The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Cloudville City's streets as Yun Kai and Léi Shén made their way toward the city gates. The meeting with the magistrate had gone better than expected, though Yun Kai knew the corrupt official would become a problem eventually.For now, the benefits outweighed the costs."My lord," Léi Shén said quietly, his voice barely audible above the street noise. "That magistrate is a snake.""Most officials are," Yun Kai replied. His fingers brushed the wooden seal tucked in his robe. The carved characters felt rough against his skin. "But snakes can be useful if you know how to handle them."They passed through the marketplace where merchants hawked their wares. Yun Kai's sensory bubble expanded naturally, picking up fragments of conversation and movement around them."Fresh fish from the eastern rivers!""Quality iron tools, best prices in the county!""Medicinal herbs, guaranteed authentic!"The voices blended together into a familiar rhythm. Despite

As twilight deepened, Yun Kai spotted movement ahead. His sensory bubble picked up three figures standing beside the road. Bandits, probably. Or maybe just desperate travelers looking for easy prey."Léi Shén," Yun Kai said quietly."I see them."They kept walking at the same steady pace. As they drew closer, one of the figures stepped into the road, blocking their path."Evening, travelers," the man said. He had a rough voice and a sword at his hip. "Dangerous road after dark. We offer protection services. Very reasonable rates.""Protection from what?" Yun Kai asked mildly."Oh, you know. Demonic Beasts. Bandits. Accidents." The man grinned, showing missing teeth. "Lots of things can happen on a dark road.""I see," Yun Kai said. "And how much do these protection services cost?""Everything you're carrying." The man's grin widened. "Very reasonable, like I said."The other two figures moved out from the shadows, flanking them. All three had weapons drawn now. They thought they had e

The militia had transformed. Where once they'd been farmers with sticks, now they moved with purpose. Their spear thrusts were coordinated and the formations held together under simulated pressure. It wasn't perfect, but it was functional.More importantly, they now believed in themselves. That confidence showed in how they held their weapons, how they responded to orders. They'd gone from scared civilians to actual soldiers.After the drill concluded, Jiang Hao dismissed the men for a brief rest and approached Yun Kai. Sweat gleamed on his forehead despite the cool morning air."They're improving," Yun Kai said."Yes, my lord. The barracks makes a huge difference. Before, we were training in open fields with makeshift equipment. Now we have proper facilities.""What about their combat readiness?"Jiang Hao considered the question carefully. "In terms of basic military capability? They're solid. Most have transitioned from militia to what I'd call trained soldiers. Their force values

The column formed up with soldiers in front and rear, specialists in the middle, and Yun Kai and Jiang Hao positioned near the center, where they could respond to threats from any direction. It was a standard traveling formation, nothing fancy, but effective.They rode through Spiritrock Village's gates and headed north. The mountain loomed ahead, its forested slopes rising into morning mist. From this distance, Hutou Peak looked peaceful, almost inviting.Yun Kai knew better. Mountains were never as peaceful as they appeared.The initial path was easy enough — a well-worn trail that hunters and herb gatherers had used for years. The forest closed in around them gradually, sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled patterns.Yun Kai's sensory bubble expanded to its maximum range, sweeping the surrounding area constantly. He picked out birds in the trees, small animals scurrying through underbrush, and the movement of his own soldiers. Everything registered in his awareness like

The boar snorted and pawed the ground. Qi gathered around its body in a faint shimmer — the beast was preparing to charge. "Soldiers!" Léi Shén called over his shoulder. "Watch how I position my feet. Watch how I redirect the charge rather than meeting it head-on. And watch what happens when you use an opponent's momentum against them." The boar charged. The ground shook with its weight. Trees splintered where its tusks struck. Léi Shén waited until the last possible second. Then he moved — not backward, but to the side and slightly forward. His massive Warhammer came down in a precise arc, striking the boar's shoulder joint. The beast's momentum carried it past Léi Shén, who had already pivoted to face its flank. His second strike broke deep into the creature's hind leg. His third burst through its ribs. The entire engagement lasted maybe ten seconds. The peak-stage Spirit-tier boar collapsed, dead, its blood soaking into the rocky ground. "That," Léi Shén said, not even breath