The camp was a pitiful sight, barely clinging to life in the heart of a vast and merciless wilderness. Its wooden fences were broken in several places, hastily patched with scraps of wood and rope. Smoke rose from the few cooking fires that dotted the clearing, but the air was heavy with hunger and despair. The people here were survivors, but only just.
Lin You stood at the center of the camp, staring at the faces of the people who had gathered before him. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He knew their fear all too well. It was the fear of the unknown, the fear of being weak in a world that cared nothing for weakness.
This wasn't just a place to live; it was a battlefield. In this world, strength was the only law. Beasts prowled the forests, rival clans raided the weak, and cultivation—true cultivation—was a treasure so rare that most people could only dream of it.
Lin You looked up at the sky, his heart heavy. He was now the son of the camp's chief, but the weight of that title pressed down on him. His father, the once-mighty leader of this camp, lay gravely injured in the chief's tent. His mother, Lin Wei (his younger brother), and Ling'er (his little sister) were all depending on him. And the people—they had no one else to turn to.
In this world, cultivation was everything. The ability to harness energy, to step into the path of immortality, was the only way to break free from the cycle of weakness. But cultivation wasn't something just anyone could achieve.
To cultivate, one needed a **spirit root**, an innate talent that determined a person's ability to absorb energy from the heavens and the earth. Without a spirit root, a person was doomed to remain a mortal for life. And even among those blessed with a spirit root, the road to cultivation was long and unforgiving. Many would fail before they even began.
In Lin You's camp, there were fewer than ten cultivators—a pitiful number, even for a camp of this size. Most of them were stuck at the first stage of cultivation: the **Energy Building Realm**, where one could barely sense and gather spiritual energy. This realm was divided into nine stars, and only the truly talented could hope to progress beyond it. The next realm, **Qi Gathering**, was a dream for most. It was the point where a cultivator could finally use techniques—fighting skills that could turn the tide of battles.
But in Lin You's camp, there was only one technique to speak of: the **Iron Fist Sutra**, a low-level technique that was barely worth mentioning. Still, it was a treasure for these people, a rare tool to help them survive in this unforgiving world.
And now, Lin You was expected to lead them.
---
As Lin You stood before the gathered crowd, he took a deep breath. His father's words still echoed in his mind: *"You are their hope."*
He stepped forward, his voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at his heart. "Everyone, listen to me!"
The murmurs of the crowd died down as all eyes turned to him. Men, women, and even children looked up at Lin You, their faces pale and gaunt. Some were hopeful, others doubtful. Most were simply tired.
"I know what you're feeling," Lin You began. "I know you're scared. The beasts attacked us again last night. Our walls are broken, our supplies are running low, and…" He hesitated, his voice faltering. "And my father, the chief, is injured. He can't lead us right now."
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd. Lin You could hear the whispers: *He's just a boy. What can he do?*
"But!" Lin You raised his voice, cutting through the murmurs. "That doesn't mean we're finished. We're still here. We're still alive. And as long as we live, we can fight. We can rebuild. We can survive."
He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "I'll be honest with you. I'm not as strong as my father. I don't have his experience. But I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to protect this camp. I'll make it stronger than it's ever been. But I can't do it alone. I need your help."
The crowd was silent. Some nodded hesitantly, while others exchanged uncertain glances. Lin You could see the doubt in their eyes, but he also saw something else: a flicker of hope.
"Lin Wei," Lin You said, turning to his younger brother. "Take the men and organize patrols. We need to secure the perimeter and make sure the beasts don't catch us off guard again."
Lin Wei hesitated, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded. "Understood."
"Mother," Lin You continued, addressing the woman who had always been the backbone of their family. "Can you organize the women to tend to the wounded and prepare food? We'll need everyone working together."
His mother gave him a small, approving nod. "Of course, my son."
As the crowd began to disperse, Lin You felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Uncle Wei, the camp's healer and one of the few people he could trust.
"You did well, young master," Uncle Wei said, his voice low. "But words alone won't keep the people safe. They need to see strength. They need to see results."
Lin You nodded grimly. "I know. That's why I need to figure out how to use this… system."
Uncle Wei tilted his head, clearly confused. "System?"
"It's… complicated," Lin You said, shaking his head. "But if it works the way I think it does, it might be the key to saving this camp."
--
That night, Lin You sat alone at the edge of the camp, where the dense forest loomed like a wall of shadows. The faint glow of the campfires lit the clearing behind him, but Lin You's focus was elsewhere.
"System," he said softly. "Are you there?"
**[System Online.]**
**[Host: Lin You.]**
**[Current Status: Energy Building Realm, One Star.]**
**[Sovereign Points: 0.]**
**[Resources Required for Upgrade: Precious items or treasures.]**
Lin You frowned. "Precious items or treasures… What kind of things are we talking about?"
**[Precious items include but are not limited to: rare herbs, spirit beast cores, spiritual artifacts, and other objects imbued with energy or value. The greater the item's value, the more Sovereign Points it will yield.]**
Lin You rubbed his chin, considering his options. The camp wasn't exactly overflowing with treasures. In fact, they barely had enough supplies to survive the next week. But if the system was his key to growing stronger, he had to find a way to feed it.
"Is there anything I can use now?" he asked. "Something to get started?"
The system was silent for a moment before responding. **[Scanning inventory… One suitable item detected: Heirloom Pendant.]**
Lin You's hand instinctively went to the pendant around his neck. It was a simple piece of jewelry, made of silver and shaped like a crescent moon, with a small gemstone embedded in the center. It had been a gift from his father, passed down through generations.
He hesitated, his fingers tightening around the pendant. It wasn't just an object—it was a symbol of his family's legacy. Could he really sacrifice it?
But then he thought of the camp—of his injured father, his frightened sister, and the people who looked to him for hope. If the pendant could make him strong enough to protect them, wasn't it worth the price?
Taking a deep breath, Lin You whispered, "System, use the pendant."
**[Confirming… Heirloom Pendant detected. Consuming item for Sovereign Points.]**
**[Processing… Item consumed. Sovereign Points gained: 10.]**
A faint glow surrounded the pendant as it disintegrated into particles of light, disappearing from his hand. Lin You felt a strange warmth flood his body, followed by a surge of energy that left him breathless.
**[Sovereign Points available: 10.]**
**[Would you like to allocate points to cultivation?]**
"Yes," Lin You said immediately. "Do it."
**[Allocating points… Cultivation increased to Energy Building Realm, Two Stars.]**
Lin You's body trembled as the energy coursed through him, strengthening his muscles and sharpening his senses. He clenched his fists, feeling a newfound power he had never experienced before. It was as if a door had been opened, revealing a path to limitless potential.
"So this is the power of the system," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.
---
Lin You's newfound strength was put to the test that very night.
The low growls came first, carried on the wind like a warning. Then the howls followed, sharp and piercing, sending a chill down the spines of everyone in the camp.
"The beasts are here!" someone shouted.
Lin You stood at the forefront, his blade gleaming in the firelight. Three massive wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing red and their fur bristling with malice. But this time, Lin You wasn't afraid.
As the first wolf lunged, Lin You moved faster than he ever had before. His blade flashed like lightning, cutting through the air with precision. The wolf howled in pain as Lin You's strike tore into its flank, its blood spraying across the ground.
The second wolf charged, but Lin You was ready. He sidestepped its attack, planting his foot firmly before driving his fist into its side. The blow was enhanced by his cultivation, and the wolf was sent sprawling.
The camp erupted into chaos as the other men joined the fight, but Lin You's presence turned the tide. He wasn't just fighting—he was leading. And for the first time, the people of the camp saw hope.
By the time the battle ended, the wolves lay dead, and the camp was safe. Lin You stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through him.
This was just the beginning. But it was enough for now.
---