"By the way, System. All the characters from the Character Pack are ruthless and cruel. What if they turn against me once summoned?"
Ying Ji asked with great concern. Every one of these experts was a famous figure in their own worlds. Could he really control them?
"Host, you need not worry. The System has its reasons for providing these helpers. All characters summoned from the Character Pack will be completely loyal to you and will never betray you."
"Upon summoning, all their original martial cultivation will be automatically converted into standard martial power by the System. Their combat skills will be preserved, along with all their past memories."
"Of course, you may choose one of the two techniques from the Newbie Pack for them to practice. This applies to all future summoned characters as well. Their initial loyalty will be above 90—absolute loyalists you can trust."
"Furthermore, for any famous historical or martial arts character you summon, the System will automatically match them with a suitable cultivation technique. Every time your cultivation rises by one realm, the techniques of your summoned characters will also break through. You need not worry about their cultivation."
"Notice: Loyalty 0 means mortal enemy."
"Loyalty 10: Will draw a sword at a single word, blood will flow."
"Loyalty 20: Extreme hatred."
"Loyalty 30: Mere strangers."
"Loyalty 40: Barely acquainted."
"Loyalty 50: May swear allegiance."
"Loyalty 60: Generally loyal."
"Loyalty 70: Will not betray easily."
"Loyalty 80: Like-minded friends."
"Loyalty 90: Swear to follow to death, never betray, and loyalty will never drop."
"Loyalty 100: Live and die together, never leave, loyal for all eternity."
After reading the System's explanation, Ying Ji finally felt relieved. Loyalty above 90 that would never decline, plus the System solved their cultivation problems. He could cultivate them as important ministers without fear of being unable to control these cunning subordinates.
After that, Ying Ji began checking the other items from the Newbie Pack.
Realm Gate to The Legend of Chu Qiao: With this gate, you can open a passage to the world of The Legend of Chu Qiao and lead your forces to invade that world.
Bull Demon Strength Fist, Tiger Demon Bone Tempering Fist: From the world of Yang Shen. These are martial cultivation techniques.
Bull Demon Strength Fist can be cultivated to the Muscle Tempering Warrior realm.
Tiger Demon Bone Tempering Fist can reach the Bone Tempering Grandmaster realm.
1,000 Value Points: Can be used to buy countless items in the System Mall, including cultivation manuals, skills, pills, lifespan, high-tech items. With enough points, even a godhead can be purchased!
Ying Ji was completely shocked. Even a mythical godhead could be bought? A single godhead could turn an ordinary person into a god instantly. He now fully understood the importance of Value Points.
"Notice: It is recommended that the host directly introduce the martial system from the world of Yang Shen."
"Why?" Ying Ji asked in confusion.
He originally planned to introduce the immortal cultivation path eventually—flying with a sword sounded amazing. But now the System suggested the Yang Shen martial system, leaving him puzzled.
"Host, immortal cultivation is grand and pursues the heavenly Dao to ascend to immortality, but it has a fatal flaw: it requires massive amounts of heavenly spiritual energy. In the Warring States Period you are in now, spiritual energy is richer than in later eras, but still not enough to support even a Foundation Establishment cultivator. National cultivation would fail, lifespan would not increase, and it would severely hinder your development. You absolutely cannot choose immortal cultivation in the early stage."
"The martial system of Yang Shen is extremely rare and precious. Unlike ordinary martial arts that still absorb spiritual energy after reaching the Innate realm and drain the world…"
"The Yang Shen martial path relies on circulating one's own blood energy, strengthening veins, flesh, internal organs, bone marrow, opening up blood apertures, and finally becoming a Human Immortal to Shatter the Void. Although weaker than immortal cultivation early on, once you temper your internal organs and become an Innate Internal Master, refining Innate Gang Qi, you can fly. Your combat power will rival immortals. Even on the spiritually barren Earth of the 21st century, great perseverance can achieve high realms."
"Lastly, the System reminds you: There are 3,000 great paths, all leading to enlightenment. Immortal cultivation takes from heaven without giving back. The Yang Shen martial path refines one's own blood and can also achieve immortality without heavily damaging the world. Therefore, the System recommends you adopt this system."
After hearing the System, Ying Ji found it very reasonable. In his past life's web novels, immortal cultivation eras always declined from ancient to modern times—all because spiritual energy dried up as immortals plundered without repaying.
Ying Ji made up his mind: temporarily abandon immortal cultivation, introduce the Yang Shen martial system, and spread martial arts across the world.
Having read Yang Shen before, he knew the nine life-tempering realms:
Flesh Tempering Martial Student: 600 jin strength, lifespan 120 years Muscle Tempering Martial Disciple: 1,500 jin strength, lifespan 150 years Skin Membrane Tempering Warrior: 3,000 jin strength, lifespan 200 years Bone Tempering Martial Master: 5,000 jin strength, lifespan 300 years Internal Organ Tempering Innate Master: 10,000 jin strength, lifespan 500 years Bone Marrow Tempering Grandmaster: 100,000 jin strength, lifespan 1,000 years Martial Golden Core Supreme Grandmaster: No strength increase, but condenses Essence-Qi-Spirit into a Golden Core, equal to immortal Golden Core. Can use spells and fly. Lifespan 3,000 years Heaven-Man Unity Saint: 500,000 jin strength, comprehends heavenly meaning. Lifespan 5,000 years Blood Exchange Martial Saint: 1,000,000 jin strength, lifespan over 10,000 years Aperture Tempering Human Immortal: Refines 129,600 blood apertures. Each aperture adds 10,000 jin. Max lifespan 129,600 years. Can shatter stars. Three stages: Fist Intent Materialization, Flesh Regeneration, Shatter the Void Shatter the Void Peak Human Immortal: One aperture opens all apertures. Undying, lifespan equal to heaven. Strength determined after breakthrough.
"Notice: To help you conquer the myriad worlds, the System has upgraded the Yang Shen martial system. All warriors will have far greater strength and lifespan than native practitioners in the original world."
Ying Ji fully approved. Original Yang Shen warriors were too weak against immortals. Now the problem was solved.
In the original novel, even Martial Saints only lived about 200 years. In the upgraded system, Warriors already had 200 years of lifespan—comparable to most fantasy worlds. The System's power was incredible.
Moreover, the system combined the strengths of aperture-refining Human Immortal path and immortal cultivation, minimizing reliance on spiritual energy. Only when reaching immortality would it absorb heaven and earth energy—unheard of.
…
"Ding! Host's physical condition is extremely poor. Special reward: one Body Restoration Ray!"
A white ray shot into Ying Ji's body. His weak frame instantly grew stronger, though hunger remained.
His personal panel updated greatly:
Name: Ying Ji
Physical State: Healthy
Age: 17
Cultivation: None
Talent: Spirit Grade
Lifespan: Less than 100 years
Innate Ability: Unbreakable Golden Spear (Unlocked)
Status: Deposed Crown Prince of Qin
National Fate: Hundred-Year Dynasty
Realm Gate: The Legend of Chu Qiao
Bloodline: Pure Human
Physique: None
Weapon: None
Combat Skills: None
Techniques: Bull Demon Strength Fist, Tiger Demon Bone Tempering Fist
Companion: None
Pet: None
Value Points: 1,000
"System, use the Character Pack now!" Ying Ji ordered impatiently.
"System acknowledged. Opening Character Pack… Congratulations, host! You have obtained: Zhao Gao, Zhang Han!"
"Both have been summoned and arrived deep within Yan territory. They will meet you tomorrow!"
"Hmm."
Ying Ji nodded in satisfaction. The System acted swiftly, and the timing to rescue him and his mother was perfect.
He suddenly remembered he and Mi Yue were cold and hungry. He opened the System Mall to buy warm clothes.
After browsing, he chose the most luxurious Shu Brocade Cotton Silk Quilt, costing 10 Value Points. Though Value Points were precious, he did not care—this was for his mother.
He covered Mi Yue with the large quilt. Never feeling such warmth, she stopped trembling and fell into a deep sleep.
It was probably the best sleep she had since they became hostages in Yan. Ying Ji's heart tightened, strengthening his resolve to protect her. He climbed in beside her and soon fell asleep.
Knock knock knock!
Early morning, urgent knocking woke them.
"Hurry, Ji! Hide! It must be Yan's guards! We have no money left!" Mi Yue panicked, not even noticing the new quilt.
"No, Mother. I will protect you. No one will hurt you!"
Ying Ji knew the guards only came once every month or two. They had robbed them just days ago. This could only be Zhao Gao and Zhang Han.
Watching his back, Mi Yue cried helplessly. Her son had grown up, but she was too weak to protect him.
When Ying Ji opened the door, Mi Yue was shocked to see not guards, but two men in their twenties wearing plain clothes.