Note 1:
"Back in the day, I wielded this sword, slashing my way from the Heavenly Realm Mountain to the Nine Layers of Hell. Five years and six months, back and forth, not a blink."
——Ragnarök·The 35th Contractor of "Extinguishing End Sword"·The Abandoned One·Julius
Note 2:
"Sweat will not betray you!"
——Stone Saint·Legendary Martial Monk of the "Lijie Sect"·Yong Wu
...
Faced with a life-and-death crisis, Xia Nan had no opportunity to carefully examine these messages.
He just glanced over them and learned that in the recent battle, he had gained the last bit of skill level for [Vortex Slash], raising it to lv5 full level, resulting in a series of enhancements.
Soon, an inexplicable power surged from deep within his body, like a fountain, swiftly spreading throughout his entire being.
His fatigued muscles relaxed as if soaking in a hot spring; his previously slightly flabby frame instantaneously became firm, with strength and explosiveness significantly enhanced; the ground beneath his feet seemed to suddenly become soft, his shoes felt as if fitted with springs, nimble and light.
It was as if he had swapped his body, all previous exhaustion and pain vanished in an instant.
Xia Nan lifted his head, his dark eyes focusing on the ferocious figure charging straight towards him with a roar.
He tossed aside the One Handed Sword in his hand that was now just a hilt.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of silver-white, and turned for a quick glance—
Gag's corpse was lying on the ground, and his half-human-high Dual Handed Axe was stuck in the ground beside his feet.
As his thoughts drifted, a decision had already formed in his mind.
The Bear Goblin "Hengge," due to grievous injuries, had completely succumbed to an uncontrollable berserk state.
Controlled by an endless desire for destruction, even if one of its already deceased goblin minions stood before it, it would tear them to shreds mercilessly.
In this state, it naturally wouldn't realize what transformation had happened to the seemingly weak human youth before it.
Hengge simply, instinctively repeated its countless hunting steps from over the past decade.
Charge, aim at the prey, raise the nail hammer, smash…
Buzz——
A silver-white streak, even purer and more fleeting than before, flashed through the dim cave.
It signified further enhanced explosiveness and a more refined technique.
With [Vortex Slash] upgraded to lv5 full level, Xia Nan fully mastered all aspects of this move.
How to unleash maximum power with the least stamina usage, from what angle to strike for maximum damage, the most appropriate timing…
It almost became a part of his body.
And the 5% boost from [Chopping Master], although seemingly small, added real damage increase to every attack without any restriction.
Not to mention the crucial two valuable attribute points gained in "Strength" and "agility".
Muscle power and physical potential, reaction speed and agility…
From "5" to "6" was not merely a 20% increase in numbers, but a more complex, multi-dimensional growth involving various aspects.
Combined, in just a few seconds, Xia Nan's combat power advanced several tiers.
Based on this, the power unleashed by the [Vortex Slash] also underwent a qualitative change.
The once incredibly heavy Dual Handed Axe now felt quite handy with his body enhanced.
A surge of abundant power rose from beneath his legs, quickly converging and transmitting.
The axe blade swung upwards diagonally, gathering all the strength in his body to a single point, then burst forth!
"Roar!"
A fetid, bloody odor assaulted him, while the shadow of the Nail Head Hammer raised high covered him.
Xia Nan could even clearly see the Bear Goblin's yellow-brown turbid eyes filled with bloodshot threads, and feel the air waves slightly vibrating from its roar.
But that's all there was to it.
Because in the next second, his hand felt the familiar, gradually accustomed through many battles, resistance of a blade slicing through flesh.
Fur, meat, bone... what had just barred his already broken sword blade was effortlessly breached.
After a momentary pause, came an incredibly smooth and satisfying sensation.
The axe blade propelled Xia Nan's body, completing a 180-degree rotation.
Sizzling——
The Bear Goblin's massive head spun and flew off from the place it ought to have stayed, its face still maintaining a roar expression.
The iron hammer hit the ground.
Scarlet, hot blood gushed like a fountain, as the burly body collapsed.