Chapter 17: The First Trial of Blood Feast

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After Lin Yi changed his clothes and left, Gu Yuan suddenly remembered something and reminded him, "Kid, I forgot to mention last time: soul artifacts come in good and bad varieties. Some are adept at manipulating people's hearts. If you encounter such a soul artifact, you must be extremely cautious."

Manipulate people's hearts?

Could soul artifacts have their own consciousness?

"The elder is joking. Soul artifacts are precious; how could a kid like me possibly have one?"

Gu Yuan waved his hand dismissively, "Better if you don't. Just seeing you annoys me. Scram."

Lin Yi looked innocent; it seemed he had only met Elder Gu Yuan twice, yet the old man was so impatient with him.

"That kid takes his leave."

After leaving the treasure vault, Lin Yi headed straight to Gu Yongqiang's house.

Lin Yi recalled that Gu Yongqiang had a set of seldom-used bows and arrows. The bow was ordinary, not a fine one, but Lin Yi’s current strength was just enough to draw it.

Now that he had acquired the external skill "Heavenly Star Archery," Lin Yi wanted to use game time to improve his proficiency.

At this early hour, Gu Yongqiang was naturally at home.

After learning Lin Yi’s purpose, Gu Yongqiang didn’t waste words and directly tossed the dusty, old bow from the wall to Lin Yi.

"I heard about what you did yesterday. You performed well."

"As for this bow, it’s just decoration for me. Take it and use it. Although you’ve learned Gu Liehai’s Heavenly Star Archery, once you reach level four, you should find time to learn my Flame Sun Saber technique. Though not as refined as Heavenly Star Archery, among all of Gutang Village, my Flame Sun Saber technique is one of the few external skills capable of harming the sinister spirits."

Capable of harming sinister spirits?

Lin Yi was pleasantly surprised.

He hadn’t planned to give up on learning the Flame Sun Saber technique, and after hearing its value, his interest grew even more.

"Thank you, Big Brother Yongqiang!"

Gu Yongqiang nodded seriously, "Hmm, but I don’t have the original manual for the Flame Sun Saber technique. I’ll have to teach you personally. I hope your talent for saber skills isn’t too poor."

"Don’t worry, Big Brother Yongqiang. I swear I’ll study diligently..."

Since the arrival of the Descendants in Gutang Village, Gu Yongqiang had met various types of Descendants. Frankly, among all of them, he had the best impression of Lin Yi.

He believed that once Lin Yi grew stronger, he would greatly protect Gutang Village, so he was willing to help him whenever possible.

After leaving Gu Yongqiang, Lin Yi noticed a new player in the back mountain carrying a bundle of firewood.

"Brother, big brother, wait, are you also a player from Earth?"

Seeing Lin Yi, the newcomer was extremely excited and hurried forward.

The newcomer was Wang Zilong, an ordinary employee of a foreign company in real life. A few days ago, he accidentally came across a mysterious activation code and then entered the Apocalypse World.

This game world shattered Wang Zilong’s worldview but also delighted him greatly.

However, upon entering the Apocalypse World, he realized this so-called game was far different from any game he had played.

This world felt too real.

There was no beginner’s guide, no fixed NPCs, and he couldn’t go out to farm monsters because, according to the militia, going out meant death.

After being recommended to Gu Yongqiang by Elder Gu He, he had been chopping firewood here for the past two days, surviving by earning copper coins from the task rewards.

He felt miserable, working two jobs in one day.

Seeing Lin Yi dressed in militia uniform and carrying a bow and arrows, clearly an experienced player, naturally excited him.

"Brother, brother, are you from Earth?"

"Don’t call me brother. I’m an alien."

Lin Yi glanced at him and then turned away.

"Alien?"

Wang Zilong was stunned, about to say something when he saw Lin Yi disappear around the corner.

...

Then Lin Yi went to the dorm assigned by the militia.

Though called a dormitory, he seemed to be the only one living there; the militia usually used this place as a resting spot.

Today was his day off, so few people were around; only Gu He and Gu Shan were practicing external skills in the courtyard.

Almost everyone in the militia had an external skill—some trained in saber techniques, others in swordsmanship.

As Lin Yi knew, once officially joining the militia, one could spend a small amount of contribution points to exchange for external skill training.

But according to Dugu Feng, the external skills provided by the militia were of low quality.

To learn excellent external skills, one still needed to study under the village’s masters.

For example, Gu Liehai’s unique archery technique, Heavenly Star Archery, or Gu Yongqiang’s Flame Sun Saber technique, which could harm sinister spirits...

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Seeing everyone practicing martial arts, Lin Yi didn’t disturb them. Instead, he found a vacant spot in the courtyard corner, set up a wooden target, and prepared to practice with his new bow.

But when he opened his attribute panel, Lin Yi was momentarily stunned.

He discovered that his proficiency in Heavenly Star Archery had already reached two points.

He had only learned Heavenly Star Archery yesterday and had only practiced it briefly in reality, never using it in the Apocalypse game.

Could practicing external skills in reality also increase proficiency?

Lin Yi was amazed, thinking he had uncovered a great secret.

"To think I can cultivate external skills even in reality? Looks like after my six hours online in Apocalypse World, I won’t be idle in real life... Dugu Feng didn’t reveal this secret to me, but since he has external skills, he must have discovered this long ago..."

After much reflection, Lin Yi calmed himself, drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and began practicing.

However, the bow in his hands felt very different from the pound bow he used in the archery hall yesterday, so it took some time to get used to.

An hour later, standing about ten meters from the wooden target, Lin Yi could hit the target with nearly every arrow.

Though he hit the target, his accuracy varied randomly; some arrows struck the outer edge, others the center.

Lin Yi found his aptitude for archery was average. If only he could use the universal talent to obtain an archery talent, that would be ideal.

Unfortunately, the universal talent was too random; when he could draw an archery talent was uncertain.

Also, having just solidified the "Treasure Sense" talent the day before, he still needed a day or two to solidify new talents.

After practicing for a long time, Lin Yi exhausted his vitality again; his proficiency in Heavenly Star Archery had risen to five points.

Lin Yi realized that what limited proficiency growth was vitality.

Since his vitality was only 8.5, after shooting seven arrows, his vitality would bottom out. Then he had to wait for vitality to recover before practicing Heavenly Star Archery again.

But vitality recovered slowly; even sitting down to rest and replenishing food and water, it took about ten minutes to regain 1-2 points.

In the two hours this morning, Lin Yi only managed to practice two rounds of Heavenly Star Archery.

He estimated that even if proficiency increased both in game and reality, doubling the time, he could gain at most about 12 points a day.

To reach level two in Heavenly Star Archery, it would take at least over a month.

Over a month—that was too long!

Next, Lin Yi found Gu He, who had just stopped to rest, to ask how to restore vitality.

Gu He thought for a moment and said, "To restore vitality? The best way is to increase the vitality cap. Since you’re only level one, your vitality is naturally low. You can either level up and increase your four primary attributes, which will raise your vitality and recovery speed, or eat more treasures like blood food, which can add extra vitality."

Hearing this conversation, Gu Shan, who was practicing saber techniques nearby, stopped and approached.

"Qingshan, didn’t you receive some drops yesterday? Go find Elder Gu Yun. He’s skilled in alchemy and has a potion that can restore vitality."

"A potion to restore vitality? Why didn’t I see that in the treasure vault?"

"Hehe, it’s said that Elder Gu Yun and Elder Gu Yuan have always been at odds, so Gu Yun’s potions never get placed in the treasure vault. But if you look for Gu Yun alone to exchange, it’s fine."

"Alright then."

Lin Yi nodded. Though he knew potions could restore vitality, he didn’t intend to exchange for any, since he wasn’t extravagant enough to spend contribution points improving Heavenly Star Archery.

Not cost-effective.

Soon, seeing it was about time, Lin Yi planned to log off and check the studio.

At that moment, Gu Chenghu stormed into the courtyard, cursing.

Gu Shan approached, "Captain, what’s wrong?"

Gu Chenghu grumbled, "Yesterday I asked you to borrow six liang of blood food from that old miser Gu Yuan, right? Today I went to return it, but the old man said the blood food was dirty and insisted I buy it. Damn, including the demon-shaking talisman I used yesterday, I lost quite a bit."

"Forget that old man."

Gu Chenghu waved off the topic and then beckoned everyone over.

"I can’t finish this blood food alone. Brothers, anyone who sees this gets a share, a small piece each."

Hearing this, everyone’s faces lit up.

"Thanks, Captain!"

"Captain, you’re generous. I always say, among militia captains, ours from the Second Squad is the most loyal."

Though each month the militia allocated blood food rations, blood food was a treasure that increased vitality and could enhance attributes with long-term use.

Such treasure was always welcome; the more, the better.

"Enough with the flattery. I gave you this because you’re still practicing martial arts on your day off. This is your reward. Now get to training properly and protect our village. Don’t embarrass me, Gu Chenghu."

Lin Yi stepped forward and received a piece of blood food about the size of his thumb.

This blood food weighed about ten grams. If exchanged with contribution points, it would cost at least twenty points.

"Eat it quickly. This was harvested yesterday and won’t last long."

Gu Chenghu led by example, eating a fist-sized chunk in three mouthfuls.

Lin Yi also put the blood food in his mouth. Aside from a metallic, earthy taste, it had no other strange flavor and was quite palatable.

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It was said that blood food grew on a plant called "earth meat." Because it looked like writhing flesh, it was called blood food.

After eating, Lin Yi found his vitality had increased by two points, now at 10.5.

Not bad; the vitality gained from blood food was quite substantial.

Lin Yi thought he could first use his saved contribution points to exchange for blood food since it was inevitable he’d have to eat it eventually.

However, the worse one’s constitution, the less blood food one could consume daily due to digestion limits.

Blood food needed to be taken long-term to be effective.

Then Lin Yi prepared to leave.

Before logging off, he told everyone they would gather at the village’s only tavern for lunch.

Everyone cheered, shouting that Lin Yi was truly loyal.

...

When the time came, Lin Yi logged in early and went to the Fufeng Tavern, the only tavern in Gutang Village.

Located in the village’s core, Fufeng Tavern was one of the few two-story buildings and a high-end place in Gutang.

It was said the owner came from Tianshui City but settled in Gutang Village after a trade caravan was interrupted.

Upon arrival, Lin Yi noticed few diners; those present were mostly wealthy families in silk garments.

It seemed there weren’t many rich families in Gutang Village.

Understandably so—threatened by monsters and sinister spirits, cut off from the outside world, commerce had ceased, so few wealthy households remained.

Seeing Lin Yi in militia uniform, the waiter smiled and approached.

"Stranger, what would you like to eat?"

"I’ll take a look first..."

After consulting the waiter, Lin Yi found the prices reasonable and affordable. He booked a large private room on the second floor.

Then he ordered over twenty dishes, both meat and vegetables.

He counted his silver and found he had plenty left, so he ordered several jars of wine.

Though the militia usually forbade alcohol, it was his day off, so a little wine was acceptable.

Soon, Gu Chenghu and other Second Squad members arrived one after another.

Including Lin Yi and Dugu Feng, the two Descendants, the militia Second Squad had twenty-three people.

Except a few severely injured members resting at home, almost all came.

Everyone took their seats. Naturally, Gu Chenghu sat at the head, with Lin Yi and Dugu Feng seated together.

"Brothers, it’s been a long time since our Second Squad gathered. Today we finally come together... Of course, let’s toast to Qingshan. This meal is on him..."

During the meal, Dugu Feng leaned close to Lin Yi and asked about Gu Chenghu’s distribution of blood food.

After confirming, he slapped his thigh several times, seemingly regretful he missed the event.

"Brother Qingshan, next time there’s good news, remember to tell me. We joined the militia together, and you’ve got external skills and blood food—such great gains—while I haven’t even started..."

"Alright..."

Lin Yi smiled and replied casually.

In the afternoon, Lin Yi returned to the courtyard to practice archery again and went back to his dorm to bind the "Sinister Stone: Growing Soul Artifact."

The binding was simple—just place the Sinister Stone near his chest.

The stone then transformed into a streak of light, shooting into Lin Yi’s chest.

"Ding! You have successfully bound the Growing Soul Artifact Sinister Stone. Spirit +1."

Spirit +1?

Lin Yi’s heart jumped. Spirit was not one of the four basic attributes but a special attribute related to advanced professions.

He hadn’t expected binding a Sinister Stone would increase spirit and wondered if it would increase further as the stone grew.

...

Time flew, and two days passed quickly.

During these two days, Lin Yi followed the militia Second Squad on duty, guarding outside the city walls for a day.

Fortunately, the day was peaceful with no dangers occurring.