Zhou Yan sifts through the piranha lord's loot: one star-wood crystal core, two bronze chests, five piranha seeds, and more poison powder.
"Seeds again!" he exclaims. The vine demons—eight mighty allies—sprang from such drops. Five more promise fresh muscle, soul-coin-free.
[Item: Piranha Seed]
[Quality: D]
[Introduction: Rarely forms post-lord death. Plant in territory for defense; grows to level 20.]
Quality's no issue—his colorful space elevates even dregs. "Gotta hunt more seeds," he muses. "Free summons? Yes, please."
The area's clear—105 wooden chests, 275 black iron, 2 bronze, 380 poison powder units. Soul coins near 10,000; after upgrades, 6,000 remain. Two days ago, this spot would've crushed them. Now, pre-noon, they're unscathed.
Zhou Yan unpacks food. "Rest up, eat, recharge—we push on soon."
"Yes," they reply. Vine demons stand guard; others dig in.
"Chan'er, your barbecue's top-tier," Zhou Yan says, savoring the morning's now-cold roast, spiced with cumin and chili.
Zhen Mi sighs. "Sister Diao Chan's a chef—I'm clueless."
"I'll teach you anytime," Diao Chan offers.
"Tonight, the Spiritual Field's crops ripen," Zhou Yan adds. "No rice seeds this time—pity. Fresh rice would've been nice."
His fields skip drying—harvest splits grain and straw instantly. Straw feeds livestock, fertilizes, but his Spiritual Field thrives on aura alone, sprouting elite crops.
Thicker fog looms ahead—a danger line. "Heads up," Zhou Yan warns. "Monsters past ten lurk there."
He boosts Diao Chan and Zhen Mi to level 10:
[Soul Coins -1,000. Hero Diao Chan rises from level 9 to 10.]
[Soul Coins -1,000. Hero Zhen Mi rises from level 9 to 10.]
Zhen Mi's spirit hits 80—gearless, a terror. Without skills, she's still no tower, but close. With 4,000 soul coins left, Zhou Yan levels himself:
[Soul Coins -600. Lord Zhou Yan rises from level 5 to 6.]
…
[Name: Zhou Yan]
[Sex: Male]
[Age: 18]
[Race: Human]
[Nationality: Dragon Kingdom]
[Level: 10]
[Upgrade Requirement: 600 soul coins]
[Charm: 11]
[Luck: 11]
[Strength: 21.7]
[Physique: 9.7]
[Agility: 11.2]
[Spirit: 14.2]
[Free Attribute Points: 50]
[Talent: Inactive]
[Skill: Seven Star Swordsmanship]
[Qualification: Inactive]
[Cultivation Method: Inactive]
[Boundary: Inactive]
[Equipment: See list]
Four thousand coins—gone.
[Territory Prompt: "First lord to reach level 10 in this trial. Level leaderboard unlocked. +100 prestige points. Announce territory, name, nationality?"]
[Territory Prompt: "Level 10 unlocks new buildings."]
[Territory Prompt: "Level 10 triggers talent and qualification tests."]
[Territory Prompt: "Level 10 meets job change requirements. Visit job change statue."]
Zhou Yan blinks, floored. School hinted at level 10 shifts, but not this—new systems cascading. "Hide," he decides.
[Newcomer Trial Announcement: "Territory [REDACTED], lord [REDACTED], nationality [REDACTED], first to level 10. +100 prestige points."]
The trial erupts—chat channels explode:
"Day three and level 10? Does this guy have wings?"
"All coins on levels? How'd he fend off attacks—solo?"
"Who's this shadow? I'd scream my name!"
"Too cagey—no nation even. Dark horse or titan?"
"That's me, folks."
"Pfft—upstairs wishes. It's clearly me."