Chapter 26: Exploring the Dao

Chapter 26: Exploring the Dao

System, Jack thought curiously, what is a Planetary Frontrunner?

Planetary Frontrunner (10): A Title awarded to the first ten sapients to develop a Dao Root in an Integrated planet. A sign of great potential, marking the owner as a person worthy of the Immortal Systems assistance.

Efficacy of all stats +10%.

System, whats a Title?

Titles: A complementary system meant to award those who achieve extraordinary deeds. Titles are rare and can offer various benefits.

The System had an integrated FAQ. How handy. If only he knew earlier.

Two monkeys were bickering in front of Jacks flat stone, arguing about the ownership of a bananarm, but he didnt pay attention. Harambe appeared, grabbed the bananarm in his large hands, and broke it into two. He then gave each gymonkey one half and a glare.

Okay. So, I am one of the first ten people on the entire planet to get a so-called Dao Root Thats so special. One-in-a-billion special. Can it be real?

Thinking back, there were a ton of coincidences that helped Jack. Hed been trapped in a dungeon and forced to go above and beyond to survive. That dug out his potential. He also had the Ice Pond spawn right next to him. Without it, he would have never survived this ordeal.

The ice pond also had the waterfall that granted him epiphany, putting him in a frozen meditative state.

Moreover, everything hed experienced up to now guided him towards the Dao of the Fist, where he was also personally inclined. This last reason wasnt necessarily a coincidenceafter all, everyone saw things through their own eyes. Still, Jack had to admit that his experience so far seemed almost entirely optimized for getting a Dao Root.

Of course, none of this would have happened without his sweat, tears, and blood. Many people had opportunities, but very few could utilize them. This achievement belonged entirely to Jack.

So, if I make it out, Ill be super strong Wow.

The vision blinded him for a moment. How would it feel? Hed be like a superman among mortals. People would form rows to watch his punches. He could guide them, lead them, protect themand, most of all, hed have freedom.

However, all of that would only happen if he defeated the black wolf. Jack snapped back to the present and focused on the more practical part of the Title.

+10% in the efficacy of all stats God, that sounds huge.

Ten percent didnt sound like a large increase, but and when it happened across the table, it compounded. Moreover, it scaled. If he previously had the stats of a normal Level 40 person, he now had the stats of a Level 44. This stat increase would stay with him forever, no matter how strong he got. He would always have a leg up over everyone else. And, if he could get more Titles like this

He almost salivated.

In a few words, it was an incredible bonus. Jack was a man of science; he knew how important even the tiniest of percentages were.

The black wolf thought it was the boss, but Jack would show it.

Finally, he turned his attention to the most precious benefit: the Dao Root. He had no idea what that meant. Fortunately, he had someone willing to answer all his questions.

System, whats a Dao Root?

Dao: The Dao represents the world. It is the natural laws that govern everything, from the tiniest atoms to the largest stars. A deep enough understanding of the Dao can translate into real-world applications. For example, people who pursue the Dao of Fire can often breathe fire.

The Immortal System has streamlined the Dao. It is recommended that cultivators progress simultaneously in Levels and the Dao for maximum benefits.

It was a simple speech, but the monkeys erupted in cheers and cries to the point where Jack suspected theyd gone to fetch some High Speed Bush leaves while he was asleep.

It wasnt that, though. Theyd just gotten fired up by his demonstration of a Dao Root. It was a power that spoke to the hearts of all living beings, including Jack, which was why he had been so obsessed with the bald mans vision.

Having given his rousing speech, Jack nodded with pride. These were brave monkeys.

There were thirty gymonkeys ranging between Levels 9 and 19; seven brorillas, from Level 20 to 25; and Harambe, who was at a whooping Level 37.

The entire monkey army was vastly stronger than before, as was Jack, whose current battle prowess reached into the early fortiesnot including the Dao Root, whose precise strength was still unclear.

All in all, they were a brave group, and Jack felt proud of them. In fact, he realized hed neglected some things; hed only treated them as allies so far, but not as people, not as friends. Maybe hed paid some extra attention to Harambe, but it wasnt enough.

Jack felt guilty, and he instantly rushed to fix his wrongs.

Brorillas, he said, stepping forth, and the seven of them hurried to do the same, do you have names?

The brorillas looked at each other and shook their heads. Very well. From now on, you will be Oz, Herom, Amoh, Loha, Raza, Brodul, and Ehamba.

They were random names, but he felt they matched the brorillas nature. He also named them in order of highest to lowest level.

I am Jack. It is a pleasure to meet you all.

He shook hands with the seven brorillas, then joined them in flexing their muscles. Though his were admittedly smaller than theirs, nobody made fun of him or looked weird. His strength was all the proof they needed.

The monkeys cheered at this impromptu bodybuilding demonstration, and the brorillas nodded at each other with pride. They nodded deeply at Jack, then at Harambe, who had also joined the flexing.

Jack then turned to the big brorilla. Harambe, he said, you will name the gymonkeys. Remember; as you are now people, you all need names!

Harambe nodded. He then turned to the monkeys, pointed at them one-by-one, and uttered names that Jacks ears couldnt quite catch. Regardless, the gymonkeys seemed satisfied. They looked at each other with tears in their eyes, proud to finally have proper names. Then, in an unspoken accord, they rushed towards Jack.

Hey

They buried him in a big group hug that nailed him to the wall. Thankfully, he had high stats, or he might have been squashed.

Its fine, its fine. He laughed as he pushed them off. We are friends now. We should help each other. Just a few names are nothing.

It was a touching moment. So touching, in fact, that Jack realized hed made a mistake. Many of them might die against the wolf. Maybe he should have held back on the whole bonding thing for now

But whats done is done. Jack followed the Dao of the Fist. He was all or nothing; no half-measures.

Weve delayed enough, he spoke up, drawing everyones attention. Lets go. We have a wolf to kill.

They cheered again. Then, they streamed out of Jacks hidden cave like an army of ants, crossing the reserve and heading for its center, where Harambe knew the wolf had its den.

Jack was touched. Hed only been in the Forest of the Strong for a few days, but it felt like an entire lifetime. His time here was so full of tension, action, dangerand hed grown so massively, too.

Now, things were coming to an end. He would escape and return to civilization. He would finally see what the world looked like, and he could live without fear for his lifehopefully.

Everything had converged to its final point: the black wolf. The dungeon boss.