Chapter 050: The Simple and Direct Approach

The two of them ate as they conversed.

Lin Yan took a bite of meat and said, "The god gave everyone an intelligent assistant with a recording function. You should turn it on. Some of the ideas I'm about to share are, in my opinion, very important. You can record them. Even if one day I'm eliminated, at least you'll have these things for reference."

Li Gang paused, then replied, "I understand."

He didn't say anything like, "Don't say such unlucky things," but instead quietly remembered her words and warned himself to protect Lin Yan at all costs. Even if Lin Yan were to die, he would make sure he died before her.

Of course, Lin Yan could not possibly know what was in his heart. Instead, seeing Li Gang so obedient, she felt quite pleased.

Lin Yan continued, "Let's start with the basic four attributes. Why don't you tell me your views on them?"

Li Gang ate while recalling something, then consulted his assistant Xiaobai in his mind before saying, "The basic four attributes correspond to a person's stamina, spirit, strength, and speed. The strength of any one of these abilities is important, no matter which it is.

I just asked my intelligent assistant again, and her explanation was: stamina determines how far you can travel, spirit determines how long you can remain alert, strength determines how much weight you can lift, and speed determines how many dangers you can evade.

I think the assistant's explanation is the one given by the god."

He didn't have any opinions of his own; he had simply repeated what Xiaobai, the assistant, had just explained to him.

Lin Yan nodded, saying, "Yes, my assistant gave me the same explanation, with a few more details afterward.

This must be the standard explanation provided by the god for all assistants, so that all players can understand.

Besides the god's explanation, do you have any personal thoughts? Or do you have any ideas on how to strengthen these four attributes? Specifically, which one should be prioritized?"

Li Gang thought for a moment and said, "I did ponder this and asked my assistant how to enhance these four attributes, but the assistant gave no answer, saying that the path of the strong is a matter of personal choice.

Later, I developed a simple idea: to focus on training and improving whichever attribute is highest, making my strengths even stronger.

Actually, I've read a lot of novels and played many games. There's a common belief that balance leads to mediocrity, whereas excelling in one area is more useful.

As for those who are strong in every aspect, they’re either cheating or have protagonist halos."

Lin Yan nodded at his words. "Your idea is probably the same as most players. After the first kill, the mysterious gift given by the god was a fragment for the strongest of the four attributes. I imagine that most players will keep strengthening their best attribute.

But in my view, this approach is completely wrong."

Li Gang, who had been nodding along, mentally praising his own cleverness, was instantly doused with cold water by Lin Yan’s words.

What? We're all mistaken?

The mysterious gift corresponds to the player's strongest basic attribute—doesn’t that imply we should make our strongest attribute even stronger?

“Sister Lin, do you see it differently?” Li Gang asked, suddenly interested.

“Yes, I do see it differently. But my basic view doesn’t actually conflict with yours—there’s nothing wrong with amplifying your strengths.”

Lin Yan then said something that left Li Gang quite perplexed.

Seeing Li Gang’s confusion, she smiled and continued, “What I consider a strength is not what you understand by it. The god never said that having one high basic attribute makes it your strength.

If I’m right, each of the four basic attributes is a rather vague concept, but what’s clear is that they are foundational, equally important, and interdependent.

A strength isn’t some vague notion; it’s what a person is specifically good at.

For example, someone might be skilled at cooking, another at shooting, another at singing.

Let me give you an example. If two people have equal basic attributes, but one is skilled in various racing techniques and the other only knows how to drive, the outcome of a race between them is obvious.

In certain matters, the strength of your basic attributes isn’t the deciding factor.

Basketball, soccer, table tennis, badminton, or track and field events like high jump, long jump, distance running, and sprinting—

Even national-level athletes who train tirelessly can’t all be champions in every event.

If their basic attributes were quantified, there might be some differences, but not by much.

Why are athletes divided into so many specializations? Because their experience, talent, and long-term practice make them excel at some things and not at others.

Basketball, soccer, long-distance running, sprinting—these specific areas are strengths, not the basic and general things like stamina, spirit, strength, and speed.

That’s also why, apart from the four basic attributes, there is a composite combat power rating.

The strength of your combat power depends partly on the sum of your basic attributes, but also on your real strengths—what you excel at and whether it applies to combat.

That’s why, although my four attributes are only slightly higher than yours, my combat power far surpasses yours.

As for why the god first gave us a fragment for our strongest attribute, and not the weakest, I have my own thoughts.

The god did this to make us realize that our weakest attribute is actually more important, and that we should quickly hunt each other to obtain the complete foundational guidance technique.

Otherwise, the god wouldn’t have explained so thoroughly the role and acquisition of the complete guidance technique before giving us the fragments.

Moreover, training the complete guidance technique is divided into four stages, but whether you succeed depends on the stage of your weakest attribute. This already hints at the importance of developing all four attributes equally.

It’s just like when our unit selects special forces soldiers. The initial tests are always on the basics, and the candidates’ physical qualities are usually very similar, but those finally chosen all have their own specialties—their real strengths.

I’ve said a lot—do you understand now?”

Li Gang, hearing this, felt as if the clouds had parted and suddenly saw the sun—he was enlightened.

He had to admit his admiration for Lin Yan’s analytical ability.

In fact, if Li Gang had taken the time to think carefully, he could have arrived at these conclusions himself. Previously, he’d been trapped by preconceived notions.

When the god named the basic four attributes, there must have been a reason. Otherwise, they could have just been called attack power, defense, reflexes, and so on.

Once you understand the key point, everything else falls into place.

The difference between stubborn ignorance and sudden enlightenment is just a single thought, yet it makes all the difference in the world.

Seeing Li Gang’s expression of realization, Lin Yan knew he’d understood, and continued, “This morning, I gave you a comprehensive test—first, to verify some of my hypotheses; second, to really find out what aspects of combat you’re best at. Only with targeted training can you maximize your strengths.”

Li Gang nodded, now completely convinced by Lin Yan, accepting her words without question.

He asked, “So, what am I actually good at?”

Lin Yan replied, “In a nutshell: bold and direct, simple and straightforward.”

Seeing Li Gang’s confused look, she explained, “If we compare it to your favorite old game, League of Legends, you’re best with heroes whose skills aren’t complicated and whose play style is straightforward. The top lane suits you best.

Simply put, you’re not a technical, micro-control player by nature.

In military terms, you’re an assault-type soldier.

This afternoon, besides teaching you some basic military unarmed combat and firearms knowledge, I’ll later teach you battle techniques suited to your style, such as ‘Dragon Steps,’ ‘Close-Quarters Combat,’ ‘Basic Knife Techniques,’ and so on—all straightforward, direct, and highly effective fighting skills. They’re perfect for you, and I’m sure you’ll learn them quickly.

Although there’s an old saying, ‘Practicing forms without building strength is futile in the end,’ these straightforward techniques, or kung fu, are easy to learn but require years of training and a strong physique to unleash their true power—the solid foundation.

But for you, or for any of the chosen ones, this is the least of your worries.

Still, although these straightforward techniques are easy to pick up, truly mastering them takes time, steady effort, and gradual understanding.”

Though Lin Yan spoke at length, Li Gang had grasped one thing very clearly—he completely understood.

He was suited to simple, direct things with a low degree of difficulty, not those that were overly complex. This left him a little disappointed.

Everyone knows that in games, the higher the degree of difficulty, the stronger the hero, and such heroes can often perform feats impossible for the simple ones.

Seeing Li Gang’s initially eager expression turn dejected, Lin Yan thought for a moment and immediately understood what he was thinking.

Her dark eyes sparkled as she suddenly said, “Li Gang, don’t dwell on it. Both technical micro-players and straightforward, direct ones have their strengths and weaknesses. In reality, there’s no absolute superiority.”

Li Gang nodded, his spirit instantly revived. After all, as Lin Yan had said, there was no point overthinking it. Forcing oneself into an unsuitable path would be truly foolish.