Chapter 3: Chapter 3: State Solidification
"Chopping wood counts as martial arts too?"
Gu Sheng was initially stunned, but soon, surprise and delight bloomed on his face.
No matter why, if chopping wood counts as martial arts and even shows up on the proficiency panel, then it's simple!
"According to the development logic from my previous life, as long as proficiency reaches 100%, I can advance to the next level."
"Chopping ten logs just contributes 1% proficiency for the entry-level skill. Ideally, chopping a thousand logs would promote it to Small Success!"
"Of course, there might be variation depending on condition and comprehension, but it should be close enough."
Gu Sheng pondered deeply, finally understanding why chopping wood appeared on the proficiency panel.
"Holding the axe to chop wood actually demands skill in exerting force. It also strengthens the arms. In some way, this does qualify as the crudest form of martial arts."
"This axe skill for chopping wood—if it were anyone else, it might just make them a bit more efficient. But I'm different. If I train chopping wood to Small Success, Great Success, or even Perfect, its power can absolutely evolve significantly."
"The most crucial thing is, as my chopping skill levels up, I can make more money each day!"
Gu Sheng couldn't help but lick his dry lips, then took a sip of water, his eyes glowing with excitement.
The top priority was survival.
Earning two copper coins a day, occasionally dipping into his savings, left Gu Sheng feeling very insecure.
But now, with hope to earn more, Gu Sheng was suddenly brimming with energy.
He looked at the piles of dry logs, as if seeing piles of experience and copper coins.
"Let's grind!"
He stood up, propped up a log, and held the axe with both hands high above his head before chopping down with force.
This time.
Gu Sheng clearly felt something different.
In the past, after chopping dozens of logs, his physical state varied, his focus shifted, and the force and precision naturally fluctuated.
But now.
As soon as he brought the axe down, he unmistakably felt as though a certain force was assisting him, making his state better than ever before!
If memory served, the smoothest and easiest chop earlier also gave this feeling.
"There's no mistake—this is one of the functions of the panel: state stabilization. As long as I've achieved the optimal state in this martial skill before, the panel will remember it. From now on, every instance will preserve that optimal state!"
Gu Sheng's eyes sparkled with joy. He swung the axe twice in a row, solving one log effortlessly.
He saved at least 20% of his effort!
The monotonous and tedious chore of chopping wood surprisingly gave him a sense of satisfaction.
"Keep going!"
Thump!
Crunch!
The alternating sounds resounded through the courtyard with a rhythmic cadence.
Gu Sheng grew more and more exhilarated as he chopped.
Interspersing brief moments of rest, a quarter-hour later, another ten logs were chopped neatly.
Glancing at the proficiency panel, Gu Sheng's lips curled into a slight smile—chopping wood was now at entry-level 2%!
Everything matched his earlier predictions perfectly.
"This state stabilization effect is amazing!"
"Without the panel, with my physical decline and sore arms, finishing these ten logs in a quarter-hour would've taken way longer, possibly even failing to chop the two hundred logs I'd planned before sunset."
"But now, it seems I might manage even more!"
Having tasted success, Gu Sheng took rhythmic short breaks before continuing to chop wood.
...
Time passed.
Soon, it was noon.
The sun hung high in the sky, its rays beating down relentlessly. Sweat streamed down Gu Sheng's back, and his cloth shirt had long been discarded lest it get drenched.
Rubbing the muscles of his arms, already numb from exertion, Gu Sheng slumped to the ground, eating coarse bread with water fetched from the well.
Though it tasted awful, he had to eat. Consuming so much energy, failing to replenish it could cause him to faint.
Thankfully, the results of the morning were remarkable.
Over 120 logs had been chopped, stacked neatly to one side.
The proficiency panel showed that chopping wood had reached 12% proficiency.
That 12% proficiency saved Gu Sheng significant effort, reinforcing his belief that without the panel, he wouldn't have even managed 100 logs by noon.
"This afternoon, even if my energy levels drop compared to the morning, chopping another eighty or ninety logs should not be a problem. Today's goal would be completed, and I could gradually secure my footing from now on!"
Chewing the bread, Gu Sheng silently endured the slight pain as the coarse food scratched his throat. His eyes grew firmer in determination.
A moment later.
"Onward!"
Ignoring the sore muscles, Gu Sheng resumed chopping.
....
Crunch!
A rounded log was just propped up when Gu Sheng spun his arms wide. His axe shot down in a seemingly fateful motion—not embedding in the top of the wood but rather cutting straight to its center.
"What's this?"
Gu Sheng's eyes widened in surprise.
He had felt that his arms were too sore earlier, so he had raised the axe slightly higher than usual. Who would've thought it'd lead to this result?
Recalling the motion carefully, a spark of realization lit up in his eyes.
"I just... utilized the strength from my core!"
Opening the panel, he saw the proficiency for chopping wood leaping from 12% to 16% in one instant!
Gu Sheng's lips curved upward.
Proficiency didn't simply increase by mechanically repeating actions—intentional reflection and epiphanies could greatly amplify the grinding effect.
Learning how to channel strength from his core gave Gu Sheng a much-needed breather, and his chopping speed improved substantially.
The rhythmic sound of chopping echoed through the woodshed in the courtyard, drawing curious glances from passing household servants.
Gu Sheng immersed himself in the flow of chopping.
Time ticked by rapidly.
The setting sun tilted westward.
Gu Sheng gazed at five full stacks of neatly chopped wood, joy evident on his face.
The first day's task was finally completed perfectly.
A total of 253 logs had been chopped, exceeding his initial goal of 200 by a remarkable 25%. All of this was thanks to the proficiency panel.
At this moment, the panel displayed:
Chopping proficiency had reached 29%!
"At this rate, if everything goes smoothly, I might be able to raise chopping to Small Success in three days!"
Gu Sheng's heart surged with excitement as he gathered his belongings and went to find Gu He to settle his wages.
In a separate courtyard.
About a dozen tenant farmers in simple attire stood in line to collect their pay, each one bowing humbly and giving profuse thanks to Gu He for his generosity as they took their copper coins.
The Gu family naturally employed more than just Gu Sheng as day laborers.
When it was Gu Sheng's turn.
Gu He looked up to see the frail boy drenched in sweat, his arms trembling slightly. His tone softened a bit as he asked:
"How many logs did you chop?"
Gu Sheng replied:
"Two hundred and fifty-three logs in total, sir."
Gu He froze briefly, then scrutinized Gu Sheng. Internally, he commended the boy's determination. Given his physical build, managing two hundred logs was already remarkable, let alone over two hundred and fifty. That had definitely been achieved through sheer perseverance.
As for the possibility of Gu Sheng deceiving him?
That was highly unlikely.
"Payment starts at a hundred logs; chopping two hundred earns you two copper coins. Excess isn't paid for," Gu He said indifferently.
Gu Sheng timed his smile perfectly—subtly bashful, yet warm. At fourteen years old, he was a farm boy with delicate features, and his smile carried natural friendliness.
"Getting this job is all thanks to your kindness, sir. Doing extras was only natural. I'm content with two copper coins," he replied.
Gu He chuckled, shaking his head.
"You sly boy. Here, I'll give you three copper coins this time. You can make up for the surplus wood next time."
He counted out three thumb-sized copper coins from a small pouch and handed them to Gu Sheng, then gestured for the next day laborer to step forward.
Gu Sheng graciously accepted, quietly expressed his thanks, and turned to leave.
But in his heart, Gu Sheng had formed a favorable opinion of this steward, Gu He.
...
At present, the soreness from chopping hadn't fully set in. Gu Sheng only felt a touch of fatigue throughout his body, with slight soreness in his arms and core.
Having just earned three copper coins—enough to purchase nearly half a pound of coarse grain—he was in high spirits, his steps light.
Though modest, this marked a promising beginning.
Stepping over the fragmented sunlight of the evening, Gu Sheng headed toward the outskirts of the village.