Unnamed Black Bear Cave
Qin Feng rested his back against the cave wall. A family of black bears lay curled up several metres away, their massive forms pressed close to their cubs.
He had stumbled upon this cave by chance a few hours ago and had immediately been attacked by the two adult bears. After beating them into submission—and occupying one side of the cave without harming their pups—the bears had seemingly accepted his presence.
Or at least… tolerated it.
'This physique is really incredible. It's not just the monstrous strength and durability—the endurance is even more terrifying.'
'I've been running through the forest all night, fighting without rest, yet I still feel energetic.'
'Saying "I can do this all day" wouldn't be an empty boast… I could probably do this all week.'
He glanced down at his body with a trace of awe.
Earlier, he had washed himself in a nearby stream, scrubbing away the blood caked onto his skin. He hadn't changed clothes, however, and was still clad in his damaged armour.
'System, status.'
[DIVINE CHECK-IN SYSTEM]
[Host]: Qin Feng
Shop Points (SP): 5,300 (1,000 SP required to unlock System Shop)
[Special Physiques]:
— Innate Dragon Elephant Physique
[Skills]:
Archery (Divine), Swordsmanship (Elite), Spearmanship (Elite), Blademanship (Elite), Horsemanship (Master)
[Summoned Forces]: None
[Inventory]: Restoration Pills (x9)
[Host has 2 unused check-ins. Would you like to check in now?]
'That's right… I didn't check in last night.'
The Newbie Gift Pack had been so overwhelming that he had completely forgotten. Then came the relentless hunt—eliminating enemy units. There simply hadn't been time.
"Check in."
[Congratulations to Host for checking in at North Bast Forest. Rewards gained:]
— Fasting Pills (x1,000): A mid-grade elixir that provides one month's worth of nutrition. The user remains fully nourished without needing to eat or drink.
— Marrow Cleansing Pills (x100): A high-grade elixir that cleanses the marrow, granting a permanent 2–3× increase in strength, agility, durability, and endurance. Can only be used once.
'Hmm… I don't really need these.'
'But they'll be invaluable later.'
'Marrow Cleansing Pills for turning soldiers into elites. Fasting Pills as long-term rations.'
(AN: Awakening an innate physique already includes the effects of marrow cleansing, making the pill useless for Qin Feng personally.)
With that thought, he left the rewards untouched in his inventory and shifted his attention to his Shop Points.
"Unlock shop."
[Spend 1,000 SP to unlock System Shop?]
[Yes] [No]
He selected Yes.
[DING! Congratulations, Host. System Shop unlocked.]
He opened the shop, and his breath caught.
Elixirs. Weapons. Armour. Siege equipment. Gold. Silver. Food. Military training manuals. Physiques. Even entire military units.
Everything was of flawless quality.
Most of these items had never existed—or even been imagined—in this world. Even elixirs considered priceless treasures here were shockingly affordable in the System Shop.
For example:
— Tiger King Pill (20 SP): Grants the Acquired Tiger King Physique. Possesses the physical might of a Tiger King—enough to dominate a tiger through raw strength.
— Great Bear Pill (30 SP): Grants the Acquired Great Bear Physique. Endows the physical might of a Great Bear—capable of overpowering a black bear with raw strength.
In this world, such pills were incredibly precious and quite rare. But, that wasn't all, they were also dangerous if used carelessly.
Unless the body had been tempered to extreme levels, consuming them was tantamount to suicide. The violent energies would tear the body apart, causing internal ruptures and a gruesome death.
So usually, one has to spend years training with the help of certain elixirs to temper and strengthen the body to the required levels, before taking these pills.
The system's versions, however, were perfect.
They could even be given to children—with zero side effects.
And they were absurdly cheap.
He searched the shop for familiar items.
— Fasting Pills: 1 SP
— Marrow Cleansing Pills: 10 SP
— Restoration Pills: 100 SP
'All in all, this shop is an absurd advantage.
'
'An army consisting of normal soldiers with cleansed marrows. Elite troops with Tiger King Physiques. Generals bearing Great Bear Physiques…' Qin Feng closed his eyes as he imagined the terrifying might of his future army.
He then snapped out of his daydream and closed the system shop.
'I'd properly explore that later.'
'For now, I need to stick to the plan.'
Qin Feng rose to his feet, preparing to make his way to Beiguan Fortress. Before fully closing the panel, he took one final look at his status.
[DIVINE CHECK-IN SYSTEM]
[Host]: Qin Feng
Shop Points (SP): 4,300
[Special Physiques]:
— Innate Dragon Elephant Physique
[Skills]:
Archery (Divine), Swordsmanship (Elite), Spearmanship (Elite), Blademanship (Elite), Horsemanship (Master)
[Summoned Forces]: None
[Inventory]: Restoration Pills (x9), Fasting Pills (x1,000), Marrow Cleansing Pills (x100)
With that, he stepped out of the cave.
The identity tokens of the enemy captains he had slain were secured tightly in his pouch.
He headed out, straight for Beiguan Fortress.
A reborn Commander.
One who would be remembered as an invincible commander.
One who would not fall—no matter the size of the enemy's army, or treachery by supposed allies.
Yet, unbeknownst to him, his plan of sneaking past enemy scouts unnoticed would not go as planned.
For ahead lay a blood debt.
One he would not—could not—ignore.
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