Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Money Money Money

"Finally, Small Success!"

Gu Sheng's eyes lit up with joy. The efforts of the past three days had finally borne fruit.

Achieving Small Success in chopping wood meant being able to easily leverage force, channeling most of his body's strength so that one axe swing could split the wood effortlessly.

Although it slightly increased the momentary energy consumption, the overall efficiency was boosted by at least fifty percent!

"Now, my chopping efficiency should be comparable to that of an average adult. Cutting five hundred logs per day shouldn't be a problem."

Gu Sheng estimated in his mind.

Five hundred logs meant five coins, which was already quite a decent income.

If Gu Sheng ate only one pound of rice bran a day, he could save one coin.

"This is a good start. Just achieving Small Success has increased my efficiency significantly. If I reach Great Success, or even Perfect mastery, I'll be able to earn even more."

"Currently, eating two pounds of rice bran daily costs just over eight coins. Achieving a balance between income and expenses is only a matter of time. Eventually, there might even be a surplus."

"The only thing I need to consider is the household's demand for firewood. But no need to worry — factoring in their winter storage, I'll have enough to earn what I need."

Gu Sheng let out a light breath, pondering the final issue. _{freewebnσvel.cѳm}

"At the Small Success level, how many logs do I need to chop for a 1% increase in proficiency?"

Soon enough.

Gu Sheng got his answer.

In the final two hours before sunset, based on his previous efficiency, he'd been capable of chopping at most sixty or seventy logs.

But now.

Over a hundred logs!

And his proficiency had successfully reached 2%.

"After achieving Small Success, does chopping fifty logs increase proficiency by 1%?"

Gu Sheng nodded subtly to himself. Given such a rate of improvement, perhaps he wouldn't even need ten days to grind chopping wood to Great Success!

When that happened.

He would have firmly established himself in Gu's Manor and could gradually start planning for martial arts training afterward.

...

The steward's courtyard.

Gu He looked at Gu Sheng with slight astonishment.

"You said how many? Three hundred and sixty-four logs?"

Gu Sheng pursed his lips and nodded, pretending to look simple-minded as he fixed his gaze on Gu He.

Gu He scrutinized Gu Sheng for a while, particularly examining his arms closely, almost to the point of reaching out to touch them.

"How odd. Over just a few days, the amount of wood chopped increases daily. Could it be innate strength?"

He was inwardly surprised and made a mental note to keep an eye on this.

For the past two checks conducted on the amount of wood Gu Sheng had chopped, not a single piece was missing — it was clear he was not trying to deceive him.

Gu He did not say much further and handed Gu Sheng four coins.

Gu Sheng took the initiative to say:

"Thank you, Steward. I'll slowly repay the remaining portion."

Gu He nodded slightly and called for the next day laborer to settle accounts.

Gu Sheng paid no attention to this and walked out of the courtyard. A few glances from other laborers lingered on him — perhaps it was due to Gu He's slightly different attitude toward him, or maybe it was because he was too young.

Gu Sheng returned home.

He started a fire and cooked his meal, eating a large basin of rice with wild vegetables. He missed the taste of rabbit meat he had before, licking his lips unconsciously.

He then extracted a black, sticky ointment from the earthen jar and applied it to his arms, lower back, and abdomen.

A cool sensation spread through him, and the effect was remarkable.