He glanced at the crude shack behind him; he couldn't stand being in this wretched place for another second.
But as someone with no background, no connections, and an outsider, he certainly wouldn't venture out to sea without a plan.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even know how he died. True pirates aren't playing games; murder and arson are just everyday occurrences.
What he needed to conquer now were all the creatures on this desolate island.
Although this island wasn't large, aside from the circle of beach around its periphery, most of the area was covered by forest, and the roars of wild beasts could be heard from time to time within the woods…
The next morning.
After completing all his daily training, Cheng Xiaoyu turned and walked towards the forest behind the small hut.
Starting today, it was time to clear the land!
The sunlight, fragmented by the dense branches and leaves, scattered into mottled spots of light on the ground.
The deeper he went, the dimmer the light became, and the surrounding trees grew thicker and more twisted, with various strange beasts appearing.
[Wild Boar, Combat Rating: D-rank!]
[Man-eating Plant, Combat Rating: D-rank!]
[King Snake, Combat Rating: D-rank!]
…
They let out a chorus of roars, warning the intruder.
Cheng Xiaoyu remained unfazed. When the first wild boar charged out of the bushes, Cheng Xiaoyu was caressing the serrated leaves of a man-eating plant. An Shadow Dagger materialized out of thin air, and the moment its blade sliced across the boar's neck, the viscous blood was swallowed by the Shadows before it could even splatter.
"Too slow." He flicked his wrist, watching the boar's Shadow twitch and detach from the corpse.
[Current Progress: 9/10]
"Roar!" A deafening roar shattered the forest's tranquility.
A massive, gigantic ape charged out of the bushes, beating its chest and roaring menacingly at Cheng Xiaoyu.
This five-meter-tall monster was covered in magma-like scars, and its left eye was a grotesque, empty socket torn by sharp claws—it had clearly experienced true life-and-death struggles.
[One-Eyed Giant Ape • Kong Species (Mutated)]
[Combat Rating: C+ (On the verge of breakthrough)]
[Traits: Berserk, Combat Instinct, Pain Resistance]
Among so many beasts here, only this one reached C-rank in combat rating. It seemed this giant ape was likely the king of this forest. As long as he defeated him, the others would be easy!
"Just in time!" Far from showing any fear, Cheng Xiaoyu excitedly licked his lips.
The giant ape roared and charged at Cheng Xiaoyu, its huge fist whistling through the air.
Cheng Xiaoyu tried to block with both arms. With the crisp sound of shattering bones, he was sent flying backward like a cannonball, breaking three large trees.
"Cough…" He spat out a mouthful of blood, "As expected of a primate."
Thinking of Zoro's miserable state after being tormented by the Masira at Hawkeye's place, he secretly rejoiced that this giant ape hadn't studied under Hawkeye.
Since a head-on confrontation wouldn't work, he could only rely on strategy.
When the Shadow Python wrapped around his ankle, fear appeared in the giant ape's single eye for the first time, and his roar abruptly ceased.
He lowered his head, frantically tearing at his own legs, revealing bloody flesh and stark white bones.
Roar! The giant ape was going crazy. He started hitting the parts of his body entangled by Shadows with all his might, repeatedly, and eventually succeeded in crippling himself!
At this moment, Cheng Xiaoyu's figure emerged from behind the giant ape, an Shadow Dagger pressed against its throat:
"Your strength, I like it very much."
The Shadow Dagger appeared out of thin air, slashing the giant ape's throat, and blood gushed out.
The giant ape crashed to the ground, its massive body hitting the earth with a dull thud.
"Stand up!"
Cheng Xiaoyu said coldly.
The giant ape's Shadow struggled to expand, finally transforming into a five-meter-tall pitch-black demonic ape, with the scar that tore its left eye still remaining on its forehead.
As a Shadow on the verge of breaking through to B-rank, Cheng Xiaoyu gave him a name, "From now on, I'll call you One-Eyed."
Roar! One-Eyed began to beat his chest and roar, shaking the entire forest!
[Current Progress: 10/10]
[Ding! Main quest completed: Preliminary establishment of the Shadow Legion]
[Reward: 100,000 points, system shop unlocked]
A virtual interface appeared before Cheng Xiaoyu's eyes, displaying a dazzling array of items.
Weapons, supplies, even Devil Fruit! Everything was available.
The points obtained from completing quests could be used to exchange for items in the shop.
Because it was the first main quest completed, he received a full 100,000 points!
"Finally, I can buy some good things." A excited smile curved at the corner of Cheng Xiaoyu's mouth.
1. Armory (Shadow Version, equivalent to the Shadow of a weapon):
Black Blade · Night's Shadow: 160,000.
Murakumo no Tsuri no Kage: 180,000.
Shadow of griffin: 150,000.
Shadow of Demonic Blade Thousand Blades: 100,000.
…
2. Devil Fruit:
Low-tier:
Sing-Sing Fruit: 3,000 points.
Jump-Jump Fruit: 3,000 points.
Rap-Rap Fruit: 3,000 points.
Ball-Playing Fruit: 3,000 points.
Lick-Lick Fruit: 6,666 points.
High-tier:
Mythical Zoan Kirin Fruit: 50,000
Logia Water-Water Fruit: 30,000
…
3. Ships:
Alabama: 60,000 points/ship.
Black Pearl: 70,000 points/ship.
Shadow: 80,000 points/ship.
…
4. Daily Necessities:
Lafite from 1482: 500 points/bottle.
Money: 1 point / 1,000 Berries.
T-shirt: 5 points/piece.
…
Cheng Xiaoyu's gaze remained fixed on the "Shadow", 80,000 points. It was entirely constructed from Shadow energy, like a floating black mist.
"That's the one."
The moment the points were deducted, a pitch-black sailboat slowly appeared by the shore. Dark purple patterns flowed across its hull, and the flag on its mast fluttered without wind.
Although the price was a bit painful, the prestige instantly soared. This was his first ship!
A week later, the island had completely transformed.
The once lush forest was now reduced to bare tree trunks, and the ground was covered by a thick layer of black Shadows, like a desolate, dead realm!
All living creatures on the island had been killed by Cheng Xiaoyu, and their Shadows had become part of his Shadow Legion.
From a distance, it looked just like Shadow Island!
At the same time, Cheng Xiaoyu also leveled up from level 10 to level 30 this month!
System, open panel.
Name: Cheng Xiaoyu.
Level: 30.
Strength: 50.
Intelligence: 50.
Agility: 50.
Stamina: 50.
Spirit: 50.
Height: 1.88.
Weight: 130?
Length: 8-23 (?)
Devil Fruit: Shadow Fruit (Unawakened)
Fruit Abilities:
1. Shadow Extraction: Currently extracted 50/50 Shadows.
2. Shadow Preservation: Shadow soldiers are stored in the caster's Shadow and can be summoned at any time.
3. Shadow Exchange: User and designated Shadow soldier swap positions, CD 5 seconds.
Armament Haki: None yet
Observation Haki: None yet
Conqueror's Haki: None yet
Cheng Xiaoyu stood on the deck of the Shadow, with fifty Shadows standing behind him… They were as silent as statues, only the flickering ghostly flames in their eyes revealed their bloodthirsty nature.
At this moment, Cheng Xiaoyu's appearance had undergone significant changes compared to when he first transmigrated. His face was resolute, his physique muscular, and his entire demeanor had become much handsomer!
But then again, aren't all of you readers also handsome and talented!
Now that his level had reached 30, according to the rules, he could extract Shadows with a combat rating of B-rank.
While staying on this island as a lord would be comfortable, his strength would increase too slowly.
Therefore, it was time to set sail to acquire more powerful Shadows.
As for the name of the pirate crew, it would be the Shadow Pirates.
Because his pirate crew had no people, only Shadows.