Chapter 6: A New Interface and a Warm Welcome at the Door

For an average player, seeing the introduction and notes would likely make them recoil in fear. Or, they might be wracked with internal conflict, pondering whether to risk cultivating this mysterious technique obtained from a lucky bag. After all, everything about this item seemed far too bizarre.

Skills and cultivation techniques were divided into six levels, from lowest to highest: [Basic], [Advanced], [Inherited], [Masterpiece], [Foundation], and [Dao-Seeking]. Who would dare practice something that had no level? Furthermore, it could not be leveled up quickly using spirit coins. Cultivation techniques were directly tied to one's personal attributes! Every time a technique leveled up, it granted a significant amount of fixed attribute points. While it was possible to switch to a different cultivation technique, the cost was immense. Unless it was an advanced version of the same lineage, most transitions would result in a massive drop in level and attributes, requiring a long transition period to recover. In a place with such a high mortality rate, aside from the pioneers, no one dared to gamble their future.

But Lu Wenwu was different. It wasn't just that he was bold; it was because he was cheating! He could even see the health bar and status of this technique!

[Jade Slip of the "Virtuous Body-Refining Technique"]: ???/???
[Current Status]: Eternally Immortal, Protected by Merit, ???

Why hesitate? Just learn it!

In an instant, the jade book, which looked like a work of art, melted into a pool of liquid and rapidly fused into Lu Wenwu’s body. He felt a searing hot current coursing through him; his body grew stronger and lighter, and new information flooded his memory. It was the cultivation method for the "Virtuous Body-Refining Technique." The heat came and went quickly. In just a few dozen seconds, the entire learning process was complete. Lu Wenwu’s physique and muscles became more balanced—this was an absolute, comprehensive improvement.

[Your free attribute points have been added automatically.]
[Your personal panel has undergone significant changes; please check.]

Lu Wenwu was curious himself and opened it up.

[ID]: Invincible Tyrannosaurus War God
[Level]: Lv5 (D)
[Physique]: 30
[Health]: 3000
[Talents]: Evil Crusher, Eye of Insight
[Cultivation]: Virtuous Body-Refining Technique
[Skills]: Egg Pancake Cooking [Mastery]

[Free Attribute Points]: 0
[Spirit Coins]: 75,000
...

"Holy crap, a cheat!" Lu Wenwu exclaimed the moment he saw the new panel. "I didn't ask to hack this! The system forced it onto me!"

Combined with the inherited information from the "Virtuous Body-Refining Technique," Lu Wenwu fully understood what this technique was about. Simply put, it was somewhat similar to the "Wu Clan" from prehistoric web novels. The reason the four major attributes had merged into a single new [Physique] was precisely because this technique provided a holistic improvement. It was true body-refining; it could even temper the soul! The idea that body-refiners knew nothing of the soul was merely a shallow stereotype. Could the human body really be such an inconvenient vessel?

Although the attribute points gained from leveling up were halved, Lu Wenwu also had Mao Mao, meaning his total gains remained unchanged! Moreover, one attribute point for him was equivalent to four points for everyone else! Once his [Physique] hit 30, Lu Wenwu felt he had truly entered the realm of the superhuman; his raw strength had increased several times over.

As for Mao Mao, it didn't have those miscellaneous rewards, only basic spirit coins and free attribute points. The dog didn't know what attributes were, so Lu Wenwu assigned them for it: 3 points in Soul, 2 in Strength, and 1 in Vitality, bringing all three to 5 points. The remaining 19 points were dumped into Speed, reaching an astonishing 31—even faster than Lu Wenwu. If nothing else, Mao Mao would focus on Agility from now on, becoming a qualified reconnaissance dog.

"Let’s go, Mao Mao. We’ll check the mall after we get home. Hmm... I need to buy a new gas canister."
"Woof!"

After exiting that white room, Lu Wenwu and Mao Mao were back where they started. The egg pancake cart was already tucked into his backpack. About two hours had passed since they entered. This was the unique nature of the Initial Instance and World Instances. Aside from being broadcast globally, one could not enter physically by moving, nor was there any reduction in the flow of time. However long passed inside, that was how long passed outside.

Lu Wenwu decided to head home and study his new acquisitions; he wouldn't be setting up his stall today. He took out his phone and sent a message in a WeChat group titled "Brother Five's Dark Hungry Forces."

*God of the Egg Pancake Realm: Plans changed. Canceling for today.*

As soon as this message appeared, the group, which was usually scrolling at lightning speed, hit a pause button. Ten seconds later, the messages flooded back like a torrent. Countless hungry members cursed Lu Wenwu for his laziness while eagerly discussing his heroic performance in the Initial Instance.

Ignoring the egg pancake enthusiasts, Lu Wenwu arrived home and began researching what it meant to be an official player. The mall mostly sold medicine, equipment, and items—much like a standard game shop, mostly common goods. The only thing that piqued Lu Wenwu's interest was the ability to strengthen his attributes with spirit coins. For normal players, and even Mao Mao, 1,000 spirit coins granted one point in any of the four attributes. For Lu Wenwu, 2,000 spirit coins granted one point to his total [Physique]—a fair trade-off.

Nothing else was new. After browsing the mall, Lu Wenwu took out the sword he had looted from the Giant Zombie.

[Name: Celestial Master’s Demon-Slaying Sword]
[Grade: Rare]
[Type: Weapon]
[Attack Power: Powerful]
[Demon-Slaying: When powered by "Spiritual Energy," this sword deals double damage to corrupted creatures.]
[Exorcism: When powered by "Spiritual Energy," it suppresses the regenerative abilities of corrupted creatures.]
[Note: Attack power levels from low to high are—Ordinary, Powerful, Deadly, Peerless, Nightmare, Calamity.]

"The skills are strong, but the attack power is a tier lower. It seems to be a utility weapon, likely intended for use with spells," Lu Wenwu evaluated. "I get the feeling this isn't really for me... It’s shivering cold—can’t a body-refiner be a mage too? I..."

*Ding-dong.*

Just as Lu Wenwu was lying on the living room sofa, someone rang the courtyard doorbell. The blue cat, Xiaobao, remained sound asleep, indifferent, while the golden retriever, Mao Mao, lay on the windowsill, panting as it peered outside.

"A big car came... a small car... men, men, woman... all wearing little badges..."

Lu Wenwu paused for a moment before realizing Mao Mao meant two men and one woman with work badges were at the door. If he wasn't mistaken, they were officials. According to the rules of Shenzhou, once one became an "Extraordinary," they had to move to an Extraordinary settlement closer to the contaminated zones.

*When poor, keep to oneself; when successful, help the world.* Power and responsibility were linked. How could the strong hide behind the weak? This was not only to ensure social stability but also to better protect the entire Huaxia civilization.