew to encompass his whole being. His thoughts fell into order. He took a deep breath, relaxing his body to let his mind flow uninhibited. Unconsciously, he clenched his fist.
What was the Dao?
The Dao was the truth. It was everything, from the tiniest atom to the largest star. He was merely one of its infinite manifestations. But the Dao had a mind of its ownhandles from which he could grab and shape it if his understanding was deep enough. Like the Dao of the Fist.
What was the fist?
The fist was a concept. A fantasy. It was five clenched fingers on a palm, but that was merely a physical shape, not the core of its Dao. The fist represented a persons intent to fight and win. Their willingness to strike hard and impose their will on others.
His description hadnt changed, and his Level hadnt changed eitherhe was in his growing phase, so hed already reached Level 5 the previous daybut he was now considered an Elite! Did monsters with Dao Roots get the tag of Elite, or was that simply the case for the F-Grade?
Maybe Elite monsters had better insight into the Dao than most monsters of their level range. For the F-Grade, that meant having a Dao Root.
Jack still needed to confirm this theory with others, but it made sense.
However, he didnt bother Brock for now. He was still meditating, obviously, and to interrupt that would be sacrilege. Instead, Jack inspected his own status screen.
Name: Jack Rust
Species: Human, Earth-387
Faction: Bare Fist Brotherhood
Grade: F
Class: Pugilist (Elite)
Level: 35
Strength: 99
Dexterity: 99
Constitution: 99
Mental: 9
Will: 7
Skills: Fistfighting (III), Drill (II), Pugilist Body (II), Parkour (II)
Dao Skills: Meteor Punch (I)
Daos: Dao Root of the Fist, Dao Root of Indomitable Will
Titles: Planetary Frontrunner (10)
A new row had appeared just above Titles. Jack now had two Dao Roots, just like Vivi and Gan Salin. What else had changed?
He slowly stood. His eyes scanned the space, taking everything in. His thoughts felt steady and immovable, subject entirely to his conscious will. The constant noise his head was filled with, the one he had never noticed before, was now absent. His entire being was an arrow he could point wherever he wanted.
His heart was light, and suddenly, everything seemed so very easy.
Jack grinned. He was in complete control, and hed never felt better in his life. Moreover
He clenched his fist, sensing waves of power course through his body. He didnt just have complete harmony of mind; he also had great strength, which he now possessed the full ability to wield.
The Dao Root of Indomitable Will wouldnt be directly applicable to combat, but it would be a great supportive ability, and it would help shore up Jacks weakness; mental and soul defenses.
It was perfect. He couldnt contain his smile.
Surprised monkey sounds from behind him drew his attention. He turned to find Brock staring at his own hands with wonder.
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Chapter 62: Chasing the Dao
Dao skills are the true skills, Dorman explained.
What does that mean? Jack asked. Brock stood on the floor beside them, nodding as if following the conversation.
It means that Dao skill are the way to go. Dorman shook his head. Normal skills are useful, yes, but only at the start. As you rise in Grade, they lose their value. Imagine being a D-grade immortal who can fly and destroy mountains. Would the ability to strike slightly harder with a hammer be helpful?
No, Jack replied easily.
Exactly. At that level, simple skills are useless. Only the Dao matters.
And thats where Dao skills come in.
Dao skills are skills that have been adapted to your personal Dao. You cant just read an information crystal to learn them; you have to forge them yourself. Most people begin forming them when they choose their Dao Seed and break through to the E-Grade, and they are lucky to get one Dao skill in their entire lives. However, if you want to become a true warrior, they are essential. They do with your Dao what normal skills do with your body.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
Use it better.
Exactly. Dorman nodded. The real use of normal skills is as the foundation on which to build your Dao skills. It saves us the trouble of learning mundane stuff so we can focus on imbuing the Dao into them.
I see Jack had read the information packages on the Dao, of course, but they didnt give details on these skills. They mostly discussed the three first stages of the DaoDao Roots, Dao Seeds, and Dao Treesand how to best advance from stage to stage. You know a lot of stuff for a kid, Dorman.
I am not a kid. Im young. After the System, those two are not the same, he replied with a sad smile, dodging Jacks teasing.
Jack himself chuckled. He turned his gaze to the ceiling, trying to stare at the sky through it. Its incredible that you managed to rise so far at such a young age, he finally said. When I was sixteen, all I could think about was girls and video gamesand not even in that order.
I know what you mean. For me, it was just computer games. When the System arrived I dont know what set me apart, to be honest. I was just lucky to be in the perfect circumstances to rise, along with the skills to capitalize on them. A ton of luck, too. Kobold nests are a nightmare.
Jack threw him a surprised glance.
I guess, he replied. Goblin tribes are easy. Just kill a bunch, avoid getting burned alive, then poof, levels.
Dorman chuckled, then stood. Anyway, he said. Ill go now. After this battle, I want to meditate on a few things. You should as well.
Not losing any time, are you?
If I did, I would be dead.
Jack smiled as he waved his young friend goodbye. He watched him head for the stairs, but didnt move to follow. As Dorman had said, they both had things to meditate on, and the sooner they did it, the better.
What a strange fellow he mused, going to his meditation mat. Cold like ice, but opens up real quick if youre strong enough. And being so mature as a teenager Its almost sad.
He reached the mat and took a seat, putting Dorman away from his mind. He took in the mystic patterns, which almost seemed to be moving. He closed his eyes, barely sensing Brock sitting beside him on the mat, which he hadnt done before.
Then, he was lost in meditation.
The Dao Root in his soul grew to encompass his whole being. His thoughts fell into order. He took a deep breath, relaxing his body to let his mind flow uninhibited. Unconsciously, he clenched his fist.
What was the Dao?
The Dao was the truth. It was everything, from the tiniest atom to the largest star. He was merely one of its infinite manifestations. But the Dao had a mind of its ownhandles from which he could grab and shape it if his understanding was deep enough. Like the Dao of the Fist.
What was the fist?
The fist was a concept. A fantasy. It was five clenched fingers on a palm, but that was merely a physical shape, not the core of its Dao. The fist represented a persons intent to fight and win. Their willingness to strike hard and impose their will on others.
His description hadnt changed, and his Level hadnt changed eitherhe was in his growing phase, so hed already reached Level 5 the previous daybut he was now considered an Elite! Did monsters with Dao Roots get the tag of Elite, or was that simply the case for the F-Grade?
Maybe Elite monsters had better insight into the Dao than most monsters of their level range. For the F-Grade, that meant having a Dao Root.
Jack still needed to confirm this theory with others, but it made sense.
However, he didnt bother Brock for now. He was still meditating, obviously, and to interrupt that would be sacrilege. Instead, Jack inspected his own status screen.
Name: Jack Rust
Species: Human, Earth-387
Faction: Bare Fist Brotherhood
Grade: F
Class: Pugilist (Elite)
Level: 35
Strength: 99
Dexterity: 99
Constitution: 99
Mental: 9
Will: 7
Skills: Fistfighting (III), Drill (II), Pugilist Body (II), Parkour (II)
Dao Skills: Meteor Punch (I)
Daos: Dao Root of the Fist, Dao Root of Indomitable Will
Titles: Planetary Frontrunner (10)
A new row had appeared just above Titles. Jack now had two Dao Roots, just like Vivi and Gan Salin. What else had changed?
He slowly stood. His eyes scanned the space, taking everything in. His thoughts felt steady and immovable, subject entirely to his conscious will. The constant noise his head was filled with, the one he had never noticed before, was now absent. His entire being was an arrow he could point wherever he wanted.
His heart was light, and suddenly, everything seemed so very easy.
Jack grinned. He was in complete control, and hed never felt better in his life. Moreover
He clenched his fist, sensing waves of power course through his body. He didnt just have complete harmony of mind; he also had great strength, which he now possessed the full ability to wield.
The Dao Root of Indomitable Will wouldnt be directly applicable to combat, but it would be a great supportive ability, and it would help shore up Jacks weakness; mental and soul defenses.
It was perfect. He couldnt contain his smile.
Surprised monkey sounds from behind him drew his attention. He turned to find Brock staring at his own hands with wonder.
Chapter 62: Chasing the DaoDao skills are the true skills, Dorman explained.What does that mean? Jack asked. Brock stood on the floor beside them, nodding as if following the conversation.It means that Dao skill are the way to go. Dorman shook his head. Normal skills are useful, yes, but only at the start. As you rise in Grade, they lose their value. Imagine being a D-grade immortal who can fly and destroy mountains. Would the ability to strike slightly harder with a hammer be helpful?No, Jack replied easily.Exactly. At that level, simple skills are useless. Only the Dao matters.And thats where Dao skills come in.Dao skills are skills that have been adapted to your personal Dao. You cant just read an information crystal to learn them; you have to forge them yourself. Most people begin forming them when they choose their Dao Seed and break through to the E-Grade, and they are lucky to get one Dao skill in their entire lives. However, if you want to become a true warrior, they are essential. They do with your Dao what normal skills do with your body.NvlRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Novln.Use it better.Exactly. Dorman nodded. The real use of normal skills is as the foundation on which to build your Dao skills. It saves us the trouble of learning mundane stuff so we can focus on imbuing the Dao into them.I see Jack had read the information packages on the Dao, of course, but they didnt give details on these skills. They mostly discussed the three first stages of the DaoDao Roots, Dao Seeds, and Dao Treesand how to best advance from stage to stage. You know a lot of stuff for a kid, Dorman.I am not a kid. Im young. After the System, those two are not the same, he replied with a sad smile, dodging Jacks teasing.Jack himself chuckled. He turned his gaze to the ceiling, trying to stare at the sky through it. Its incredible that you managed to rise so far at such a young age, he finally said. When I was sixteen, all I could think about was girls and video gamesand not even in that order.I know what you mean. For me, it was just computer games. When the System arrived I dont know what set me apart, to be honest. I was just lucky to be in the perfect circumstances to rise, along with the skills to capitalize on them. A ton of luck, too. Kobold nests are a nightmare.Jack threw him a surprised glance.I guess, he replied. Goblin tribes are easy. Just kill a bunch, avoid getting burned alive, then poof, levels.Dorman chuckled, then stood. Anyway, he said. Ill go now. After this battle, I want to meditate on a few things. You should as well.Not losing any time, are you?If I did, I would be dead.Jack smiled as he waved his young friend goodbye. He watched him head for the stairs, but didnt move to follow. As Dorman had said, they both had things to meditate on, and the sooner they did it, the better.What a strange fellow he mused, going to his meditation mat. Cold like ice, but opens up real quick if youre strong enough. And being so mature as a teenager Its almost sad.He reached the mat and took a seat, putting Dorman away from his mind. He took in the mystic patterns, which almost seemed to be moving. He closed his eyes, barely sensing Brock sitting beside him on the mat, which he hadnt done before.Then, he was lost in meditation.The Dao Root in his soul grew to encompass his whole being. His thoughts fell into order. He took a deep breath, relaxing his body to let his mind flow uninhibited. Unconsciously, he clenched his fist.What was the Dao?The Dao was the truth. It was everything, from the tiniest atom to the largest star. He was merely one of its infinite manifestations. But the Dao had a mind of its ownhandles from which he could grab and shape it if his understanding was deep enough. Like the Dao of the Fist.What was the fist?The fist was a concept. A fantasy. It was five clenched fingers on a palm, but that was merely a physical shape, not the core of its Dao. The fist represented a persons intent to fight and win. Their willingness to strike hard and impose their will on others.His description hadnt changed, and his Level hadnt changed eitherhe was in his growing phase, so hed already reached Level 5 the previous daybut he was now considered an Elite! Did monsters with Dao Roots get the tag of Elite, or was that simply the case for the F-Grade?Maybe Elite monsters had better insight into the Dao than most monsters of their level range. For the F-Grade, that meant having a Dao Root.Jack still needed to confirm this theory with others, but it made sense.However, he didnt bother Brock for now. He was still meditating, obviously, and to interrupt that would be sacrilege. Instead, Jack inspected his own status screen.Name: Jack RustSpecies: Human, Earth-387Faction: Bare Fist BrotherhoodGrade: FClass: Pugilist EliteLevel: 35Strength: 99Dexterity: 99Constitution: 99Mental: 9Will: 7Skills: Fistfighting III, Drill II, Pugilist Body II, Parkour IIDao Skills: Meteor Punch IDaos: Dao Root of the Fist, Dao Root of Indomitable WillTitles: Planetary Frontrunner 10A new row had appeared just above Titles. Jack now had two Dao Roots, just like Vivi and Gan Salin. What else had changed?He slowly stood. His eyes scanned the space, taking everything in. His thoughts felt steady and immovable, subject entirely to his conscious will. The constant noise his head was filled with, the one he had never noticed before, was now absent. His entire being was an arrow he could point wherever he wanted.His heart was light, and suddenly, everything seemed so very easy.Jack grinned. He was in complete control, and hed never felt better in his life. MoreoverHe clenched his fist, sensing waves of power course through his body. He didnt just have complete harmony of mind; he also had great strength, which he now possessed the full ability to wield.The Dao Root of Indomitable Will wouldnt be directly applicable to combat, but it would be a great supportive ability, and it would help shore up Jacks weakness; mental and soul defenses.It was perfect. He couldnt contain his smile.Surprised monkey sounds from behind him drew his attention. He turned to find Brock staring at his own hands with wonder.
