2 Chapter 2. Oh the Glorious City

After saying that inspirational line, I curled up on the ground and started sobbing. Even the so-called system didn't give any remarks. And If you think I'm being a pussy, first get to a world where people can kill millions with a wave of their hand and human rights are seen as a new joke. So, after crying for a few minutes, and dealing with my existential dread, also dealing with the fact my memories are sealed, and also after dealing…yeah, I have many things to deal with.

Anyways, after gathering myself from the ground and FINALLY not being tortured by a headache the size of a moon, I came out of the cave. Oddly I remembered a documentary film about stone age people. Yeah, I also don't know why.

"System, do you at least know in which direction the Glory city is?"

[Host just needs to go northeast in a straight line, after an hour you should able to see the nearest human settlement. Also, the host can direct his thought to me, so the need to talk and potentially attract predator by sound will be nonexistent.]

'Like this? Ok, thanks. Now, why did you say the nearest human settlement and not Glory city?'

[Because of the nearest human settlement being named "Heavenly Fate Plateau"]

'Oh shit'

[Oh shit indeed]

'Yeah, we'll deal with it later. Now, didn't the God say that you don't have a map?'

[Indeed, but I was imprinted with basic knowledge of beasts, fauna, geography and notable places coordinates.

As I was conversing with the system, I came upon a small creek.

[Host should drink some water, as you'll be heavily dehydrated by the time you reach the plateau. As its a moving water body, the chance of infection is very small.]

'Thanks'

As I was drinking the water, I thought about what should I do. Finally, I came upon a conclusion that it's a good thing to be near the plateau instead of Glory city.

First, with my natural distrust perk, I would probably be shown closed doors. Second, the purple smoke rocks. In the novel, which I weirdly remember really clearly, Nie Li used them to advance his cultivation. I should probably be able to get my hands on some. Secretly of course. I don't have enough power to waltz in and offer food for them. The food I don't have. Sigh, I really am at the bottom of things huh.

'Hey, system, how do I earn those point that I'll use in the store.?'

[By killing beasts and humans. Spiritual herbs and precious metals can also be exchanged. Demon spirits have a very good rate of exchange.]

'So, no bs gains from quests?'

[Sadly, no.]

'Fuck'

[Fuck indeed]

After drinking some water, I resumed my walking. Finally, after 3 hours I finally came upon the plateau.

It was basically a village between huge rocks that block viable paths for the demon beasts, but not for humans. Without knowing it, I came here along the only path without huge jumps or steep cliffs.

'Ok, need to act smart'

I cannot go there and demand resources. I saw humans going about their day doing various jobs, from cooking and resource gathering like wood, to hunters going out into the village with demon beast corpses on their backs.

Yeah, that could work I thought to myself with the plan I had in mind.

I slowly came down the path, trying to look as casual as I could, but with my 10-year-old child body, no one even gave me a glance.

After wandering the village for half an hour, in which nothing notable happened, no arrogant pricks, no bloodthirsty warriors or traps, I found my heaven.

Old Man Yun's Congee Shop.

If I remember correctly, the place housed two humans with big smiles and bigger hearts. Namely Old man Yun, and his daughter Yun Ling.

The place was busy so I didn't even think to go and ask for help right now, call it pride, but I think its pragmatism. If I would go now, the whole village would know that there's someone from outside, and the mayor and his douche son, whose name I don't remember, will probably give me trouble. So I sat in a dark corner of an alley that had a good view of the place.

While I wait for the shop to clear a bit, I opened the System shop and searched for the array the Nie Li used to refine the stones. But I found something even better.

[Purple Muscle Refining Array]

[Price: 50 SP(System Points)

Use: Would use Profound Purple Heaven Smoke to strengthen the body and give the attributes of purple jade. Namely hardness of jade for bones, the strength of stone for muscles and elusiveness of smoke for tendons.]

This array was more suited to me, as the one Nie Li used only gave him the benefit of the increased soul force.

But Soul force can only increase past bronze one once the person uses Soul Force technique. I think.

And I don't want to limit my potential of soul force because I used inferior technique due to urgency of attaining strength.

And you're probably thinking: How are you gonna get them points, dude?

Hah! You see, I can exchange any spirit herbs, precious metals or similar things for points. And the Purple Smoke stones fall in that category.

Muahahaha, with this, its only a matter of time before I attain the ultimate everything.

Speaking of ultimate everything, I finally caught a glance of Yun Ling. Damn, the manga did her bad.

Although the manga did give her a nice appearance, it's like comparing a paper swan origami to a real one. Long blonde hair, sapphire eyes that twinkle in the light of the sun, gorgeous smile that melts the heart, and damn that body. Nearly a C-cup huh?

Ahem. Okay, enough acting like a hormonal teenager.

Breath in, breath out.

Wait. I wonder what year it is. If Nie Li is, say, still just a kid, namely 6-10 years old, then I have time and can take things easy. If he just reincarnated, then I must hurry with my plans. The Shadow demon lamp, the Nightmare Demon Pot, the pendant that helps cultivate. Need to catch the all.

After adjusting the plans in my head, which took quite a lot of time, the Congee shop finally cleared. Looks like everyone got their lunch and is going back to work. Quote efficient, unlike on earth. Sigh, so I still miss it huh. Well, I can't do anything about it now, so I better make sure I'll survive.

After making sure I'll be able to talk to Yun Ling without anyone eavesdropping, I made my way over there.

I didn't take much time to catch her attention, partially of her interest in outside world that was mentioned in novel, partially because of being a potential customer, partially being a new face, partially because of my getup: Dark Adidas pants with their four stripes, and a semi-red leather jacket over a simple dark T-shirt.

" hello"-I greeted simply.

"Hmmm, hello little guy, I haven't seen a cute child-like you around here. What can I do for you?"

"That's because I'm not from around here, and I need help."

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm stupid for saying that outright, but this person helped Nie Li and Ye Ziyun when they were at their end in the first life and helped them in their second. So I'm sure she's a good person.

"Wha- No-Not from here?"-she stuttered surprised by the unexpected answer.

" Yeah, could we, I don't know, talk in somewhere more private?"

"Y-Yes, sure. Come here."

She quickly ushered me into the depths of the store, past the counter, into a small room with a bed and few living necessities and girly things. I guess this is her room.

She shut the door like a guilty teenager, and then with sparkling eyes approached me.

I stayed calm as I didn't feel any bad intentions from her.

She grabbed my hand into hers and squatted in front of me.

"Yo-You said you're not from here?!"

"Yea, Let me explain first, okay? Okay, So, I was born in a human city called Glory city, about two months of travel from here. It's a huge city, with plenty of food and other necessities protected by several thousand warriors of great power."

From then I told more lies just how great the city is, and how we wanted to expand and search for other humans. How we created a caravan with several warriors and families willing to leave the city and start anew in the name of humanity. How we were assaulted by demon beasts and forced to scatter. How in chaos I was separated from the main group.

How glad I was to found this settlement, and how Glory City would be willing to accept new blood.

"…and so, I cannot come back to the city without securing some strength for myself. And I won't even consider asking the warriors of this place to help me, as I fear they will do something to me."- I said to her with a determined expression.

" mhm, You're right. The warriors of this place, although not all, answer to the mayor, who is a beast in human skin. His son is even worse. Don't worry, I'll help you, just ask what you need."-She said with sparkling eyes. Hook, line and sinker.

"Well, first I would need a place to stay. Do you know any pla.."

"Don't worry, we have a spare room, you can stay there."- Yun Ling said with a big sister tone.

" Awesome, next I would need all the purple smoke stones you could get your hands on. Of course, to not give any suspicions, we should act as secretly as possible."-I said with a smile.

"Hmm, well, those stones are worthless unless you really like purple colour, so I could get hundreds of them easily by promising some food to some more impoverished people. Okay, yes, I'll do that, while you wait here, and don't go anywhere, okay?"

"oka-…"

Without even waiting for my reply she stormed out through the door like a gust of wind.

'Hey, system?'

[Yes?]

'The god said that people will naturally be untrustful of me, but she didn't seem affected. Why's that?'

[Well, for starters, she lived her whole life between thieves and despots so she is used to it. Second, she seems to have a big heart, so that also negates a portion of it, and she possibly like little boys, so she thought of…]

'Okay, you can stop! Thanks. Also, can you show some good cultivation techniques?'

[Right away]

[Asura Blood Accumulation

Price: 25600 SP

Use: Gives the user a strong body and even stronger life force, making the user extremely hard to kill. Gives Soul Force a Bloodlust and Rage attributes, making techniques used with is more powerfull, but also more volatile, possibly injuring user. Also makes user crave for battle.]

Ok, so that's one a no. I don't want to be a battle maniac.

[Seven Heavens Spirit

Price: 14800 SP

Use: Gives the user very fine control of Soul Force, strengthening soul in turn. Easier to breakthrough through realms.]

Hmm, a possible candidate. But I wanted something taht would give me huge potential but also wouldn't limit me to one field of expertise. After sifting through a hundred techniques, ranging from demon suppression, inner world building, gaining power from your followers to even being a lazy bum and just waiting thousand years to advance through one whole realm at once. Finnaly I found something that I loved.

[Demon of The Many

Price: 65000

Use: Strengthens users body to absurd levels. At pinnacle realm, even entropy won't be able to affect it. Creates a Demon Spirit(Further referred to as Original) for the users. Original has no realm, as it grows with the user. Original can devour 9 other Demon spirits (further referred to as Sacrifices)and gain their strengths but not weaknesses. The Sacrifices will be filled with anger and unwillingness, leaving a mark on the user. The mark will help the user understand the laws that allowed the creation of those demon spirits. Marks also help resist Mind-altering techniques due to rage contained in them.

Warning: Recommended to have a strong soul foundation, as the Marks will try to affect the user.]

Yes. This is it. The way for me to reach the apex.

I chose this technique due to one simple reason. I will gain the strength of the spirits I devour. Namely, A fire resistance from a flame dragon. An Ice resistance from an Ice Phoenix. Death resistance from something related to death. I will be invincible.