Zhou Yan reviewed Diao Chan's updated attributes, astonishment coursing through him. Every stat had risen by two points—even charm and luck, a rarity that defied his understanding. Conventional knowledge held that summoned heroes gained random attribute boosts upon leveling, tailored to their traits, but charm and luck remained static, enhanced only by special rewards or gear. Yet Diao Chan's upgrade defied this, adding 2 to every attribute—a total of 12 points.
Even SSS-tier heroes, the highest documented quality, couldn't achieve such gains. "No records exist beyond SSS," Zhou Yan mused. "RRR-quality heroes are uncharted territory." He couldn't compare her to peers of the same rank, but her stats screamed anomaly. The higher her level, the wider the chasm between her and others would grow.
Lords typically earned 3 free attribute points per level, though Zhou Yan's colorful lord space cast doubt on that norm. He anticipated his own upgrade eagerly. Like Diao Chan, he required 100 soul coins to reach level 1—ten times the 10 coins demanded by ordinary lords and SSS heroes. Future upgrades promised to drain astronomical sums.
Diao Chan flexed her limbs, sensing her newfound power. "You upgraded me," she said, turning to him.
He stepped closer. "I did."
"I think you should prioritize yourself," she countered. "My strength is already great, and we can't predict what monsters lie ahead. My gains are modest, but your level-up could boost you far more."
Lords rarely fought directly, focusing instead on territorial development and leadership. Many veteran lords lingered at low levels, though ambitious ones pursued personal power. Strength hinged not just on levels and gear but on skills—cultivation techniques, skill books, and rare treasures, the world's most coveted prizes.
"A black iron chest dropped," Diao Chan noted, nodding at the ground.
"Let's see what luck brings," Zhou Yan replied. His own fortune—perennially dismal, yielding only "thanks for playing" from soda caps and lottery tickets—left him reliant on her.
Diao Chan opened the chest.
[Congratulations: Gained Spike Sword.]
Equipment at last! Zhou Yan's eyes widened as a sleek sword materialized.
[Equipment: Spike Sword]
[Quality: Black Iron]
[Durability: 10/10]
[Attributes: Strength +4, Sharpness +2, slight chance of tearing effect]
[Requirement: Strength 3]
Unlike novice gear, which bore no prerequisites, other equipment demanded specific stats to unlock its bonuses. Without meeting the Spike Sword's strength threshold, even a divine weapon's perks would elude him. "Take it," Diao Chan said, offering it to him.
"My strength's too low," he declined. "You use it for now." She handed him the novice sword in exchange.
The werewolf's humanoid form deterred Zhou Yan from harvesting it as food. With ample rabbits and black-scaled snakes already stored, provisions posed no concern. They pressed deeper into the mist, soon encountering a peculiar sight: moving stones, each a meter long, toddling on stubby legs—a comical yet eerie spectacle.
[Monster: Stone Spirit]
[Quality: Elite]
[Level: 3]
[Special: Resource Monster]
[Introduction: Special creatures that yield usable stone upon defeat.]
"Resource monsters!" Zhou Yan exclaimed. He'd read of these rarities, capable of dropping wood, stone, or even clothing. Ahead, a mountainside teemed with them. "We're set now," he said, thrilled. "Stone's vital for upgrades. Harvesting this batch early is a coup."
During the trial, buildings upgraded with spirit coins alone—a perk lost post-trial. "Chan'er, your luck's high," he urged. "Killing these could yield extra materials."
"Understood," she replied. Graceful as a blooming lotus, she darted forward, her sword flashing like lightning. Stone spirits fell with each strike, reduced to rubble.
[Killed Level 3 Elite Stone Spirit. Bonus: 6 soul coins.]
[Killed Level 3 Elite Stone Spirit. Bonus: 6 spirit coins.]
[Killed Level 3 Elite Stone Spirit. Bonus: 5 soul coins.]
[Killed Level 3 Elite Stone Spirit. Bonus: 4 spirit coins.]
Each yielded at least 4 coins—soul or spirit—a hefty haul, amplified by Diao Chan's luck. Monster qualities spanned ten tiers: normal, elite, leader, bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, king, and god. Higher ranks promised richer rewards. Against Diao Chan's might, these stone spirits were mere deliveries. Zhou Yan rushed to collect the spoils.
[Acquired: One-star stone x2.]
[Acquired: One-star stone x5.]
[Acquired: Two-star stone x1.]
Resources ranged from one to nine stars, one being common and cheapest. Superior materials bolstered building capabilities, though using two-star wood locked out lower-grade upgrades. Only wealthy consortia splurged on high-tier resources; most lords settled for the basics.